Tips in choosing a veterinarian

You understand the meaning of the phrase "man's best friend." Your dog is loyal, provides companionship and is there for you through good times and bad. So when your dog is injured or feeling under the weather, you want the best for it — though you'd like not to have to declare bankruptcy to get it.

Vetting the vets

• You won't be able to measure all aspects of the technical skills of veterinarians. On the other hand, just as you can when choosing a physician, you can tell a lot about the performance of a vet.
  
  • Are they convenient? You'll want convenient hours, limited wait times, and a location close to your home. Most area vets have some evening or weekend hours for routine visits.
  • Can you make an appointment quickly? This is important to your peace of mind and to the comfort — and perhaps the survival — of your pet. You should ask what provisions a vet makes for covering emergencies outside of office hours.
  • Do they care? The first time you visit a vet you'll get a sense of whether he or she really cares about animals. Note how gentle the vet is and how interested he or she is in learning relevant facts about your pet. Note also how your pet responds to the vet.
  • Can you tour the facility? To make a reliable judgment about a veterinary practice, you have to see more than the front office. Find out how open the vet is to showing you treatment rooms and the cages and runs where animals are temporarily held or boarded. The facility's cleanliness, of course, is also important.
  • Do they give you advice on prevention and home care? For the health of your pet and for your wallet, you need advice on prevention, on how you can spot pet-health problems, and on how to take care of your pet when it is sick.
  • Can you easily communicate with them? Good communication includes listening, making you feel comfortable about asking questions and explaining what is wrong with your pet, what is being done, and what you can expect. A vet should frankly admit his or her limitations and the need for outside specialist consultation. The vet also should talk openly about costs. And the vet should let you make decisions based on your finances, your devotion to your pet and your informed understanding of the prognosis.
  • Are they competent and thorough? Does the vet give a thorough exam and take a thorough medical history to find out about previous medical problems, previous occurrences of the current problem, what treatments have worked and other matters? If your pet is referred to a specialist, does your primary vet follow up with the specialist and keep a record of what happened? If tests are done, does the vet keep a record of the results and share them with you?
  
  • Do they have reasonable fees? Unfortunately, this is an area where consumers are often dissatisfied. The most common complaints we received from surveyed vet customers were related to bills that seemed excessively or unexpectedly high.
  • Do they try to keep costs down? Low prices are not the only way a vet can save you money, of course. You also save if the vet is effective in showing you how to prevent disease and injuries and if the vet shows you how to care for your pet by yourself. Equally important, you want a vet that informs you about lower cost care alternatives and doesn't do more than necessary.
  • Does accreditation matter? Veterinary hospitals can become accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) by meeting certain minimum standards: keeping adequate medical records and having complete diagnostic, pharmacy, anesthetic, surgical, nursing, dental, and emergency-service facilities.
  

Doggie Paddle Tips

Jumping into the water is a great way for your dog to cool off, especially on hot, steamy days. Swimming can also be a great everyday activity, since it's easy on the joints, but never force it on your pup if she isn't a fan of the water. If he is, always be cautious of water quality, and don't let him drink from the pool, lake, stream, or ocean. Swallowing too much salt water or chlorine can very quickly make your dog sick. Keep a close eye on him while he's paddling around, and help him steer clear of deep waters and strong currents.
5 Dog Water Safety Tips

1. Buy your dog a life jacket - not all dogs are natural swimmers and older and young puppies can tire quickly, the weight of a water logged thick and/or long coat can easily drag your dog under water, your dog can be knocked over by breaking waves, if your dog jumps into the river he may not be able to get again if the bank is too slippery.
Like people, dogs can quickly get into trouble and if you are not there to help, may easily drown. By using a doggy life jacket when your dog's around water you are buying him extra time should he get into trouble and need rescuing - it just makes sense.

2. Watch what your dog drinks - water in lakes, stagnant ponds and slow moving rivers can contain algae and parasites which, if ingested by your dog, can cause vomiting, diarrhea and in some instances death.
Swimming pool water contains chlorine and other chemicals which can make your dog sick if he drinks the water.
Always keep plenty of fresh water with you, and teach your dog to drink out of a water bottle so you don't need to carry a bowl with you all the time!

3. Think dog - whether you are at the beach or at home, look out for potential hazards in advance and supervise your dog at all times. For example:

• don't let your dog swim in places where there are strong undercurrents;
• look out for sharp rocks and shells just under the water surface that he might cut his paws on;
• check for steep muddy riverbanks that might prevent him from getting out of the water, particularly if he's tired;
• if the water is cold your dog could be at risk from hypothermia; and
• swimming pools and spa pools should be covered or fenced off at all times.

