Behavior Training Courses are coming to Animal Hospital of Polaris in June!

At Animal Hospital of Polaris, we’re thrilled to introduce our new puppy/dog behavior courses, lead by the very talented Ami Jones!  You may have seen her smiling face greeting you as you enter the clinic, but did you know she is highly educated in the areas of evolution, ecology, and animal behavior?  She also holds a national certification as a dog trainer.  Stop by our blog next week as we’ll be putting the spotlight on Ami!

Our various training options are carefully developed to assure positive, lasting results and help to bridge the human/pet communication gap.

• For puppies under 6 mo. only.  $150/6 wk course.   Most generic dog training classes will teach your dog to sit, stay, and come, but these do nothing to teach your dog how to acclimate to his new home environment and why manners are important.  In this course you will learn to understand your puppy’s emotional signals and body language so you can understand him better, while at the same time teaching him to speak your language.  We will discuss topics such as housetraining, proper teething management, how to keep your kids safe, how to handle resource guarding, crate training issues and proper socialization. Additionally, you will teach your dog to respond and come when called, stay, how to walk politely on a leash and “mine” versus “take it.”  We will also spend time teaching you how to prepare your puppy for trips to the veterinarian and groomer, along with basic puppy care that you should do at home.  All puppies will receive a free fitting for a gentle leader or harness.  The first course will be a 2 hour orientation for people only—no dogs.  The remaining 5 classes will be 1 hour long and will involve training your pet to do all of these behaviors.
• Puppy version (<6 mo.) and Adult version (>6 mo.).  $150/6 wk course.  In this class Ami will teach you the tools to be your own trainer…skills you will be able to take with you and use to help train your dog anything you want throughout his/her lifetime.  You can use these skills on all of your animals, so rather than paying for training for every pet you obtain in the future, all you need is to apply the materials you will learn in this one course!  We will teach Sit v. Stand, Lie Down, How to Settle on a Mat, Target/Touch Training, How to Follow a Target, “Watch Me,” and various fun shaping games.   You will learn to speak your dog’s language so you can understand him better, while at the same time teaching him to speak your language.  The first course will be a 2 hour orientation for people only—no dogs.  The remaining 5 classes will be one hour long and will involve training your pet to do all of these behaviors.
• Private lessons are $80/hr, $375 for a package of 5 (save $25), or $750 for a package of 10 (save $50).  Would you rather work one-on-one?  Do you have the “basics” down but need help with one particular issue you are having?  Ami is happy to work with you and will create a training plan to fit your own personal goals and needs.  Private lessons are also great fun for the whole family to do together in order to ensure everyone is on the same page and training consistently!  For those who have nervous and anxious dogs, this could also be a better option than a class setting.

Call (614) 888-4050 now for more information and to register your pet before spaces fill up!  Our 2012 training schedule is as follows:

June 24^th-July 29^th: 

Sun, June 24^th:  Orientation 12:00-2:00pm.  People only, no dogs. (Basic and Intermediate Classes will join as one large class during Orientation).

Sun, July 1^st, 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd, 29th:

Basic Puppy-10:30-11:30am

Intermediate Puppy: 12-1pm

Intermediate Adult 1:30-2:30pm

August 5-September 16^th:

Sun, Aug 5th:  Orientation 12:00-2:00pm.  People only, no dogs. (Basic and Intermediate Classes will join as one large class during Orientation).

Sun, Aug 12^th, 19^th, 26^th, Sept 9^th, 16^th:

Basic Puppy: 10:30-11:30am

Intermediate Puppy: 12-1pm

Intermediate Adult: 1:30-2:30pm

**Note:  There will be NO CLASS September 2^nd (Labor Day Weekend)

September 23^rd-November 4^th:

Sun, Sept 23rd:  Orientation 12:00-2:00pm.  People only, no dogs. (Basic and Intermediate Classes will join as one large class during Orientation).

Sun, Sept 30^th, Oct 14^th, 21^st, 28^th, Nov 4^th

Basic Puppy: 10:30-11:30am

Intermediate Puppy: 12-1pm

Intermediate Adult: 1:30-2:30pm

**Note:  There will be NO CLASS October 7^th (Ami out of town)

November 11^th-Dec 30^th:

Sun, Nov 11th:  Orientation 12:00-2:00pm.  People only, no dogs. (Basic and Intermediate Classes will join as one large class during Orientation).

Sun, Nov 18^th, Dec 2^nd, 9^th, 16^th, 30^th

Basic Puppy: 10:30-11:30am

Intermediate Puppy: 12-1pm

Intermediate Adult: 1:30-2:30pm

**Note:  There will be NO CLASS Nov 25^th (Thanksgiving) or Dec 23^rd (Christmas)

Related articles

• Puppy Training and Socialization (clancyaussiedoodles.wordpress.com)
• Correctly Training A Family Dog Is Certainly No Simple Endeavor (mypetkingdom.info)
• 5 Mistakes New Puppy Owners Make (lyncrestcavalierkingcharlesspanielpuppies.com)

Does your dog sweat in hot weather?

