Integrated K9 Services

09/04/2024

DOGS AND PACEMAKERS

This post is intended for all pet owners and dog lovers, whether you own a dog or not.
If you personally, or if you have a close friend or loved one that has a pacemaker implanted in their body, that pacemaker cannot be donated to another human being, but it CAN be donated and used in dogs with cardiac issues who would depend on it to stay alive.
Pacemakers in humans generally have a life expectancy of ten years and often need to be replaced in humans during their lifetime.
You can make arrangements through your family, a close friend, or through your will to have a pacemaker removed from your body, either after death, or at any time it is being replaced. It can then be donated to a veterinary clinic for use in any dog that may be in need of this life saving device.
There is also a nationwide non-profit organization called “CanPacers” which is a medical device repository sponsored by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. This organization oversees the distribution of human pacemakers to Veterinary Cardiology Programs.
As a pet owner, we know how very much our pets mean to us and making this donation can help save the life of a dog with cardiac issues, which many people would not be able to afford. The cost of surgery in a dog is expensive, but having a donated pacemaker can reduce that cost dramatically and may make the difference to a family who needs to have surgery on their pet.
So if you love your pet and in general love all dogs, make a decision to donate your pacemaker or make your wishes known to your family and let the Beat Go On.

09/01/2024

08/28/2024

08/25/2024

ANNOUNCEMENT
We would like to announce that our Head Trainer, Wendy Maeots, will be retiring from Integrated K9 Services effective September 30th, 2024. Wendy began her career in dog training in 2004 along with her dog Toby and, after 20 years, has decided it’s time to slow down and focus on spending time with family and friends who live in various parts of Ontario.

Wendy is currently doing private training with several clients whose dogs have behaviour issues and their training should be completed by the end of September. As a result, she will not be available to start training with any new clients. Our website and page will also be retired around that time.

Since most of Wendy’s career has been spent in the Hamilton area, she would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who chose Integrated K9 and to let them know how much she enjoyed working with their dogs. Take care everyone and remember to keep working with your dogs.

08/19/2024

SUMMER TIME AND NOT ALWAYS EASY LIVING

Summer is definitely here and Mother Nature has really been doling out the heat and humidity.

While this is a great time of year to get out and enjoy some outdoor fun with your special fur baby, the hot and humid weather also brings a higher risk of ear and skin infections for your pup.

Skin and ear infections are extremely uncomfortable for your pup, but they can also become chronic and this can mean multiple trips to your vet.

Seeing your furry friend constantly scratching himself, or continually licking various areas of his body, is the main reason we seek our vets’ help. Ear infections follow closely behind.

Retrievers and Spaniels and other such breeds generally love to swim and are quite prone to ear infections, especially when they have floppy ears which will hold moisture creating a perfect place for infections to set in.

Other breeds of dogs such as short muzzled pups like Bulldogs, Shih Tzu’s and Pugs are also especially prone to itchy, painful infections, but any breed of dog can be affected.

If your pup does love to swim and you have access to safe water, be sure that you dry and wipe the ears thoroughly every time he is out of the water.

You should also consider applying a sun screen to your pup, especially if you will be outside for a long period of time and, most importantly, if your pup has “pinkish” coloured skin under its fur.

When you are out with your pup during these extremely hot and humid days, always make sure that he has access to fresh, cool water at all times, and keep him in the shade as much as possible.

If you tend to run or jog with your pup, only do so early in the morning before the sun gets too hot, or later in the evening when the sun has gone down and the outside temperature decreases.

Remember, keeping your pup outside in these hot conditions without access to shade and plenty of water can result in your pup experiencing heat stroke.

Symptoms of heat stroke include excessive panting, drooling, pacing, becoming agitated and vomiting. You should also check for red gums or tongue and an increased heart rate.

Some dogs may be more predisposed to heat stroke, such as those breeds with thick fur, or short or pushed in noses, older pups or those with other medical conditions.

Always be aware and monitor your pup closely when outdoors and, if you do notice any signs of distress, be sure to get your pup into a shaded or cool place, offer him cool water to drink, and cool your pup off by placing a towel, soaked in cold water, on his back.

If your pup seems unresponsive, you need to get him to a vet immediately for treatment.

Summer is a great time of year so get out and enjoy all the season has to offer, but if you plan to enjoy the time with your pup, be sure to keep him as cool as possible and try to avoid things that may cause him to end up with some type of infection. Vet bills can be extremely costly and that can put a big damper on your summer fun.

08/13/2024

08/10/2024

Meet Koda. She is a 3-1/2 year old French Bulldog who recently completed our 6 week Private Basic Obedience Program. Congratulations and keep up the good work!

