Specialty Pet Training Courses and Workshops

Is your New Year's resolution a better trained dog?

Start the New Year right by training your dog to be the well-behaved dog you always knew she/he could be! We have a great new line-up of SPECIALTY PET TRAINING Courses  to help you make 2012 the best year for you and your dog!

Kinderpuppy

The Kinderpuppy Course is an extensive and in-depth 8 week training program designed for puppies 8 to 18 weeks of age. This course provides puppies with the foundation necessary to be a great pet. Developed by renowned dog trainer and veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Messer, this course focuses on socialization and basic training, two of the most important things you can provide to your puppy. This Kinderpuppy Course has been described as “An optimal curriculum for the most important course in a dog’s life” by popular dog trainer and author, Jean Donaldson. Dr. Ian Dunbar says, “Dr. Messer’s Kinderpuppy Course is simply the very best course material you will find.”

The Kinderpuppy Course curriculum includes puppy handling and socialization to people, proper play and socialization with other puppies, self-control training exercises, and training the basics, such as sit, down, stay, and come. Included in the training curriculum are lots of fun games, making this class very family friendly. Children’s participation is heavily encouraged!

Drop-In Puppy Socialization Saturdays

In addition to our Puppy Pack Mondays and new Kinderpuppy course, Pampered Pets will soon be offering Drop-In Puppy Socialization Saturdays! When your puppy is between the ages of 8 to 18 weeks, they are going through a very important time in their development. This critical period is their socialization period. The more positive and safe experiences you can give your puppy, the better! Without proper and broad socialization, a puppy may grow up to be scared, timid, or even aggressive of new places, people, or things. The best and easiest way to prevent behavioral issues in puppies or adult dogs is early and comprehensive socialization. Bring your puppy to Puppy Socialization Saturdays for as many sessions as you feel necessary and learn vital socialization do’s and don’ts. You will be an active participant to the hands-on process of socializing your young puppy!

We will be socializing your young puppy to:

·        Human touch and handling

·        Grooming procedures and tools

·        New people, New places, New noises

·        Friendly adult dogs

·        Other Young puppies!

Puppy Manners and Doggy Manners

Puppy manners is a new six week class for graduates of the Kinderpuppy Course or puppies that missed the age requirement for Kinderpuppy. Doggy Manners is a class for adult dogs that haven’t yet been through a group class or can also be taken as continued practice for Kinderpuppy or Puppy Manners graduates.

Manners classes curriculum includes:

Ø Name Recognition and Attention

Ø Sit, Down, and Stand

Ø Loose Leash Walking

Ø Leave It & Take It

Ø Stay

Ø Come

Ø Four on the Floor (No Jumping)

Canine Good Citizen Preparation Course - Ohio location only
This six week course focuses on expanding on what your dog has already learned in the Manners classes. Dogs and puppies practice their new manners and skills around a variety of distractions and in new circumstances. Dogs continue to practice and improve their skills in preparation for the Canine Good Citizen test.

The Canine Good Citizen Program is a two-part program that stresses responsible pet ownership for owners and basic good manners for dogs. The CGC Program is designed to reward dogs who have good manners at home and in the community.  All dogs, including both purebred and mixed breed dogs are welcome to participate in the AKC’s Canine Good Citizen® (CGC) Program and upon completion receive a certificate from the American Kennel Club. For more information on the Canine Good Citizen program, please visit www.akc.org/events/cgc.

One Topic Classes/Workshops

 Is your dog a great dog, but just has that one bad habit?  Don’t have time to commit to a 6-8 week training program? Has your dog already completed some training, but needs some extra practice in a certain area? These might be the classes for you! Come to this workshop and get a crash course and practice that one issue that needs more work! One Topic classes include:

1. Four on the Floor
2. Loose Leash Walking
3. Problem Solving

Trick Training Class

A great way to make training your pet a family activity for the whole family! Trick training enriches your dog’s life by providing mental stimulation and is a great way to include your children in the training process! Tricks make training fun for everyone! Trick training also is a great way to tire your pup out on cold, rainy days or when you have been snowed in. In this class/workshop, we will focus on teaching your dog at least one trick. Quick learners may be introduced to a few tricks.  Tricks to learn include: shake, high five, speak, beg, play dead, rollover, crawl, and the list goes on. You may also bring your own ideas of tricks you would like to teach your dog and I will help show you how!  This class/workshop can be taken unlimited amount of times. We look forward to trick training with you and your pooch!

