When moving with two dogs, how do you get them used to the new environment?

When moving with your dogs it is very important to make sure that you purchase new tags with current contact information and update microchip information in case the dogs get away from you for any reason.  Also, check with your veterinarian to make sure that all vaccinations are up to date and you have all necessary paperwork.

Once you arrive in the new place, immediately set up a small area such as a room or bathroom, depending on the size of the dogs, where they can have all of their personal belongings they are used to.  This would include toys, bedding, food, treats, bowls, and crates.  You may also want to bring water from your old location and gradually add in new water if it is different.

You will want to try and keep your dogs on their normal schedule as much as possible for eating and walking or going outside.  As the dogs appear to feel comfortable, with supervision, you can give them access to one or two more rooms at a time.  It is important to not be stressed or anxious yourself and to engage in normal activity such as playing with your dogs so that you do not add to your dogs possible anxiety.

If you are worried about your dogs being excessively anxious about a new environment, talk to your veterinarian prior to moving.  Substances such as dog appeasing pheromones may be beneficial or medications may be necessary in extreme cases.

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute veterinary advice.  The content is not be used for medical diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal.Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Baker.  Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

Like most trainers, this guy has the ability to get the dogs under control without even trying. At least it shows us that she is capable of doing something and that it is really us who have to learn. Gracie and my mom have learned some pretty great tricks recently.

One of the most comical ones is that she can now walk on a treadmill. This trick was all a part of her confidence training. Some other exercises that they did were jumping on a table and on a counter. These things were not to show her that she was able to do them and therefore encourage her to do them, but rather to build her self confidence. I never knew that dogs had to work on their self-confidence as well! In any case, they have worked hard and now Gracie can get on a moving treadmill. Yes, a moving treadmill. Said differently, if we had a treadmill, my dad could put her on that machine instead of taking her on his run every day. That being said, we would rather run her outside, but there are some days on which bringing her along is tiring.

I think that the most useful thing that she has learned in the past few weeks is “kennel”. If you look at her and sternly say the word kennel, she will sprint from wherever she is to her cage in the living room. Furthermore, my mom has trained her to stay in the cage until my mom says that she can come out. The next step will be to get her to stop whining and pawing at the imaginary door that she sets up for herself while she’s in the cage.

Stay tuned for Gracie’s next tricks!

For example, my local Ace Hardware store offers free samples of dog food. I score one package of each type of food when I go shopping there. I have also gotten dozens of free dog food samples from promotions on the Internet. A few years ago, I even received a coupon good for a five pound bag — of one of the most expensive brands!

To find many of these offers, all you need to do is search “free dog food,” and if any samples are currently available, they will pop up in the search results. Check often, as companies change their promotions regularly. One site not to miss is Wal-Mart.com. For instance, a promotion for dog snacks just expired, but they have free samples on and off throughout the year. And if you hurry, you can get a sample from Rachael Ray for her new dog food, Nutrish. Just register on the Nutrish web site.

Another way to get freebies is to sign up for birthday clubs at participating local pet stores. At Mound’s Pet Food Warehouse in Wisconsin, dog owners can enjoy free events throughout the year, and each time they make a purchase in the store, they receive a free Mounds candy bar. Check your local pet shop to see what kinds of freebies they offer in order to secure your business.

Finally, check out the website, BringFido.com. If you love to travel with your pet, you can find listings of pet friendly lodging, restaurants, and more. There’s also a place to sign up for freebies. Not long ago they were offering free T-shirts!

One thing to be aware of – not all free offers end up being really free. One promotion for two free flush doggie poop bags added a $1.99 shipping and handling fee. (The cool thing, though, is that these bags are both biodegradable and flushable).

Owning a dog can be expensive, so why not take advantage of the many freebies offered by companies vying for your business? All it takes is a little time, and minimal effort, but you will get good quality items in return.

In addition, even if you don’t own a dog, but you love canines, consider signing up for these free offers. When you have a collection of free food samples, you can donate them to the local animal shelter. (This could even be taken on as a project by a youth group, with each child competing to see how much free food they could secure for a shelter in a given amount of time).

With freebies you win, companies win, and even the local pet shelter or rescue could win!

However, our road bumps have only made us more motivated to train her and to put time into her. Thus far it has paid off, but the rewards are coming along slowly. Nevertheless, Gracie has some new tricks up her sleeve! Well, that is if she had any sleeves.

She can now sit loyally next to you and she will not leave your side if you instruct her to stay. She can resist the temptations and distractions of other animals or humans. She will only do this if you have a treat in your hand, but I will be happy to carry around a box of treats if it means that she will be on her best behavior.

My mother has been doing a lot of training sessions with her. Her trainer, Larry, is great. He understands what the dogs are going through and is able to control dogs with no problem. My mom thinks that Gracie knows that she’s in school, so she is on her best behavior then. Larry goes out of his way to train dogs. He will bring in dogs with all different types of personalities, cats, and more. He even tries to build up dogs’ confidences by teaching them how to walk on a treadmill. She also had a training with an electric collar, but  that was only one session. It may be necessary to get one for her for when we take her for runs.

