1. To provide conscientious care for the animals entrusted to me, being constantly attentive to their security,  safety, and well-being, and to place their welfare above all other  business considerations.
2. To take every opportunity to  learn more about my profession and to improve my services.
3. To deal honestly and fairly with  the public, and to avoid misrepresentation of my services.
4. To respect the confidence of  every customer served.
5. To place service to my customers  and to the pet care industry above personal gain.
6. To avoid unfair competitive  practices, any slander or defamation of my competitors, and actions or  business practices which would result in dishonor upon or distrust of my  competitors or of the boarding kennel industry in general.
7. To be respectful of, and to  cooperate with the other professions and trades which operate within the  pet industry, in every way consistent with my other responsibilities.
8. To obey all applicable Federal,  State and local laws governing animal care.
9. To operate my business in such a manner as to reflect honor upon the pet care industry within my local  community.
10. To encourage responsible pet ownership, and to promote, especially through the charitable programs increased awareness and acceptance of humane and noble animal programs.

Doggie daycares are equipped for the youngest of pups to those seasoned dogs that move just a little slower and take naps a little more often. But before placing your senior dog in doggie daycare, it’s important for you to know and be able to communicate to daycare staff any special needs your older pet may need.

Dogs can begin to show signs of aging at the young age of seven or eight. The breed of the animal plays a huge role in the aging process. Poodles, for example, may be as old as 10 years before signs of aging begin to manifest. Others, such as St. Bernard’s, usually exhibit these signs much earlier.

It’s important to familiarize yourself with the signs of aging specific to your pet. This will help in making sure that your dog’s health is monitored carefully, addressing any senior problems that may arise. Ask your vet for any literature that may be available. Owners and operators of the doggie daycares may also be a good source for information and tips.

Just like you and I, there are certain syndromes and diseases that effect dogs as they age. A few of the more common are teeth and gum issues, hearing loss, liver and kidney issues, bone and joint issues, heart problems, changes in the nails, skin and coat, and problems with the eyes and ears. Sound familiar?

Usually the first sign is a noticeable difference in the overall actions of your dog. Just like us, they begin to slow down. You may also begin to notice changes in the amount of food they eat, or how often they may or may not eat. Other aging signs may be coughing, behavior changes, weight loss or gain, and changes in bowel habits.

Paying close attention to your pet is important from “puppyhood” to “seniorhood”. Regular visits to the vet will help you and your pet continue to have a full and healthy life.

Hyperthermia is the overheating of the body.  Your dog’s normal temperature is usually around 101 or 102 degrees.  Your dog’s sweat glands are in the pads of his feet, though his primary method of cooling himself is through panting, which works like sweating.  Humidity can complicate this process, making the air too moist for the heat to dissipate. A rule of thumb to keep in mind is that when the external temperature reaches that of your dog’s internal temperature, the results can be deadly. Your doggie daycare provider will take the necessary steps to protect your dog from hypothermia by limiting time spent outside on hot days and sometimes even giving dogs a “time out” so they do not get too hot.

Exercise is another factor when it comes to hypothermia. You may have the sense to stop playing games or running/walking around outside, but your dog does not.  Some dogs will literally run themselves until they fall down.  When spending time outside, your dog will be offered water every 10 to 15 minutes.  

Most doggie daycare providers promote outdoor play when possible, watching for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, such as:

• Excessive panting
• Flushed skin or the dog is hot to the touch

Without treatment, heat exhaustion will escalate.  Look for symptoms like:

• Body temperature of over 104F degrees
• Increased heart rate and breathing
• Salivation, vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Weakness or dizziness, stumbling
• Depression or subdued behavior
• Seizures, loss of consciousness

It rarely happens, but if your dog is showing signs of hyperthermia while in our doggie daycare, we will take action immediately.  First, your dog will be taken to a cooler place and his temperature will be taken.  He will be sprayed with water and placed near fans. If his temperature is not down to a normal range, we will get him to a vet immediately.  Even if he seems to have improved, there’s a chance that internal damage has been done if his fever was over 104F degrees and he may experience organ failure, heart and respiratory problems, seizures, or death. 