Call for more details

Napoleon, Ohio 419-592-7387

Fort Wayne Indiana 260-489-7387

Pointers From Parker: Holiday Safety Tips Part Two

It is starting to look a lot like Christmas

I just love a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, with all those sparkling balls!

Christmas Trees and Cat Behavior

Tree attraction is natural. Kitty thinks you've bought her a new climbing perch, complete with cat toys that swing, sparkle, and invite paw-pats and biting. Cats love heights and the Christmas tree challenges them to climb-and knock the whole thing down. Some cats take "aim" at the tree just as they would your outside shrubs and baptize the greenery. Cat play includes using teeth and claws to target twinkling lights and dangling ornaments.

Instead, smaller trees can be set on table tops, inside of baby play pens, or in a room protected by a baby gate. Situate breakable and dangerous decorations on the top of the tree out of reach of inquisitive pets.

Create a Cat Christmas Tree for your cat's enjoyment. Attach guy-wires or twine to protect topple-prone trees from the cat's airborne assault. Just make sure the ornaments are kitty safe. Decorating with catnip mice and kitty treats, fresh mint or dried or silk flowers, bows, strings of beads or popcorn instead of tinsel, soft sparkle-ball pom-poms and soft cat toys. Keeping them on the lower branches encourages the cats to stay at floor level.

If you have a live tree cats may drink from the water in the tree base. Anything added-fertilizer, preservatives, aspirin-can make pets sick. Chewing tree lights, swallowing tinsel, eating tree needles or other holiday décor can kill a pet.

Instead, make the area around the tree unattractive to keep paws at bay. Aluminum foil deters many cats since they dislike walking on that odd-feeling surface. Silver foil also offers a festive holiday look, so use this as a tree apron around the base. Or, invest in some clear plastic carpet protectors and place under the tree-nub side up. That makes cruising or lounging under the tree uncomfortable.

The soft "tacky mats" available from home product stores designed to keep throw rugs from sliding around work well to keep cats away because they dislike walking on sticky surfaces. Another option is

Sticky Paws which is a double-sided tape product designed for cat training. Sticky Paws now is available in larger sheets as well as strips that you can apply directly to carpets beneath the tree, or to place mats situated on table tops or wherever needed.

Use your cat's smell sense to keep her away from the tree. Citrus scents are off-putting to cats so scatter orange or lemon peels (or potpourri) around the base of the tree. Vicks

With proper preparation, your holidays can be enjoyable for your whole family. Save a few empty boxes and ragged bows after the gift-giving frenzy. Boxes, bags, crinkled wrapping paper and other "cheap thrills" will encourage your cat will forgive any perceived snub regarding the holidays.

Have a great & Safe Holiday!

Love Parker :)



Pointers From Parker! Holiday Safety Tips

I'm a curious cat just like many of us are.  The Holidays are my favorite time of the year - with so many new things to explore.  Over the next few days I will be posting Safe Holiday tips to help keep your pur-fect feline out of trouble this Holiday Season.


Homes become pet playgrounds at this time of year so you need to cat proof holidays. Cats delight in un-decking the halls, climbing the tree (or watering it!), eating decorations, and otherwise wreaking havoc. The result is a Christmas that's anything but merry.

Plants and Cat Behaviors
· Cats rarely eat plants, but they do claw them and then lick/groom away the residue. So beware of poisonous holiday plants and floral arrangements that include lilies. Many varieties-including Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Stargazer and the Casa Blanca-can cause kidney failure in cats. Holly and live mistletoe cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy if ingested by your pet. Poinsettias are NOT deadly but can cause nausea and/or mild vomiting.

