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Dogs + Preventive Care & Wellness

  • Helping your pet lose weight may be challenging at first, but with patience and persistence, you can be successful. Research has shown that small amounts of weight loss help improve the quality of life for overweight pets. This handout focuses on commonly asked questions and tips for owners to help their overweight pet successfully achieve some weight loss.

  • This article discusses some of the more common household hazards that are toxic to dogs, including foods, medications, plants, and household chemicals. Symptoms depend on the type and quantity of toxin ingested. Early intervention is key to successful treatment.

  • Teaching a dog to come when called is perhaps the most important behavior we ever teach. You can train a reliable recall using positive reinforcement and it can be incorporated into daily play time. Puppies should be set up to succeed by having training challenges, such as distractions, added gradually. Until a recall is reliable, puppies should be held on leash when they are not in a secure, fenced area.

  • Transdermal medication is medicine that is given through the skin. A drug is placed on top of the skin, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream. Transdermal medications have many advantages, and the main one is ease of application.

  • TTouch is a form of touch therapy devised and popularized by Linda Tellington Jones. TTouch is a simple, light massage technique in which the practitioner uses a clockwise circular motion of the fingers on the skin of the patient.

  • Controlled substances are medications or illicit drugs that affect the central nervous system and have the potential for abuse or dependence, both in humans and in animals. These drugs are often needed to manage pain and other conditions in pets and are relatively safe when used appropriately and under the guidance of a veterinarian. Be sure you understand the risks and responsibilities associated with controlled substance use.

  • Every dog has wants and needs, including social interaction, physical exercise, intellectual exercise, and time to rest. When their needs are met predictably and enrichment is consistently available, dogs experience less stress and frustration and may be less likely to develop problematic behaviors.

  • Predictability and trust are important foundations for training your dog. Learning what your dog finds rewarding and strategically providing rewards at the right time will promote the desired behavior to happen more often.

  • Vaccine failures are rare, but they can occur. In addition, vaccines are not always 100% effective. This article outlines six primary reasons why a vaccine may not work.

  • Vaccines are necessary to reduce illnesses in dogs caused by infectious diseases. They work by stimulating the body's immune system to recognize and fight a particular microorganism such as a virus or bacteria. The vaccine helps the body prevent infection or lessen the severity of the infection, and promotes rapid recovery.