07.15.08

FAQs About Dog Grooming

Posted in Dog Services tagged , , , , , , , , , at 6:03 pm by dogservicenetwork

  1. How frequently should my dog take a bath?
     

    • This is dependent upon the type of breed you have, but many should be bathed about every 6 weeks
       
  2. Can I bathe my dog using the garden hose?
     

    • It’s not recommended to use it, because of how cold the water can be
    • Also be cautious about not getting water in your dog’s ears and spraying them in the face – Their face should be wiped with a wash cloth
       
  3. What type of shampoo should I use on my dog?
     

    • Don’t use shampoo designed for people to use, dogs like to lick their fur and you should be aware of the ingredients used
       
  4. Can I use a hair dryer on my dog?
     

    • If you do, make sure to use it on a cool level, because the hair dryer can become extremely hot and can burn your dog
       
  5. Do I need to apply conditioner to my dog?
     

    • Yes, conditioner should be applied, because the oils in your dog’s skin are taken away from bathing
       
  6. How do get my dog to sit still when being brushed?
     

    • Provide positive reinforcement.  Give your dog the treat or toy they love after you’re done brushing their fur
       
  7. How often should my dog’s nails get trimmed?
     

    • About every 4 weeks.  If your dog doesn’t get its nails trimmed, they will begin to walk awkwardly, which can lead to health problems

07.14.08

Traveling With Your Pet Requires Preparation

Posted in Traveling tagged , , , , , , , at 6:02 pm by dogservicenetwork

During the summer, many people enjoy bringing their pets with them when they travel.  However, this isn’t as simple if one were traveling alone.  Traveling with your pet requires preparation work.  Decisions need to be made about certain issues before taking your pet along with you for the ride.  For instance, if your pet suffers from health issues, it’s best to leave it at home. 

If you do however decide to bring your pet, there needs to be preparation.  You will need to make sure you have all the basic needs that you would have at home, on your trip as well such as: food, treats, toys, bed, cold water, and bowls for the road.  Remember that not all hotels are pet friendly, so you will need to do your research before booking reservations.  Check with your vet to see if your pet is up to date on all vaccinations.

Safety precautions also need to be made when traveling such as:

  1. Make sure your pet is supervised at all times
     
  2. If you’re in the pool, ocean, or on a boat, give your pet a flotation device to wear
     
  3. Don’t let your pet drink pool water, because the chlorine can lead to an upset stomach
     
  4. Don’t apply sunscreen or insect repellant to your pet
     
  5. Don’t leave your pet unattended in a vehicle

07.09.08

Will McCain Or Obama Win Pet Owners’ Votes?

Posted in General News tagged , , , , , , , , at 6:00 pm by dogservicenetwork

The Associated Press – Yahoo News Poll discovered that pet owners slightly favor McCain (42%) over Obama (37%) and those who sided with McCain were mainly dog owners.  Pet owners may have a higher preference for McCain partially because they portray him too as an animal lover.  He  has a dog Ginger, as well as a varied assortment of animals: Sam the English springer spaniel, Coco the mutt, turtles Cuff and Link, Oreo the black-and-white cat, a ferret, three parakeets and saltwater fish. 

The full segmentation of the results are as follows:

  • All pet owners: McCain, 42%; Obama 37%; Nader, 3%; other, 3%; undecided, 14%. Margin of error, plus or minus 2.9 points.
     
  • Do not own a pet: Obama, 48%; McCain, 34%; Nader, 3%; other, 3%; undecided, 12%. Margin of error, 4.1 points.
     
  • Dog owners: McCain, 43%; Obama, 34%; Nader, 3%; other, 3%, undecided, 12%. Margin of error, 3.6 points.
     
  • Cat owners: McCain, 41%; Obama, 38%; Nader, 3%; other, 4%; undecided, 14%. Margin of error 3.9 points.

07.05.08

Beware of Dog Thieves

Posted in General News tagged , , , , , , at 6:00 pm by dogservicenetwork

The AKC has reported an increase in dog thefts occurring.  Dogs are being taken from parking lots, pet stores, backyards of peoples homes, etc. Theses dogs aren’t specific to any kind of breed or size, it has been small pups from pet stores who are being stuffed into peoples’ purses and purebreds being taken from cars in parking lots, shelters, etc.  So how do you protect your dog from being a victim?

By being extra cautious and taking additional safety measures for your dog in and outside your home such as:

  1. At your home, keep your dog on a leash and attended while in your yard.  This will help limit the likelihood of your dog wandering off and being snatched up.
     
  2. Breeders should be aware of thieves posing as a suitable buyer.  These posers come to breeder homes and snatch up the dogs, while others steal the dogs when the breeder isn’t home.
     
  3. Keep your dog attending in the car, even if the car is locked.
     
  4. Don’t tie your dog outside while you’re inside the store.
     
  5. Remain alert in dog friendly environments.
     
  6. Using a microchip on your dog will keep your contact information current with your recovery service provider.  Collars and tags can easily be removed.