Something in Common with You & Your Dog

Human beings often make time to work out at a gym or go for a run. Some love it and some do it grudgingly. Most people know that some kind of exercise is important for our bodies, whether or not they follow through with it. As with many of the topics we’ve written about, this is another similarity between humans and our pets.

Throughout history, many dogs have been bred to be working dogs, such as hunting, herding, or protecting. As this is less common but we still have certain breeds of dogs that will need more exercise than others (though all need some).

You might think that if you have a big backyard, your dog is all set. This isn’t the case. Just because someone has a home gym or buys the next exciting exercise equipment from an infomercial doesn’t mean they use it, right?

In order for your dog to get the exercise he or she needs, he or she will need an exercise buddy! Yes, just like some people have accountability partners to go to the gym, your dog needs you or a family member to encourage and assist them with their exercise.

Some ideas of exercise to do with your dog:

•          Go for a walk or a run—and let the dog lead the adventure.
•          Play that old standby, fetch.
•          Have a doggy play date so they can play together.

If you lack the time to be able to exercise your dog yourself, you can always bring them to us for Adventure Playcare or Group Daycare, where we have fun activities, healthy snacks, and even a pool for exercise.

Aging Pets

You’ve noticed some little things, lately. Maybe they're not jumping up on the couch or bed with you like they used to. Maybe they can’t hear you when you call their name. Maybe your pet seem a little confused or anxious.

We like to think our pets will be around forever, because the thought of them getting older and dying is too hard, but the truth of the matter is that our pets, like us, do age.

Aging can happen before we are ready or aware of it, because dogs don’t live as long as humans, and different breeds will age sooner or later than other breeds.  Larger dogs will age more quickly than smaller dogs, but most might be considered “senior” around the age of seven, with some being considered senior as young as age five.

Because your dog may not outwardly look old, you may not realize that underneath all that fur, there may be medical issues such as arthritis, heart, kidney, or liver disease. These are all common for senior pets, and an exam by your veterinarian can diagnose them and help you understand how to best care for their health.

If your dog is aging and needs a little extra love and care, well, then that’s okay. They are not only your companion, but you are theirs too.

Source: Vetstreet.com, AVMA.org

My Dog is Chewing Her Paws - Again!

You’ve heard that sound of your dog chewing or licking their paws. You always thought it was a little weird sounding and probably kind of frustrating not knowing what you could do about it. It's something you never thought to really pay attention to.

Dogs actually will lick their paws for a variety of reasons, and cleaning isn’t usually one of them. Some reasons dogs do this is because of: Injury; Habit/Boredom/Anxiety (kind of like humans biting their nails); Allergies; Parasites; Pain; 

Dry Skin and Hormonal imbalances.

Because there are so many reasons for licking paws, it’s important to take your dog to a vet to have her thoroughly examined.  

In addition to the examination, your vet may run some tests to further see what the cause is so that treatment can be prescribed. Treatments can range from anti-fungal medication to antibiotics to special shampoo. Your vet may also recommend trying a new food.

Regardless of the reason, if you know your pet is licking their paws, it’s not just a “frustration” to you, but rather something that is really frustrating your dog, so make sure to get her what she needs.

Safe, Easy, Stress Free for your Dog & Cat

You’ve been waiting for your vacation for a long time. Your tickets are purchased, hotel is booked, and packing list is made. There’s one last errand to run, and that’s getting your pet to Morris Animal Inn. Unfortunately, timing doesn’t work quite right with your schedule.

There was consideration to lodge your pet at places close to your home or destination. You’ve even heard about airport lodging facilities. The only problem is, you don’t know much about them, and you really want your pet to be in a place that you know and love.

You don’t have to worry anymore. We have solved your transportation problem with our private dog and cat chauffeur service to and from Morris Animal Inn. 

This service is safe, easy and stress free, giving you peace of mind, and you will get a report when your dog reaches the Inn.

If you would like to take advantage of this for your upcoming trip, fill our our easy form. 

Dum dum da dum, dum dum da dum…

The traditional wedding march with the bride walking down the aisle is still a staple at many weddings, but what’s new at weddings is the inclusion of pets in the ceremony.

Celebrities have been doing it—you can see pictures of the pets included in the last few years in the weddings of Adam Sandler, Gene Simmons, Miranda Lambert, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Aniston and others—and other people have been catching on to the idea too. Earlier this year, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s Puli Sheepdog, Beast, walked bride Priscilla Chan down the aisle at the couple’s surprise wedding.

