Ain't Nothing But a Bloodhound...Much More Than That!

I am a two-year-old Bloodhound, who tips the scale at 124.8lbs. I have been feeling a little sluggish lately and my friends from Eleventh Hour Rescue told me that I would be visiting this wonderful place called Morris Animal Inn to get healthy and fit. This made me a little nervous at first because I had no idea what that meant. But I trust them and know they always do what is best for me.   

By the way, my name’s Belle! Please follow me through my journey at Morris Animal Inn. I enjoy making friends and I hope you will decide to be mine.

That's me greeting my new friend Jess.

As soon as I walked through the door of Morris Animal Inn, I felt like I was in a good place. So many nice people greeted me and I am getting so much attention. I wasn't sure I'd make friends but it seems like everyone is really eager to meet me!  I’m about to start my weight loss training program but let me tell you a little bit about where I came from...

Hey there! Just showing you my profile.

When I was in West Virginia, I was pretty lonely. I did not have anyone to play with or feed me and I had to find a lot of food on my own. I ate a lot of leftovers in outdoor cans outside everyone's houses. I realized that not everyone liked me sniffing around though, so I never got a chance to stick around for long. I hope someday that I will be able to make some friends, find a home and live happily ever after. Right now I am glad the people at Morris Animal Inn and Eleventh Hour Rescue is giving me a chance. 

I’m a lot slower than I could be. I want to get healthy and fit before I go home with a family!

Another one of my new friends. Her name is Lisa.

I’ll be working out three times a week. I'm looking forward to all sorts of fun activities such as trail runs, treadmill sessions and even swimming in the pool! Everyone at the Morris Animal Inn is going to keep me super busy and eating right so I can drop these pounds!

Stay tuned for updates on how I'm doing!

Interested in adopting Belle? Contact Eleventh Hour at (973) 664-0865.

Winterize Your Pet

As we welcome a new year with the changing of the calendar, New Jersey residents once again prepare for the worst of the winter season. In addition to watching our heating bill rise, shovels and rock salt are selling off the shelves and the once busy streets are now quiet as people elect to stay indoors when the temperatures dip to dangerous lows.  But as you and your family avoid the blistering cold and cozy up in the living room with the fireplace burning, a problem arises: Your pet has to go out, and he can’t hold it any longer!

Taking the right precautions for your pet during the winter season is vital to keeping your dog or cat safe and healthy. Here are a few cold weather tips to help you and your pet through a successful winter.

1.      Keep your dog on leash while walking in the snow or ice. Dogs can lose their scent when the ground is heavily covered in snow which can lead to them getting lost. Always make sure you have a firm grip on the leash, just in case your dog decides to dart after another furry animal without warning.

2.      Dress your dog in a sweater or coat, especially for the shorter-haired breeds. Despite being covered with hair, your dog can be just as cold as you are when the temperature drops. By adding another layer you will help your dog stay comfortable on your daily walks.

3.      Try your best to avoid rock salt, as it can hurt or irritate your dog’s sensitive paws. As an alternative use sand or cat litter on the ice around your home to better suit your four legged friend.

4.      Be watchful of your dog’s diet, as many become less active in the winter season. Your dog may pack on some pounds in the winter due to over-feeding and less outdoor activity. If your dog understandably spends less time running around outside due to the cold weather, remember to be careful of how much you are feeding him.

5.      Bring your outdoor cat inside for the winter. If your cat normally spends a lot of time roaming around outside your home, it may be wise to have him come indoors when the weather gets really cold. Although they may not enjoy staying indoors all day, it will be better for their health in the long run.

6.      And finally, make sure to provide your pet with a warm cozy place to sleep. A comfy bed with blankets is sure to keep your pet warm and happy as we wait for the warm weather to return.


Sources:
The Salem News - Make Sure Your Pets Have a Warm Safe Winter:
http://www.salemnews.com/lifestyle/x1525003981/Make-sure-your-pets-have-a-warm-safe-winter

ASPCA - Cold Weather Tips:
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/cold-weather-tips.aspx

We are pleased to have Vin, as a contributing writer for If They Could Talk. Vin is a passionate dog owner. We look forward to sharing his contribution on interesting and educational pet topics.

Benefits of Training your Dog

Did you know that January is National Train Your Dog Month? Created in 2010 by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, this month promotes dog owners' awareness of how important it is to socialize and train your pet. 

