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Tips to Groom Nervous Dogs – Make Your Grooming Jobs Become Easier

Posted on May 5, 2020 ·

Nervous Dogs grooming tipsHaving a nervous dog is a real challenge for pet owners. They have to be really patient and understandable. Not only in daily activities, grooming a nervous dog is really common and difficult experience. These dogs will tend not to sit quietly for you to trim and will constantly scratch you. If you are not a professional or a pet parent who can control your dog, the following tips may be helpful to help both you and your dog have good grooming experiences.

 

MASSAGE FOR YOUR NERVOUS DOG

Just like in humans, the dogs will be more comfortable and relieve stress when given massage. At a veterinary clinic, the pros will always start trimming your pet with a massage instead of trimming at the beginning. Gently massage all parts of their body, from head to toe. Rubbing and scratched the ears, belly and back, stretching their toes and hands. Slowly help them adapt to the rest and let you manipulate on their body.

In addition, you should also leave them on a fixed large table like grooming table like the one in pet salons instead of having to run around the house catching them when clipping. Regularly communicate with them, or you can use a blanket to make them feel more comfortable. Playing some of the relaxing music they love is also a great idea. Remember, all you do is to let them be comfortable and voluntary with grooming jobs rather than forcing them, for that will react immediately.

 

TAKE A BATH AND BRUSHING

Nothing can be easier than giving your dog a habit and familiarizing with the steps of grooming. As you know, overly aggressive dogs lose control of their behavior when they see trimming devices and overreact when you perform these tasks, so you should give them a habit of approaching a regular grooming, as much as possible. You can combine with mild massage while grooming. Regular grooming does not only help it get used to it, but also helps to remove the tangled spots in the coat to limit the damage when trimming, which also helps to keep their coat glossy.

While bathing the dog, you can use soothing incense shampoos to help your dog relax. In case, they are suffering from skin problems, the dermatologically examined shampoo is recommended.

 

THE IDENTIFICATION OF GROOMING TOOLS

It is very important to help your dog identify and become familiar with grooming supplies. If it gets used to these tools, it won’t be afraid of feeling that you are using them on their body parts. You should regularly introduce them each tool that you can use such as a brush, comb, scissors or dog hair clipper. (If you want to know more about grooming tools, click here for reviews and buying guide)

You can also place nail clippers next to them but not give a cut. Additionally, it is good to turn on the dryer and the trimmer to let it hear so it will get used to the sound intensity of the dryer and trimmer. Some dogs will panic or be scared when they hear these sounds. For nerve dogs, these things are possible, so you have to be patient and perform step by step.

 

SPECIALIZED EXTRA EQUIPMENTS FOR NERVOUS DOGS

Companies that specialize in dog grooming equipment have also developed specialized products for nervous dogs to help them reduce their feelings of fear.

For example, Scaredy Cut was developed with seven comb attachments on the blade, which enables the groomer to perform cut-off with the same precision as an electric blade. For noise reduction products, you can also refer to Mutt Muffs Sound-reducing headgear, which help to protect your dog from loud noises – the cause of fear. Or Happy Hoodies is also an option to help reduce the noise and high pressure air emitted from the dryer. Most dog hair trimmers on the market today also have smooth engines and low operations. You should take into consideration on choosing a high-quality clipper for your dog.

Besides, you can also let them chew on a favorite toy or a fake bone to disperse their concentration. For instance, calming products such as “Dog Composure” which is an over-the-counter calming chew developed by VetriScience.

Another great option is a glove brush (also called “grooming glove”), of course you have to wear it when grooming your dog. Using these gloves will help your dog feel like it is being cherished and loved, thereby calming down.

 

AROMATHERAPY

This therapy is also often seen when treating people, and it is also effective when applied to pets. You can use scents through air conditioning, you can use scents to relax and create a peaceful feeling like the smell of lavender, chrysanthemum or ylang ylang, etc. You should avoid using strong scents because they can make them even more uncomfortable. As mentioned above, shampoo is also a aromatherapy, with soothing scents that help to be calm and relax. Burning essential oils to spread is also an option.

