Tips & Tricks Thursday - Walking your dog on a leash

Tips & Tricks Thursday 

Walking your dog on a leash

Grab your leash, SPRING IS HERE! Along with this nice weather, comes the urge to get outside more and take your furry family member for a long walk. 

If your dog is really excited to be outside, you may experience some issues with your dog pulling. Here at the Orrville Pet Spa, we follow The Dog Guru guidelines on an activity called "Loose Leash Walking". 

There are many factors that go into loose leash walking and how to properly teach your dog not to pull on a leash. Technically, loose leash walking is more about the owner or handler in charge of the dog rather than the dog him/herself.

 When teaching your pup, you must be mindful of your attitude towards the dog and walking in general. Try to always keep it positive and when they do not pull, make sure to give them positive reinforcement.  

Posture is another very important factor that goes into teaching loose leash walking. You have to show your dog that you are in charge and always make sure to keep the proper posture when walking so they know your not giving up that role.

PATIENCE IS KEY! Patience with your dog will be the absolute best thing you can do. Show them it's okay that they don't get it right away, and that it will come because you will take the time that they need to learn. Do not give up on your dog!

For more information on Loose Leash Walking, visit The Dog Gurus website at

https://www.thedoggurus.com/

What is this "K9 Fit Club"?

K9 Fit Club is still such a new organization, most people out there are still figuring out what exactly is it. It's hard to want to get involved in something if you're not even sure what exactly it is you're signing up for. Below you will find some basic information (without getting too technical with boring details) about this wonderful bonding experience you can enjoy with your furry family member.

Tricia Montgomery is CEO and founder of the K9 Fit Club organization. Tricia battled obesity and passed her bad habits and lack of exercise on to her dog Louie. Tricia had a "a-ha" call to action when she was told by her very caring and very frank veterinarian, that her and Louie were grossly obese. 

Tricia lost 130 pounds and Louie lost 4 pounds by working out together. She then set out to share this amazing transformation with other overweight dog owners and pets. This is what drove her to create K9 Fit Club.

Programs are now available for all fitness levels as well as specifically designed programs for children, seniors, and people with certain disabilities.

Anne Weiser, Manager at Orrville Pet Spa & Resort and Master Instructor of K9 Fit Club, decided it was time for a change in our small town of Orrville, Ohio. She saw how many people were taking their dogs along with them during the Orrville Walks program on Thursday nights during the summer months. She knew bringing K9 Fit club to Ohio would be beneficial and hopefully, people would want to be more involved in taking human and dog obesity seriously.

Currently, we are offering a Begging for Beginner class which is an introduction class and most basic class we offer. This is the best way to familiarize yourself with our space and program while getting a great workout and positive training. This class is perfect for a beginner looking to get back into shape! We hold this class on Thursday evenings from 7pm-8pm at our Doggy Daycare Center.

We also offer Bow Wow Bootcamp, which is a more advanced class that combines strength, agility, and cardio in a medium/high intensity workout. This class includes circuit training and station work, along with a little something new each class. This class is held on Tuesday evenings from 7pm-8pm at our Doggy Daycare Center.

Something new K9 Fit Club Orrville has started, is going to nursing homes to incorporate Sit, Stay & Get Fit with the residents. Seeing the impact bringing a therapy licensed dog & a little physical activity to them was astonishing. Everyone got involved in the workouts and you could tell it was pushing them to try! We are currently going mobile and holding this class for Shady Lawn Health Care Community in Dalton, Ohio every month. We are hoping to continue this class for even more facilities in the near future. 

Tips & Tricks Tuesday- Dental Health

Tips & Tricks Tuesday

Dental Health Month 

SALE!! 

Tooth brushings $2

Toothbrush Club is 1/2 off for $5

Get your dog to tolerate getting their teeth brushed

Not all pets make great candidates for brushing, but a veterinarian will have no sympathy for a pet owner complaining about bad breath or expensive dental procedures if they never learned how to properly brush their pets' teeth and do it frequently. 

Train your dog to tolerate it. 

Chances are, they will probably never love having it done, but at least if they tolerate it, it can make for an easy and fast yet useful experience. Try to make a point of teaching them that the toothbrush is their friend.

Start them early.

Pets should be acclimated to brushing before they ever show signs of periodontal disease. About 80% of pets have periodontal disease by the age of three.

Learn how to brush their teeth.

Have someone demonstrate for you on your pet so you actually know what to do before trying it yourself. Make little circling motions. Concentrate on the outside of the teeth. Skip the tongue.

Fast brushings are better than nothing at all.

It doesn't have to take you forever. Half a minute of brushing twice a week is way better than skipping it altogether. Just brushing thirty seconds even can be very beneficial when it comes to removing early plaque.

Don't ONLY rely on your groomer.

Although, its easier and faster to just add on a teeth brushing while your pup is getting groomed, it should not substitute for brushing your pet's teeth at home and receiving routine care by your vet.

How often is brushing needed?

The most common question on this subject is, "how often should I brush my dog's teeth?" The answer is "it depends." Once a week is the minimum. Twice a week for those more likely to develop plaque. Daily is recommended for severe periodontal disease patients.

SKUNK SEASON!

