Dogs often hesitate before going out in the rain. It's not because they're afraid of getting wet, but because the rain amplifies sound and hurts their sensitive ears.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Fun dog fact of the day...
Dogs often hesitate before going out in the rain. It's not because they're afraid of getting wet, but because the rain amplifies sound and hurts their sensitive ears.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Buyer Beware
Finding a good breeder is a difficult and often daunting task,yes, but my motto is that you probably will not have to do it again for years - so stick to your guns and don't let up until you find a great one!
When looking for a breeder PLEASE ask around, call references, check with their vet to see what testing they do (cutting corners on testing and medical care is an obvious red flag!) Talk for 2 hours and see if they start to sigh on the phone because they are bored of questions. Ask about their dogs and if you can get them to stop gushing in 10 minutes or less hang up. Find out what they are breeding toward, and away from; no dog is perfect, can they tell you the faults in theirs? Great breeders are excessively picky, so they should find fault in the most perfect dog and tell you how they hope to improve them in the next generation.
Ask for several references and call them; all of them. Find out how old the pups are, what their challenges have been, and very importantly if they can still rely on their breeder for good advice quickly and reliably. If everyone you talk to raves about them it's a very good sign.
It's a very sad thing, but there are alot of bad apples in the barrel - you know it because you've heard some stories yourself, but it can be difficult to weed through the pile when someone is being cunning and nice to sell the next pup. Always remember that all (well, most ;) ) puppies are cute, but you want to love the one you pick for a long long time - so as always caveat emptor! Believe it or not breeders get bitten, too, in fact every great breeder I know can share at least one horror story - so don't feel you are showing weakness by being super cautious. My recommendation? Assume the worst and make them prove you otherwise - this is about adding to your family; you can play nice in the dog park.
A final note on the matter: If you have had a bad experience - shout it out!! Reputation goes miles, and a bunch of bad reviews of awful experiences speaks volumes! As a consumer in this crazy world you are a king (or a queen), and your opinion can make a massive difference. Breeders can be trapped by etiquette and slamming another breeder, frankly, does very little good; it makes us look petty, competative and carries little weight. But as the new family you have the true power. Rave about the breeders you love, and please, and broadcast the ones that gave you the willies, or worse, the short end of the stick!! And last but not least - ask who we as breeders have had good experiences with - we buy dogs too, probably more often than you do! I know I have a couple of people I've dealt with that I highly recommend! Ask who we love to work with; If my experience has been fantastic, yours probably will be, too!
Be opinionated and hard to win over, your family and it's new furry baby will thank you for it!!
When looking for a breeder PLEASE ask around, call references, check with their vet to see what testing they do (cutting corners on testing and medical care is an obvious red flag!) Talk for 2 hours and see if they start to sigh on the phone because they are bored of questions. Ask about their dogs and if you can get them to stop gushing in 10 minutes or less hang up. Find out what they are breeding toward, and away from; no dog is perfect, can they tell you the faults in theirs? Great breeders are excessively picky, so they should find fault in the most perfect dog and tell you how they hope to improve them in the next generation.
Ask for several references and call them; all of them. Find out how old the pups are, what their challenges have been, and very importantly if they can still rely on their breeder for good advice quickly and reliably. If everyone you talk to raves about them it's a very good sign.
It's a very sad thing, but there are alot of bad apples in the barrel - you know it because you've heard some stories yourself, but it can be difficult to weed through the pile when someone is being cunning and nice to sell the next pup. Always remember that all (well, most ;) ) puppies are cute, but you want to love the one you pick for a long long time - so as always caveat emptor! Believe it or not breeders get bitten, too, in fact every great breeder I know can share at least one horror story - so don't feel you are showing weakness by being super cautious. My recommendation? Assume the worst and make them prove you otherwise - this is about adding to your family; you can play nice in the dog park.