 

PERFORMANCE GRADUALLY AND SYSTEMATICALLY

While grooming, you have to be gentle and gentle so that your dog feels loved and grooming is fun. Whether you are not a pros or can make impressive cut-off, try to keep the trimmer’s smooth rhythm and not too fast. You can start with a slow grooming mode, then increase gradually to make your dog more adaptable. During grooming, do not crush or pull on their hair as this may cause damage to their skin.

Plus, you can split trimming jobs into small sessions instead of performing them all at once. On the first day, you can just give them a bath and hairbrush. Next, you will trim dog’s nails and clean the ears. Finally, you just made the trimming for them.

 

USE OF ACEPROMAZINE

This should be the last step if your dog is too nervous. Acepromazine is a over-the-counter tranquilizer and neuro suppressant specialized for nervous dogs. It works to reduce stress and fear. It may be effective for 6-8 hours to combat nausea, reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure. However, we do not recommend that you use them on your own, but must be directed by the veterinarian as they will give you a reasonable dose or possible side effect your dog may have. This medication can have counterproductive reaction, meaning that instead of calming the dog down, it can make the dog extremely hyperactive or even aggressive.

We must accept that drug treatment for nervous dog is just a temporary option and sometimes become counterproductive. In fact, the medication does not completely cure the dog’s problem, but is an additional option to help them adjust their behavior. We should consider natural aids. As such, they can both soothe them and may not affect their health at all.

 

WHAT CAUSES A NERVOUS DOG?

Dogs can become nervous for various reasons, but generally, it can be divided into three main reasons. You should also consider the dog’s behavior and attitude to have proper approaches and treatment for them in not only grooming jobs but also in daily activities.

 

Separation nervous

Dog may seem to be very docile, but when left alone and left without a caregiver for a short period of time, they can also become overly concerned, destroy furniture, biting everything or howling loudly. Sometimes they will give potty in house and do everything in order to make notice. The obsession can come from being abandoned in the past, leading to them feeling bored or lonely. It also occurs in older dogs with reduced cognition and memory. With these dogs, you should take them for a walk to relax before you leave, or give them a toy to distract their attention.

 

Shelter Anxiety

Dogs that tend to crouch in a corner of the house or somewhere often have memories of being abandoned. These dogs are anxious and frightened when exposed to a new and difficult environment to adapt to. This anxiety is almost like separation anxiety because it is afraid of being abandoned again. For these dogs, you should help them form their habits and habitats so that they can always feel safe. You can also look for a dog trainer to help you calm it down.

 

Illness-caused Anxiety

This often appears in dogs that were previously less worried. It can be caused by an abnormal increase or decrease in hormones in the body. Besides, they can also have conditions such as hypothyroidism, encephalitis, pre-diabetes, impaired vision or hearing that make it nervous and anxious to aware what are going on around. Take these dogs to the veterinarian to check if they are having medical problems and have treatment in time.

In addition, the nervous also comes from the characteristics of dog breeds, which tend to be easier to worry than other breeds such as German & Australian Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, Vizsla, Greyhounds, Cocker Spaniels, Pekingese, Standard Poodles and so on.

 

CONCLUSION

In short, taking care of a dog is like taking care of a baby. You need to be patient and spend time with them instead of just feeding and bathing them. For nervous dogs, you have to research more and spend much time for them. We have given you some hints from pet owners and pros to make it easier to groom a nervous dog.

However, if your dog has a serious problem of nerve, and you are not confident enough to trim it at home, it is necessary to seek a professional to help. This will help them get acquainted and at the same time help you learn more from the pros how to deal with them. Hopefully this article will help you and your dog.

Filed Under: Tips ·

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Does your dog hate nail trims?

Posted on April 20, 2020 ·

If your dog hates getting his or her nails trimmed, there is hope! If you have a puppy, get his or her nails trimmed regularly, and have puppy massage time when you pet your dog’s feet, ears, head, back, tail, being sure to gently squeeze the areas as well. This will get your puppy used to being touched, and will help out with future vet visits as well.

If you have an adolescent or adult dog who hates getting nail trims, you can use a very effective strategy called desensitization. Desensitization is the process of gradually adjusting your dog to the uncomfortable situation until the situation is no longer uncomfortable.

Depending on just how uncomfortable your dog is, you can start in one of several places with this.

