You Lucky Dog!: July 2009

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Doggie Daycare Photos Week of July 19 to 25

So, we finally fixed the camera but then I wasn't feeling well...Life sometimes gets in the way of photography. These photos are from last week (assorted days). It doesn't look like I cropped them or anything. Bear with me - I'm feeling better and have started working with this weeks photos so I'll be caught up! Take care and keep cool.
Peace,
Wendy

Simon, Hennah, Bentley, Miles, Phoebe

Piper, Barnaby and Layla

Isabelle, Jackson, Miles, Satchel, Bo, Phoebe, Bentley, Koda, Lucy, Emma, Fred, Onslow, Estelle and Peyton.

Layla and Barnaby

Gus with his friend Spaulding in the background.

Aaron picking up poop deposits.

Jim, Mike & Aaron with pack members. Jim's being good and drinking his water!

Aaron with pack members escorting him to the rest of the staff.

Koda, Layla & Jesee

Isabelle & Simon

Simon alone.

Bo doodle, Barnaby and an unidentified golden retriever.

Satchel, Emma and Fred

Lubo and Lexi

Maggie, Simon, Miles, Barnaby and Lubo

Bo beagle

Baxter, Mollie, Gus and Harry

Lady

Maggie and Phoebe - both doodles!

Jackson with Kacey C. and Barnaby with Peyton

Darwin, Jackson, Baxter, Bentley, Bubba and Layla

Darwin, Hennah, Satchel, Peyton, Jackson and Kacey

Jacko

Barnaby, Ella, Chewy, Satchel, and Estelle

Abby

Onslow & Emma

Darwin, Daisy, Braveheart and Summit

Tsuki (with a spit bubble)

Hennah

Summit play bowing to the gravel.

Bonnie & Clyde

Reilly

Hot, humid days of summer have arrived! One thing we always make sure of is there is fresh, cold water for the dogs to drink. Cari & Mike thought it could be great to show you the action around some of the water cans/bowls.

Please remember that when your canine gets home NOT to allow them to empty the water bowl. Excess water like this can lead to vomiting (usually shortly after drinking) or diarrhea (later that evening or the next day). All dogs have access to water - also during nap time. So, when your canine gets home give them a few ice cubes in the water bowl or just a half cup of water to start with. A short time later (say 30 minutes) go ahead and give them another half cup or a few more ice cubes. By this time their core temperature should be lowering and their desire for excessive fluids should be abating and you can return to normal watering practices.

Summit

Braveheart

Isabelle

Isabelle again

Bentley

Maggie & Bentley

Hennah

Chuck

Summit & Gus

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

How Bad is Free Feeding?

Hi everyone,
Hope you're enjoying this cool summer day!

As a dog trainer I never could wrap my head around free feeding a dog. Free feeding means the dogs food bowl is "topped off" and left out throughout the day as to always have food. Feeding time is the best time to work on basic manners and reinforce good behavior. Its also a great time to take a small handful of food and put it away for training later in the day.

While reading the new edition of familydog magazine (July/August 2009 issue)we came across an article about obesity in dogs. It's a very common issue and we at You Lucky Dog see it many times per day. It's so sad to see, and something we can take easy steps to fix and eliminate from our dogs lives. Simply feeding to the dog's DESIRED body weight helps, not what the dog actually weighs! If you love to give treats, remember to hold back some kibble to balance out the amount of food intake. Treats are very high in calories and put weight on quickly.

Purina Pet Foods recently did a study by following a litter of Labradors over their lifetime. Puppies were separated into 2 groups, one being fed 25% less than the other, a free choice fed group. Free fed dogs aged faster, as evidenced by graying and died an average of 2 years faster. 2 years! The free fed dogs also had more costly and frequent health issues than the restricted diet dogs. (page 41)

Let's take a minute to think about that...then start feeding on a schedule. Two meals per day with plenty of water available at all times. Let's do our part to insure our pups live a longer and happier life!

Mike
a tired dog is a happy dog

Monday, July 27, 2009

Doggie Daycare Photos 7/24 - Finally

Hello people! Here are some great photos from last week or was it the week before. They are kind of running together for me. I have already cropped today's photos and am about to put them up. Hope all is well with you and yours and that this cooler weather is pleasing!
Take care.
Wendy