It’s one of the most important days in a person’s life, and because pets are important to people also, they are being included in that most important day. In a time when many weddings end up blending human families together, pets are also a part of that family blending.

If you want to include your pets in your wedding, we are here to help you. Our new wedding service will help you to plan out how to get your pets to and from the wedding, and even give them a little pampering of their own.

Having your dogs as part of your wedding celebration can be great fun for everyone—just don’t let them drink the champagne. 

Prepare Your Dog for July 4th

Grilled hot dogs and hamburgers. Potato chips. Cold drinks. Red, white and blue décor. You’ve been busy getting ready for a long 4^th of July weekend, but in all the food and event planning, you may have forgotten one thing: your dog.

While we humans love seeing fireworks explode in the sky and their bright colors trickle down, our pets are not always so happy about them. While there may be the occasional dog who tries to chase after them, many dogs are fearful of fireworks.

As much as we treat our dogs like family, they are not human after all, and don’t have the understanding that we do about the temporary nature of fireworks. Some people think it’s just like a thunderstorm to dogs, that’s not actually the case. There are weather changes prior to a storm that can clue a dog in that something different is happening. With fireworks, it’s very sudden and sporadic.

If you haven’t acclimated your dog to loud noises when he or she was a puppy, not all is lost. There are a few things you can try in order to keep your dog comfortable during fireworks:   

• Play loud noises in the days and weeks leading up to the fireworks.

• Act normal with them when they are afraid to show them they don’t have to stay afraid.

• Keep the dog inside with the TV on to minimize outside noise.

• Play with your dog during the fireworks.

• Let them go to an area of your home where they already feel safe and secure.

• Bring them to Morris Animal Inn for lodging.

Whichever you choose, have a safe and happy fourth of July!

Include Your Dog in Your Wedding

You’ve got the perfect dress. Your bridesmaids and groomsmen have all said yes. The venue is confirmed. The flowers are what you’ve always wanted, you’ve agreed on music, and you’re marrying the person of your dreams. There’s just one thing missing.

How will you get your pets to the ceremony?

You’ve bought cute little bride or groom outfits or accessories for them, and although you haven’t quite decided how they’ll get down the aisle, you know they’re a part of your family and should be there on your big day. After all, what could be cuter than having your dogs at your wedding along with the world’s cutest flower girls and ring bearers?

This is where we can help. Morris Animal Inn’s new service transports your dog(s) with one of our wedding attendants to the venue and then back to Morris Animal Inn to lodge while you enjoy your day and head off to your honeymoon. Your pets can also have wedding day grooming and spa treatments, just like you. Your dog can get a bath and fluffed dry, and even get a spritz of perfume or cologne. Does your dog need a manicure? She can get her nails cut, filed, and polished, just like yours.

Think you’ll miss your dog while you’re away on your honeymoon? Give your dog a similar experience. While you swim in the ocean or hotel pool, your dog can swim in ours. On a cruise meeting other people? Your dog can go to group play.

It’ll be one of the most memorable days of your life—for both of you. 

My Dog Keeps Licking Me!

It's usually pretty clear that dogs lick because they like people; it's their way of being affectionate. There are other reasons dogs lick, though, such as prior to feeding from their mom, asking for a dinner invitation, exploring something, attempting to get attention, or even a way of playing.

Dogs may also lick because they think you taste good! Your taste and scent is familiar to them, and then if you pet them after they lick you, they are rewarded for it. However, you should always pay attention if your dog is licking him or herself. This could signify a medical issue such as anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or even allergies.

According to petmd.com, licking due to anxiety is similar to nervous habits that humans have such a biting fingernails or drumming one’s fingers. They interviewed some behavioral specialists in order to get a better idea about dogs’ nervous licking.

Dr. Megan Maxwell explains that it can be nervous licking depending on what and when a dog licks, such as if your dog always licks something when the doorbell rings or if they consistently lick the same thing over and over again.

Regardless of the reason for licking, you might want to keep a towel handy to wipe up all that slobber.

And no matter how much you love your dog, we don’t recommend licking him or her back.

You Dog Might Remember More Than You Think!

“I remember the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again”

The words may be from the musical Cats, but with new research about dogs’ memories, someone may want to create a new musical.

A recent article in The Washington Post reports on research findings that dogs may have episodic-like memory similar to humans.  While they can’t actually know what the dogs are thinking (after all, The Secret Life of Pets is only a movie), their research shows that dogs can remember what their humans do even if the dog doesn’t need to know the action.