  • The first one is to clip just a couple of your dog’s nails at a time. Clip 2-3 nails every 2-3 days, or even every other day until all of your dog’s nails are clipped.
  • If more than one nail at a time is too much, go for one nail at a time, every couple days.
  • If that is too much, then distract your dog with a treat that they can take little bites from or put a frozen jar of baby food in front of your dog’s face to distract him or her while you clip a nail or two.
  • For some dogs, it’s the clip of the nail trimmer that freaks them out, work on desensitizing your dog to the sounds of the clippers. Get some treats, and click the clippers, then give your dog a treat. Do this a few times over the course of a few days until your dog looks to you for a treat when he or she hears the click.

Start at what your dog can tolerate, and gradually increase until you can clip multiple nails (or all of them) in one sitting.

It’s also important to choose your battles with things like this – if your dog can tolerate a few nails being clipped over the course of a week, maybe that’s the way you clip your dog’s nails. It’s not worth stressing your dog out to go to a groomer and do it all at once, if it gets easy to do it that way at home!

Another option is to ditch the clippers and try a nail grinder. Just be sure to go slowly, don’t do too much at a time, and be careful not to get your hair (or your dog’s fur) in the wheel. If your dog has never heard a grinder before, take some time to get your dog used to the sound. Turn it on, give your dog a treat, turn it off. Repeat a few times and then that’s it for the day. When your dog doesn’t show any signs of nervousness when you turn the grinder on, try a nail or two.

With a little patience and perseverance, you will be cutting your dog’s nails stress-free in no time!

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Best Pet Feeders and Waterers that you will love

Posted on April 19, 2020 ·

Pet Feeders

As you know, it’s not easy to purchase an appropriate pet feeder or waterer. That’s why this article is going to provide you with some crucial information and a detailed review of several pet feeders and waterers, which I firmly believe will be excellent supporters.

In the next section, I am going to explain to you about types of feeders and waterers. Keep reading and take notes whenever needed. Now, let’s start!

Types of pet feeders and waterers

As Teresa has said in Pet Feeder Basic, when choosing a pet feeder or waterer, there are a few factors that need taking into consideration, such as what kinds of pet food, how much food and water your pet needs, or whether your pet has any special feeding needs. Do take notice of such factors because they make a massive impact on which pet feeder and waterer is the most suitable for you.

There are two types of pet feeders and waterers that have been popular in the market these days:

  • Gravity pet feeders and waterers: such pet feeders and waterers use gravity to ensure that your pet is always accessible to supplies of food and freshwater.
  • Electronic pet feeders and waterers: on the other hand, these pet feeders and waterers operate on a specific technology, electronics, and water pumps. When using these devices, you are able to set up the time, as well as the amount of food and water for your pet.

Top 5 best pet feeders and waterers

As mentioned, it may be tricky to find a proper pet feeder and waterer, so in this section, I am going to give a list of 8 best pet feeders and waterers. I hope this list will be useful and supportive in helping you to find out the most suitable device. Here is a list!

 

Self-Dispensing Gravity Pet Feeder and Waterer

Self-Dispensing Gravity Pet Feeder and Waterer by AmazonBasics is likely to make an ideal choice due to its 2-in-1 design. This set is suitable for dogs and cats, as well as multiple pets.

AmazonBasics Self-Dispensing Gravity Pet Feeder and Waterer are made of non-toxic plastic, which is safe for your pet, and its capacity is incredible. The feeder can contain up to 12.5 pounds of dry pet food, while the waterer’s capacity is up to 2.5 gallons of freshwater, and such supplies are sufficient for a whole day.

Moreover, there is nothing to worry about secure placement because of the non-skid rubber that guarantees stability. Besides, another plus point for this product is that it is available in two sizes, and you can decide which one will meet your pets’ needs most.

Also, a one-year warranty is offered to clients who buy this Self-Dispensing Gravity Pet Feeder and Waterer.

The only drawback is that this product must be hand-washed.

 

Blessed Family pet feeder and waterer

The next recommendation in my list is Blessed Family pet feeder and waterer because they are usable for both dogs and cats.

What makes this product outstanding is its high-quality material used to manufacture. Blessed Family pet feeder and waterer are made of food-grade, non-toxic plastic that is thick, durable, and recyclable.

