Keeping Your Furry Friend Safe on Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Dinner is a great time to come together with friends and family.  It can also be a time when the little ones can’t resist slipping your dog a little bit of the feast. There are so many opportunities for your dog to eat something that can make them feel pretty bad or even cause more harm.

Here are some great tips to remember and share with your guests to help keep your dog and cat safe and happy during the upcoming holidays.  We’re wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season!

1. Turkey Skin – On its own, turkey skin can be fatty and hard to digest, but on Thanksgiving, it’s particularly bad. If you must share the turkey with your dog, do peel the skin off and cut the meat up into bite-sized pieces.

2. Cooked Bones – Whether your bird is duck, goose or turkey, do not give the bones to your dog. Any dog cartoon features Fido carrying a bone around in his mouth, but the reality is that a cooked bone is often brittle and sharp pieces can get lodged in your dog’s intestine. Bird bones are hollow and break easily.

3. Aluminum Foil and Plastic Wrap – Dispose of these when you’re done with them. There are two risks here: one, your pet will be licking the fatty substances off the wrappings, and two, swallowing these can cause an intestinal obstruction.

4. Chocolate – Not that we think that you would intentionally feed your dog chocolate (which we all know can be toxic to our canine friends), but since candy is often left out on tables for guests during the holidays, it made the list. Be sure to keep bowls filled with chocolate and other candies out of vision and out of reach of your dog.

 

The Top 5 Most Popular Breeds

Each year the American Kennel Club (AKC) surveys dog owners throughout the country to rank the most popular breeds each year. In honor of National Adopt a Dog Month, here are the top 3 most popular breeds in the United States, a few facts about each!

1. Labrador Retriever

The Labrador is well-known as America’s favorite dog. They have been ranked number 1 in popularity since 2013! They are best known for being extremely friendly, very active, and of course outgoing. Labrador are energetic and need plenty of exercise. Their enthusiastic attitude makes them a great sports dog. They are also highly intelligent and quick to learn. 

2. German Shepherd

German Shepherds are holding steady in the number 2 position, and have done so since 2013 as well! See a pattern? They are confident, courageous, and smart dogs. As a part of the herding group, German Shepards are stellar athletes. They are very active dogs and require plenty of mental stimulation. They perform well in tracking, agility, and herding.

3. Golden Retriever

Not to be forgotten, Golden Retrievers are have been consistently ranked number 3 in popularity since 2013. Friendly, intelligent, devoted. No better words can be found to describe these silky dogs! Goldens are wonderful jogging or hiking partners and excel at sports such as agility, obedience, and tracking. Our puppy classes along with focused socialization will help make your Golden into a well-adjusted adult.

Why Dogs Love The Fall

Isn’t fall everyone’s favorite season? Well, maybe not, but one thing is for sure, dogs love it because of these fall fun activities you can do with them!

Play in a leaf pile

Just like children, dogs love leaf piles as well. Playing in a leaf pile is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy quality time together.  

Chase leaves

The flying leaves through the breezy air provide the dogs with neverending exercise as they chase them to the ground and try to catch them in their mouths.  

More nature walks

Pet owners can enjoy the fall scenery during their walks, while their dogs enjoy the cooler weather of the trail, making it more enjoyable for the both of them.

Enjoy boarding facilities

With the holidays approaching, pet owners are busy running from family to family, which makes it an excellent time for them to leave their pets at a boarding facility. A boarding facility will provide them with the proper care and stability they need during these crazy holiday months. They will receive an enjoyable experience like no other.

We hope you have a fantastic fall season with your pup and embrace everything that this autumn and holiday season brings.

How to Keep Dogs Safe on Halloween

It’s officially October, which means Halloween is almost here! As a dog owner, on Halloween night, you may be concerned about the safety of your canine. There are lots of people walking around, coming in and out of your front lawn, and having to open your front door numerous times.

Because of that, it gives dogs plenty of opportunities to run out resulting in you losing them or worse; they get injured. That is why we have put together a list of ways you can keep your dog safe this Halloween!

