Puppy love is the special kind of love that only the furriest of fur babies can provide. It doesn’t matter how old they get; they always have that sweet puppy love to share!
Here’s a few ways to show your pet that you love them:
- Go for a walk to somewhere they’ve never been before. Dogs often get bored with their normal walks, so going somewhere new will provide them with new sniffs and their tails will be wagging.
- Work on positive reinforcement training. Dogs love to please their humans and they even enjoy being rewarded for it. Try working on something simple like “sit” or “stay” so they can excel every time! For the advanced doggo, try to teach them how to give you a hug or a kiss.
- Talk to your dog. Dogs really are “Man’s best friend”. They make excellent listeners and seem to always have a solution to your problems: If you pet me while we talk, you’ll automatically feel better.
- Enrich your dog with puzzles. Dogs love to solve problems and learn new things. Get an old towel and spread their food on it. Fold the towel like a burrito and give to them to see if they can figure it out. For a fun human perk, time them to see how long it takes to figure this out. This works well as a DIY slow feeder for the fast eaters.
- Tell your dog you love them by rubbing their ears. Rubbing your pup’s ears makes them happy and they feel loved. While doing this, you can whisper sweet nothings and tell them how much you love them. They’ll be grateful for this special attention and extra love.
The great thing about owning a pet is that you’ll always have a special bond– even during times of quarantine!
XOXO,
Tiki
Did you know that March is national pet poison prevention awareness month? Of course, most dog owners know the obvious foods dogs shouldn’t have, like chocolate for example. However, there are a lot of things that you shouldn’t give your pups that most wouldn’t think twice about. With March being the month to highlight these things, this gives veterinary professionals the opportunity to educate on what could potentially harm pets. To start, we’ll just go over some of the most common ‘human’ foods that dogs shouldn’t have.
‘Human’ foods to avoid giving your dog:
#1. Grapes and Raisins: Although science has yet to discover what is in grapes that makes them so toxic to dogs, we know there is a substance in them that can lead to sudden kidney failure. Until more is known, it is best to avoid giving these to your dog all together. Common symptoms include lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, and decrease in appetite.
#2. Milk or Dairy products: This can really upset your dog’s stomach due to the fact that pets do not have a sufficient amount of Lactase which is needed to break down Lactose. This can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and overall abdominal discomfort.
#3. Yeast Dough: Because yeast dough rises, this can cause a gas build up in the digestive system- as it produces Ethanol and Carbon Dioxide. This becomes painful and may even cause the stomach to bloat. If this results in the stomach twisting- this can become a serious emergency. Common signs of bloat include abdominal distension, restlessness, retching, and pawing.
#4. Alcohol: This is an obvious one to most, which is good because it’s among one of the worst things your pet can ingest. Ingestion of alcohol can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar, blood pressure, and body temperature. Some animals can even experience seizures or respiratory failure. Alcohol of any kind and any amount should be avoided at all costs.
#5. Onions and Garlic: No matter what form they come in, if ingested in a large enough quantity they can kill off your dog’s red blood cells which can result in anemia. Symptoms include but are not limited to: abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, increased heart/breathing rate, and lethargy.
#6. Xylitol: This is a sugar substitute used in many ‘sugar free’ products. This is commonly used in sugar free gum/ candies, toothpaste, baked goods, and vitamins. Ingesting this can cause blood sugar to drop and can potentially cause liver failure. Symptoms start to show rather quickly after it is ingested. Signs include vomiting, weakness, and seizures.
#7. Coffee, Tea, Caffeine: Sodas, energy drinks, caffeine pills, diet pills, etc. can cause a rise in blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias- both being very dangerous for pets. Even a small amount can be very toxic.
#8. Macadamia Nuts: Nuts have a high fat and oil content- Macadamia nuts contain up to 80% oil- which can increase the risk of pancreatitis due to the high amount of fat. In high quantities they can cause weakness, hypothermia, tremors, and stiffening of joints.
