http://www.redcross.org/news/article/April-Is-Pet-First-Aid-Awareness-Month

We’d tell you to…

-Remember to keep tags on your dog’s collar at all times
-If you are heading to the lake or the beach, teach your dog to wear a life jacket. We even sell a few at K-9 Coach!
-Keep lots of water on hand.
-NEVER leave your dog in your car. Even with the windows cracked the temperature inside rises very quickly to levels that will kill.

Have fun & stay safe!

February isn’t just for lovers you know…it’s also a very important month for your dog too! It just so happens that February is Pet Dental Health Month. You should of course check with your vet about the dental well-being of your pets – and here’s a handy source of information from the American Veterinary Medicine Foundation – https://www.avma.org/Events/pethealth/Pages/February-is-National-Pet-Dental-Health-Month.aspx.

But with help from our wonderful groomer Joey, we wanted to remind you that the health of your dog’s teeth is every bit as important as your own – and for many of the same reasons. To make sure you get nothing but SWEET doggy smooches this month, throughout February our groomers are offering a complimentary teeth cleaning with any mini-makeover or full groom!

–K-9 Coach

Just like our own,  your dog’s teeth will build up plaque and tartar which can lead to gum disease, gingivitis and periodontal disease, along with other issues such as bacterial infections of the gum.

It is important to note, that if you feed your dog only soft or canned food this does not give their teeth or gums any exercise or stimulation whatsoever, and is the leading cause of both tooth loss and gum disease.

When Fido chews hard food it actually strengthens the gums and slowly helps to scrape a little of the tartar build up off the teeth. Certain bones and treats are made to accomplish the same thing. Consider this when choosing food or tasty treats. Keep in mind that these small suggestions will HELP but will not fix or control the problem.

Here at K-9 Coach, I offer two services designed to help maintain your furry friends dental health…

• Tooth brushing with enzymatic toothpaste and breath freshener.
• “Mini Dental” which is actually a tooth scaling or scraping.  This is where I go in with a special tool and scrape the teeth to remove the build up of tartar and whatever other debris may have built up.  No sedation is necessary, but bear in mind that the mini-dental can only be performed on cooperative dogs.  Some are very patient…some are not!

You might be able to avoid the dangers of anesthesia and the expense of sedation, IV’s and medication if you utilize either or both the above services on a regular basis.

Feel free to ask to speak with me or call with any questions!

Thanks,

–Joey

Self-help tips…

• Use a soft toothbrush. A child’s toothbrush for small dogs is ideal; an adult size should be used for larger dogs.
• It is extremely important to brush your dog’s teeth with enzymatic toothpaste – I recommend twice a week at the least.
• Make sure to mix in hard biscuit type treats, kibble and even bones.  Antlers are a GREAT thing for your pups to chew on.
• Look out for danger signs. Tooth discoloration, bleeding gums, loose teeth or bad breath are all signs that your dog may need some professional help and it’s time to see your vet.
• Severe or long-term problems may not be treatable without veterinary care.

K-9 Coach strongly believes in the power of dog sports like Treibball, Agility and Nosework to enrich the lives of both the dogs and their owners.

To decide on which sport is right for you and your dog, you should consider…

-Their age and size
-Energy level
-Reliability of their on and off leash obedience
-Breed – terrier? scent dog? herder?
-Most importantly, what gets them excited? Chasing a tennis ball? Clambering up mountains and over rocks? Tracking that squirrel?

What is Treibball?
The American Treibball Association notes that Treibball began in Germany and was created to provide dogs (especially those in urban environments) with much needed mental and physical stimulation. You might think of it as sheep herding, but with balls!

Treibball is a competitive sport for dogs of all ages and sizes. It promotes better teamwork and communication between a dog and their handler. It’s great fun for any energetic dog who works well off-leash and needs a job, or any dog who likes to herd and doesn’t have sheep! To see treibball in action, check out these videos.

REGISTER NOW – Introduction to Treibball begins Saturday, January 19th at 11:15

What is Agility?
Agility officially began in England in the 1970′s and is one of the most popular dog sports in America. Agility is an obstacle course for dogs and can be done competitively or just for fun! It teaches teamwork and communication, builds confidence through the use of jumps, a-frames and tunnels and is a great outlet for dogs with high energy or who need to be challlenged! It is NOT just for Border Collies! To see agility in action, check our these videos Agility for All & Dog Agility Bloopers.

REGISTER NOW – Agility for Fun 101 begins Tuesday, January 15th at 6pm

Sadly, three to four million dogs and cats are euthanized in animal shelters each year, turned in by owners who didn’t know how to deal with their pets’ behavior problems and couldn’t find a reliable resource to help them.

Each, year, the APDT designates the month of January as National Train Your Dog Month to bring awareness to the importance of socialization and training, and most of all, to inform the public that training your dog can be simple and fun! The APDT selected January because so many dogs and puppies are adopted and brought home during the winter holidays. By providing education and resources, new pet owners can start off the New Year with their newest family member in the best way possible.

The APDT will have a variety of resources available for free download from the event website, www.trainyourdogmonth.com throughout January. They have set up free online webinars on a variety of training and behavior topics, as well as live Facebook “chats” with top professionals in the pet behavior and training field.

