Choosing a Doggy Day Care

Doggy day care can be a boon for dog owners who work all day. And for many dogs, doggy day care provides a great opportunity for playing hard, blowing off steam, and socializing with canine buddies.

Of course, day care is not, and shouldn't be considered as, a replacement for walking with your dog. Walking with your dog is not just good exercise, but also provides an important bonding time for both of you. But for busy dog owners, day care takes the pressure off if they have to work a little late, or get caught in traffic on the way home.

However, you should be aware that doggy day care is not a regulated industry. This means that anyone can hang out a sign and begin business. There are no set standards for facilities, and staff do not have to be trained or certified in any way. So as a savvy dog owner, you'll will want to choose a facility with care, before dropping off your dog.

Choosing a good day care for your dog is much like choosing day care for your child. First ask around. Check with other dog owners at the park, on your walks, or in your vet's office. This is a great way to hear about both good and bad experiences.

Next, call each doggy day care. There a number of questions you can ask that will help you narrow down the fielld. For example, you'll wnat to know:

What is their staff to dogs ratio? (There should be 1 staff member to every 10 dogs)

Does the staff watch the dogs while they're playing? (There should be at least 2 staff members keeping an eye on the play area. Like kids, a group of dogs can get into trouble very quickly.)

What kind of flooring do they use? Is it non-slip? (Very important for dogs with joint problems)

What kind of cleaning supplies do they use? (All supplies should be non-toxic. For example, bleach, when mixed with urine, forms a toxic gas. It should be used only in very well-ventilated areas.)

Do they have a trainer on staff? (Preferable, but not essential if the staff is experienced.)

What kind of methods do they use to control the dogs? (Needless to say, ANY punishment-based techniques should never be used. Apart from the philosophical questions, punishment-based techniques can backfire badly. Avoid day cares that use physical punishment for any reason. Time-outs, redirection, and other positive reinforcement methods should be used for control. Some kennels use squirt bottles, which is acceptable to some owners, but not others.)

What do they do to keep your dog safe? (For example, does the staff perform regular walk-throughs when the dogs are in their kennels? Are dogs with chew toys supervised? My kennel removes the dog's collar. This way, if Fido tries to climb out of the kennel, he won't catch his collar on anything and hang himself. It happens.)

Are vaccinations required? (Be sure that all the dogs in the group are required to have current vaccinations, including Rabies, DHLPP and Bordatella.)

Do they have a veterinarian on call? (Accidents happen, even in the best-run facilities.)

Once you've collected some information, it's time to hit the road and check out each facility. As you step through teh door, take a good whiff. There should be no odor of ammonia or feces. If it looks or smells dirty, it probably is.

Are the exercise areas indoor or outdoor? Indoor areas are easier to keep clean, and easier to make escape-proof. If there are outdoor exercise areas, make sure the fencing is at least six-feet high and sunk a couple of feet into the ground. If you've got an escape artist, you may want to opt for an indoor facility.

Dogs should be placed in playgroups that are appropriate to their size and temperament. Unspayed or unneutered dogs may be more dominant or grouchy. An unspayed female coming into heat can also create agression among the male dogs, even if she is not yet showing signs.

Your dog should be introduced to the new dogs in a separate area, one at a time. Ideally, will meet the most social dogs first, then the other dogs. Your dog should never just be sent in to "sink or swim" in an existing group of dogs.

Check for safety hazards, like sharp objects, protrouding edges and the like. Check that htere is adequate space for all the dogs in the area at the time. Some dogs get nervous and irritable when crowded together. Roughly 50 sq ft of space per dog should work for most dogs.

If there are toys or agility equipment available, check to make sure they're safe. Toys should be too large to be swallowed or inhaled.

Finally, watch to see how the staff interacts with your dog. For example, do they respond appropriately to the dog's signals? Or do they seem oblivious to signs of stress? Are they calm? Assertive? Do they seem to be having fun?

It's perfectly normal for your dog to be apprehensive for the first few visits. But like a pre-schooler, usually as soon as you leave, your dog will relax and start having fun. If his reluctance and far doesn't go away, take heed. He doesn't want to be there for some reason, and you may need to find an alternative.

However, in the right doggy day care, most dogs enjoy playing with their friends all day. And as an added benefit, the socialization makes them happier and better adjusted. In fact, with the right doggy day care, you'll both be happier and well-adjusted!
[dog training]
[dog health]

Dog Days of Summer - not if you're a dog!

If you're like me, the dog days of summer are nothing to look forward to. Even in the Rocky Mountains, where I live, we're beginning to hit the high 90's with depressing regularity.

