Nauset Kennels

post by Leslee, our fabulous groomer

Opinions vary on shaving dogs, but I feel keeping a dog’s coat longer in the winter and shorter in the summer has no impact on whether it keeps them warmer or cooler.

In the summer months I look around and see the shaved Golden panting just as much as the thick coated Husky - when it’s hot, it’s hot regardless of what you’re wearing. However, one point to consider is this: taking your pet short in the warmer weather will help those pets that are prone to skin issues and can be helpful in locating fleas and ticks. Shorter cuts, while they may seem to be more work because you have to make regular visits to the groomer, actually make for much less work in the long run. No mats, less fur to catch things in, easier to wash and dry, the list goes on.

Winter is a different story. In the colder, snowy months your dog’s coat will keep your pet warm IF he has a coat designed for the cold weather, such as the double coated dogs. Double coated dogs, Malamutes, Collies, Pomeranians, and Newfoundlands are just some examples,where the nice soft fur is next to the body with the more wiry coat on the outside. Even then, I have to ask: How much time does your dog spend laying around outside in 20 degree temperatures or during a snow storm? There may be some dogs doing that, but my guess is most are hanging out in a nicely heated home, in front of the fireplace or woodstove.

So we let our thinner coated pets, such as Poodles and Yorkies, grow longer fur for the winter. It gets cold so you dress them up in doggie coats and sweaters to keep them warm. But didn’t you let their coat grow longer to keep them warm? If your pet does not sport a double coat that is naturally designed for the cold, then growing the fur long is not helping keep the dog warm. Instead, if you are growing but not maintaining grooming along the way, the fur will become matted, particularly with those doggie coats and sweaters.

As the winter months come upon us and you’re wondering what to do about your pet’s fur-style, ask yourself these questions:

Is my dog’s coat designed for cold weather? If you answered no, then consider regular grooming to keep your dog’s coat in tip-top shape and invest in a coat or two.

How much time is my pet actually spending outside during the winter? If you answered not much, then remember that your pet’s cut can still be short in the winter.

Does my pet still need a coat or sweater when it gets really cold? If your answer is yes and you can’t wait to break out the designer doggie clothing, then by all means, bring it on! However, remember that these cute sweaters and coats love to mat hair, so again, maintenance is key.

Do I have more time to spend brushing and combing all that extra fur to prevent uncomfortable mats? If your answer is a resounding ABSOLUTELY NOT, then think about the message here and make regular grooming appointments for your dog.

Then, keep your pet in much , more manageable shorter cut and remember that those adorable coats and sweater are mat magnets with longer hair. And always feel free to talk to your groomer about your pet’s style.

It’s that time of year again - time for our 2nd Annual AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day here at the kennel. While we are very excited to spend a weekend with friends, colleagues and lots of dogs, we are also excited to be able to spread the word about responsible dog ownership.

We started spreading the word last weekend with our float for the Windmill Weekend Parade, where our theme promoted cleaning up after your pet. As we walked, we handed out Mutt Mitts and dog biscuits. Being responsible obviously involves more than just cleaning up after your pet, but this is a part of ownership that is commonly overlooked and is a problem that can have ripple effects on many others. If you own a dog, scoop the poop!

Our fabulous pinwheel logo represents the other six important facets of being a good dog owner:

Veterinary care
Regular bathing and grooming
Exercise
Proper Nutrition
Training
Love and attention

All are important and not one trumps the other. And realistically, the cost does not have to be exorbitant and stretch your budget, stressing you out.

Veterinary care can be expensive, but well worth it if you know what you are paying for. Do your research and ask questions. Be attentive to your pet’s dental health at home and you can save quite a bit of money while adding potential years to your dog’s life. Research pet insurance and see if it makes sense for you. Find a vet that is willing to work with you financially, but remember that they have bills too.

Bathe your dog at home. Run that brush over him often (daily is best, but I’m realistic too!!). Either learn how to give a basic dog cut or invest in regular grooming. If you want to save money don’t avoid the groomer - avoidance leads to a much more expensive grooming session and can potentially cause skin problems for your pet.