#9. Table Salt: Ingestion of too much salt can cause sodium poisoning- meaning there is a rise in the sodium concentration in the blood. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, tremors, and seizures.
#10. Fat Trimmings and Bones: Bones can cause blockages or puncture or cause damage to their insides. Fat- could cause the pancreas to become inflamed which can result in vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and abdominal pain. This also puts your pet at risk for developing pancreatitis.
These are the top ten most common ‘human’ foods that are potentially harmful to your dog. Of course, we highly encourage everyone to do their own research on the matter, as there is tons of information on the internet about what dogs should and should not eat. Although there are a lot of our snacks that they shouldn’t have, there are still a lot of fun things you can get for your dog as a treat. You can always stop by a local dog bakery, they have many things your pup is bound to love. Best part is- these treats are formulated specifically for our doggie friends!
…Please stay tuned for part two- as we go over some of the most dangerous household items for dogs!
Each year we as dog owners have to take our dogs to the vet for their annual vaccines. Because we love our furry little friends, we want them to be able to socialize with as little risk of getting sick as possible. Just like our own children, we want them to be protected against anything that can potentially be harmful to them. Sure we’ve heard of people getting vaccinated for the flu, but what about our dogs? Why not protect our pets when we have the ability to do so? Canine influenza is something a lot of people aren’t super familiar with, but it is very important for us to educate ourselves on the matter. Not only for the safety of our own dogs, but for dog safety worldwide.
What is canine influenza? According to Merck Animal Health, “it is a highly contagious respiratory disease that is caused by canine influenza virus (CIV) Type A.” Although we’re now starting to hear more about the canine flu, the first strain of it, CIV H3N8, was first reported in racing greyhounds in Florida back in 2004. It is believed that this first affected horses and made its way to dogs. This strain can also be a little harder for veterinarians to diagnose. The second strain, CIV H3N2, was more recently found here in the United states- although it was first found in South Korea in 2006. This strain of the virus is of avian origin and had spread to 30 states in the U.S. by April 2016. Every year more and more dogs are traveling from state to state with their families for vacations, road-trips, etc. Because dogs are being transported so much more than before, they are also exposed to more things that could be harmful to them. Which results in contagious illnesses, like the flu, being picked up and spread of course. The canine flu is not a seasonal virus like the human flu, which means it can be caught year-round.
How is canine influenza spread? For the most part, it is spread the same way the common cold would spread through people, and we all know how easy that is to get. Does your dog regularly attend a daycare or dog park? It is most commonly spread through dog to dog contact. This could be as simple as licking one another or even sniffing each other. Sharing water bowls and toys is of course another big way it is spread. Lastly, dogs can even get sick by merely coming into contact with us! If we unknowingly come into contact with the virus, our clothes, hands, and other surfaces can be contaminated in an instant. It’s that contagious. Any dog no matter their age, size, or breed can get the flu- it does not discriminate.
How do I know if my dog has the flu? The most common signs include, but are not limited to: coughing, retching, sneezing, nasal discharge, decreased appetite, and lethargy. Although many cases of the flu are relatively mild, there is a small percentage of dogs who are plagued with severe cases. For instance, if the dog is very young or very old their immune systems are more compromised. Therefore, they are at greater risk for receiving the more severe cases because their bodies aren’t able to fight off the virus as well. Many people have the misconception that the canine flu is the same thing as kennel cough, because without diagnosis all canine respiratory illnesses can look similar. However, the flu is a viral disease which results in it being more difficult to treat than kennel cough.
With all of that being said, I think we all can agree that getting your dog the flu vaccine is the right thing to do. Let’s face it, if your dog does end up getting sick, you’ll be paying much more for vet visits than you would just getting the vaccine. Like most vaccines, this does have to be boostered two to three weeks after the initial vaccine. Once you’ve done that it will just be another annual vaccine to add to the list. Remember, the first priority of all canine facilities is dog safety. Most of these places will be requiring the flu vaccine in the near future if they aren’t already, so it wouldn’t hurt to get it sooner rather than later. Stop into your local vet’s office today to set up an appointment, that way your pup can get back to playing without a sweat!
