January 2025 Newsletter
Dog Parks; The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
I'm torn about dog parks. On one had I think they're a great thing because the dogs get much needed exercise and socialization with other dogs. On the other hand, not all dog owners do the right thing when taking their dog to the dog park. Here are three things that humans do wrong at dog parks:
1) Unfortunately not all people pick up after their dog, even when poop bags are provided. Walk through dog poop is pretty gross, but what's even worse is that diseases and parasites often live in dogs' poop and if your dog comes in contact with it, it can make your dog sick.
2) Many people don't really know what good play between dogs actually looks like and this can result in one dog bullying another dog, which could easily end up in a fight. If you're bring your dog to a dog park, learn what play looks like as opposed to bullying. If you know what to look for, it's not hard to spot. If your dog is the bully, give him/her a timeout to calm down. If another dog is bullying your dog, your best bet is to leave and come back another time. Dog owners don't usually appreciate someone else reprimanding their dog.
3) A lot of people treat taking their dog to the dog park as their own free time. For example, some people spend more time looking at their phone that watching their dog. With some dogs this isn't a problem because they just enjoy sniffing around and doing their own thing. With many dogs however, this is a problem because the dogs need to be watch so they don't get into trouble, for example, attempting to hump other dogs, pinning another dog to the ground, and acting possessive over toys. Think of the dog park as your dog's time rather than yours.
When I bring my dogs to a dog park, I am on my feet following my dogs, stopping any inappropriate behavior, cleaning up after they poop, and making sure that another dog is not harassing them, and yes, I have left the dog park due to another dog's behavior and the owner's indifference to the situation. It's up to us, as dog parents, to keep our dogs safe and out of trouble.
Tip of the Month
January is often a time of New Year's Resolutions. A very common resolution is to lose weight. I know that I've made that resolution more than once, but what about our pets? Did you know that almost half of the pets in the U.S. are overweight? Just like with humans, this puts them at risk for heart problems, diabetes, joint issues and many other health risks. If your dog (or cat) is in the heftier 50%, there are things you can do to whittle their waist. First, feed a high quality pet food that has real meat as the first ingredient. Second, save treats for training time. Third, be sure that your pet gets some kind of physical activity every day. Take a walk with your dog; it will do you good also. If you're following these guidelines and your pet is not slimming down, it may be time for a trip to the veterinarian.
Training Tip of the Month
When you're working on new obedience cues with your dog and he/she seems to be getting frustrated, "go back to kindergarten". This means that you should go back to a cue that the dog knows so he/she can do it and be rewarded for it. This will help keep frustration to a minimum and then you should be able to go back to the original cue you were working on. If you find yourself getting frustrated, it's time to end the training session. Your dog will feel your frustration and the session will go down hill quickly. It's best to end on a good note, so again, "go back to kindergarten" so the session will end with some success.
January Breed Spotlight
These days, Siberian Huskies are very popular dogs. They're everywhere, so let's learn a little about them.
Siberian Huskies are very high energy dogs. They do best with owners that are very active in their daily life. They have a tendency to be escape artists as they like to roam. Don't forget, Huskies were the first breed used as sled dogs and historically used as sled racing.
Huskies are often very vocal dogs and will let you know if there's something they don't like. Try giving one a bath and he/she will tell you all about it! They're also HUGE shedders, so if you're thinking about getting a Husky, be prepared for the grooming bills for de-shedding. Huskies are generally good-natured and get along with most people. They are however, very stubborn so training could be a challenge.
Siberian Husky health concerns could include cataracts, corneal dystrophy, and hip dysplasia.
Quote of the Month
"Tell whoever it is that I can't come to the phone because my dog is sleeping on my lap, and if I get up, it will disturb him." Charlie Brown
July Tip of the Month
July is a month for celebration! There's July 4th, days at the pool or beach, possibly a vacation. July is also the time of year that you want to watch for signs of heatstroke in your dog. These signs include uncontrollable panting, vomiting, foaming at the mouth, rapid heart rate, and lethargy. You can also check your dog's temperature. A dog's normal temperature ranges from 100.4 degrees to 102.5 degrees. If your dog's temperature is 103 degrees or above, take him/her to the veterinarian for treatment. If your dog is starting to show signs of heatstroke, be sure to get him/her into a cool spot with plenty of cool water and I've him/her a chance to rest. Heatstroke is a very serious condition and it can be fatal if not treated or caught too late to treat, for dogs and humans alike. Keep an eye on yourself and your four-footed pal; drink lots of water and take a break in a shady spot. Use the time to just be with your dog and your bond will be stronger for it.