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Tag Your Friend - Save His Life!
 Our "Traveling With Your Dog" article last month stressed the importance of tags on your dog while you travel. This month I would like to reinforce how important it can be to wear tags on your dog while he's at home too.
My border collie, Skye, (the good looking one in the picture), was frightened by lightning on his first trip outside this morning. Terrified, he bolted out of our yard and ran off through the woods. The next few hours were spent frantically looking for him all around my neighborhood, and because I live in Woodland Park, worrying about him coming in contact with a wild animal. Finally,a kind gentleman called me to say Skye had shown up at his house, about two miles away! When I picked him up he was shaking, soaking wet and his paws were bruised and cut, but at least he was alive. The gentleman who found him said he was impressed by how well tagged he was (he had a personal identification tag, rabies tag, and license tag). Had Skye not had his tags on I'm sure his rescuer would have taken him to the Teller County Animal Shelter. He has a microchip which would guaranteed his return, but I may have suffered hours more worry.
Tag your dog, license, and microchip him. Make it easy for those finding him to get him back to his loved ones. Skye was adopted at the Humane Society in Colorado Springs. He had been a stray, and I now wonder if he ran away during a storm without tags, and no one thought to look for him there.
I am proud to say that Lucky Dog requires name tags and collars on all the dogs that visit us.Some facilities don't like to wear collars on dogs due to the possibility of dogs getting hooked together (a highly unusual occurrence in well monitored dog groups). I personally feel a dog's collar and tags should NEVER be removed, for any reason. Dogs have no voice and cannot tell us where their homes are. It is up to those of us who care for dogs to assure their identification is available and up to date!
Debi Ropes-Stevenson
General Manager, Lucky Dog Resorts
(Also, remember that more dogs are lost on the 4th of July holiday than any other time of the year! Keep your dog safe, secure and well tagged during fireworks season!)
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| Contact Us |
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4401 Mark Dabling Blvd
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907
719-599-9663
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Trainer's Corner
Tug-O-War!
A Great Energy Release!
Hannah Padilla, CTC
Tug-o-war is a wonderful predatory energy burner and good exercise for both dog and owner. When played with rules, tug-o-war helps you control the game, which in turn controls your dog.
The five rules for tug-o-war are:
1. Dog "outs" command - Have a release command such as "let go" or "out". Practice these exchanges with your dog regularly. The sequence is 1) your command to "out" 2) the dog releases 3) a food reward is given and 4) your command to re-take tug object and start the game again.
2. Designated object - Have one toy that you use for tug, no exceptions! This prevents your dog from playing tug-o-war with anything and everything in your house!
3. No uninvited takes or re-takes - Always initiate the tug-o-war game. If your dog runs up to you with the tug toy and you didn't invite him, ignore him. Dogs need to learn that this game is only played upon your invitation. When you want to play, invite the dog to take the tug toy, practice many "outs", and then invite him to re-take the toy. This teaches the dog impulse control even when he's amped up.
4. Frequent obedience breaks - Alternate back and forth between rounds of tug-o-war and brief obedience breaks. This allows you to spot check his behavior during the game and to obtain obedience from the dog when he's amped up, thus improving his obedience skills.
5. Zero tolerance of accidents - When playing tug-o-war, dogs will sometimes make contact with your hand or another part of you, by mistake. Don't let this go unnoticed. Screech "OUCH!" even if it didn't hurt, and abruptly end the game. Dogs can control their jaws with great precision, so when you end the game, you remind them the great necessity to keep their jaws off people at all times.
Once these rules are established, they need to be maintained by constant practice and testing. If the dog is not breaking any of these rules, allow him to get as excited as he wants. This includes head shakes, strong tugging and growling. Releasing a dog's predatory energy through tug-o-war will keep him happy and tired! Safe tugging!
Congratulations to Brian Moore and Donna Thill for their marriage on May 14 (they will have a formal ceremony in September), AND Hannah Glass and Joey Padilla on THEIR marriage on May 24. Both couples are trainer/manager teams at Lucky Dog! | |
Traveling with Your Dog By Air
 Each airline has different rules and regulations concerning the shipping of pets, so it's best to contact them directly. Here are some basic guidelines for transporting your dog by plane:
*Only very small dogs have access to the area under your seat, and it's expensive. This means most of us will have to ship our dogs in the cargo hold, and extremes in weather conditions may prohibit your pet flying on any given day. Please make sure you have a back up plan in case you have to go and your pet has to stay due to extremes in temperature.
*Your dog must be at least 8 weeks old for air travel. *Discuss the trip with your veterinarian. Most vets and the airlines themselves advise against sedating your pet if at all possible.
*All airlines require a health certificate, and this means your pet to be up to date on all vaccines. Keep in mind that health certificates are only good for 10 days.
*The crate your dog travels in must be large enough for him to lie down,turn around and stand. Crate must say "Live Animal" and "This Side Up" on the outside walls,and be the kind approved for air travel.
*Freeze the water for your dog's water bowl the night before. Add the ice to bowl right before your pet is transferred to airline personnel. Helps prevent spillage and will melt slowly,and stay cool longer, during his trip.
