HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS FOR YOU AND YOUR ANIMALS

With Christmas fast approaching, the area Santa Claus parades are starting. If you decide you want to take your dog to the parade with you, please be aware of sights and sounds which may be startling to your dog. People are in costumes and often are walking among the onlookers. Little elves also throw candies into the crowd and if your dog picks one up it has the potential to be harmful to him/her. There is also plenty of noise. Children are excited, sirens will be going off, bands will be playing and there is usually at least one horse drawn wagon. Please keep this in mind to make your night a pleasurable experience for your whole family.
Because the parade is at night that again poses a different kind of threat to your dog. PLEASE… do not use a retractable leash at the parade. As you are watching the sights, sounds and your children your dog could be 20 ft away from you on a retractable leash therefore while you are enjoying the festivities, your dog is being crushed by a fire truck, car, horse or one of the many obstacles presented at the parade.
This time of year also poses its own set of problems with the colder weather. When you are out shopping we at rrruffhouse.com suggest you leave your dog at home. We realize that your dog loves to go with you, but please consider what is best for your pet. As the days get colder your dog will also feel this and may not be capable of adjusting its own body temperature accordingly. You may wish to rectify this by keeping your car running. While this may seem like a good idea, if you have a dog that jumps around the car while you are gone, there is the potential that your dog could put your car into gear. We also know how easy it is for 10 minutes to turn into an hour –you hit a sale, meet a friend, etc.
If your dog likes to go for car rides, take him for a drive with you to see the Christmas lights. He will enjoy this much more as he is actually spending the time with you.

Why Do Dogs Chew Their Nails?

Nail chewing and biting is not standard dog behavior and could be a cause for concern, according to Dr. Page Wages at the Oberlin Animal Hospital. Boredom, anxiety, poor grooming, allergies and infections are common causes for the chewing habit, and should be addressed quickly to ease the dog’s distress. Some causes can easily be resolved by a trip to the pet store for allergy sensitive food and toys, while other conditions will require a prescription by a veterinarian.

Allergies

• Food and outdoor allergies can lead to nail biting in dogs. Allergies to grass, pollen and other outdoor items may be irritating the dogs paws and nails. Additives to the dog’s diet may also be causing discomfort, including corn. Chewing the nails is a way dogs relieve their itchy sensation. Allergy sensitive foods, including those without corn, are available at large pet retailers. Veterinarians can provide a prescription to ease the symptoms of outdoor allergies.

Infection

• If a nail is injured, and the wound is exposed, infection may result. If the area around the dog’s nails appears red, swollen, tender to the touch or is seeping, it may be infected. Dogs will chew the area to relieve the pressure and itchy feeling. An antibiotic is required to cure the infection, so a trip to the vet is necessary

Anxiety

• Leaving dogs alone can cause anxiety behaviors for some. Chewing nails, defecating in the house and destructive behavior are common signs of anxiety. Crate or kennel the dog when he will be left alone in the home. Dogs are den animals by nature, and need to feel secure. Consider leaving a radio or TV on so the dog can hear human interaction, and supply him with a few chew toys to ease his need to gnaw.

Boredom

• Stimulating a dog’s senses is essential. Exercise, playtime, talking and training are all essential. A bored dog will become destructive to himself and his surroundings. Nail biting is a common sign of boredom. Supply the pet with interactive play toys when dog or human interaction isn’t possible.

Poor Grooming

• Some dogs chew on their nails simply because they need to be trimmed. Visit the vet’s office, a grooming salon or invest in a dog nail clippers. The nails should be kept trimmed to just above the quick. Have a vet or grooming salon show you how to do this task if you wish to maintain the dog’s nails at home. Overgrown nails lead to cracks, chips and more nail chewing from your dog.

QUICK UPDATE ON ABBY-ROSE

Abby and her new friends

Just a quick little update on Abby-Rose, when she arrived she was a very shy and unstable little girl who would bite you rather than be your friend. Abby didn’t like to be near other dogs (she would bite) didn’t want to be brushed (she would bite) could not touch her feet (she would bite) absolutely could not cut her nails (she would bite) do you see a pattern? Well Abby has been here now four days and I am very proud to say we can touch her feet, got the back nails cut, not the front yet, she loves to be in with all the dogs, and she now likes to be brushed! We still need to work on a few things and still attempt to cut her front nails (she does not like that) we will try later today. I am very proud of little miss Abby she has come such a long way in a short time, still has some hills to climb but we will get there!

