Pets & Chewing

It is natural for puppies to explore their environment; however, their natural curiosity often leads to frustration on your part when they chew your favorite slippers. While you may be tempted to punish your naughty pup, reinforcing good behavior is much more effective and will keep you and your dog happier. Chewing is a natural behavior that helps dogs relax and aids in dental health. It is important to provide proper chew toys for your dog. Additionally, giving your dog a specific time for chewing will help them ”wind” down for the night (similar to humans reading a book before bed).

Anxious chewing

However, not all chewing is good for your dog. Destructive chewing may be related to anxiety. It is important to teach your dog that he cannot always receive attention on demand. To reduce anxiety, train him to lie on his bed or in a crate, rather than constantly at your side. For dogs with separation anxiety, begin with short departures and then gradually increase the length of your time away to help them be comfortable and calm while you’re gone.

Anti-chew sprays

Anti-chew sprays can be used to deter your pup from chewing on household items. If you witness your puppy chewing on a household item, calmly walk over and spray the item with the anti-chew spray and firmly say ”leave it”. Instantly redirect your puppy’s attention by animating the dog toy in order to get him excited enough to chew it. Once the dog wants the toy give it to her and then softly praise the dog and back away (avoid turning this into an active game of tug-of-war; you simply want to get the dog interested in the toy). This will give the dog something to chew on and still remain in the calm state she was in previously.

Teething

Chew toys are a great way to keep your puppy busy as well as relieve pain associated with teething. Once the teeth erupt, the real chewing begins. The teeth seem to need “setting” into the jaw and this is accomplished through hard chewing. Present your puppy with a variety of toys to determine which types he likes best (avoid giving him chew toys that resemble household items that you do not want him to chew, i.e. a toy shaped like a shoe). Rotate different toys to keep your puppy’s interest and reward your puppy with praise when he chews on them. If the puppy seem to seek out a certain items that are not for chewing, try finding toys with similar textures because they may need that texture for dental health. Remember, buying a bunch of toys is a lot less expensive than replacing the furniture that he may chew up.

Source: http://www.aaha.org/pet_owner/pet_health_library/dog_care/behavior/chewing.aspx

Haunted Howl-A-Ween Party at THE BARK!!!!

Be sure to come out this weekend and support Grateful Paws at their 4th Annual Haunted Hawl-o-ween Party at The BARK!!! Saturday, October 25th from 1-5, bring your four legged friends for a great party with a purpose. Learn more at - www.gratefulpaws.org

September Team Member of the Month- Mary!!!!

Mary has been a fixture at the HAH since 1995. I say fixture because many of you know her from her role throughout the years as a receptionist. Her name is synonymous for many with the caring heart of the HAH.   

However, lately she has been utilizing her skills as a phone operator in our very hectic phone room.  This important task is often challenging- when all 14 lines are ringing- but Mary is always pleasant to our clients and shows how truly she cares about how their needs and feelings. 

Now, Mary is not one to be boxed in so it has been no big surprise to hear reports of her up front assisting and interacting with clients. Her genuine joyous personality shines through with this GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE. We are pleased to recognize her as this month’s Team Member of the Month!!!!

September Patient of the Month- Tori!!!

Every month we highlight a patient who’s experience at the HAH has touched our lives. This month’s patient is no different but the words that seem most appropriate to share her story have come more from our client then our staff.

Tori, spent 9 days with us recovering from a very complicated surgical procedure that required one of our senior doctors to perform on emergency. She was a wonderful patient and a very luck girl. When her family was asked permission to share her story, they quickly said yes! There words seem to say it all. 

Every morning I wake up to a 60-pound labradoodle sticking her big nose in my face and smothering me with kisses -- and then I thank God for the Hollywood Animal Hospital. Tori wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for Dr. Sessa and Nellie. No words can describe the admiration and love my wife and I have for both. We are blessed to have them in our lives and the lives of my dogs.

We also want to thank Kathy and all the wonderful staff at HAH, who worked so hard to save Tori's life.

On Memorial Day weekend, Tori jumped into the back of my SUV – like she’s done a thousand times before.  Only this time, she misjudged her jump and fell right on the back latch – rupturing her bladder and tearing her urethra.

Dr. Sessa performed two and a half hours of emergency surgery that night, while Nellie texted me updates and Dr. James Dee so kindly offered me his words of comfort. Tori required more than 100 internal stitches and another 100 stitches on the outside. She likely would have died that night had Dr. Sessa not operated.


After the surgery, while she lay unconscious, I knelt down beside her and kissed her not knowing whether I would ever see her again.  She spent eight touch-and-go days at HAH. I visited her twice a day, but at first I wasn’t convinced she’d ever come home again.

I have been bringing my dogs to HAH for 42 years and have witnessed one miracle after another. Quite frankly, I was concerned I may have used up my fair share of miracles.