Exercise. It’s free to walk down the street with your dog or throw the ball for her in the back yard. And just think - you can save money on your own gym membership if you go for long walks with your furry friend!

Shop around for a good food for your dog. Just today a customer bemoaned the fact that the cheaper the dog food, the more her dog loves it! Not all of us can afford to buy premium dog food, nor do we necessarily need to. Again, ask around. Unless your dog has special dietary requirements, you may be just fine feeding a non-premium food.

Borrow some books and DVDs from the library on training. Ask questions of others. Find inexpensive classes and build on the foundation with practice.

Love. Free and easy to give! How can you not shower your pet with love? No matter how busy life gets, make time for your pet. It benefits both of you!

Being a responsible dog owner doesn’t require a lot of money for many of us; however, it would be foolish to assume that pets don’t have expenses. Be responsible BEFORE taking on a pet and consider the what-ifs. What if I have to move - can I bring my pet? What if my pet needs surgery - can I afford it? What if our schedules are hectic - is it fair to have a pet if I don’t have time to spend with it? The list is long and thought-provoking, but an essential first exercise in being a responsible pet owner.

We field quite a few phone calls from pet owners throughout the year with concerns about their pet(s). Sometimes it has to do with a lack of interest in food. Many times it has to do with “an upset stomach,” which is often code for loose stools. Still other calls invovle limping. Many of these owners will call us after scheduling a vet appointment, asking questions about shampoos, food or treats, exercise, and other possible contributing factors. Reasonable questions. And while we would never presume to anticipate what your vet would say, we do have up some common-sense practices that we can share.

Sometimes, it helps to remember that our own bodies don’t always act the same every single day throughout the years. For example:

Allergies develop in some people, but not others. You can go for years without having allergies, and then boom, you are sniffling and sneezing with the rest of us.

There are days when I am ravenous, and other days, not so much. 9 out of 10 days I will eat somewhat regularly, yet there’s always that day or two where I’m just not that into food.

Even when I was younger, sometimes I would tweak an ankle or wrist. It would hurt for a day or so and then the pain would dissipate.

And while my mother will have a chat with me about appropriateness and sharing too much information, the same concept applies when that food leaves my body. Some days everything works like clock-work, other days aren’t as stellar.

I know, TMI (too much information). But sometimes, when your dog’s poop is a little softer than usual or you see that he’s not eating with the same gusto as usual, people need that gentle reminder in terms of our own bodies. Sometimes, you can be a bit “off” without being sick. I certainly don’t call my doctor every time my stomach acts a little funny.

That said, when do you call the vet if your dog or cat is acting off? (This is where I’d love my veterinary friends to give some free advice or give me a shout out on any information they feel isn’t up to their standards).

Call the vet if there is blood in the stool and your pet hasn’t experienced any stress ( a long car ride, company or fireworks for example), particularly if the blood continues to be present in more than one stool.

Call the vet if diarrhea doesn’t clear up after two days, assuming you fasted the dog for one day and followed with rice for the second day (dogs only on this one!). Call the vet if the dog’s eyes are glassy or her gaze seems distant.

Call the vet if the pet is having trouble walking that seems more than a “sprained ankle” type injury.

Call if your pet is sickly, elderly, or currently under veterinary treatment.

Call if it just feels like the right thing to do.

Remember: your vet is there to help and will be happy to answer questions. If you feel like every time you call to ask questions you are rebuffed or told that you have to come in, then consider finding a vet that will work with you on a level you feel comfortable with. And if you still want to call us to chat about a problem, we’re happy to oblige.

*Note: We are not vets. We don’t pretend to be vets. And we don’t play vets on t.v.

Like many of you, we are concerned with our environmental impact or carbon footprint. We try hard to recycle (Jules tries to recycle everything!). Products are not just haphazardly picked up and put in our cart; instead, we read the label for chemicals and try to find products that share our philosophy. If you asked Kirsten about my preferences, our doggy day care bus and van would be running on solar or veggie oil and the whole kennel would be completely “off the grid.”

