Four Things To Consider When Searching For a Vet

Your job as a pet owner is to take care of your pet; it can be that simple. Food, shelter, exercise, attention, love, and an occasional chew toy. But a vet is a necessary part of the equation, even if you have a very healthy pet. Dogs require regular vaccinations, and there is any number of accidents or illnesses that can befall a pooch. Having a veterinarian that you trust and can depend on is crucial. So how do you find him/her?

Start by looking at the ASPCA’s website. They evaluate vets on the quality of their care, facilities, staff, and equipment. You can find a list of AAHA accredited vets here, and then you can begin to narrow your search further. Other dog owners are also a good source of information – or even better because they can tell you about a vet’s or vet technician’s “bedside manner,” which can be an important part of your decision.

When choosing a vet factors like proximity to your home, convenience, and pricing matter. You don’t want to get the perfect vet but have to travel two hours to get there. That’s fine if you need periodic shots, but it is not such a great idea if your animal is sick or in pain. When you have a list of nearby clinics, arrange a visit to the ones in which you are most interested. Visiting one, two, or three vets’ offices can help you make your decision. Look for:

• Promptness. Was the office amenable to a visit so you can get an overall feel? Did they book you for an appointment right away? How long did you have to wait? And at the office, how long did you spend in the waiting room? Was the check-in process speedy?
• Cleanliness. A vet is a doctor; it should be only clean in all of the common and treatment areas. Does the equipment look new and well-cared for? Are the vets and technicians scrubbed up and ready for action?
• Staff. How many vets are there? Technicians? Other staff? Who will take care of your dog when you come in? Who performs different procedures? Do you like them?
• Accreditation. The vet’s practice should be accredited by the AAHA.
• One of the most important things to look for in a vet is care and compassion. If you have ever taken your child to a pediatrician that was cold, austere, and unapproachable, you know how completely uncomfortable it is. It is the same with a vet. Does he/she love animals? Does he respond to and greet your dog when you both come into the office? Is he friendly? Does he touch the animals with a practiced hand? Even something as simple as petting your dog can tell you a lot about your potential vet.

Is Your Dog Bored?

Dogs are very much like children. They give us plenty of love and affection, and all they really want in return is attention, fun, and playtime. Dogs, like children, get bored when they’re not getting enough of these things. And, again, like children, they will become increasingly destructive as these feelings escalate!
Is your pup bored? It is relatively easy to tell. Here are some signs to watch out for:
-He lies around, looking at you with big puppy eyes. He’s lethargic and not his usual lively self. Lack of stimulation and exercise can make him listless and actually decreast his energy.
-He tears up the house when you’re gone. You may leave for work with a clean house. When you come back, you wonder what hurricane has hit in your absence. Curtains, shoes, furniture, and other belongings may be chewed, plants may be knocked over, and it is possible that he’ll have had accidents in the house.
-He greets you like a long-lost relative each time you walk into the door, pawing you and jumping up. He missed you – he wants to play! He has been so bored, and now you’re here to save him.
Boredom is easy to diagnose but it takes a little more effort to cure. The most effective treatment for boredom is exercise. A brisk walk, playing in the yard, indoor tricks, and other physical activities can make a world of difference. You’ll start to see problem behavior decreasing. It is hard to get exercise in the winter; it is hard to get enough exercise when you have work all day. That is true. But coming home to a chewed-up house is not fun either. Take the time you’d have to spend cleaning and exercise your dog.
A variety of chew toys and bones is another way to offset boredom. Get your dog a few new ones. Each morning before you go to work, put a new one on her dog bed or in a spot he likes to rest. Show it to her and then make your escape. Don’t make a big production of coming or going.
If you work long hours and have little time for a walk, hire someone to walk your dog. No matter where you live, there is a teenager who could use a little extra money. Have this person walk your dog while you’re gone. Maybe pay them for an extra half hour to play with the dog or simply interact with him. Again, you’ll notice that destructive behavior begins to decline. On weekends or days off, you can make it up to the dog by going on long walks or hikes.
Curing boredom takes some work from you. The rewards, though, are immediately and well worth it.

