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!

 

Meet Apryl Barton, DVM – Veterinarian at Animal Hospital of Polaris!

Dr. Apryl Barton, Veterinarian at Animal Hospital of Polaris

Apryl Barton, DVM is Associate Veterinarian at Animal Hospital of Polaris.  Apryl is extremely dedicated to her craft, and strives to provide the best possible care for pets and their owners.  She genuinely cares for every animal that comes through the door, which makes her an extremely valuable addition to the Animal Hospital of Polaris team.

Apryl, what do you like most about your job?
I love working with dogs and cats every day.  I also have the privilege of getting to work with the wonderful group of people that make up the staff at AHOP.

What is the hardest part?
There’s not a switch to turn my brain off at the end of my shift, so even though I may not be working, I’m always thinking about cases I’ve seen and trying to think of what else I need to do, what I might have forgotten, researching different diseases and treatments.

Do you have any pets?
Yes!  Kael is a four-year-old orange and white tabby cat.  He’s my first “baby.”  Bowser is a five-year-old Miniature Bulldog.  He was rescued after he ate a corncob and had an intestinal obstruction.

What is your favorite animal?
I love tigers, but if I had to choose between cats and dogs, I’m a crazy cat lady even if I only have one.

Tell us something interesting about yourself.
-I love cardiology.
-My hobbies include travel, reading, watching movies and TV.
-I would love to take piano and photography lessons.
-I loved living in Louisiana!  The culture and food were amazing. Go LSU Tigers!

When did you decide to become a veterinarian?
I always knew that I wanted to work with animals, but initially wanted to study animal behavior.  Through my undergrad coursework and after researching graduate schools for behavior, I decided to change my path to veterinary medicine.

What education/experience has brought you up to this point?
I worked with zoo and exotic animals throughout my undergraduate studies and when I decided to pursue vet med, I thought that I wanted to be a zoo vet.  After working at an excellent small animal practice before and throughout vet school, and after enjoying canine and feline medicine, I changed and decided to become a small animal practitioner.  After vet school I had the great fortune of doing a general small animal rotating internship at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine where I got additional training in emergency and specialty medicine.

What makes a good veterinarian?
My top priority is patient care; at the end of the day, I want to know that I did everything I could to help the patient I saw.  This may be as simple as trying to get a healthy pet that is in for their annual exam to be less anxious about being at the clinic, but every patient has their own unique needs that I try to pay attention to and address.  Being able to have a conversation and help my clients understand why I’m recommending certain things is also crucial.  Our pets are members of our family, and I want my clients to go home with the knowledge they need to understand how they can best take care of their family.  I also feel it is important to keep up with current procedures and therapies so that I can offer you the most up-to-date and best service possible.

What is the most important thing a pet caretaker can do in order to have a good relationship with a veterinarian?
Communication!  If my clients don’t understand something I’m talking about, I hope they will ask me to explain things differently, or provide them with reading material or reliable websites with the information they seek.  It’s important for a veterinarian and a client to discuss a treatment plan together so that their pet gets the care they need and that the client is comfortable with the services performed.

What are some misconceptions you’ve heard about veterinarians and vet care?
I hear from people occasionally that “If you want to make a lot of money, be a veterinarian,” or “Veterinarians recommend vaccines that aren’t necessary to take our money.”  I can assure you that neither of these statements is true.  The cost of veterinary school and the subsequent monthly loan payments are higher than most people (including most of my family members!) ever imagined, and our average national salaries are not as high as people think.  This is not a field anyone should go into if their goal is to make lots of money.  There is always debate, even amongst veterinarians about how often vaccines are needed, and there is no exact answer.  We recommend them based on our individual assessment of your pets’ risk and needs.

Any advice for pet owners?
Please use caution when trying to diagnose your pets from the Internet.  Every pet is different, and many websites are not accurate or up-to-date on their recommendations.  If you have concerns and want the best for your pet, call you veterinarian.

Please say “hi” to Apryl next time you visit Animal Hospital of Polaris!

Rabies in Wildlife Continues to Pose Risks to Pets and People …

Image by Sanofi Pasteur via Flickr

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) wants to remind Ohioans that rabies in wildlife continues to pose a risk to pets and people.  Rabies is almost always 100 percent fatal once a person or animal begins to show symptoms.   Protecting pets by keeping them current on their rabies vaccine is an important buffer between wildlife rabies and human exposure.  Indoor animals should also be vaccinated as rabid bats are frequently discovered by pets in the home.

In addition to vaccinating your pets for rabies, there are several things Ohioans can do to protect
themselves and their pets.