*** As a reminder to all current or potential clients of Good Dog Hotel and Spa, we are requiring both rounds the canine influenza vaccine by 3/1/2020. For any questions you have about this, call us at 317-255-2525!
Puppies are just the best, aren’t they? Who doesn’t love a cute, happy, little puppy face?! Although they are undeniably adorable, they can be a real handful. There are many things one should consider before rushing to adopt a puppy. You want to make sure you are prepared to take on another full-time job. Here are a few things you should think about if you’re going to adopt a puppy!
What kind of dog you get is one, if not the most, important thing for you to think about before adopting. In fact, it is crucial that you do your research on different breeds to help you determine what will best fit into your life. For example, a 10-pound Chihuahua would be fine living in a small apartment. However, a 180-pound English Mastiff would need much more space. You also want to look at the breed’s coat-type, because some dog’s coats will require regular maintenance. Dogs with tight-curly coats must be brushed out regularly, or they can end up with some painful matting that will eventually have to be shaved off. On the other hand, short/straight-haired dogs require little to no grooming maintenance, aside from the usual bathing and nail trimming.
The next thing you should definitely consider is your lifestyle. Do you have a demanding job that calls for you to work long hours? Because to train a new puppy, you are going to need lots of time and patience. You also will have to make time to keep up with their vet appointments for annual vaccines and check-ups. Not to mention, most puppies can’t just be left home alone with no supervision. If you choose not to crate train, you will need someone there to watch them or find a doggie daycare/hotel that can watch them for you while you’re gone. It will make things much easier for you if you set these things up before you bring home your new pup!
Lastly, you will just want to make sure your home is ready to welcome a puppy. Puppies are curious, and they will more than likely be ready to get into stuff. You will want to puppy-proof your home to ensure his or her safety. This means keeping the trash put away, covering electrical cords, getting rid of any poisonous plants, etc. Also, if you have children or other pets, you will want to make sure they are ready to welcome a new pet into the home. It’s never a bad idea to educate yourself on the proper ways to introduce a new pup to your family, that way you can have peace of mind when leaving them alone together. Other than that, you will just need the basic dog supplies such as water/food bowls, toys, bedding, etc. Now you’re on your way to bringing home your new furry friend!
By no means is this written to deter you from adopting a puppy, puppies are great and they truly become part of your family. It is more so to simply educate on the fact the puppies aren’t just all fun and games. There is a lot of responsibility and work that comes with bringing home a new fur baby. As long as you are prepared, things will be great. To bring things to an end, we’d like to feature a few of the new puppies we’ve recently met here at Good Dog!
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Approximately 6.5 million animals enter U.S shelters each year. More times than not, these animals aren’t young and lively anymore. Many of them are senior pets, who probably once had homes and families, and could have ended up homeless for various reasons. When we think about bringing home a new pet, we often think of a tiny, fuzzy kitten or a fluffy, energetic puppy. But, why don’t we ever think of bringing home an older pet? Sure, they may be going a little gray and they may not have all the energy in the world, but a lot of us can probably say the same. They still have so much love to give, and just like the rest of us, they simply just want to be loved. November is adopt a senior pet month! Here at Good Dog, we have many senior dogs who come in to visit us. We wanted to highlight a few reasons why adopting a senior dog can be a rewarding, great experience. Not to mention, we also wanted to give a few of our very own senior residents some shine.
1. Old dogs can still learn new tricks! It’s never too late to teach an old dog new tricks. In fact, a lot of times older dogs can be easier to train than puppies, due to their ability to focus for a longer period of time. Consistency is really the only thing that matters when teaching anyone something new! (Consistently giving treats that is.)
-Molly, the 14 year old Blue Heeler! She still loves to play fetch and she also enjoys bath time.
