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Retractable Dog Leashes: The Pros and Cons

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Retractable dog leash, Newbury, MA

Let’s talk about the Pros and Cons of retractable dog leashes. Some love the freedom it offers their pets, but some have seen some serious accidents and have sworn them off for good. The appeal is obvious, the retractable leash gives you and your dog a bit of freedom and space while maintaining the leash law. Unfortunately, the leash law is designed to keep pets and humans safe, and the retractable leash is not aiding that goal. The goal here is to highlight the facts so you can judge the pros and cons of retractable dog leashes for yourself. It’s safe to say this is a diverse topic, not only online but in typical conversations with dog owners.

Hospitals all over the country have seen a steady pace of ER accidents reported due to the retractable leash. The complaints range from specific brands failing, to unforeseen accidents due to the owner’s loss of control when the lead is extended. It appears that the exact appeal of the retractable leash, being the freedom to move, is the exact catalyst for injury. In other words, the pros and cons of the retractable dog leash literally outweigh each other. The extended leash, designed for freedom and movement is the pro. But that same extended leash is the culprit in most of the devastating accidents.

So let’s start weighing out the pros and cons of retractable dog leashes. The pro is the appeal of a long leash that can be extended in situations giving the dog a bit more freedom. It’s an amazing tool if the result means that both owner and dog get a bit of freedom to allow the dog to maintain his typical dog behaviors. The human can enjoy a leisure stroll and the dog can be a dog. This allows the dog to smell new smells, mark their territory, and generally cover more ground while their human companion can relax and go at their own pace. All while abiding by the leash law. Nice, I see the appeal. For this reason, the retractable leash is an easy-to-evaluate pro.

But on the flip side, the con to the pro, that same extended leash that creates freedom, is a weapon, sometimes deadly. The longer the lead is extended, in physics, the more velocity a running dog can create. For the purpose of this article, we will discuss the shortcomings of the leash itself. To get an idea about the accidents that arise due to the retractable leash see this article, Serious Concerns about the Use of Retractable Dog Leashes.  Let’s discuss the cons of retractable dog leashes.

Even a smaller dog can pick up speed and create an unfavorable outcome. If you haven’t experienced it then trust the science. Good old Newton, “Force equals mass times acceleration.” The first issue, as described in this article A Vet’s Opinion on Retractable Dog Leashes, states that the ideology behind the retractable dog leash involves a closely attentive dog walker. Cesar Milan says that “the retractable leash was originally designed as a tracking and recall training tool.” This means the dog walker should be fully engaged with the dog while on a retractable dog leash. At all times. That’s an issue for the average person. I have two words. Cell phone. Among other natural deterrents, it’s easy to see how a person can drop attention, opening a door for complications. The second issue reported was not only the retractable dog leash breaking, but people continuing to use the broken retractable. Both are major cons to the retractable dog leash. The final con, as discussed earlier here, involves the freedom of the long leash fully extended. According to Newton’s Law, even a small dog can gain enough momentum to cause damage to its walker or other humans. The extended leash also allows the dog to make unfavorable ‘freedom of leash’ decisions. Unfortunately some of which are fatal, such as walking into traffic. Other reported accidents include neck and back injuries due to the rate of momentum when the dog actively runs but then ultimately runs out of leash. Some reports state the dog walker will then drop the leash, so as not to jar the neck of the animal. Now the dog is in a full-on run with a long length of rope attached to them. I’m sure you can visualize this horrific scenario.

So with this information, you can judge the pros and cons of retractable dog leashes for yourself.  That being said, I think it’s worth saying that if the retractable dog leash was designed as a training tool, then it should be used as one. When dog training, the key is to remain fully engaged with your dog. The second rule of thumb with training is to keep sessions reduced in time. Of course, the time tolerance for each dog breed can be different. But should you choose to use a retractable dog leash, you should remain fully engaged with your dog at all times. Secondly, you should frame the time of the walk accordingly. Lastly, never use a broken retractable dog leash. If you found this article helpful check out the Beach Dog Daycare Blog for a selection of articles on a wide variety of topics.

Beach Dog Halloween Costume Contest – Vote for Top Dogs!

By Laura Bentley, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Owner of Newburyport.Com, Laura manages Business Development, Fundraising, the VIP Program, Blogging and the Events Calendar.
Beach Dog Daycare Halloween Costume Contest, Newburyport

The Top Dog Halloween Costume Contest is one of the most highly anticipated Halloween events of the season featuring many very creative costumes, showcased by some of the coolest dogs around! What’s better than people in Halloween costumes? Dogs in Halloween costumes, of course! If you’re a dog lover and a fan of Halloween, mark your calendar for The Beach Dog Daycare, Top Dog Halloween Costume Contest. Visit the Beach Dog facebook page between 3 pm Monday 10/31 – 11 am Tuesday 11/1 to see these Local VIP dogs. Make sure to vote twice: one “vote” for your favorite individual dog and one “vote” for your favorite group of dogs. It sounds simple but we can warn you ahead of time that it can be extremely difficult to choose your favorites!

Submit a Group Costume Picture

The Greater Newburyport area is known for being a very dog friendly community so a Halloween costume contest for dogs is exciting for the many dog lovers. This new category, the best group costume was created by Beach Dog Daycare Owner, Pam Doherty in order to include dogs throughout the community. If you’re not a Beach Dog but you know one, simply collaborate and come up with a group costume. Text the group shot to the Beach Dog at 978-971-2838. The picture must be received on or before 11 am on Monday 10/31. If you have any questions please visit the Beach Dog facebook page and post your question directly on the Top Dog Halloween Costume Contest post for all to view.  Halloween costume contest for dogs

If you’re a Beach Dog Daycare dog…big or little…simply send your dog to daycare on Monday October 31st in a costume. The staff will work on uploading pictures of your pooch to facebook for a chance to win.

Winners of the Beach Dog Top Dog Halloween Costume Contest will be announced by 12:00 pm on Tuesday 11/1 on The Beach Dog facebook page. The winner of the general contest will receive $200! The winner of the group contest will receive $100 and each contestant will receive an extra $10. Enjoy a few pictures and videos from prior years and find your creative inspiration to show your Halloween spirit while having a great time with your best friend and Top Dog!  Greater Newburyport features many amazing Halloween Events, the Beach Dog Top Dog being one you don’t want to miss!

Dog Collar Versus a Harness, Which is Ideal for Your Dog and When?

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
dog collar, harness, Beach Dog Daycare, Newburyport area

Should my dog have a dog collar or a harness? The answer is different depending on whether you are out for a walk in downtown Newburyport versus home in your yard, or traveling in a car to see friends. The question is real and we hear it all the time at The Beach Dog Daycare. Let’s compare the benefits of using a dog collar versus a harness and situations where you should consider using both. We first looked into training purposes and whether the benefits of using a dog collar or a harness outweigh one over the other.

There comes a time in all dog training when it’s time to take them out of their home environment to test their reactions to outside, unfamiliar, stimulants. Now remember every dog trains differently as every trainer instructs differently. There are guidelines that you can utilize, but let’s face it, not all of us are professional trainers. A dog’s natural behavior is to pull. When leash training, your dog can be further triggered to pull in reaction to an unfamiliar stimulant. Be it another dog, a smell, a squirrel, or other small animals, and other humans… a reactive response can come from just about anything. When leashed to a collar and the dog pulls, the human response is to pull back. This can be dangerous and cause injury or harm to your dog. Instinctively the human knows this, so they release the pull and tension on the leash. Inadvertently you are teaching your dog that a pull means move forward. When leash training, we recommend using a harness. The harness controls your dog from his chest down through his midsection, also controlling the dog’s center of gravity. So controllability does not cause injury and your chances of redirecting the pull become better. Most of the research, when leash training your dog, leans towards a dog harness being the better option than a dog collar. Remember to start leash training in your dog’s familiar surroundings. He should become voice controlled. Unfortunately some dogs seem to forget their verbal commands when they are put into new situations. When leash training the benefits of using a dog collar or a harness leans towards the harness as the smarter option. Reinforce with whatever reward system you use when training at home. Your pooch will catch on.

Next let’s look at wearability and the benefits of using a dog collar or a harness. Many dog owners only use the harness during typical scenarios throughout the day. Most do not leave the harness on all day, because a harness can cause rubbing, sores, hair loss, and just be uncomfortable for longevity purposes. So typically the collar supersedes the harness for everyday use.

Another popular question we found in regards to the benefits of using a dog collar versus a harness, relates to attaching your dog to a runner in the yard. We all know a Houdini dog type, every time you latch him on his runner outside he disappears. This is where the benefits of using a dog collar or a harness start to equalize. Here’s why. Some dog breeds are just smart enough to get off of the runner, some dog breeds have a thick neck in proportion to the size of their skull, this makes it easy to pull the leash over their head. Likewise some breeds have a long narrow skull shape, again, perfect for the slip and skip tactic. If you have a Houdini dog type then you know not only is your dog gone but he has left behind important contact information. Typically the collar is still attached to the lead and all of your dog’s tags are attached to the collar. If you’re lucky your neighbors are familiar with your dog, and don’t call the dog officer. But should the dog officer have to retrieve your dog, it’s going to get pricey and without tags, his first few visits might be longer than you’d like. The obvious solution is it’s harder for your dog to get loose on a harness, but believe that there are dogs that do. Chances are, if you only use the harness to leash your dog outside, then his tags are on his collar. Once again you have a loose dog with no identification. So what we have found at The Beach Dog Daycare is that dog owners opt to keep the leash on but harness the dog to the outside line. Doing this lowers the risk of escape of a dog on the run with no contact information.

Lastly is a reinforced idea of the Houdini Dog. Let’s talk about when you travel with your furry friend. It is never a good idea to tether a dog in a vehicle by the collar. If there was a chance of an abrupt stop or a vehicle accident, your dog would become a projectile and all of that energy would become displaced on the neck, causing serious injury or worse. Likewise it’s always a good idea to tether your dog when in a motor vehicle, this prevents a distraction and it ensures your dog’s safety.  Most cars have a latch located in the rear seats or in the rear dash board. These latches were designed for infant car seats. Tether your dog to the vehicle using the same latches. Do not tether to a dog collar, instead clip to a harness. For other tips on vehicle safety check out Vehicle Safety for You and Your Dog.  So when it comes to the benefits of using a dog collar or a harness while traveling, it appears the harness is the safest option. Although, just as with the Houdini dog, breaking loose and roaming the neighborhood, a loose dog in an unfamiliar environment becomes a lot harder to recover. Again, if your dog tags are located on his or her dog collar, then ultimately the benefits of using a dog collar or a harness becomes both.

