Good and Bad Treats and Foods for your Dog

 

What treats are good for your dog for the holidays?

‘Tis the season to be jolly and what better way to spread the love than to show your pet how much you care? You will be enjoying rich, decadent treats this festive season. Undoubtedly, you will want to give your dog a treat or two as well. As a leading dog daycare, boarding, and training center, K9 University thought now would be a good time to share some information regarding good and bad treat ideas for your dogs.

Bad dog treats

• Anything with caffeine: It may sound strange, but some dogs like the taste of coffee. Humans are much larger than dogs and can handle the amount of caffeine in soda and a latte, but this caffeine could lead to heart palpitations and rapid breathing in dogs.
• Ice cream: Some dogs are lactose intolerant and the dairy in ice cream could give them severe stomach cramps. Even if you know that your dog is okay with dairy and milk, there’s too much sugar in ice cream for it to be safe for your pet.
• Grapes and raisins: These are great treat for kids, but they can have a devastating effect on dogs. Even a small amount could damage your dog’s kidneys or make it depressed.
• Chocolate:  in addition to containing caffeine, chocolate has a toxic component called . Humans easily metabolize theobromine, but dogs process it much more slowly, allowing it to build up to toxic levels in their system.  A chocolate chip cookie can cause problems for a little dog, and a bag of chocolate chips can spell trouble for a big one.  Sorry, sweet doggies, no chocolate!
• Onion or garlic:  The small amount of garlic sometimes found in dog treats is unlikely to be harmful to dogs. However, if dogs lick a tasty pan of sautéed onions, garlic, or leeks, poisoning may result. These vegetables can cause red blood cell destruction (specifically, Heinz body formation) and result in anemia. Ingestions of onions or garlic of more than 0.5% of dog’s body weight are potentially toxic.

Good dog treats

• Peanut butter: This treat is packed with vitamins and protein. Make sure you give them a light, sugar-free version though.
• Cheese: If your dog doesn’t get sick or experience discomfort when ingesting dairy, then cheese is a great holiday treat.
• Yogurt: This might not be top of mind when it comes to ‘special holiday treats’, but you might be buying extra yogurt for guests or even to use when cooking sauces or other dishes. The high amount of calcium and protein makes this a great treat for dogs. Make sure you’re giving them a sugar-free yogurt, though.

Need more advice about dog care or a dog daycare center to take your dog during the festive season? Simply contact us via email or telephone at K9 University today.

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/good-and-bad-treats-and-foods-for-your-dog/

How Often Should My Dog Go to the Vet?

 

Just as visiting our own primary care provider is important to the upkeep of our health, visiting the vet is a crucial part of keeping up with your pup’s health!  But oftentimes, pet parents are unsure of how often they should be going to the vet.  Whether you are a new doggy parent doing research or a current doggy parent wondering how often you should bring your pooch to the vet, do not fret! Here are a few helpful questions to ask yourself as you determine the appropriate amount of times you should bring your dog to the vet each year. 

What is the age and general health of your puppy?

A dog’s age and overall health are two main factors that determine how often you should be visiting the vet.  If you have a young puppy or an older senior dog, these age groups require more frequent visits to the vet.

Puppies under one year old need frequent vet visits

For young pups, they need to see the vet more often to ensure that they are healthy, properly vaccinated, and developing into a well-bodied adult dog. We recommend going to the vet once every month to follow a basic vaccination schedule. For a more in-depth explanation and timeline for puppy vaccines, we recommend checking out the American Kennel Club’s Guide to First Year Vaccinations.  It is also important for your dog to keep up with their vaccinations if you want to enroll your dog in training, daycare, or boarding at programs such as K9U.  

For your reference, K9U requires the following minimum vaccinations: 

• Distemper
• Parvo
• Rabies
• Bordatella

For puppy training, we require that the puppy has completed the first round of the Booster Vaccines.

We ask our clients to be sure to upload to their online profile, fax or email us current vaccination records for our files. We also strongly recommend getting the H3N8 vaccine and regular fecal test(every 3-6 months).

Puppy vet schedules can be a huge investment on both time and money.  But, there are many positives to visiting the vet often while your pup is still a baby.  Sticking to the vaccine schedule will protect your pup from getting sick, and by getting your pup used to the vet early on, your doggy will start building a positive relationship with the vet!

Healthy adult dogs (1-7 years old) need annual doggy wellness exams

Once your pup has reached adulthood, they only need to go to the vet once a year for their annual wellness exam.  An annual wellness exam is when your vet checks your dog’s overall health.  The vet will check the dog’s eyes and ears to make sure they are clear, listen to the heart and lungs, and check for other irregularities.  Your pup would also be receiving vaccines to keep updated with their records.  After the thorough wellness exam, the vet would then make appropriate suggestions for your dog’s nutrition, activity, medications, and dental care.  They may even make suggestions to keep your dog more active through programs such as agility training.   

Doing these annual wellness exams gives the vet a chance to track your dog’s overall development and growth through the years.  If you have any concerns about your pet, this would be a great opportunity to discuss those concerns with your vet.  