The study, published by Current Biology, tested the dogs’ memory by first training the dogs to “do what I do” and then, after the dogs performed correctly, increased the time between the action and telling them to do it. Two time intervals were tested: 1 minute and 1 hour.

While the dogs memory was better after only one minute (60% of dogs performed the action) and did decrease after an hour, a number of them (35%) were still able to recall and perform the action they were initially taught to imitate.

The Washington Post article quotes study author Claudia Fugazza as saying that most dog owners probably already realize that their dogs have memories. “What is new and important” she says, “is that dogs can remember events even if those events do not seem to be important.”

Create the Best Backyard for Your Dog

No matter the size of your backyard, there are plenty of ways to transform your space into a doggy paradise. With the help of Tails Magazine, here are a few necessities for backyard your dog will drool over.

Fences. If at all possible fence in your space—both to keep your dog inside, and to keep other animals out. Make sure it’s high enough that your pup can’t jump over it, and if necessary, install protection underneath to keep your dog from digging his or her way out. If your dog is a barker, consider fencing that isn't see through.

Keep it Cool. Most dogs love lying in the sun on a warm summer day, but dehydration, heatstroke, and sunburn are all risks during the warmer months. If you don’t have any naturally occurring shady spots, invest in an umbrella or something similar to create a place where your dog can go to escape the sun’s rays. A doghouse is another great option. Does your dog like water? Fill up a kiddie pool with ice and water and let your dog cool off in a perfect sized watering hole.

Pet-Friendly Plants. Dogs can certainly appreciate flowers and plants, but be cautious about what you plant that your dog has access to. Many common flowers are potentially toxic to your furry friend. Check out our previous blog post on how to build a pet-friendly garden.

Potty Spot. A designated spot for "calls of nature" allow your yard to be kept clean easily. Mark off a specific area and encourage your dog to only go potty there. Try partitioning it off with a mini fence, large rocks, or some shrubbery. You can even put in a fake red fire hydrant to make the spot extra enticing!

Dig Zone. Dogs will be dogs, and dogs love to dig...which can be bad news for your lawn. Consider setting up a specific spot where your pup can dig to his or her heart’s content. Think of it as a doggy sand box, filling it with sand or soft soil, and let the hole to the center of the earth begin! If you have a determined digger who just won’t stick to one area, try sprinkling a natural deterrent such as cayenne pepper on the areas you want your dog to stay away from.

Toys. What’s a dog’s dream backyard without the perfect toys? Fun and interactive toys are a great way for your dog to burn some physical and mental energy while off-leash in the back yard. Try keeping some toys specifically for outdoors to make the backyard more special!

Time spent outdoors is enriching for your dog and gives ample opportunities to sniff, discover, and explore. Remember not to leave your dog outdoors unattended, and be cautious of the amount of time spent outside during the hot summer months. Your backyard can be a great place for you and your dog to enjoy quality time together. Take advantage!

Source: Tails Magazine

National Dog Bite Prevention Week

It's National Dog Bite Prevention Week, and while we touch upon the subject a few times a year, it is very important!

Many people claim that dog bites are unpredictable, but the truth is that dogs give many warning signals before they bite. As a responsible dog owner, you must know the signs -- no matter how subtle!

Dog Bite Facts:

• Each year, more than 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs.
• Almost 1 in 5 people bitten by dogs require medical attention. 
• Every year, more than 800,000 Americans receive medical attention for dog bites; at least half of them are children.
• Children are the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be severely injured.
• Most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs.
• Senior citizens are the second most common dog bite victims.

WARNING SIGNS:

Growling & Snapping. Growling and snapping are probably the most obvious signs that a dog is about to bite. Dogs growl or snap to let you know they are unhappy or uncomfortable. 

Raised Fur. When dogs are afraid or overly stimulated, you may see the hair on their backs stand up. If you notice a dog has his hackles raised, it's a signal that he needs you to back off.

Tail Wagging. Did you know a dog doesn't just wag it's tail when happy?  Notice the way your dog wags their tail. A happy dog may wag their tail and get the whole body involved. A dog who is about to bite is usually fairly rigid, and the tail will be pointed high and move quickly back and forth.

Stiff Body Posture or Freezing. Watch out! Freezing is often a last-ditch attempt to tell you to back off. Dogs typically freeze right before they snap or bite. 

Lip Licking, Yawning and Averting Gaze. When dogs are a little anxious, they will often quickly stick out their tongue and lick their lips. It’s usually just a fast, little flick. Watch your dog; this is one of the most common signals.