The dog market in this economy is booming. As dog owners we have many options. When it comes to the benefits of using a dog collar or a harness, the best decision is to have both. It is recommended that the dog collar, complete with tags, remain on your dog at all times, although little breaks and a good scratch is always appreciated by your furry family member. Use the dog harness for specified situations, a harness might not be a good choice for daily wearability, as it can be uncomfortable. Keep the collar on even when you use the harness. This ensures your dog’s important information is with your dog at all times. If you found this helpful check out the Beach Dog Daycare Blog for a selection of articles on a wide variety of topics.

Vacationing Dogs with The Beach Dog Daycare

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Vacationing Dogs at The Beach Dog Daycare, Newbury MA

The Beach Dog Daycare would like to announce a new sector to our services. We are now accommodating vacationing dogs in the Newburyport and Plum Island areas at the daycare. Have your dog spend a day with us and enjoy a socially active day with other dogs, while you vacation with the confidence that your furry family member is enjoying their dog vacation just as much as you are! Tell your family and friends before they head into town so that they can pre-register and book before our daytime schedule between Monday and Friday reaches capacity.

We are also delighted to announce that we are collaborating with Plum Island Beach Rentals. This rental company makes sure to have pet-friendly accommodations for our families that like to take their dogs on vacation with them. Use our website to cut down on your research time and plan a dog vacation quick and easy.

Here is a quick overview of what we offer vacationing dogs in the Newburyport and Plum Island areas. Doggy Daycare is available Monday through Friday. This includes the same free valet services as our own daycare clients. Yes, you heard that right. Plan your vacation hours without having to run your dog to daycare. Book ahead and put your vacationing dog on our morning and afternoon valet route. We typically cater within a 10-mile radius but exceptions can be made, again please call ahead. We are a full-service dog daycare. This means we offer grooming and training, two very convenient aspects for a dog vacation.  All of our staff members are CPR certified and we have a reliable vet in our area that we use for our local dogs so we can assure you that in an emergency your dog would be in good hands.

Please view A Day at The Beach on our website for a more detailed description of our services for vacationing dogs to our area.

Also please note that it is imperative that your family and friends pre-register before they arrive on vacation. Applications, vet releases, bookings for daycare, valet, grooming, and training sessions must all be on the schedule before vacationing dogs arrive at The Beach Dog Daycare.

Lastly, enjoy your stay!

 

Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Newburyport and Plum Island

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Newburyport

The residents of Newburyport and Plum Island take pride in their dog-loving community and many of the small businesses show this love by offering dog-friendly environments throughout the area, even if they don’t offer seated service many offer water bowls for passers-by. The Beach Dog Daycare thought it would be helpful to feature a collection of dog-friendly restaurants in Newburyport segmented in a way that hopefully makes it easy for owners to choose the ideal place for themselves and their furry best friend. We created a post on our Beach Dog Facebook page and received many helpful suggestions. We hope that visiting dog owners find this article helpful while vacationing in our area and perhaps locals may find some new dog-friendly restaurants to enjoy with their dogs as well. This has been a fun article to research and The Beach Dog would like to thank the folks who contributed as well as the many local restaurant owners who replied to say they wanted to be featured in our article.

Dog-Friendly Full-Service Restaurants in Newburyport

Let’s start the tour by highlighting some of the full-service dog-friendly restaurants in Newburyport. Most restaurants with outdoor patios  welcome dogs on the outside perimeter of the patio and require that dogs be on a leash and well behaved. We start our tour of dog-friendly restaurants in Newburyport with…but of course…seafood!  Sea Level Oyster Bar is one of Newburyport’s top downtown seafood restaurants featuring an excellent raw bar, delicious grilled seafood dishes, lobsters, steamers and fried favorites too. Sea Level offers two beautiful outdoor seating areas: from the front, you see all of the action in Market Square and the back patio faces Waterfront Park with beautiful views of the river, boats and boardwalk. Dogs are welcome on the front side of the restaurant and need to stay on the outside of the patio fence according to the Newburyport Director of Public Health. Oregano is a wonderful Italian and Lebanese restaurant known for its amazing brick oven pizzas and Chicken Parmesan as well as popular Lebanese favorites such as grape leaves, and lamb kabobs. Oregano’s features a beautifully landscaped side café adjacent to the busy pedestrian walkway of Inn Street. Dogs are welcome to lay down on the outside of the patio right next to their owners. Bob Lobster is a long time Plum Island destination for lobsters, chowder, delicious fried seafood, ice cream, and the best lobster roll selection in town. They also have a wonderful fresh fish market. Feel free to bring your furry friend with you to Bob Lobster as they offer plenty of outdoor picnic table seating and beautiful sunset views over the Plum Island Marsh.

Dog-Friendly Casual Dining Restaurants in Newburyport

Just order your food and then relax at an outdoor table at any of the following dog-friendly restaurants. This is a very popular spot to find dogs relaxing under the outdoor tables while owners enjoy a delicious meal. Stone Crust Pizza is of course known for delicious pizza’ but they also offer a nice selection of sandwiches, burgers, and salads as well. They are the only downtown restaurant with a convenient order window. Customers can eat their food at the outdoor tables and dogs are welcome to relax with their families. Anchor Stone Deck Pizza is known for their amazing thin crust pizza and exceptional tomato sauce but they also offer fresh salads, oven-roasted wings, calzones and Lasagna. Anchor also features a nice selection of beers and wines to pair with your meal. Dogs are welcome to relax under the table while owners enjoy a great meal at this very popular State Street spot. Many families prefer to enjoy an Anchor slice behind the restaurant while letting the kids play on the Inn Street Playground.

Dog-Friendly Specialty Restaurants in Newburyport

Two establishments came highly recommended by our Beach Dog Facebook followers within the Tannery Marketplace: Chococoa Baking Company and Quinns Canine Bakery. The Tannery, a beautifully renovated mill building just a few block from downtown Newburyport, is a great place to walk and shop and it is very dog-friendly. Although the Tannery is dog-friendly, dogs are not allowed inside the eateries so The Beach Dog recommends that you stop in and grab one of  Chococoa’s famous Whoopies and a coffee, and then head to Quinns Canine Bakery to choose some amazing baked treats made special just for your furry buddy.

http://www.quinnscaninecafe.com/

https://www.tannerymarketplace.com/directory/quinns-canine-cafe

Dog-Friendly Healthy Restaurants in Newburyport

If it’s a healthy snack you’re craving then we highly recommend a visit to The Juicery. Known for its healthy smoothies, organic super juices and acai bowls, the Juicery is very popular with locals and visitors. Dogs are always welcome to relax under the outdoor tables while owners enjoy delicious healthy snacks and meals.

We cant end our dog-friendly restaurants in Newburyport article without shouting out to one of our favorite pet stores located conveniently right on Pleasant Street. Not only is Just Dogs Newburyport a pet store that carries carefully selected pet products, many of which are locally sourced, but it’s also a full-service dog bakery featuring fresh homemade gourmet treats that your dog is sure to love. Be sure to stop in with your furry friend to receive a free treat and a welcoming scratch behind the ear.

Once again, The Beach Dog Daycare had a great time collaborating with all of these dog-friendly restaurants in Newburyport, with our clients, our followers, and the local businesses that permitted us to showcase them in this article. We would also like to extend a big thank you to Laura at Newburyport.com for all of her help as well. If you enjoy eating and shopping locally we recommend purchasing a Newburyport VIP Discount Card. Choose a Physical VIP Card or a Digital VIP Card in the Newburyport App and receive discounts EACH TIME you dine or shop at many local restaurants and retailers. Purchase one card for $25 or two for $40 and $10 of your purchase is donated to a local nonprofit partner.

Everything You Should Know About Peanut Butter and Your Dog

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Peanut Butter and your dog, xylitol

I never met a dog that didn’t like peanut butter. Not only can peanut butter be a healthy protein option for your dog but it can be a good distraction as well. I’m sure most dog owners have played the “hide a pill” in the peanut butter trick. It works like a charm every time. Peanut butter’s “stick to your mouth” consistency also makes a good diversion when you have to do something that Fido is not cooperative about, like clipping nails, or pulling ticks. You also can’t talk about peanut butter without mentioning the Kong, my personal favorite dog toy that keeps your dog busy trying to get the peanut butter out of the unbeatable plastic toy. This ingenious toy invention has saved many table legs and couches from teething puppies and anxiety-riddled furry family members. It’s also because of this toy that I made an unpleasant discovery, but I’m so glad I did because I learned some interesting things about peanut butter and your dog.

I found that all peanut kinds of butter are not created equal, and I found out the hard way. My teething pup became extremely loose in the goose after a few days with his Kong and peanut butter. I tried an elimination diet to try to find the culprit to the loose goose. I immediately put him back on rice and chicken because I knew his body responded well to that base diet. Problem solved, but what was the cause? After some careful reintroduction of foods back into his diet I found that the Kong and peanut butter were the culprits. I was perplexed, to say the least, and started researching. What I found was well worth sharing. I learned some eye-opening information about peanut butter and your dog.

I started my research through family and friends. The first thing fellow dog owners shared with me was that there was an artificial sweetener in some peanut butter that was poisonous to dogs. That’s not entirely factual. There is a sweetener called xylitol. Xylitol is used in food products as a sweetener. But it’s not an artificial sweetener, it’s actually a derivative from fruit and vegetables, some extracts even come from birch trees. What is factual is that xylitol is toxic to your dog. This explanation from WebMD has an informative summary of xylitol. Some brands use xylitol as a sweetener making peanut butter and your dog a toxic combination. This can be highly toxic, in fact, more dogs have died from xylitol poisoning than chocolate intoxication. Below is a list of peanut butter to avoid.

Brands Containing Xylitol

  • Go Nuts, Co.
  • Krush Nutrition
  • Nuts ‘N More
  • P28

This paragraph may be tough to get through, but this is important information to know about peanut butter and your dog. But please know that xylitol is not only found in peanut butter, but it’s also becoming mainstream in a lot of food products. The symptoms are not nice but need to be addressed, your dog’s life could depend on you having this knowledge. First, why does your dog not respond well to xylitol? Xylitol is quickly absorbed and triggers a huge release of insulin from your dog’s pancreas. This could cause a massive drop in Fido’s blood sugar level, medically termed hypoglycemia. Just 50 milligrams (mg) of xylitol per pound of body weight (100 mg per kg) can put your dog into a hypoglycemic state. Below is a list of symptoms as described by VCA Hospital. Should your dog show signs of hypoglycemia you should call the Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680) immediately. Typically they treat the dog just like a human in a diabetic shock, introduce sugar to bring the dog’s blood sugar levels back up to normal. If your dog is responsive you could try frosting or a bowl of water with sugar diluted in it. The idea is to give them something high in sugar that will have an immediate uptake response.