Using common sense and understanding how dangerous heat can be will help you avoid a heat-related tragedy.

There are many different situations occurring daily at a doggie daycare. The individuals hired to take care of your pets either have previous experience; have received specific training, or a combination of both. For instance, trying to break up bickering dogs takes just the right technique.  Even though every dog is assessed for aggressive behaviors before being allowed to join a doggie playgroup, sometimes, just like humans, personalities clash. Information and training are crucial in the health and care of your animal. There is also a lot of physical labor involved with the handling of dogs. Employees must be able to demonstrate the ability to handle all physical requirements of the job.

Initially, new employees in a Columbus, Ohio dog kennel should be trained on basic daycare rules, the proper attire for workers, policies and  procedures of the daycare, what services are available to clients, safety and sanitation procedures and protocol, and some are also given customer service training, depending upon their experience or past work history.

Once initial training has ended, more job specific training begins. This process takes time to ensure that each employee reaches a satisfactory level of understanding and skill before moving on to the next skill. Techniques and proper procedures in the areas of animal care, proper lifting and handling, emergency procedures, dog behavior, pack behavior, discipline, sanitation, and administration of any needed medicines are just a few of the specific areas necessary to learn before handling dogs.

Noah’s Too takes training a step further. Each of their employees is required to receive their Pet Care Technicians certification through the Pet Care Services Association (PCSA). Focus is placed on customer service skills as well as a professional level of animal care.

Pets and their owners are to be treated with the utmost care and professionalism. It’s important that any Columbus, Ohio dog kennel and doggie daycare that you consider have the necessary certification and training. You want to be able to drop off your canine family member and rest assured that the same care and love you give, your doggie daycare will give also.

After you do your internet search and find a few Columbus Ohio kennels that interest you, there are some questions you should ask and some vital information you should have before you make your final selection.

1)     If they allow a physical site inspection, you should tour the facility.  But not every kennel is set up for visitors.  It does not make them a bad facility. Some dogs act unpredictably when faced with strangers and kennel’s number one priority should be the animals in their charge, not visitors.  Secondly, many kennels follow strict sanitary guidelines and many visitors do not want to go through the disinfecting routine that kennel workers regularly do.  But even if you cannot tour the actual kennel area, there should still be areas of the facility that you can observe.  If you are not allowed to see anything of the kennel beyond the front reception area, that may be a reason for concern.

2)    One of the first things you should take note of is the level of sanitation.  Is the kennel clean?  Does it smell bad?  The cleaning and disinfecting routine should be obvious. 

3)    Are the types of kennels in use appropriate for your pet?  Some kennels have indoor/outdoor runs while other kennels keep the animals in rows of cages inside.  There are advantages and disadvantages to each system, and different animals react differently to each.  Make sure you discuss your pet’s behaviors with the kennel to help you decide which type of set-up would be preferable.

4)    Is the bedding adequate for your pet?  Is the temperature, lighting, and other physical attributes comfortable for the pets?

5)    Is security adequate? Nothing is more heart-breaking than to return from vacation to discover your pet “escaped” from its caregiver and is lost.  Many pets will try to “find” their owners if they are anxious and get the chance to run.  Make sure the kennel has sturdy, well-maintained fencing and gates and that there’s no opportunity for an “escape” artist to climb out, dig under, or push open gates.

6)    How do the animals get to play and interact with other boarders?  Make sure the kennel you are considering has supervised playtime and interaction times.

7)    How often are the animals fed, what brands of food are used, and what is the procedure for providing food and water?  Some kennels will put the food out for only an hour or so in the morning and evening, others will leave the food available to your pet all day.  If your pet has a particular routine, make sure you understand how the kennel does it and discuss your pet’s habits if there are any concerns.  Many kennels will be happy to dispense the food that you provide so long as you make the arrangements in advance.

