PUPPY PLAYTIME!

Playing is a pivotal part of the developmental process of a child. The same goes for dogs. If your puppy spends most of his or her early weeks confined to the inside of a crate, there is little to no development. The best way to raise a puppy is with plenty of socialization. Socialization is introducing your puppy to anything they will encounter in their adult life in a positive way. This should include different environments, sounds, textures, other dogs and most importantly people. Read on for tips to help with the socialization process of your puppy.

ACQUAINT

Once your puppy has their age-appropriate vaccinations, it is crucial to introduce your furbaby to other puppies, dogs and even cats. The more you familiarize your pooch with other furry creatures, different breeds and sizes of dogs, the more natural and less threatening they will become for your pup. As your puppy grows into an adult dog, they will be well prepared for the vast array of animals they may encounter in life, making them less likely to become frightened or aggressive. It is important to also introduce your puppy to different people, familiarizing them with the sights and smells and with the varying pressure of their touch. Puppies should be introduced to at least 100 people (of all shapes and sizes) by the time they are 16-18 weeks old. After that age, the socialization window closes and it becomes increasingly difficult to introduce your puppy to new things.

STIMULI

Just as critical to acquainting your dog with other creatures is the necessity of introducing your pup to various stimuli. This can include things as miscellaneous as an umbrella, balloons or a chair. Those these objects may seem benign and non-threatening to us, from your puppy's lower vantage point and limited knowledge, they can appear very frightening. By introducing these objects early on and in a positive way, your puppy learns not to be afraid of these things and will grow up with less fear and anxiety about the world around them.

FREE PUPPY PLAYTIME!

To help with the socialization process, Morris K9 Campus is offering Puppy Playtime sessions for puppies ages 8-16 weeks old with age appropriate vaccinations. Our socialization sessions will include letting the dogs play off-leash to help puppies learn the appropriate way to play, proper bite inhibition and develop good puppy skills. Special emphasis will be on meeting strangers and introducting them into new environments. Our FREE Puppy Playtimes are an hour long and will be scheduled for the following Saturdays:
3/31/2012, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
4/7/2012, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
4/14/2012, 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Click here to sign-up.

SPRING CLEANING WITH YOUR DOG IN MIND

With the unseasonably warm weather we've had this winter, you may have started your spring cleaning early. However, if you waited for the actual first day of spring, you're in luck because we have some smart tips that will help you clean your house until it sparkles, but will keep the safety of your pet in mind.

Occupy Fido
While you are busy cleaning, scrubbing and vacuuming, you don't want Fido getting underfoot, putting you both at risk for injury. Keep in mind that every year about 80,000 trips and falls are caused by pets alone. To avoid a tumble, set your fuzzball up in another room far from the cleaning action with his or her favorite toy or a Kong filled with treats. Even better, bring your pooch to doggie daycare so that he or she can run and play which will relieve all of their pent-up energy and save you the time of having to walk your dog later. After a day of cleaning, you probably just want to sit with your feet propped up on an ottoman with a drink in hand anyway!

Go Green!
Avoid ammonia, bleach and strong cleaning products loaded with chemicals. Opt instead for green products that are natural and less gag-inducing. Even with the windows open, the toxins in cleaning products tend to linger and are not safe for you or your dog to breath in. Since green products can be pricey, you can experiment by making your own, natural cleaning products. Mother Nature Network lists a few recipes for DIY cleaning solutions that can be made using natural ingredients like borax, salt, lemon juice, water, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. One example suggests using a mixture of 2 tablespoons baking soda with 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a cup of water that is then boiled. You can use the mixture to scrub the insides of your fridge and microwave. Steer clear of toxic cleaning products and both you and your dog will be happier.

Safe-Keeping
Whatever cleaning solutions you wind up using, ensure that they are not left around in any area that your dog can reach. If you mop your floors, rinse with water before you are done in case your dog licks the floor. For eliminating smells in your house, steer clear of odor neutralizing gels that your pup may try to nibble on, which could make him or her very sick.

Clean House, Clean Dog
Once your house is spic and span, bathe your dog! There's no sense in having a clean house if Fido is just going to dirty it up again! At Morris K9 Campus, we're making this easy for you by offering a choice of any specialty scented shampoo with every bath booked from now until April 30, 2012! Choose from the following scented shampoos: Cupcake Kiss, Lucky Duck, Lemongrass, Blueberry, Snickerdoodle, Canine Cabana, April Showers and May Flowers. Check them out and sniff all of our scents which will be conveniently located at the front desk in our lobby. Additional grooming services that Morris K9 Campus also provides are nail trims, brushing and teeth brushing.

SAFE-PROOF YOUR YARD FOR FIDO

Spring is right around the corner which means you are probably readying your yard for the coming months so that you can enjoy a lush, verdant lawn and vibrant colorful flowers! Your yard is your own beautiful slice of nature that you can landscape and grow how you like. As you prepare your yard for warmer weather, keep in mind the following tips so that your yard is not only visually appealing but also safe for the furriest member of your family.

Fence In Your Yard

Dogs are natural born explorers with little regard for a map or compass, relying solely on their olfactory senses and stellar hearing capabilities. They can hear and smell interesting stimuli that are outside the perimeter of your yard. Unfortunately, these senses may not always be enough to lead them back to home sweet home. Because there is nothing more upsetting than a lost dog, it is highly important your yard is fully fenced in to prevent this from happening. If your dog is a jumper or a large breed dog, make sure to install a tall fence that is sturdy, strong, and can resist the repeated pressure of your dog jumping against it. If your dog likes to dig, it is crucial to reinforce the fence in order to deter your pooch from recreating a scene out of The Great Escape and tunneling to the other side. Make sure the fence is placed deep in the ground so this scenario cannot happen. Do not place objects like garbage cans near a fence that your canine can jump on and use as a trampoline to hop over the fence. Remember, if you are an owner that leaves your dog chained to a tree in the yard, it is not the safest option if you are not there to monitor and there is no fence. The rope or chain can easily break and your dog can get loose.

Lawn Maintenance

Before applying fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides, remove any water bowls or dog toys from the yard. Wait until chemicals have completely dried up before returning them to the yard. Some sources suggest waiting up to four days before allowing your dog to go out in the yard. Consider applying the chemicals in shifts and monitor your pup when outside to ensure he or she steers clear of the infected area for the suggested time frame. Keep chemicals in its original packaging and store them in a spot your pet cannot access. According to the ASPCA Poison Control Center, cocoa mulch, if heavily ingested, can have a similar effect on dogs as chocolate causing vomiting and diarrhea, so steer clear of this mulch. The most poisonous pesticides for dogs are slug and snail bait, gopher and rat poison, fly bait and systemic insecticides. For the safety of your precious pooch, it is best to invest in natural, organic, and chemical-free lawn substances to avoid this situation all together.

Holes

The potholes that continue to plague your driveway every year after winter may make you crazy but turn your attention to the divets and holes dotting your grassy yard as well. If your dog takes off after a squirrel or rabbit and their paw happens to land in a hole, your pooch is liable to strain a muscle or sprain an ankle. Patch up holes with topsoil and replant grass in these areas. Enlist the help of a landscaper if lawn maintenance is not your specialty. 

Letting your dog out in the backyard should be an easy way for your pooch to enjoy the outdoors. If you follow these simple steps to safeguard your yard for Fido, it can be a walk in the park.