However, my pit bull, Miss Peaches, begs to differ. She loves to sunbathe on the grass - full belly exposure - until she's grilled to a fine lobster-pink. Luckily my neighbors are understanding about her nudist tendencies, and have not yet called the decency patrol.

Still, even for heat-luvin' poochers, hot weather can be dangerous. Dogs are designed to conserve heat. They only have sweat glands on their nose and the pads of their feet. And while this may save them a fortune on anti-perspirant, it's not very efficient for staying cool in scorching temps.

Panting and drinking water helps, but more importantly, the air that they breathe needs to be cooler than the air they're breathing out. Short-nosed breeds like pugs, bulldogs, and boxers are particularly at risk. As are puppies, senior dogs, or dogs with weight or other health problems.

But any dog is at risk once temperatures rise to110-degrees Fahrenheit. And most people simply don't realize how quickly temperatures can skyrocket on very hot days. For example, on an 85-degree Fahrenheit day, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within ten minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. And researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine found that even when it was only 72 degrees outside, a car's interior temperature can climb to 112 degrees in less than an hour. Worse, on average, the temperature jumped the first 30 degrees in just the first 30 minutes.

So dogs (and cats) left in hot cars, even briefly, can suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage, and can even die. Don't think that just because you'll be gone "just a minute" that your pet will be safe while you're gone; even an air conditioned car with the motor off isn't safe.

To keep your dog cool and healthy, try to avoid exercising during the hottest hours of the day. If you have a gung-ho dog, like Miss Peaches, who will go 'til she drops, use this rule of thumb: Run for 15-20 minutes, then rest in the shade for 15-20 minutes. Watch him or her carefully for these signs of heat stress:

- heavy panting,
- glazed eyes,
- rapid heartbeat,
- restlessness,
- excessive thirst,
- lethargy,
- fever,
- dizziness,
- lack of coordination,
- profuse salivation,
- drooling profusely
- vomiting,
- a deep red or purple tongue,
- unconsciousness.

If you see any of these symptoms, try to lower your dog's body temperature immediately. Move him into shade or an air-conditioned room, if possible. Pour cool water over his entire body, especially the feet, chest, and belly.Make sure the water soaks through to the skin. If you can give him small amounts of cool water or ice cubes to lick.

And get to a vet. FAST. Really.

So pass the word on: When summer sizzles, leave your pooch home with the remote, a cool beverage, and maybe a few good DVDs. Come to think of it, that doesn't sound like a half-bad idea...


[dog health]

Who's your (doggy) Daddy?

"What a cool-looking dog! What breed is that?"

My little red dog, Cho Cho San, gets this question from strangers on a daily basis. She has a beautiful deep red coat, a curling tail with a white tip, and looks rather like large fox.

To add to the confusion, from the front, her face is the classic triangular fox-shape, like a Shiba Inu. But from the side, but her profile looks very Corgi. She's got the thick double coat of a northern-type breed, like a Spitz, and the compactness and speed of a herding dog, like a Heeler.

Go figure.

Usually, I just tell people she's a "Purebred Pound Puppy". And, of course, she's 100% most-fabulous-best-dog-in-the-world-who-can-do-no-wrong.

But if you, like me, have wondered exactly what's in your Purebred Pound Puppy, a company in California might be able to tell you...which of 38 breeds of dog make up your best friend.

Canine Heritage is a diagnostic test that uses DNA testing to determine a dog's genetic heritage. Previously, this test was only used by professional dog breeders (presumably to document that Momma hadn't had a wild night out on the town).

But now ordinary dog owners can check for royalty in the family tree of their mixed-breed dogs. And get a certificate to prove it.

The test is easy and simple. First, order your test kit from http://www.metamorphixinc.com/products2a.html. Then use the swab provided to wipe the inside of your dog's cheek. Mail the sample back to the company in the pre-paid envelope, along with a picture of your dog.

In four to six weeks, you'll get your results back. Along with a cool photo certificate to show off to your friends and family.

Check out the dog breeds below. If you think Fido or Fifi might have one or more of these breeds cruising in the ol' gene pool, you might want to give this test a whirl.

Afghan Hound
Akita
Basenji
Basset Hound
Beagle
Belgian Tervuren
Bernese Mountain Dog
Border Collie
Borzoi
Boxer
Bulldog
Chihuahua
Chinese Shar-Pei
Chow Chow
Cocker Spaniel
Collie
Dachshund
Doberman
English Setter
German Shepherd
German Shorthaired Pointer
Golden Retriever
Greyhounds
Italian Greyhound
Labrador Retriever
Mastiff
Miniature Schnauzer
Poodle
Pug
Rottweiler
Saluki
Samoyed
Shetland Sheepdog
Shih-Tzu
Siberian Husky
St. Bernard
PinscherWhippet
Yorkshire Terrier
[dogs]