KYPSAH's Paw Prints Points

February 2011 Edition

“Welcome To Our New Site!”

Well, we finally did it! We launched our new website just a couple of weeks ago, and we’re pretty okay with it. Is it finished? Nope. There are some things that we still need to do/add to it. However, it is functional and works well with mobile media! So, you should be able to view it from your mobile browser now–woohoo!

The other great thing about our new site is that YOU can leave comments just like on a blog site! We hope that you like the interactivity with us, and others, that this little option now provides.

Other items to mention regarding our new site are as follows:
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• We are now beginning to place how-to videos up on the site in order to show you how we work with dogs (and cats)
• Fresh pictures are being added–and often
• Articles and blogs are being posted
• Common pet-related questions are being answered
• Flowing testimonials that also our clients to have their business link listed for reciprocal marketing benefits (a ‘Thank You’ with a “Thank You”)

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So, enjoy!

“February: Love in Bloom”

February is a great month that seems to resonate itself each and every day on the wings of a love song. Incorporated within the daily song of love, is the love that we receive from our precious fur-kids. They remind us that every day is a new day full of unconditional love and support from them and is also to be treated as a “gift”.

If you’re needing pet care on or around Valentine’s Day or President’s Day, please make sure to get your reservations in quickly.

“To Bark or Not To Bark”

No one likes it when dogs perpetually bark at what seems like nothing–and constantly. So, what to do?

Well, dogs bark for a variety of reasons. There are warning barks, intruder barks, anxious barks, barking during playtime, establishing domain barks, begging barks and all sorts of other barks…some good and some bad. Consequently, not all barking is “bad”.

For the problematic, non-stop barkers who bark at what seems like for and at nothing, these are the ones that can easily get underneath a person’s skin. And, they can also wreak havoc for you especially when you find yourself in hot water with your neighbors, and quite possibly, Animal Control =/ This type of barking can quite often be the result of a dog whom hasn’t had enough exercise. A dog that hasn’t had enough exercise is an easy-fix, too!

Since there are all different sorts of barks, take some time to analyze what it is that your dog is trying to tell you. Look at their posture because they speak volumes using their body language (this is a different article in and of itself).

For this article, we’re concentrating on the dogs that are barking without cause. You know, the guys who are running in circles chasing their tails, barking incessantly. They’re barking without cause, or so we deem. Here are a few suggestions to curb the barking:
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• Exercise Your Dog. This is tough to do on very busy days, days when you don’t feel well or bad weather days. As often as you can though, and preferably daily, you need to at least walk your dog for a minimum of 30-minutes once-a-day (twice-a-day if he/she is out in the backyard all day while you’re at work; relieving their stress before you go to work and after you get home). The catch to this is you need to ascertain your dog’s energy level and meet the needs of your dog based on their energy level. If your dog is a high or very high energy (an indicator if your dog is one of these types is they will often run between Point A and Point B and not walk), more often than not, you will need to run them. A good bike or skate session works wonders for these types!
• Breed Exercise. When you’re done walking or running your dog, afterward incorporate about 20-minutes of his/her favorite game designed with their breed in mind. For example, if your dog is a retriever, play about 20-minutes of Fetch with him/her after their run.
  Note: Stating the obvious, make sure to give them a water break after the run and before you start the breed exercise. High energy or not, they need water and a small break before starting up another rigorous exercise routine.
• Who’s The Boss? If your dog feels like he/she is the boss and not you, the barking will be out of control for sure. Therefore, make sure that you are asserting yourself as his/her calm and assertive Pack Leader. Think of yourself as your dog’s EMT, if this helps. As an example, during an emergency, the qualities that we look for in an emergency responder that give us a sense of assurance that everything is going to be okay are: Patience, self-control, intelligence, a calm voice, and a firm understanding of what’s going on and what needs to be done.
• Seek a Vet. Believe it or not, dogs have chemical imbalances, too. For example, dogs that suffer from seizures or Epilepsy can bark repeatedly during their seizures. So, size-up if your dog has anything physiologically wrong with him/her by consulting with your veterinarian.
• Seek a Dog Behaviorist or Trainer. Sometimes it is easier to have hands-on help with behavior issues. Assuming of course that a physiological conditional has been ruled-out, seek a Dog Behaviorist or a Dog Trainer to help you and your dog find the path to peace.

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Now, all dogs have issues even for those of us that work with them on a constant-basis. So, you’re not alone 🙂

[pullquote_left]Remember, that the worst thing you can do to correct your dog’s bad behavior, is to do nothing at all. [/pullquote_left]