2. Senior dogs often already have basic training. Most senior dogs have already been potty trained, and many of them know basic commands like sit, stay, shake, etc. Teaching a new puppy these things can take a lot of time and energy that many people just don’t have.
-Buddy, the 14 year old chow-lab mix! He is one of our regulars in daycare! He still comes at least once a week.
3. Older dogs are more calm, and less energetic. Once dogs come out of their puppy stage, they tend to calm down quite a bit. This means fewer chewed up shoes, and less destroyed furniture. This also means they will be less needy in terms of wanting to play, or go on walks 24/7. If you have children, older dogs tend to be more calm which typically results in them doing better with kids as well!
-Bug and Sophie, the 14 year old pug sisters! They love to cuddle up together for naps.
4. Senior dogs already have set personalities and temperaments. Senior dogs are already who they are going to be. You won’t have to worry about any surprises. They already have their set personalities, whether that be shy, calm, outgoing, or friendly. What you see is what you get. With that being said, this will make it easier to assess how he/she may fit into your lifestyle.
-Bully, the almost 12 year old French Bulldog! He still comes to daycare all the time! (Even if his time here is mostly spent sleeping.)
5. Adopting an older dog is saving a life. Many times dogs over the age of five are overlooked. The odds for them aren’t always great. Some of these dogs will live in a shelter for the rest of their days. It’s important to remember that older dogs need a home just as badly as the young ones. It is a heroic thing to find beauty and love in what others wouldn’t even think twice about.
-Tipper, the almost 10 year old chihuahua-beagle mix! She is the best to snuggle with!
These are just a few of the many reasons why adopting an older dog can be the right choice for a lot of us. Everyone deserves a home and a family, no matter how young, old, big, or small. With all the cute puppies around, I think it can be easy for us to forget about the older dogs. That is why we wanted to bring awareness to adopt a senior pet month! Next time you are looking to bring home a new pet, consider taking home a senior pet. Take it from Tiki, who is a senior himself, that the old guys are just the best!
– Our very own Tiki, the 11 year old pug-poodle mix! Tiki loves his human and doggie friends and he likes to play with his toys.
Ways to celebrate Dress Up Your Pet Day, support pet adoption, and help local animal welfare organizations.
Did you know January 14 is Dress Up Your Pet Day? And while it sounds like a whimsical day to have fun with your favorite furry friend, it’s much more than that.
Dress Up Your Pet Day was founded by Colleen Paige, a celebrity pet lifestyle expert and animal advocate. The annual event is meant to be a fun day that not only gives pets special attention, but also helps promote pet adoption.
“The one thing that I feel important to note is that as silly as this day may seem to some, all of my holidays have the underlying goal to help save lives and give homeless animals as much exposure as possible,” says Paige on the official Dress Up Your Pet Day website.
Our team at the Good Dog Hotel & Spa in Broad Ripple loves to have fun, but we take pet adoption and animal advocacy very seriously. That’s why, in the spirit of this special day, we are passing on some of Paige’s suggestions for celebrating. In addition, we’d love for you to share any photos you have of your pet all dressed up, as well as your adoption stories!
Dress Up Your Pet Day Celebration Ideas
1. Adopt a pet from your local shelter or rescue. There are more than just dogs and cats that need homes, pets such as bunnies, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds and farm animals need forever homes too.
2. Dress your pet in a comfortable and safe costume or cute clothing and take photos to share online. You can actually bring happiness to strangers through your beloved pet. Tag #DressUpYourPetDay and post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
3. Donate blankets, food and toys to animal welfare organizations in honor of your pet.
4. Volunteer at your local shelter and offer to play with some dogs or cats available for adoption, clean cages, litter boxes, large animal stalls or anything else they need help with.
