Tips and Tricks for HC’s doggies
“I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.” – Doris Day
Those of us who have dogs or have had dogs know they're a huge part of our lives. My dog, Pepper, is a four year old Springer Spaniel and since we got her I have had tons of questions like what the best food for her is or how much exercise she actually needs. To help answer some of these questions I've conducted interviews with students at HC, my dog’s groomer, and my dog’s vet. Hopefully, these interviews from a few different perspectives can help answer some of the similar questions dog owners have about caring for their dogs!
Tips and Tricks for Behavior
Aimee - an HC student
Q: How do you deal with your dog's bad behavior?
A: So first of all, we never yell at her. Yelling at your dog leads to barking dogs, so you don't want to do that! We usually tell her “no” in a firm but calm voice so she doesn't get scared BUT knows not to do that again. For example, when we first got her, when she starts chewing, you just say “no”. Keep saying the same thing. Consistency is very important. No yelling. Yelling can make your dog less likely to respond to your commands, which makes you more frustrated and likely to yell.
Tips and Tricks for Health
Aimee - an HC student
Q: Do you know any medical tips for maltipoos?
A: It's kinda for small dogs in general: they usually get a lot of dental issues especially when they get older. For us, the vet gave us this dental food to get the plaque of the teeth. We also brush Bella’s teeth. It's not a must, the dental food helps the most. Make sure you clean their eyes because they usually get some dirty stuff around their eyes. You can help keep your dog’s eyes clean by wiping away discharge in the corners with a soft washcloth moistened with water.
Secord Animal Hospital - Veterinary Clinic
Q: What are some common health issues for dogs and are there ways to prevent them?
A: A common concern in smaller breeds tends to be dental disease. Regular dental care, whether it be dental chews, daily teeth brushing, or a specially formulated dental diet will help aid in the prevention of this disease. A common development in large breed dogs is the development of arthritis. This can be prevented by maintaining an appropriate body condition, regular exercise and in some cases the addition of glucosamine and omega supplements. Some of the most common things you can do to keep your dog healthy is to develop a good exercise schedule. This helps aid in the development and prevention of joint health, overall body condition, and maintaining a positive mental state for your pet.
Tips and Tricks for Hygiene
The Pooch Parlor - Grooming and Daycare
Q: How often should dogs be bathed/groomed?
A: It really depends on the breed. Most dogs more prone to shedding like Labradors, Pointers, Weimaraners, Daschunds, should be groomed a minimum of four times a year. Hounds should be washed more frequently due to their body odor. Non-shedding dogs should be groomed every 4-6 weeks depending on the length of their coats. Dogs with longer coats should be groomed or just brushed/maintained around every 2 weeks.
Q: What would you suggest as the best toys for dogs?
A: The best toy for your dog really depends on their preferences. Softer toys are best for non-chewers and smaller dogs because of their smaller teeth, however, it's definitely possible to have smaller chewing toys for a small dog if they like to chew. If your pup is a chewer it is best to get tougher toys that are harder to destroy or last for a longer time so it is harder for your dog to chew off small pieces as they may ingest pieces if they chew them off. Contrary to what a lot of people think, toys do not depend on a dog’s size, but instead their personality. Overall, dogs are active animals, so a ball in the park is always a solid choice of toy.
Tips and Tricks for Food
The Pooch Parlor - Grooming and Daycare
Q: Do you have any tips on treats for dogs?
A: Treats are difficult and vary from dog to dog as they can cause stomach upset and weight gain. Often people forget that treats are over and above the daily amount of food that should be given so need to be given sparingly. A good trick for training puppies rather than giving treats is using pellets of their regular dog food instead. It is less fattening, won’t cause stomach upset, and is part of their daily portions.
Secord Animal Hospital - Veterinary Clinic
Q: How does someone choose the right food for their dog?
A: When selecting an appropriate diet for your dog there are a few important factors to consider. The first is the current life stage of your pet (puppy, adult, senior). When a diet is listed as "good for all life stages" it has actually been developed to meet the dietary needs of puppies and therefore may have a higher calorie intake than required for a senior pet. Secondly, selecting a diet from a company that has done feeding trials will help to ensure the palatability of the diet. Finally, consulting with your pet's doctor is an important part of making an informed decision on the dietary needs of your pet. In my experience, the three ingredient types to avoid in your dog’s food are fillers (such as BHA and white flour), preservatives (such as Propylene glycol), and meat by-products (such as “beef meal”) and instead try to look for beneficial snacks such as organ meat or any “real meat”.
A special thanks to Aimee McCurdy Franks, Ellen at The Pooch Parlor (The Pooch Parlor Inc @thepoochparlorinc), and Alysha at Secord Animal Hospital (https://vcacanada.com/secord) for your time in having these interviews with me! Another special thanks to Domi for scribing the in-school interview for me!
Bibliography