1. Professional Advice

When you seek a professional dog training service for your dog, the advice and recommendations that you receive should come from an individual who has learned and tested this information thoroughly and shares these techniques with you. Their genuine interest in your dog’s successful training inspires a certain amount of trust. It is also good to know that while your dog is undergoing this learning experience, they are in a supervised and safe situation and monitored by a trained professional.

 

2. Less Time Needed For Training

With today's busy lifestyles, some may not want to add dog training to their already large To Do List. Individuals who believe they can train their own dogs often must take classes and learn specific information about dog training before actual training can begin. This can be time consuming for the owner and detrimental to the dog, who is missing out on critical learning time.

Using the services of a professional dog trainer also decreases the amount of time devoted to training. After a short amount of time with the dog,a professional trainer can provide useful information that can be implemented almost immediately. According to Heather Inks, contributing writer of Benefits of Professional Dog Training - 10 Reasons Why Your Dog Needs It, a “dog owner who invests in professional dog training usually finds that their dog is trained in record speed and bad habits are broken quickly or better yet entirely averted”.

3. Being Proactive

With problems stemming from many different factors including a dog’s breed, history, personality or temperament, a dog trainer has the knowledge, either personally or through a network of other trainers, to make changes and stop bad behaviors quickly. Having experience working with many different dogs provides a professional dog trainer with the ability to curb problems with a training plan.

4. Greater Overall Satisfaction

A properly trained dog will result in a harmonious relationship with you and your dog.
Training your dog is the responsible choice which allows for your time spent with your furry friend to be filled with fun!

In certain cases, a lack of training can lead to more serious repercussions than just bad behavior. "Most dogs brought to shelters are surrendered because of the animal’s lack of training," states Fido Friendly Magazine. If problems aren't corrected, some owners may feel that surrendering the dog to a shelter or rescue is their only option. 

 For your training needs, Morris Animal Inn provides Manners Training to learn basics skills including Sit, Stay, Down and more. 

For more information about Manners Training, call 973-539-0377. 

Sources:
National Train Your Dog Month
Association of Pet Dog Trainers. "APDT Train Your Dog Month." Train Your Dog Month. Association of Pet Dog Trainers, 2010. Web. 04 Jan. 2013. <http://www.trainyourdogmonth.com/>.
Yahoo 
Inks, Heather. "Benefits of Professional Dog Training - 10 Reasons Why Your Dog Needs It."Yahoo.com. Yahoo! Contributor Network, 7 May 2009. Web. 04 Jan. 2013. <http://voices.yahoo.com/benefits-professional-dog-training-10-reasons-why-3234833.html>.
Fido Friendly Magazine
"What Families Need to Consider When Gifting Pets for the Holidays | FIDO Friendly."FIDO Friendly. FIDO Friendly Magazine, 22 Dec. 2011. Web. 09 Jan. 2013. <http://www.fidofriendly.com/blog/what-families-need-to-consider-when-gifting-pets-for-the-holidays>.

A New Year a New Furry Figure!

Alright pups the holidays are over and it’s time to hop off those beds and sweat off the pounds - or just simply stay active and healthy! With the start of every New Year come endless resolutions from people looking to try and better themselves. But why stop at just yourself when you can also help your loveable dog accomplish some goals of their own. Year after year, shedding some holiday weight ranks at the top of everyone’s resolution list and with the rise in canine obesity, it should be just as important for your dog. A huge health concern, canine obesity affects millions in the United States, but is something that can be controlled if action is taken. 

Exercise is not only beneficial to your dog’s health, but it can also be tons of fun. If you are looking for help on how to whip your dog back into shape or keep your dog moving so they are happy and healthy, look no further than your local doggy gym at Morris Animal Inn.  Canine Cardio Fit & Spa Retreat begins next week. Morris Animal Inn is taking the initiative in helping your dog stay healthy in the New Year. With highlights like doga, agility, stair muttster, swim sessions, canine massage, nature trail walks, canine treadmill sessions and group or individual play sessions, your dog will come home feeling grrrrrrrrrreat!

This program will be offered from January 7 – January 11, 2013 and is $49 per day or $199 for the week. So when you go off to hit the gym, send your dog to do the same at the Morris Animal Inn. By keeping active, you will see your dog’s behavior change for the better. With just a little work, help your dog live a happy and healthier life.

We are pleased to have Vin, as a contributing writer for If They Could Talk. Vin is a passionate dog owner. We look forward to sharing his contribution on interesting and educational pet topics.