5. Write your Congressman and ask that he/she support the ban of puppy/kitten mills and gas chambers in your state.
6. Hire a professional photographer to do a photo shoot of your pet(s) in a special outfit or costume.
7. Have a Dress Up Your Pet Day party and invite your friends to bring their dogs. Take lots of photos!
8. Film your pet prancing around in fun attire and post it on social media with the tag #DressUpYourPetDay.
9. Paint your face up as your favorite kind of pet, wear kitty ears, bake animal shaped cookies for your kids, or dress in pet-related fashion.
10. Get the kids and pets together and have a neighborhood “Pets on Parade.”
SHARE YOUR PHOTOS AND STORIES
When’s the last time you dressed up your pet? We want to see your photos! And if you have pet adoption stories to share, we’re all ears. Post them here, or hop over to our Facebook page and share them with all our followers. To find out more about Dress Up You Pet Day, click here.
One of our primary jobs at Good Dog is to educate our clients and answer their questions, when we can, about their dogs’ health. As far as we know, there have been no sick doggies at Good Dog. The CDC is reporting that this Strain of dog flu has no Vaccine. There IS a flu vaccine for another strain of Flu, however the CDC is unsure if the vaccine will guard against this one.
As with all Flus whether human or otherwise, vaccinations may not guard against them completely, but decrease symptoms if infected. Like human flu, the virus is spread through dogs coming into contact with other infected dogs or objects. We always monitor all of our guests for symptoms of illness, and this is no exception. The primary symptoms of canine flu are a cough, runny nose, and fever. Many dogs recover easily, but for very young, very old, and immunocompromised dogs, complications can occur.
Per our usual policy, any dogs that show signs of illness will be referred to their veterinarian and will not be admitted to daycare or the hotel. A hotel guest that develops symptoms during his/her stay will be separated from the other guests, and his/her owners will be notified. We can transport the dog to their vet at the owner’s request.
We have deeply disinfected our building and continue our daily disinfection routine as usual. Just like a school or a daycare, there is no way to guarantee your dog will not become ill here. We continue to keep Good Dog as clean and free of disease as we always do.
As always, the staff at Good Dog Hotel and Spa are committed to keeping your pets safe and happy. For more information on the canine flu, click here to visit the CDC website.
Good Dog Hotel and Spa
We’re always proud of our handsome Boris, but lately we’re particularly proud. Boris is one of our daycare superstars — a handsome English Cream who’s always friendly to pups and people alike. Almost 3 years old, Boris has been working diligently on training…Even when he’s incredibly excited for daycare, he puts behavior first and will “sit” and “stay” until we give the go-ahead. So it didn’t surprise us when mom Marie told us he passed his therapy dog certification. We couldn’t think of a better pup to serve others! Since he’s such a handsome boy, we’ve included a handful of pics from his therapy dog photoshoot. (Side note: our love of Boris is rivaled only by our love for his brother Cletus, the adorable terrier mix in the tennis court photo. Click on any pic for a full slideshow.)
Ok, so Tiki clearly isn’t a musician, and this isn’t a rockumentary about his trials and tribulations as a rockstar. (Although in our world, Tiki is definitely a rock god.) Actually, the blog title is an evil ploy to grab your attention and give you a glimpse into Tiki’s life. You may see him in our lobby, but we watch him behind the scenes. The more time we spend with Tiki in our homes, around our families and pets, the more we see his character. This story is just one illustration (of many) that should paint a picture for you.
In 2012, our manager Michelle adopted Glow the kitten, and Tiki was his first friend. Glow grew up with Tiki, often sharing the bed at our front desk or napping together in Michelle’s office. This was Michelle’s way of acclimating Glow to our Good Dog family of pups and humans, and our mascot took the job seriously. He is unrelentingly loyal, loving and helpful to his friends, especially the tiny white kitten.
Glow is now fully grown and doesn’t quite need Tiki’s brotherly protection. Among the Good Dog family of pets, the two are pretty much equals. On October 13, however, the dynamics shifted. A crafty little ninja, Glow managed to escape his yard and was struck by a car in front of his home. Thankfully a passerby saw him – battered and bruised but still alive – and called the numbers on his tag. Michelle rushed Glow to the ER, where he remained unable to move and in pain for days. The vets treated his injuries but were unsure whether he’d use his front left leg again.