8)    Medications and veterinary care.  If your pet requires any regular medications or is under the supervision of a veterinarian for a particular ailment, make sure the kennel is aware..  Ask the kennel if it is their practice to refer all veterinary issues to the pet owner’s private vet or do they use a preferred veterinarian that has an association with the kennel.  You need to be comfortable with their procedures.

9)    How frequently are the animals monitored?  Pets often become anxious and nervous when left at a kennel.  They can refuse to eat or drink, they can develop intestinal or urinary problems, they can start to chew their feet or scratch themselves incessantly.  Make sure the kennel personnel have a routine for monitoring the animals’ behaviors and have plans in place for how to deal with any problems that arise.

10) What vaccinations are required for all boarders and do they required proof of vaccination from the veterinarian?  Most kennels required the vaccine for “kennel cough” and sometimes canine parvovirus.

Understanding the answers to these questions prior to boarding will make your experience with any Columbus Ohio dog kennel less stressful and more pleasant.  Don’t be afraid to ask.  We want you to be comfortable with your selection.

Here are some tips on dealing with your dog’s aggression.  First, consult your veterinarian.  If your dog has never shown any signs of aggression previously, but then suddenly begins growling, snapping at or biting people, talk to your vet. A sudden change in behavior can be a sign of an underlying medical problem such as a brain tumor. Once a medical condition is treated or controlled with medication, your pet’s behavior may go back to normal.

Determine if there are certain circumstances or triggers which cause your dog to act out.  An important step in controlling aggressive behavior is figuring out the cause. Does your dog growl and snap when people approach his food bowl? Does your dog try to bite if his feet are touched? Does your dog growl at all other dogs, or just certain ones? Knowing what sets your dog off can help you decide the best course of action to take.  In the meantime, you should strive to avoid putting your dog in a situation where he or she feels threatened and turns aggressive.

Find a trainer and work out a behavior modification training plan.  The staff at Noah’s Too can make recommendations to you. The professional can help you create a program using positive reinforcement training methods to begin alleviating the dog’s fears.  For instance, if your dog growls at other dogs, you may need to find owners with calm, non-reactive dogs to practice walking your dog by and then giving them a treat. Your dog will begin to learn that when they see other dogs, good things happen for him. A trainer will have you slowly work up to approaching another dog. The starting point for exercises such as this depends on the degree of aggression your dog has exhibited. Medication may also be a part of the program to get rid of aggressive dog behavior.

Aggression is one of those behaviors that may never go away.  It can be lessened, but once a dog exhibits those kinds of behaviors, it is really hard to change.  The staff at Noah’s Too will help in any way they can so hopefully your dog can enjoy doggie daycare with all its benefits, too.

Obedience training is the bedrock for controlling your pet during times of stress. These are the basic commands every dog should be trained to immediately follow, like Sit, Stay, Down and Come. These are essential commands that could save your pet’s life in an emergency. These commands can be taught individually at home or in a class setting like the training classes offered at Columbus Ohio kennels, including Noah’s Too. Obedience training strengthens the bond between pet and owner and essentially teaches you how to communicate in your dog’s language. While your dog is enjoying his day at doggie daycare, the staff is routinely strengthening your dog’s obedience training.

Behavior modification, on the other hand, can rarely be worked out in a class setting or during a doggie daycare play date. This is breaking your pet of a bad habit, or creating a new positive behavior. For example, if your dog is in the habit of running off, your Come command may stop and return the dog to you, however, the recall command does nothing to address the running off in the first place. Or, if your dog is aggressive, you may be able to “call the dog off” but again, it does nothing to address the aggression or its possible cause. If your dog is fearful of something and you can get him to sit or lay down, it will not change the dog’s fear response.