Symptoms of Xylitol Poisoning in Your Dog

  • Vomiting
  • Weakness
  • Lack of coordination or difficulty walking or standing
  • Depression or lethargy
  • Tremors
  • Seizures
  • Coma

As you can see from the list my dog being loose in the goose isn’t a typical symptom of xylitol poisoning so Levi’s symptoms we’re either a coincidence or perhaps it was just too oily for his body at this point. We haven’t reintroduced him to it yet but I feel very comfortable having investigated peanut butter as the culprit. Had I not I may have run the risk of accidentally poisoning him with xylitol. So please remember this new additive isn’t just being used by the peanut butter brands. Many good manufacturers are using it. It’s popping up a lot in healthy products because it does not have the same response in humans. Below is a list of other brands that also use xylitol. Keep in mind that these are not typical products you would introduce to your dog, like peanut butter, but if they are in your house you always run the risk of your furry family member accidentally getting a hold of them. Please check labels and keep your dog safe. Also note: some labels could list xylitol as an artificial sweetener. I’d advise avoiding it just to be safe. In the end, always check the labels because peanut butter and your dog should be a good thing.

Brand Containing Xylitol

  • Clemmy’s Rich and Creamy ice cream products
  • John’s products (hard and soft candies, chocolates, drink mixes, etc.)
  • Jell-O sugar-free pudding snacks
  • Nature’s Hollow jams, syrup, ketchup, honey, etc.
  • SparX Candy
  • Zipfizz energy drink-mix powders
  • KAL Colostrum Chewable, Vanilla Cream
  • KAL Dinosaurs Children’s Vitamins and Minerals (chewable tablets)
  • Kidz Digest Chewable Berry from Transformation Enzyme
  • L’il Critters Fiber Gummy Bears
  • Mega D3 Dots with 5,000 IU of Vitamin D3 per “dot” (dissolvable tablet)
  • Suntheanine L-Theanine chewable tablets by Stress-Relax
  • Vitamin Code Kids by Garden of Live (chewable multivitamins)
  • Webber Natural Super Sleep Soft Melts (dissolvable tablets)

Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680) immediately.

 

Create a New Healthy Habit for Your Dog

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Healthy Habit for Your Dog, Newburyport

Creating healthy habits is the key to happiness. Think about it, a habit is something you do repetitive and consistently. Pick something you want to change in your life and create a healthy habit to incorporate to reach that goal. Start small so you set yourself up to succeed. I personally incorporate healthy habits into my everyday routine, especially in the way of supplements and the food I eat. For example, I drink lots of water every day, in one of those water bottles, I add ¼ teaspoon of high dose vitamin C isolate (powdered form). The older we get the more vitamin C we need. By making this a habit everyday, I’m on top of my game. The list goes on. The last few articles the Beach Dog published were in relation to a healthy transition into spring, for example, non-toxic pesticides and bug sprays for your dog. Then we did one on Home Remedies for Your Dog . Then I started thinking, why not implement a healthy habit for your dog every day, not just springtime or when they develop an issue. In this day and age humans and dogs are surrounded by elements that make it increasingly harder to obtain and maintain optimal health. The best way to combat this is by creating a healthy habit for your dog continually. By creating healthy habits your implementing therapy’s that become part of your daily routine. In other words, it doesn’t feel like a project or a chore. Here’s how it works…

They say anytime you repeat a behavior 18 days in a row it becomes a habit. Within these 18 days, you adjust the habit to fit and flow more freely. Here’s an example. I just adopted a Pomeranian. She had very dry skin when I got her. I know through experience the best cure for dry skin, human or dog, is olive oil. Use it both internally and externally. My new created habit was to give her ¼ teaspoon of olive oil with her kibble every day. Her kibble is on the kitchen counter with a pre-measured scoop and the olive oil stands right with it. I use the cap to measure and every day my new little pooch gets a therapeutic dose that’s perfect for her. It’s been two weeks and not only her skin but her fur look amazing. I’m choosing to keep this a daily supplement because olive oil has more to offer than just a fix for her dry skin issues. For more reasons why all dogs should consume olive oil see the bulleted list below. Should you decide to use olive oil as a daily supplement for your dog make sure you find the perfect dose. Keep in mind the size and weight of your dog. Start with a small amount and observe for two weeks. The most common adverse effect with olive oil is loose stools. If your dog develops loose stools stop using until stools go back to normal, then try a smaller dose every other day. Observe for another two weeks. If stools are normal but you don’t see the results you were hoping for pulse your dose up a tad.  Implementing olive oil is an amazingly healthy habit for your dog. This article 4 Fabulous Benefits Of Olive Oil For Dogs has some good benefits pointed out and a few highlights covered before you start using olive oil for your dog.

Benefits of Olive Oil as a New Healthy Habit for Your Dog

  • Omega-3 fatty acids help to moisturize your dog’s skin
  • Polyphenols and carotenoids improve immune system health
  • Oleocanthal, a type of polyphenol in olive oil is linked with brain function. Which can be imperative to combat cognitive decline in older dogs.
  • Antioxidants to fight back against free radicals

So, there’s the first healthy habit for your dog. Easy right? Remember, it’s important to implement these habits slowly for two reasons. First, you don’t want to overlap new therapies in case your dog has an adverse reaction. Then you won’t know what therapy to pulse or stop altogether. Secondly, if you create all these new healthy habits fast and furious, you might set yourself up for failure. Go slow, 18 days or until you get it right. Once it becomes second nature move onto the next. Speaking of the next, let’s take on a project slightly more complicated than a few drops of olive oils as a daily supplement. Let’s make homemade treats a healthy habit for your dog. There are so many reasons why this is a great idea…

Why homemade treats can be an essential healthy habit for your dog.

  • It’s cheap!
  • Incorporate leftovers
  • It’s fresh and no preservatives, additives, or colors
  • You can add any home remedy to a simple base

Let’s tackle this new healthy habit for your dog. It may sound complicated, and you might feel overwhelmed but relax and let me walk you through it. Start with a base treat dough. For example:

Oat Base Treat

2 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats,
 Grind to flour consistency

1 large egg
1/4 cup of water, plus 1 tablespoon

3 tablespoons olive oil

There are many dog treat base doughs on the internet so if your dog does not respond well to an ingredient in this dough look for another dough base that works for you. This article is power packed with receipts, 25 Simple Dog Treat Recipes: Made With 5 Ingredients or Less, you can make a base by eliminating the extra added ingredients and just using the basics. Here’s the important takeaway to ensure your success with this new healthy habit for your dog. Make the base in bulk and store it in the freezer for easy access anytime you need to update, enhance, or change your dog’s healthy treats for combating new issues. Let’s look at what I did last week. I made this dough base x’s 4. I put away three equal portions and made Emi, my new Pomeranian biscuits to combat stinky breath. I used the base receipt and added chopped parsley and fresh mint. As I stated earlier, she had dry skin so the oatmeal and olive oil base was stapled to help combat her flaky skin, and once I started her organic diet I noticed a not so enjoyable kiss here and there…so I simply googled health, organic ways to cure stinky dog breath.

Dog Biscuits for Stinky Breath

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats,
1/2 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
1/2 cup fresh mint, finely chopped
1 large egg
1/4 cup of water, plus 1 tablespoon

3 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions
Preheat the oven to 325° F
Mix oats (pulse to flour consistency) diced parsley and mint, egg, water, and oil. Flatten dough to about 1/8″ thick and cut approximately 40 small dog cookies or 20 larger dog cookies. Bake 35-40 minutes.

TIP: I like to overcook my biscuits because the harder they are the better they work as a natural toothbrush and help to break up the tartar build up.

So in order to ensure you succeed with making homemade treats as a new healthy habit for your dog, make the dough in bulk so you have plenty on hand for the next healing regimen or just to simply add leftovers for a happy healthy snack.

Creating a new healthy habit for your dog regularly will not only enhance his or her quality of life it will ensure a longer happier one as well…and remember, go slow. Don’t overwhelm yourself. It’s simple if you commit to small steps. If you have any questions or would like to share your healthy habits for your dog, please follow us on facebook.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Safety Tips for You and Your Dog

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Spring safety tips for you and your dog, Newburyport

Yes, its official….spring is here! The weather is getting warmer, the days are growing longer, and nature is starting to bloom. Dust off those winter blues and get ready for fun summer days. With this initial excitement comes a renewed enthusiasm. Spring cleaners gear up to give everything a clean sweep. Soon people will be out doing yard work and planning outdoor events. Everything’s coming up roses, or is it? Not to be a Debbie-downer but let’s not forget those spring cleaners use toxic products, yard work might involve chemical treatments, and outdoor events attract bugs and pesticides. Sorry, but with the changing of the seasons, we need to address a few spring safety tips for you and your dog so you can safely enjoy the upcoming summer.

Spring safety tips for you and your dog: Spring cleaning eco-friendly and non-toxic

We all love a spring cleaning, maybe not doing it but the renewed feeling after its done is like a breath of fresh air after a long winter nap. Clean your little heart out but try to be aware of the cleaning products your spraying around your dog’s environment. Read labels to make sure that products are family and pet-friendly. Spring safety tips for you and your dog start with making your own cleaning products. Here is a great website for DIY CleaningProducts that are chemical free and more cost-effective than the toxic brands sold on the market.

Spring safety tips for you and your dog: Who let the dogs out?

Warmer weather means the doors and windows will be open. Make sure people and children are aware of the dog when coming and going. A loose dog can be problematic if you don’t have a fenced in yard. Make sure there is a discussion with the family to be conscious of the door and the dog while transitioning into the warmer weather.  Spring safety tips for you and your dog: attach a note to the door reminding people not to let the dog out by accident.

Spring safety tips for you and your dog: In the Yard and on a Walk

Warmer weather means more time spent out in the sunshine, but it also means weeds and bugs. So what’s a human to do? We fight back. How do we fight back? With pesticides…the obvious answer is to always use family and pet-friendly products. Making your own DIY bug repellants isn’t as complicated as you might think.