• Avoid wildlife and animals you do not know.
• Teach your children that they should tell you if they were bitten or scratched by an animal.
• Call your doctor and the local health department, if bitten.
• Contact your veterinarian if your pet was exposed to a bat, raccoon, skunk, or other wild carnivore.  

It is important to remember that cats, as well as dogs, should be vaccinated for rabies. According to the latest published data by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cats continue to be the number one domestic animal confirmed with rabies: 300 cats confirmed in 2009 compared to 81 dogs.

Learn more on the Rabies page of the ODH website: www.odh.ohio.gov or contact us at (614)888-4050 with any questions you might have.

Related articles

• Rabies in Dogs: How to Respond to Animal Bites (brighthub.com)
• September 28 is a Day to Learn How You Can Prevent and Control Rabies. Everyday. (cdc.gov)

Tips and tricks for photographing your favorite furry friend …

For those of you who made it out to our Winter Wooferland photography sessions, you had an opportunity to be photographed by a professional but if you are attempting to take your own photos this holiday season (and you want to include the furriest member of your family), here are some helpful hints:

-Get Acquainted:  Your pet can be anxious around new equipment, new people so let your pet explore the camera…take a few test shots and let your pet even smell the camera.

-Brighten Up:  An indoor flash can be particularly offensive to your pet so for a more flattering photo, pick a well-lit indoor room and have your pet sit near a window or consider using natural light and take the photo outdoors.

-Bring a Bribe (bait):  Use snacks to get your pet in a good mood.  Most pets (and people, for that matter) are motivated by food…so why not use treats as encouragement.

-Move to their level:  The most personal interaction and best photographs will come from getting down on the ground to take the shot.

-Act Silly:  For some of us, acting silly around our pets comes naturally!  Your pet will perk up and you’ll get a great photograph if you are willing to initiate play, roll around on the ground and even get your children involved.  Use toys, a funny voice and make noises to encourage your playful pet.

-Capture the moment:  Sometimes the best photographs are the ones that come naturally through everyday activities such as taking a walk, throwing a ball, etc.  Consider a candid shot!

-Don’t give up:  Thank goodness for the era of digital photography where it may take 375 clicks to get just one great picture.  Since there is no harm in hitting the ‘delete’ button, take as many photographs as you’d like and try as many of the above mentioned techniques as you can…your pet won’t get tired, they LOVE the attention!

Is your dog just limping along?

Your dog may be experiencing mobility issues and Animal Hospital of Polaris is enrolling dogs in a clinical trial to evaluate a supplemental diet to help dogs with limited mobility.

If your dog has trouble moving around, is 7 years of age or older, and weighs between 51 and 80 pounds, he/she may qualify for FREE examinations and FREE food for up to 5 months!

And you could receive $200!

If you find your dog limping or experiencing discomfort with ambulation, call the Animal Hospital of Polaris at 614-888-4050… your pet may qualify for this innovative study!

Extended hours, convenient location, friendly staff and experienced Veterinarians…

These elements are what make the Animal Hospital of Polaris an ideal “urgent care” for your pet when your pet is feeling under the weather!  We can’t always tell what is wrong with our pet but we know, as their owner, that something is wrong.

Whether your pet seems lethargic, has diarrhea or continues to vomit…we know you feel uncomfortable and worried about their health.  That’s why our extended hours (and reasonable cost) are ideal when you need treatment for your pet.

Did you know?
That our facility is open from 7:30 AM – 10 PM Monday through Friday, 8 AM – 8 PM on Saturdays and 10 AM – 8 PM on Sundays!

Did you know?
That our veterinarians have all worked in emergency clinics prior to working for Animal Hospital of Polaris so they know just how to respond to your pet’s health concern at the time you need us.

Did you know?
That we are open and available to see any animal, regardless of whether they are a regular client, on an urgent care basis.  We wanted to be available to your friends and neighbors as a cost effective alternative to traditional emergency care when pets are not feeling well.

If you are ever concerned or worried about your pet’s health, always call us at 614-888-4050… better to be safe!

New Year’s Resolutions from a Dog and Cat

Pets have New Year’s resolutions too!  Check out our favorites below.

Have a happy and healthy 2011 from your friends at The Animal Hospital of Polaris!

New Year’s Resolution from a Dog

Resolution #1: I will eat less and exercise more.

Too many nights on the couch, too many dog biscuits and too little time running around the local dog park has made me a little, well, fluffier.

I don’t think the old “I’m-just-big-boned” excuse will work anymore. I resolve to bug my owner to take me out to the doggy park several times a week.