The answer is not what you might expect….But what do dogs do when their bodies are too hot?

A dog’s skin is different from human skin. While they do sweat, they do so in much smaller quantities than we do. Most of their perspiration occurs through their paw pads, and it’s not enough to greatly change their body temperature.

The main way dogs cool themselves is by panting and breathing. Have you ever felt a dog’s breath as it panted? It’s much warmer than you might expect. This is because a dog’s tongue and the lining of their lungs are the primary locations where body heat is transferred to the air. Many people believe that a dog’s tongue contains sweat glands, but this is not true.

Dogs also dissipate heat by dilating (expanding) blood vessels in their face and ears. This helps to cool the dog’s blood by causing it to flow closer to the surface of the skin. Put together, these 3 methods of temperature regulation aren’t extremely efficient. A dog’s body can be easily overwhelmed by heat, often causing the dog to suffer from heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke.

Excessive play on a hot day can lead to overheating (hyperthermia) and eventually to heat stroke. A dog that is overheated will seem sluggish or confused. His gums and tongue may appear bright red, and he will be panting hard. The dog may vomit, collapse, have a seizure or go into a coma.

It is crucial to never, ever let your dog get this overheated. Constantly offer him a supply of fresh water, and take frequent breaks from playing in hot weather. Make sure that he always has a shady and cool place to relax, and never leave him alone in a vehicle on a warm day.

If you ever find your pet has been exposed to extreme heat, seems sluggish, is vomiting, collapses or has a seizure…call us immediately.  With the summer fast approaching, we know that the lure of warmer temperatures and longer days can sometimes lead to overexposure for our furry friends.

Is your dog a picky eater?

Sometimes it’s a personality trait that dogs have their entire lives, and sometimes it’s a relatively new development. Before we give you some pointers on how to help your picky eater, there are some things to investigate:

1. Be sure there are no underlying medical issues. Consult your veterinarian about your dog’s picky behavior, especially if there is vomiting and/or diarrhea or any other signs of illness present, weight loss, or if the problem has developed suddenly.

2. Check out the food you’re feeding your pet. Is it high quality and nutritious? Does it contain wholesome protein sources instead of cheap non-nutritive fillers? It’s only natural for a dog to reject inferior food. (It would be like a human eating very low-grade microwave dinners for every meal—eventually they’ll get sick of it.) Also, check to ensure that food has not gone stale or rancid as this can also put off your dog’s appetite.

3. Do you rotate foods? Many veterinarians recommend feeding only one type of food. Changing your pet’s food can create a finicky appetite when he thinks there may be something tastier coming if he doesn’t eat. New foods can also cause stomach upset and diarrhea which can discourage eating.

4. Is there anything affecting his appetite for meals? Is your dog stealing food from another pet or trash can? Could a family member be slipping him extra treats or table scraps between meals? Anything that cuts down on his appetite at dinner time can affect whether he eats his regular food.

Surprisingly, how you respond to your dog’s finicky eating habits can either help make them or break them.  If your pet has become a picky eater and you have a suspicion that something just isn’t the same… call us and we’ll be happy to help figure out if there is something more serious to be concerned with!

 

Mark Your Calendars for the AHOP Open House!

It’s all happening Saturday, May 12th from 12-4 pm.

Take a tour of our facility, enjoy some good food, see the latest equipment and even view a grooming demonstration.  See vendors like Trupanion pet insurance, buy safe flowers for your pets and even speak to experts from Royal Canin dog food. There will be lots of fun stuff for the kids as well including face painting!  Please extend an invitation to your friends and family as well!

Because we’ve invited children, we ask that  you not bring your pets to this event.  We will miss them but we look forward to our host of Summer events where they will be the life of the party!

We hope to see you there!

While driving north on 23 on Saturday…

I noticed that yet another “pet resort” was under construction.  Although this new facility may be close in geographic proximity, they are far removed in what they offer in comparison to the pet resort at the Animal Hospital of Polaris.  Here are some things to consider when selecting a kennel or resort for your pet while you are away from home:

• Make certain that your kennel/resort facility has a veterinarian on staff AND on site! The health and safety of your pet depends on it.

• Don’t pay extra for walks…. at the Animal Hospital of Polaris, our nightly rate includes 6-7 walks with your pet.  At other pet resorts, they charge $1.75 per walk!

• Don’t pay extra for administering medication to your pet.  Our nightly rate includes ALL care for your pet, including the administration of their needed medication.  Other facilities charge an average of $6.00 per dose of medication administered.