Why are these doggy annual wellness exams so important?

Booking these annual wellness exams is a key part of preventative care.  By taking your dog for these routine wellness exams, you can catch development of illnesses and/or abnormalities early on -- which can be essential for a successful treatment.  If you are nervous about the costs of these annual vet visits, it is important to keep in mind that these annual wellness exams will both keep your pet healthier longer and lower the chance of huge surgeries -- saving you money in the long run.  

There are even options like Care Credit that many pet parents use for vet visits.  Some vet clinics even offer payment plans, so call your local vet clinic to see if they offer these financing plans. 

Senior dogs (over 8 years old) need semi-annual vet check-ups 

Because older dogs are more prone to diseases and health issues, we recommend that dogs in this age group see the vet approximately every six months.  In addition to the wellness exam, your vet will recommend a variety of diagnostic tests to help assess your dog’s health and provide a baseline for when your dog does develop an illness.  These diagnostic tests could include blood tests, fecal tests, radiographs, ultrasounds, and a blood pressure test. 

As your dog gets older, we recommend that you visit the vet more frequently so that health changes can be caught more quickly, and illnesses can be treated in the preliminary steps before they get worse.  

When should you go to the vet right away?

Ideally, you should be planning for either one or two visits to the vet a year, depending on the age of your dog.  However, it is also important to plan for when emergencies arise.  During these emergencies, recognizing signs can be imperative in saving your pooch’s life.  Here is a guide to recognizing some emergency symptoms so you know to go to an animal emergency room right away.  

The bottom line is that preventative dog healthcare at all ages can prolong your pup’s life.

You know your dog the best, so we always recommend our dog parents to trust their instincts!  If you believe your furry child’s behavior has suddenly shifted, a vet visit is probably best.  Vets are medical professionals and want to help.  So do not ever feel worried about contacting them too often with your questions.  Your vet wants your pup to feel and look the best, and they are there to answer all your questions! 

If you’d like to support your dog’s health and happiness in other ways, check out K9U!

We offer services such as doggie daycare and day training camps -- both of which you can register for here!  We even offer personalized training and thorough dog socialization.  We also help you address any particular behavioral challenges you want to address and provide you daily communication, pictures, and video for you to view the dog’s progress. 

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/how-often-should-my-dog-go-to-the-vet/

Top Three Things to Look for in a Dog Boarding Facility

 

Dog boarding is highly recommended as a home away from home for pet parents traveling out of town, especially during the Holidays.  Your pups are your fur babies; you wouldn’t trust just anyone with taking care of your dogs while you are away. Therefore, it is very important to thoroughly research the facility, program, and staff.  A trusted, great dog boarder will be able to take care of your dog’s needs and offer a variety of services.  Your goal when looking for a dog boarding kennel is to find a facility that gives you peace of mind while traveling. Here are three key things to ask when looking for the right dog boarding facility for you and your pup. 

Does the dog boarding facility offer other services?

You want your pooch to be as comfortable as possible at the boarding kennel.  To lessen the anxiety of being away from home, your pup should have access to fun activities and many opportunities for socialization with other dogs.  The program should have qualified trainers who are able to group dogs with similar personalities and play styles to make your pup the happiest he can be!  

It is imperative that you find a dog boarding facility that has a heavy emphasis on play and socialization for most of the dog’s waking hours.  Dogs definitely should not be spending all their time cooped up and secluded in their crate.  This will lead to exacerbated stress and anxiety for the dogs, as dogs are social creatures! 

Another huge plus is if the facility offers training.  Does your dog need to brush up on obedience training or even get a head start on agility training? Training while boarding offers a variety of training with a custom plan and personal communication with the trainer to give you a bigger peace of mind.  You’ll come home to an obedient, happy, and tuckered out pup!

How clean is the dog boarding kennel? 

We highly recommend visiting the facility yourself.  During the visit, look around and check for cleanliness.  How clean does the facility seem?  How clean does it smell?  Are there signs of negligence in the sense that dog accidents are just left out and not cleaned up immediately?  

Going along with overall cleanliness is easy access to clean water.  After an intense and exciting playtime, dogs tend to excessively drool, which leads to thirst and dehydration.  If water is not easily accessible, it could potentially put your dog at harm. During your visit, look out for water bowls throughout the facility that seem filled, kept, and readily accessible to the dogs.

Especially as we are in the middle of the pandemic, be sure to also look for facilities that are frequently cleaning the facility and disinfecting common-use areas.  At K9U, we have been vigilant about following CDC guidelines to ensure that the pups, parents, and staff stay as safe and healthy as possible.

Most importantly, is there 24-hour care available?

You would be surprised to hear that in many kennels, there is no staff available overnight.  As a professional dog boarding facility, we at K9U always have someone on staff available to watch the dogs at night.  This is extremely important to us in case there is an emergency or the dogs need any sort of assistance during the night. 

Look for a pet care team you can trust!

The last thing you want to do during your vacation is to worry about your pup.  If you do the right research and vet for a good dog boarding facility beforehand, you will find a team that you can trust.  We at K9U have proudly boarded many dogs, and have had many pups and their parents come back time and time again to our dog boarding program.  We take each and every dog’s safety and comfort seriously.  