But what about other people that might not be pet conscious. We’ve all seen the neighbor that thinks they are doing a good deed by spraying the ant hills or the weed killer on the sidewalks and walkways. Spring safety tips for you and your dog include a hose down or wash off after your walk. Make sure Rover’s paws are rinsed really good after each stroll through the neighborhood to ensure no toxic products come home with you.

Spring safety tips for you and your dog: Events, Picnics, and Barbecues

Warmer weather means road trips, strange surroundings, and unfamiliar faces. It’s a heightened season for misplacing your dog so spring safety tips for you and your dog must include microchip management. This is one safety tip that’s constantly overlooked. I can’t stress how important a microchip scan can be, especially when travelling with your pet outside of your own neighborhood. Make sure your dog is micro-chipped and that microchip is functioning properly. You don’t have to book a vet appointment if your dog is already micro-chipped to do this. Your local dog officer should be willing to give your dog a quick and free scan. Check out this article for some interesting facts on What You Should know before Microchipping a Dog. When traveling the chances of losing your furry family member are very high. Two factors: your dog is in a strange environment so finding their own way home is next to impossible, couple that with the fact that locals are not familiar with your dog so a speedy recognition recovery isn’t going to happen. Make sure your dog’s microchip is functioning properly to avoid the stress of a misplaced pooch.

Spring safety tips for you and your dog: Updated vaccines

You and Your dog are not the only ones coming out of hibernation. Wild animals and the bugs will soon be repopulating as well. The last of our Spring safety tips for you and your dog would be to make sure they are up to date with their vaccines, especially rabies.

If you found this article helpful, check out more Beach Dog Blogs.

Types of Service Dogs and How They Can Benefit You

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Newburyport Service Dogs

More and more people are using service dogs, but with the popularity comes a bit of confusion and the regulations seem to vary state to state. The service animal amendments keep changing and so does the confusion. The Beach Dog thought it would be helpful to give some insights on the different categories and what criteria apply to each. There are a few terms used such as Service Dogs, Emotional Support Dogs, and Therapy Dogs. All of which are wonderful ways that canines can enrich our lives. So what is a service dog, and could any of these categories benefit you? Let’s Break down the categories and rules to help simplify the types of service dogs and how they can benefit you.

Service Dogs

A service dog typically assists a person with a disability to aid in functions that a person is unable to perform. Some service dogs can aid in emergency help such as alerting to situations in a crisis or by performing tasks when a person is incapable to do so for themselves. Service dogs are trained to provide services for their owner but certification is not required if someone questions your animal. A local establishment is allowed a set of questions pertaining to your service dog, (1) is the dog a service animal required because of a disability? and (2) what work or task has the dog been trained to perform? You do not need to answer questions pertaining to your specific disability or have your dog perform any tasks proving his or her legitimacy. A service dog must, however, be obedient at all times, and groomed for public hygiene purposes.

Because of the growing trend in service dogs, it is a good option to register and have a pet ID that states your animal is a service dog. Having a vest or visual is also a good idea; this eliminates any unwanted questioning that your dog provides a needed service. While a service dog cannot be denied access to public transportation, including domestic flights which are protected through the Air Carrier Access Act, pre-registering may require documentation of some sort. Preregistration is also a good idea to avoid delays at the airport.

Listed below are some examples in which a service dog is rendered important and beneficial.

  • Mobility issues
  • Visual Impairment (blindness)
  • Hearing Impairment (deafness)
  • Seizures
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Diabetes
  • PTSD
  • Autism
  • Epilepsy
  • Other physical/mental disabilities

The laws that offer protection of your rights regarding service dogs are covered through Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Any breed dog can be deemed suitable for this level of service as long as they are capable of performing the duties through training. This law also protects you in any housing situation in all 50 states regardless of the landlord’s policies. The same law also allows your dog to fly for free on any domestic flight. The Department of Justice clearly defines any legal issues pertaining to service dogs in this easy to download PDF.

Emotional Support Dogs Verses Service Dogs

Emotional support dogs assist individuals with emotional or mental health issues. An emotional support dog acts as a comfort zone to his or her provider in situations that can peak strong emotional afflictions. Emotional support dogs do not require training to provide comfort. Emotional support dogs must be leashed, calm, obedient, and properly groomed for hygiene purposes in public places.

Emotional support dogs are protected through the same laws that cover a person with disabilities when the owner has a medical diagnosis. Emotional support dogs are a trickier category than a service dog because sometimes a mental health person may not appear disabled. Having a documented dog with a certification makes life easier but is not required by law.

Unfortunately, amendments to the laws are radically changing because some individuals fraudulently state the animal is for emotional support. This trending issue is blurring the lines for the true necessity of an emotional support dog. Having proper Id or certification paperwork lessons the conflict.

Below is a partial list of emotional issues that can qualify for a support dog of this type.

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Bipolar/mood disorders
  • Panic attacks
  • Other emotional/psychological conditions

Therapy Dogs are a Facility Type of Service Dogs

A  facility category of service dog typically means the dog is owned and cared for by a second or third party and is used by an organization to provide a service to a patient. Therapy dogs are often used in facilities for recovering individuals such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes. Therapy dogs offer affection and comfort. Studies have shown that rehabilitating patients heal faster and with less psychological stress when therapy dogs are available to them. Below is a list of some of the therapeutic values associated with therapy dogs.

  • Lower blood pressure
  • Cause release of oxytocin, a hormone that eases stress levels
  • Reduce awareness of pain
  • Improve coordination and motor skills through petting
  • Aids in communication when verbal skills are limited
Lets Summarize Service Dogs  

So let’s sum it up the types of service dogs and how they can benefit you. A service dog is trained to aid an owner with disabilities. A service dog requires training to accommodate the person with disabilities. By law, an establishment can only ask if a person is disabled and what tasks the dog is trained to perform. Registration as a service dog is not a state requirement but Service Dog identification is helpful in public situations. An emotional support dog does not require training and also cannot be turned away for any reason. Both service dogs and emotional support dogs must be under control at all times and properly groomed for public hygiene. Having your dog registered or certified is not a legal requirement but will aid in authenticating and verifying your needs. Just as legal documentation is not required a ‘service dog vest’ is not a valid criterion for admittance to public access but may alleviate unwanted questioning. A therapy dog typically works in a facility to aid the healing and comfort level of a patient. 

If you are wondering if registering your dog is a good fit for you read,  Service Dog Registration isn’t Essential but can be Helpful. 

If you found this helpful, make sure to review other helpful blog posts from The Beach Dog Doggie Daycare.

Audible Books for your Dog’s Separation Anxiety

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
dog's separation anxiety, Newburyport MA

First, let’s define separation anxiety

Separation anxiety is a label used when a dog is left alone and exhibits bad behaviors. This is actually instinctive behavior in canines. Dogs are pack animals and they are safe in the pack. There is strength in numbers. When a dog strays or is left behind its instincts kick in ‘fight or flight’ behavior, which triggers the bad behavior. So when you leave your dog it’s not necessarily the dog missing you, sorry, abandonment triggers the behavior and puts your dog into panic mode. This is an instinctual characteristic designed to keep the dog safe in its natural habitat. Audible books for your dog’s separation anxiety substitutes a human presence which significantly decreases bad behaviors.

What are Audible Books

Audible books are a narrated voice book that is listened to out loud using a device such as the Amazon echo. Audible books can be played in multiple ways. The trigger here is to teach your dog that the audible narrator mimics having a unit of the pack still around, which enables the dog to relax. Cesar Millan has an amazing audible book that gives the data from the studies coupled with the psychology behind the training, check it out.

How does it work?

The key is to get your dog to associate the audible book with quiet time. When you leave your dog alone it triggers energy almost in a panic mode. The first step is to deplete this energy load by exercising your dog before you leave the house. This means implementing a morning workout routine. Cesar has some valuable ideas for indoor exercise: How to Exercise Your Dog Indoors.  Exhausting the dog helps him concentrate. It’s the first step in using Audible books for your dog’s separation anxiety.

After depleting his energy put your dog in his quiet spot immediately upon entering the house. This could be any preferable spot where your dog typically naps, crate, dog bed, couch, under kitchen table etc. Then introduce him to the device that will play his audible book. He will start to associate this with quiet time and another member of the pack, or your family unit. When you leave the house do not shift your energy. Do not say goodbye, do not interrupt the Audible and your dog, simply leave the house. The concept is to make your dog believe that there is still a member of the pack in the house with him.

How to choose the right book

When choosing audible books for your dog’s separation anxiety there is a method.  Almost sounds silly, it’s not like your dog can literally follow along with the storyline. But this is actually a valid decision in getting optimal results. Data proves that audible books yielded better results than leaving a TV on or Playing music…why? The TV and the music will shift in voice, tone, and volume, all of which can easily trigger a dog’s anxiety. Audible books are mostly monotone. The narrator’s voices vary in tone, and volume slightly yielding fewer triggers for your dog. Now think books and genres, if your dog has lots of energy try a children’s book, the narrator is typically a tender tone. Don’t forget to pick a long book. You want the audible book to play as long as possible.

Audible books for other anxiety level triggers

  • While healing an injury typically accompanied by the all annoying cone
  • Company or children having a household visit or gathering
  • Fireworks and holidays
  • Thunder and storms

If you found this article helpful, click here to view other informative blog posts from the Beach Dog.

Allergies in Dogs: Fight Back with Simple Solutions

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Allergies in Dogs, Newburyport MA

Guess what? Allergies aren’t just on the rise in humans, more and more pets are being diagnosed each year.  Allergies in dogs can be triggered by many more stimulants than ever before. Dr Denise Petryk summarizes that the rise in dog allergies is thought to be influenced by a range of factors: food additives, genetically modified foods, pollen’s, environmental allergens, and fleas. Some pets are easily triggered by other environmental factors such as cigarette smoke, household cleaners, and mold. Most of us know the importance of feeding our animals top quality foods and we do practice good dietary habits, but what  if the allergies are not triggered by food? What can we do to help lessen the symptoms of environmental allergies in dogs?

The first step is to create a spring regimen that boosts Rovers immune system, and combats against allergies in dogs. Try a simple wipe-down a few times a day. This removes pollen and prevents it from penetrating your dogs coat and settling on their skin. Add extra spray-downs during the day. A simple run through the sprinkler, a game with the garden hose, or a toddler pool with clean water is all that you need. Not only does it keep Fido pollen free, but it’s refreshing on those hot summer days. Add an oatmeal bath. There are a lot of products on the market that have healing properties such as aloe, and evening primrose. Note: don’t use any type of oat products if your dog’s itchy skin is yeast related. Always consult your doctor. The right diet can boost your dog’s immune system. Like humans dogs are designed to eat real foods, mostly meat but vegetables too. Most dog foods contain starch and starch is an inflammation instigator. knowing your dog’s food tolerances is very important but a diet in lean meat and veggies is perfect for building your dog’s immune defenses. Below is a list of eatables that are natures immune builders…you and your dog should add them to your diet.