Yawning is often mistaken for contentment.  The dog is surrounded by kids, and he lets out a big yawn. Isn’t that sweet?  Nope, it’s a sign that he’s in a little over his head and would appreciate your help.

Dogs engage in these behaviors, including turning their head to advert their gaze, to let you know they are uncomfortable with something going on around them. A dog who is uncomfortable, afraid, or stressed is more likely to bite.

Cowering and Tail Tucking. Cowering and tail tucking are signs of fear. While fearful dogs don't always bite, fear does increase the likelihood. If you encounter a dog who cowers away from you with their tail tucked between their legs, back off. Let the dog approach you in his or her own time, and they will be less likely to feel the need to bite to defend themselves.

Seeing the Whites of the Eyes. Also known as "whale eye," this is a sign of anxiety in dogs. Again, this doesn't necessarily mean that a dog is about to bite, but anxious dogs are more likely. If you see a dog showing the whites of his or her eyes, it's a good idea to give the pup some space until they feel more relaxed.

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Help prevent biting or lashing out by avoiding situations that often make dogs uncomfortable. Avoid surprising your dog, especially while they are asleep, as they may react instinctively and bite. Do not approach a tethered dog or a dog that is chewing on a bone; even if you know the dog well, they may become defensive.

By keeping your dog comfortable and watching for these warning signs, you can help prevent your dog and others' pets from biting. Though they may be subtle, these signs are a dog’s way of telling us how they are feeling. If you watch for them, you can become more in tune with your dog’s likes, dislikes and overall well-being!

Source: AVMA

Does your dog recognize you in pictures?

Has your dog ever reacted after you've shown them a picture of someone they know? Do dogs actually have the ability to recognize people in photographs?

There are two parts to this question: Can your dog tell the difference between different people and animals and can they recognize that information in a stationary, two-dimensional image such as a photo?

According to veterinarians, the answer to both of those questions, is yes -- under the right circumstances. Dogs can distinguish between different people based on appearance at that time. In other words, if you're sporting a drastically different hair style or are wearing a uniform instead of your everyday clothing, your dog may not be able to identify you in a picture.

Research does show that dogs can identify a familiar person in a photograph. In a study published in the Journal of Vision, 12 beagles and 12 cats were given individual handlers who worked with them two hours a day for six months. Afterwards, they were given a visual test to recognize the face of their handler versus a non-handler. The result? The dogs chose the face of their handlers 88% of the time, while the cats chose their handlers 55% of the time.

Additionally, these dogs were also able to identify the face of an animal that lived with them. In fact, they chose the familiar animal more often than an unfamiliar animal. The study found that dogs chose the face of a dog they knew 85% of the time, while the felines chose the face of a familiar feline 91% of the time.

Don't forget that most dogs do not just depend on their vision to recognize familiar people and other animals. Due to their well-developed senses, many rely more heavily on your scent and the sound of your voice to identify you, so don't be too upset if Fido doesn't recognize you in that picture on the mantle!

So what about video chatting with your dog while you're away on vacation? Interestingly enough, while they may recognize the sound of your voice, dogs don't have the same ability to blend the flickering light that makes a video image as humans do. Therefore, the image would appear very shaky!  So for now, stick to showing your dog pictures of their family members while they are away and see what happens!

Source: Animal Planet

Why Do Dogs Have Dewclaws?

Ever wonder what is the purpose of the thumb-like structure protruding from the side of your dog's leg? It's a dewclaw! For most dogs, dewclaws are nonfunctional, however they are an interesting bit of evolutionary history!

Over 40 million years ago, an early ancestor of the modern dog was a tree climbing cat-like animal called a Miacis. These animals had five toes to successfully scale and live in the treetops. Eventually, the Miacis evolved to live on the ground and became specialized hunters -- more like our dogs today.

As hunters of fast moving prey, speed became an important factor. This added speed required a change! Evolution rocked dog's legs forward so that their heel would no longer touch the ground. As a result, they began to walk on their toes, with the fifth toe now unable to touch the ground.

Voila, the dewclaw! Today, most dogs have dewclaws only on their front paws, and it is rare to find them on their back paws. However in several breeds, such as the Great Pyrenees and Briards, rear dewclaws are common, they may even have a double dewclaw!

It is not uncommon for dogs with injury-prone dewclaws to have them removed. Some puppies have them removed before they are weaned.  Be sure to ask your vet if you are concerned that your dog's dewclaws are at risk for injury. They will know best how to keep your furry friend's paws safe and healthy!