A SUCCESSFUL ADOPTION

Rufuss

We are the Phillips Family and we are the proud and lucky owners of Rufus.
The story begins with me and my French Mastiff Abby were on our way out of the dog park when this lady was coming in with a pack of dogs…. a big pack I might add…..so I held the gate open for her, and then I saw him…..the cutest….stubbiest…little bulldog  ever, I tried to get his attention but he just scooted right through the door not giving me a second glance. He was on a mission and it was not to meet me…I guess I was not as cute to him !! I notice a bright yellow “Adopt Me ” harness on him so I knew I had to talk to Grace some more. I ended up getting her card and went straight home and told my husband about Grace and Rufus and to my surprise he wanted to meet them so I called Grace and set up an appointment. When Grace brought Rufus in he came to all of us pretty easy, a little nervous , but he was very friendly, so we introduced him to our dogs one by one they all seemed to hit it off so things looked good and before I knew it we had another member in our family.
For about 2 months Rufus and our doggies got along great especially Abby, they would play all the time , when I would go out I would come home to a tipped love seat and lamps on the floor so I knew they were enjoying their ” alone time” lol. But then little by little I noticed they would start to have these scuffles and it eventually turned into full on dog fight. That”s when I decided to call Grace , she came right over and whipped my butt into shape …told me what I was doing wrong and how to change it which I was able to do.
Rufus was definitely the most challenging dog I’ve ever had but I wouldn’t change a thing. He and Abby now get along fine and are back to tipping furniture and knocking over lamps.He chases my kids around and rolls around on the floor with them he seems very happy.He’s still nervous and jumpy but getting better everyday . It’s been almost a year since we got him and we are thankful every day to Grace for choosing us to be his forever home . We love him soo much so sorry Grace your not getting him back lol

Love Jenn & Mark Phillips

 

QUICK UPDATE THAT WILL MAKE YOU SMILE!

 

So where do I start as not to bore you? Well as many of you know that my big dog Daddy just over a week ago broke his back leg and has had surgery, well what you may not know is he is NOT allowed to walk too much for seven months ( UGH! ) so he is kinda depressed because his friends are out playing and he is not. Some of you may also know that we have a new boot camp dog in named Rusty, he is a Yorkie mix and a very friendly little guy and is about 10 pounds soaking wet ( if that? ) He has warmed our hearts here like no other dog, he goes into the yard with all the dogs ( almost 1000 pounds collectively ) and does not even flinch, he loves being down there getting to run and play. Rusty has never experienced this kind of dog yard ever before but acts like he grew up here! Last night Rusty did not want to go back out into the yard to play or pee and I didn’t know why, I thought it was a bit strange because he had been down there all day and loved it! In fact didn’t want to come in when called. Also the night before last, Rusty’s first night here he slept in his crate with his bed and blanket and we didn’t hear a peep out of him, but this morning he was crying in his crate so I looked in at him and thought maybe he needs to pee, so out we went. Nope! that wasn’t it either??? By this point Daddy was whimpering as well so I also took him to pee, nope! that was not what he wanted. I was tired and confused by this point so I brought Rusty out of the crate to come lay with me, Nope! He didn’t want me at all, ( strange because he follows me everywhere ) so I put him down on the floor. Rusty went straight to Daddy to see why he was whimpering, Daddy stopped!!! So did Rusty!! Well I was so impressed with little Rusty that I actually had a tear in my eye because he went and soothed Daddy in one minute and I have been trying and failing for seven days!!!!

 

So it has been several hours now that neither dog has been upset, Rusty does not want to go out and play today, he feels his job is to be Daddy’s body guard and new BFF!! they are inseparable today where ever Daddy lays down,  Rusty is right there. Rusty is the first dog Daddy has let near him since surgery, also Rusty has been washing Daddy’s face and ears and Daddy didn’t eat him!!!!!! That is a huge plus! I am not a religious person by any means, but I am I guess you could say……. spiritual, I don’t always under stand why things happen , but always know there is a reason whether I under stand that reason or not? Rusty was kind of a last minute boot camp dog, and I was really wondering if I should take him in so soon after Daddy’s surgery? I did for some reason, and felt good about bringing him in too. Maybe Rusty is here to make Daddy’s recovery this little bit easier?? Daddy is happy today, and has not been in over a week! Yes Rusty is in boot camp and learning all kinds of good things that he will be able to take home, but Rusty has taught me a thing or two as well. I always say ” it takes a good dog to teach another dog ”  well it took Rusty to teach this old dog ( me ) that sometimes I am not the fixer of all things, and although I was doing my best to make Daddy happy, I just wasn’t. It took this little dog, who is not part of his pack to put a smile on his face! Yup!! It took a dog to show me that it really does take a dog to teach another dog or simply, make him happy. Dogs never stop amazing me!! I LOVE MY JOB!!!!!!  Thanks Rusty!!