• Do not put them in the front yard: In fear that your dog will get lost or that they may be frightened by all the visitors, it is probably wise to not let them stay in the front yard.
• Avoid giving them have any candies: Halloween candies should be safely put up somewhere high so your dogs cannot reach them. We all know chocolate is bad for dogs but other candies are just as bad. Its better safe than sorry.
• Keep your dog confined and away from the front door: Most dogs when they see the front door open; they go running. To avoid losing your dog, keep them confined and away from the front door.
• Watch for hazardous Halloween decor: This one is crucial. Halloween decor comes in so many variations from pumpkins to spooky lights. Be careful by making sure all the cords and outlets are out of reach from your dogs. Put real pumpkins, corn, etc. up high so your dog will not eat them.
• Train your dog: If you are worried about your dog listening to you this Halloween, then you should seek out training. Training your dog can prevent any ways that you may lose them. You can teach them not to run to the door or to listen to your commands when out trick-or-treating.

For more information on dog training visit https://www.aldenskennels.com/Training.

You will love what they have to offer you and your dog!

Happy Halloween!

 

How to Choose a Safe Pet Halloween Costume

It’s finally October, which means it’s time to start thinking about what you and your adorable canine or cat are dressing up as. There are many Halloween costumes out there for dogs and cats, but not all are safely designed. So, if you are dressing up your pet this Halloween season, please consider these tips to keep your pets safer.

Test Run:
Before the big day of October 31st, it’s best to try out the costume on your dog or cat. Watch to see how he/she reacts to it. If they seem stressed or anxious while wearing it, then it’s probably best to pick a different costume. Really when it comes to pets, less is more.

Don’t Limit Mobility:
Mobility is something very important and essential to dogs and cats. You should not put them into something where they can not sit, lay, or walk. They need to have the ability to eat, drink and go to the bathroom.

Watch for Choking Hazards:
If your dog or cat has a tendency to chew on things, then you should probably choose a costume that does not have any potential choking hazards.

Visibility:
If you plan on taking your pet trick-or-treating with you, then you definitely need to make sure that it is visible, to prevent any accidents. Do not dress your black lab as Darth Vader, he/she will literally blend into the darkness of night.

Lastly, If you do not have plans to dress your pet up, and are currently going away from home this Halloween, then consider sending your pet to a boarding facility like Aldens Kennels. At Aldens Kennels, your dog or cat will be safe, well-taken care of, and exercised during their entire stay!

How to Prepare Your Dog for Fall

The hot sunny days are coming to an end. As the leaves change, so do your dogs wants and needs. There are certain things you must do to prepare your pup for the cold months ahead.

1. Check for allergies: Just like humans, dogs also experience seasonal allergies. As plants start to hibernate for the winter months, they will release potential allergens into the air. If your dog suffers from seasonal allergies, you will notice them sneezing, scratching themselves, or redness in their eyes. The best way to help your pet is to take them to a vet. The vet may prescribe some type of allergy relief, as well as, advice on how to change their diet. Changing their diet will help the immune system become more anti-inflammatory.

2. Watch their skin and coat: As the temperature drops, we all notice more dryness in our skin. The same goes for dogs. It is essential to check their skin to make sure their dryness is taken care of. You can improve the dryness by making specific changes with their diets.

3. Find an exercise schedule: It is so hard to go outside in the winter months, but your dog still needs exercise. Decrease exercise can lead to weight gain. If you do not want to endure the coldness outside, you are in luck because we have the best alternative. Take your dog to a board and training facility. The board and training facility can provide your dog with appropriate exercise but also help train them in other ways. You will see an overall improvement in your dog’s health and attitude.

Happy fall!

Ways to Improve the Recall Abilities of your Dog

Having a strong recall for your dog is one of the most invaluable things you can teach your best friend. Without a strong recall, your pet could get you and themselves into trouble. Here are some tips for improving your dog’s recall. The most important tip is to choose one recall word or phrase and stick with it.

Don’t add other language because it can confuse your dog. Also, you need to give your dog a good reason to “come here” because if it is only used for negative behavior they will be less likely to come to you. Take small steps when working with dog recall, literally. Do short distances at first, praising them for listening every time and ignoring them when they don’t. Eventually, do longer distances.