If you are traveling within the United States, try using a ground transportation service for your dog. Contact Pro Pet Transports for more information.
See "Quick Links" above for more information on air transportation for your pet.
Did you know Lucky Dog offers transportation to and from the Colorado Springs Airport? We can also be used as a back up resource if your dog is prevented from flying on the same day as your family. Call either Lucky Dog for more information.
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Your Dog's Health
Gastric Torsion
Bloat, torsion, gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) are all names for this life threatening condition. Common in large, deep chested breeds, GDV, commonly know as bloat, is a twisting of the stomach. This twisting causes a decreased blood return to the heart, cardiac output decrease and sometimes cardiac arrhythmia. Toxins build up in the dying stomach lining, the blood pressure bottoms out, and the stomach can rupture causing peritonitis.
What Causes Bloat?
There are many theories about the cause of bloat. Gulping large amounts of water or food, gulping air, activity after eating are all suspect, but one factor does not emerge predominately as the villain. Almost all vets agree there is a heredity link in dog families. For some time it was thought that elevated food bowls could help prevent bloat, but this theory has been mostly dismissed. One thing is certain; your dog's breed and physical form is the main factor for his predisposition to bloating.
Which Breeds are Most At Risk?
Akitas, Labs, German Shepherds, St Bernards, Bloodhounds and Weimaraners to name a few. Mixed breeds with deep chests are also affected. More male dogs are affected than females.
Symptoms?
Abdominal distension, salivating, retching, rapid heart rate, lethargy and depression are warning signs of possible GDV.
Treatment?
If you suspect your dog may be bloating, GET TO YOUR VET, ANY VET IMMEDIATELY! This is a life threatening condition! Your vet will treat for shock and heart arrhythmia right away. Sometimes, a tube can be passed into the stomach and a levage (rinsing out of accumulated food and gastric juices) can be performed. A needle may be inserted into the stomach to release gases, but often surgery is necessary. Recovery from GDV and/or the surgery is usually a slow process.
Prevention!
In breeds predisposed to bloat it may be wise to have the dog's stomach tacked into place surgically. This can be accomplished in female dogs at the time of spay. Do not allow dogs to gulp large amounts of water, food or air. Even with these precautions, bloat can happen. Dogs with breed or inherited tendencies should be watched closely, and those caring for your dog should be taught the warning signs.
Lucky Dog rests all dogs after eating to eliminate the possible "exercise after eating" link to this condition. This is why your boarding dog is often not on the playfloor for at least 45 minutes after his meal.
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Great Employees! 
Brittany Bates
Brittany has been working at Lucky Dog Central since Jan 11, 2005, and is currently the Assistant Manager at that location.
Brittany loves cooking, shopping, playing "Dance, Dance Revolution" and hanging out with her roommate. Brittany is attending Pikes Peak Community College and is majoring in special needs education. Brittany is a big fan of pugs! She likes them because they have cute faces, and they snort!
Thanks Brittany,for all your hard work and dedication to the dogs!
"Oh, what is the matter with poor Puggy-Wug? Pet him and kiss him and give him a hug.Wrap him up tenderly all in a rug.That is the way to cure Puggy-Wug."
-Winston Churchill,
on his daughter Mary's Pet Pug
Next Month! Check out who's for adoption with Dreampower Rescue!
Our trainers answeryour questions!
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Product Focus
Lucky Dog carries a retail selection of toys, and quality pet foods. We change our products frequently to give our clients a wider range of retail to choose from. Starting in this month's Newsletter we will focus on a product available at Lucky Dog. First up:
"The Everlasting Beanie Ball" from Star Mark Products
The manufacturer states that this toy is virtually indestructible! The Beanie Ball comes with a large round treat that is placed in the center of the ball for added interest (refills available). The other side of the ball has a bumpy surface to help with dental hygiene, and another place to store smaller treats for slow dispensing as the dog plays. These toys were designed by dog trainers. Lucky Dog is currently carrying the size for larger dogs, but we can order medium and small balls as well. See a manager to order. For more information on this toy and others go to: Star Mark Products
Our Price: $21.00 (larger dogs)
List Price: $26.99
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Enjoy Our Newsletter?
If you know of someone who might be interested in receiving our Newsletter, be sure to forward a copy to them! Sign-ups for the Newsletter can be requested at each Lucky Dog, our website home page, or by clicking the subscription link above.
At Lucky Dog, our goal is to be more than just your dog's favorite place to visit, we want to be a source for all dog related information. Our purpose for publishing the Lucky Dog Newsletter is to provide our client's with information on canine related subjects, services offered at Lucky Dog, and to introduce the folks taking care of your special dog! We know that "Dogs Just Want to Have Fun!" and dog owners want to do what's best for their best friend!
See you in August!
Debi Ropes- Stevenson
General Manager, Lucky Dog Resorts
PS- Some people say they can't see our Newsletter images. Make sure your computer is set to "enable images" in your security settings. We have some cute pictures and it's no fun if you can't see them!
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Free Pool Time Session!
Bring this coupon and receive a free pool time session for your dog. A $4.00 value!
One coupon per family - coupon cannot be reproduced-please note expiration date. |
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| Offer expires July 31, 2008 |
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