We also offer a variety of services, such as training and grooming that you can enroll in for your dog’s stay!  We even have shuttle services for busy parents, so we can easily pick up and safely drop off your pup for you!  We encourage you to visit our facility and take a tour! Check out more information on the K9U experience and pricing here.

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/best-dog-boarding-facility-qualifications/

Why Daycare Is the Best Thing For Your Dog Right Now

Let’s admit it, staying home and spending all day with our furry companions has been the highlight of the pandemic.  But now that more of us are going back to the office, how can we lessen the inevitable stress your pup will experience?  That is where we come in!  Enrolling your pup in daycare is the perfect answer to your pup’s blues.  Here are some reasons why you should give doggy daycare a try. 

There are many benefits to doggy daycare

Instead of wallowing away at home and struggling with post-quarantine separation anxiety, your furry friend gets to enjoy all the benefits that come with doggy daycare.  

Some benefits include:

• Exercising all day
• Running around with other dogs
• Going on long, fun walks with our staff and playing fetch
• Lots of affection and attention from staff
• Peace of mind for you, the owner
• A sense of routine for your pup

Our staff also puts a great emphasis on reinforcing good behavior.  This reinforcement comes in the form of training your pooch to behave and respond to commands.  

Before daycare, you came home to a dog with pent-up energy from laying around all day.  Perhaps you even came home to a dug-up yard because your dog was left home alone.  But now, after enrolling your dog in daycare, you get to come home to a happy, tuckered out pup who is ready to enjoy a quiet, calm night with you. 

Socialization is very important for dogs

Dog socialization is crucial for your dog’s overall health.  At doggy daycare, your dog will make new friends, as they run around and play with other dogs for hours on end.  This will make your dog physically and emotionally content.  If you drop off your dog regularly at the doggy daycare, your dog will most likely see many of the same dogs every time and form strong bonds with them.  They’ll even make new BFFs! As we all know, dogs are social animals, and this will make your dog extremely happy. Daycare essentially offers a socialization aspect with other dogs that even you cannot provide. 

Doggy daycare does not have to be expensive!

Oftentimes, people shy away from enrolling their dog in daycare because they hold the assumption that daycare is expensive.  However, daycare is a lot more affordable than you think!  If you do some research, you will find that a lot of facilities have specials and discounted rates that you can take advantage of.  There is also the option of taking your dog to daycare only several times a week as opposed to every day to help cut costs. 

Find the right daycare for your dog

Just like anything else, it is important to find the right fit for your dog.  You are essentially trusting the daycare to give your dog the love and attention they deserve, and you want your dog to be given the most excellent care possible.  Doggy daycare would be your dog’s home away from home.  

Here are a few things to look out for when choosing the right doggy daycare for you:

1. Make sure there are protocols in place to protect your dog’s health.  Every dog must submit proof that they are up to date on vaccines before being enrolled in the program. 
2. Ask about the staff-to-dog ratio in the doggy daycare.  You want to make sure that there are enough staff members to safely monitor playtime between dogs.  Even among the most socialized dogs, fights can still happen, so multiple trained staff should be on standby to make sure that no one gets hurt.
3. Look for a daycare that is in constant communication with the pet parent.  Getting an in-depth report of your dog’s day at daycare will ease your nerves and make you feel like your pup is getting the attention and love they deserve.
4. During your tour of the facility, make sure that there is proper fencing in the premises so that you are confident in your pup’s safety.  Ask yourself — does the facility seem spacious, clean, and comfortable enough for your pooch?

Check out K9U for our doggy daycare program

At K9U, we are proud to have many satisfied, and returning doggy parents.  We have an excellent doggy daycare program where we focus on the holistic health of your dog.  We train them, play with them, and even offer grooming services!  We offer many services that you can check out here, and do not hesitate to contact us for more information on how to enroll your dog in doggy daycare at K9U. 

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/benefits-of-dog-daycare/

Agility Training – A Fun Activity for Your Dog

 

Dog agility training is a great, fun activity for both dog and dog owners. It might look like a tough discipline for a dog to master, but you will quickly find that many dogs are good at being taught how to crawl under logs, weave through posts or walk over see-saws.

If you have an energetic dog, then dog agility training is a superb way to direct their energy to something that is rewarding and beneficial. Agility training strengthens the bond between dogs and their owners and it can make your dog more confident.

Will Your Dog Enjoy and Benefit from Agility Training?

There’s no fool-proof way to know whether your dog would enjoy agility training, but it’s a good idea to talk to your vet to find out if he or she has any recommendations. Also, consider your dog’s energy level and personality when researching your options.

All breeds of dogs can participate in dog agility training. Australian Shepherds are known to be very good at agility trails.  This doesn’t mean that you can’t start training your Poodle or Dachshund. As a dog owner, you should decide when to enroll your dog in agility training.  Most people start with this type of training between the ages of one and two. When you show up for your first dog agility class, you will see all shapes, sizes and ages of dogs running through tunnels, jumping over barriers and climbing up ramps

If your dog becomes proficient at the training, then he can move on to compete against other dogs. Dogs and their owners compete as a team during competitions. And, this will also strengthen your bond. During competitions, the judges score the dogs on their ability to navigate the obstacles and also on the time they take to complete the course. The training course that you enroll in will teach you all of the finer details related to competition rules.

