Yoko

Thank You Yoko!

Wordless Wednesday- Selfie Time!

Do's And Don'ts Of Walking Your Dog

DO's

*Pick up your dog's poo.
*Have your dog leash trained before going out walking.
*Limit meet and greets with other dogs unless welcomed.
*Keep you dog under control.
*Have fun!

DON'Ts

*Allow your dog to roam through people's gardens and lawns.
*Allow your dog to lunge at other dogs or people from his leash.
*Approach other dogs on the street unless welcomed.
*Walk in overcrowded areas.
*Allow your dog to "eliminate" just anywhere.  Cars and people's gardens are unacceptable locations.

Ready to go!

Service Dog Ettiquette

It's important to be aware of how to behave when in the presence of a service, or working dog.  These dogs are allowed in any public place, so it's really the public's duty to be informed.

* Don't speak to the dog.  Always speak to the owner first, to ask permission to speak to their dog.  The dog must stay alert to it's owner at all times and you might cause it to become distracted.
* Only the owner should deliver commands to the dog.
* Do not be intrusive in questioning the owner about their disability.  It's just rude.
* Do not pet or touch the dog in any way.  Also, do not allow children to run around the dog or pet it either.
*Carefully monitor, and keep at a safe distance, all dogs that might encounter a service dog.
*Never offer food to a service dog.
*Never take things away from a service dog once it has retrieved something.
*It's your job to remove yourself from the situation if you're afraid or allergic to dogs.  The owner and the dog have every right to be in public.

Always respect working service dogs

Weekends :)

Sundays are a great time to get out, get moving and connect with your pups!  Happy Sunday Funday Runday!

Springtime Dog Safety Tips

Plants- Blooming springtime plants can pose a danger to your dog if ingested.  Keep you dog away from plants such as bittersweet, day lilies, lilies of the valley, tiger lilies, azaleas, crocus', ferns, morning glories, and tulips.

Spring Runoff- This time of year water seems to be running from everywhere!  We live on a hill so I see it running down everyone's driveway, sidewalks and through yards.  Then of course there are the puddles that form from the runoff.  It's important to remember you have no idea what's in runoff, and you should keep your dog from walking in it and drinking it.  Anything from rock salt, antifreeze, pesticides and pool chemicals can be washing down through your neighborhoods this time of year.

Cocoa Mulch- It's a common site to see people out gardening in the springtime and mulch has become a very popular gardening item... but one type in particular is dangerous for your dog.  Cocoa mulch contains caffeine and theobromine (same as chocolate) and can be toxic to your pup.  Keep it out of their reach and from walking through it. 

Garden and Lawn Fertilizers- For hopefully obvious reasons, the chemicals in these products are toxic to your dog.  Look for pet safe or organic fertilizers.  Also, keep your pet off lawns and gardens of others if you aren't sure they are safe.

Springtime Debris- Things like tree branches,garbage, broken glass and animal waste are just a few of things you'll want to keep your dog getting his mouth or paws on.  Until streets, sidewalks, yards and fields are spring cleaned, keep a close eye out.

Mothballs- The chemicals that cause the scent in mothballs is toxic to all of us.  Keep them sealed up tightly and out of your dog's reach.

Ant Bait- Both the small, often plastic containers that ant bait is packaged in, along with the pesticides inside, are harmful for your dog.

Flea and Tick Medications and Preventatives- It's important to make an informed decision, with the help of your vet, as to which flea and tick treatments are best for you and your dog.  There are natural solutions and chemical solutions.  Some feel natural products don't work as well as the chemical ones, while some natural product users feel they work even better! It's important to consider your dog's level of risk.  If you choose to go the chemical route, there are many options and it's important to learn about your choices.  Some repel, some repel and kill, and there are collars, sprays, drops and pills.  Some are found to even be safer than others.  Please do your research.

Allergies-  Keep an eye out for any display of allergies within your dog.  He could show coughing, flaky skin, itching, sneezing or a greasy looking coat.  If you suspect an allergy, speak with your vet.

Other Animals- Nice weather brings out more people, pets and wildlife.  It's a time to be extra cautious for things that might trigger your dog or another animal to react.

Cleansers- Spring cleaning equals household cleansers in full force!  There are pet safe options and natural products you can both purchase or make yourself. 

Bring on the springtime fun!

Why License Your Dog?

Most cities require your dog to be licensed by law.  It is generally very affordable and is to be renewed annually.  If you are like me, I never knew the true reasons behind dog licensing laws.  Here are the reasons... 

1. Licensed dogs have a greater chance of being returned home if lost.  Dogs found wearing their license tags can be looked up and reunited with their owners. (Don't forget micro-chipping as well!)

2. Helps keep the public safe from rabies.  When licensing your dog, a rabies vaccination is required.  Your city is ensuring the dog population stays safe, and in turn the human population as well. (I would like to see cities accept titer tests as proof of immunity against rabies as well).

3. Identifies to strangers who might find your lost dog, that your dog is not a stray.

4. Helps your city organization regulate aggressive dogs and investigate any incidents involving a dog, to keep everyone safe.

5. Many times licensing fees help fund local shelters.

Support your local shelters...license!