4. Rinse and dry after swimming - after you dog has finished swimming and playing in the water rinse his coat thoroughly to remove salt, chemicals and debris form his coat. Make sure his ears are dry too to reduce the risk of dog ear infections - damp ears are a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast spores.

5. Heat can kill - in summer remember that the heat from the sun is more intense around water. Watch your dog for signs of sunburn and heat stroke, and keep him off hot sand as this can blister his paws.

DIY at Home--Doggie Bath!

Lately, instead of taking Tracksie and Tiggs to a groomer to be bathed, I've been saving a few bucks and bathing them myself...at home! Here is a little something I wrote up about how to bathe your dog:

First, collect all of the supplies needed because you will need to have everything in reach. You should get combs, brushes, a plastic cup or pitcher, towels, a washcloth, dog treats, and dog shampoo. Be sure to choose the proper dog shampoo to bathe your dog with. I prefer all-natural, organic, shampoo. To keep water out of your dog’s ears you may also want to get cotton balls. Also, find a rubber mat or towel to place in the bath tub to keep your dog from sliding.
Before you bathe your dog, comb its fur thoroughly. Make sure your dog does not have any tangles or knots; these will be very hard to remove when your dog is wet. Next, have your dog hop into the tub and carefully place the cotton balls in each ear. Water in your dogs' can cause ear infections.

Then, turn the water on run it too make sure it is not too hot or too cold. Remember to talk softly in an encouraging voice to your dog while bathing. Use the cup or pitcher to wet your dog and use a washcloth to clean its face. Apply the shampoo and lather it into their coat. Be careful not to get it into their eyes! Once the shampoo is properly lathered, thoroughly rinse their coat. Remove the cotton balls from the ears and be prepared for a big doggie shake!
Now, choose to either blow-dry their fur, or just let it air dry. Give your dog a tasty treat she loves, and a lot of praise because now you are finally done! Dogs tend to get very excited after baths, and will most likely be running and rolling all around the house. Now enjoy your clean, sweet smelling dog without having to make a trip to the groomers!

Walk it out

Turn on any TV or radio, and it won’t be long before a pitch for the latest fad diet, exercise gadget, or weight loss book surges through the speakers. But missing from the over-hyped offers is the most critical ingredient for success – the motivation to stick to the plan. Enter our furry canine friends.
America has a love affair with its pets. And canine companions are the “top dog” with 34 percent of American households owning one or more dogs. That’s more than 65 million pooches in the U.S. – and that’s a conservative estimate. While dog lovers nationwide know the strong emotional bond that can develop between humans and dogs, a study at the University of Missouri-Columbia found that this relationship can result in more exercise and more weight loss than most nationally known diet plans. The study showed that participants who walked their dogs daily lost 14 pounds on average in less than a year – far more than the average “fad” dieter. A key reason for the better results: the dog walkers stayed with the program because of the emotional connection between dog and dog owner.
Dogs are pack animals. As such, they relish companionship. While we humans are not described as 'pack' animals, we are also social creatures who need companionship. Therefore, dogs are perfect pets for humans since the relationship is based on the same need for love and interaction. This mutual need was a key driver for the study participants, who reportedly “stuck to the program” because the emotional bond was a motivator.
Despite a solid emotional bond, many dog lovers have difficulty controlling their dogs on leash while walking, which can dramatically reduce the frequency of walks and the enjoyment of them. We’ve all seen the scenario: the hapless human stumbling down the sidewalk, dragged by the dominating dog. It’s a classic suburban image – but it need not be that way. As pack animals, dogs need clear and consistent leadership to feel safe and happy, whether within their packs or their human families. This need is instinctual. If in a dog’s mind a human companion is not up to the task, the dog will constantly challenge for leadership.
Both research and anecdotal evidence show that the key to managing dog behavior is communications and leadership. Dogs have a specific manner of communicating and need leadership to feel secure. Just like humans, dogs need training to set parameters for behavior.

Establishing On-leash Leadership
The key is focus, focus, focus. Keep your dog focused on you, rather than distractions, such as other dogs, people, kids’ toys, etc. To establish and maintain this focus, anticipate distractions (rather than waiting for a distraction to occur), communicate with your dog in a way he understands. To refocus your dog, voice a low guttural sound (“BAH,” like a growl) and gently flick the leash, just enough to get your dog’s attention. When your dog responds appropriately, give positive praise in a high-toned voice, such as “good dog.” Use this technique to direct your dog to walk at your side. When the dog’s focus strays, repeat the procedure. With practice, dogs will respond to this method because it is similar to their instinctual method of communications.



