At its core growling is about communication writes, Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT. It is a warning, a symptom of your puppy’s discomfort. Rarely an indication of aggression initially, growling at strangers is a sign that something is wrong. The most likely explanation is the puppy is fearful of people they don’t know. Source: AKC, January 19, 2021. Link. Whenever your puppy … [Read more...]
Why dogs bark at nothing
For dog owners it may seem like their dog can see ghosts, but there’s a logical reason for the commotion writes Stephanie Gibeault, MSc, CPDT. Dogs don’t experience the world the same way humans do, she says. Because you can’t hear or see anything in the environment to explain your dog’s barking, that doesn’t mean there isn’t something going on. New and experienced dog … [Read more...]
Communal dog water bowls: safe or not?
Communal water bowls come with some hidden risks, says Kaitlyn Arford. It is possible for dogs drinking out of communal bowls or fountains to be infected with diseases or parasites. Source: AKC, April 6, 2021. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider this article for social media and newsletters. While basic, Arford presents an easily understood message. … [Read more...]
Billions of cicadas may be coming soon to trees near you
Starting sometime in April or May, depending on latitude, one of the largest broods of 17-year cicadas will emerge from underground in a dozen states, from New York to Illinois and south into northern Georgia. Cicada exoskeletons are difficult to digest and can cause dogs to suffer serious consequences if eaten.” - AKC Source: The Conversation, March 12, 2021. … [Read more...]
Turkey talk. Skip the bones for sure!
Turkey is not toxic to dogs. But spices and rubs might cause some gastro upsets. Turkey bones like chicken bones are brittle and add myriad risks from mouth to tail and in between. Anna Burke shares four things to keep dogs safe during Thanksgiving festivities: Skip the skin Feed ONLY the turkey meat Feed only small quantities of turkey Make sure there are no … [Read more...]
Dog park etiquette
Harriet Meyers reminds us that not all dogs are ready for a dog park experience. She discusses the benefits and focuses on readiness including vaccination, safety, environmental concerns and socialization. Her article is a good one for social media and newsletters. Source: AKC, October 7, 2020. Link. Also see: How to safely greet a strange dog, AKC, November 6, 2020. … [Read more...]
Metronidazole is not FDA-approved for dogs
Opinion Regardless of accuracy, it concerns me when articles and videos* like this one are published in consumer publications. Regardless of how frequently metronidazole is prescribed by veterinarians, it is not yet approved by the FDA for veterinary use. * The video features Jerry Klein, DVM, AKC’s chief veterinary officer Source: AKC, September 21, 2020. … [Read more...]
This week is National Dog Week
National Dog Week was established in 1928. It was the brainchild of Captain Will Judy, a veteran of World War I and an ordained minister who devoted his life to educating Americans on the spiritual bond connecting humans and canines. As the publisher of Dog World magazine, he used it to urge his readers to treat dogs with kindness and respect. National Dog Week…has had the … [Read more...]
BAT helps reduce dog lunging
Gemma Johnstone discusses how Behavior Adjustment Therapy (BAT) can be used to curb dogs that lunge on the leash when meeting another dog or person. It’s an alternative training technique that uses functional rewards for handling reactivity also known as counter conditioning. Source: AKC, August 4, 2020. Link. The goal is to teach the dog that calm behavior around other dogs … [Read more...]
Opinion – Managing obesity? You have to count the treats.
In a recent post referencing the 2020 Banfield report <link>, I shared the experience of adjusting the diet for our Morkie. The discovery of the number of Kcals in his treats led me to seek resources that help animal health pros counsel pet owners on the impact of calories from treats. Treats are frequently mentioned in articles that give nutritional guidance, but limited … [Read more...]
Help dogs swim safely
These tips from the American Kennel Club will remind dog owners about swimming safety for their dogs. Consider this content for social media, e-newsletters, blogs and websites. Source: AKC, April 24, 2015. Link. When teaching your dog to swim, start in a shallow area where you can stand close to him. Start slowly. Let him get accustomed to having wet feet. Praise him when he … [Read more...]
Promote pet chipping this month
May is National Chip Your Pet Month and an excellent time to turn up attention to the benefits of placing microchips in pets. Once pets are chipped and registered in a national pet recovery database, services like the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool < link > can reference the chip against hundreds of registries’ databases. Pets with microchips are up to 20 times … [Read more...]
Tick removal resources here in time for tick season (includes videos)
Tick season here. Resources are available to help pet owners deal with tick removal and media will cover this topic as spring lets us get outside with our pets, friends and families. These resources about tick removal work well for social media, in-clinic education and e-newsletters. Source: Pets-WebMD. Video: How to Remove a Tick From Your Pet. Link. Video: How … [Read more...]