If you're a dog owner and you live near the coast or like to take your furry friend to the beach, it's important to be aware of the dangers of salt water toxicity. Salt water toxicity occurs when dogs consume too much salt water, which can lead to dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, seizures and even death. In this blog, we'll explore how to prevent and treat salt water toxicity in dogs.
Prevention: Preventing salt water toxicity is the best way to keep your furry friend safe. Here are some prevention tips:

1. Bring plenty of fresh water for your dog to drink. Encourage them to drink often and take frequent water breaks.
2. Provide shade and a cool, comfortable spot for your dog to rest.
3. Avoid throwing balls or toys into the water for your dog to retrieve, as this can lead to excessive water consumption.
4. Monitor your dog's behavior closely and keep them on a leash if necessary to prevent them from drinking too much salt water.

Treatment: If your dog is showing symptoms of salt water toxicity, it's important to act quickly. Here are some tips for treating salt water toxicity:

1. Remove your dog from the water and bring them to a cool, shady spot.
2. Offer small amounts of fresh water to rehydrate your dog.
3. Rinse your dog's mouth with fresh water to remove any salt water residue.
4. If your dog is vomiting or experiencing diarrhea, offer small amounts of bland food, such as boiled chicken and rice.
5. Contact your veterinarian for further treatment, especially if your dog is showing severe symptoms such as seizures or unconsciousness.

Preventing salt water toxicity is the best way to keep your furry friend safe while enjoying a day at the beach. If your dog does experience salt water toxicity, acting quickly and providing immediate treatment can prevent the situation from escalating. With these tips, you can help keep your furry friend safe and healthy while enjoying the beach.

​When the temperature rises, it's important to take extra precautions to keep your furry friend safe and healthy. Dogs are susceptible to heatstroke, which can be life-threatening. In this blog, we'll explore the importance of supervising your dog while outside in a hot climate and provide tips for keeping your furry friend cool and comfortable.

1. Provide plenty of shade: It's crucial to provide your dog with a cool, shady spot to rest. Whether it's a covered patio, a shady tree, or an umbrella, make sure your furry friend has a place to escape the sun's heat.
2. Offer fresh water: Keeping your dog hydrated is essential in hot weather. Make sure to offer plenty of fresh, cool water and encourage your furry friend to drink often.
3. Take frequent breaks: If you're taking your dog for a walk or playing outside, take frequent breaks in the shade to allow your furry friend to rest and cool down.
4. Avoid hot surfaces: Asphalt, concrete, and sand can get scorching hot in the sun and burn your dog's paws. Stick to grassy areas or use booties to protect your dog's paws from the heat.
5. Watch for signs of heatstroke: Heatstroke can be life-threatening, so it's important to watch for signs such as excessive panting, drooling, vomiting, and lethargy. If you suspect your dog has heatstroke, seek veterinary care immediately.
6. Don't leave your dog in a parked car: Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a parked car can quickly reach dangerous levels. It's never safe to leave your dog in a parked car, even for a short time.
7. Know your dog's limits: Every dog is different, and some breeds are more susceptible to heatstroke than others. Know your dog's limits and avoid activities that could be too strenuous or exhausting in hot weather.

By following these tips and supervising your dog while outside in a hot climate, you can help keep your furry friend safe and comfortable. Remember, it's always better to err on the side of caution and take extra precautions in hot weather.

Fireworks, loud music, and thunderstorms can cause anxiety and fear in our pets. Noise phobia is a common problem that affects many animals, and it can be particularly challenging during holidays like the Fourth of July. In this blog post, we'll explore the causes of noise phobia in pets, the problems it can cause, and how to deal with it.

1. Causes of noise phobia Noise phobia can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, previous traumatic experiences, and lack of socialization. Some pets are simply more sensitive to loud noises than others.
   
2. Problems caused by noise phobia Noise phobia can cause a range of behavioral and physical problems in pets. They may become destructive, anxious, or even aggressive. Some pets may try to escape or run away, putting themselves in danger.
   
3. How to deal with noise phobia There are several ways to help your pet cope with noise phobia. One approach is to create a safe space where your pet can feel secure, such as a quiet room or crate. You can also use calming techniques like pheromone sprays or soothing music. Medication may be necessary for severe cases.
   
4. Preventing noise phobia Preventing noise phobia is often easier than treating it. Socializing your pet from a young age, desensitizing them to loud noises, and creating positive associations with noise can help prevent noise phobia from developing.
   

In conclusion, noise phobia is a common problem that can be challenging for pet owners, especially during holidays like the Fourth of July. By understanding the causes and effects of noise phobia, and by taking steps to prevent and treat it, you can help your pet feel safe and secure during noisy celebrations. So why wait? Explore our blog post now and learn more about how to deal with noise phobia in pets.

We’re always surprised at how many individuals believe that, by nature, English bulldogs are fat or they are supposed to be chunky. We’ve had four English bulldogs, all rock stars in unique ways. But the one consistent shared trait among them was that none of them were overweight.Granted, when people believe their breed should be hefty, they’re going to feed it more and hence, it will be overweight, meeting their expectations. In other words, it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy. Bulldogs aren’t supposed to be fat and if they are, there are a number of problems that accompany that rolly-polly stature. Because of the bad genetics involved, the breed is already predisposed to knee injuries. In fact, all four of our bulldogs had knee surgery, and not a Michelin tire shape among them. A couple of tips to avoid some of the health issues associated with carrying around too much weight. Spread their food around so you can avoid having them gulp their food down too rapidly. We had one customer describe her bulldog as a “wood chipper” because she ate so fast. Try to avoid giving them ‘human’ food. Stick to a healthy diet and give them broccoli and other healthy foods. They’re omnivores, so they’ll surprise you in what they’ll eat. Keep them fit, lean, and you’ll get a few more years of companionship!
​Keep Wagging!

If you spend any time around us at shows or read our blogs, you'll quickly come to the realization that a companion animals health is critically important and a responsibility that some owners may not realize how daunting a task it is to maintain.  Case in point, the bully breeds, i.e. English Bulldogs, Pugs, Bull Mastiffs, French Bulldogs and any other smoosh faced dogs. The first step, way before you even consider buying a dog from a breeder, is to understand what you are getting into. Once you realize the full breadth of problems and issues associated with pure bred dogs and that most likely you'll be shelling out some serious cash each month to maintain their health, you might think twice about getting a dog because you like the look of it. If there is one thing you'll learn from these tremendously informative articles, it's that mutts make the healthiest family members. 

We highly recommend reading this article on Bulldog health. It's quite an eye-opener and really underscores the issues this breed faces and offers an idea of what we need to do to prevent these problems in the future. Another powerful article on dog health issues is one that appeared in the Guardian. It's a wonderful article that helps to illustrate issues that many breeds face when bad breeders get involved. You can read the article here.