Fight allergies in dogs with food.

  • Fish oil supplements
  • Vitamin D supplements
  • Rosemary
  • Biotin
  • Coconut oil
  • Echinacea
  • Peppermint
  • Plain yogurt
  • Vitamin C
  • Pumpkin
  • Diatomaceous earth

If you’re already familiar with diatomaceous earth than it’s an amazing way to kill internal parasites. It can also be used topically to kill fleas. But if you’re not familiar with diatomaceous earth you should research more before using it.

If you’re applying all of these new routines and your not seeing any results you may want to consult your vet for more aggressive relief to fight allergies in dogs.

Let’s hope that by simply modifying our spring pet regimen we can combat the discomfort associated with allergies. These steps just might help your furry friends get through the allergy season with little to no symptoms. But always keep in close contact with your vet when it comes to combating allergies in dogs.

If you found this article helpful, click here to view other informative blog posts from the Beach Dog.

Have You Hugged Your Dog This Valentine’s Day?

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Have you hugged your dog, Newburyport, MA

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner it’s a perfect time to talk about the power in a hug. Have you ever heard of the hormone oxytocin? Humans crave physical attention from the time they are born. In fact almost all mammals at some point literally need physical contact to establish healthy bonds. All mammals produce and release a feel good hormone called oxytocin. The release of this hormone is easily stimulated through physical touch and eye contact. This hormone called oxytocin is one of the dominant factors in the creation of Man’s Best Friend. When you pat and hug your dog there is a hormonal release of oxytocin, the love drug. This hormone creates a euphoric response, one that is craved over and over again. So, Have you hugged your dog today?

Some research shows that oxytocin is a leading factor in Pet Therapy, the new age therapeutic treatment using animals to heal. Which really isn’t a new concept just a newly practiced therapy that intentionally puts the healing power of physical contact with animals into a practice of oxytocin release. Humans have enjoyed the companionship of animals, especially dogs for thousands of years.

Throughout these evolutionary years of loving dogs, oxytocin hormone release has escalated changing the wild dog into man’s best friend. Oxytocin is a bonding hormone that is found in lower doses in wild dogs and in higher levels in domestic dogs. This explains the way a dog in the wild will not approach you for a pat on the head while Rufus will literally climb a mountain to get a hug. Wild dog breeds do product oxytocin, just in smaller amounts than domestic dogs.

The love hormone is more than just a feel good response. This hormone plays more important roles in mammal biology. You see, the love hormone is one of many key factors in a pups survival. Yes, a puppy will look for it’s mother when it’s hungry but it’s also looking for the euphoric high of the oxytocin hormone, nature’s bonding mechanism. When oxytocin is deficient in animals there may be a lack of bonding which results in insufficient nursing patterns. This deficiency can go both ways. If the mother of a litter is deficient in oxytocin she may ignore her pups, likewise if a puppy is deficient they may not feed enough.

Oxytocin is released into the dogs physical body creating a euphoric high of sorts, and you thought your dog just missed you? Well, I’m sure he did but a little oxytocin sure feels good, so have you hugged your dog today? It’s beneficial to you both to do so. Don’t forget, it goes both ways. You release the same hormone through touch and eye contact as well, a little love goes a long way. So makes sure to get a daily dose of the love drug oxytocin everyday, it’s free, it’s healthy, and it’s all natural.

For  more interesting stories and helpful tips about Man’s Best Friend visit The Beach Dog Doggie Daycare blog page.

The Evolution of the Gray Wolf Becoming Man’s Best Friend?

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Gray Wolf

Imagine living back in ancient times and having the gray wolf as man’s best friend. The scientific community, using today’s technology, strongly indicates that all dogs can genetically be traced back to the gray wolf. Yes, from wild dog species to your little labradoodle, all bloodlines point to the fact that the gray wolf’s DNA fingerprint is within your dog’s biological makeup. How did it come to be that such a prehistoric domestication took place between man and beast. In this area science is unsure but a few specialist have a unique theory, and it’s one you might not have originally guessed. How did the gray wolf become man’s best friend, and if so how did the breeds of today get so characteristically, and physically distant from that of a wolf?

Domestication is key to the gray wolf becoming man’s best friend.

The story of wolf domestication could possibly date back to a single dwelling cave and a lone family hunting and gathering to simply stay alive. The common answer for domestication is the G rated version straight from a dysentery movie, when a baby cub is abandon by its mother and taken in and raised by humans. While it makes for good theatrics the practicality is lacking. The instinctual behavioral patterns of a wolf includes a “fight or flight” mechanism science has termed “flight distant.” This is how it works. Any given wolf pup around two weeks of age goes from being curious to being fearful. This fearfulness is the fight or flight response that even as humans carry. The higher the fight or flight response triggers is what scientist gauge as the flight distance. For instance a wolf is spooked by the snap of a tree limb in the woods. If he flinches and takes a few steps his flight distance is short and he holds more curiosity. But if the wolf fleas 20 feet up the hill his fight response is a lot bigger, meeting he is triggered more by a skittish behavior than a curiosity to know more. This means that the abandoned pup, within two weeks of life is about to develop his own instinctual flight distance. A characteristic manipulated by man before artificial selection ( captive breeding). So regardless of the hospitality of this caveman family, this wolf is going to run, it’s in his DNA….also, caveman didn’t have bottles to nurse the pup.

The more practical thinking is that a wolf is a pack animal therefore they are behaviorally very similar to the human species. This means that humans and pack animals adapt well to community living. In the beginning it is thought that when man started to co-adapt into tribes or communities the wolf packs probably stuck close for easy access to human scraps. Remember not all wild dogs have the same flight distance so some would remain isolated from humans while the more curious would linger. From this point the split in species begins because the more wild solitude animals would still breed within the pack (natural selection), while the more curious would start breeding closer to the human surroundings. Know there becomes a split in species and in behavior. The wild gray wolf stayed wild and the community wolves breed down in temperament…and this is one step towards the gray wolf becoming man’s best friend.

How Breeds of today are linked to the gray wolf becoming man’s best friend.

So know the last piece to the domestication puzzle. How did that huge, wild, man eating wolf become your little labradoodle? Back 30,000 to 40,000 years ago we see the split in flight distance play a part in the wolf evolving into a less ferocious beast and into a more curious and cautious creature. The science proves that this quick genetic change happens within three generations of breeding. Scientists say Adrenaline…fight or flight hormone and melanin ..skin and fur hormone are chemically connected so they change together. This is why the entire physical characteristics changed so fast once the wolf become domesticated. It’s called Characteristic Response. The science proves that this quick genetic change happens within three generations of breeding. That means once those curious wolves branch off from the pack and breed with similar temperament wolves, within the third generation those pups would be less wild and more tame in behavior, characteristics, size and shape. Push further and add another three years and now we are even closer to the gray wolf becoming man’s best friend. So you see, breeding a dog artificially to establish new traits is a fairly fast transaction of genetics. Quick genetic changes evolve the dog towards a domesticated temperament. The genetic cross breeding of dogs yield results fast and dramatically. James Serpell, professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine theorized that domestic dog breeds would be too complicated to trace back to all of their origins because the variables would be to complex. But to answer the question as to how my labradoodle could possibly once had the size and structure of a gray wolf, the science says through artificial selection and continuation of breeding in the trait desired.

From the great and powerful gray wolf to the lap dog of today and all canine species in between the gray wolf becoming man’s best friend was a combination of a few simple events. First wild dogs would have shown opportunistic behaviors by following community’s of man. As the more wild animals ventured off the more docile stayed behind and bred with other less flight distant dogs. Within three generations the genetic traits would be strong enough to be distinct. In such a time-frame of manipulation in structure it would be easy for humans to use man-made modes of breeding to establish just about any traits they desired. And that is why your labradoodle basically has no characteristics left from the gray wolf. View more interesting stories from The Beach Dog Doggie Daycare.

Clicker Training Your Dog Can Be Fun and Rewarding

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Clicker Training, Beach Dog Doggie Daycare, Newburyport

Make clicker training your dog fun and rewarding. It’s easy, you lead the game (training) by keeping the game fun, not serious. Dogs instinctively like order and actually look to the alpha dogs in the pack for guidance. At home, you and your family are the Alpha dogs…at least you should be. Your dog is already waiting to be instructed.

Clicker training your dog is a concept that was passed along through dolphin training. Just like the mammals of the sea, dogs learn quickly with repetition and reward. Many mammals learn behaviors through repetitive, reward based tasks, this is called behavior analysis, or simply behaviorism. But don’t get to hung up on the fancy terms, this is a game, remember?

The training is whatever your desired outcome will be, but your dog doesn’t know that, so when you starting clicker training your dog keep in mind it’s a game, not training. To begin you first have to teach your dog that every time you click they will receive a treat. I suggest trying a new treat possibly some homemade healthy treats. This stimulates the dog even more when they hear the clicker because they will learn that it’s the game with the special treats. if you use a treat your pet is already crazy about, perfect. Just make sure it’s a tasty treat they will work for, or should I say play for?

From the first time you start clicker training your dog you will click and reward. The outcome is to get your dog to anticipate the reward because the clicker is always followed by a treat. Click reward…Simple right? Never click without reward, some people are tempted to use the clicker to get the dog to come, but you should only do this if you have a treat and your dog is listening to the command not just the concept of a treat. Then break up the game play by clicking at unpredictable times, like while you’re watching TV, choose random times. Once your dog associates the clicker  with the reward you are ready to move on. Now try adding commands. Try behaviors he knows, click and when he responds reward him…you just upped the game. Now your dog knows he gets rewarded for behaviors, not just the clicker. Now you’re ready to start the process on the true task at hand, let’s say walking off leash. Click, command, reward.

Clicker training your dog can be fun if you don’t get frustrated and let Fito know you mean business. Once you start using your authoritative voice you’ll start losing power in the game. Always use positive reinforcement and keep the tone upbeat and fun. If your dog doesn’t respond to clicker training right away be patient, try and try again. If your dog needs a little coaxing, it’s also acceptable to click throughout the process as long as you’re getting a desired outcome. This is called “shaping”. If the sessions are becoming chaotic or with no response to your command. Put the clicker and the treats away. When you start over at a later time make sure your dog is still responding to the clicker and the reward but don’t treat him for responding to just the clicker anymore than once. Now that you have your dogs attention click, command, and when you receive the response you want reward. Clicker training your dog is simple if you make it fun.