Behavior modification attempts to address the underlying reasons for problem behaviors. This is done by identifying, analyzing and appropriately reconditioning the dog’s outward physical reactions to its internal physiological and psychological state. It is the underlying physiological and psychological state that behavior modification alters and which obedience training cannot address. Although there are similarities among obedience training and behavior modification, behavior modification differs in goal, outcome and reward structure. It IS hard work and there are no quick fixes.

The vast majority of behavior problems are the result of inappropriate communication, over-permissiveness (spoiling) and/or anthropomorphism (treating the dog as it were a human). Other times, problems are simply the result of unfortunate relationship dynamics. Most problem behaviors are resolvable with some education and hard work on the part of the owner.

First as an owner, you must understand that dogs come genetically predisposed to behave in certain ways. Some dogs have higher propensities to be aggressive, fearful, “dominant” subordinate, etc. The level at which these behaviors present themselves depends on many factors. So, how we love, raise and interact with our dogs will have a huge impact on how the dog develops and what behaviors grow and become problematic.

There are a number of considerations behavior specialists look at when dealing with behavior problems. First, any medical factors and environmental issues need to be ruled out. Assuming that the dog is not misbehaving due to one of these factors, the next consideration is the dog’s breed or mix and any predisposition the dog may have toward a particular set or pattern of behavior. From that foundation, the owner, with the help and guidance of a qualified trainer or behavioral specialist if necessary, must develop a consistent program to re-condition the dog’s responses.

The friendly, professional staff at Noah’s Too can recommend the right training program for your dog’s needs. If you understand and work to address the root of the problem in an educated, consistent, clear, and humane manner, you will be rewarded with an enjoyable companion for years to come.

For your dog, play and exercise are linked because they love to jump, romp, stretch, and just get physical. Enrolling your pet in doggie daycare run by one of the Columbus Ohio kennels provides a multitude of health and emotional benefits for your pet.

Play is a great tool when training your dog, so long as you provide gentle but firm training and direction. Start training your dog as soon as possible. Obviously, if your dog is not already house trained, that should be the first order of business. The faster you can encourage the dog to go to outside the faster you’ll retain your sanity. This may be your dog’s first experience with training, so you want to point out what you want and hopefully they’ll try to accommodate and be rewarded for success.  The staff at Noahs Too can help you with suggestions if Fido is being too difficult for you to train.

Crazy Time
You’ve probably seen it – your dog goes berserk when he has been cooped up in the house or in the car. You open the door or take them off the leash and, like a cork off a champagne bottle, they’re off. As long as the situation is under your control, it’s hilarious to watch and safe for your dog.

Enough is Enough
It should be fairly obvious when your dog has had enough exercise. Once crazy time is over and the dog is calming down, perhaps panting, tongue hanging out, and coming back to your side – it’s time for a cool-down. Don’t allow your dog to overdo it, especially the large breeds. In puppies, bones and muscles are still developing and over-exercise at this age causes joint problems in later life, so it’s just not worth it.

Did Someone Say Toys?
Your dog should have its own toys, especially if you want to ensure that your couch or shoes don’t get chewed. When deciding if a toy is safe for your dog, look at its bite size to make sure that the toy is not small enough to be swallowed. Also, keep an eye on the chewed toys and make sure they haven’t disintegrated to the point that they become dangerous.  At doggie daycare, your pet will be exposed to a variety of toys.

Do not encourage your dog to play tug of war as it can lead your dog to become possessive about this type of toy. This can encourage bad habits like food guarding in later life, depending on your dog’s temperament or breed.

To keep your dog from chewing your children’s toys, a great trick is to place some almond oil (or another sweet-smelling oil) on your dog’s toys so that he begins to associate that smell with his toys. This will teach him which toys are okay to chew.

Away From Home
When selecting a doggie daycare your dog, it is crucial to select one that allows plenty of time for supervised play. Also, look for a provider that has separate play areas for puppies and small dogs, and adapts play to accommodate dogs’ ages and temperaments.