08/07/2024

BREED OF THE WEEK
This week's breed is the Havanese. These intelligent little dogs make great companions and are gentle and excellent with children. They are easy to train and get along well with people and other pets and it is not their nature to bark a lot. Like most breeds, they need a consistent owner to provide a stable environment and properly socialize them or they may be shy around strangers.
Havanese weigh about 7 to 13 pounds and can grow to between 8 and 11 inches in height and have a life expectancy of 14 or 15 years.
They are suited to apartment life and, although they are known to be very active indoors, will do okay without a yard as long as they receive plenty of exercise.
Havanese can be clipped short for easier care although if their coat is kept long it needs to be thoroughly brushed at least twice a week or it will become matted. They are also a good breed for allergy sufferers as they are non-shedding and hypo-allergenic.

08/04/2024

OH, MY ACHING JOINTS

Summer is here and with it comes the heat and humidity. While we all look forward to the hot, sunny, and carefree days of summer, there are a large number of us that despise the humidity associated with the beautiful weather.

And it’s not just humans who can suffer, but our fur babies often suffer in silence. Dogs are very good at hiding their pain and it’s therefore up to us to look for signs of pain in our pets and help them.

Many dogs, usually around the age of eight years or older, can begin to develop some type of joint pain. Pain in the joints can be due to various conditions, such as arthritis.

While our beloved pets are good at hiding pain, there are certain signs you can look for which will indicate that your beloved fur baby may be suffering.

Does your energetic pup seem to be a little more lethargic than he used to be, spending more time sleeping in his bed? Or have you noticed that he doesn’t run up and jump to greet you when you come home? You may also notice a slight limp while out walking, or not wanting to walk as long as he used to. Your pup may also show signs of irritability or he may start chewing or biting himself in certain areas.

All of these things can be signs that your fur baby may be having joint pain. Humidity can often cause more inflammation in the joints, thus increasing the pain felt.

If your pup is middle aged and is showing any of these signs, it’s time to go see the vet and get a proper diagnosis and get on a treatment program.

If your pup is overweight this can be a contributing factor to joint pain and putting your pup on a diet to take off excess weight is a good place to start. Start by eliminating all his “treats” and stop feeding him any table scraps or pieces of cheese.

If your pup is feeling pain in his joints, vigorous exercise will only enhance the pain. Instead you should take your pup on shorter walks, at a gentle pace, on a regular daily basis. If you have access to a pool or lake, swimming is a great form of exercise, as it’s not weight bearing.

Be sure that your furry friend has a comfortable, well-padded bed to sleep on. Sore joints only get worse if your pup is sleeping on a cold, hard floor.

If your pup seems to be in a lot of discomfort a good massage may help reduce some pain. There are dog therapists available to give your pup a massage a couple of times a week, and this should help alleviate some pain.

Once you have seen your vet, he or she can prescribe medications to help reduce inflammation in the joints, and medication to help reduce pain.

You may also be advised to give your pup certain supplements to help with joint pain. Medacam or other medications may be suggested or, if the pain is more severe, there are monthly injections that may be given to help your fur ball to feel better.

Regardless of your pup’s age, always be aware of changes in his general health and well-being. Consult your vet and get your pup the help and relief he needs to ease the pain in his joints so he can continue to have a good, healthy and pain free life.

07/28/2024

07/26/2024

Monthly Classes and Events

We continue to offer private training as well small group classes at two Petvalu locations (Hamilton and Ancaster) as well as at Pet Paradise and K9 Resort at 2300 Upper James Street.

However, since we are currently doing private training with a number of clients whose dogs have a variety of behaviour issues, we may not be offering any group classes during the month of August.

For more information about our training services, please call Wendy Maeots at 289-759-2362 or email at [email protected]

Please note that an at-home assessment is required before registering for classes and dogs taking group classes or private training at Pet Paradise and K9 Resort must have the kennel cough (bordetella) vaccine.

Here are some of our recent students.

07/24/2024

MEET KODA

Koda is a 3 year old French Bulldog and she is currently taking our 6 week Private Basic Obedience Program. She is a rescue and is enjoying life in her new forever home.

If you or anyone you know is looking for obedience training for their dog, contact Wendy Maeots at 289-759-2362 or email at [email protected] for more information about group and private classes.

06/28/2024

Here’s a compilation of hero animals saving human lives!

06/25/2024

Monthly Classes and Events

We continue to offer private training as well small group classes at two Petvalu locations (Hamilton and Ancaster) as well as at Pet Paradise and K9 Resort at 2300 Upper James Street.

However, since we are currently doing private training with a number of clients whose dogs have a variety of behaviour issues, we will not be offering any group classes during the month of July.

For more information about our training services, please call Wendy Maeots at 289-759-2362 or email at [email protected]

Please note that an at-home assessment is required before registering for classes and dogs taking group classes or private training at Pet Paradise and K9 Resort must have the kennel cough (bordetella) vaccine.

