An Inside Look at Behavioral Meds for DogsFamily behavior has changed. Instead of one person working in a home, there are two out of the house all day long working fulltime, and in some cases more than one job. In addition, the idea of being able to afford a big house with a backyard is gone. Some families now live in a tiny one-bedroom apartment. It is all some people can afford. And if you are a dog, then this is a big adjustment. A dog is used to running around freely, chasing after wildlife in the backyard, and interacting with someone throughout the day due to one parent staying home. But now everything has shifted. A dog is expected to stay in a house for eight or ten hours a day with no other interaction. And then being cooped up with family members and no room to roam or space solely designated for your canine, may cause mental issues in dogs opening up the door to taking a closer look at behavior meds in dogs. Some experts do not believe in providing a dog with mood altering medications. It cost too much, and there is a belief that the situation may be fixed with proper dog training and interaction. However, in some cases, this is not always the case. There are times when a dog has an unsettling fear towards other humans and animals. A medication along with positive reinforcement could reduce these fears easing the stress on your dog’s body. It is a tough road to adjust your dog’s behavior regardless of the method utilized. But perhaps there is something to be said for providing medications alongside positive reinforcement to help your dog remain calm, peaceful and happy. For more information talk to a Florida dog training or a k9 obedience training instructor today. By ABC7|2022-08-12T23:23:02-04:00August 4th, 2010|Dog Care Tips, Pet Supplies|Comments Off on An Inside Look at Behavioral Meds for DogsRead More
Common Dog Medical CareA responsible dog owner needs to provide lots of love and care to his/her pet. Provide a safe environment and plenty of exercise and nutrition. But this also means you need to pay attention to common medical care for your dog. Here is a list of things to look out for regarding your dog’s health and advice on how to manage these situations. Spaying and Neutering If this is the first time for you to own a pet, then you may not be aware of the benefits of spaying and neutering your pet. Spaying your dog erases the risk of an infected uterus from occurring at a later stage in life. And neutering male dogs prevents prostate4 and testicular diseases from developing. It also reduces certain types of aggressive behavior. Heartworms Heartworms are a parasite that needs to be treated right away. It is passed along amongst canines through mosquitoes. It can be fatal if left untreated. Take precautions by giving a monthly pill to your dog during mosquito season. Bad Breath A dog’s breath is a symptom not to take likely. It may be a sign of something terrible unfolding within. For instance, if your dog’s breath smells like urine, then your loving pet could be suffering from a kidney disease. If you suspect anything going on with your pet, then take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. To find out more information about what you need to know regarding owning a dog, talk to a Florida dog trainer or a Florida puppy class instructor today. By ABC7|2022-08-12T23:23:16-04:00August 3rd, 2010|Dog Care Tips|Comments Off on Common Dog Medical CareRead More
Why Socialization in Puppies is IdealIt is essential to your puppy’s development to be handled and trained by you and other people. It allows your puppy to understand that humans are not something to fear, and begins the socialization skills off on a positive start. Puppies need nail trimming, grooming, shots, and training. And sometimes these tasks are not always completed by you. There are professionals who handle these duties with ease. But if your puppy is not common to new environments and other people, then your canine could react in a negative manner to these fresh elements. Socialization is a means of making certain that nothing bad occurs when placed in an unfamiliar setting. Why Puppy Socialization is Essential The more exposure your pup has to various environments, the easier it will be for your pup to remain calm or at ease during hectic situations. For instance, let us say you are taking your dog out for a walk. Along the sidewalk there is construction unfolding with jackhammers, traffic build-up, loud noises, lots of people and pedestrian congestion. But you need to give your dog’s daily exercise. You are not going to turn around and go back home. If your dog has a certain level of socialization experience, then it will not be a problem. Your dog will adapt by ignoring these factors regardless of the sound level. If your dog is not able to adapt to the situation, then your dog may react with undesirable behavior. It could lead to aggressive interactions, fear, insecurities, and the desire to runaway. Avoid any negative situation from unfolding by properly socializing your pup to a wide array of people and settings. Learn Socialization in Puppy Classes To find out more about your puppy’s needs, enroll in a puppy kindergarten or puppy preschool today. An expert will be able to guide you on socialization and other necessary elements for proper puppy training. By Mark S.|2022-08-12T23:23:34-04:00August 3rd, 2010|Dog Care Tips, Dog Training Classes, Obedience Classes|Comments Off on Why Socialization in Puppies is IdealRead More
How to Prepare for a StormHurricane season is approaching. Tropical thunderstorms keep showing up on radar in clusters and we need to prepare for the worst. That means buying bottled water, canned foods, batteries, and more. But within the midst of your preparations, did you remember to purchase items for your pets? Do you have pet supplies to ride out a storm? Here is a storm checklist for pet owners. Be sure you go through it and start planning from now. Create an Emergency Pet Storm Kit You have an emergency storm kit for you, so why isn’t there one created for your pet? Start by packing a full week or two of pet food. You need to have it on-hand in case your pet gets hungry. Also, pack a few garbage bags in case there is any waste or clean-up needed after a storm. You don’t want your pet to catch something from the post-storm debris. The garbage bags will help achieve this goal. Also, you need to have the pet carrier ready to go. Make sure it is in good condition and lasts through a storm. You don’t want anything to break off of it endangering your pet further. In addition, always keep your pet’s papers up to date, including identity tags, medical records, and your contact information. Be certain these items are secure with your pet. You need to be certain your pet is easily identified if for some reason you were forced to evacuate. To find out more about how to handle a storm as a responsible pet owner, talk to a Florida dog trainer or a k9 obedience instructor today. By ABC7|2022-08-12T23:23:45-04:00August 3rd, 2010|Dog Care Tips|Comments Off on How to Prepare for a StormRead More
Dog Walking TipsThere are ways to make dog walking not seem so much like a chore, but rather time you both may enjoy together. Here are some basic tips to keep you on the right track. Choose Your Leash Wisely You need to be sure to select a lease that coincides with your dog’s personality and habits. If your dog is easy to walk even during high traffic, then a flexi-leash is fine. It allows your dog to explore surroundings without feeling confide. If your dog has the bad habit of biting on the leash, a chain leash may be more appropriate. Stay Off the Lawn Pesticides, fertilizers, various plants and flowers may all be dangerous to your pet’s health. Stay away from these areas. In addition, you don’t know what type of bugs or creatures could be looming within the grass. There may be a poisonous snake or spider. Just steer clear to keep your canine safe. Allow Your Dog to Say Hi…Within Reason If along the path other dogs and people wish to pet your dog, then wait and see how your dog reacts. If your dog is known to remain calm and allow people to greet, then great. Encourage it. If your dog does not get along with others avoid the contact altogether. You don’t want a negative situation to ensue. To find out more dog walking tips, talk to a Florida dog obedience professional or enroll in a k9 obedience class today. By ABC7|2022-08-12T23:24:03-04:00August 3rd, 2010|Dog Care Tips, Dog Training Classes, Obedience Classes|Comments Off on Dog Walking TipsRead More