· Instead, silk or plastic holiday plants make an equally showy statement without the poison potential.
This is also good to do if you have a canine in your family as well.  They also are curious!

Grooming Tips for Winter!

Winter Skin Care to Prevent Itchy Dry Skin, Dog Dandruff and How To Treat It!

Don't you notice how your skin feels dry and tight during the winter season?  This happens to your dog’s skin too and just like we end up toting around lotion with us, your Dog needs moisture for his skin too!.

Dog dry skin is a pretty common occurrence during winter but can be lessened with these tips!

Causes

•   When fido goes outside, the cold, dry winter air has a drying effect on his skin.

•      Drafts can come in through leaky windows and doors.

    Home heating system or furnace emits dry heat. It keeps your fur kid warm, but is drying to the skin.

Signs of Winter Dry Skin

Just one to all of these symptoms may be noticed-

•                      Dry, flaky skin

•                      Dog dandruff, increased dander

•                      Scaly skin

•                      Frequent itching and scratching!!!

•                      Bites and licks the skin

•                      Cracked skin (often on paw pads or snout)

•                      Dryer than normal coat that lacks luster.

•                     

What you can do to avoid flaky or itchy, dog dry skin during winter.

1. Winter proof your home Make sure there aren’t drafts coming in through the cracks of the windows or doors. Seal any gaps, and draft proof your windows and doors by applying caulking or installing weather stripping.  Hang heavy or lined curtains on windows. It helps to shield cold drafts. Remember to open the curtains in the day to let the sun in, and draw the curtains as soon as it gets dark to keep the heat in.

2. Keep your home warm The temperature of your home can affect your pet’s skin and coat.  Your main living room should be around 21C (70F), the bedroom temperate at around 18C (64F) and the rest of the house at a minimum of 16C (61F).

3. Moderate indoor humidityWinter brings cold, dry air. When dry air is heated, it becomes even drier. A humidifier in the house will add moisture to the air. No more cracked finger tips or scratchy throat for you. And it helps to reduce the drying effect on your dog’s skin.

4.Move your dog. Move his bed Make sure he is not sleeping by the furnace or radiator. Move your dog, his bedding or crate further away from the heat sources.

5. Brush your dog Matted hair trap dampness against your dog’s skin can cause irritations, odor and other skin problems.  Brushing promotes circulation, and stimulates the distribution of natural oils in your dog’s skin. Hence, brush you dog regularly to counteract dryness and make him feel more comfortable.

6. Winter bath Yes. Dogs still need baths in winter. They get dirty playing in the snow, or when they trudge outside to do their business and they get dried out and very itchy! They also benefit from a bath more frequently in the winter, so their skin and coat gets the moisture it needs! In fact, a proper bath can help to reduce dryness, matting and other related skin problems. Be sure to use a moisturizing dog shampoo and conditioner to keep his skin and coat healthy. Oatmeal shampoo for dogs is the best for winter baths or more frequent bathing.  After the bath, dry your dog’s coat completely before letting him outside. A wet dog can develop hypothermia or pneumonia in cold weather. You can use a hair dryer at cool setting to quickly dry his hair after a bath.

•   Drafts can come in through leaky windows and doors.

•   Home heating system or furnace emits dry heat. It keeps your fur kid warm, but is drying to the   skin.

7.Put on a winter coat and booties

Even though your dog has a built-in fur coat, he will still feel the cold in adverse weather. You need to keep your dog warm and protected when he goes outside.

A dog sweater or fleece coat will keep the cold wind and snow off your dog. A pair of doggy boots helps to keep the ice, snow, and de-icing salt off your dog’s paws. It may take a few trial runs for them to get use to the booties!! But, it may be worth the fun you and your pup will have while they get use to having something on their paws.   If your dog likes to stay out in the snow for longer than 15 to 20 minutes! Extended amounts of time can cause frost bite on paws and snouts or hypothermia. So for the snow lovers...a coat and snow booties are great! Also- you won't have such a wet pooch when they come back inside and that snow in their coat melts off!