Several Columbus Ohio kennels offer doggie daycare, training support, and boarding.  We encourage you to check out Noahs Too the next time you want your dog to have a playdate.

Here are some of the items we have on hand for emergencies, and we suggest you have the same supplies at home.

First, make sure you have the phone number to your pet’s primary veterinarian in an easily accessible place, like on the refrigerator or on a list beside the phone. We keep a list of the local vets our customers use available for every pet we care for. We also are very familiar with the animal emergency clinics in our area. If your vet is not associated with an animal emergency clinic, you should take the time to identify the one closest to your home now and note their telephone number and address, too.

Poisoning is the pet health emergency that often provides the most uncertainty for most pet owners. The telephone number for the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center is 1-888-426-4435. Poisoning can happen anytime your pet ingests something they shouldn’t, like a bag of chocolate chips, or a styrofoam container with last night’s leftovers, or a dead mouse in the backyard. We try to keep everything out of reach of the pets, but sometimes accidents happen. Your pet first aid kit should include a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, which you can buy at any drug store. Administering hydrogen peroxide will induce vomiting in your pet. But before inducing vomiting, make sure you determine that the dangerous material will not cause more damage when it is thrown up. If you are unsure, talk to Poison Control Center or your vet first.

Cuts or lacerations are very common pet health emergencies. Cut the hair away from the wound as much as possible. To control any bleeding, apply pressure with non-stick bandages and gauze. Because of their coat and their sensitive skin, do not use adhesive bandages. Instead, place gauze over the wound and then wrap it with an ACE-type bandage to hold it in place. You should never use alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on a cut or laceration. Also avoid the temptation to use antibiotic ointments or creams intended for humans on your pet.

As gentle and loving as your pet might normally be, an injured pet will often react out of fear or pain toward a caregiver. This makes it important to include simple restraint devices in your first aid kit. These include a muzzle to prevent your pet from biting you. You may also choose to include a lampshade collar, which will prevent your pet from licking a wound.

Take the time to pull together a simple pet first aid kit now and you’ll be calmer around your pet during an emergency.

If your pet has had an emergency recently, be sure to tell the staff at Noah’s Too when you drop your pet off for boarding or for doggie daycare.

In doing so, we make this Pledge to Your Pet:

• We will care for all pets with kindness and will place their welfare above all other business considerations.
• We will provide security and safety for all pets in our care by means of proper facility design, good screening and
handling procedures, and by keeping all pet areas free of potential hazards.
• We will maintain a sanitary environment for all pets in our care.
• We will provide vigilant supervision of all pets by competent, conscientious personnel and will respond appropriately to any sign of inappropriate behavior, distress or emergency.
• We will provide individual water containers and clean water to boarded pets and provide and maintain clean containers of water for all daycare dogs throughout the day.
• We will ensure an adequate and proper diet is provided to each pet per facility policy.
• We will seek veterinary assistance whenever appropriate.
• We will require proper immunizations for all pets, as specified in our admission/enrollment procedures.
• We will administer owner-provided or veterinary-prescribed medication in accordance with instructions.
• We will take appropriate measures to control parasites within the facility environment.
• We will maintain facility temperatures within healthful limits, and will take appropriate precautions to protect
boarded pets with special temperature requirements.
• We will provide protection from the elements and from excessive exposure to the sun, heat and cold for all pets.
• We will provide adequate ventilation to minimize possible exposure to harmful bacteria or viruses.
• We will provide comfortable levels of light in all pet areas.
• We will provide individual sleeping areas for boarded pets, and private areas for daycare dogs when separation from the playgroup is necessary, all of which are large enough to accommodate normal postural movements.
• We will provide adequate exercise and play areas, which are safe, clean and large enough for each pet to exercise and/or play properly and safety.