And while we did all kinds of research for our new building, for some reason I didn’t think about our carbon footprint in terms of our own personal animals. Oh yeah, Scout, Pecan and Hoot are leaving their own carbon paw prints too.

From the type of food we feed them to the various products we use on them, our personal pets do indeed have an environmental impact.

Hoot’s biggest problem is her poop and what to do with it. Cat poop contains toxoplasma, a parasite that is very harmful. When kitty poop is flushed into the toilet, many water treatment centers cannot destroy this parasite. Kitty litter isn’t really compostable because of the toxoplasma.

Hoot’s other issue, related to the poop, is kitty litter. For cat owners, clumping kitty litter is the next best thing to sliced bread. However, clay based litters have big environmental issues, from the mining to its production. And while the new plant based litters are good and maybe a better environmental choice, the question about the actual poop and what to do with it remains.

Pecan and Scout also have issues. First of all, let’s talk about packaging. Like kids’ toys, dog toys, treats and foods all contribute packaging waste, and lots of it. (Alright, you parents of human kids out there know that human kid toys are actually probably 5,000 times worse than dog toy packaging!). In the kennel, we throw out lots of bags every week, most of which cannot be recycled because they are foil lined and the foil seems permanently glued to the paper.

Speaking of toys, if dogs are color-blind, why do we need such brightly colored dog toys? And why do we need so many of them? Many dogs are thrilled to have a toy or a tennis ball. Or, if you just can’t forgo buying your Scout another toy, then consider buying a “green toy,” one that is made of recycled or natural materials by a local company that isn’t shipping from halfway around the world.

Yet another issue is a familiar one: poop. If you don’t clean up after your pet, you might not realize that pet feces can pollute storm water. If you are a good dog owner, you pick up after your pet. But if you use a plastic bag that isn’t degradable, then poop on you! Hmmm…this poop is really a problem. Maybe a robotic pet is the answer?

So, let’s talk about the food that produces all that poop. Dogs and cats are meat eaters, even if you aren’t. It is in their DNA to be carnivores. Where does all that meat in our pet food come from? Well, like human food, you can either go with the food that uses high-volume farming practices or choose to buy from local farmers practicing sustainable farming. Of course, that comes with a price too: a higher dollar figure.

Unlike the controversial idea posed by the New Zealand sustainable architects Robert and Brenda Vale in their book, Time to Eat the Dog: The real guide to sustainable living, I am not proposing anything other than thinking and educating yourself before you buy. Think before you buy that fourth pet. Think before you buy yet another pet toy. Educate yourself on food that are environmentally friendlier, but affordable for you.

According to Maps of World, the US has an estimated 61,080,000 dogs, while Brazil has an estimated 30, 051,000 (http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-top-ten/countries-with-most-pet-dog-population.html) mounds of dog poop, toy trash, and dog food bags! And that’s not including the number of cats in our world.

While we’re all trying to figure this out, Scout, Pecan and I will see you all at the recycling center. Hoot is staying at home enjoying her homemade catnip toy (okay, so that’s a stretch!).

For more information, the following links proved helpful:

Katterns, Tanya. “Save the Planet: Eat a Dog?”. May 23, 2010. <http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/national/2987821/Save-the-planet-eat-a-dog>

Keith, Christie. “The Environmental Impact of Pets”. May 23, 2010. <http://articles.sfgate.com/2007-11-27/living/17267881_1_recycled-pet-supplies-interactive-toys/2>

Nestle, Marion. “No, My Dog is Not Destroying the Environment”. May 23, 2010. <http://www.thedailygreen.com/healthy-eating/blogs/healthy-food/pets-environmental-impact-47122303>

Postins, Lucy. “Environmental Paw Print” . May 23, 2010. < http://www.greenlivingtips.com/articles/213/1/Environmental-paw-print.html>

Over Christmas, my family debated the merits of various dog breeds, often turning to Kirsten and me as the resident “experts” on the subject. While we have a lot of experience with a lot of different dog breeds, I don’t know that either of us would consider our knowledge to be anything more than an opinion based on a lot of experience. Since that is what we have a lot of, here’s what we know.