8. Give a fatty acid supplement!! A dog supplement that contains essential fatty acids helps relieve skin dryness and promote a healthy, glossy coat. The best way to provide your dog with these essential oils is in a good brand of Dog Food which will include this as well as other very important nutrients! We will cover what to look for in the best foods for your pet in our next news letter!!

9. Add olive oil to his food (Be sure this is a none flavored plain or extra virgin Olive Oil)

Add a tablespoon of olive oil to his food, 2-3 times a week (if you are not giving a fatty acid supplement). You can also massage a small amount of olive oil onto his skin. It acts as a natural moisturizer for dry, scaly skin. This will however leave the coat looking a bit oily when it is applied directly to the coat. A spritz on leave in conditioner for dogs would work the best, but if it is all you have on hand it will do the trick. Just be sure to massage it down to the skin!!

10. General Winter Health Safety If your dog is a snow lover and likes to romp in it and eat it, be sure to let them play in an area you know there are no winterizing chemicals on that snow!!

Or bring your Fur Kid into Pampered Pets Bed and Biscuit and let us give them a “Warming Winter Wash-n-Wax”!! This entails a nice warm bath with Oatmeal or other moisture enhancing/locking in shampoo and a thick, rich conditioner that we massage into the skin, then wrapping them up in a warm moist towel for 15 minutes. After a rinse we can spritz them with a leave in conditioning treatment which will all make your best pal feel renewed and itchy free!! The “wax” part of this spa treatment comes in with “Paw and Snout” soothing salve/or also known as paw wax. We coat the nose and paws with this made for pets product and it protects against dry or cracking nose and does the same for pads of their paws but also provides a good barrier from the de-icing materials and salt that is used in the winter months! All of these products are safe even if your pup decides to lick his feet.

You should wipe their paws off when they come back inside, in case any salts or de-icier is on them because these can quickly be absorbed into the pads.

Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors.

● Adequate shelter is a necessity. Keep your dog warm, dry and away from drafts. Tiles and uncarpeted areas may become extremely cold, so make sure to place blankets and pads on floors in these areas.

● Be extra careful when walking or playing with your dog near frozen lakes, rivers or ponds. Your dog could slip or jump in and get seriously injured.

● Groom your dog regularly. Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs may get extra cold, so consider a sweater or coat. Long-haired dogs should have excess hair around the toes and foot pads trimmed to ease snow removal and cleaning. If you do the trimming, take care not to cut the pads or other delicate area of the foot.

● Feed your dog additional calories if it spends a lot of time outdoors or is a working animal. It takes more energy in the winter to keep body temperature regulated, so additional calories are necessary.

● Towel or blow-dry your dog if it gets wet from rain or snow. It is important to dry and clean its paws, too. This helps avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads. A little petroleum jelly may soften the pads and prevent further cracking.

● Don't leave your dog alone in a car. If the car engine is left on, the carbon monoxide will endanger your dog's life. If the engine is off, the temperature in the car will get too cold.

Pet Owners Help Find a Cure!

Pampered Pets Bed & Biscuit has come together to help Brenda Proch attend the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. We have been selling candy bars, muffins, homemade cookies & raffle tickets for a pet gift basket valued at over $100 dollars! We are also selling homemade mini pupcake muffins, made fresh each day in our facility, for our furry friends! All the proceeds go to the Avon Foundation.
The Avon Walk for Breast Caner is the Avon Foundation’s largest fundraising initiative, and also one of the largest fundraising programs in the country.  From 2003 through 2010, the Avon Walks have raised more than $380 million funds that are directly saving lives.
Brenda Proch is our Dog Trainer at our Fort Wayne Location. Her friend Diane is celebrating her 8th year as a Breast Cancer Survivor. Brenda has known Diane since 2nd grade and believes everyone has a personal reason for participating in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer and Diane is her reason.
 Brenda will be walking 26.2 miles on Saturday, October 22 in North Carolina along side her friend Diane. This commitment to participate in the Avon Walk is also a commitment to raise a minimum of $1,800 to help the Avon Foundation to find a cure for Breast Cancer.
Please stop by Pampered Pets Bed & Biscuit, to purchase any of these items or to enter in the drawing. We are located at 2013 West Cook Road Fort Wayne, IN 46818. You can also donate by going to Brenda Proch's personal donation page. All donations are welcome.
http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR?pg=personal&fr_id=2080&px=6187107