While it’s a little sad that we can’t cuddle her while she sleeps, the progress that we have been seeing has been worth it.

Although everyone celebrates Christmas in their own special way, a recurring theme I see amongst many families is the giving of gifts to the pets on Christmas.  I think it is a fun and creative way to involve the pets in family celebrations.  At my Dad’s house this Christmas, we gave our dog several toys as Christmas presents, and my uncle gave his dog some presents too.  Sadly, at my mom’s house, neither the chickens nor Gonzo got Christmas presents.  So, I was thinking about whether or not it is actually worth getting your pet a present.

1. It really depends on the species of pet you have.  I’m pretty sure that every time the chickens get human food, they consider it a holiday.  Gonzo is in a similar situation.  Every time he is fed, he is probably happy, and adding a new fixture to his tank may freak him out just as much as it could make him happy.  On the other hand, smarter animals like cats and dogs are excited to get new things and may actually make a connection with the festivities and gifts.
2. It also depends on what they are getting.  If you decide you want to give your dog a sweater, he may not be overly pleased with the gift du jour.  At the same time, my dog was very excited to get new chew toys and a blanket (he piles the blankets in his bed and sleeps in them).
3. Be careful with the festivities.  I know many people who have dogs who can unwrap presents and get the gift out.  This is all fun and games, but be careful to make sure that Fido doesn’t ingest any of the wrapping paper or ribbon.  This could make him one very un-jolly pooch.

With this in mind, have some Happy Holidays!

Will a puppy show signs if it hasn’t lost its baby teeth, or should we check?

During puppyhood you will probably not see clinical signs from retained deciduous (baby) teeth. However, problems are beginning and can lead to symptomatic dental disease as your dog gets older.

If baby teeth do not fall out as the adult teeth grow in, then they can cause a misalignment of the teeth and potentially lead to an abnormal bite as the puppy develops. This may or may not cause some oral pain when the dog is older, depending on the severity of the misalignment. The bigger problem is that because the mouth is overcrowded with teeth, there is a greater incidence of tartar and plaque build-up, which accelerates the progression of gingivitis and periodontal disease.

These can lead to abscesses,infection, tooth mobility, and eventually loss of some teeth. These can also be painful and cause the dog to have a harder time eating, which can lead to irritability, weight loss, foul breath, and withdrawal from normal activity.

If a dog’s dental disease is allowed to progress, it can also  exacerbate other conditions that older dogs may have, such as diabetes, liver problems, kidney, and heart disease.

Your veterinarian will check your puppy’s mouth at each wellness visit and can show you which deciduous teeth are still present. Generally, if your puppy has not lost his baby teeth by the time he is 6-7 months old, they are not going to come out on their own. At this time, your veterinarian can do a brief oral surgery procedure to extract the retained teeth and prevent those from playing a role in future dental problems. This can be done in conjunction with your dog’s spay or neuter surgery, if that has not already occurred.

Cats can also have problems with retained deciduous teeth, though it is not nearly as common as it is in dogs.

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute veterinary advice.  The content is not be used for medical diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal. Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Teller.  Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

This story reminds me of the valiant dog, Ginny, who during her lifetime rescued hundreds of cats from certain peril. The Ginny website explains that after she was rescued from an abandoned apartment building, Ginny began a career that has been unmatched to date. She literally made it her life’s work to seek out the most frail and needy cats; those trapped and/or near death. And even though a canine, she connected with all of these felines immediately. Her devotion to these rescues was so astounding, that her owner even wrote two books about her adventures, and when Ginny died in 2005, 18 of her cat rescues were with her.

Closer to home, I witnessed another example of a dog’s love for a cat first-hand. When we first brought our kitten, Muffy, home she did her best to be brave in the unfamiliar surroundings. She puffed herself up into a round ball of frizzy grey fur, she arched her tiny back, and she let out a series of tremendous hisses. Our beloved mutt, Barnie Sue, didn’t let Muffy’s standoffish demeanor trick her. She knew what Muffy needed to feel at ease in her new home, a furry friend. With a few gentle licks followed by a several soft whimpers, Barnie quieted the kitten, and in a matter of hours, the two were fast friends, cuddling and playing as if they had always known each other.

For many years, Barnie relished her role as Muffy’s mentor and protector, and Muffy loved her “big sister” as much as she would have loved one of her own kind. So great was their love, that when Barney died, Muffy seemed lost, and she never acted the same again.

These examples all point to the fact that the old saying, “fighting like cats and dogs,” is not always correct. In many cases, dogs and cats live harmonious, loving lives, and they can care for one another. Yes, it’s true, some dogs absolutely love cats!

