Dr. Jon on Chosing the Right Breed for Your Living Space

Here's Dr. Jon's take on what you should think about when choosing a new dog.  See his website at:
http://www.petplace.com.

Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs need a huge house with a big yard. The size of your home is certainly a factor when choosing a dog that's a good fit for your lifestyle, but having cozy quarters doesn't mean that you need to remain dog-free. Today I want to discuss the real issue of your home's size as it relates to your choice in dogs, and to offer a couple of breed recommendations.

Some dogs aren't a good fit for apartments for several reasons. Their sheer size alone might be a factor; many apartment complexes do not allow dogs over 35 pounds. Dogs who require a lot of activity, such as collies, will likely be frustrated and feel anxious without room to run around. Still other dogs are very intelligent and easily get bored if they are not given enough mental stimulation... and boredom leads to destructive behavior! And other dogs are a no-go because they are very vocal or protective, barking loudly at the slightest noise or movement from neighbors. Giving your dog a safe and responsible home includes one where they will be enjoyed and respected, not constantly scolded or crated for being loud.

Some dogs, though, are an amazing fit for these smaller living spaces. They are the perfect low-key companions for apartment dwellers. Check out these three breeds who can live quite happily and comfortably in an apartment:

Pug - This small breed is a very popular choice for smaller living spaces. Their short fur makes grooming easy, although you must be sure to keep an eye on shedding. At about a foot in height and 20 pounds, they need minimal space and are typically thrilled to cuddle on the couch with you. Pugs also don't need much exercise - in fact, their short faces can make breathing difficult if they exercise too strenuously, so be sure to keep an eye on them if accessing your apartment requires going up and down lots of stairs.

Greyhound - Although the greyhound is a relatively large dog - weighing an average of 65 pounds and standing at 2.5 feet tall -they are relatively low-maintenance. Their soft, short fur is very simple to groom and these big cuddlebugs are frequently called “couch potatoes” for their low-key personalities. They do require regular exercise, however, and must have access to a securely fenced area for running at least a few times a week. If your landlord does not permit dogs over 35 pounds, consider checking out other sighthounds such as whippets or Italian greyhounds; these gentle, quiet, and loving dogs are a wonderful addition to any apartment.

Miniature Schnauzer - The miniature Schnauzer is a loving, faithful dog who thrives on human interaction. The smallest of the Schnauzer family, this miniature breed weighs only about 15 pounds. Unlike the standard and giant Schnauzer, these miniatures don't mind spending time alone. Their reputation as a child-loving dog makes them a good option for a family.

There are many more breeds that are great for living in apartments. You can learn more about apartment-friendly breeds at this link. Once you know what kind of puppy will do well in your home, don't forget to read up about everything you need to know about choosing and getting a puppy right here. And finally, when you're ready to find your new companion, check out this link to find a new pet near you.


There are many adorable dogs out there, but don't be swayed by a cute face. A pet is for life so carefully consider their needs from puppyhood to maturity.

Until next time,

Dr. Jon

   
P.S. - What if you're on the other end of the spectrum and have a lot of room? Maybe you are interested in discovering which dogs will be best for your children or senior family members. You can find the perfect dog to fit your lifestyle by reading all about different breeds right here at this link.

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www.facebook.com/thedoggieden

Canine Reiki Treatments from Mary Oquendo

Mary Oquendo is the owner of Pawsitively Pretty Mobile Grooming Salon in Danbury, CT and has been in the pet industry for the past 10 years.  She is one of only three Certified Master Pet Tech Instructors. In addition, she is a Certified Canine Specialist. She is a feature writer on a trade blog. She teaches pet first aid on a national level and is a featured speaker at educational trade conferences. Mary also trains people to become pet first aid instructors and offers professional consultation to pet professionals. 

Mary is a Reiki Master trained in the Usui System of Natural Healing. She works with animals in their home in the Danbury, CT area. She also offers Attunement classes. Check her website for upcoming dates.

What is Reiki?
Reiki is an ancient healing system in which the practitioner channels the Universal Life Force energy that surrounds us into the pet in need. Mary uses a gentle hands on the body or just above in the pets physical aura. She also offers long distance Reiki, which is used in hospitals and shelters.

Benefits of Reiki
*Deep relaxation. It reduces stress and tension.
*Renews strength and vitality.
*Improves body functions.
*Strengthens the immune system.
*Relieves the effects of chemotherapy.
*Speeds healing of wounds, fractures, and surgerical procedures.
*Relieves aches and pains.
*Removes energy blocks.
*Eases their transition to the Rainbow Bridge.

Reiki is a valuable component of an overall balanced health maintenance program that includes traditional veterinary care. Mary encourages an open dialogue between you and your veterinarian regarding her offerings. She emphasizes that her services supplement veterinary care but do not replace it.

Check out this dog link!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Excellent Hot Weather Advice from the ASPCA

 I'm reposting this from http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/hot-weather-tips.aspx

 Hot Weather Tips

We all love spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with our furry companions, but being overeager in hot weather can spell danger, ASPCA experts warn.
"Most people love to spend the warmer days enjoying the outdoors with friends and family, but it is important to remember that some activities can be dangerous for our pets," said Dr. Camille DeClementi, Senior Toxicologist at the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center. "By following a few simple rules, it is easy to keep your pet safe while still having fun in the sun."
Take these simple precautions, provided by ASPCA experts, to help prevent your pet from overheating. And if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, get help from your veterinarian immediately.