Besides, the design allows users to refill fresh water and food whenever needed quickly. For the feeder, open the lid on the top, and then fill it with dry pet food. For the waterer, you can remove it directly from the non-slip base, then refill with freshwater.

Furthermore, Blessed Family pet feeder and waterer have an excellent capacity, which can be up to 3.8 liters of water. Hence, don’t you worry about your pet in case you are away for a couple of days.

One last point to make is that this Blessed Family product enables easy cleaning, and the brand suggest that it is best to clean once a week. However, it would be best if you didn’t put it in a dishwasher, and that is the only disadvantage.

 

UniqueFit Pets Cats Dogs Automatic Waterer and Food Feeder

The third suggestion is UniqueFit Pets Cats Dogs Automatic Waterer and Food Feeder. The product offered will likely make a great supporter due to its convenience. UniqueFit pet feeder and waterer feature a gravity feeding technology that assures your pet always has access to fresh food and water.

Also, the manufacturers guarantee that the material used is food-grade plastic, which is eco-friendly, as well as durable, and there is no involvement of any toxic substances. Therefore, feel free to use the feeder and water dispenser.

Besides, UniqueFit automatic feeder and waterer allow you to refill food and water easily. For the feeder, open the top lid, then refill food whenever necessary. For the waterer, you need to remove it directly from the non-slip base, refill water, and put it back.

One more plus point for this product is that it offers excellent capacity. Especially, the supplies of food and water can last for as long as seven days for small pets, and three days for large pets. Consequently, you will have to worry about nothing if you are on holiday or on business trips.

It would help if you did not put the feeder and waterer in the dishwasher for cleaning according to the instructions. However, you won’t have any difficulties cleaning the feeder and waterer, and it is advisable to clean them once a week.

 

Ancaixin Automatic Cat Feeder and Water Dispenser in Set with Slicker Brush Gift

The next suggestion in my list is Ancaixin Automatic Cat Feeder and Water Dispenser. Their products feature a feeder and a waterer that use gravity to assure that your pet is fed adequately.

The material used to manufacture is non-toxic, environmentally friendly plastic. No harmful substances, no smell is represented. Hence, please feel free to use them, and there would be no need to worry about your pet’s health.

Like the fore-mentioned products, Ancaixin pet feeder and waterer are also easy to use. Whenever you need to refill pet food, open the lid on the top, then fill the feeder. For the waterer, remove it directly from the secure base, refill it with fresh water, then put it back. The refilling is similar to those products above.

What’s more, Ancaixin Automatic Cat Feeder and Water Dispenser offer high capacity, which can be up to nearly 3.8 liters, and this is enough to feed your pet from three to seven days.

Easy cleaning is also available, and the provider highly advise that you should clean both the feeder and the water dispenser at least once a week. Notably, when purchasing this product, you will get a brusher as a gift. Nonetheless, the Ancaixin feeder and water dispenser mustn’t be put in a dishwasher for cleaning.

Last but not least, the brand offer customers a full refund should there be anything wrong with the purchased product. Also, a two-year assurance and a lifetime service are available.

 

Lucky-M Pets Automatic Feeder and Waterer Set

My last recommendation in the list is Lucky-M Pets Automatic Feeder and Waterer Set. This set includes a pet feeder and a water dispenser, which both use the gravity system to make sure your pet stays accessible to fresh supplies of food and water.

Lucky-M pet feeder and waterer are considered to be ideal for small and medium pets due to the capacity of about one gallon. However, they can also be used to feed large pets. Food and water stored in the feeder and waterer can be sufficient for three to seven days, depending on how much food and water your pet needs, or how many pets you have.

Moreover, Lucky-M pet feeder and water dispenser are made of food-grade plastic that is non-toxic, durable, environmentally friendly, and recyclable. As a result, you don’t need to worry about your pet’s health.

Like the four mentioned products, this one should be washed once a week, and it mustn’t be placed in a dishwasher for cleaning.

 

Conclusion

Should you be looking for the best pet feeder and waterer, it is essential to pay attention to what kind of food you use, what special feeding needs of your pet are, and how much food is required.

It can take you some time to research regarding the pet feeder and waterer you want.

This is the end of my article. I hope it is informative and helpful to you. Thanks for your time. I wish you the best of luck!