Should you Enroll your Pup in Agility Training?

Obviously, agility training requires focus and discipline. If your dog is not old enough for agility training, or you fear that the dog might injure himself on the obstacles, then you can always consider basic obedience training. This is a great alternative and can help you teach your dog basic commands.

The only way to know whether your dog will enjoy agility training is to give it a go. Contact K9 University in Chicago for more information today.

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/agility-training-fun-activity-dog/

Interested In Competing with Your Dog? Consider Competition Agility Training

You have just completed some beginner agility training, seen the immense benefits of agility training, and found yourself with a much happier pup.  You feel like your communication is improving and your bond with your pup is improving.  What comes next for agility training with your dog? You would now embark on some more advanced, competition agility training!

Your next step is to join the intermediate agility class! 

We take dogs ages above six months old for this program.  In order to participate in this intermediate group class, we require that you have taken and completed the puppy or beginner class with us.  Even if you have had previous agility training, we require that you retake the beginner class with us because our expert trainers teach foundational skills differently.  

We designed this program so that it lasts for five weeks.  However, your dog will remain at this level until your pup has successfully mastered every skill.  For example, one important skill that the intermediate agility class introduces is sequencing.  This is when we put all the obstacles together and focus on the handling and communication skills between the owner and the dog.  So once we have mastered sequencing among all other skills, your dog will be all set to officially move onto the competition agility group!  

The Agility Competition Class

This group is also called the advanced agility class.  We will once again walk through all the foundational skills so that the owner and dog are comfortable with all the skills. Your dog will learn advanced skills like how to “threadle”, which teaches our dogs to take the “non-obvious” side of a jump. There is a greater emphasis on independence in this advanced agility class. 

Once you get through all the handling and foundational skills, this group focuses on all components of the sport.  During this program, we spend a lot of time focusing on training you, the handler.

Our philosophy at K9U is that the dog never makes a mistake during agility training.

In fact, we believe that the handler either cued wrong or didn’t train well enough with the dog.  You, as the handler, are learning how to communicate with your dog via body language and trained behavior.  This mindset is what sets our program apart from others.  We focus heavily on communication and on establishing those foundational skills so that when we do work on communication, we are not hindered by gaps in skills.  

At the end of this program, our goal is to have you and your dog become a team. 

Our ultimate goal is for you to become a team that communicates well and has mastered all the foundational skills.  Any breed and any age above 18 months old can compete in agility competition programs.  If you have any interest in training your dog, or even have any interest in developing a stronger connection and communication with your dog, agility training is the answer for you!

If you would like to see a competition agility course, check out this Crufts agility competition – the world’s most famous international agility competition.

We offer a wide variety of different training classes at K9U. 

If you would like to further explore and enroll your puppy in agility competition training, learn more about the many classes available at K9U.  We have many experienced trainers who can consult with you on either beginning or continuing agility training with your dog.  We also offer obedience classes, if you would like to start there.   

We would love to hear from you!

Please contact us if you would like to talk more about enrolling your puppy for agility training!

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/agility-competition-training/

Thinking of Enrolling your Dog in Puppy Agility Training?

Agility is a fun, fast-paced dog sport that includes a series of obstacles like tunnels, jumps, A-frames, and weave poles. Puppy benefit from agility programs because as household pets, it is hard to give them exercise that they instinctively need and desire. Our puppy agility training program provides this outlet for them and helps stimulate your puppies mentally and physically. Not only that, but agility training is an excellent way for you to build your bond and communication skills with your puppy. Let’s talk more in-depth about the puppy agility training program, how it is different from the beginner agility training, and if it is the right fit for you.

Our Puppy Agility Training program is designed for ages four months to nine months.

The only prerequisite for our puppy agility program is that you are enrolled or have previously taken puppy classes with us. If you have taken agility courses elsewhere, our trainers will perform an evaluation to decide the placement of your puppy.

The biggest difference with the puppy agility course is that we take certain precautions because they are still growing. Their joints have not closed yet, and the last thing we want is for your puppy to be injured. As a result, we do not have our puppies jump over bars or practice weaving because they are hard on the joints.

If your pup is older than nine months, we will place them in the beginner agility training group.

The prerequisite for this training group is that you have done puppy/beginner obedience training with us in the past. If you have taken obedience training classes elsewhere, we will perform an evaluation to decide the placement of your pup.

The beginner class is very similar to the puppy class in that we will cover all the foundational skills -- just at a different speed. That is because puppies learn at a quicker speed, while it comes at the expense of a shorter attention span. Therefore, we like to separate puppies from dogs to maximize the class’ productivity.

Another difference for the beginner group is that we will actually be doing some jumping and weaving training if your dog is over the age of 18-24 months. However, this is also depending on the size of the dog, and our experienced trainers will be advising you accordingly. We only do jumping and weaving training if we have determined that your dog’s joints have closed.