11 Fall Pet Dangers to Avoid

  The crisp chill of autumn is upon us, find out the top 11 fall pet dangers to avoid.

The crisp chill of autumn is upon us, that means changing leaves, cozy sweaters, and lots of holidays. But along with all that excitement comes some dangers for your adorable pooch and kitty. Find out the top 11 fall pet dangers to avoid.

Antifreeze

Every year more than 10,000 dogs and cats are accidentally poisoned with automotive antifreeze. Pets are attracted to the sweet taste of ethylene glycol and one to two teaspoons will poison a cat and three tablespoons is enough to kill a medium size dog.

Allergies

Fall weather can bring about all whole new set of allergies. Ragweed and mold are two big aggravates, along with grass and dust. Look for signs like scratching, biting, chewing, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, and hives and rashes.

Arthritis

Cold weather can lead to arthritis caused by inflamed joints. If your dog or cat is limping, having trouble moving, jumping, or sitting, moving slower than usual, or whimpering when he moves, he may be suffering from seasonal arthritis.

Mushrooms

All mushrooms are toxic to dogs. Always watch for mushrooms in areas where you walk your dogs or where they run and play. Be especially cautious of parasol-shaped mushrooms and all small brown mushrooms. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning can range from mild vomiting and diarrhea to severe digestive problems to complete liver failure.

Compost Pile

Your compost pile in your backyard is also dangerous to your pet. The decomposing organic material could contain mycotoxins that can cause hyperthermia, agitation, excessive panting or drooling, and even seizures.

Rodenticides

In fall and winter, mice and rats come flocking indoors to warmer surroundings. Putting out rodenticides will get rid of rodents but could also be fatal to your pooch and cat. There are four different types of poison and each has the potential to kill your pet: anticoagulants, cholecalciferol, bromethalin, and phosphides.

Candy

Everyone knows that chocolate is toxic to dogs, especially the baking variety, but so are raisins and the sugar-free sweetener xylitol. Be extra cautious on Halloween where pets can get into bags of candy. Wrappers and sticks from lollipops can also pose a threat causing intestinal blockages.

Thanksgiving

You may have the urge to share your yummy feast with your pet. This is ok in moderation. Just check the list of toxic foods for pets before you feed them. Avoid fat and fatty foods that can trigger pancreatitis in dogs and cats, and never feed your dog poultry bones. They easily splinter and break and can cause serious damage if swallowed.

Cold Weather

Chilly temps can also pose a threat to your pet. Indoor animals don’t develop a thick double coat like outdoor pets and should not be left outside unattended for any period of time. Consider buying a sweater for your dog for walks or booties to keep his paws safe from ice and rock salt. Also be cautious around ice – your pet could easily slip and rip a ligament or break a bone.

Decorations

Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas decorations can all be dangerous to your pet. Ornaments, tinsel, plants, costumes, and other decorations should all be kept out of your pet’s reach.

Plants

Although beautiful, some holiday plants are toxic to dogs. You should avoid holly, amaryllis, mistletoe, poinsettia, Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus, American and European bittersweet, chrysanthemum, Christmas rose, Jerusalem cherry, autumn crocus, and burning bush. They can cause vomiting, diarrhea, depression, lack of appetite, tremors, belly pain, difficulty breathing, shock, organ damage, slowed heart rate, collapse, and even death.