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Dyson DC39 Animal Canister Vacuum Cleaner

Posted on October 24, 2019 ·

If you have more than 3 dogs in your house, it will be a big problem in keeping up with all the pet hair around your home. Then, you need to look for something that can be able to clean both floors and upholstery. If the price is not a problem, let’s take a look at the DC39 Animal Canister Vacuum Cleaner.

It has a tangle-free turbine tool. In fact, this device may be one of the most expensive ones in the market. However, it delivers more suction power compared to others. Check out this post to learn more about this vacuum cleaner.

Dyson DC39 Animal Canister Vacuum Cleaner

What to expect from the Dyson DC39 Animal?

Tangle free turbine tool

This vacuum cleaner is equipped with tangle free turbine tool that is able to collect pet hair. It also helps to decrease the head headaches of cutting hair off a brush roll.

More power than a Dyson upright

However, this model is still powerful. Indeed, it is more than 30 air watts compared to the Dyson DC65.

No motorized brush

Keep in mind the beater bar doesn’t include its own motor. It also means that agitation won’t be as good. Therefore, you haven’t to concern about replacing belts. However, this model is not as strong as others with dedicated motors. As a result, it offers less deep cleaning power.

Dyson cyclone technology

Dyson vacuums come with the cyclone technology. Therefore, they work well at keeping microscopic dust from the fibers. Of course, you will get great performance even when the bin is filling up.

Attachments and Accessories

There are three tools included in the DC39 Animal. They include a stair tool, a combination of brush and crevice tool, and tangle-free turbine tool.

Cord Length

This vacuum cleaner has a 21.7 feet cord. It comes with cord rewind. The 4-foot wand and 5-foot hose do make up for this.

Warranty

You will receive a 5 year warranty from the Dyson. Also, you can get extended warranties if you purchase the product from Amazon.

Bare Floor Performance

This model is perfect on the bare floor since it offers the option to turn off the beater bar. Also, the device only uses suction to collect debris. It will work effectively on fine sand, fine debris, dust, and coffee grounds.

Due to the low profile, you may get a plowing effect if you decide to use this on larger bits of debris such as crushed chips or cheerios. If you want to use it for larger bits of dirt, you need to take off the floor tool. Instead, just use the crevice tool or the wand.

Carpet Performance

Although this device is fitted with a beater bar, the vacuum isn’t powered by its own motor. This vacuum cleaner doesn’t come with the same deep cleaning performance as the Electrolux UltraActive. The unit features strong suction. It can be used to pick up large bits of debris thanks to using the crevice tool.

Upholstery Performance

The Dyson DC39 doesn’t come with the mini tool with a beater bar. However, it includes the tangle-free turbine tool. You can purchase it at the cost of $70 in Amazon. This is a good option for those who have pets with long hair. It can help to handle a nightmare to clean with a standard beater bar.

Pet Hair Removal

This device is able to clean pet hair on not only the carpet but also upholstery due to the main cleaning head as well as tangle-free turbine tool. However, it isn’t perfect on the carpet since it isn’t equipped with a motorized brush. You shouldn’t hope this vacuum cleaner can deeply clean the carpet due to a lack of agitation.

It comes with the tangle-free turbine tool, so it performs well on upholstery. There are two counter rotating brushes to help suck up pet hair. The Dyson DC39 promises to help decrease the amount of pet hair getting tangled. It also means you can maintain it with ease.

Other issues

Some people complaints about the suction of this vacuum since it too strong, so it’s not easy to push on carpet. The handle of the vacuum includes a lever to help to lessen the suction. Therefore, it can be used for cleaning more delicate stuff like curtains or lampshades.

Where can I buy this?

You may have to pay less than $700 for the Dyson DC39 Animal if you buy it from Amazon. Also, you will get their free 2-day free shipping as long as you join Prime. In addition, there are extended warranties of up to 3 years sold on Amazon in case you need extra peace of mind.

Conclusion

The Dyson DC39 is a good option for those who are going for a vacuum cleaner that helps them clean pet hair with the tangle-free tool. However, when it comes to the main cleaning head’s performance, it’s not as great as the upright models since there is a lack of a motorized brush. Because of the tangle-free turbine tool, it is limited to areas as stairs or upholstery.