Be consistent in command and in the way you act when they come. Always be very happy and reward them with pets and affection. Don’t forget to reward your pet with treats sometimes. Also, make sure to give them praise when they are getting closer, this will reinforce their behavior at the moment and ensure they come all the way to your heels. Changing the reward can also be great for your dog because they will be excited and intrigued every time. Remember that your dog is never too old or too young to learn recall.

Another important tip to remember is not to repeat yourself. Once, maybe twice is enough, after that the dog is just training you. Using the services of a professional can help you instill a strong recall for your dog that will allow you both to have enjoyable, rewarding experiences where you don’t need to worry about the whereabouts or safety of your dog.

Patience with your Puppy

Being patient with your puppy can be a challenging task. They like to bit, jump, tug, bark, yip and do everything possible to annoy you. But in reality, they are asking for your time and attention. A long walk will calm them down. Play with a rope or ball will release some of their energy. Next time your new best friend ruins some of your belongings, think about the attention they were receiving in the moments leading up to that event. More often than not they were probably not being paid attention to at the moment leading up to that event.

Walks are great for dogs because it allows them to expend their energy. Being aware of what traits your breed has and then finding ways for them to work for you will save you tons of stress in the future. Remember to take a step back and breathe when you get frustrated and that it is ok to stop and return to training later. It is not healthy for you or the dog to train when you are stressed or angry.

While difficult, the training should be reserved for when you are in a state of mind to be patient. Practice does make perfect. The more time you spend with your dog now, the fewer worries you will have with them later. Often times dog owners will choose to hire a professional to train their dog. This will save you time and stress.

Now a professional won’t be able to magically transform your dog into a perfect pet, but with enough help from you on the back end, you and your dog will be able to use the skills learned from a professional and practice them for years to come. If you want to to give your dog the best life possible, train them immediately, be patient, and use professionals who do this for a living help you by giving you and your dog the skills needed to be the best of friends.

Training an Old Dog

We all know the saying that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. But it is false. It can be harder, and more time consuming to show an old friend new behavior, especially if their previous behavior is now expected.

For example, if you want to teach your dog to stop coming into the kitchen, then you can no longer feed them or pet them in the kitchen. They need to re-learn that this is an area in which they are no longer allowed. Teaching an old dog new tricks is often times harder for the owner since they have allowed the dog to continue forward with this behavior for awhile.

Teaching an old dog actual new tricks may be more difficult. Things like fetch, or running obstacle courses and things of that nature may be hard to train because of their age. But with enough patience, you can teach your dog these things as long as their health allows them to participate in these activities. At this time in your dog’s life, it is best to have them crate trained, if they are not then that should be the first thing to focus on.

Crate training can be hard for the owner because at first, the pet can whine and complain, leaving you broken hearted. But if you let them out when they cry that is just reinforcing the behavior that every time they do that you will let them out.

Effective discipline from the owner combined with patience will enable your dog to be a better version of itself. Often times, when paired with obedience classes from kennels that specialize in that area, older dog training is more useful for the dog and the owner.

Fall Tips for You and Your Pet

With fall right quickly approaching we want to give you some tips to keep your dog clean this fall. If your dog has long toe/feet hair it is best to keep them well groomed in that area since leaves and stickers attach themselves to that area and then can be tracked into your home. Another tip is to keep a towel and alcohol-free wet wipes in your car. This will keep your pet dry and can also be used to clean their paw pads. The wipes are safe and can be used for your pet and your car. If your dog is smelly after a walk a little bit of dry shampoo or dryer sheets can help until a full bath is given.

A self-service dog wash will be your friend in the fall. Or a place in your yard (if you have one). Later in the Fall, the water can be very cold so we recommend that a self-service dog wash is used when the temperature drops.

If your pet lives outside it is important to keep their shelter full of warm cozy blankets and to make sure their kennel or wherever they are staying is checked for leaks and drafts. Some simple caulking can help your dog stay warmer. With the dog days of summer behind and the grueling winter ahead, fall is the best time for you and your dog to go for walks. Doing so now will help calm them and keep them happy.

Also, fall is a time when fleas and ticks are rampant so be sure to keep your dog away from densely wooded or grassy areas. And if you do take them in such areas clean and wash them after, making sure to comb their fur to keep all the pesty mites away.