Important Things to Consider for Your Dog this Holiday Season

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Keep your dog safe, Beach Dog Daycare

The holidays are upon us yet again and through the chaos of planning, travelling, shopping, and entertaining, your dog’s needs may be forgotten. Not in a neglectful way but in unexpected challenges based on the holiday chaos. Your not the only one that could get stressed during this festive yet crazy time of the year. The Beach Dog has organized a few key things to consider for your dog this holiday season. We hope this helps you to plan ahead, omit some stress, and help you and your dog prepare for a successful holiday season.

Holidays at Home

It’s sometimes easy to overlook mishaps where your dog is concerned when your staying home for the holidays. Just because your dogs routine may not be changing doesn’t mean small shifts in routine couldn’t turn into bigger stressors. One of the biggest issues is having company or family gatherings. This can be an easily unforeseen mishap because while you feel like its routine, as usual, having other people in your dog’s environment means the opposite. Having Company often means your door is open and possible unattended twice as often as normal. It means more foot traffic in and around your home, and it means rules that are strictly enforced in your normal environment may be overlooked with family and friends. For example, having kids at family gatherings can almost guarantee food and snacks are at your dogs level. Watch out for chocolate! The easiest way to ensure nothing goes wrong is to make sure your dog has a designated quiet place during gatherings. If your dog sleeps in a crate then put the crate in a quiet room. Add his or her favorite toys, and check on him or her periodically so they don’t feel abandoned. If your dog is used to Cesar Millan’s story time for separation anxiety, then be sure to play their favorite book. Lastly, don’t forget that dogs hear sounds at a much greater volume than humans, try to keep indoor voices and music at a comfortable level.

Holiday Travelling

Check to make sure your dog’s microchip is functioning properly. This is a simple task. Contact your local dog officer and plan a trip to have your dog’s microchip scanned. One of the most commonly overlooked and highly stressful occurrences is a lost dog when travelling. Having a microchip that is functioning and updated with the proper information can eliminate a very stressful mishap. Remember, your dog will be in strange surroundings so should they get lost or escape finding them won’t be an easy task. The other upside is having the local dog officer in the loop. A good dog officer will be ready and available should another town or state contact them with your dog’s microchip information. So if your planning on travelling then a microchip scan and an update is an important thing to consider for your dog this holiday season

If your travelling without your dog then preparing accommodations well ahead of time for boarding or sleepovers can help reduce separation anxiety for both you and your dog. The stress of separation will be hard enough for both you and your dog, so be prepared for the transition will lessen the tension so you can say your goodbyes without rushing.

More Things to Consider for your Dog this Holiday Season

  • Tinsel can be a choking hazard
  • Electrical outlets and lighting wires
  • Chocolate
  • Securely anchor your Christmas tree
  • Avoid real greenery; Mistletoe, Holly, and Poinsettias are poison to your dog

For more tips refer to the ASPCA website and visit the Beach Dog blog page for helpful tips on a variety of topics.
From our dogs to yours, we hope you have a fun and safe holiday season.
Happy Holidays from The Beach Dog

Transitioning Your Dog with the Seasonal Changes

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
transitioning your dog with the seasonal changes

The seasons are changing and your dog will need to prepare for these changes as well. We have come up with three tips for transitioning your dog with the seasonal changes. Just like humans dogs can react to the changes of the season too. Keeping them happy and healthy through preparation can help make these changes easy and helpful.

The number one factor to these changes is stimulation in your dog’s allergies. If your dog has never had allergies lets hope it stays this way but if you notice any of these clinical issues you can have a wellness visit with your local veterinarian or try some of our helpful tips for transitioning your dog with the seasonal changes first.

Clinical Issues to Look For:

  • Nasal and eye discharge
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Pruritis (itching/scratching, licking/chewing at body parts)
  • Fur loss or color change

Allergies can vary depending on your breed of dog. If you know your dog is susceptible be ready and try some of the following easy steps to ease allergy issues: Keep the house clean, dust and vacuum regularly, change sheets and dog beds, use eye drops and have your dog groomed once a week or once a month, clean or replace household filters, keep windows clean, implement a healthy diet by cutting out artificial colors, preservatives, sugars and unhealthy fats. Consult your veterinarian if issues worsen. If your dog has never had allergies keep in mind that any immune deficiencies can spur on allergies so if your dog has become compromised due to age or illness they may experience allergies due to seasonal changes.

A healthy diet of pumpkin and squash can help transitioning your dog with the seasonal changes. It’s squash season and what better way to boost your dog’s immune system than through the nutrients that these food staples have to offer.

Remember a healthy diet low in artificial ingredients, colors, sugars, and fats help to boost immune systems and lessen allergies. Some dog lovers use pumpkin and squash as a stool softener so start your dog out slowly to see how they react. Dr. Jean Dodds recommends using 1 tbsp. For small dogs and 2 tbsp. for larger dogs to start. Pumpkin is rich in potassium, fiber, water, antioxidants, beta-carotene and vitamin E, A, copper, and magnesium. Pumpkin and squash are food staples that are readily available this fall so when you are enjoying them share them with your dog. They make yummy dietary changes for transitioning your dog with the seasonal changes in a positive way.

Our last tip is to keep moving. Don’t slow down your outdoor activities just because it’s not as warm outside. The fall is the best time of year to get out, the scenery is beautiful and the air is fresh so get out and move before the cold days of winter are here. Over the summer we posted an article called Dog-friendly Hot Spots in Newburyport and Plum Island Massachusetts, skip down to the second to the last paragraph for a list of fun places to visit with your dog in the Newbury and Plum Island areas this fall. Most of the areas stay open but use the article to find links to these places that offer exciting fall based activities and get up and out, your dog will love it. Keeping your dog active is a great way to stay motivated while transitioning your dog with the seasonal changes this fall.

Why Dogs Eat Grass? Explore the Various Theories!

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
why dogs eat grass, Newburyport MA

Have you ever seen a dog eat grass? They do it all the time. The common explanation as to why dogs eat grass is because it’s sick…  This is not always true. If your dog is grazing but not sick, then the herbivore side of your dog is craving some plant life. There are a few theories as to why dogs eat grass.

 

 

  • Your dog is sick
  • Minerals, vitamins and fiber
  • Marking or covering scent
  • Simply, they like the taste

Stomach issues seem to be the first thing people think when they see a dog eating grass. But you have to look at the entire picture to establish if your dog is sick. Look for other signs of sickness as well; heavy panting, are they lethargic, or is there a loss of appetite. These are signs your dog may be sick and they can be accompanied by grass and foam vomit. Being sick is one reason why dogs eat grass. But what if your dog eats grass and you don’t see any other signs of sickness?

The next theory as to why dogs eat grass can also be categorized in digestion and nutritional needs. Your dog could be deficient in a nutrient. Dogs are omnivores. When you consider that dogs, like wolves and other canines in the wild, eat a collection of nutrients, such as grass, berries, and other plants, not just wild game; it’s easier to see that adding a nutrient could be why dogs eat grass. Domestic dogs are limited to the foods we feed them, you might want to look into more nutrient dense foods if your dog is supplementing by eating grass.

Added to the nutritional value dogs may use grass as a fiber. Most articles state that grass cannot be digested by a dog’s system; which makes sense because full-intact blades do come back up when the dog vomits, and only 25% of dogs actually vomit after eating grass. So is the grass being used as a filler, like a fiber, when the stomach is empty? An empty stomach could be why dogs eat grass. If you have a grazing dog, try a good snack in between feeding times.

Is your dog nibbling at the grass? This could be a sign that they are marking their scent; just like sent rolling (when your dog rolls and rubs their body vigorously in the grass). But wait, there are other theories that states dogs are actually trying to cover their own scent. Wild pack canine lick and roll to cover their scent from predators. I have found a few different views on this topic. The results were a divide between mouthing the grass to cover their scent or to mark their territory. Whether you choose one or the other; to scent or not to scent, either of these could be why dogs eat grass.

The last in the list as to why dogs eat grass is simple; they just might like the taste.

For other great dog tips and suggestions see the complete list of Beach Dog Blogs on Newburyport.com.

 

Old Dog New Itch: Does Your Dog Have Dry Itchy Dog Skin?

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Old Dog New Itch: Does Your Dog Have Dry Itchy Dog Skin?, Newbury MA

I’m a new age hippie so if there is an herbal holistic remedy out there I’m going to find it. So when my old dog got a new itch I went on a mission. Her symptoms were mild, so I searched dry itchy dog skin.

I am the proud owner of two beautiful Labs, Madeline and Belladonna. Unfortunately Maddy is getting old, she’s in great spirits and she wags her tail all day long. She wags so hard her entire butt moves, we call it “the Mad Dog Shuffle.” Mad because we call her Mad Dog as a nickname, not because she’s mad…quite the opposite…she’s a very happy old lady.

At this stage in her life I noticed a difference in the gloss of her coat and the drying of her skin. I put a little olive oil on her dog food but she started loosing fur in spots and she was getting stinky as well. I thought the problem might be a little more than just old age so I started an Internet search. There are many educative websites that help you diagnose why your dog has dry itchy skin. WikiHow has a really good article on different skin irritants in dogs. After a few research articles I was happy to self diagnose Maddy’s itchy dog syndrome with a skin bacteria due to her old age and weakening immune system. She simply had dry itchy dog skin due to getting older.

So know what? I was on the right track with adding olive oil to her dog food.  Olive oil is a strong antioxidant and helps to boost her weakening immune system.  I also found that onion is an all natural anti-bacterial and antibiotic.  There are a few herbs listed and you might have what you need in your kitchen. I started using chopped dried onions instead of cutting them myself.  Maddy likes apples but I’m not sure she would like a fresh onion. I used my new regime once a day for about a week when I noticed a huge difference in her fur. I am happy to announce and share that her skin is vibrant, her dry itchy dog skin is cured, and she smells…well like a dog.

One final note to keep in mind, know your dog’s digestive tolerances and only use onion for a limited treatment. Onion and garlic are labeled as toxic to animals, this treatment is only for a temporary fix, just as humans would use an antibiotic for a prescribed amount of time. I believe the onion cured the bacterial growth load in my dog’s skin and now she does not need the treatment, my old dog has no more itchy dog skin and her fur is growing back and has a shine to it.