 

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How to Discipline a Dog that Pees inside

Posted on December 14, 2017 ·

You have to teach your puppy a lot when he grows into an adult dog. It’s hard to avoid that he occasionally show bad behavior. That’s why you need to learn the way to react to such bad behavior. In addition, it’s also important to learn how to reward and foster good behavior. Take your time to discipline him so that he becomes a good canine citizen.

React to Bad Behavior

Start disciplining early

You need to start disciplining your dog as soon as you bring him to your home. You just need to show what behavior is acceptable and unacceptable in your house. Then, your dog will learn them. But, they have to be consistent with bad behavior. And, it’s easier to prevent the bad behavior.

Ignore bad behaviors

It’s best to ignore your dog when he tries to get your attention by nipping at your fingers, jumping up, or barking. Instead, you should look for what reward he is trying to get when participating in bad behavior. Your dog is jumping up on you as you go home. That means he needs your attention. Teach him how to get your attention by acting differently. Of course, your dog will know how to earn your attention and affection with good behaviors.

Distract as well as redirect him

You can make a loud noise in order to get your pet’s attention. You can clap your hands when you want your dog to do something undesirable like squatting to urinate on the carpet. By this way, you can distract him from the bad behavior gradually. Then, it’s time to direct his attention to desirable behavior.

Use time-outs effectively

If your dog makes any bad behavior, you need to remove him from any cause of the behavior. It’s best to take your dog to a different environment such as a quiet room in the house. You should keep him there for 10 to 30 seconds. Next, remove your puppy as if nothing happened. If he still doesn’t stop, you need to wait until he does. It’s important to do that once you notice the bad behavior.

Prevent him from barking

The best thing you should do is ignoring his barking. If your dog tries to earn your attention, he will surely stop right after. But, remember to determine why your dog’s barking if he doesn’t stop barking despite your inattention. Then, remove it. If your dog continues to bark, you should take him to another room for a few minutes. Or, giving your dog something to chew is also a great idea such as a rope toy.

Keep your dog from nipping

Your dog has to learn limits when he plays rough. If he nips, let’s say “ouch” and yelp. It’s best to leave him about 20 seconds after letting go of your hands. By this way, you can teach him that you won’t allow him to play rough. Don’t pull your hands when he nips. Of course, he will consider this as part of the game. And, he will chase you.

Don’t use physical punishment

If you use physical punishment for your puppy, it can increase aggression in him. Thus, don’t use physical punishment if you want to correct undesirable puppy behavior. In addition, this can injure your puppy. Most importantly, the physical punishment can also ruin your relationship.

Encourage Good Behavior

Determine what motivates your dog

Your dog is a very social creature. He needs your attention as well as affection. So, you should pay attention to him when he best responds to. There is no reason why you don’t reward your dog’s good behavior. This way purposes to help him get a positive association with the behavior.

Create your dog a routine

Your pet seems to know what to expect. So, we recommend you to make a daily routine with set times for toileting, meals walks, as well as training sessions. And, your dog surely knows what to expect. You can regulate your dog’s behavior thanks to a routine.

Reassert your dominance over him

If you want your dog to respect you more, you need to take clear control over him. You can use a stern tone of voice when you want to command him. For instance, you can make him sit and wait briefly before you give him a food dish.

Train your dog

It’s important to teach him a few basic commands such as SIT, COME, and STAY. This way aims to help you notice his engaging in bad behavior. Then, you can right now redirect his attention. Also, you need to command your dog to “sit” or “stay” when he intends to do something dangerous. This helps to reach him.

Get help

If your dog tries to resist your training, it’s time to look for a help. Indeed, your vet can help you. It’s also a good idea to enroll him in an obedience training class. Your vet will teach you some useful tips to learn what to expect from the training sessions.

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Taking your dog to the dog park for the first time

Posted on August 22, 2017 ·

  Basically, dogs are social creatures. In addition to spending time with you and your family, puppies also like to socialize with other pups. Dog parks are ideal venue for your best pals to play around, have fun and get some good exercise time with other dogs under the right circumstances. However, just like a child at daycare, when being introduced to the dog park scene, a puppy might be anxious, stressed or overly dominant and present other unique set of challenges to its owner. That’s why, while some dog owners jump right into dog parks, others have hesitations. With some helpful tips below, you can work out these issues, set the stage for fun and stress-free experience when you take your furry friend to the dog park for the first time.