Vanderwater Park with Puppies and Good Friends!

JUNIOR & MYLO ON THE WAY TO VANDERWATER

JUNIOR & MYLO

DADDY ON THE WAY TO VANDERWATER

BRYAN

MARIJO

MARIJO & BIG MATT

GROUP SWIM AT THE BEACH

JUNIOR

SUMMER ( CHOCO LAB )

WHO WILL GET THE FRISBEE? DADDY

NOPE JUNIOR

MYLO, DADDY, JUNIOR, SUMMER

PUPPET, DADDY, MYLO

DADDY

BRYAN & MARIJO

SUMMER, MARIJO, BRYAN

Had a fantastic afternoon with the puppies and good friends! I Who knew this was so close to home and free! Vanderwater park is an awesome place to be with family and dog friendly, had to find places that are dog friendly these days! Well Vanderwater is the place to go. P.S bring bug spray, you will need it!

SUCCESS BAILEY

Congratulations Bailey,

Bailey has had a complete turn around, Bailey came to boot camp with a few issues such as barking, jumping, attacking the vacuum, barks at the salad spinner and much, much more. Bailey finished a mini boot camp as he was here five days and what a remarkable change in just his five days. He is a very tiny Yorkie but his personality is equal to a 200 pond dog, he is very charming and lovable and really just a sweet heart. Bailey was a little challenging at times and put up quite the fight but simplicity and consistency prevailed. Bailey is no longer barking to hear his own voice, he now just lets out a quick bark to inform me of the intruders he hears, lol. He no longer goes after the vacuum, and you are now safe to make a salad for lunch, he has learned not to bark at kids, bikes, cars or simply anything else that moves. Bailey also had some food aggression, this too is no more. Bailey has done a great job and is a happy and balanced little dog. I would like to thank all the people who helped in Bailey’s recovery, you are a great bunch and could not do it with out your support. Bailey is now back at home and doing very well, he is still working on a few things but you can’t build Rome in a day! Keep up the great work and you will have great success. Thanks everyone.

SUCCESS TEDDY

This is an email I received from Teddy’s owner and wanted to share,

We heard about Grace from our daughter Emily who had used her for their dog Toby. We decided to give her a try with Teddy. Teddy is a two year shitzu who thought he was the boss in our house. He would listen only when he wanted to, he would bark and jump up on our visitors, jump up on our couch when he felt like it. Recently he was introduced to a baby which he felt he needed to be the protector of the baby and when the baby cried and the dad tried to calm the baby Teddy decided he would nip the dad . We then knew he needed to be dealt with. He went and visited Grace and her boot camp for seven days. Since coming home he only gets up on the furniture when he is invited up, when our guests come to the door he sits and waits til he is told he can greet the visitors, when I would go down the stairs to the rec room he would tear down ahead of you, now when we tell him to wait at the top he waits til he’s told that it is ok to come down. The biggest accomplishment is when he had something in his mouth like my sock he would bite if we tried to get it from him, now I just say drop and he does. Our Teddy and now me are totally changed , I am the pack leader not him.
Thanks
Linda

BAILEY UPDATE

This is our boot-camp puppy Bailey, he came to us with a few issues like barking at the vacuum, not liking other dogs, kids, skate boards and some food aggression, well I am happy to say that in his short stay with us he no longer does these things! Yeah Bailey!! He is a very happy puppy that now can eat with a group of dogs and no longer looses his mind when we vacuum, he has done amazing here. He now not only has dog friends but is now Mr. social. We have put in front of him all the things that use to make him bark and now he is a quiet observer of things he is unsure of. He has been a joy to have around and everyone he meets well lets just say he has won some hearts!

Bailey does not like to be in the rain and after he went out for his morning business he came in very wet, but happy and just had to go and dry off on one of the dogs beds! What a silly Bailey.

Bailey no longer barking at the vacuum

OUR FIRST ENGAGEMENT!!

   SHE SAID YES!!!!!!

Today I helped two friends get engaged! My friend Richard came to me a few weeks ago and asked if I would go shopping with him to pick out an engagement ring, of course I said yes! Since then Richard and I have been planning the perfect day for his wife to be Celine. It just happened to be my birthday on May 23rd so we planned a birthday party for me on the 25th of may, or so Celine thought. We planned it down to the last detail and poor Celine was clueless, We had a BBQ, and had some of her friends. What Celine didn’t know is that although it was my birthday this party was not for me, but her. Needless to say Celine was shocked when my cake didn’t say Happy Birthday but will you marry me? The look on poor face was utter shock and disbelief!! Happy engagement guys and thank you very much for allowing me to be a part of your special day!! Congratulations Celine and Richard!!