Source: Psychology Today

Can Dogs Tell Time?

Does your dog have their nose pressed against the window when you arrive home from work? Does your dog sit by the door for your morning walk before you've grabbed the leash? 

To many dog owners, canines appear to have a fairly accurate concept of time. So, do they really know what time it is, or is there something else happening in their minds? Here are three different theories that give insight to your dog's concept of time:

One: Research suggests that dogs are capable of anticipating future events based on past experiences. Humans, who base time off of episodic events, can pinpoint when something happened in the past by relating it to other events.

Dogs, on the other hand, can only distinguish how much time has passed since an event has occurred - "my food bowl has been empty for several hours and my stomach is growling!" So, while they may not know that it's 6:00 pm, they may understand that it's been roughly 6 hours since their last meal which means it's time to anticipate dinner!

Two: Research evidence based on changes in a dog's behavior when left alone by their human companions for different lengths of time, may also prove their understanding time. Studies show that dogs display greater affection toward their owners if they've been separated for longer periods of time.

As the amount of time away increases, so does the dogs' excitement. This research shows that dogs are capable of recognizing and responding to different spans of time.

Three: Other research shows that it’s possible that dogs judge time in such detail by the decay of smells in their environment. A dog's sense of smell can be up to 100,000 times better than humans. Dogs may associate time with specific smells, so if you usually leave at 7:00 am and come home at 5:00 pm, your dog knows when your personal scent is 10 hours old and knows it’s time to sit by the door, waiting for some love. Want to see this theory tested out? Check out BBC's video experiment here.

While seconds, minutes, and hours are abstract concepts created by humans, it is clear that dogs are aware of the passage of time. Does your dog always know when it's time to eat or go for a walk? Let us know in the comments!

Source: Animal Planet & BarkPost

Should Dogs Play All Day in Daycare?

We’ve collected some information from the experts regarding choosing a daycare for your furry friend, and why we value our exceptional standards as a leading facility in the pet care industry.

There are many factors involved when considering doggy daycare, but we’ve boiled it down to three: Your dog, the facility and the staff.

Your dog.  Just like people, dogs have different personalities and have had different experiences while growing up. With a wide spectrum of who each dog might enjoy spending time with, it’s important to understand whether your dog would enjoy playing in a large group, or perhaps may enjoy some quiet alone time with a staff member.

Morris Animal Inn offers private daycare for dogs who prefer spending one-on-one time rather than being part of a group.

The Facility.  There are many amenities that go into providing a great and safe environment:

• A dog’s play area needs lots of room and places for dogs to opt out of interaction if they want to go off by themselves and rest.
• The facility must be clean, sanitary, and safe, outdoors and in. All daycares should have a plan to respond to a fire or other emergencies.
• A separate play are for smaller dogs and for young pups – Morris Animal Inn’s play groups are based on size and play style. We also offer a puppy daycare for pups 8 to 20 weeks old!
• There should be a place for the dogs to nap

It is important to understand that dogs need to sleep during the day. There must be a quiet secure place where the dogs rest for at least two hours each day.

According to trainer Kathy Sdao, businesses that brag that they never have the dogs off the play-floor misunderstand their responsibility to provide a balance of activities and rest.  It's unhealthy for dogs to play with each other, uninterrupted, for eight or more hours a day. It can create problems such as bullying, barking or impulsiveness. At Morris Animal Inn, each daycare guest has a luxury enclosure where they can rest comfortably during the day in between play times.

The Staff. A great daycare facility must have:

• A high staff:dog ratio (at least one person for every 10 or 15 dogs)
• Staff should be well-versed in reading dogs for signs of stress, discriminating between appropriate versus inappropriate play, and how to effectively but kindly manage the behavior of both individual dogs and a group of dogs
• The best dog daycares conduct a thorough behavioral assessment of all new dogs
• A policy should be in place if a dog bullies others, or initiates a fight 
• Staff should be conscious of size differences and separate the dogs into different play groups if necessary

At Morris Animal Inn we have an average 1:5 staff to dog ratio.  Each of our staff members are well-versed and trained in dog dynamics and body language. Each staff member is trained through a series of courses, including courses by The Dog Gurus. We assess all dogs, and group dogs into separate play groups based on size, temperament and play style. 

We are proud to offer an exceptional daycare facility for your pet. So...should dogs play all day in daycare?  We believe the rest is fundamental for a happy and healthy pet!

Source: Patricia McConnell & Kathy Sdao