Protect Those Paws

We all know what winter can do to a car. The salt and chemicals in the de-icers can cause extensive rust; the snow and moisture can cause extensive rust; the cold puts more strain on the engine. It’s rough! Imagine all that grit and grime from the roadways getting into the cracks and crevices of your feet. It would be painful to walk on it, wouldn’t it? This is exactly what happens to your dog. You need to take him out, and you are undoubtedly doing the best thing for him by taking him for a good walk. But it can also be causing him some discomfort. Here are some tips for making the winter walk more comfortable:

• If at all possible, avoid heavily-salted areas. Roadways are salted, but many towns also add salt to the sidewalks, so this can be a challenge.

• Wash paws in warm water after a walk or outdoor play. Snow, salt, gravel, and other debris can build up, causing discomfort.

• Check your dog’s paws for any cracks or irritations. If he does have sore or irritated paws, you might consider getting him a pair of boots. Get a pair that is designed specifically for outdoor walking. They usually slip right on and off and conform to your dog’s feet. If you’ve ever been to a dogsled race, you’ve likely seen many of the dogs sporting these boots.

• Instead of salt or de-icing chemicals, use cat litter or sand on your driveway. While these won’t melt the ice, they do provide traction and are non-toxic. Dogs walk on their paws; if they get an irritation, they’ll lick their paws, ingesting the chemicals in the de-icers. This is another reason why it is important to rinse your dog’s feet after a walk.

• If your dog has long hair, trim the hair on the paw so less build-up occurs.

• Put BagBalm or a petroleum jelly product on your dog’s feet before outdoor walks or playtime. This provides a layer of protection for them. Apply a layer after you rinse his feet to soothe any irritation.

Take a few minutes to take care of your dog’s paws. He will most certainly appreciate it.

Is Your Dog Packing on Winter Weight?

You know it is cold when you open the door to let your dog out, and he turns around and goes back to bed. Even dogs that are normally high-energy balk at going outside when the mercury drops and the snow flies. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t still need to release that energy. It is also very important for sedentary dogs. While they may be perfectly content to curl up in front of the fire – or near a heat vent – they can start putting on weight that can be damaging to their health. And when your dog can’t get out for his walk, you’re not as likely to get out for your walk, and you can put on some winter weight of your own. How can you both get some physical activity and mental stimulation to get through long winter days?

First, unless there is a winter weather advisory for terrifically cold weather, you will likely not die if you go out for a half hour, especially if you are moving briskly. Some temps are definitely too cold – but don’t waste those warm 20 and 30 degree days! If you have a short haired dog, he may need a fleecy coat or a pair of boots to make the walk more tolerable for below-freezing temperatures. Both of you can bundle up, take a deep breath, and plunge into the fresh air. You could also leash your pup up while you snowshoe or cross-country ski. People do go outside in the winter.

But some days, it’s just too cold; freezing rain is pouring from the sky, snow is blustering around so you can’t see a foot in front of you. Ok, this is a good time to use the winter excuse. No, you don’t have to go. Work on tricks and training indoors. Have someone in the kitchen call your dog. When he gets there, you call him from another room. Work on begging (which works the back and leg muscles), toss a throw toy around and work on fetch.

One of the best ways to get doggie energy out is to let them play with another dog. If you have a friend with a fun-loving dog, set up a play date or offer to dog sit. Chances are the other dog could use some exercise, too. Dogs, especially puppies, need some release, and playing really works out energy.

Dogs also begin to misbehave when they are bored. If they are not getting their normal stimulation outdoors, where they can sniff, look around, and see the world, they tend to have a lot of pent-up mental energy. You can relieve this, and relieve misbehavior, by treating your dog to some brain activities. Whether it is hiding treats around the house and having him hunt, using food puzzles, or simply providing him with new chew toys and bones (chewing is a mental activity for pups), your dog will like the challenge.

Instead of your daily walk, take some time to do some indoor training and games. The rewards are a healthier dog and a happier home with less chewed-up shoes and furniture.