The most popular breeds are popular for a reason: dependability. A labrador retriever is a known entity. He will be easy-going, intelligent, and a good family dog (a shocking amount of fur comes out of labs though - invest in a really good vacuum cleaner).

Kirsten and I have noticed that the breeds we see the most have changed a bit over time with breeding practices. Golden retrievers are no longer “golden red” in color; they now tend to be “golden blonde.” Both goldens and labs have gotten really large in size. And where labs used to be somewhat laid back, they seem to have more hyperactivity (ADHD in dogs! Just kidding) and other emotional issues, such as not getting along with other dogs, anxiety, etc.

Popular dogs that don’t often make the popularity top ten are pretty steady in nature. They haven’t been overbred probably because they’ve never hit that top ten list that often leads people overbreed. Standard Poodles are a perfect example. Most people would laugh if someone said they wanted a standard poodle. We know that most poodles are super intelligent, very sweet, easy-going, and they tend to get along well with other dogs. (Note: we are being area specific. According to the Today Show, Standard Poodles are part of the nation’s top ten common dogs: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/28695663).

We also know that the more unique breeds are unique for a reason: they often require special owners willing to put up with the requirements of owning a unique breed. Shar-peis look really, really cute as puppies, but those adorable wrinkles create major skin problems. Great Danes are wonderful, gentle giants, but they have very short life spans, usually no more than eight to ten years. Italian Greyhounds are super cute and very loyal, but have ridiculously thin legs like toothpicks that can also snap like toothpicks requiring caution even when jumping off a bed or couch.

We are certainly not claiming to know everything about every breed. We also recognize that not every dog fits breed standards in every way. Snickers, one of our favorite Dachshunds, is not yippy like the majority of the breed. And Tess, a favorite dalmation, gets along very well with other dogs and is fabulous with kids, not typically common for the breed. All of us love it when a dog doesn’t fit the norm or the expected, such as the Akita who plays well with others.

We are also always pleasantly surprised when an unusual breed comes in. For instance, after sixteen years of being at the kennel, I had never met an Alaskan Klee Kai before this past spring. And I can only remember one Komondor, but Kirsten says she has seen them before. We’ve seen Catahoula Leopard Dogs, Fila Brasileiros, Chinese Cresteds, and other uncommon breeds. I am still waiting to see a Thai Ridgeback, a Catalburun, or any other number of interesting, unusual breeds we have yet to see.

And since we are all full of our own opinions, I’d like to know: what breed is your favorite and why? Write in and tell us!

We had to scratch our heads this morning when someone brought it to our attention that they saw a posting on Craig’s List about kennel cough and our facilities. We scratched our heads for a number of reasons, particularly the fact that we haven’t been contacted by any of our clients to let us know that their dog has kennel cough, nor have we ourselves noticed anything (we often are the first to notice and will let our customers know if we suspect a case of kennel cough).

Hmmm…a disgruntled customer? An angry neighbor? We won’t know because this person posted anonymously on Craig’s List. If you suspect your dog has kennel cough, call the kennel or day care facility directly. Posting anonymously to Craig’s List doesn’t allow us to address your concerns, nor does it allow us to follow a procedure we have in place to track kennel cough. As my friend Karen would say, “Put on your big girl panties and call us. Don’t hide behind anonymous postings!” (Sorry for offending anyone, but unless your job is in jeopardy or your family is at risk, own up to any criticisms or comments.)

I would like to thank you though for the opportunity to do another informative blog! Sometimes I need an idea, so thank you for that!