A final note on the matter: If you have had a bad experience - shout it out!! Reputation goes miles, and a bunch of bad reviews of awful experiences speaks volumes! As a consumer in this crazy world you are a king (or a queen), and your opinion can make a massive difference. Breeders can be trapped by etiquette and slamming another breeder, frankly, does very little good; it makes us look petty, competative and carries little weight. But as the new family you have the true power. Rave about the breeders you love, and please, and broadcast the ones that gave you the willies, or worse, the short end of the stick!! And last but not least - ask who we as breeders have had good experiences with - we buy dogs too, probably more often than you do! I know I have a couple of people I've dealt with that I highly recommend! Ask who we love to work with; If my experience has been fantastic, yours probably will be, too!
Be opinionated and hard to win over, your family and it's new furry baby will thank you for it!!
Thinking of skipping the Tick coverage? Think again!
In Canada we think of Lyme Disease as an unfortunate illness that happens elsewhere in the world - well the numbers are in and and look out, because it's in our back yard too, now. When I first moved out to Ridgeway from St. Catharines I met my first tick. And then my next ten in a span of about an hour. The great dane had gone for a leisurely walk around the perimeter of the property and low and behold - TICKS!! Not just one or two, either. I quickly learned the lesson of checking carefully the coverage of my flea preventative, because not all cover tick prevention as well. The few days between the coverage application and it's full effect saw enough ticks on my big guys to last me several lifetimes.
Look below at the new CDN stats; and then call your vet to make sure your furry family memebers are covered!
In 2010, Lyme disease became a nationally reportable disease in Canada. This means that all medical professionals must report cases of Lyme disease to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) via their provincial public health system. PHAC posts information on reportable, or notifiable, diseases on its website. PHAC surveys the provinces and territories to assess the number of cases and distribution of Lyme disease in Canada. This survey does not capture all of the cases of Lyme disease in Canada, particularly cases of early Lyme disease. Recent studies suggest that the incidence of Lyme disease in Canada is increasing.
The risk for exposure to the disease is highest in regions where the ticks that transmit Lyme disease are known to be established. These regions are parts of southern and southeastern Quebec, southern and eastern Ontario, southeastern Manitoba, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia as well as much of southern British Columbia. Surveillance data indicates a small number of blacklegged ticks are introduced into widely separated areas of Canada by migratory birds, posing some risk that individuals in other areas may also be exposed to infected ticks.
Although rarer than Lyme disease, there are other infections that can also be contracted from blacklegged ticks. These include Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis; Babesia microti, the agent of human babesiosis and Powassan encephalitis virus. The precautions outlined above will also help to protect individuals from these infections.
Look below at the new CDN stats; and then call your vet to make sure your furry family memebers are covered!
In 2010, Lyme disease became a nationally reportable disease in Canada. This means that all medical professionals must report cases of Lyme disease to the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) via their provincial public health system. PHAC posts information on reportable, or notifiable, diseases on its website. PHAC surveys the provinces and territories to assess the number of cases and distribution of Lyme disease in Canada. This survey does not capture all of the cases of Lyme disease in Canada, particularly cases of early Lyme disease. Recent studies suggest that the incidence of Lyme disease in Canada is increasing.
The risk for exposure to the disease is highest in regions where the ticks that transmit Lyme disease are known to be established. These regions are parts of southern and southeastern Quebec, southern and eastern Ontario, southeastern Manitoba, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia as well as much of southern British Columbia. Surveillance data indicates a small number of blacklegged ticks are introduced into widely separated areas of Canada by migratory birds, posing some risk that individuals in other areas may also be exposed to infected ticks.
Although rarer than Lyme disease, there are other infections that can also be contracted from blacklegged ticks. These include Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis; Babesia microti, the agent of human babesiosis and Powassan encephalitis virus. The precautions outlined above will also help to protect individuals from these infections.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Have you done your heartworm test and started meds?
This is a great link that reminds us how important an easy treatment is to the four pawed love of our lives!
Dog tip of the day
The relationship between man and his dog is a special one and it is no wonder that more healthcare practitioners are recommending that their patients adopt a dog to help them through periods of illness. Dog facts: there are many instances on record that describes how the companionship of a loving pet has helped ailing people to get better.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Don't forget the rescue option!
I know that many of us out here are suckers for puppies - but lets face it, sometimes an older dog has their perks. A French Bulldog rescue in southern ontario has a male available that is both house and crate trained. Seriously - how great is that. Take a look at the link and let's see if we can help find Ulric a great new home.
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