 

DIY Dog Ice-Block Treat Equals Cool Canines

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
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Create a great treat to cool off your Hot-Dog this summer with the DIY Dog Ice-Block Treat. Its easy and just takes one or two nights to freeze depending on how big of a cube you decide to make.

What You Need to Make a Dog Ice-Block Treat

  • Plastic Tub or Bowl
  • Chew Toys
  • Treats
  • Water
  • Freezer

This is a really simple little project you can do for your dog to help in the summer heat. I recommend using some toys that your dog is already attached to and add a few new ones. I use toys that I know my dog is familiar with because a new Dog Ice-Block treat might be confusing to your pet the first time he or she sees it. Having familiar toys and some yummy treats will entice your dog to start licking at the Dog Ice-Block treat. Check out our full blog on tips for keeping your Hot-Dog a Cool Canine.

Layer One: Add a few treats and toys to the plastic tub or bowl of your Dog Ice-Block then add a layer of water about half way up the container. Freeze over night.

NOTE: Some items may float to the top of your Dog Ice-Block treat. This is ok because they will be locked in to the next layer. If you’re only doing one layer it will stick out of the ice-block enough to attracted your dog to start licking.

Layer Two: After the first layer hardens add the remainder of your toys and treats then freeze again. Remember its good for some toys to float to the top and protrude from the Dog Ice-Block Treat.

Creating a Dog Ice-Block Treat can also be made ahead of a heat wave and left in the freezer for those hot-Dog days in the future! No more hot-dogs just a pack of cool canines.

Holistically Protect Your Dog from Fleas, Ticks, and Mosquitos

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Holistically Protect Your Dog from Fleas, Ticks, and Mosquitos

It has begun, estimated to be worse than it was last year: the disease that mosquitos, ticks and fleas are transferring to humans and dogs gets deadlier and deadlier every year.  The bug repellants don’t seem to be much better; as consumers, we have learned the importance of natural, chemical free products. Combating against deadly bug bites and spraying down with a bottle of poison isn’t my way of starting off my summer.  So what do we do to keep our dogs and ourselves safe from disease carrying bug bites? Armouring yourself and your dog with organic all natural, chemical free, healthy repellants is the best way to go.  You may be surprised at how simple this is. You can holistically protect your dog from fleas, ticks, and mosquitos.

Bug repellants come naturally in nature. Plants have natural biological properties that repel bugs from attempting to eat and ultimately kill off the plant. Plants both attract and deflect bugs by using smells and poisons.  The essences of some plants have been genetically evolved to repel bugs. Have you heard of aromatherapy? Aromatherapy has become a household combatant against bacteria, viruses, ailments, and just uplifting and beautifying. But these same plants can naturally help us to ward off bugs before they bit. Let’s take a tip from our green leafy friends to protect our lovable furry friends

Essential oils are extracted from plants in different ways. No matter what way the extraction process is done they are extracted to keep the chemical properties preserved so that humans…and dog’s can have enhanced lifestyles in a healthy and natural way. Listed below are a few options that are specifically designed (by Nature) to repel bugs. These essential oil repellant can be added to a spray bottle of water or apple cider vinegar to holistically protect you and your dog from fleas, ticks, and mosquitos. You can make your repellant strong by adding more drops of essential oil. Start with a few drops and work your way up to establish the perfect spray for you and your dog. Essential oils protect your dog from fleas, ticks, and mosquitos.

Mixing your spray with vinegar instead of water is an added benefit because bugs also hate the smell. There are a few other benefits to using vinegar. Its properties make the hair shiny for you and your dog.  Try adding some apple cider vinegar to Rovers bath water. You can also consume apple cider vinegar to internally repel bugs, vinegar consumed raises the acidic levels of your blood and bug’s don’t like acidic. When using apple cider vinegar internally mix a teaspoon to a tablespoon in water per every 50lbs. of your dog’s weight.  Consuming apple cider straight can be upsetting on the tummy for both you and your dog. Apple cider vinegar can be used to protect your dog from fleas, ticks, and mosquitos.

Another fun way to protect your dog from killer bugs is to make a bug repellent dog collar. You can have fun with this and make it elaborate or you can do it simply, the important part is to do it every day. You can make a bandana collar and drop your essential oils right onto the bandana. Make it refreshing and beat the heat, soak the bandana in cold water, then drop essential oils or apple cider vinegar onto it. You can also simply tie a trusted brand insect repellent wipe around your dog’s collar. Don’t Waste the Crumbs also has some more in depth ways to make a bug repellent dog collar

We as consumers know that a lot of the bug repellants that are sold on the marked are harmful to our dogs and us but there are a few products out there that are safe.  Look for labels that say all natural, no chemicals or pesticides. Read the ingredients; if you can’t pronounce them don’t use them. Some of the products on the market can also protect your dog from fleas, ticks, and mosquitos. There are many ways to holistically protect you and your dog from bug bites this year. The Wellness Mama has a few other recipes you can try if you really want to get fancy with items you may have in your home.  The Beach Dog Daycare wishes you a happy and safe summer season, armour up and enjoy.

 

 

What You Should Know Before You Microchip a Dog

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
microchip a dog, Beach Dog Doggie Daycare, Newbury MA

What is a Microchip? A microchip is a small implant the size of a grain of rice, and is used to identify a lost pet.  When you microchip a dog a needle is used to implant the microchip beneath the surface of your dogs skin. The microchip is placed between the dogs shoulder blades, as this is the best location to provide scan ability and it is the least likely location to cause irritability in your dog.  The procedure is usually done at your veterinarian’s office but kits can be purchased for home use.  You can see an implantation of the microchip by Dr. Mohoman by simply following this link.

Typically when your pet is lost the animal control officer in your area is called out to retrieve the displaced animal. Animal control officers in the state of Massachusetts are mandated to scan your pet for a chip. If you have microchipped your dog the scan will pick up your information making returning your dog home to you quick and easy. A microchip is not a GPS device and only links a verification code to your dog. The animal must be found and scanned to do this.

There are other concerns to consider before you microchip a dog. The life spans of most microchips are between 12-20 years but they can malfunction sooner. Some pet owners purchase a microchip scanner online to ensure the chip hasn’t traveled to a different location on the dog and that the microchip is working properly. When you microchip a dog it’s a good idea to do a home scan or a veterinarian scan just before leaving on a vacation.  Scanning before you leave ensures the microchip is working and that if your dog is lost while visiting an unfamiliar location you have a working microchip so that animal control or any shelter that finds your dog will be able to contact you through your veterinarian.

Aside from a malfunctioning microchip other downfalls can occur. Sometimes a dog may get an infection or develop tumors at the injection sight. Life threatening occurrences due to microchipping a dog are very rare. Although there is more research still developing about dogs developing cancers related to the microchip the long-term affects are still debatable. It’s important to know if your breed of dog is at a higher risk of developing cancer before you microchip a dog. Talk to your veterinarian and ask if they have personally seen any cancer occurrences from the microchip. Also ask your veterinarian specifically about your dog breed and their genetic risk of cancer before deciding to microchipping a dog.

Most side affects and life threatening associations with microchipping a dog are very rare. If you do your research before choosing to have the procedure done you should minimalize any chance that microchipping a dog could result in any unwanted issues. Microchipping a dog is the safest and fastest way to insure that your furry family member is returned home.

 

 

 

New Years Resolutions for Your Dog

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
New Years Resolutions for Your Dog, Newburyport MA

New Years Resolutions for your dog…sounds funny, but its not. The most made resolutions made by us humans is to get exercise. During the winter months it’s never more important to stimulate your dog than now. Just like you, your dog can get cabin fever and depressed when the weather gets cold and out door playtime subsides. Creating healthy habits and stimulating indoor activities is a great way to keep your dog stimulated and happy. Here are a few easy ways to create New Years Resolutions for your dog and keep them happy and healthy throughout the lazy days of winter.

Perhaps Santa brought you a new treadmill this year…what a great way to walk the dog.  Start out slow, perhaps having your dog walk just through your warm up and then incorporate a jog. Soon enough when asked to go for a walk your dog will head straight for the treadmill and not the door.

This next idea is a low impact exercise but a fun one for both of you to incorporate. Teach your dog how to play hide and seek. Use their favorite toy or a snack, hide the object while your dog is watching and use a voice command to stimulate them to find the object. Once he or she catches on to the game try hiding it without them seeing but reinforce with the voice command. Don’t loose patience, your still stimulating an activity. Have you ever heard of a Kong? It is a chew toy that you put snacks inside of. This could be a good way to start the game, you stimulate with a toy and a snack…don’t forget the voice command. Hide and seek is a great New Years Resolutions for your dog.

Dancing is an excellent way to get up and move, music motivates everyone. Try putting on your favorite playlist and get Rover on the dance floor with you. Teach him some moves or just make sure he’s up and active. If dancing isn’t your thing how about yoga? Adding yoga to your exercise program is a great way to circulate the blood flow, stretch muscle and even massage your insides. Start easy but don’t forget to challenge yourself. This will be slightly more challenging for our dog but it can be a hands on bonding experience you both will enjoy. Dancing and yoga can be a New Years Resolutions for your dog and his master.

It’s never a better time to consider doggy daycare. Now that the winter is upon us and you are off to work or the gym, why not consider part time doggy daycare. This stimulates the lazy days of winter and adds socialization for your dog.

Lastly lets talk the next biggest New Years resolutions made by us all. Healthy eating habits are easier than you may think. Keeping good snacks on hand is the key to accomplishing this resolution. Stop buying junk and you cant eat it…stock up on healthy options. Making good snacks for your dog at home is simple and smart. Use the foods you eat and incorporate them into snacks for your dog. See our blog for Wicked Easy Homemade Dog Treats.

That’s it! New Years Resolutions for your dog isn’t as silly as it may sound. In fact it’s crucial for a healthy dog to get up and go and eat good throughout the lazy days of winter.

 

 

 

 

The Dangers of Chocolate and Your Dog

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
the dangers of chocolate and your dog, newbury ma

Happy Valentine’s Day from The Beach Dog Daycare! Considering Valentine’s day is a widely celebrated holiday when giving chocolate is a must have The Beach Dog thought it would be a good opportunity to address the issues of the dangers of chocolate and your dog.

