Glacial Tollers

15/08/2024

It's been both busy and quiet here the last week and a half. The puppies have gone to their new homes and are all doing well with their families.
One puppy has stayed here as our keeper. This is "Rise" (formerly Beryl / pink girl). She is a super sweet little puppy and we are loving having her here to grow up with us.

03/08/2024

It is important to help your puppy learn from an early age that regular grooming is a positive thing. Go easy, don't overwhelm them, and in time you can have a dog that falls asleep while you do their "pawdicures".

03/08/2024

It is our last full day together.
Tomorrow the Birthstone litter begin to go to their forever homes. It's a bittersweet time letting them go and trusting that I've done everything I can to prepare them for their new lives.
Turquoise, Citrine, Beryl, Topaz, Emerald and Tanzanite - go knowing you are cherished and will always have a home where you are loved.

01/08/2024

Thank you to Dr Kolas and *all* of the amazing staff at the Holland Landing Animal Hospital for your wonderful care of our puppies. Everyone had their first vaccine, check up, and microchip implantation this morning.
Gold stars all around.

31/07/2024

Wednesday morning sillies.

30/07/2024

Getting sticky out here today so it was time for the "big pool". Closely supervised and mostly drained when I stepped out of the pen.
These puppies love water.

30/07/2024

Today we played on a safe unstable surface.

27/07/2024

Today the puppies went for a drive to The Farm Ashburn for an adventure. They went running, exploring, swimming (fully supported), and learned to find their way out of the long grass that Mesa led them through.
They came home happy and tired. ♡

26/07/2024

The ball pit was extra fun this morning because treats were tossed in to find. ♡

25/07/2024

A lovely cool morning and Mesa was having a blast playing with her puppies.

23/07/2024

Trying sweet potato chews today.

22/07/2024

Ball pit fun today

21/07/2024

The Birthstone litter are now 6 weeks old. They are spending lots of time outside playing and napping.
* All puppies are spoken for

19/07/2024

The puppies are enjoying some fresh air outside this morning. So far they have heard the sounds of a neighbor doing construction (air nailing, sawing, some yelling and country music) as well as gunshots at a distance.
* Please keep in mind that I live rural and gunshots mean hunting here, not people getting hurt.

17/07/2024

The Birthstone litter are 5 weeks old. They enjoy playing outside in the mornings and evenings when the heat isn't too intense.

01/07/2024

Wishing everyone a wonderful Canada Day from Glacial Tollers and the Birthstone litter.

27/06/2024

Day #18 and their first time hearing the vacuum.
No concerns at all. ♡

26/06/2024

This is the second litter that purple hippo has helped raise.
The puppies love her.

23/06/2024

The Birthstone litter are 13 days old.
The lighting wasn't great, but we did some headshots today.
* all puppies are spoken for

21/06/2024

The Birthstone litter are 12 days old today. Our eyes are opening now.
We are loving this litter.

19/06/2024

The Birthstone litter are 10 days old. Everyone is thriving and our future families are getting excited.

16/06/2024

The puppies are 7 days old today.
We introduced a low soft obstacle for them to move over.

14/06/2024

The current estimate is we will be without power for 25 hours.
Mesa is not concerned. 🙃

14/06/2024

We survived the wicked storms that came through tonight other than losing power.
Lantern light to see the puppies will do fine.

13/06/2024

The puppies are now three days old so today we started ENS and ESI.
(Yes, pj's .. because we have 3 day old puppies) 😉

Our first day doing ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) and ESI (Early Scent Introduction) with the litter.The scent today was green pepper.

12/06/2024

Good morning from the whelping box.
Mesa and her puppies are doing great.

10/06/2024

Our "Birthstone Litter" arrived safely yesterday.
Welcome to the world little ones. You are all loved so much already.

05/06/2024

The countdown is on.
Puppies should be arriving this weekend. ♡

28/05/2024

The puppies are due in 2 weeks.
Depending upon the size of this litter we may still have a puppy available to an approved home.
Please email us if you are interested in our application process. [email protected]

28/05/2024

WATER INTOXICATION

Working Dog Magazine

Wet but Wary: How to Safeguard Your Dog from Water Intoxication

As many dog lovers know, water activities can be both fun and beneficial for our canine companions. From swimming in lakes to participating in dock diving events, these activities offer excellent exercise opportunities and are a wonderful way for our dogs to cool down, especially during the warmer months. However, there’s a lesser-known risk associated with dogs and water activities: water intoxication.
Water intoxication, or hyponatremia, occurs when dogs ingest excessive amounts of water in a short period of time. This sudden influx of water can drastically reduce sodium levels, which disrupts electrolyte balance and can lead to serious, even fatal, health issues.
Signs of Water Intoxication
Recognizing the early signs of water intoxication can be crucial for the timely treatment of this condition. In severe cases, it can lead to seizures, coma, and even death.
Symptoms often include:
Lethargy or Tiredness: Dogs may appear unusually tired or sluggish after playing in the water.
Unsteady Movements: Affected dogs might seem uncoordinated or unstable on their feet.
Confusion or Disorientation: Dogs might show signs of confusion or diminished alertness, failing to respond to normal commands.
Nausea and Vomiting: These are common as the body reacts to electrolyte imbalance.
Glazed Eyes and Drooling: These can be indicative of neurological effects due to swelling in the brain.
Preventative Measures
To prevent water intoxication, consider the following guidelines:
Monitor Water Play: Keep an eye on how much water your dog might be swallowing during play, especially when they fetch toys from the water or snap at water streams from hoses.
Choose Appropriate Toys: Opt for toys that don’t force your dog to keep their mouth wide open while swimming. Toys that are smaller and allow your dog to close their mouth more fully can reduce the amount of water ingested.
Breaks are Important: Regular breaks during water play can help manage the amount of water your dog ingests at one time.
Know Your Dog’s Swimming Style: Dogs that keep their heads low to the water or those that are vigorous swimmers might ingest more water. Adjust playtime accordingly. Sometimes using a life jacket can help get their head higher out of the water.
Immediate Response to Symptoms: If you observe any signs of water intoxication, it is critical to seek veterinary care immediately. Quick and aggressive treatment is essential to manage this condition.
Awareness and Education
Educating yourself and others about the risks of water intoxication is vital. Many dog owners are unaware of this danger until it’s too late. If you’re a dog trainer or canine business owner, sharing information about water intoxication can be an invaluable part of your client education efforts.
Water activities with dogs can be safe and enjoyable when proper precautions are taken. By being aware of the risks and knowing how to mitigate them, you can ensure many more fun-filled days with your canine companion. 🐾
By Erica Boling, PhD