In addition, we make this Pledge to You, the Pet Owner:

• We will deal honestly, fairly, and respectfully with the public, and will put the welfare of pets in our care and service to our customers above personal gain.
• We will honor our commitments to our customers, whether they are made in our advertising, or in person, and will avoid inaccurate or misleading claims about the care which we provide.
• We will respect the confidential nature of our business/client relationship, and will not release client information to unauthorized individuals.
• We will strive to maintain and advance the professional competence of our staff by taking advantage of the educational opportunities available to us.
• We will endeavor to resolve any disputes which might arise in a fair, amicable and professional manner.

We appreciate our customers and their pets and want you to keep coming back. We believe we are among the best Columbus Ohio kennels and we intend to keep our promises to you and your pets.

Several Columbus Ohio kennels now offer doggie daycare services in addition to regular vacation boarding and grooming services. Pets are dropped off in the morning and picked up in the evening, just like toddlers at a daycare. Some people leave their dogs at doggie daycare several days a week, while others use the services only occasionally.

Doggie daycare is good for dogs who get easily bored when they are alone. These dogs tend to try to find ways to relieve their boredom, ways that sometimes include destructive behaviors like chewing on furniture or tipping over the garbage can. If your dog misbehaves when you are not around, you might want to consider doggie daycare.

Another prime candidate for doggie care is the dog who is not completely housebroken. If your dog is not crate-trained, you are not able to crate your dog all day, or you will be away from home too long for your dog to comfortably “hold it” you should consider doggie daycare. Much like humans, dogs can develop problems like bladder infections if they are not able to relieve themselves frequently.

Finally, if your dog needs more socialization and training, doggie daycare is a perfect solution. Not only do the dogs have human supervision and attention, they also get to interact with other dogs. This interaction makes your dog calmer around other animals. Many Columbus Ohio kennels also offer basic obedience training while the dogs are in the facility.  You will find your dog is calmer and more relaxed after a day at doggie daycare than when he is left home alone.

Before dropping off your precious Fido for the first time, most doggie daycares will want you to complete a questionnaire and have your dog assessed for aggression towards other dogs. Even if your dog has acted badly toward other dogs in the past, it does not mean that they will not do well in a doggie daycare environment, but the facility staff needs to be aware of any issues. Just like you wouldn’t want your dog attacked or bullied by other dog, other owners would not appreciate your dog attacking or bullying their best friend. Many pets, however, enjoy the opportunity to be with other animals and can learn to interact appropriately if given the proper attention.

Doggie daycare can be the solution to many pet-owner dilemmas. Let the friendly staff at Noah’s Too Pet Resort show you around the facility and answer any questions you may have.

No sugary treats for your pet. That basket full candy is for your kids, not for your pet.  Chocolate in all forms can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Symptoms of significant chocolate ingestion may include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, increased thirst, urination and heart rate—and even seizures. Candies containing artificial sweeteners can be poisonous to dogs – even small amounts can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures. In cases of significantly low blood sugar, liver failure has been known to occur. If you do suspect your pet has ingested a potentially dangerous substance, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

 Easter grass and seasonal plants can be another dangerous temptation for curious pets that can lead to choking. Keep them out of their reach.

 Costumes can be very stressful for pets. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume does not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on, and that the costume fits well and will not get twisted on external objects or your pet.

 When opening the door for visiting relatives, take care that your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside. The excitement can be stressful for your four-legged friends and they could become lost or confused once outside.  Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

Have a terrific spring and keep your pets safe, happy, and healthy.

Here is a list of reasons why dogs eat poop. Hopefully, this will shed some light on the situation so that you can solve the problem or take some action to improve it.

1. Your dog might be hungry. If your dog doesn’t have access to food, he might eat poop.

2. Some dogs will eat poop to clean up an area like a housekeeper, particularly if your dog is confined to a crate or kennel, or when he’s chained up or otherwise restricted.

3. If your dog likes to carry poop, and then eat it, it could be genetics. Some dogs have instincts to carry stuff in their mouths.

4. Your dog might be eating poop because of parasites or worms. They can suck nutrients out of your dog, driving him to eat poop because he’s just plain hungry.

