ARE CRATES GREAT?

If you own a dog, chances are you have used a crate at some point or another to keep your pet contained for a period of time. Some people keep their dog in a crate while they are at work, some use a crate while their puppy is being housebroken and others use a crate to keep their dog from chewing everything in the house when they aren't home! All of these reasons are valid. Keeping your dog safe while you can't watch her is very important. I regularly see dogs that are not crate trained, they have a much harder time adjusting to stays at a kennel, veterinarians and trips to the grooming salon. A crate trained dog will feel comfortable anywhere as long as a crate is provided to him. A crate trained dog rarely develops separation anxiety. However, crates can be used in an abusive manner. if an adult dog is crated for longer than five to six hours during the day, it is abusive. A puppy should only stay in a crate for as many hours as his age in months. Adults can "hold it" longer at night, usually six to ten hours. Dogs that are crated will try to "hold it" for a long while during the day, but eventually these dogs develop health problems-urinary infections are common. Even if your dog does not develop health problems, imagine how uncomfortable he is, forced to wait hours just to go out to the washroom. Water accessibility is another problem for crated dogs. A puppy should NEVER be left without water and an adult dog should have access to water after two hours max. Leaving your dog in a crate all day, especially without water, is very abusive.
If you work long hours and you need to keep your dog in a crate, you should do the following:

-go home at lunch or hire a dog walker to give your dog a washroom break and a chance to stretch (half hour at least) or take your dog to doggie daycare.
-leave a water dish in the crate (if your dog spills water use a specially puppy water bottle that hands on the outside of the crate)
-exercise your dog before and after he is crated
-provide your dog with several tough chew toys in the crate, a stuffed kong toy is always a good idea
-use a crate that your dog can comfortably stand up, turn around and stretch out in.

Shannon Spooner
Shannoncourt Grooming
Grooming-Training-Daycare-Pet Hotel
613-534-9262
shannoncourt.ca

THESE REMARKABLE THINGS ABOUT DOGS!

HOT AIR. Dogs have sweat glands between their paws, not as commonly believed, in their tongues. But, they do cool themselves somewhat by panting, which allows heat to escape through their breath.

BORN TO RUN. Like other running animals, dogs have no clavicles and have shoulder blades that are unattached to the skeleton for greater flexibility.

A SINGULAR SNOUT. Your dog's nose print is as unique as the human fingerprint and can be used equally well for identification.

TRI-FOLD PROTECTION. Dogs have three eyelids. The third line, a thin membrane that can extend across the eyeball, is there to keep the eye protected and lubricated.

Shannon Spooner CPDT-KA
shannoncourt.ca
Shannoncourt Pet Care
Two locations
Long Sault 613-534-9262
Martintown 613-528-1262

WHY GROOM?

Even if you make regular trips to the groomer, there are good reasons to groom your dog at home, too. A dog with a clean, healthy coat feels better, and brushing and bathing your dog promotes skin health and gives you quality time together. You can also take the opportunity to check for ticks, flea infestations, and skin irritations.
If your dog is new to grooming, start slow and first teach her to love being handled all over. Reward gentle touches of ears, paws, tail, etc. with tasty treats, then progress to brushing and brief periods of holding. Be sure to get the right tools for your dog’s coat – brushes and combs come in many versions – and always use a dog blow dryer that delivers only air not heat.
If you would like to learn more about grooming your own dog, or even a grooming career, Shannoncourt Pet Stylist Academy in Martintown is now offering Pet Stylist workshops and courses.

Shannon Spooner
Shannoncourt Central Bark – Long Sault
613 534 9262
Shannoncourt VIP and
Pet Stylist Academy – Martintown
613 534 9262
www.shannoncourt.ca

PUPPY OR ADULT DOG?

If you are thinking about becoming a pet parent and you aren't sure if you should get a puppy or an adult dog, here are some considerations:

Adult dogs are calmer than puppies, they are full grown and their coat has grown in (no surprises), they are less likely to chew, they can "hold it" for a couple of hours, they require less exercise than a puppy - but they still need some, they require less training that a puppy, they generally enjoy sitting still for hours of human attention, their personality won't change much, they will probably come with a few good habits and a few bad habits, they will love you even if you aren't their original owner.

Puppies chew, dig, whine, need to go out every hour, have accidents in the house as part of the learning process, nip playfully (but it hurts!), need several hours of exercise a day, need a year of training (professional is better), they need three veterinary visits in their first year for vaccines and to be spayed/neutered - puppies cost a lot of money, they don't usually like to sit still for more than three seconds unless they are asleep, they will grow up with a couple of good habits and a couple of bad habits no matter how well you raise them and of course they will love you for the rest of their lives.

I am a sucker for puppies, but I see so many mismatches that could have been prevented. Puppies don't generally thrive in an environment with children under the age of four - the nipping, the food stealing and constant attention they need is generally too overwhelming for parents with young children. Likewise, puppies don't usually do great with very elderly people, their exercise requirements and nipping behaviours can be very difficult to deal with. a very busy family has a hard time letting a puppy outside enough and being consistent with house training. An adult dog (over a year old) is a better option for many households. In fact as one of my clients once told me "dogs are perfect when they are around five years old", I have to agree.



Shannon Spooner
Shannoncourt Family Dog Training
Certified Canine Specialist
www.shannoncourtdogtraining.com