But Tori did came home. She’s running again, playing again and, yes, giving me those morning kisses.

Our very special thanks for all your extra efforts on behalf of Tori. You saved our dog and touched our hearts.

Tori touched our hearts too. She was the sweetest patient and we are so pleased to recognized her as our Patient of the Month!!!

August Team Member of the Month- Stephanie!!!!

This month's Team Member of the Month is a firecracker!!! Stephanie has been a member of our team on-an-off for many years. After a move out-of-state to pursue an opportunity at another practice, Stephanie returned to the HAH in 2006. Since her return she has taken on many responsibilities and excelled with each. 

Stephanie is an excellent technician. She has specialized experience in surgery, x-ray and post operative care. What makes her team member this month is her attitude.

Her love for life and adventure has always been a part of her character but this vigor has been renewed in the workplace and her attitude toward teamwork has been example worthy.

"Stephanie has such a positive attitude and never sits still. During any down time she is sweeping and finding other duties to make herself productive."

"She is great with patients as well as their owners!"

We are grateful to have such a technically skilled member on our staff as well as someone that brings such a good attitude to the table.

 Thank you for all you contribute, Steph!!!
 

Stephanie is a member of the Gold Coast Roller Derby Team of South Florida

Stephanie is essential to our success of at the Stonewall Pride Events each June!!!

Back to School Separation Anxiety

With all the excitement of the kids going back to school, many families may not think about what it means to the dog or cat. What you may notice are changes in behavior, a sad dog or cat, who mopes around or sleeps a lot more. Or your dog may suddenly started chewing things he shouldn't, or your cat does a lot more meowing. And you may not even connect the unusual cat or dog behavior with back-to-school time. Dogs and cats love routine, it makes them feel secure. They like knowing that certain things happen at about the same time each day, and they know where they want to be when it happens. If the kids have been around all summer, playing outside with the dog, or giving kitty extra love and snuggles, and suddenly they’re gone all day, it's upsetting. For some pets, they just feel sad and confused, and others feel real separation anxiety and may act up. 

 Kids can help your pet through the back-to-school blues The first thing to note is that this is a family matter, and a good opportunity for the kids to take more responsibility for the care of their pets. Let your kids know that their dog or cat is going to miss them when they're gone all day, and discuss what they can do to help their pets through it. One of the best ways for a pet to get over the loss of one routine is to replace it with another. Your pet may be sad all day at first, but if he knows that at 3:45 your kids will be home from school and will actively play with him soon after each day, your pet has something new to look forward to. If your child has a set time to do homework or read, that's an excellent time for the dog or cat to curl up next to her and "help" with studying. Ask your kids to think of other ways to include their pets in their routines. 

More than just sad, it’s separation anxiety If your pet exhibits true separation anxiety, as in, he goes crazy when he sees your kids put on their backpacks to leave for school, or is destructive when everyone is gone, you'll have to do some gentle training to ease his stress. Your kids may feel sorry for their pet and do a long sad goodbye. This only reinforces your pet’s fears and builds up the anxiety. It’s better to make the goodbye upbeat and brief, or eliminate it completely. Depending on your pet, he may respond well to a goodbye petting, a little goodbye treat, or simply leaving with a cheerful "good boy!" as your kids go out the door. This should happen before your pet gets upset. If your pet is freaking out, absolutely do not reward with anything. If you can't get your pet to calm down if it’s a dog, a simple "sit!" command may help. Then reward with petting and telling him he's ok once he’s calm. If your pet gets upset just by the backpacks or car keys being picked up, pick those items up and walk around the house with them several times a day, but don't leave. Your pet will learn not to associate those items with the pending doom of your kids leaving.

When back-to-school means an empty house If everyone is gone all day, both parents included, your pets are going to be bored on top of being upset. It's important to leave them some interactive toys to help them pass the time. Eventually, they will get used to the new reality, and will likely sleep most of the day. You can balance the boredom by providing vigorous exercise each day when you or your kids are home. Remember, you and your kids may have had a very busy day, but your pet has done virtually nothing, unless there is evidence to the contrary, as in a shredded or chewed up sofa. Providing your dog or cat active, vigorous play each day will help them burn up their pent up energy. Take your dog for a run or go outside and throw a ball or flying disk. For your cat, run around the house with a little toy on the end of a string. You may also want to consider getting your pet a little buddy to keep him company when no one is home. Even an aloof adult cat is likely to accept a kitten into her life, and the kitten will entice the older cat to play. And dogs, being true social animals, nearly always accept another dog to play with. Remember, your pets can get nervous, upset, anxious or lonely just like people, only they don't have the benefit of knowing that you’ll be back when you leave. It's up to you and your kids to make your pets feel secure in ways they understand. 

Source: http://www.petcentric.com/08-24-2009/your-pets-view-of-kids-going-back-to-school

Cali Riding a Roomba!!