What are the four types of obstacles in agility training?

Through the course of the fifteen weeks that your pup is in our program, our trainers will walk you through these four fundamental skills.

Jumps

We practice jumping over different obstacles like tires, and we sometimes practice jumps with nothing to it. We also do jumps with wings on both sides. The jumps with wings on both sides tend to be more difficult for dogs because there is a bit more space between the handler and the dog. Puppies do get to learn this skill, but we just do not have them jump bars high off the ground. Instead, we use a placeholder bar that is set on the ground so it is easier on their joints.

Tunnels

These tunnels can be straight, curved, and even put under other obstacles. Tunnels are a test of confidence because a dog cannot see past the curves. But once they start to understand how tunnels work, we find that it is usually the most fun obstacle for dogs.

Contacts

This skill involves a big balance beam that the dog needs to run across. It is important that the teeter touches the ground before they jump off. Most dogs try to jump off before the teeter touches the ground, and this is a skill that we work on in class.

Weaves

This is when the dog bounces through 12 poles. We do not cover this aspect in the puppy program because it is hard on the joints.

Whether a puppy of a beginner, Support your dog’s need for agility training!

At K9 University Chicago, our canine experts are here to assist you with any of your dog’s needs. If you would like to check out an overview about our different dog agility training programs, we have a resource guide on our K9U Blog.

We even offer doggie daycare and day training camps -- both of which you can register for here! We offer personalized training and thorough socialization to help you address any particular behavioral challenges you want to address and provide you daily communication, pictures, and video for you to view the dog’s progress.

We would love to hear from you!

Please contact us if you would like to talk more about enrolling your puppy for agility training!

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/puppy-agility-training/

How to be Proactive About Your Dog’s Vision

Dogs can go blind for a multitude of reasons, from disease to old age. The most common reasons for blindness in dogs are cataracts, diabetes, and high blood pressure.  If your pup is losing vision, they will show signs, and it will be up to you as the owner to be aware of these symptoms and catch them early on.  If they go untreated, there could be serious consequences that lead to permanent blindness.  Therefore, a focus on prevention is critical.  Let’s talk about what vision loss looks like in dogs, and how we can be proactive about your dog’s vision.

How can you tell if your dog is losing their eyesight?

Symptoms of Canine Vision Loss 

Here are some telltale signs that your pup is developing vision loss.

1. Cloudy eyes that have a bluish-gray cast.  This can indicate that your dog has cataracts, which can lead to permanent blindness if left untreated.
2. Exhibiting signs of anxiety by being reluctant to jump on or off the bed.
3. Bumping into walls or out-of-place furniture, like a chair that was pulled out and not where it is normally placed.
4. Trouble locating food, treats, or toys.
5. Showing signs of aggression because the loss in vision left them feeling vulnerable.

Diabetes and high blood pressure have been linked to blindness in dogs

Does your pup have pre-existing health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure?  If that is the case, you should be extra vigilant about their vision.

Diabetes often comes hand-in-hand with cataracts.  Cataracts are more commonly found in Smooth Fox Terriers, American Cocker Spaniels, Havanese, Bichon Frise, Silky Terriers, Miniature and Standard poodles, Miniature Schnauzers, and Boston Terriers.

High blood pressure has also been linked to a variety of eye problems, like retinal detachment.
If you start noticing any of these signs in your pup, call your vet right away because it is important to catch symptoms early.  This is to ensure that your pup has the best chance of recovering their vision.

Can you prevent blindness in dogs?

You absolutely can!  The best method to prevent blindness is to be proactive.  Since you see your dog every day, you would be the first to catch small changes in your dog’s eyes.  Check your dog’s eyes regularly in a well-lit area.  Things to look for are:

• Visible third eyelid
• Redness
• Puffiness
• Excess discharge
• Crustiness
• Watery eyes

As a preventative measure, we suggest that you clean around your pup’s eyes regularly.  Trim the hair around the eyes so that hair or discharge does not build up around their eyes.  Also try not to let your dog hang out the car window because more often than not, pebbles or other small objects have landed in pups’ eyes.

Support your dog’s vision with nutrient-rich food!

Here is a list of recommended fruits and vegetables to help support your pup’s vision:

• Blueberries
• Carrots
• Broccoli
• Cold-water fish
• Eggs
• Garlic
• Kale
• Pumpkin
• Sweet potatoes

A lot of pet parents have found success in combining a few cups of these fruits and vegetables in a food processor with a half cup of water and using that as a meal topper.


Focus on Prevention is Critical & K9 University Can Help!

At K9 University Chicago, our canine experts are here to assist you with any of your dog’s needs.  While it is important that you are proactive about your dog’s vision, you should also be proactive about your dog’s overall health.  So if you have any concerns about ear infections, parasites, or keeping your pups’ coat nice and sleek, we have a lot of resources on our K9U blog!

We even offer grooming services at K9 University, so if your dog needs a trim around the eyes and a little cleanup, you can register for a pampering session here!  We offer excellent dog grooming services that make it easy and affordable.