We have indeed suffered through cases of kennel cough throughout our almost forty years of business. In fact, three summers ago we even shut down our facility for two weeks to try to clear it out. Sixteen years ago, I knew of kennel cough, since it has always been a required vaccine, but didn’t ever hear of it. In fact, we were somewhat lax about the vaccine, even letting people have their dogs vaccinated the same day the dog was due to come in for boarding.

Like everything, kennel cough seems to have changed a bit though, and we are indeed seeing more cases of it in our area. Typically when we have it, other areas of the Cape will have it as well, usually in pockets. And, like the flu or a cold, it can be mild to severe in the numbers of dogs it affects. In certain areas of the country, veterinarians require the vaccine to be given every six months due to a higher incidence rate in that area. Here, the vaccine is usually an annual vaccine, but it depends on your vet.

Perhaps I should provide a definition of kennel cough. Kennel cough is a respiratory infection caused by both bacteria and viruses. It is rarely serious, but should be treated by a veterinarian. While there is a vaccine, like our human vaccines, it only covers so many strains of kennel cough, so yes, your dog can still get kennel cough even though she has been vaccinated. Signs of kennel cough are pretty simple: a hacking cough or “hard sneezing” like sound. Watch this video for an example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx7tveHyFqk

Some vets treat kennel cough with antibiotics, while others take a wait and see approach. On our end, we require all our boarding and day care pets to be vaccinated for kennel cough, following manufacturer’s guidelines that the dog be inoculated seven to ten days prior to boarding (I can’t tell you how many customers we have to turn away because of this policy). If we receive a phone call from a customer or suspect a dog staying with us has kennel cough, we start tracking. All employees are notified to keep an eye out for any potential new cases. From there, we keep an eye on a dog we suspect might have the cough if it is actually with us and will often call the vet immediately as a precaution. If we find that there are more than three confirmed cases, we start to let our customers know, focusing specifically on any pets for which the illness might actually be worse for them (puppies, elderly, ill, etc.). Our cleaning regime is stepped up to include bleach - bleaching the floors, the walls, the runs, sponges and cleaning towels, toys, the vacuum filters, the vacuum, the wash, etc. Our cleaning routine, while already at a high standard, is the main focus if we suspect any type of bug, not just kennel cough. We will also lime our play yards and let them sit a few days. And yes, we will even shut down our operations if need be. The wonderful thing about our new facility is that we can now shut down just the affected side if necessary.

We certainly don’t try to hide kennel cough from anyone. In fact, we even call around to other kennels and day cares in the area to inquire about their dogs, so we certainly put it out there so customers can decide what to do.

Kennel cough is a part of running a kennel, just like coughs and colds are a part of running a school or a day care. Some dogs will get it, others won’t. Most will have mild cases, but a few won’t. We’ve even known families of dogs where one will get it and another will not. If you suspect, call. Be responsible and let your kennel or day care know. Keep your pet away from other dogs until you are sure he isn’t coughing on anyone else. Call your vet. And don’t be ashamed and feel the need to post anonymous postings on Craig’s List! You aren’t helping anyone by fomenting anger (yes, some of our customers and our employees are angry at your post) and fear. Be informed and take corrective measures to insure the safety of your dog and others.

For more information, check out the following sites. They are all pretty similar in what they say, but are presented from various angles - boarding dogs, training dogs, day care, etc.

http://www.kennelcoughindogs.com/

http://dogs.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Kennel_Cough

http://www.workingdogs.com/deboerken_cough.htm

http://www.kgun9.com/Global/story.asp?S=11339267 (just a note - this one is fascinating because the owner of this facility doesn’t even require the vaccine!)

Within the last week, we’ve had at least five panicked phone calls from dog owners whose friends have bailed on them at the last minute for pet sitting. This weekend just so happens to be Columbus Day Weekend, a particularly busy weekend at the kennel.

For some of these panicked people, we’ve been able to accommodate them. A couple of people had to, as the saying goes, punt. We couldn’t take their dog because (s)he isn’t current on vaccinations necessary for boarding. More likely than not, another friend stepped up to the plate, or, a weekend away got postponed or cancelled.