06/19/2024

S M I L E !!!

Spring will soon be in our rear view mirror and summer will be here and, as the school year comes to an end and the temperatures soar, everyone has a smile on their face.

As humans, our teeth and smiles are very important to us and so it should also be for your furry four legged friend.

As part of your pet’s general health routine, his teeth are very important. Regular brushing, using a pet toothbrush or a finger brush, and pet approved tooth paste, which comes in chicken and beef flavours, should be just as routine as going for a walk.

If you have a new puppy, it’s never too early to start. When you first start, just gently put your finger inside your pet’s mouth and rub around the gum line and over the teeth. This will help your pet to get used to having you feeling inside his mouth.

When your pup gets used to you rubbing his gums with your finger, try putting a little tooth paste on so he can associate the good flavour of the tooth paste as a good thing.

Once he is used to that, start with a small amount of tooth paste on the brush you are going to use. I have always found it easier to get a pup used to a finger brush as opposed to a long handled tooth brush, but use whatever is easier for you and your pup.

With the paste on the brush, gently go around your pup’s entire mouth, starting at the back of the mouth and rubbing gently at the top of each tooth by the gum line where tarter begins to accumulate. The process should not take too long but don’t rush, just gently rub around each tooth.

Once brushing becomes a part of you pup’s daily routine, he will enjoy it. You should strive to brush your pup’s teeth a minimum of three times a week to help remove any plaque and to prevent any tartar accumulation.
Your vet will check your pet’s teeth as part of his yearly physical exam and will be able to tell you if you are cleaning them properly, if there is a buildup of plaque or tartar, or if there are any teeth that may need to be extracted.

But if you are diligent and keep your pup on a regular routine for his oral health, you will find that expensive dental work at the vet’s office, which entails having to put your pup under a general anesthesia, may be avoided.

If you look at your pup’s teeth and see darkened colour at the top of the teeth at the gum line, this indicates that there is a buildup of plaque.

If you want to avoid a hefty bill at the vet, you can opt to get a cosmetic cleaning done which does not require your pup to be put under anesthesia.

PetValu offers a monthly dental clinic, operated by Kissable K9, where a specially trained professional will basically “swaddle” your pup in a large blanket or towel and clean his teeth, without using anesthetic, and the results are amazing.

Dental disease in dogs is quite common but can also be prevented if we take the time to regularly clean our pets’ teeth and provide other things to help keep plaque from building up.

In addition to brushing, or if you are not able to brush your pet’s teeth, you can purchase a Doggy Dental Spray which is sold at most major pet retail stores. You can also offer your pup “Bully Sticks” or raw bones to chew on, both of which will help loosen up and remove plaque from the teeth.

You can also give your pet certain fruits and vegetables, and plain Greek yogurt, which is a great source of calcium. Also the “whey” in yogurt contains peptides that fight tartar and plaque and take care of the bacteria which are responsible for tooth decay.

There are also molded Dental Chews, or Dental Care Specific dry dog kibble which you can give to your pet to help keep his teeth clean and strong.

So have a good look inside your dog’s mouth, have him checked by your vet, and take the time to make sure his teeth are clean and strong, and you will both be able to have a great smile for the camera.

06/14/2024

Just a reminder to come out and meet us at Ren's Pets in Waterdown on Saturday, June 15th from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Hope to see you there.

06/13/2024

I’d come to their house every single day, this is too cute. Remember to subscribe and share, thanks for watching. Welcome to our dogs channel! Here you'll f...

06/10/2024

Congratulations to Xena and her family who recently completed
our 4 week Puppy Socialization Program. Xena is a 4 month old Doberman/Rottie mix and we look forward to her coming back
for our 6 week Basic Obedience Program. Keep up the good work everyone!

06/07/2024

BREED OF THE WEEK
This week’s breed is the Tibetan Mastiff, which is a Giant primitive breed. This breed is used as livestock guarding breed and even now a days is considered a luxury breed. The Tibetan Mastiff have hearts of gold, are extremely loyalty, beloved companion. This independent breed doesn't always obey commands, and need alot of socialization. They will need consistent and firm obedience training with regular physical and mental exercises. The Tibetan Mastiff tend to be a quiet breed, unless they are alerting their owners. This breeds has a double coat, with a long, thick and coarse topcoat and a heavy wooly undercoat. The Tibetan Mastiff shed very little and only shed seasonally. They require frequent grooming of 1-3 times a week, but doesn't require frequent bathing. The average Tibetan Mastiff weights between 75-160 pounds. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years. The breed is suitable for families with older children.

06/04/2024

IS YOUR PUP PROTECTED?

Spring is here and will soon give way to the long, hot, lazy days of summer. This is ideally the time when most pet owners take their beloved furry friends for their annual medical checkup and to get any necessary medications and vaccinations that may be due.