• Not only can the Animal Hospital of Polaris care for your canine companion while you are away, we have a designated resort just for your furry feline or even your exotic pet.

Don’t be fooled by a large warehouse that calls itself a “pet resort”…they have neither the staff nor the knowledge of how to best care for your pet.

If you are planning a trip for Easter or for this upcoming summer, give us a call and make a reservation at a facility that you know and trust.  Call us today @ 614-888-4050  to make your pet’s reservation.

Yard Safety Tips for Your Pets

With warmer weather approaching, our pets are longing to spend more time outdoors.  If you are fortunate enough, you might even have a backyard where your dog can run, play and explore.  Whether your pet is free to romp in a fenced in backyard or has an electric fence, there are several possible hazards in your yard that can cause injury or create problems for your dog.

Some of the possible hazards include:

• Sharp nails or wires on fencing
• Loose fence boards or areas where pets can sneak out, around or under
• Trash tossed or blown into the yard that may be chewed on or ingested
• Improperly stored toxins such as rodenticide, slug bait, fertilizer or antifreeze

If you find that your dog has become sick or injured as a result of encountering these hazards, don’t hesitate to call us at 614-888-4050!

Meet Lizzy Brunello … Groomer for Animal Hospital of Polaris!

On Wednesdays this March, be sure to schedule a groom with Lizzy for 10% off your groom!  Your furry friends will absolutely love her!

Lizzy, what roles have you held at Animal Hospital of Polaris?
I’ve been a doggy daycare attendant, boarding attendant and now I’m a groomer.

How long have you been with Animal Hospital of Polaris?
Two years now.

What is the hardest part of your job?
In daycare, watching the dogs behavior toward other dogs, and making sure they are minding their manners and being nice to one another.

Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have three dogs.  Chico the Chihuahua, Dash the Maltese mix, and Tinkerbell the Yorkie.  They are so much fun, and have a lot of energy and personality.

Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I like to write (i.e. quotes, messages, and inspirational life lessons).  Writing is my best way of expressing myself.

Any grooming advice for pet owners?
For your pets that have long hair, it is very important if you are bathing at home between grooms to brush and comb them out before and after their bath.  This is to prevent the hair from tangling or “matting” as we call it.  In doing this, it will not only help our your groomer but it will help prevent them from having to be shaved.  If you need tips on how to brush out your furry friend, please do not hesitate to ask your groomer!

Thanks, Lizzy!

Keeping your pet hydrated is extremely important!

Proper hydration is crucial in the healing process; however, the ill or painful dog may not be interested in drinking. It is important NOT to force water into your dog, as it could lead to aspiration pneumonia if your dog is not swallowing appropriately.

Listed below are several options to encourage your dog to intake water:

1. Give your dog an ice cube to lick.

2. Allow your dog to lick water from your hand or your finger.

3. Feed canned dog food, as it has a higher water content.

4. Add warm water or low-sodium broth to your dog’s food.

5. With your veterinarian’s permission, offer small amounts of Pedialyte.

6. Adding an ice cube to the water bowl can encourage some dogs to drink.

If your dog is weak and not interested in food or water, call your veterinarian immediately. Call us at any time at (614) 888-4050 should you have questions regarding your pet’s health, particularly if you are concerned about a state of dehydration!

Top 10 Pet Toxins in 2011

1. Human prescription medications
2. Insecticides
3. Over the counter human medications
4. Human food
5. Household Items
6. Veterinary medications
7. Rodenticides
8. Plants
9. Lawn and Garden products
10. Automotive

Our pets are inquisitive little creatures sometimes and it is up to us to keep them safe! Some of the same tactics that we use to keep our children safe can work for protecting our pets as well.  But just like children, our furry friends can’t be watched every moment so if you find or suspect that your pet has ingested one of the above noted toxins, don’t hesitate… call your veterinarian immediately.  With our extended hours of operation (we are open until 10 PM during the week and until 8 PM on the weekends), we hope to be able to meet both your preventive as well as urgent care needs.

Call us at any time at (614) 888-4050 should you have questions regarding your pet’s behaviors and any potential hazards that your pet may have encountered.

Get to know Valerie of Animal Hospital of Polaris!

Valerie has been the Compliance Coordinator for over three years at Animal Hospital of Polaris.  You may have seen her working hard behind-the-scenes to help keep the clinic stocked and running smoothly.

Valerie, what do you enjoy most about your role?
I like meeting new people.

Do you have pets?
Peanut is eight years old.  She is a longhaired, black cat.  Finn is three, and a shorthaired, black, male cat.  Amhurst is four and a half.  He’s a male, retired racing greyhound.

Tell us something interesting about yourself.
I am a music teacher.  I love to spend time with family and friends.

If you see Valerie in our lobby or back offices, be sure to say “hi!”