Friends can certainly provide fabulous pet care while you are gone. A good friend of mine recently helped another friend by taking her dog for two weeks. She proved to be a fabulous pet sitter, even keeping a journal complete with pictures of Jerzey’s activities. Short of a major health problem, this friend of mine would never have considered cancelling on Jerzey’s owners.

Unfortunately, too many people out there do have things that come up causing them to cancel on their commitment to a friend. While I am not passing judgement on these people, I am suggesting that you have a back-up plan for your pet.

A reputable pet sitter or a kennel can provide such back up. This is our business, it is what we do. Unless your pet is sick or seriously injured, we don’t turn you away. A reputable pet sitter can even help with the above situations to a point.

Many of you are probably saying, “Well, we’ve never had problems with our neighbors watching the dog for us.” And that is great. Unfortunately, I am writing this because too many people do run into issues with their friends or neighbors as pet sitters.

We are booking up for Thanksgiving and Christmas. And while we always encourage last minute phone calls because you just never know, we can’t always guarantee that your vacation will still be a go. If you don’t have a regular kennel or pet sitter that you use, let’s hope your neighbor or friend is as good as my friend Karen.

As I look outside today at the rain pouring out of the sky, I cannot believe how beautiful and perfect the weather was yesterday for our first annual AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day. We faced quite a bit of competition, from Doxie Day on Chapin Beach (what a sight that must have been!) to CASAS in Provincetown hosting their pet parade and other events.

However, it was more than just the weather - everything about the day was just perfect! Even though we had very little time to plan, it all came together because of all the people involved.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to give up a Saturday, fitting us in around family, kids, school, work and other interests. We all believe in responsible dog ownership and obviously think it is important to get the word out. The following is a list of all who participated yesterday:

- Agway, Jessica Wile and “Lucy”
- Companion Animal Program, Jan and her volunteers, Susan and Judy
- Higher Groung Dog Training, Amber Milliken and her assistant, Mike
- Boy Scouts of America, Eastham Troop 83
- Cape Cod DART (Disaster Animal Response Team), represented by Cathy Herrick
- Cape K9, Anne Corrigan and “Diesel” and “Foxy,” showing their birding skills
- Austin, my fabulous raffle helper
- The Sampson Fund, Dr. Joan Goffi and Lotti Austin from Paw Prints
- Bark Busters, Jason Santos
- For the Love of the Breed, Andrea, her husband, Russ, and her groomer, Angie
- Real World Dog Training, Sandi Provost
- Dogwatch of Cape Cod, Randy and Holly Hoyt
- Underdogs, Dana and Colleen Medeiros and their very well-behaved Boxer
- Animal Rescue League, Dawn Lee
- Tail Waggin’ Dog Training, represented by Janice Bodamer
- Cape Cod Dog, represented by Leanne and Earthborn Food representative, Mary Medeiros
- CARE (Cape Animal Referral and Emergency), Vicky Shaw, Julie and her husband Joe, and Nancy Bishop who was kind enough to provide our “eye candy” with agility demonstrations and her husband, Jerry!
- Charlene Poliquin, Red Cross Pet First Aid and CPR (even though the class was cancelled due to lack of enrollment, thank you for being at the ready!)
- Eastham Elks for donating chairs

- Eastham Police Department for helping us coordinate parking

All of the above also donated to our amazing raffle prizes. The raffles were impressive, totaling over two thousand dollars worth of give-aways. Together, we raised over $700 for the Grace and Elliot Marks Foundation, helping to defray the cost of spaying and neutering pets. In addition to the above donors, we also received donations from:

Wellfleet Cinemas, The Red Barn, Ben & Jerry’s of Eastham, The Fairway, The Chocolate Cafe, Willy’s Gym, Chatham Beach Dog, Mermaids on Main, The Left Bank Gallery, Impulse Gallery, Amy Sanders, Amy Sarmento, Rebecca Lach, Sam’s Deli, PJ’s Restaurant, Messina’s Restaurant, Dr. Jim Lear, Nauset Auto, Four Points Sheraton, Eastham Ace Hardware, Leslee Branco, T-Time Driving Range, Cape Cod Five , Lucky Pet pet products, Premier Pet Products, and Red Dingo pet products.