As always, your dog’s vet is the person who should be addressing any and all canine medical needs. Their recommendations will ensure your furry friend is healthy and happy. 

We would love to hear from you! 

Please contact us! If you would like to talk more about being proactive about your dog’s vision or our doggie daycare program.

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/be-proactive-about-dog-vision/

How To Help Your Pup with Post-Quarantine Separation Anxiety

While most of us cannot wait for the quarantine to be over so we can get back to work and see our friends and families, our dogs may not feel the same way.  There is actually a high chance that our dogs will experience extreme separation anxiety when you return to work because they have gotten used to having us home all the time.  The American Veterinary Medical Association finds this troublesome because pre-quarantine, approximately 20-40% of dogs had been diagnosed with separation anxiety -- and this was even when they were not isolating with their owners.  As many of us, plan on returning to work to a location outside the home, we must be prepared and expect a change in our dog’s behavior.  By taking a proactive approach now, you can mitigate the post-quarantine dog separation anxiety and make this transition a more gentle and easy process for your furry companion. 

What does Dog separation anxiety look like?

Dogs thrive on consistency and predictability, so the change of not having you home as much will also be a huge stressor.  The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals had said that this change can cause even the most well-behaved dogs to behave rather erratically.  In fact, experts believe that dogs that have never shown separation anxiety in the past may actually be most at risk because your furry companions have less of an understanding of what may happen when they are left alone.

Separation anxiety can trigger behaviors like:

• Defecating
• Howling
• Urinating
• Chewing
• Attempts to escape

Some anxious dogs could partake in coprophagia, where they defecate and then consume their own feces.  And not only is separation anxiety psychologically damaging to your dog, but ASPCA reports that stressed pets could attempt to dig and chew through doors and windows, which could ultimately result in self-injury.  They could experience damaged nails, cut and scraped front paws, and broken teeth.

Slowly get your dog used to being away from you

Experts advise that you should start acclimating your dogs now so that there is a bit of a transitional period between the present time and when the quarantine ends.  The end goal is for you to train your dog to be okay with more and more alone time.  One of the most important things that you can do right now is to establish a routine that closely resembles one they had before the lockdown was issued.  You can start by gradually incorporating more absences to teach your dog that absences are okay and safe.  We know how hard it is to abandon your fur baby -- even if it is for a couple of minutes -- as we have become very dependent on our furry companions during this lockdown.  However, for the future health of your dog, you must be strong and begin these exercises.

Do a trial run, and observe your dog’s behavior

To test how your dog would react to you leaving the home, set up a pet camera, and observe your dog’s behavior.  Even if they had not struggled with separation anxiety in the past, you may be surprised to see your dog howl and act anxiously at your departure.  So before doing anything else, determine how soon after you leave your dog’s panic begins.  Does your dog bark and have an accident immediately after you leave the house?  Are they relatively relaxed for a couple of minutes until they display anxious behavior?  Using that pet camera will be crucial for observing your dog’s behavior so you can get a good sense of how they are feeling when you leave.

After gauging your dog’s anxiety levels, try leaving the house more frequently and for lengthier times.  We suggest that you do this at least three times a week.  For dogs who are extremely anxious, three times maybe too much.  In that case, gradually build up to where you are leaving at least three times a week.

More alone time does not mean less affection!

While establishing that space from your dog is important, do not withhold your affection from your dog when you are together.  Give them all the love and attention that they are used to receiving.  Expects actually say that dogs can get worse if owners withhold their attention and affection.  This will just exaggerate their stress, and make their behaviors even worse.

Additional resources and tips to mitigate dog separation anxiety

Canine specialists also advise enrichment activities such as crate training and interactive toys.  If you don’t have much space in your home where you can put your dog in another room, try even training your dog to perform an out-of-sight “stay” command through a bathroom door. 
There are also many products on the market that can help you during this time.  We suggest:

• Dog-appeasing pheromone (DAP)
• Comfort vests
• White noise
• Probiotics

Another solution to easing your dog into separation is to drop them off at doggy daycare for a couple of hours.  K9U is considered an essential business and most of our services are available -- including pickups and dropoffs.  Many dogs are still coming here each day, and you can take advantage of this! While you are separated from your dog, they won’t feel too alone because they will have other dogs to play with!  Also, while at the doggy daycare, your pup can participate in some dog training sessions to divert their attention from their separation anxiety.  You can even have a dog walker walk them a few times a week.

You may also check out our previous blog on puppy separation anxiety for more in-depth guidance on dealing with a new puppy’s separation anxiety.

Ease Your Dog Into Post-lockdown Normalcy

While it seems like the quarantine is going to last forever, the earlier you start this separation anxiety training process, the better it will be for your dog.  Start a schedule where you leave the home several times a week.  Take advantage of that time.  Use those days to go for a nice long walk, sit outside for half an hour, or do some essential grocery shopping.  Throughout this entire process, remember to be patient and persistent.

Stay safe, and happy training.

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/post-quarantine-dog-separation-anxiety/

K9U Chicago Community Update During Coronavirus

Our clients and friends,

We hope you are all well and remaining healthy.