More Ideas for Walking Dogs
Keep your dog’s interest by changing pace frequently – intermittently walk fast, slow, stop, etc. Do this regularly and your dog will see this as a game – and find the activity fun and stimulating. Also, dogs can easily differentiate sounds. When you want to stop, shuffle your feet on the ground to indicate you are coming to a stop. Also, change directions frequently. Go left, right, turn in front of the dog, reverse direction, etc. Each time you make a change in direction give a gentle flick of the leash to alert your dog you are about to change direction.
Gaining a better understanding of the dog psyche strengthens the human-canine connection, and learning how to communicate effectively with your dog in a language he understands is a critical step in establishing leadership and control. With some practice, dog owners can establish the leadership required for a satisfying stroll with Fido and reap the benefits of both weight loss and overall fitness. Much more so than the ubiquitous weight-loss infomercials, the emotional bond will be a motivator – and your waistline and your pooch will thank you.

TnT's Travel Tips

TnT's Travel Tips

Traveling with your doggie is one of the most rewarding experiences that a pet guardian can have. By taking very little effort, you can make a checklist of things to accomplish before leaving for your destination.

No matter the length of your trip, you should always keep in mind the safety and comfort for your child with fur. Here are a few reminders to make your trip a success:

• When traveling with pets in extremely hot weather, you will want to make sure the air conditioning functions properly before you hit the road. Water is always a necessity no matter the weather condition so make sure you have plenty on hand for both you and Fido.
  
• As far as feeding your pet, you might want to curb the usual amount so as not to create too many pit stops.
• If you and your pet are the active sort, bring plenty of towels. You can wipe your feet at the door, but so far, to our knowledge, your dog will probably require some assistance to get the mud and gunk from his paws. Besides, if your dog is like most, they really don't mind the mud and gunk but your host will thank you for it!
  
• If you know your dog will jump on the furniture and bed, bring a couple of sheets to use as 'cover-slips' during your stay.
  
• Check ahead for daycare and pet sitters before you travel. The day will certainly present itself when you want to take in an event and Fido is not permitted. We suggest you don't leave him in the room alone unless he is kenneled. Even then, it's probably not a good idea unless yours sleeps all day and you know he won't bark his head off. A strange place brings out strange behavior and many hotels do not allow you to leave your pet unattended for any reason, kenneled or not.
  
• If boarding your dog: Did you bring his health record? Better make sure you did because there is no admittance without them. Your vet would be able to fax updated info in case you forget, but if it's Sunday and you just decided to leave your dog in daycare, you'll be out of luck.
  
• Work up to activity: If you have a couch potato at home and expect him to hike to the tallest peak on your vacation, you will probably be disappointed. Although he is sure to try and please you, give him the opportunity to work up to any extra activity. Start taking him out more often for extended walks and hikes before the big vacation so it's not a shock to his system and his paws.
• Remember the first aid kit: Just in case of ouchies.
  
• Safety restraints: When traveling by truck: Do not let your best friend ride in the back of a pick-up. Road debris can fly up and harm him and in case of an accident, he will have no protection. When traveling by car, use a special safety restraint or place Fido in his kennel which is secured. There are many sad stories of pets being used as projectiles during a car accident.
• Airlines: All airlines differ in their policy of flying your pets. Be sure and check policy before planning your trip. Remember, you will probably have to fly your dog as cargo and the weather may dictate what time of year you fly. Be sure to ask the airline if their cargo area is heated or air-conditioned. Temperatures can be extreme. Some airlines prohibit flying your pet during certain times of the year.
  
  
• Timeshares: Carefully researching your travel destination when planning your vacation is a must. Timeshares are especially attractive to pet-owners because dogs feel most comfortable with a certain level of routine and there are pet-accommodating timeshares for sale all over the world. When researching, you'll want to consider whether the resort imposes weight-limits, ensure that the resort offers pet-sitting or grooming, and note its vicinity to Fido's favorite activities. One way to ensure that these criteria are met is to try your timeshare on a rental basis. Trying pet-friendly timeshares for rent is a great way to learn more about the area before you commit to ownership.
• And finally, bring the usual from home; lots of toys and chewies, water, food, his dog bed or blanket and most of all, lots of hugs and kisses. Happy Travels!

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