Regardless of your plans for the upcoming summer season, it’s always a good idea to make sure that your pup receives a Kennel Cough vaccination.

Kennel Cough is a very common infectious respiratory disease which can cause inflammation and irritation in your dog’s respiratory system. This includes the windpipe and larynx and generally causes a very recognizable “honking” type of cough.

Contrary to the common name which has been popularized due to the fact that it spreads rapidly when dogs are kept in close quarters such as kennels, animal shelters and pet stores, Kennel Cough is an airborne disease. As a result, your pup cannot only become infected with the disease by close contact with another pup that has the disease, but can also catch it from bacteria on shared toys, food bowls or any other shared items. This is often the case in boarding kennels and doggy day care facilities.

Although the disease may be caused by a singular or combination of various types of bacteria and viruses, “Bordatella” bacteria is generally the main culprit. The vaccine for the disease is based around the Bordaella bacteria and is sometimes called the “Bordatella Vaccine”.

The incubation period for signs to appear is between 2 to 14 days and your pup can be infectious to other dogs without showing any signs of the disease. Generally the main symptions are the “honking” type of cough, lethargy, runny nose or eyes, loss of appetite and fever.

In some cases your pup may recover from the disease without any treatment within three weeks, but the symptons can last up to six weeks. Depending on your pup’s immune system, age, general health and vaccination status, the severity of the disease can vary from pup to pup.

If you are aware of your pup being exposed to another dog that has been diagnosed with kennel cough or he shows any symptons, you should see your vet immediately to get a proper diagnosis.

If your pup is infected, be sure to keep him away from all other pets during his contagious period of time. Also, as a courtesy, you should inform any dog owner that your pup has been in contact with so they can monitor and/or treat their pet.

Your vet may prescribe medication for the disease, depending on your dog’s individual case, which is generally an antibiotic aimed at killing the Bordatella bacteria. He may also prescribe other medications to combat dehydration, anti-inflammatories to reduce a fever, or a cough suppresant.

While your pup is recovering at home, try to keep your home well ventilated. You should also try using a harness while out walking which will help avoid pulling on a collar that can aggravate the trachea. Keep your pup well rested and be sure that he drinks plenty of water. Reduce any stress for your pup by keeping him comfortable inside out of heat or cold and keep him company.

If you haven’t already done so, make an appointment with your vet and be sure that your furry friend has or will receive the vaccination for kennel cough. You should also be aware that many boarding and training facilities will not accept your pet unless he has received the proper vaccinations.

So stay safe and keep your pup happy and healthy during the upcoming summer season and all year round.

05/28/2024

05/25/2024

"MEET THE TRAINER" EVENT
Ren's Pets & Wendy Maeots of Integrated K9 Services
are having are having a "Meet the Trainer" event on Saturday, June 15th from11:30am to 2:30pm at 94 Dundas Street East, Waterdown, Ontario.

Have your dog training questions answered by a professional trainer.
Free Gift Bags
to the first 15 dog owners
(Please leave your dog at home)

05/25/2024

Monthly Classes and Events

We continue to offer private training as well small group classes at two Monthly Classes and Events

We continue to offer private training as well small group classes at two Petvalu locations (Hamilton and Ancaster) as well as at Pet Paradise and K9 Resort at 2300 Upper James Street.

However, since we are currently doing private training with a number of clients whose dogs have a variety of behaviour issues, we will not be offering any group classes during the month of June.

For more information about our training services, please call Wendy Maeots at 289-759-2362 or email at [email protected]

Please note that an at-home assessment is required before registering for classes and dogs taking group classes or private training at Pet Paradise and K9 Resort must have the kennel cough (bordetella) vaccine.

Petvalu locations (Hamilton and Ancaster) as well as at Pet Paradise and K9 Resort
at 2300 Upper James Street.

However, since we are currently doing private training with a number of clients whose dogs have a variety of behaviour issues, we will not be offering any group classes during the month of June.

For more information about our training services, please call
Wendy Maeots at 289-759-2362 or email at [email protected]

Please note that an at-home assessment is required before registering for classes
and dogs taking group classes or private training at Pet Paradise and K9 Resort
must have the kennel cough (bordetella) vaccine.

We continue to offer private training as well small group classes at two
Petvalu locations (Hamilton and Ancaster) as well as at Pet Paradise and K9 Resort

at 2300 Upper James Street.

However, since we are currently doing private training with a number of clients whose dogs
have a variety of behaviour issues, we will not be offering any group classes

during the month of June.

For more information about our training services, please call
Wendy Maeots at 289-759-2362 or email at [email protected]
Please note that an at-home assessment is required before registering for classes
and dogs taking group classes or private training at Pet Paradise and K9 Resort must have the kennel cough (bordetella) vaccine.