Since 1993, the APDT has promoted education for dog trainers. With more than 6,000 members who are willing and able to assist dog owners, the APDT is the largest professional organization for dog trainers in the world. We encourage anyone interested in learning more about their dogs to visit our web sites www.apdt.com, www.trainyourdogmonth.com, and www.mydoghasclass.com for more information and resources.

Please join the APDT and K-9 Coach in celebrating National Train Your Dog Month!

Sign up NOW for your pooch’s spot on one of the following days…

– Monday, Dec. 10th
– Thursday, Dec. 13th

Photos will be taken during your dogs daycare or boarding stay, but if you would like to be in the shot, or if you think your pooch will pose better with you around, just let us know and we will assign you a specific appointment time. Proofs can be viewed from 4 to 6pm or can be made available to view online at your convenience.

Pricing

Sitting Fee is $20 and includes one 4×6 photo (Sitting fee is per dog if you would like separate shots of them, one fee if all dogs are in the same shot). Cash or check only please.

Various packages are available starting at $35, which includes one 8X10, one 5X7 and four wallets or three 4X6′s.

Running With Your Dog During Cooler Weather

Quite a few of our beloved clients (the dogs that is, as opposed to their very popular owners!) have sensitive tummies, and there are several who suffer from very serious digestive problems like pancreatitis, IBS and colitis.

We want you and your pups to have a fun, relaxing and vet-free (!) holiday season, so here are a few safety tips and warnings to help ensure a safe holiday.

- Do not give your dog, cooked bones. These can and do puncture dogs’ throats and intestines. Bird bones are especially dangerous because they are hollow and will splinter.

- Avoid giving your dog turkey skin. It is extremely high in fat and is believed to be a cause of acute pancreatitis. (Same goes for gravy and other rich, fatty foods)

– Other food risks include some you probably know (chocolate and raisins) and some you may not (bread dough and nuts). However one very dangerous but lesser known toxic ingredient is Xylitol, a popular sweetener found in sugar free candy and gum.

- Though it depends on the particular brand as well as the size of the dog, it is estimated that 8-10 sticks of gum containing Xylitol could be deadly to a 65lb dog. Smaller dogs could easily be affected by a much smaller amount. So keep that pack of Orbit out of reach!

- Dispose of carcasses, leftovers and even plastic wrap or aluminum foil properly. A turkey and gravy soaked piece of Reynolds Wrap would be an irresistible temptation for any dog but could result in a blockage.

- Ask your friends and family to refrain from giving your dog any treats except his own.

- Always keep your dog’s collar and tags on when you’re entertaining holiday visitors. You never know when someone will accidentally leave a door open.

- Watch out for signs of stress or anxiety in your dog (lip licking, low growls, pacing, panting for no reason, yawning, whining) and give them a break from the hubbub. Be especially careful when kids are around – children with loud or high-pitched voices who want to hug him, can test even the best-tempered dog.

- Give your dog a private, calm area where he or she can relax. Keep his bed in the room, provide fresh water, a tasty treat and perhaps some soothing music.

Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

There are many books I could share but there is one book I find myself referring to clients on a consistent basis, and that is The Other End of the Leash by Dr. Patricia McConnell.  

This book should be in any dog lovers library since it’s content is science based and yet easy to understand.  It addresses what the title conveys, equal understanding from each end of the leash.  

Let’s face it most of us are too quick to say that our dogs behavior, be it acceptable or not seems to ‘come out of the blue’.  Yet in most cases, simply knowing the difference between dog communication and our own, can help bridge the gap of the understanding between us.

Our vocal tones and body movements are by far on the top of the list. Differences in human to human greetings are not perceived the same to our dogs.  

-We make eye contact, extend our arms for a friendly handshake or even an exuberant bear hug embrace.  Very natural in our world right? Yet these top three normal human greetings can be a scary threat to some dogs, especially shy or under socialized ones.  

-Another helpful communication tool is our voice.  It has the ability to speed a dog up, slow it down even stop on a dime when applied in the appropriate context.  

As with anything in life knowledge and timing are key components to success.  This is such a brief peak into the full scope The Other End of the Leash has to offer.  It’s well worth reading and it’s contents invaluable. Once you’ve read it, come back here and let me know what you think! I would love to hear from you.

Kat Cunningham, CPDT-KA
Certified Trainer, K-9 Coach
kat@k-9coach.com

Some of our upcoming events are:

Riverview Landing Fall Festival – September 29
Tiger Trot at Teasley Elementary – October 7 at 2:00 PM at Campbell HS
Blessing of the Animals – October 7 at 3:00 PM at Log Cabin Community Church
Parktoberfest at Whittier Mill- October 13 at 3:00 PM
Nickajack 3rd Annual Kickball Classic- October 14 at Rhyne Park
Pride Parade – October 14, Midtown NOTE – Want to walk with us? You and your pup are welcome (assuming they’re people and pet friendly). Just let us know.
Boxerstock by Atlanta Boxer Rescue – October 21 at 1:00 PM at Jim Miller Park
PugFest by Southeast Pug Rescue & Adoption – October 27 at 10:00 AM

We hope to see you at one of these exciting events. As always, let us know if you have an event you would like to see us support.