Upon release from the hospital, Glow arrived at Good Dog in a laundry basket full of blankets and toys. Tiki unleashed a cry right from the start (one of his trademark part-goat, part-crybaby shrieks). But this wasn’t one of his customary pleas for attention. It could’ve been Glow’s inability to leave the basket, or maybe Tiki knew his friend was in pain. Either way, Tiki was clearly upset. He tried his best to gain closer access, scuffling anxiously around the office, yanking at various blankets and other obstacles, and throwing a minor hissy to protest the state of affairs.
Over the next few weeks, whether at home at work, Tiki rarely left Glow’s side. (And if he did, he’d check in often.) He was a regular fixture around his injured friend, sleeping on a makeshift bed at night and safeguarding their space during the day. With plenty of other dogs to play with, and plenty of other spots to sleep, this was the choice Tiki made. Pinky the pup would often drop in, checking on her kitty sibling and his protector.
Glow healed quickly and, thank goodness, began using his injured leg. While he still can’t jump on the couch, he’s back to taunting Charlie the cat and conducting other ninja-related business. Tiki is back to normal as well, but the incident struck us as interesting. Maybe Tiki remembered the pain of his own car accident and knew Glow was hurting. Or maybe he simply missed the rambunctious side of his BFF. Regardless, our little mascot rocked the role of caretaker when called upon. Just one of the many reasons we love him to pieces.
In our fourth installment on popular dog breeds, we’re showcasing a small wonder with big eyes, big heart and a fierce underbite: the Shih Tzu! Good Dog currently has over 240 in our clientele, and they’re the 3rd most registered toy breed in the AKC. Originally from China, Shih Tzu’s are an ancient breed that were beloved among Chinese emperors — their name actually translates to “little lion.” Centuries later, the breed is still incredibly popular thanks to its personality and good looks. (If you need proof of the good looks, just take a look our daycare regular Scout Cloud, below).
Most of our Shih Tzu’s visit us for grooming services and are given a shorter more manageable cut, but if you’re an avid watcher of Westminster, you can see them in their traditional “show cut” with fancy top knot. The breed has a double coat that is prone to matting, so our groomers recommend regular haircuts — ideally every 6 to 8 weeks to keep them happy and mat-free. Scooter, our 5-year-old Shih Tzu below, comes in about every 8 weeks for his new ‘do (check out his before-and-after pics). Frequent brushing is also ideal … if your pup isn’t fond of this idea or you simply don’t have the time for it, our groomers offer a convenient brushing service that keeps many of our clients in great shape. Overall, grooming may be a bit high-maintenance for Shih Tzu’s, but the big benefit is they shed little to no hair.
Shih Tzu’s are known for their friendly, lively personalities, and they most certainly live up to their “lap dog” reputation — nothing is more precious to a Shih Tzu than human attention! Those that attend our daycare are often found in the laps of daycare staff; they love constant petting and pampering. Shih Tzu’s don’t need much exercise and can get most of what they need by running around the house and playing.
Without proper training and socialization, these little guys can get what we call “small dog syndrome.” Our trainer Adam suggests being very patient and starting socialization early. Shih Tzu’s can become very attached to their owners, so they should be exposed to as many people and dogs as possible. Also, since the breed is so small and crave human attention, owners must be very careful about body language during training.
If you’re looking for a pup that will melt your heart, think about the spunky, sparkly eyed Shih Tzu. Petfinder currently has about 36 available for adoption, many from the Indianapolis-based New Beginnings Shih Tzu Rescue. Some even think our very own Tiki has some Shih Tzu in him. With his big eyes, crazy under bite, and constant craving for human attention, we wouldn’t be surprised if he has a little in his DNA.