As with any event, big or small, there are lots of helpers without whom the event cannot go on. I am so thankful for all of the help, and so impressed with how you all stepped up to the plate and went above and beyond in so many ways. Kirsten and I are so lucky to be surrounded by amazing people.

Our employees and friends: Joanne (you were right, we did need to hold the event!), Betsy, Jules, Veronica, Carrie, Leslee, and Katie. Please know that we truly value you. You constantly impress us with your level of care and ability to go beyond the expected.

Our friends: Karen, Hanna, my parents (for babysitting so I could actually plan this event), Michael, Sandy, Will, Ken, and Binky at Camp Wingate*Kirkland and all of our dogs who agreed to come spend the day with us: “Koto,” “Riley,” “Hannah,” “Molly” and “Hazel,” “Marley,” “Tobey,” “Paddy,” “Macey,” “Lee” and “Merlin.”

And of course, thank you to everyone who showed up, with or without their dogs! We has so much fun meeting you and your animals: “Glory,” “Indy,” “Rory,” “Bella,” “Devon,” “Tug,” “Moose,” “Diego,” “Toby,” “Shaun” & “Rory,” and many others.

We are already looking forward to next year’s Second Annual AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day in September of 2010. May the weather be just as beautiful!

So you think you’re a responsible dog owner? Take this quick quiz to find out.

1. Is your dog up to date on all yearly vaccines?

2. Do you administer heartworm preventative?

3. Do you regularly brush your dog’s (or cat) teeth?

4. Is your dog within healthy weight guidelines?

5. Does your dog know basic training commands?

6. Is your dog wearing a collar with

current owner information?

7. Is your dog microchipped?

If you answered yes to all of the above, then kudos to you! You are responsible to your pet’s needs.

Many of us would probably answer yes to some of the questions above, fully knowing that we should be answering yes to all of them. Quite honestly, our dogs teeth haven’t been brushed since, well, since ever! We absolutely know that we should be doing this, but we don’t. And I can’t even really tell you why we don’t!

We are working hard coordinating a day that will help us all be better dog owners, even those of you already ahead of the game. On September 26 from 12-4 we are hosting the AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day. Seminars, pet first-aid and CPR, raffles, and other fun things are planned to promote responsible dog ownership.

I have to admit that I originally said no to hosting this event. It was the last week in August and we were in the end of summer scramble with kids out of camp, but not in school. The kennel was still rocking and rolling and we were trying to put together a float for the Windmill Weekend parade. I didn’t feel confident that we could pull everyone together so quickly. However, Joanne correctly adjusted my opinion saying, “How can we not host this day?”

You see, we are also the “pound” for the wandering dogs in our area. And, by the very nature of our business, we see responsible and irresponsible dog ownership daily in many ways (including the fact that I don’t brush our dogs’ teeth!!). Some examples that really prompted us to host this event:

This summer, one of our local animal control officers brought in a dog that had been left in a hot car. The owner, angry and feeling affronted, could not understand why his dog was removed from his car. Another town continues to bring in the nicest set of dogs on a regular basis, who routinely wander from home and get picked up by the animal control officer. While we love having them visit, it is scary thinking that they might be hit by a car or something like that. And many of our dogs who board with us are a bit pudgy and like us, will suffer in the long-term from the extra weight.

Needless to say, I could go on and on with our reasons for hosting this event. I hope you can all join us, responsible pet owner or not :)

Saturday, September 26, 2009 from 12-4 at Nauset Kennels, 2685 Nauset Road in Eastham. Call to pre-register for the Pet First-Aid/CPR class (offered from 11-3, for $45). Bring your dogs responsibly - on leash!! See you there!