Tips for keeping your pet neat, clean and healthy between professional groomings at Pampered Pets Bed and Biscuit

Brushing 

 Brushing your dog’s coat on a regular basis benefits your dog in many ways and is highly recommended. Taking care of your dog’s coat will help keep it in good condition by removing loose fur, removing dirt, and spreading natural oils around throughout your dog’s coat. The type of hair that your dog has will determine how often your dog’s coat should be brushed. If you have a dog that has long/thick hair, they will need daily brushing. A slicker brush will remove tangles from long hair and a bristle brush will remove dead hair. If you have a dog that has medium length hair, they may be more likely to have knotted or tangled hair and should be brushed 3 to 4 times weekly. Dogs with short, smooth hair need to be brushed less frequently—about 1 or 2 times a week. Short haired dogs need a rubber brush to loosen dirt and dead skin, and then a short bristle brush to remove dead hair.

Ears

 A dog’s ears can be the perfect hang out spot for bacteria if they’re not kept clean. Because of this, it is important to give your dog a gentle ear cleaning every week if possible. The first step to cleaning your dog’s ears is to choose an earwash that is made specifically for a dog or cat ear cleaning. Next, get your dog into a position that is comfortable for both of you. Your dog won’t want to stay in a position that is uncomfortable, and you want to be positioned so you can easily clean your dog’s ears. Once you both are in a comfortable position, soak a cotton ball in the ear wash solution. The cotton ball should be wet, but not dripping wet. If you find the cotton ball dripping, wring it out. Gently rub down the inside of your dog’s ear canal in a gentle twisting, circular motion. Once your dog gets over the initial newness of this, they will most likely enjoy it a lot! Next, use a new cotton ball damp with ear cleaning solution and carefully run it along any areas along the cartilage of the ear and inner flap to wick away wax and dirt buildup. 

Bathing

 The frequency of baths you give your dog will depend upon the type and length of hair that they have. Dogs with long hair need to be bathed more often than dogs with short smooth coats. Other factors that affect how often you should give your dog a bath include the weather (people usually bathe their dogs more often in the summertime) and how often they go outside. Choose a mild shampoo for dogs.  Using dish soap or human shampoo can dry your dog’s skin out which can lead to further problems. Before giving your dog a bath it is always a good idea to give him a good brushing. This will remove excess hair and help prevent your drain from becoming clogged. Fill the bathtub (or sink) to about the level of your dog’s knees. Use a spray hose or a cup or pitcher to thoroughly wet your dog. Carefully massage the shampoo into your dog’s coat starting from the back and working your way forward. Very gently wet your dogs head, face, and ears and lather those areas as well. Be extremely cautious as not to get any shampoo in your dog’s ears, nose, or eyes. Next rinse your dog off very thoroughly. Leaving shampoo on your dog’s skin can cause irritation to the skin. Once you have rinsed your dog off completely, you can dry him with a large towel to get rid of excess water followed by a hair dryer. If you chose to dry your dog with a hair dryer, be sure to keep the heat at a comfortable temperature and to keep it a safe distance from your dog’s skin. It is also a good idea to have eye wash for your dog to rinse their eyes after the bath. Only use eye wash specifically for dogs or cats and never use eye drops for humans!

Grooming Between Baths

There are also options for keeping your dog looking clean and smelling fresh in between baths as well. Pet grooming wipes are a great way to keep Fido clean in between baths.  Also there are leave in spray on coat and skin conditioners as well as a multitude of pet body sprays and colognes! * Only use products made for our furry four legged pals as human products almost always contain alcohol and other ingredients that will dry your pets skin and coat out and could cause serious irritation.*

