Dog Training Tips for Pack Leaders

If you have ever tried to get your dog to behave, I'm sure you know how difficult it can be to get your pooch to mind the rules. Believe it or not, your dog really wants nothing more than for you to be happy with him. The sooner your dog understands the rules of the house and knows that you are happy with him, the better his life will be.

However, dog training is not always easy. Your behavior must be managed just as much as his. If your training is not consistent, your dog will only get confused and stressed out. Luckily, the techniques are almost identical no matter what trick you are trying to teach your pet. Here are a few of them:

• Keep a ready supply of treats and praise on hand
  If there's anything your dog understands, it's food. Treats are very useful for reinforcing good behavior. When your dog obeys a command, you should give him a treat and shower him with praise. The praise is important for later. After your dog has got a good understanding of the commands, you can start reducing the number of treats. Eventually, your dog will stop expecting treats and be completely happy with praise.
• If your dog misbehaves, you must correct him immediately
  Your dog has a short memory. He can't remember what he was doing thirty seconds ago, let alone who dug through the trash can. If your dog exhibits bad behavior, correct him immediately with a firm "No" and move him away if needed. It's not normally necessary to punish your dog for bad behavior. In most cases, simply saying "No" will get a clear message across to your pet.
  It is important to note that, if you keep your dog in a crate at night, you should never use the crate for punishment. Doing so will create a poor association in your dog's mind. If the crate is where your dog goes when he's bad, he will probably think he's in trouble when you put him to bed.
• Practice your routine regularly
  Practice, practice practice! To really get your dog to understand what you want from him, make sure you go over the commands regularly. Just like you had to practice your times-tables, your dog will need repetition to fully grasp your commands.

These few rules will get you through most dog training problems. If you are consistent with your praise and practice, your dog will understand without too much trouble. Just think,with a little bit of practice, you can train your dog to do almost anything you ask of him. Need proof? Check this little guy out!

Dog Sitter for Vacation Must Haves

If you are planning a trip this holiday season, a pet sitting service can come in handy. Leaving your pets in the comfort of your home will prevent the added stress that can accompany taking your pet to a kennel. Leaving your furry friend with a pet sitter can give you piece of mind but it is also important to clearly communicate your expectations with the pet sitter.

Write Out a Specific Schedule:

Leaving a detailed schedule can really help communicate your pets needs. Typically, pets follow a bathroom, eating and playtime schedule. The role of your pet sitter should be to keep your pets happy and comfortable.

Your Pets' Routine:

This is an extension of the schedule and should outline specifics such as medications, specific treats or meal time specifics. By giving your pet sitter detailed instructions, you allow them to really get to know your pet and their likes and dislikes.

Emergency Information:

In case of emergency, the pet sitter should have the veterinarian's information and some way to get in touch with you. Our pet sitters are all Red Cross trained, however, some pet sitters may not be. It is always a good idea to leave this information, just as you would leave emergency information with a baby sitter.

All of this could also be communicated during a meeting, over the phone or in an e-mail but should be definitely be addressed to ensure that your pet sitter meets all of your expectations as well as your pets expectations and follows through with the orders you have left for them.

2012 Dog New Years Resolution

Have you made your New Years resolution this year? How about a new years resolution for your furry friends? Here are five new years resolutions that can help your pets live a long, healthy and happy life.

(1) Lose Weight

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, more than 50% of all household dogs and cats in the US are overweight. Even when a pet is just a little overweight, the added lbs. can have a dramatic impact on a pet’s quality of life. A long term study conducted by pet food manufacturer, Purina, demonstrated that lean dogs live almost two years longer than dogs that are overweight and lead a sedentary life. In addition, the extra pounds results in 80% higher incidence of painful arthritis. “Spoiling” your pet with treats and table scraps may seem like an act of love but why not make the resolution in 2012 to spoil your pets with exercise and attention. It will get you up and moving and your pets will thank you for it. If you are stretched for time, hire a local pet sitter or dog walker to get your pets up and out of the house.

(2) Pearly Whites

Periodontal disease is the most common condition in household pets. More than 80% of pets over three years of age have some degree of the condition. Inflammation of the oral tissues is caused by the accumulation of plaque and tartar from bacteria in the mouth. Some studies suggest that regular dental care can add two to five years to the life of a pet.

(3) Regular Check-ups

Is your pet up to date with his vet check ups? If not, January is a great time of year to get your pet's annual check-up, routine screening tests, and important vaccinations taken care of.

(4) Control Parasites

Keeping your pets on monthly prevention for heartworm, intestinal worms, and external parasites will help them stay healthy and happy. Look into heartguard or Frontline for your pet, if you do not already.

(5) Improve Nutrition

Have you discussed your pet’s food and treats with your Frisco veterinarian? Every year nutritional research helps advance the quality of pet food available. A good quality ration can reduce the risk of disease. Softer, shinier coats, cleaner teeth, and healthier joints are just a few of the benefits of optimum nutrition. Better nutrition, as with humans, will make your pet feel better and give them more energy to take care of the #1 resolution.

Walk Your Dog

Reasons Why You Should Walk Your Dog 

A wise man once said that to err is human, to forgive canine. Our dog’s (or dogs) loyalty should not be taken for granted though because we also have to give that loyalty back along with lots of long walks and a few treats here and there. 

Many dog owners do not understand why they have to walk their dogs so we have laid out a few reasons why this is important.


Bored Dog = Bad Dog
Dogs should be taken for walks because they have lots of energy. More often than not, dogs who do not get to use this energy just keep on barking, run around the house and keep biting on stuff such as shoes, the carpet or furniture. Destructive behavior among pups or adult dogs for that matter is not natural.

Training And Determining Who Is In Control
Walking helps a dog owner to train his or her dog because it is easier for a dog to concentrate and be more submissive when his or her energy is drained. Some breeds of dogs are downright bossy. A Jack Russel Terrier for example may start walking you instead of you walking him so be sure to establish who’s boss to instill discipline. This is not to say that you should spank your dog though.

Roaming Instincts, A Basic Instinct
Dogs love to roam around and explore –this is a basic instinct for them. In fact, they can roam for miles. Fulfilling these needs will also prevent your beloved pup to run away. There have been many a cases of runaway dogs because they are not walked regularly.

Dog Is A Social Animal
Alright, Aristotle was talking about humans in his philosophical work “Politics” but socialization is also true in dogs. This helps dogs build their confidence and their social skills.

For an emergency vet clinic in the Emergency Vet area visit here. 

What is Heartworm? Winter Months

According to the Heartwormsociety.org, environmental changes by humans have increased heartworm population drastically. Domestic dogs are the main hosts for these parasitic nematodes. These parasites are delivered by mosquitoes who have consumed infected material. There’s a current misconception about heartworm preventative treatment is not needed during the colder months because of the small mosquito population. Taking the risk of not protecting your dog in the winter months is not worth the pain and cost of treatment. Please schedule your next exam today.