Running with Your Dog

Many athletes and gym enthusiasts are psyched about having a furry friend to take on runs! Running with your dog can be a fun activity for both you and your pet, but there are a few important things to keep in mind before you set off on a marathon together. Here are just a few:

Pace Yourself: Remember that even a young, healthy dog will need to work up to your speed and distance if they’ve never run before. Start at a slow place, and gradually increase your speed and distance over time.

Take Cues from Your Dog: Along the same lines as pace, make sure that you are always paying attention to your dog during your run and “listening” to their needs. If your dog is starting to slow down, panting excessively, or lies down during your run, it’s time to take a break and get them some water.

Bring Plenty of Water: Make sure that you’ve got ample water with you - both for you and your dog! Consider investing in a few water bottles that can attach to a belt and a collapsible bowl that you can bring along with you. Another option is to plan your routes so you know you’ll pass several spots where free drinking water will be readily available.

Be Distraction-Free: Many people like to listen to music or a podcast while running, but it’s important that when you’re running with a companion that you don’t wear headphones, and listen carefully to other runners, bikers, and traffic around you to ensure that both you and your pet stay safe during your run.

One last thought, some bicycle riders think that it is a good to exercise their dog while riding. Running a dog beside a bicycle is not a good idea and is NEVER recommended by pet care professionals.

Interested in getting your dog more exercise? Consider dog daycare in Fort Myers FL!

Pavement Problems

We’ve all experienced the feeling of being barefoot on the beach and walking on hot sand during the summer months – and it can be terrible! Just imagine how your dog must feel going on walks on the hot pavement all summer long!

It can be tough to stay off of the cement or pavement during walks, but it is important to try to walk your dog on grass or another cool surface where possible when the temperature exceeds 70 degrees.

If you’re unsure of whether or not the pavement is too hot for you dog’s feet, try this trick: place the palm of your hand on the pavement for 5 seconds. If you’re able to comfortably leave your hand there for that long, the ground is cool enough for your dog to walk on. If you find that you have to pick your hand up before the 5 seconds are up, or your hand is burning by the end of it, the pavement it too hot for your dog to be on.

Walking your dog on hot pavement can lead to serious burns and sores on his paws, which he can further agitate by licking or biting his paws and pads. Make sure you do everything you can to keep your dog’s feet safe this summer!

For more summer safety tips, click here to visit our website or contact one of our daycare professionals!

Healthy Treats

While many people are aware that some human foods are toxic to dogs, it’s not always clear what you can and cannot feed your dog outside of the prepackaged food and treats you find at the pet store. Here are a few of the healthy snacks you can give to your pet, many of which you likely already have in your fridge or pantry:

• Peanut Butter: Peanut butter is a favorite of many dogs. It’s a great training motivator and can be stuffed into a kong to keep your dog occupied for hours. For even longer enjoyment, stick a peanut butter kong in the freezer for a few hours before giving it to your pup!
• Cooked Chicken: Chicken is great to add to your dog’s normal dog food, and makes for an easy-to-digest food if your pet is experiencing GI problems. A bland diet of boiled chicken and white rice can help to soothe your dog’s GI tract during bouts of diarrhea or vomiting, and they’re sure to love it!
• Blueberries: Blueberries are high in antioxidants and make great little treats for your dog to enjoy. Blueberries can also be frozen to make refreshing bite size snacks for your dog to enjoy during the hot months of summer!

We hope this post has given you some fun snack ideas for your dog. For more information on caring for your pooch, click here to visit our website!

Firework and Thunder Phobia

Summer is a time for fireworks and severe thunderstorms, which, for many dogs and other pets, can be a very stressful. If your dog is fearful of loud noises, here are a few tips to try:

• Reduce Noise and Sight: To the best of your ability, reduce the amount of noise. Close the windows and curtains, shut doors, and keep your dog confined to a safe space towards the middle of your home. Leaving the TV and radio on for your pet helps desensitize pets to loud noises and flashes of light too.
• Get Exercise: Exercising your dog more than normal on the day of a planned fireworks show can help them to be calmer later in the day. If your dog is worn out from a day of playing outside, he is less likely to be reactive to loud noises or bright lights later in the evening.
• Thunder Shirts: Thunder shirts provide compression to your dog, which may help him to feel safe and secure. While designed specifically for thunder, they can be effective for all loud noises and other stressful situations for your dog.

For more tips on keeping your dog safe during a fireworks display, give us a call at (239) 939-3647, and to book your dog’s next boarding stay, click here to visit our website.

Addressing Behavioral Needs During Pet Boarding

Some pet owners may shy away from pet boarding because they’re unsure or wary about how their dog behaves around other dogs. If you’ve had a negative encounter at the dog park or even walking your dog on the street amongst other dogs, do not let that you deter you from boarding your pet.

A reputable pet boarding facility is a great place for trained staff to address your dog’s behavioral needs during playtime with other animals. There, they can separate dogs that are playing too rough together, allow for calming breaks when a dog is overstimulated or displaying inappropriate play behavior, or even provide a fun and entertaining experience for dogs that do better away from other pets. Always keep in mind that the top priority of a boarding facility is to keep your dog and the other guests safe and happy throughout their stay.

Interested in booking a stay for your pet? Contact our friendly team in Fort Myers FL!

Boarding for Multiple Pets

Many pet owners opt for pet sitting while they’re away rather than pet boarding because they have multiple dogs in their home. The truth is, pet boarding is a great option for pets that live together, as they’ll be able to stay and play with one another, as well as many other dogs! Many facilities offer the flexibility of larger suites, where two or more dogs (depending on their size) will be able to sleep together. This will help your dogs to feel more at home and eliminate some of the stress of deviating from their normal routine, as they’ll be sticking by their best buddy the entire time! Additionally, some boarding facilities may even offer reservation discounts when you board more than one pet at a time.

For more information on boarding multiple pets at a time, click here to learn more about our pet resort serving the Fort Myers FL area!

Allergy Season - It Doesn't Just Affect People!

Spring brings beautiful flowers, blooming trees, and many other forms on new life, but for many of us, it can also mean the start of allergy season! What you may not realize is that your pets can also suffer from allergies, and while in many cases your pet’s allergies are mild enough to avoid intervention, there are times when it’s best for a veterinarian to intervene. Be on the lookout for the following allergy symptoms in your dog this spring season:

• Excessive sneezing or nasal discharge
• Red eyes or eye discharge
• Increased itchiness or scratching
• Biting or licking at paws

If you see any of the following signs in your pet, contact your veterinarian to discuss the possibility of allergies. When your dog attends daycare or boarding, ask our staff to be on the lookout for signs of allergies in your pet.

Daycare can be a great opportunity for your dog to expend energy without the need to be outside during allergy season! For more information, click here to visit our website.