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Showing posts from July, 2025

Puppy Proofing Your Home

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PUPPIES!! Puppies are curious creatures with a lot energy. They cute, fun and tiring! Below, I have composed a couple of lists on how to "puppy proof" before you bring home your little fur ball of energy. I have divided the lists into indoor (orange) and outdoor (green) safety: It seems like A LOT, right? But, there is more.... on to the outdoor safety... In addition, make sure you do a thorough "walk around" your yard to make sure there are no hazards like broken glass, exposed nails and sharp objects to injure your puppy. Once these lists are completed, you can have peace of mind, but always remain alert and observant with your puppy.

Canine Heat Stroke

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Summer is here! Which means it will be getting HOT. Just like humans, dogs can get heat stroke. Dogs don't sweat like humans do. The only way they lose heat is through the little pads on their feet or by panting.  Humans need to take precautions when out with a dog in the heat and know how to identify when they are starting to over-heat. Here are some symptoms to watch out for and what to do if you suspect your dog may be over-heated: A dog's temperature is a bit different from a human's. If you notice that your dog is acting over-heated, the first thing you must do is take his/her temperature. Here is a link that provides instructions on the "how". Below is a nifty graphic I made on normal - dangerous temperatures for a dog:  If your dog is indeed over-heated and/or suffering heat stroke, there are measures to take in order to make sure it does not do permanent damage to your canine or become fatal: How hot is too hot? Here is handy chart ...

Keep Your Dog Cool

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Summer is here and it's getting hot. Dogs don't sweat like humans do. The only way they lose heat is through the little pads of their feet or by panting. Therefore, it's really important to take extra measures to keep your pooch cool in the heat. 1. Exercise your dog in the early morning or evening when the temperatures are a bit cooler. 2. Give Fido a summer haircut! 3. Invest in a kiddie pool for your back yard. 4. Be mindful that pavement can get REALLY hot! Try not to have your dog walk or lay on pavement in the heat. Dog booties can help provide a barrier from heat on your dog's paws. This will help them remain cool and prevent heat blisters from hot pavement. 5. Ice pops! Not for you, but for the dog. Make sure they are specifically made for dogs. Human ice pops have too much sugar or may have ingredients that are poisonous for you dog. You can buy dog ice cream/ pops at certain retailers in your area or you can make them at home. We have a ton of re...

Five Puppy Behaviors to Nip in the Bud Early

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   Puppies are highly receptive to learning the first 16-weeks of their lives. But that doesn't mean a dog older than 16-weeks cannot be trained. To foster a well-behaved adult dog, it's crucial to address specific behaviors in puppies early on. Here are five of behaviors you should consider focusing on early in your dog's life:  Chewing:  Puppies will chew on things for a variety of reasons. Just like a human baby, your puppy may be teething and chewing on things provides relief. Another reason is that your puppy is bored and looking for exploration. To help your puppy, provide lots of chew toys & redirection when chewing on an unacceptable item. In addition, you will want to make sure your puppy is getting enough exercise-- physical and mental-- to allow their natural tendency to explore to be satisfied.  Biting:  When dogs play, they naturally nip at each other, and usually will let a play partner know when play is becoming too rough. One way a ...