Canards Canins

Québec Dog Owners Journal

"Don't skip a beat"

1. Introduction
2. Being a perfect dog owner : easy steps
3. Being a responsible dog owner : recognizing signals
4. Set up a spring preventive health care program
5. Another friend, the veterinarian
6. Some tips about heartworm disease
7. Some tips about nutrition
8. Some grooming tips
9. Dog training basics and reminders

Introduction
Healthy heart tips for the one you love

One of life’s greatest experience is loving a dog. They provide their owners with unconditional, limitless affection and ‘to die for’ loyalty. The special human/animal bond that develops with time is unique. No wonder dogs are a man’s best friend !

Being a perfect dog owner :
easy steps


• I take him to the vet for regular checkups and vaccinations
• I exercise him every day
• I feed him high quality food
• I give him fresh water
• I play with him every day
• I have safe toys for him
• I keep him bathed, brushed and beautiful
• I have house trained him
• I am always compassionate




Being a responsible dog owner :
recognizing signals

Unhealthy	Healthy
Lifeless, runny eyes Runny or dry nose Dull or uneven coat , shedding Scratching Ears red and/or smelly, black waxy material Listless and not playful Soft or runny stool	Energetic, bright eyes Wet, cool nose Glossy, full coat Clean, pink ears Energetic, alert and playful Active, good appetite




Set up a spring preventive health care program
Such a program includes :

• Vaccinations
• Heartworm and parasite control
• Flea prevention
• Dental care
• Nutrition
• Training/obedience tips



Another friend, the veterinarian


• Your veterinarian is there to provide the expertise needed to diagnose, treat and prevent disease.
• His goals are to minimize health problems and optimize health.
• Schedule regular visits for check-ups and immunizations that protect your pet from serious disease.
• Ask him about vaccination, heartworm and parasite infections, fleas, dental care and nutrition.
• Be sure to see your vet at the first sight of a health problem
• Your dog depends on you for the best care and you depend on your vet to keep your pet in peak health



Some tips about heartworm disease

Q- Can my dog get heartworm disease ?

A- Yes. Every dog can be at risk, indoors and out.

Q- How can he catch it ?

A- Dogs get heartworm disease from mosquitoes. It is the female mosquitoe that bites and transmits the infection. They are very tiny and can easily slip through cracks around windows, doors and screens.

Q- Are some dogs more susceptible than others ?

A- No dog or breed of dog is immune to heartworm disease. The mosquitoe that bites your dog could be carrying this common and deadly parasite. If untreated, he could die.

Q- How can I tell if my dog has heartworm disease ?

A- Signs of heartworm disease can take as long as 4 to 7 months to appear after initial infection. However, an infected dog may start coughing within 4 months of infection. Other signs may include sluggishness, weight loss, and difficulty breathing. A dog that is typically active may become less active. If you suspect your dog has heartworm disease, your veterinarian can perform a simple diagnostic blood test

Q- When is the right time to get my dog tested ?

A- Mosquitoes, the carrier of heartworm disease, can be found at varying times of the year depending on the climate. In Canada they usually appear some time during the spring.

Q- How can I prevent my dog from getting heartworm disease in the future ?

A- If your veterinarian determines that your dog is free of heartworms, he or she will tell you how easy and convinient prevention can be. It’s important to follow your veterinarian’s instructions; if you don’t, your dog could still be at risk. Remember, the first, most important step is to have your dog tested for heartworms.

Q- What would be the best prevention for my dog ?

A- Ask your veterinarian for the most reliable easy to give prevention treatment that your animal will enjoy taking. There are several treatments available. One of them is chewable and is the only one that is 100 % beef flavoured. Because it is easy to administer and can be given as a treat your dog’s acceptance to this treatment will lead to a guaranteed compliance.



Some tips about nutrition

Your dog’s diet changes with each life stage
The smallest variations in your care can have a tremendous influence on how your pet looks, feels and acts. Remember, a ‘’one size fits all’’ approach to nutrition is not appropriate

Puppy
• They often require extra care and attention
• The ‘’early years’’ are the ‘’healthy years’’
Adults ( 1-6 years )
• You need to evaluate your dog’s activity level, breed type
• Is your dog a hunting, sport or working dog ?
• It is important to know that obesity is the most common nutritional disease of dogs
Older dogs ( +6 years)
• Owners must alter the way they care for their older pets as the dog’s body and daily activity levels change
• Older dogs have a greater risk of developping health problems such as kidney and heart disease and also may have special digestive needs.



Some grooming tips

• Groomers examine your dog from nose to tail and all observations are an excellent form of preventive pet health care.
• Ear cleaning, nail clipping and flea control as well as bathing, brushing and combing makes for a happier pet.




Dog training basics and reminders

Timing
• The timing of corrections and the praise must be impeccable
• It is too late to correct or praise if the dog is not doing what you want to reinforce
• Reinforcement must happen as the behavior is happening
Consistency
• If you do not want your dog on the couch, then he should never be allowed on the couch
• Dogs do not understand sometimes or maybe
• They only understand always and never !
Praise
• We focus too often on correction rather than say a good word when things are going well
• Let them know when they are good dogs
• Dog training class instructors have a much more difficult time getting dog owners to praise their dogs than they do in getting them to correct their dogs
Firm
• Tell your dog, don’t ask him
• If he doesn’t comply, then show him
• Firm does not mean mean
Fun
• Break up training with energetic games
• Games give everyone a stress break