When is the right time to visit the Dog park?

It is ideal to take your puppy to the dog park when she is around 16 weeks of age. Any earlier, she has not been fully immunized and therefore will be vulnerable and likely to pick up a disease from other dogs. In some cases, some older dogs may display aggressive behavior towards a young pup, he can be very traumatized during an important stage of his social development. But when your pup is fully immunized, it is good idea to take him to the dog park as soon as it is safe. Plus, it is more likely to be a pleasant first experience if you take your puppy to the dog park before he hits adolescence – generally around 6 months of age. Most adult dogs will be patient with a young one who hasn’t mastered canine etiquette, but may get snappy with an obnoxious pooch in his teenage years.

You should also check your pup for parasites. Look for fleas, ticks and even cut his fur regularly to avoid some skin-related diseases and then spreading them to other dogs at the park. Apart from considering using preventative medicine for these parasites, keeping your pets well-groomed will prevent those problems from occurring in their fur and make all the difference. Instead of looking around for a good local groomer and spend on professional grooming services, home grooming can be a daunting but bonding experience with your pet. In order to make the trimming process as easy as possible and painless for both you and your puppy, you should choose a high-quality pair of dog grooming clippers.

It is also important to keep in mind that puppies and rescue dogs should finish their full course of vaccinations and make sure all vaccinations are up to date before they visit park with other dogs. An unvaccinated dog could easily catch some contagious diseases like parvo, kennel cough, hookworms, rabies… If your pup is still very young or was recently ill or malnourished, you’d better ask your veterinarian for their recommendation first, even after vaccination. He may need time to build up his immune system before being introduced to the dog park.

 

Set proper boundaries

When at off leash dog park, you can obviously cannot control what other dogs do, but definitely can play a role in how your puppy behaves. The key to keep your proactive puppy safe at the dog park is to have a good grasp on how your dog will interact with other dogs. If your dog has an aggressive, fearful or reactive personality, introducing him to a dog park might not be wise. If your dog hasn’t been around other animals and thus is new to social situation, introduce them slowly, start the socialization process with one or two calm friends or neighbors’ dogs before mixing in with strangers’ dogs

Moreover, an untrained dog can be a safety risk to itself and others at the dog park. At minimum, your dog should respond appropriately to “come” command. Other useful commands to teach are down, sit and stay.  If your pup doesn’t come when called, it’s time to start training him by practicing commands off-leash in a fenced-in yard or in your apartment hallway. . When your pet’s command response is strong enough, you can feel confident that he will come to you whether dog behaviors and interaction escalate at the dog park.

Choose the right park for your dog

In the beginning, dog parks with secure fences are the safer bet for the first time visits. Members-only dog park are even better choice because they are cleaner by picking up trash, doggy-do and aggressive pooches can be kicked out if necessary. But if you can’t find a fenced park, pick one with open space so your puppies can stay a safe distance from bullies or other dangers from adjacent streets.

Besides, there are other things to consider when choosing a dog park such as the size of your dog as if your dog is small, you may want to find a park with a designated small dog area; park’s rules and other park goers. You should visit the park alone beforehand so you can observe surroundings, how the other dogs behave and interact with each other and then decide whether the park matches your puppy’s level of activeness and bring him to the park or not. It is also important to let him observe from outside and watch his reactions to give you an idea of his actual response. Last but not least, for your pup’s first visit to a dog park, the best time is when the park is not very crowded with lots of dogs and people so avoid peak evenings and weekends.

Filed Under: Tips ·

A Warm Welcome

With a beautiful view of greater San Dimas, the dog park in Horsethief Canyon Park is open from “dawn to dusk.” A result of hard work and planning by the City Council, the Parks and Recreation Commission and staff, as well as valuable input from residents, the one-acre dog park includes two separately fenced areas designated for large and small dogs, as well as doggy water fountains. This unique grassy area allows our 4-legged friends to socialize and exercise in a safe environment while legally running free of restricting leashes. It also provides elderly and disabled owners with an appropriate place to exercise their companions.

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