Get your Dog Micro-chipped Now!!!

Video Courtesy of Blog.PetFlow.com

The Importance of Micro-chipping: 

Dogs are not like other animals. They build strong emotional bonds with their owners and are truly a unique and important part of the family. If you have a family pet, get it micro-chipped today! It is YOUR responsibility as head of the family to keep your family united and whole. No matter how hard you try, it is impossible to keep your pet safe and in the yard 100% of the time. Micro-chipping is inexpensive and it is THE BEST way to ensure the return of your loved family canine!

Great Dog Toys!!!-Busy Buddy (Combating Separation Anxiety)

This is My Dog's Favorite! 

 My oldest dog is roughly 8 months old and suffers from separation anxiety. His anxiety is most extreme when he is kenneled, but he experiences it in some form almost every time we leave the house. I tried everything the books suggested:

• Ignoring him while I was getting ready to leave.
• Not making a big deal of seeing him when I came home. 
• Giving him special treats or bones when we left.

Some toys held his interest for a few days, and would reduce his anxiety, but it would always start back up again. Eventually someone recommended that I purchase a Busy Buddy, and I have never been happier!

Ways To Keep Your Puppy Healthy, In and Out of Stockton

Vet Bills Can Be Expensive, Regardless of the Cause. 

Here are some simple and effective ways to reduce the cost of owning a dog without compromising your pet's health! Using these vet recommended tips will save you cash and ensure your mutts health, even if you can't afford regular trips to the vet!

Ways to Keep Your Stockton Dog Healthy During the Spring & Summer

Tips to Keep Your Mutt Healthy During Stockton's Spring & Summer 

Today was one of the first nice days in Stockton that we have had in weeks. I observed many people out and about enjoying the sunshine. I heard BBQ’s. I watched children outside running, and above all, I witnessed many families walking with their dogs.

Man’s best friend is no stranger to nice weather, and it’s great to have your mutt outside when the weather permits, but it is also VERY IMPORTANT to keep your pal’s safety in mind. I have made a little list of how to keep your pup healthy while enjoying the nice weather.

Ways to Travel Affordably with Your Dog

Photo Credit

Affordable Dog Travel

Spring and summer are fast approaching and that means travel! If your family is anything like mine, you are probably planning road trips, visits with relatives, and a vacation or two! Not to mention, your family probably includes someone with paws! Try these great money-saving tips while traveling with your paw buddy:

1. If you are staying in Stockton for a Local Event
• Motel 6 Stockton North #1323 ~$44/Night
• 6717 Plymouth Road 
• I-5 at West Benjamin Holt Drive 
• Stockton CA 95207
• Phone: (209) 951-8120 – Pets Stay Free Here
• La Quinta Inn Stockton ~$70/Night
• 2710 West March Ln
• Stockton, CA 95219
• Phone: 1-209-952-7800- Pets Stay Free Here!! (Limit 2 Pets/ room)
• Best Western PLUS Heritage Inn~$90/Night
• 111 E March Ln
• Stockton, CA 95207-5854
• Phone: 209-474-3301 – Pet Rate $20/ day, Maximum $100/Week (Limit 2 Pets/room & 80 lbs/dog)

Combating Aggressive Behavior in Your Dog

I recently received this comment on one of my posts:

“I rescued my dog from the Stockton shelter and she is not getting along with any other dog. Please let me know if you have any good tips for dogs with anxiety.”

I know that this can be a tricky situation for all dog owners. The question is how to deal with aggressive dog behavior, especially when you do not know what the dog has been through in its past.

While I am not an expert in the field, I do have some suggestions for how to address this behavior. After doing some reading, it appears that anxiety can be related to high energy/stress environments, previous negative experiences around other dogs (such as fighting), and protectiveness of the owner (i.e. if the dog is on a leash).

These are my suggestions on how to combat the issue:

Renting with Your Dog

Especially in Stockton, finding a home to rent that allows dogs seems impossible.  My experience has been that 90% of property owners here do not permit dogs in their homes, and if they do, they require that the dog be less than 20 lb. Not to mention, the discrimination against Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and other stereotyped large breeds. 

Many families have been fortunate enough to convince their current landlord to allow the adoption of a puppy or rescue, but now they are faced with moving and cannot find a home to rent that will allow them to keep their dog. Often, these situations are heartbreaking to the family because they feel they have no choice but to take their pet to a shelter or turn it loose on the street. More often than not, these displaced animals end up dead. 

Today I would like to offer suggestions on how to avoid these situations. I would like to make it clear that IT IS possible to own and keep a dog of any breed and size in Stockton, regardless of whether or not you own a home. You simply need to follow these steps: