K9 KEY Dog Training

19/12/2022

Big Moves to Make?

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17/10/2022

Is Your Dog Urine Burning Your Lawn Grass?

Urine burning the lawn can be a very frustrating problem and quite difficult to manage. There are many home remedies to correct this problem, but most of them are ineffective and a few of them actually make the situation worse.
Before you start implementing changes to correct lawn burn, you need to make sure that your dog is actually the culprit. Several lawn diseases will look like lawn burn, with the small, characteristic brown patches. First, make sure that the brown spots are in areas where your dog urinates. Most dogs will have an area in the yard that they choose to use as the 'bathroom.' Secondly, make sure that the grass in the brown spots is still firmly attached. Grab a handful and give it a steady pull. If the grass is firmly rooted, then it points to lawn burn. If the whole bunch of grass pulls up, roots and all, then you may be dealing with a grub problem. And thirdly, make sure that your dog is the problem. If your neighbor's dog is coming into your yard and creating the problem it will not do any good to treat your own dog.
Because dog urine is very high in nitrogen, when your dog urinates it is similar to pouring liquid fertilizer on the lawn. A little fertilizer is good for the grass, but an excess causes nitrogen burn. The prevention of lawn burn deals with trying to reduce the amount of nitrogen coming into contact with the grass.
There are several contributing factors that increase the likelihood of developing lawn burn.
Female dogs are more likely to cause lawn burn than males because they void their entire bladder in one location instead of lifting their leg and marking, like males.
Large dogs deposit more urine so they increase the quantity of nitrogen in one location, making lawn burn more likely.
Those dogs, usually young active dogs, fed a high protein diet are more likely to produce urine that causes lawn burn.
Heavily fertilized yards are already receiving near maximum levels of nitrogen. The small amount of nitrogen in dog urine may be all that is needed to put these lawns over the edge and cause lawn burn.
Lawns that are stressed are more susceptible to damage. Lawns that are suffering from drought, disease, or are newly sodded or seeded are more susceptible to lawn burn.
Successfully treating and preventing lawn burn often requires a multi-step approach.
1. Saturate the urinated spots with water. After the pet urinates, pour several cupfuls of water or hose down the spot to dilute the urine.
2. Feed a high quality dog food that does not exceed the pet's protein requirement. High quality foods have more digestible protein sources that are more completely utilized by the pet and create less nitrogenous waste in the urine. For this you will need to talk to your veterinarian to sort out the correct diet that suits your dog. Different dogs require different diets and often supermarket diets are quite ambiguous with their labeling.
3. Encouraging your dog to drink more, will help dilute the urine and decrease the risk of lawn burn. Small amounts of non-salted broth in the drinking water may help increase your dog's water intake.
4. Train your dog to urinate in a location that is less visible. This approach is very effective for some owners that do not want to add supplements to their dogs' diet.
5. Replant your yard with more urine-resistant grasses. (talk to your nearest nurser / garden specialist).
6. Talk to your veterinarian about feeding your dog a supplement and / or apply a product to the lawn (talk to your nearest nurser / garden specialist). These products bind and neutralize the nitrogen in your pet's urine.
7. Reduce the stress on your lawn by not over- or under-fertilizing and by providing frequent watering.
8. If neighbors' dogs are causing the problem, you may advise your neighbors of the leash laws. Using a fence or motion-activated sprinkler may be helpful in keeping these dogs off of your lawn.
I hope this helps

14/10/2022

TITLE: SA has highest incidents of dog attacks in world!

When scouting articles and news we came across this...

https://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/family/sa-has-highest-incidents-of-dog-attacks-in-world-10902710

Get in touch with us so we can help you groom a well adjusted furry friend & family members.

"Every Dog Deserves an Education (as well as the owners)"

In South Africa dogs account for 76 percent to 94 percent of animal bite injuries.

08/10/2022

Spring is here...
Top 10 Spring Activities For You and Your Dog.

Humans aren’t the only animals that get spring fever. With Cape Wildflowers cropping up and days growing longer, your dog is probably raring to go right about now. If you’re wondering about what to do with all your (and your dog’s) newfound energy, here are our top 10 ways to enjoy the spring with your dog.
1. Schedule a shopping spree.
Spring is a great time to seek out some new toys and games for your dog. Visit a pet-friendly retailer and shop together for some new activities you can enjoy with one another. You may even want to spruce up Fido’s look with a new collar and leash! Whatever you buy (or don’t buy), the point is to have fun together on your shopping trip.
2. Plan a play date.
Plan to meet other pooch parents at a dog-friendly park or at one another’s homes. Dogs love to play with one another, and being around other dogs is good for yours, body and soul. If you have a fenced-in yard, you might also consider hosting a Paw Party by having your friends and their dogs over. Have lots of treats on hand and plenty of activities planned (such as a DIY agility obstacles), as well as supervised time for your furry friends to just relax and socialize together.
3. Have a photo session.
Spring flowers make for gorgeous pictures. Schedule a photo session with a friend or a professional photographer to capture the beauty of your dog in a springtime surrounding.
4. Take a hike.
Dogs appreciate the great outdoors and love few things more than roaming through the hillside, enjoying the sights and smells. Hiking together will give you both plenty of fresh air and exercise. Be sure to start up slowly if you haven’t been walking much recently. 10-20 minutes a day is a good start.
5. Hone those fetching skills.
While the spring landscape is often full of sticks that have fallen from trees during the winter. Sticks can splinter and cause unintended splinters in your dog’s mouth. Bring along a variety of toys, too, like Frisbees and balls, to keep the fun going. Playing fetch is a fantastic way to sharpen your dog’s eye-mouth coordination and give him some much-needed exercise after a long winter.
6. Take to the lake or the beach.
Dogs take to water like flies to honey. If you live near a dog-friendly lake or beach, now is the time to go enjoy it. And while your pooch enjoys splashing in the water, you can enjoy soaking up some sun.
7. Go camping. Grab your “pup” tent and head for the hills.
Look for a pet-friendly campsite, or make our own. Just be sure to pack all your pet’s essentials in addition to your own: food, clean water, bowls, grooming kit, bedding, pick-up bags and an extra leash and collar. Consider booties and a cooling vest, as well. And make sure your pet is properly identified in case you are separated.
8. Exercise together.
Need to get rid of some winter weight gain? Whether it’s on you or your dog, you can start shedding those pounds by exercising together. Hit the road by running, biking, roller blading or just walking. Find a dog-friendly park and do some work-outs together. You’ll have a great time getting the endorphins flowing and just bonding with your dog.
9. Create an agility course.
Put together a simple obstacle course in your yard and teach your dog to go through it. Use lawn chairs, cardboard boxes, hula hoops … anything on hand that won’t cut or harm your pet. And have plenty of treats on hand to reward him when he does it right!
10. Take a vacation together.
If there’s somewhere you’ve been wanting to go, do it now! There are lots of pet-friendly hotels these days, so bringing your best friend along is easier than ever. Choose a location with plenty of outdoor space for your dog to exercise and play in, maybe along a lake or ocean or in the mountains. If you travel by car, make sure your dog has a car seat and all the gear a traveling pooch needs. If you travel by plane or train, learn about their dog policies in advance and be prepared.
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Spring is the perfect season for quality time with your dog. What spring activities do you enjoy with your dog? We’d love to hear from you!