Like everyone, we are keeping up to date on the ever-changing information surrounding COVID-19. As a small business in an underserved area of Chicago we are committed to remaining open so our staff will continue to have gainful employment while we implement additional measures to ensure the safety of our team, clients and all dogs in our care.

We have received an official exemption letter granting K9U Chicago permission to operate during the Shelter in Place order by the state.  K9U Chicago is considered an "essential business" and most of our services are available, including dog shuttle (dog -pick-up and drop-off),  during the coronavirus outbreak and stay-at-home order.  We have instituted some minor adjustments such as contactless checkin. Many dogs are still coming here each day - they deserve socialization and exercise, regular grooming, and positive training. According to the CDC, they cannot get the coronavirus.  We also provide boarding services for several area shelters that do not have the capacity to house homeless dogs waiting for adoption.

Many of our clients are nurses, doctors, police officers and first responders, Amazon Prime and Grubhub drivers and others who are providing essential services to Chicagoans during this difficult time.  Several of our clients are in the at-risk groups for COVID-19 and have let us know they are self-quarantining or self-isolating and can not care for their dogs themselves.

A reminder, as many of you already know there is currently no evidence that pets will become sick from COVID-19 and no evidence that pets can be a source of the virus. Source: AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association).

Effective immediately we are executing these new safety protocol measures:

• We are sanitizing and disinfecting all surfaces several times a day in both our lobbies, retail area, restrooms and in our training center.
• We are also requiring team members to frequently wash their hands properly and we are providing access to hand sanitizer for everyone working at K9U Chicago as well as our clients.
• We will be modeling social distancing and safe greetings with each other and all clients. So if you don't receive a hug or handshake as part of your daily routine with us, we know you will understand.

This pandemic is forcing all of us into a new normal. We can handle it together and we will get through this together with patience, understanding and a commitment to maintaining safety. Safety means sanitizing our workplace and safety means providing consistent employment to team members that work hard every day serving our wonderful clients and their amazing dogs.

Thank you for being a valued member of our community and thank you for trusting us with the care of your dog. We are closely monitoring the news regarding this situation and will stay connected to each of you with any new developments.

Stay safe and be well,

- Ruby, Marcos, Mariya and everyone at K9 University Chicago

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/coronavirus-community-update/

The Importance of Exercise for Dogs

The importance of exercise for dogs is crucial to your pet’s health, but we don’t always take the time to give them the workout they deserve. Thankfully, no matter how small your home is or how busy your schedule is, there’s always time to find a moment to exercise.

Why does a dog need exercise?

Just like humans, dogs need exercise to maintain heart health, to keep busy, to develop their brains, and to burn calories. So, as canine caretakers, it’s our job to create a routine that includes daily exercise for our dogs. When dogs don’t get enough exercise, they may:

• Gain weight
• Become depressed
• Have hyperactive moments
• Suffer from lack of endurance
• Exhibit destructive behavior

As you can see, ignoring the need for daily exercise can have negative impacts on your dog’s health.

How much exercise does a dog need?

All dog breeds need exercise. Exercise for dogs is one of the main components of dog care. However, some dog breeds need more training than others. For instance, breeds with high energy, such as a Border Collie, will require more exercise than say, a Bulldog. In general, a healthy dog should get 30 minutes to 2 hours of exercise per day. This includes their daily walks if they are brisk.

Senior dogs also need exercise, but their endurance may not be what it once was. Eventually, her runs may become walks, and she may be limited to a few turns before she becomes winded. When it comes to exercising your senior dog, talk to your veterinarian. They’ll help you decide what’s best for your pet.

The important thing to remember is to meet your dog where they are. If your dog suffers from a medical condition, it will impact their ability to exercise. According to the American Kennel Club, “Your dog’s health is also important. If your adult dog has a medical condition, such as hip dysplasia or heart or respiratory issues, talk with your vet about an appropriate exercise routine that will help him stay healthy without causing him discomfort.”

What exercise for dogs can you do at home?

Whether you want to play indoors or outdoors, there are plenty of exercises and activities for dogs you can do to get your dog’s heart pumping that’s more exciting than their daily walk:

Fetch

This go-to exercise for dogs is a fantastic activity. Work on your throwing arm while your dog runs to locate the ball. The best part about playing fetch? You can do it almost anywhere: inside, at the dog park, in a forest clearing, or your yard. Wherever you have space to move, you can play fetch.

Hiking

Nothing like tapping into the great outdoors for exercise opportunities. Exercise for dogs outside is easy when you have access to some green space. Chicago is full of dog-friendly forest preserves. Find ones with hiking trails so that you and your pup can get some fresh air and navigate the rugged terrain. Forest preserves are open year-round. So, if you are comfortable hiking in the winter, and you prepare your dog for the temperatures, this is a year-round activity.

Obedience

Obedience might not seem like an exercise, but it is. Training your dog to follow a series of commands offers the kind of mental stimulation some dogs thrive one. You can work in some fun tricks such as “playing dead” or twirling that require more bodywork and thus increase their heart rates up.  You may consider putting your dog through a dog obedience course to get some physical and mental exercise.