Nail Clipping

A good rule of thumb for gauging when your dog is ready for a nail trim is by whether or not you can hear their nails clicking as they walk across the floor. If you can, it is probably a good idea to give Fido a nail trim. Since most dogs aren’t the biggest fans of getting their nails clipped, the first step to clipping their nails is to make sure your dog is comfortable. To do this, you will need to make your dog comfortable with you touching their feet. You can do this touching their paws lightly (this is always a good thing to do even if you are not trimming the nails as it will allow the dog to feel as comfortable when your groomer needs to trim the feet and nails!). As they grow accustomed to this, you can begin to apply a little bit of pressure to their paws and nails. Once they have grown used to this, you can move on to beginning to trim their nails. Make sure to get a pair of nail clippers that are suited to your dogs size, small, medium or large and also pick up "Qwick Stop" which is a styptic powder that you can apply if you cut back too far and your pets nail bleeds. If you find yourself without any styptic powder, you can use flour as it will act as a clotting agent if in a tight spot! Watch the nails for re bleeding if your pet walks on a surface that may dislodge the powder for a few hours after the nail trim if the quick has been nicked. Before using a nail clipper on your dog, carefully read the instructions so that there are no questions on how the clippers are to be used. Avoid cutting the area known as the quick which is painful and can cause bleeding in dogs. On white nails the quick is distinguished as the pink section, but it is more difficult to see in darker nails and if you are unsure you can always bring your pet to PPB&B to have a quick nail trim and no appointment is needed for this service.

Dental Care

  Dental care is extremely important in dogs. Although people loosely throw around the term “dog breath”, dogs should not have dog breath! To help ensure that your dog maintains his oral health, it is recommended to take a look at your dog’s teeth between vet visits. Notify your vet if you find anything out of the normal like halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath or “dog breath”, inflamed, red, or bleeding gums, pain when chewing, or anything else that might appear to be out of the usual. To aid in preventing dental disease in dogs, one of the things you can do is to brush your dog’s teeth with a finger bush (made especially for brushing dog’s teeth) and dog toothpaste (human toothpaste can make dogs sick). Brushing should be daily or every other day.  Brushing your dog’s teeth and keeping your dog up to date with his vet visits is the best thing you can do to maintain his dental health.

We will cover these tips in more depth over the coming weeks and months and also get you in the know when it comes to the best tools to use as well as breed specifics and our feline friends!

Also, watch for grooming and bath special's to be announced from Pampered Pets Bed and Biscuit on facebook as well as Twitter and email if you have signed up for this option!

Have a furry and fun day!

&

Give your pet a scratch behind the ear from us 

at

Pampered Pets Bed and Biscuit!

Preparing Your Pet for the Fall Season

Pets, just like people need to get ready for the cold weather. Use these tips to help your pet through the season change.

Pets that spend a lot of time outdoors may need extra calories to stay warm. More food or a change in diet may be necessary. You should talk to your vet and come up with an eating plan for your pet.

-Cats and dogs shed their summer coats in the fall before they build their winter coats. Help your pet with this process by brushing it regularly and removing excess fur.

-Halloween candy, particularly chocolate, can be deadly to your pet. Be sure to keep candy tucked away in a place that your pet cannot get to.

-Take your pet in for a winter check-up with your vet to make sure they are going into the cold season healthy.

-Short coat breed dogs may need extra protection from the cold weather and wind. A sweater or a sweatshirt will help keep them warm, as not all breeds are meant for cold weather.

A trained Dog is a Happy Dog! The Three R's of Training

Repetition is needed for a dog to understand what is expected from his / her behavior. Dogs rely on structure and consistency for learning. Repeat your exercises and it will pay off.

Respect will follow when you invest the time with your dog in training. You are becoming the leader and its instinct for them to follow the leader of the pack. If there is no leader, they will try to become the leader which may cause many behavioral problems. It is part of their nature to have a leader.

Relationship is developed from your leadership and commitment to guide them in the right direction. It is a great feeling to have a dog want to do things for you … because of the relationship and not have to be forced to obey.

Learn what motivates your dog to work. Does he / she have a favorite treat or toy to start off training. Eventually that will be weaned off, but it is a hugh motivator in the beginning of training.

Of course exercise is a must for all dogs. They really need both mental and physical exercise to keep  balanced and out of trouble. A tired dog is a good dog!

Training should be fun and a great bonding experience for you both!

Training is a life long process if you want success. Always feel free to call if you have any questions.

Ohio 419-592-7387 ext 12

Indiana 260-489-7387 ext 10