Home Sweet Home Pet Sitting

16/07/2024

When most people think of socializing their puppy or their dog they think that they need to let their dog meet everyone and every dog but in reality socialization is learning to be neutral in all kinds of environments and learning that new things are not scary things.

In my experience, improper socialization can create over-excitement, fearfulness, or even aggression depending on the dog. You got that happy-go-lucky dog who has never been told, “No you can’t go say hello” now screaming and pulling every time they see someone new. That puppy was taken to the dog park and got run over by a bigger dog and is now fearful of new dogs approaching. Or that little dog who keeps being shoved into people's faces that’s now snapping at anyone reaching to pet it. At the end of the day what most people want is a dog that is calm and can go out and enjoy life with you yet interact with people and dogs when appropriate, it's a balancing act.

Even if your dog has poor socialization skills or behavioral issues, it's not too late to work on building their confidence and neutrality!

07/04/2024

FREE CGC CLASSES
FRIDAYS
April 12th, 19th, & 26th
5:30 – 6:30PM
come a half hour early to register
Riverside Park, upper area near the gazebo
CGC Test & Trick Dog Test
Saturday, May 4th
starting at 2:00PM
Riverside Park, upper area near the gazebo

27/11/2023

There has been a lot in both the local and national news about the Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex that is currently in the dog population. I am going to pass on the most current information that I have from the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association dated Nov 21. The whole article can be found on the OVMA website right on their front page.



In August 2023 there were the first reports of an atypical canine infections respiratory illness seen in dogs in Portland and Willamette Valley. There have been currently about 200 reported cases now in Oregon. It is not unusual for periodic cases to occur in the dog population. IT is not just in Oregon, cases have been reported all over the US. It is transmitted by respiratory droplets and can be caused by both viruses and bacteria. It is contagious. Symptoms include coughing, sneezing, nasal and or eye discharge and lethargy. It seems to fall into 3 primary classes—chronic mild to moderate tracheobroncitis that can last 6-8 weeks and is minimally or NOT responsive to antibiotics, - chronic pneumonia that is minimally or NOT responsive to antibiotics - and acute pneumonia that rapidly becomes severe and often leads to death in 24-36 hours.



Currently, WE DON’T KNOW WHAT THE CAUSITIVE AGENT IS. Respiratory testing (ie PCR) have largely been negative, but it appears to possibly be viral (this would explain the minimal responsive to antibiotics). IT IS NOT KENNEL COUGH—Kennel cough is a bacterial disease caused by Bordetell bronchospetica and it very responsive to antibiotics.



What we do know. The Jackson County shelter has closed to the public because they are seeing cases. Home Away From Home is not doing their classes or play dates until the first of the year. I believe we may have seen a few cases here at the hospital, only coughing dogs, nothing real sick. I have approached it from by suppressing the cough and inflammation that coughing causes, saving antibiotics if the animal is truly sick (ie running a fever), but also understanding the antibiotics may not give much response. Dogs should be current on their vaccinations, including parainfluenza and Bordetella as a precaution. It occurs commonly in animals housed in settings such as shelters, boarding/training facilities and dog events—ie shows.



Here’s my recommendations. Be cautious. If you do not need to be in a large dog population, don’t. If you don’t need to board your dog, don’t. It’s only a dog show or agility trial, it’s not life and death which this disease may lead to. Crate your dogs in the car if you do attend, don’t crate in the building. Don’t pet other dogs but if you do, wash your hands and maybe change your clothes (is this beginning to sound a little like our precautions for COVID….). But, it is for that reason that I am suggesting that RVKC suspend the handling classes until the first of the year. The club cannot be responsible if your dog becomes ill and the instructors who graciously volunteer their time can’t risk taking something back to their dogs.



And if your dog is exhibiting any symptoms, PLEASE be considerate of others and don’t bring it or better yet, you both stay home. I know how much we all love our various events (I was forced to stay home from an agility trial this weekend due to health reasons of mine and it was miserable, but I also know I wasn’t in a large dog population in the Willamette valley).



As I hear anything new from veterinary professionals, I will certainly pass it on to the club.



Hope this helps clarify things. And as always, if you have questions, reach out to your veterinarian.

02/08/2023

X Opting Out!
So now they are doing it, just announced on Channel 4 News. Facebook is charging all users starting Monday. You can do a opt-out by this. Hold your finger over this message and copy, it can’t be a shared. I do not give permission for Facebook to charge $4.99 a month to my account, also; all my pictures are the property of mine and NOT Facebooks!!! Opt-out If you are thinking of getting off FB because of the volume of sales ads and trash stuff. So hold your finger anywhere in this post and click ′copy’. Go to your page where it says ‘What's on your mind?’ Tap your finger anywhere in the blank field. Click paste. This upgrades the system.
Good bye annoying ads and
Hello new and old friends!
IT ACTUALLY WORKED!!!!llll

26/03/2023

20/03/2023

https://gofund.me/2b2a7419

Hello Generous People, My name is Colleen Douglas. I am 64… Colleen Douglas needs your support for PLEASE SUPPORT COLLEEN FOR HER HEALTH TREATMENT.

08/01/2022

In early August 2021, researchers from Tufts University published a study indicating peas in dog food may be contributing to diet-associated DCM.

03/10/2021

This hazardous chewy toy is a by-product of the leather industry, not the food industry (which is why most are labelled as non-edible and/or dangerous if swallowed). The chemicals it takes to make this unsafe chew, from start to finish, is staggering!

Want to learn more about the safe treats that will nourish your pet without the list of chemicals, check the out the #1 The New York Times bestseller The Forever Dog book - https://foreverdog.com

30/09/2021

What type of dog water bowl do you use? 🐶💧

The dog water bowl has previously been identified as the third most contaminated🦠 item within the household and can be a breeding ground for dangerous germs & life-threatening bacteria🧫 that can put the entire house at risk, researchers at University Centre Hartpury have revealed.

So, which dish is best to use for a dog water bowl? The bowl that grows the least amount of life-threatening bacteria!

In the first study of its’ kind, Hartpury scientists found stainless steel grew the least amount of bacteria and over time, plastic bowls grew the highest amount, but the shocking part was the most harmful bacterial species (including salmonella, E. coli and MRSA) were most frequently identified in CERAMIC bowls!

Lead can also be a problem when using ceramic bowls, and the endocrine disrupting chemicals found in plastic bowls are a no-go! Also be aware plastic bowls🥣 can cause Plastic Dish Nasal Dermatitis🙀: Chemicals in plastic absorb through the skin and inhibit the synthesis of melanin, leaving the nose👃🏼 and adjacent areas with pink blotches.

So stainless steel🍴 bowls are the safest, right?

Well not so fast…. there’s even been recalls on stainless bowls😫. In our upcoming The Forever Dog book, in the chapter titled Environmental Impact and the section labelled “Toxic Toys, Chews, and Beds", we cover how to choose the best chemical-free bowls🚫 that won’t leach contaminants over time. The Forever Dog is available now for pre-order, worldwide, check out the www.ForeverDog.com/about

23/05/2021

Never assume that a dog came from a reputable breeder simply because it’s purebred.