Resolution #2: I will beg less.

I’ve got begging down to a fine art – he’s puddy in my paws – but it sure is demeaning. I promise to reserve the begging for worthwhile things, like going out to the park and T-bone steak.

Resolution #3: I will recognize the difference between furniture and fire hydrants.

I promise not to treat the furniture and walls the way I do fire hydrants. It drives my owners batty and has no lasting benefit for me (they clear away the scent almost as fast as I can “deposit” it.)

Resolution #4: I’ll stay out of the cat’s litter box.

I vow to resist the urge to snoop around the cat’s private lavatory – even though it’s a lot of fun and really makes her go nuts.

Resolution #5: I won’t bite the vet anymore.

I’ll remember that the vets and their staff are just trying to help in their own, inscrutable way, although they really know how to push my buttons with those needles!

Resolution #6: I won’t steal food as much.

I won’t go out of my way to steal food, although all bets are off if they make it really easy for me.

Resolution #7: I’ll introduce myself in more appropriate ways.

In other words, I’ll focus above the waist when introducing myself to humans. Somehow, I get the feeling my normal greeting methods invade their private space.

Resolution #8: I’ll do better “holding it” until morning.

When nature calls, I’ll steel my resolve to wait for my normal morning walk, unless special considerations apply. I’ll decide what those special considerations are.

Resolution #9: I’ll bark at the mailman less.

Even though it works to put him in his place, I’ll try not to exercise my authority over him and other delivery people, although my self-esteem does get a boost when they retreat.

Resolution #10: I’ll tolerate those homemade bandannas more.

(Source: http://www.yeepet.com)

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New Year’s Resolution from a Cat

Resolution #1:  My human will never let me eat her pet hamster, and I am at peace with that.

Resolution #2:  I will not puff my entire body to twice its size for no reason after my human has finished watching a horror movie.

Resolution #3: I will not slurp fish food from the surface of the aquarium.

Resolution #4:  I must not help myself to Q-tips, and I must certainly not proceed to stuff them down the sink’s drain.

Resolution #5:  I will not eat large numbers of assorted bugs, then come home and puke them up so the humans can see that I’m getting plenty of roughage.

Resolution #6:  I will not lean way over to drink out of the tub, fall in, and then pelt right for the box of clumping cat litter. (It took FOREVER to get the stuff out of my fur.)

Resolution #7:  I will not stand on the bathroom counter, stare down the hall, and growl at NOTHING after my human has finished watching The X-Files.

Resolution #8:  I will not use the bathtub to store live mice for late-night snacks.

Resolution #9:  I will not perch on my human’s chest in the middle of the night and stare into her eyes until she wakes up.

Resolution #10:  We will not play Herd of Thundering Wildebeests Stampeding Across the Plains of the Serengeti over any humans’ bed while they’re trying to sleep.

Resolution #11:  Screaming at the can of food will not make it open itself.

Resolution #12:  I cannot leap through closed windows to catch birds outside. If I forget this and bonk my head on the window and fall behind the couch in my attempt, I will not get up and do the same thing again.

Resolution #13:  I will not assume the patio door is open when I race outside to chase leaves.

Resolution #14:  I will not intrude on my human’s candle-lit bubble bath and singe my bottom.

Resolution #15:  I will not stick my paw into any container to see if there is something in it. If I do, I will not hiss and scratch when my human has to shave me to get the rubber cement out of my fur.

Resolution #16:  If I bite the cactus, it will bite back.

Resolution #17:  When it rains, it will be raining on all sides of the house. It is not necessary to check every door.

Resolution #18:  Birds do not come from the bird feeder. I will not knock it down and try to open it up to get the birds out.

Resolution #19:  The dog can see me coming when I stalk her. She can see me and will move out of the way when I pounce, letting me smash into floors and walls. That does not mean I should take it as a personal insult when my humans sit there and laugh.

Resolution #20:  I will not play “dead cat on the stairs” while people are trying to bring in groceries or laundry, or else one of these days, it will really come true.

Resolution #21:  When the humans play darts, I will not leap into the air and attempt to catch them.

Resolution #22:  I will not swat my human’s head repeatedly when she’s on the family room floor trying to do sit ups.

Resolution #23:  When my human is typing at the computer, her forearms are *not* a hammock.

Resolution #24:  Computer and TV screens do not exist to backlight my lovely tail.

Resolution #25:  I am a walking static generator. My human doesn’t need my help installing a new board in her computer.

(Source: http://www.i-pets.com/hdogcat8.html)