How can such a joyful treat for us humans have such dangerous consequences to your dog? There are a few factors. Chocolate contains an alkaloid called methylxanthine Theobromine. This chemical compound is a caffeine like substance that has a diuretic effect. When humans ingest it we have the ability to break it down without feeling the side affects. When a dog ingests theobromine the stimulants are substantially more active and can cause heart palpitations, and it can dilate the blood vessels. More concerning is the fact that most dogs don’t have the ability to eat just a few of the chocolates and will typically eat them until the chocolate is gone, potentially overdosing on the theobromine; there by making the dangers of chocolate and your dog quite serious.

If you think your dog has ingested chocolate contact your vet immediately. Each veterinarian may proceed differently. Some will advise an office visit as soon as possible, some my have you induce vomiting at home. This is usually instructed by giving your dog 1tbs. of hydrogen peroxide per every 20lbs. of your dog’s weight.  Some vets recommend just observing your dog and watching for symptoms. Luckily nature has given your dog a built in safety rejection for poisoning and he or she may vomit on their own. Here are some symptoms to watch for.

Symptoms of a chocolate overdose and your dog:

The dangers of chocolate and your Dog depend on the quality of the chocolate, Better brands of chocolate dictate how much theobromine are in the sweets. Basically the better brands have more chocolate in them. Cheaper chocolates have less coco bean and may not affect your dog at all. The darker the chocolate the more potent the theobromine will be in the treat.

The VCA Animal Hospitals breaks down the amount of theobromine as compared with the symptoms as follows:

  • 20mg/kg: excessive drooling, vomiting and diarrhea,
  • 40mg/kg: racing heart, high blood pressure, and heart arrhythmias,
  • 60mg/kg: neurologic signs, tremors, twitching and seizures
  • fatalities are usually seen with ingestion of 200mg/kg or pound of chocolate.

A safe alternative is carob and this is what is typically used in dog treats that you can purchase so your dog thinks he’s getting the tasty treats.

So enjoy your Valentine’s Day but be sure to keep chocolate at a safe distance from your dog.  The dangers of chocolate and your dog can have horrible affects should he or she try your tasty holiday sweets.

 

 

Bring Your Dog on Vacation when Visiting Newburyport & Plum Island

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Beach Dog Doggie Daycare, Bring Your Dog on Vacation

Don’t put your furry family member in a boarding service while you travel. Bring your dog on vacation when you visit Newburyport and Plum Island Massachusetts. Our area is one of the best dog communities along the North Shore. The Beach Dog Daycare has done all the work for you, book your hotel, make restaurant arrangements and jump right into some daytime activities that are all pooch friendly! We pride ourselves on being a dog-friendly community that incorporates your vacation experience along with your furry family members. Most importantly when you bring your dog on vacation to our area, The Beach Dog Daycare offers vacation hours so that you can enjoy a day at the beach while your dog enjoys a day socializing and stress-relieving playtime. Check out all that The Beach Dog has to offer on our Day at The Beach page. 

Before you head this way book your lodging accommodations. Both the Garrison and the Blue Inn make bringing your dog on vacation when you visit Newburyport and Plum Island Massachusetts fun and easy. The Garison Inn is located in Newburyport right on Brown Square so you are in walking distance to many trendy spots that are all in walking distance. If you should chose to stay on Plum Island then The Blue Inn on The Beach is where you should book a room with amazing views and dog-friendly accommodations.

The next important aspect of any vacation is eating! Newburyport and Plum Island have some of the best eateries on the planet…well in the North Shore area anyway. When you bring your dog on vacation our community encourages Rover to come along and enjoy the eats too. For a full menu of amazing options try Oregano Pizzeria & Ristorante  located at 16 Pleasant Street, Newburyport MA. This restaurant has an outdoor side patio perfect for bringing dogs. If you just want to grab something café style then The Coffee Factory offers specialty coffees and delicious breakfast and lunch and you can enjoy the outside seating…as long as they remain on a leash and are socially behaved.

Ok, so you have your lodgings and some hot spots to eat when you Bring your dog on vacation when you visit Newburyport and Plum Island Massachusetts, so I just wanted to add a few must see hot spots just for Rover. Lets start with Just Dogs. This is an amazing little doggy bakery that hand makes all sorts of snacks that cater to all sorts of doggy needs. If your dog has food allergies Just Dogs has a snack for that, if your dog is a vegetarian, they have a snack just for that…you have to take a trip to see what Just Dogs has to offer. Just Dogs is located at 37 Pleasant Street in Newburyport. We are adding The Natural Dog to our list because they are an amazing pet supply company in our area and they offer eco-friendly products and all natural foods. Most of our local dog owners shop here, so if you find yourself low on supplies while Bringing your dog on vacation pop in at the Natural Dog to restock or take a visit just to browse. The Natural Dog is located at 155 State Street in Newburyport.

Now its time to get into some fun daytime activities when you bring your dog on vacation to Newburyport and Plum Island Massachusetts. Your first stop should be Mill Pond in West Newbury. This is a pond activity with lots of other dogs swimming and running off leash. If your dog is well behaved in social environments Mill Pond is highly recommended. Their Facebook page showcases the park the best so be sure to check it out. Next at the top of the list is Maudslay State Park. This is an old horticultural and agricultural estate. There are many gardens and roaming around with your dog is allowed on leash and they even provide doggy bags and a trashcan in the parking lot for any deposits Rover may leave behind during your visit. If you’re up for a more vigorous hiking experience check out Old Town Hill in Newbury. This attraction has many hiking trails that highlight the naturally made environment such as salt marshes, wetlands and cliffs with amazing views. This park is absolutely a place to take pictures so don’t forget your camera, again Rover must be on a leash and please pick up and discard anything your dog deposits. Unfortunately not all pet owners are aware of the on-leash policy but we ask that you stick to the rules and keep this in mind when planning your day trip to Old Town.

We hope you chose to bring your dog on vacation when you visit Newburyport and Plum Island Massachusetts. Contact The Beach Dog or visit our website to pre-enroll for some daycare hours. While Bring your dog on vacation with you is highly recommended, having some activities without your dog is inevitable but it doesn’t have to mean leaving your dog alone in a hotel all day.  We will happily cater to your dog while you enjoy your vacation as well.

Grooming isn’t Just for the Posh Pooch

By Kim Casey, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Kim is a huge animal lover and proud owner of two labs. Kim is also an Internet marketer and works closely with The Beach Dog Daycare in Newburyport. She enjoys writing and researching combined with blogging. She is an independent marketer and is self-employed but being an animal lover The Beach Dog Daycare is one of her favorite clients.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Beach Dog Doggie Daycare & Grooming, Newbury, MA

Pet grooming isn’t just for an appealing looking animal, regular grooming insures a healthy animal. The following article explains each section of the grooming process and how to keep your animal healthy through regular grooming techniques. One very important fact to keep in mind is to start grooming your animal at a young age. If you do your dog or cat will actually enjoy the process and find it a relaxing activity rather than an annoying and sometimes frightening battle for you both to endure.

You don’t typically hear about hairballs being a problem for dogs so much as they are a problem for cats but hairballs can also be a health issue for canines as well. Hairballs are an issue for any animal that licks to stay clean. The longer your animal’s hair is the easier it is for your pet to get an issue with hairballs. The process is simple, loose hair is ingested when your animal self cleans its fur. The loose ingested fur is either vomited up or comes out the opposite end. Either case is not a comfortable one for your animal. Regular grooming, washing, brushing, and shampooing will eliminate the loose hair and cuts down on the amount that your animal will ingest. Vetinfo.com has a great article on home remedies that you can do to maintain a healthy hairball free dog in between grooming.

Clean and clear ears and eyes are a top priority in the health of your animal. Having your dog or cat groomed on a consistent basis regulates the health and awareness of your animal’s eyes and ears.

Regular nail clipping can save your animal from painful and potential infections due to the nails growing into to the toe pads or skin. This is an area of expertise that I personally only trust my dog groomer to do. Clipping can be tricky and if you clip to short you can cause pain, damage, and infections in your animal. So clip with confidence or call your groomer to insure a healthy result.

Just like humans a healthy mouth equals a healthy animal. Regular brushing is just as important to your dog as it is to you. If you leave your dogs mouth unattended you run the risk of plaque build up, bad breath and tooth decay. You don’t have to brush them every day but WebMed recommends at least three times per week. Ask your pet groomer for a quick lesson, I’m sure they would be glad to help.

It’s so exciting to be kicking off the summer with Memorial Day just around the corner. Summer is here and keeping a well-groomed pooch is part of keeping your dog happy and comfortable in the hot months to come. That being said The Beach Dog Daycare is now offering cat shave downs as well. So tell your family and friends with felines that we are not just a doggy daycare anymore…we now offer cat grooming as well.

This is our personal invitation to pre-book your grooming dates ASAP as Robyn is booking up fast for the Memorial Day holiday just around the corner. Please call The Beach Dog Daycare at 1-978-499-1881.

 

 

 

 

The BEACH DOG THANK YOU LETTER

By Pam Doherty, Newburyport.Com Correspondent
Owner of The Beach Dog, Pam is committed to providing top level service for her clients. Pam has created a fun, safe, clean and nurturing environment for dogs to enjoy. A visit to the Beach Dog is like a visit to a great dog park and a spa all in one. Pam has a very loyal following because they know that Pam and her staff care for all dogs as if they were their own.
The Beach Dog Doggie Day Care
Beach Dog Thank You, Newbury MA

I am so happy to have the new location open and running but I could not have done it all by myself…I would like to send out a heart felt Beach Dog thank you to all my friends and member’s of the community for all of your patience and support.

To the Romp and Roll clients that have helped us manage the business within the crazy days of transition, thank you for your help and support as well. I look forward to the addition of your dogs into The Beach Dog Daycare.

This same gratitude goes without saying to all of my personal clientele. The merge of the two daycares would not have been a success without your patience and support. Thank you.

I have received an amazing amount of support via The Beach Dog Facebook Page from the very start of the page being launched. As my page “likes” grew, I have to admit there was a humbling of my heart. I cannot thank the community enough for a tremendous welcoming.

With all that being said I wanted to take a minute to introduce you to a few new sectors that will be a part of the amenities that are The Beach Dog Daycare. Through the daycare facility we will be offering professional dog training and grooming in this way we will be a full service daycare. The facility is monitored during business hours and you can view your animal’s day-to-day activities via the web cam system we have installed throughout the daycare facility. Lastly we are the only facility that has a PureAire system. To learn more about this please visit the websites facility page.

Once again we send a Beach Dog thank you to everyone that helped me make my new adventure a success, I am truly grateful.

Thank you sincerely, Pam Doherty, not just the owner but a client as well.

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