Boarding Check List- Things to Ask
Facilty 1	Facilty 2	Mariah-Belle Pet Care
		♥	Outside time is in a grassy play area
		♥	Bring your own food
		♥	Elimination is not in the dogs run
		♥	Staffing consistency same people daily
		♥	Your dog has a name not a number
		♥	Pills are given at no charge
		♥	Vet Deck and formed beds protect guest from concrete
		♥	Kennel size and number of dogs in that area
		♥	Food and treats dye free and natural/organic
		♥	Non toxic/green cleaning - paw burns
		♥	Bring a couple of pieces of dirty laundry from home
		♥	Eating-Activity-Mood-Output monitored 3x per day
		♥	Playtime with people interaction
		♥	Exercise activities walks, hikes, water play
		♥	What is the proceedure if a dog is ill or injured
		♥	Departure grooming
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/choosing_boarding_kennel.html

Summer Beach TipsWhooo Hoooo it’s Summer and I hear the rolling waves calling me and my fuzzy kid.

General Travel Health

Vaccinations: Be sure all of your dog’s vaccinations are up to date.  Just like people, when dogs leave their home base area they will be exposed to new germs and can challenge their body’s immune system.  Up to date vaccinations help limit the chance of bringing home unwanted diseases and protects you legally if the unthinkable bite or accident would occur. 
·         Vaccinations to consider: Canine Cough or Bordatella (upper respiratory infection), Leptospirosis (kidney and liver infections), Lyme disease, Canine Influenza.  

Pests: Fleas and ticks, and the mosquitoes which carry heartworm disease, are more prevalent in warmer months. Consider preventive to keep these parasites off your dog.

Food and Water: Packing your dogs regular food, treats, and bottled water will help prevent stomach upset and lots of messy stools ( no one wants that on vacation).  The chemicals in treated water change from area to area and may result in both human and canine intestinal distress.

Poisons: Perfect lawns and flowers are a treat for the eye. Areas chemically treated or fertilized are major toxic zones.  As people we wear shoes and wash hands; dogs walk through the area and lick paws.  This can result in paw and mouth burns as well as poisoning.   

Beach Tips (Courtesy of the AKC)

• Dogs can get sunburn, especially short-haired dogs and ones with pink skin and white hair. Limit your dog's exposure when the sun is unusually strong, and apply sunblock to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside.
• Provide plenty of fresh water and shade for your dog.
• Check with a lifeguard for daily water conditions – dogs are easy targets for jellyfish and sea lice.
• If your dog is out of shape, don't encourage him to run on the sand. Running on a beach is strenuous exercise, and a dog that is out of shape can easily pull a tendon or ligament.
• Cool ocean water is tempting to your dog. Do not allow him to drink too much seawater. The salt in the water will make him sick.
• Salt and other minerals found in the ocean can damage your dog's coat. So, when you are ready to leave for the day, rinse him off with fresh water.
• Not all beaches permit dogs. Check local ordinances before you begin your excursion to the beach.

Does Your Doggy Paddle?The majority of dogs can swim and they love it. But dogs entering the water for the first time should be tested. Here are some important tips for teaching your dog how to swim:

• Never throw your dog into the water.
• Start in shallow water, and call your dog's name. You can also try to coax him in with a treat or toy – but always keep your dog within reach.
• Another way to introduce your dog to the water is with a dog that already swims and is friendly with your dog. Let your dog follow his friend.
• If your dog begins to doggy-paddle with his front legs only, lift his hind legs and help him float. He should quickly catch on and will then keep his back end up.
• Swimming is a great form of exercise, but don't let your dog overdo it. He will be using new muscles and may tire quickly.
• Be careful of strong tides that are hazardous for even the best swimmers.
• Never leave your dog unattended! You should always be in a position to help him get out of the water.

    

 

Seasonally shedding dogs “blow their coat” or shed about 80% or more of their coat to make room for a new coat.  This process allows shedding breeds to maintain the short hair breed characteristic.  In other words…if a Labradors or Akita did not lose the hair growth from one year and grow a new coat their hair would become long and require haircuts. 

When a dog sheds not only do they release the hairs from their coat they also release the dander, pollen, dirt, and other environmental factors picked up in the coat.  You may notice that your pet’s coat will start to look dull or dusty this indicates that a major shedding event is nearing.  The hair follicles slightly change shape and the skin and cuticle may begin to loosen in preparation for shedding the hair. 

 

Dander is composed of dead skin cells, associated with dirt, body oils and other environmental components, all of which can be allergenic for humans.  Dry flaky dogs itch and itching brings the dander to the surface of the coat.  Petting, moving or shaking tosses the dander onto your floors and couches.  What’s the result – mites come along and live off of this rich food source and a doggy smell.

 

Everyone knows the smell of wet dog….Wet dog smell is the smell of a dirty layered hair dog (Doggy Mulch).  Here’s why.  Dogs produce oils to coat their guard hairs (different breeds, different types and amounts). Dead skin cells stick to this as will dirt and dust.  When the hair loosens the hair, attached oil and stuff lands on you floor but the dead skin stays behind as dander.  If the dog is not able to shed the downy undercoat easily there will be tuffs of hair often a lighter color protruding through the smooth coat.  This soft downy hair mixed with dander and oils is attractive for flees, fly eggs, and mites. 

 

YUCK what to do

 

3 options

1)      Regularly (every 4- 8 weeks)scheduled bath and brush will remove dander and shedding hair, clean the excess oils from the coat and remove environmental dirt and smells.  The result is a clean huggable dog

2)      De shedding treatments- a multi-step process to remove undercoat and shedding guard coat.  Performed with specially designed shampoos, high velocity air, and blade tool.  If performed often and incorrectly skin irritation and coat damage can occur. 

3)      Regularly shaving the dog( every 6-10 weeks).  Reduces the amount of hair on the body and produces smaller amount of shedding.  The Trade off is the dog looses UV protection and insulation.  It is possible that will not grow back the same

 

The key to all of the options is a bath – not just get wet and soap.  One bath for the outer hairs and one for the skin to remove dander; followed by a conditioner to moisturize the skin and hair. 

The ingredient quality and pH of the shampoo allows the dog to be bathed more often without stripping the coat of oils.

Think about it this way.  Your loved one says to you.  I’d love to curl-up with you for TV tonight and help eat your popcorn…but I’ve not had a bath in 6 months or changed my underwear- my nails are so long they may scratch you when I want popcorn, I’d love to thank you for your warm lap with a kiss on the cheek but my breath- I don’t brush my teeth.  I bet your response would NOT be come on over it’s almost TV time.

Links for more info

http://education.vetmed.vt.edu/Curriculum/VM8054/Labs/Lab15/Lab15.htm

http://www.thedogplace.org/CanineHealth/Grooming1-10052-Lanting.asp

Thanks for listening as I helped DJ the WTTR Morning Radio show.  The coupons are on the Daycare and About Us pages.

I you have question for the Thursday Morning Tip of the Day Please email me at info@mariahbellemanor.com

See you soon,
Rachann

I'm very excited about appearing on WTTR 1470am to provide the TIP OF THE DAY on THURSDAYS at 8:40am.

Throughout the month of June I'll be discussing:

How to make you fuzzy kid's trip to camp fun
Fless and Ticks what to do
Why Daycare for your fuzzy kid
Shedding what can I do

Additional links and infomation will be found here on our Blog.

The audio files will appear on our webpage as well as on WTTR's page.  Feel free to email any questions and I'll do my best to answer your questions and concerns.