by Wayne Booth on June 18, 2008
About a week ago I had a potential new customer call to schedule an appointment for my “Surviving Your Puppy” lesson. The dog was 12 weeks old and needed some help with housetraining and play biting. I took all the dog owners information and scheduled an appointment for the next day.
While we were talking she mentioned that the puppy had just been released after spending 4 days at the vets’ office. I asked what had been the problem and she said the most horrible 5 letter word any dog owner can hear “PARVO”. Yes the dog had only been home for 48 hours after spending 4 days being treated for parvo. I quickly told her I would call her right back.
After making a quick call to my trusted vet my suspicions were confirmed. I called her back and explained that I could not be around her dog for at least 30 days. I could actually pass it on to other dogs as well as my own. Of course we cancelled the appointment.
The very next day one of the local vets was on the 6 o’clock news warning everybody about a huge increase in Parvo in our area. In fact, if you adopted, rescued or bought a dog in the last several days, watch for signs of parvo and have you dog checked by your vet.
It turns out my lady had been told by her vet that the dog would be contagious for 30 days and would need to come in for a check up and an all clear.
Please everybody exercise responsible pet ownership and keep other dogs and their owners safe from your pet when it has a contagious disease.
by Wayne Booth on June 9, 2008
I just have to share my favorite new gadget with you….and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it is a Roomba…yes, the robot vacuum cleaner. My husband (he’s a Dog Trainer/ Canine Behaviorist) had gone to a client’s home and spotted this round disc-like thing on the floor. The lady of the house explained to him that it was her Roomba and proceeded to show him how it works….Being a “gadget” man, he came home and told me all about it….Well, we have a perfectly good vacuum cleaner – I really didn’t see the need for another one, plus I have a cleaning lady who comes every other week….I mean, for the cost of the Roomba, I could fill my gas tank 5 more times!!!
Well, Wayne (my husband) insisted that we get one and try it out. I ended up paying $280.00 after using a Linens ‘N Things coupon ( you can get one at Costco for the same price without coupon)….SO WORTH IT.
What has been the best thing about my Roomba? Well, for starters…no more fur-balls in the corners. We have a Pug, and if you don’t know, Pugs are the #1 dog shedders. You would think as much hair as they lose daily, that they would be bald! Our hardwood floors always had remnants of “Bennie”…You could see exactly where he laid because of his shedding. If you have a Pug, you learn quickly to ignore dog hair…it is just becomes a way of life when you own a dog.
Here’s the best part….with the model that we purchased, the 560, you can program it to vacuum at a specific time of day, every day! Now, every night, while we lay sleeping, Roomba rhumba’s through our house, working it’s magic over our hardwoods and carpet. When we awake in the morning, I see all these vacuum cleaner marks in my carpet ( Ladies, you know what I’m talking about)….it is the most beautiful sight…freshly vacuumed carpet to wake up to….who needs Folgers?
I have a new best friend….and his name is ROOMBA!
I’d like to thank my lovely wife for letting me use this article from her blog and letting you know how to eliminate all that loose dog hair .
by Wayne Booth on June 5, 2008
Dog parks are not for everyone and certainly not for every dog. Personally I’m not a dog park person but many of my clients enjoy taking their dogs to the dog park for interaction with other dogs.
Dogs are pack animals and accordingly, enjoy running and playing with other dogs. If they are available in your area, dog parks are a great place where your dog can run off leash and socialize with other dogs. Not only do they please your furry companion, but you can feel like a good owner in knowing that your dog is getting their social needs met. As an example, Nashville, Tennessee, has several fenced in dog parks where your dog can be let loose to run and play.
Even though dogs are allowed to be off leash, they must still, obviously, be supervised by their owners. The dog park environment seems relaxed and in the dog’s favor, but you still have the potential to maintain teaching your dog to be obedient. Many dog park guests simply sit on the bench and wait for their dog to wear themselves out so they can leave. Doing this is neglecting your responsibility to your position as your dog’s master and teacher.
In such an atmosphere, there is the potential for your dog to cause problems that you might not notice if you allow yourself to disconnect from your animal while they are at play. To prevent such skirmishes and to remind your animal that they are still to obey you, take the time to do the following steps the next time you are out at the dog park. Making sure your animal is still listening and obedient, even while excited and at play, will ensure their safety and fun while out.
- Practice periodically leashing your dog and removing him from the fenced area. Go over a few basic commands he is used to, such as sit or stay, and reward him before returning him to playing. This technique reminds your animal that obeying you is still important, even when he is having tons of fun or is distracted.
- When dogs are loose and at play, dominance aggression is sometimes an inevitable occurrence. Social canine aggression can lead to dangerous tiffs in which your dog, or someone else’s dog, could get injured. You can minimize the potential for aggression cropping up by reminding your dog and nearby dominant dogs that you are in control of him. Do this by calling to your animal by name while they are at play, having him come to you and petting him before allowing him to return to the other dogs.
- Be careful to keep a close watch on your dog and to dissolve or remove him from bad situations with negative behavior. Red flags include tense or aggressive body language, mounting, intense staring, snarling or nipping. While in a pack, as is the case in dog parks, dominant dogs have a tendency to single out submissive ones. If your dog lies on their back, tucks in their tail or begins to urinate, make sure to remove him immediately, as this is a sign of being overwhelmed by stress and fear.
Good trips to the dog park can be a great experience for both you and your dog. Remember a tired dog is a happy dog and playing at the park can give your dog the much needed exercise he needs.