Maybe it’s because in all of these instances, the cats involved were kittens when they first met their canine friends, or maybe it’s because certain dogs tolerate cats better, but whatever the case, canine/feline love is possible.
What about you? Do you have an example of a dog that would rather love a cat that tear it to pieces?

When can you tell if your dog needs a sweater? Well, that is a pretty easy question to answer. Does your dog look cold? Is your puppy shivering? Get your dog a sweater! You can certainly turn your sweater into a fashion statement, but sometimes, it is just necessary. It is a real need for some dogs; this is because they feel the cold more than others. There are a variety of reasons for a dog to feel cold and there isn’t one “level” of coldness. Some dogs may only need a t-shirt fabric sweater while others may need a breathable fleece. If you think about it, dogs are kind of like humans!

Small dogs frequently need sweaters. This is because their bodies are smaller and they do not generate as much body heat. Some examples of some small dogs that should have winter sweaters include. Chihuahuas, Maltese, Yorkies, Lhasa Apsos, and Shih Tzus need protection from the cold, along with Bichon Frise and short-haired dachshunds to name a few. Dogs with short hair may or may not need a sweater. Gracie will certainly need one, but my friend’s Labrador usually is okay in the winter. This is because she has an undercoat that Gracie does not have.

Dobermans, Whippets, Greyhounds, and more are some examples of some thin-haired dogs that should get a sweater. It’s pretty easy to tell which other breeds do; the skinnier and thinner-haired dogs are likely candidates. Skinnier dogs typically need a sweater because they do not have as much body fat to keep them warm.

Obviously, if your dog is sick or still  a puppy, there is a good chance that they might need a sweater to get them through the winter months.

Long story short, if your dog seems to be cold, you should be getting your dog a sweater! I know that Gracie has a whole bunch of sweaters– one for running, one for playing in the snow, and more!

(To read our vet’s view on winter wear for animals, including boots, click here.)

I guess I never thought about the possibility that my beloved pet would be injured if we happened to be involved in a car accident; it must have been that I suffered from a common condition in teens — optimism.

Years have gone by, and my little Beagle/Dachshund mix has long since passed. In the meantime, I have become more safety conscious. For example, last week I saw a Golden Retriever, luscious hair flowing in the wind, front two legs perched precariously on the side of a truck that was traveling at about 30 miles per hour. Although a beautiful sight, the dog seemed so vulnerable in that open truck bed, especially on this particular stretch of road where ducks often cause vehicles to swerve or stop suddenly.

“What is that man thinking?” I asked my husband, as I pointed towards the dog, whose nose pointed skyward, sniffing joyfully. My overactive imagination already painted a picture of the dog flying helplessly from the truck, crashing on the pavement, the owner devastated at his pet’s death.

The incident made me think – how many dogs are injured or die in car crashes each year? I wanted to know how many pets who were riding with the owner in the vehicle were hurt. I did some research on the Internet, and although I couldn’t find any specific data, I did come across dozens of news headlines discussing the phenomenon.

One of the saddest incidents involved a dog who suffered a broken neck. Other stories related details about dogs with broken bones and crushed bodies. I even read about a police dog that was relieved of his duties after being in a crash with his trainer. Sadly, the family must pay for the vet bills, as the dog is no longer an active member of the police department.

The good news is I discovered there are ways to secure dogs of all sized in vehicles. Specially made harnesses work in both sedans and trucks. One company, Buckle-Up-Pup, describes their product as “…a unique combination of a chest and rear harness. The “V” tie-down clips the harness to a seat belt or to an anchor point below the dog’s belly.”

It’s up to the owner, of course, whether to buy these safety products, but knowing what I know now, I would have protected Barnie Sue, and made sure I buckled her safely for each trip. I ended up lucky…my beloved dog died of complications due to old age, not from an injury sustained in a car crash.

One thought of ours was that she might have worms, but she doesn’t. It is important to treat and de-worm your puppy. Worms make puppies sick and they are typically found in the digestive tract. The worms take all of the nutrients that your puppy is supposed to get and this can cause weight loss, dehydration, vomiting, and more. There are two common types of worms–the roundworm and the tapeworm. Even if your puppy’s mom was healthy, your puppy will most likely get worms (90-98% of all puppies get worms). If your puppy isn’t treated and an infestation occurs, then you will be able to see the worms in your puppy’s stool. However, your puppy may have worms without you even knowing it. When this happens, your puppy will have worms in her or her digestive tract and you won’t be able to see that without an examination.

There are a few options when it comes to treating your puppy for worms (preventative or for treatment). The best option is to go to your Vet and have them prescribe something for your puppy. Another option would be to get the over-the-counter medication. In general, you will have to hold fast to a schedule until the puppy is 6 months old. After that it is best to switch to a heartworm medication. This should prevent your dog from getting worms in the future.

If it’s not worms, what is keeping Gracie so skinny? She likes her food, is getting fed constantly, and is not held under stressful conditions, so in theory, she should be gaining weight.