February through March is mating season for striped, hog-nosed, and hooded skunks, and that translates into "skunk smell." The stink occurs when males try to court females who may not be "in the mood."

From the dog's perspective, the urge to pursue these critters equipped with some of Nature's strongest defenses often seems to be simply irresistible. Skunks are notorious for their anal scent glands, which they can use as a defensive weapon. These glands produce the skunk's spray, which is a mixture of sulfur-containing chemicals such as thiols (traditionally called mercaptans), which have an offensive and nauseating odor.

Here's the de-skunking recipe you need for an at home remedy for any sized dog:

• Combine 1/2 quart hydrogen peroxide, 1/8 cup of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap in an open container.
• Draw a tepid bath and put your dog in it.
• Apply the solution liberally throughout your dog's coat and suds him up well (to the skin).

We do offer a skunk bath as an add on service to a regular Homecoming or Deluxe Bath which includes a Degreasing shampoo alongside a special skunk off shampoo that will help eliminate the "skunk smell". Just a reminder, once the dog gets wet, you may smell the scent until it is fully phased out.

WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR PET IN THE WINTER

Pets are happiest and healthiest when kept indoors, especially during extreme cold snaps. The smartest way to keep your pets safe during the winter is to keep them inside or sheltered. 

No matter what the temperature is, windchill can threaten a pet's life. Any exposed skin on noses, ears and paw pads are at risk for frostbite and hypothermia during extreme cold snaps.For this reason, short haired dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater.

Rock salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pets feet. To avoid any irritation or infection, always wipe your dogs paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them and may irritate their mouth.

Remove any common poisons. Antifreeze especially is a deadly poison to dogs but it has a sweet taste  that may attract animals. 

If you normally get your pet groomed, try to keep their hair longer in the winter to help keep them warm. Also, pay attention to their paw pads in the winter months. Watch for signs of cracking or irritation. The Orrville Pet Spa & Resort offers an Elbow & Pad treatment that can help with any dry or cracked paw pads or elbows to help keep your dog more comfortable. 

HALLOWEEN SAFETY FOR PETS

Halloween is a fun time of the year for most children and families. Dogs tend to not enjoy this spooky day as much as the rest of us. There are certain precautions one can take to ensure a smoother Halloween night for you and your dog. 

One safety tip for Halloween night, would be to not allow your animals any sort of Halloween candy, especially any form of chocolate. Chocolate can be dangerous, even lethal for dogs and cats. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate and seizures. Candies containing artificial sweetener Xylitol can also be poisonous for dogs. Even small doses of Xylitol can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and subsequent loss of coordination and seizures.

Hard candy often has a delicious taste to dogs. These treats pose a major choking hazard for pets. Hard candy becomes slippery when mixed with saliva and it can easily be inhaled into the trachea (wind pipe) which can cause choking.

Take caution when your dog gets in the candy bowl. They don't usually bother to unwrap the treats first. Plastic foil wrappers pose a health risk since they can cause an obstruction in the intestines and irritate the lining of the GI tract.  

Another concern on Halloween is leaving your pets outside. Halloween can bring out some vicious pranksters that you're never too sure what they may be capable of. Also, dogs can be territorial and may become anxious or defensive of your property to innocent trick-or-treaters. Putting your dog or cat in a secure room away from the front door will also prevent them from darting outside into the night and help keep them calm from the commotion going on outside.

Happy Halloween

OCTOBER: PET OBESITY AWARENESS MONTH

OCTOBER: PET OBESITY AWARENESS MONTH

Sometimes sticking to a meal plan or trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle can be difficult for us humans. It's even harder when you're trying to maintain your pets, especially if they expect that extra cup of food, the treat for going potty outside and the long nap on a Sunday afternoon. Just like us, it takes time for them too. Trying to get them to have fun while getting them healthy is the key. 

Statistics show 58% of cats and 53% of dogs in the US are overweight or obese. The first question most people would have is "what can i do?"

For starters, you should be sure to discuss any health or weight concerns with your veterinarian. Your doctor may discuss a low calorie, nutritious dog food to start them on to see if it helps with the intake of extra calories. 

Another thing you could try is not just cutting back on treats, but give them a treat that is actually good for them. Apples, carrots and blueberries are a very nutritious snack for dogs that can substitute for store bought treats that may not be as good for them or will also make them pack on the calories.

If your dog is already overweight and you're having issues trying to help them lose the weight, there are a few options for you! Doggy Daycare would be one option. If your dog is younger and has instant energy when seeing other dogs, Daycare may be best for them to stay active and get socialized with other furry friends.

Another option would be K9 Fit Club. K9 Fit Club is dedicated to creating fitness and wellness for both people and their dogs. This program combines the time saving benefits of working out with your pup while offering a fun, safe and controlled environment. The programs were built to be achievable by people of all ages and ability levels. This is a very good program if your dog is a little older or just isn't a social butterfly. Anne, Master Instructor, keeps her classes small to ensure full support and guidance as you learn what K9 Fit Club is all about. 

If you have further questions about Doggy Daycare or K9 Fit Club, please visit our website at http://www.orrvillepetspa.com or call us at (330)683-3335.