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Winter is here! If you're a dog owner, this is the perfect time to tend to your pet's wellness needs. These tips can help you take care of your dog in 2019.
1. Limit Time Outdoors
Winter can be hard on dogs, just like it's hard on people. When temperatures drop, keep your dog indoors. If your dog goes out for a little fun, keep track of how much time your dog spends outside, and bring your dog in after a short period of time. Some dogs need to stay warm by wearing dog sweaters and booties. Check with your pet's vet to see if these things could help your dog.
2. Keep Up With Exercise
It's hard to keep your dog physically fit when the weather is cold and unpleasant. If you don't want to take your dog outside, exercise your dog indoors. Take your dog to indoor facilities where dogs are able to walk, and play with your dog inside your home. If your dog starts to gain weight, talk to your dog's veterinarian about ways to keep your dog moving.
3. Catch Up on Vaccines
Winter is the perfect time to catch up on vaccines! Make your dog's appointment with the veterinarian. If your pet is more than one year old, he or she will likely only need boosters about once annually. Talk to your pet's vet if you're not sure what shots your pet needs, or when.
4. See to Your Dog's Dental Needs
While you're at the vet, have your dog's teeth cleaned. Most dogs need to have their teeth professionally cleaned at least once per year. This is an excellent way to prevent your dog from losing teeth or suffering from a painful gum condition.
5. Groom Your Dog Properly
Dogs with a lot of hair usually need it cut off in summer, only to have it grow back in winter. If your dog has a naturally long, full coat, talk to your dog's groomer to find out what style of cut is best for your dog at this time of year.
Looking for a Place for You and Your Dog? Come to Us
At Taluswood Apartments, we love dogs. We want to meet yours! If you're looking for apartments in Mountlake Terrance, WA, contact us today to see what units we have available.
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For someone struggling to leash train their dog, all it takes to generate frustration is the sight of a well-trained pooch taking a relaxed stroll outdoors with their happy owner. To make even a trip to the vet without a struggle, basic leash skills are essential. Use these tips to preserve your best friend’s safety and your sanity.
The Preliminaries
Have the right stuff on hand. You’ll need a collar and a leash appropriate for your dog’s breed and size. Also, stock treats or a special toy to use as a training reward. Consider investing in a clicker, which is very effective with an enthusiastic “yes” for every instance of correct behavior. Whether your dog is an adult or a puppy, if they have yet to undergo successful leash training, plan short and positive sessions.
Stop Pulling Behavior
One basic approach is waiting for a slack leash, then acknowledging and rewarding appropriate behavior. To help your dog with an occasional problem, understand the need to walk without pulling, mark and reward calm behavior to reinforce it. For puppies or dogs who already pull, stop, let the leash go slack, mark, reward and resume short walks.
Side-by-Side Success
Choose whether you want your pet on your right or on your left and train only to that side to avoid your dog running around and tripping both of you. Eliminate wandering and circling by making the leash short enough to keep your pet by your side. Also, effective is marking the correct behavior with verbal praise, small treats, or a clicker. Gradually increase the distance your dog walks beside you without rewards.
Persistent leash training problems require patience and repeatedly walking away, then letting your dog catch up to you. Sometimes a different type of collar or harness makes a difference. Even a few training sessions with a qualified obedience instructor can be a great investment.
Residents of our Mountlake Terrace apartments and their furry friends love taking walks around our lush, pet-friendly community. Call our office today for information on which floor plan best meets your needs.
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Dogs make for great apartment-living pets, but to keep them happy and healthy you’ll need to make sure they get lots of exercise each day. Luckily, with so much natural beauty here in the Pacific Northwest, walking your dog each day doesn’t have to be a chore. With a few simple dog walking tips and a regular routine, you and your pup can both benefit from the extra exercise.
5 Simple Dog Walking Tips
1. Try a Front Clip Harness
If you’ve noticed that your dog likes to pull on their leash in excitement, using a front clip harness can help to eliminate the unwanted behavior. With this simple leash direction change, you stay in control and your dog still gets out for some fun.
2. Let Them Sniff
While it may be a bit tedious after a while, stopping to let your dog sniff is a super important part of your walks. In fact, sniffing is directly related to positive brain stimulation that keeps your pet happy and stress-free.
3. Skip the Retractable Leash
Although they have a certain appeal, retractable leashes actually pose quite a few safety hazards for yourself, your pup and other people on the trails. The long length makes it difficult to control your dog and under the right amount of pressure, the leash can snap.
4. Clean Up After Your Dog
Picking up after your pet is not only an important part of being a good neighbor but it helps to prevent health issues for other dogs and people. Invest in a handy poop bag carrier that you can clip on your leash to ensure you never leave home without a bag and be sure to dispose of all bags properly.
5. Bring Water
If you and your dog will be out walking for more than 30 minutes, bringing along water to help keep them hydrated is a good idea. Because they have a more difficult time regulating their body temperature than we do, stopping for a drink is an easy way to help them cool down.
Explore the Great Outdoors With Your Dog
For more information about our pet-friendly community or to take a look at the available floor plans at our apartments in Mountlake Terrace, visit the team at Taluswood Apartments today.
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