In June, I had a long conversation with a customer about the kennel and our surprising lack of fleas. She was trying to figure out where the fleas on her dog came from, and of course, the kennel is the most obvious choice. During our conversation, I could tell that she didn’t believe me. Who would? At the time, I really was telling her the truth.

However, it’s now August and our some of our four-legged customers are infested! The fleas are back on Cape with a vengeance. Before you go running the other way screaming, “I’m never going back there!” sit tight for a moment and keep reading.

For quite a long time, we were all given a reprieve from the fleas. In fact, we even stopped carrying flea products (no one was buying them) and the numbers of flea baths dropped significantly. Bedbugs are back, so why not fleas? And have you ever seen so many flies? Not being a scientist, I can’t tell you why they have all reappeared in such numbers. Common sense and knowledge of fleas suggests that the humidity (remember how it rained all of June?) and the warm weather have worked together to produce the flea population we have now.

The reprieve is over and we need to start being vigilant again.

While the old method of flea-bombing and using lots of chemicals worked, they filled our houses, our bodies and our pets full of those same chemicals. Most basic flea collars can also be included in that old-fashioned category (Note: there are flea collars specifically prescribed by vets that are generally considered safe for pets and people). We even stopped chemical dips because we felt that the chemicals were just too scary for both the bather and the pet.

Remember that all outdoor places can harbor fleas, including the beach, the park, the dog park, your own yard. And yes, fleas can even be found at a kennel, day care facility, or vet office. Check your dog regularly for fleas or flea dirt, even if he is on flea preventative medication. If you bathe your dog at home, let the shampoo soak for five-ten minutes. Sometimes this will cause the fleas to come to the surface and you can see them at that point. Run a flea comb through his fur looking for flea dirt. Rinse the comb in a mixture of detergent and oil to kill the fleas. After a long soak, rinse the dog well, again checking the water for flea dirt, often a different consistency than regular dirt, almost tiny granules and will turn the water a rust color. Dry the dog using a white or light colored towel if you still aren’t sure about the flea dirt.

So what do you do if you find fleas or flea dirt? First of all, assume that all pets in your house have fleas. Fleas are superb are reproducing and at evading our attempts to kill them because of their life cycle. Even though you can’t find any live fleas at a certain time, this doesn’t mean that the eggs and the larvae aren’t waiting to hatch, anywhere from two weeks to a few months. If your dog is on a flea preventative, wait 24-48 hours after his bath and reapply the product. Investigate possible places of infestation and treat those areas. Wash dog bedding frequently in hot water. Vacuum regularly, making sure to throw away the vacuum bag in a sealed bag. It is best not to let the vacuum bag sit - the fleas will find their way back to a host for their blood meal. Continue to treat and prevent adult fleas from laying eggs. Remember to include any carpeted, cloth areas pets hang out, including your car and kids’ car seats.

The website, The Dollar Stretcher, provides some great tips for flea prevention that are chemical free and are more old-fashioned than the chemicals we used to use. Read about using borax and diatomaceous earth as a carpet powder and outdoor preventative at http://www.stretcher.com/stories/01/010305a.cfm.

Another site, http://pet-diseases.suite101.com/article.cfm/flea_prevention_and_flea_control_for_pets, offers a veterinarian perspective. Also written by the same vet as the previous link, this article provides a concise, quick read on flea control mistakes that we all make: http://www.examiner.com/x-7468-Pet-Health-Examiner~y2009m8d24-Pet-health-101-Most-common-flea-control-mistakes. Finally, to present a balance of information, the University of Kentucky offers some tips that do involve pesticides: http://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef628.asp.

And if you really want to make it easy on yourself, call Pure Heat, a locally run pest control company that uses heat instead of chemicals: http://www.capebusiness.net/article/1559.141?PHPSESSID=2757028ed20f4275772273b4760ad8cb. Tell them we sent you - http://pureheat.com.

Don’t let the fleas get you down. Talk to your vet, your local kennel or day care, or your pet store and be ready to do battle. Your pets will appreciate your efforts.