5. Your dog might be eating cat poop or other animal poop to get key nutrients and minerals not available in his own food.

6. Some dogs will eat poop to pass the time or else they’re lonely.

7. Your dog might eat poop because he’s anxious, nervous or otherwise upset. Stress will drive animals to do odd things.

8. Some dogs will eat poop to hide the evidence. If you punish your dog for pooping, he might eat it to stop you from getting angry.

9. Some young dogs and puppies will eat poop as a novelty. That is, they’ll eat poop as an experiment.

10. If your dog watches you pick up poop, he might learn to do the same – your dog observes you and learns from you, by putting the poop in his mouth, much like you put poop in a bag.

11. Your dog might see others dogs eating poop.

12. Sometimes dog poop seems like dog food. This can happen when dog food is low quality and includes materials that are easily passed and not absorbed by your dog.

13. In some cases, dogs will eat poop if they are given too much food. This is especially true if your dog’s diet is high in fat.

14. Some dogs will eat poop to gain attention. Many dog owners get very upset when their dog eats poop, which means the dog gets attention.

15. It is possible that some dogs will eat the poop of other, more dominant dogs.

The first step in getting control of pet obesity is to determine if your dog weighs more than he should. How can you tell? Your dog’s weight is in the ideal range if his ribs aren’t visible but can still be felt by palpation. You should also be able to see a well defined waistline on your dog which is the area beneath the rib cage and the back end. If your dog is overweight, you probably won’t be able to feel the ribs and the waistline will not be visible when viewed from above. In a fat dog, the stomach appears oval in contour when you view it from the side position.

If your dog fails the pet obesity test and you find you’re dealing with a fat dog, it’s time to take action. Start by taking stock of how much you’re feeding your dog, particularly how many snacks he gets throughout the day. Reassess how many walks he gets on a daily basis. Then, make an appointment with your vet to determine how overweight your dog actually is and whether you need to change dog foods. If your fat dog is older, he will require fewer calories than when he was young.

Once you’ve visited your vet, establish a meal schedule and walking plan to reduce caloric intake and burn more calories. The hardest part is learning to not feel guilty when your dog begs for food – instead, make an effort to not snack when your dog is around. Be consistent and your fat dog will lose those excess pounds and you can both breathe easier. The reward will be a happier, healthier dog.

Outdoor pets
There is a common belief that dogs will be “fine” if left outside, which is not true. All pets need adequate shelter from the elements and insulation against cold weather. Pets should not be left outside for long periods in freezing weather – like humans, they can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite. The young and the senior pets are especially at risk.

Fresh water is a must at all times. Pets are not able to get enough water from licking ice or eating snow. A heated dish is a wonderful tool for cold climates. The water stays cold, but doesn’t freeze. However, this may not be a good option for animals that are prone to chewing.

Foot care
Dogs walking in snowy areas may get large ice balls between their pads, causing the dog to limp. Be sure to keep ice clear from this area. For dogs that have a lot of hair between the pads, keeping it clipped shorter will help with ice ball formation.

Salt and chemical de-icers
Pets who walk on sidewalks that have been “de-iced” are prone to dry, chapped, and potentially painful paws. This causes them to lick their paws, and ingestion of de-icers may cause gastrointestinal upset. Wash off your pet’s feet after an outing with a warm wet cloth or footbath.

Antifreeze Dangers
Thirsty and curious pets will lap up antifreeze. Just a few licks can be fatal. Lock up antifreeze containers and clean up spills immediately.

Heat-seekers beware!
Cats will seek warmth where they can get it, and that may be the warm engine of a car just parked. Before staring your car, knock on the hood or honk the horn to scare off any cats – and prevent tragedy.

Arthritic animals
Arthritis is worse during cold and damp weather. Take special care to handle your pet gently, watch out for icy walks, provide soft (and possibly heated) bedding, and administer any necessary medications. See your vet if your pet is arthritic or you suspect arthritis.