If your dog excels in obedience training and you wish to offer a more challenging routine, agility training might be right up their alley! Agility training can be done in a larger facility, like the one at K9U, or done at home from a course of your own making. All you need are some hula-hoops, boxes, and broom handles, and you’ve got yourself a homemade agility course.

Stairs

Using stairs in your home or a flight outside is an excellent way to get your and your dog’s heart pumping. This short exercise only needs to be repeated a couple of times to give your dog a good workout. Just remember that if your dog struggles with joint issues, this might be the wrong workout for them.

Create Memories While Keeping your Dog in Top Physical and Mental Shape with Regular Exercise 

Starting an exercise routine with your dog doesn’t have to be hard. In fact, it’s a great way for both of you to get a workout. Remember, you can work exercise into your day in short bursts, either by playing fetch indoors or running up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. At the end of the day, it’s about making an exercise plan that works for you and your pet.

Sign up for our newsletter to stay connected and learn more about our services.

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/importance-of-exercise-for-dogs/

CBD Oil for Dogs: What You Need to Know

CBD and hemp products for dogs have become popular. This trend has led to treats containing CBD oil, a hemp byproduct, that claim to help dogs with a number of ailments from anxiety to chronic pain. But does CBD oil for dogs work? And what do you need to be aware of before starting your dog on this new supplement?

What is CBD Oil for Dogs?

CBD stands for “cannabidiol.” This is a compound found in hemp and cannabis. For the most part, CBD does not contain THC, the psychoactive substance found in marijuana. Indeed, most CBD produced for consumption by both humans and pets are cultivated from hemp and not marijuana plants. Hemp is also used for the production of textiles, rope and other industrial products.

Due to the laws surrounding CBD, your vet might have a hard time providing you with definitive information on the efficacy of CBD for your dog. However, anecdotal evidence from people and pets that use it say there are many benefits to CBD.

The Benefits of CBD Oil and Treats for Dogs

There is not much scientific evidence to support claims for CBD use in dogs because there just haven’t been enough studies. Anecdotal evidence, however, paints a positive picture for people looking to help their dogs relieve symptoms of the following:

Anxiety

Dogs with anxiety may benefit from CBD oil laced dog treats or CBD oil added directly into their bowl of food. With CBD, the dog feels a sense of calm. Dogs with anxiety from noise phobia have also been known to have decreased symptoms when using CBD. While there are alternatives to treating a dog with separation anxiety, like boarding your dog,or doggy daycare with additional fitness activities, when you’re away from home, CBD might be a good alternative when you need to leave the house for short trips.

Nausea or Lack of Appetite

Dogs with stomach issues may experience relief with CBD. There are endocannabinoid receptors all over the body, including the digestive system. This may calm an upset stomach.

Epilepsy

There is hope the CBD will be a breakthrough drug for the treatment of epilepsy in dogs.In fact, the AKC Canine Health Foundation and Colorado State University have partnered together to run clinical trials to test just this theory. This large-scale study will be the first of its kind and, hopefully, offer some guidance for pet owners with dogs that suffer from epilepsy.

Pain

Some dog owners have reported a relief in symptoms of pain in their dogs when using CBD products. This is one of the main benefits of CBD oil that vets are excited to study. This may innovate the way we treat pain in our pets.

What to Watch Out For

You should never give your dog products containing THC. In fact, it can be dangerous for them to consume. CBD, however, has been shown to assist with symptoms like pain in dogs. Here are the results from a Cornell study on “Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs”: “Clinically, canine brief pain inventory and Hudson activity scores showed a significant decrease in pain and increase in activity (p < 0.01) with CBD oil. Veterinary assessment showed decreased pain during CBD treatment (p < 0.02). No side effects were reported by owners; however, serum chemistry showed an increase in alkaline phosphatase during CBD treatment (p < 0.01).”

That’s just one study showing how preliminary research is positive for CBD oil for dogs. These should serve as an example of scientific evidence to support your choice to use CBD for your pet.

Possible side effects for dogs using CBD include:

•  Drowsiness: The calming effect of CBD might lead to your dog feeling drowsy. The higher the dose, the greater the drowsiness.
• Lower Blood Pressure: CBD may cause a brief drop in blood pressure that might lead to a bit of light-headedness.
• Dry Mouth: Lowered production of saliva has been reported with the use of CBD. It might make your dog thirstier, too. So, be sure their bowl of water is filled.

How to Choose CBD Oil for Dogs

There are plenty of products out there today on the market, but which product is right for your pet? We suggest buying high-quality CBD products for your dog. Some CBD oil for dogs comes in a dropper bottle to be added to food. Then, there are CBD treats that you give your pet. You should look for organic products with analysis results from the manufacturer so you can make sure it’s safe for your pet. There should be little to no THC in any CBD product you give your dog. Lastly, don’t shop for the cheapest products. Some may contain pesticides and herbicides that are dangerous for your pet. Stay safe!

THIS ARTICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED AT: https://k9uchicago.com/blog/cbd-for-dogs-need-to-know/