Visit the Vet 
A visit to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer check-up is a must. Make sure your pets get tested for heartworm if they aren't on year-round preventive medication. Do parasites bug your animal companions? Ask your doctor to recommend a safe flea and tick control program.

Made in the Shade
Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it's hot outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it's extremely hot.

Know the Warning Signs 
Symptoms of  overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees. Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

No Parking!
Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. "On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time-even with the windows open-which could lead to fatal heat stroke," says Dr. Louise Murray, Vice President of ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. Also, leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is illegal in several states.

Make a Safe Splash
Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool-not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset.

Screen Test 
"During warmer months, the ASPCA sees an increase in injured animals as a result of High-Rise Syndrome, which occurs when pets-mostly cats-fall out of windows or doors and are seriously or fatally injured," says Dr. Murray. "Pet owners need to know that this is completely preventable if they take simple precautions." Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed and make sure adjustable screens are tightly secured.

Summer Style
Feel free to trim longer hair on your dog, but never shave your dog: The layers of dogs' coats protect them from overheating and sunburn. Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat. And be sure that any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on animals.

Street Smarts 
When the temperature is very high, don't let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Being so close the ground, your pooch's body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.

Avoid Chemicals 
Commonly used flea and tick products, rodenticides (mouse and rat baits), and lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested, so keep them out of reach. When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. Keep citronella candles, oil products and insect coils out of pets' reach as well. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect your animal has ingested a poisonous substance.

Party Animals
Taking Fido to a backyard barbeque or party? Remember that the food and drink offered to guests may be poisonous to pets. Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication, depression and comas. Similarly, remember that the snacks enjoyed by your human friends should not be a treat for your pet; any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe digestive ailments. Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with the sweetener xylitol.

Fireworks Aren't Very Pet-riotic
Please leave pets at home when you head out to Fourth of July celebrations, and never use fireworks around pets. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma to curious pets, and even unused fireworks can be hazardous. Many types of fireworks contain potentially toxic substances such as potassium nitrate, copper, chlorates, arsenic and other heavy metals.

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

Don't Shave Your Dog!

Excellent advice from the ASPCA:  Click here for ASPCA blog.

Nearly everywhere in America, this summer is a scorcher, and we know that as a responsible pet parent, you want to do everything you can to keep your best four-legged friends cool. So when you look at your Pomeranian, Golden Retriever or long-haired cat wearing a thick, fluffy coat, you might feel tempted to break out your grooming tools and give him a serious hair cut. But hold those clippers! While you or I would hate to sport a fur coat in 100-degree weather, your pets’ fur coats are actually providing them with heat relief.

“A dog’s coat is kind of like insulation for your house,” explains Dr. Louise Murray, Senior Vice President of ASPCA Bergh Memorial Hospital. “Insulation stops your home from getting too cold in winter, but it also keeps it from overheating in summer—and your dog’s coat does the same thing.”
Dogs’ coats have several layers, and these layers are essential to your dog’s comfort in the heat. Robbing your dog of this natural cooling system can lead to discomfort and overheating. And keeping your dog cool isn’t the only reason to leave his coat intact, Dr. Murray warns. Your dog’s coat prevents your pup from getting sunburn and helps protect her from skin cancer.

So what can you do? “It’s OK to trim your long-haired dog’s long hair, such as any hair that hangs down on his legs,” Dr. Murray says. Just never attempt to clip mats off your pet’s coat with scissors, Dr. Murray adds. And if you’ve got a long-haired kitty, leave her coat intact. Instead, brush her a little more frequently during the hot summer months.

To protect your pet from sunburn and skin cancer, save longer walks for evenings, and consider applying pet-specific sun block to thinly covered areas like the bridge of your dog’s nose, the tips of his ears and his belly, Dr. Murray suggests, noting that pets with thin coats, as well as those with white or light-colored coats, are especially at risk for sun damage.

Of course, pet parents should remember to keep pets inside with plenty of water during hot days—hydration is key! For more important information on summer pet care, visit our Hot-Weather Tips.

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

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And for dog care check out this link:
The Doggie Den Homepage

Dr. Jon on Pet Food Recalls

Dr. Jon's website: https://www.petplace.com

Today I want to talk about a very important topic: pet food recalls. As you may realize, sometimes items must be recalled from the market for safety reasons. Everything from jars of baby food to furniture has been recalled as a way to keep customers safe. When it's food that's being recalled, it's usually because it has been tainted by something that can make us sick. And just as our food can be contaminated with salmonella or E. coli bacteria, it's important to understand that your pet's food can become tainted, too.  To read more click on Dr. Jon's website and search pet food recalls.

Check out these dog links!
The Doggie Den Homepage

4th of July Tips from the ASPCA

Fourth of July Safety Tips

For many people, nothing beats lounging in the backyard on the Fourth of July with good friends and family—including the four-legged members of the household. While it may seem like a great idea to reward Rover with scraps from the grill and bring him along to watch fireworks, in reality some festive foods and products can be potentially hazardous to your pets. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center offers the following tips:

• Never leave alcoholic drinks unattended where pets can reach them. Alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets. If ingested, the animal could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. Death from respiratory failure is also a possibility in severe cases.  To read more, check out the ASPCA Website.
  

© 2012 ASPCA. All Rights Reserved.

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