It’s no secret that if we would’ve found a dog trainer we thought was “good enough” for our dog I wouldn’t have become a dog trainer… Funny how life unfolds.

But now that I am a dog trainer the above statement taken out of context would sound like I am bad mouthing other dog trainers. This is not true. If anything I am often the first to admit when I go to dog training events I am usually disregarded because for me dog training is more of a personal journey shared by 2 different species than a person trying to teach a dog to sit & stay.

Whenever your dog is around you, you can be assured that there is training taking place. Either your dog is learning from you or your dog is teaching you.

February is dental health month for pets. Here is an article we received from our friends at South Charlotte Animal Hospital.  They are offering discounts to our community  and now is the perfect time to schedule a visit for an examination!
Below is posted with  permission of the author:
Keeping your pet’s teeth and gums in good shape has many more benefits than just fresh breath. Regular cleanings and a few minutes of brushing each week can help give your pet a longer, healthier life.

Bad breath in pets is just one sign of dental disease that can lead to other health problems. What’s more, like people, your pet needs routine dental care too. Most dogs and cats develop dental disease by 3 years of age. And the faster the disease is treated, the easier it is to manage.

Warning signs to look for in your pet
•   Bad breath
•   Sensitivity around the mouth
•   Loss of appetite
•   Yellow or brown deposits on the teeth
•   Bleeding, inflamed, or receding gums
•   Loose or missing teeth
•   Pawing at the mouth or face
•   Difficulty chewing

Veterinary check-ups include monitoring your pet’s dental health, but if you see any of these signs between visits, give us a call.

Ways to keep your pet’s teeth healthy
•   Bring your pet in for regular check-ups
•   Brush your pet’s teeth at least a few times a week – we’ll show you how
•   Choose a pet food formulated to reduce tartar and plaque – ask us for
recommendations
•   Use plaque-reducing treats and toys

Talk with your vet about your pet’s dental health. We can prevent and manage your pet’s oral problems before they become serious.

You can reach South Charlotte Animal Hospital by calling  (704) 552-2005 or go to your pet portal to request an appointment.

Whenever you are training your dogs on a new command/trick   first start by teaching your dog what you want her to do.  After all it’s not fair to keep your dogs accountable for results for something we didn’t train he on.  Best way to do this is by luring the dog thru the exercise (command).  Give lots of praise and high value treats to keep the motivation up.

As your dog begins understanding the exercise you are training and execute it well repeatedly it’s time to give treats intermittently instead of every time your dog obeys the command.

Studies have shown that once a dog clearly knows what the command means, if you are not always giving her a treat she will try more consistently.  Another words by offering a treat unpredictably makes your dog give a greater effort.

Try it and let me know how well you did.

Southern winters are still winter!

This winter has been the coldest one  I have seen in Charlotte, NC.  I’ve never had to deal with ice storms and snowy days with my dogs before.  So, I asked Dr Herman  of South Charlotte Animal Hospital to give me some pointers to share with our community on Winter Dog Safety.  Below is re-posted by Author’s permission.

Pet safety is very important all the year round. It is just as important to consider fall & winter weather here in the South!  Here are a few things to keep in mind in order to keep your pet safe and healthy throughout the cooler months.

Water Needs
It is horrible for your outdoor pet to become dehydrated. You can check the coat by lifting it. If it doesn’t fall back immediately but kind of slumps there, your pet could be becoming dehydrated and it’s dangerous.  This can cause kidney and bladder problems and…well… just make your pet sick.
During the summer it’s easy to remember putting out fresh water for your pets…simply because we’re so hot!  But please don’t forget your pets in the cooler seasons.  Put out clean water just as often.  The downside of this cooler weather is that leaves fall, and we neglect the ‘outdoor housekeeping’ since we’re not outside as much.  This makes for things that can ‘dirty up’ your pets water dish and create a ‘swamp’ in the water dish.  Not so great for Fido needing a fresh drink.  Keep it in mind.
Foot Protection
Don’t forget that we can still get frost here in the South and if you have an outdoor dog…consider their tootsies!  It is a mighty cold hard ground to walk on and if we get a real cold snap here…be sure to provide lots of blankets or padding to break the barrier and give them something to rest on.
Blankets
Put plenty of clean blankets in their outside houses to help provide warmth. And clean them often. It is actually best to just rotate them daily. You don’t want them full of dirt and bugs or damp and wet.  Talk about uncomfortable and icky!
If it rains, the blankets will get damp from your outdoor pet being wet. Be sure to change the blankets to keep a dry one on hand for your outdoor pets. You don’t want your pet lying on a frozen blanket. No more than a human could handle lying on a frozen blanket.
Poisons
Rat and mouse killers are used more commonly during colder weather. When using rat and mouse bait, place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your pets. If you suspect that your pet has ingested any rat or mouse bait contact us (or C.V.S. http://www.carolinavet.com/) immediately.

Flea & Tick
Also, please treat your pet for fleas and heartworm.  If your pet spends time outside it is very possible for your furry friend to get fleas and/or heartworm.  Both of which are nasty and one of which can be fatal.  Even in the winter months here in the South, it is still just as easy to get fleas or heartworm and quite honestly it’s one of those times that an ounce of prevention is worth a…life of a pet.

South Charlotte Animal Hospital is located 10833 Pineville Road Pineville, NC 28134
(704) 552-2005