Combating the Flea problem is never easy.....but here are some helpful tips! If you prefer to combat fleas and ticks natures way....two treatment methods might help.
BORATE: This is a fine powder that appears to interrupt the life cycle of fleas when professionally applied to carpets, upholstery and floor cracks. This powder may also be applied around the outside of your dog's kennel area...but make sure it is not windy when placing outside. Poisonous to fleas, borate can remain effective for up to one year! Of course, unless you have your carpets cleaned! Boric acid can be toxic to infants if eaten, so caution must be used when handling this product. Always wear gloves before applying. If it is windy outside and you are using this for your dogs' outside living quarters, make sure that you wear a painter's mask so that you do not accidentally inhale the fine powder. Borate can be obtained from pest-control companies and through the internet.
NEMOTODES: These itty bitty yard and garden allies feed on baby and teen-age fleas that live in the soil around your home. Like fleas, the nematodes like to live in warm, moist shady spots. They must be reapplied monthly because they can't survive temperatures below 45 degrees or above 95 degrees. You can buy Nematodes at nurseries and garden centers.
Selecting the right flea and tick products is very important! Caution must be used on any dogs that are nursing, pregnant, older, ill or on medications. It is very important that you read the instructions carefully. Below is a list of products that describe what they do:
SELAMECTIN: This chemical blocks parasites from developing. It also kills adult fleas and prevents flea eggs from hatching. Selamectin helps to also control American dog ticks.
Fipronil: This blocks the action of the main neurotransmitter (GABA) in fleas and ticks. It kills adult fleas & ticks.
Pyriproxyfen: This chemical copies the juvenile hormone and blocks the flea's life cycle by preventing eggs from developing. It does not affect ticks.
Permethrin: This is a neurotoxin that kills fleas (adults, eggs and larvae) and it also repels and kills ticks and mosquitos. However, this can also be very toxic if used in the wrong dose and extreme care must be taken when using this as a dip for your puppy or dog. Follow the directions EXACTLY! You can kill your dog or poison your puppy with this highly toxic chemical.
Nitenpyram: This is given as a fast-acting pill that targets flea infestations. It can also be used as needed in conjunction with a monthly preventative.
Methoprene: This chemical breaks the life of the flea cycle by preventing flea eggs and larvae from hatching. It does not kill ticks.
Lufenuron: Given in a pill, this prevents the development of flea eggs. Adult fleas ingest this chemical and become sterile. This enables them to reproduce. It does not treat ticks.
Imidacloprid: This stops fleas from biting and kills adult fleas and their larvae. It does not work on ticks.
If your dog is pregnant, ill, on medication, older or a very young puppy....some treatments may be toxic.
It is very important that you consult your vet on the correct chemical to use to help combat fleas. A monthly pill called "PROGRAM" is a very good treatment method to help reduce unwanted fleas. Given to your dog once a month will help prevent fleas from reproducing.
Once you understand the cycle of the flea, you will know how to battle this nasty critter!
*Fleas speed through their stages of life. They are capable of going from eggs to larva, pupa and adulthood generally within three to four weeks.
*Female fleas, most commonly found on dogs, can lay up to 50 eggs per day.
*Fleas will usually live for 7 days....but they can also live up to 30 days.
*A flea begins feasting on its host....your dog...usually within 8 minutes of landing on the dogs' coat.
*Female fleas begin egg production within 48 hours of taking their first blood meal.
*A flea will multiply like CRAZY! a mere 25 fleas on your dog today can become 7,500 fleas within a month if left untreated!!!!
*A tick falls into two main groups: Hard ticks (American dog ticks that prey on dogs) and soft ticks (African soft ticks that usually leave dogs alone.)
* Hard ticks will usually live for up to three years! Soft ticks can live up to 20 years. The life stages are egg, larva, nymph and then the adult.
*Ticks belong to the same class as spiders and scorpions.
*A female tick can ingest up to 100 times its body weight.
*Ticks can make your dog enemic and very ill if left untreated.
Important tips to help your dog fight fleas and ticks:
*Groom your dog on a regular basis.
*Dip your flea comb in very hot soapy water or a bowl or rubbing alcohol diluted in water to drown fleas.
*Wash your dog's bedding weekly in hot water.
*If you vacuum your carpet weekly....make sure to also include all crevices of furniture and baseboards! Vacuums with beater bars suck up adult fleas, larvae, and eggs very well. Seal the bag and toss it in an outside trash can with a tight lid on it. Doing this ASAP will prevent any of them escaping!
*Keeping your yard clean will help prevent fleas and ticks as well! Keep up piles of leaves.....lawn clippings....
or wet debris under porches. The ideal harboring spots for fleas are all of the places mentioned above. Treating these areas with IGR (insect growth regulator) and insecticides will also help reduce fleas.
DOG-FRIENDLY HOTELS.............
There are many luxury hotels offering services that allow dogs through-out the United States and Canada. Picking up a copy of "TRAVELING WITH YOUR PET" from the American Automobile Association (AAA) will help you tremendously when seeking a pet friendly place to stay while traveling abroad.
LOEWS HOTELS: There is a chain of 16 hotels across the U.S. and in Canada with specialized services and amenities designed to make pets and their owners feel right at home!
THE TAMWORTH INN: This hotel sits between the White Mountains and Lakes Region of New Hampshire. The New England village of Tamworth has a town park that allows dogs and lots of great places for owners to visit and play. Contact: THE TAMWORTH INN. Tamworth, N.H. (253) 550-3204
THE THREE BUCK INN: Located in Alpine Meadows, California is nothing short of dog heaven!
An on-site sitter is available and a fully stocked dog bath is located in the garage. Contact:
Doggie parks are becoming very trendy......however, although a dog park is a great place for both the owner and pet to exercise and socialize, there are risks involved. Taking young pups to a dog park places your puppy at a high risk for contracting communicable canine disease because your puppy has not had time to fully develop its immunity and has not had all of its vaccinations. This dog park phenomenon began in California, when the nation's first canine cavorting center opened in Berkeley in 1979. While the concept was slow to spread, it has since gained popularity with pet owners. There are now more than 600 active dog parks across the country. Some parks require proof of vaccination as well as requires new visitors to go through a 15 minute orientation in which dogs are assessed for social readiness. Dog parks do give a "shut-in" dog a great place to romp and play...not to mention help prevent obesity problems. If you happen to know of more doggie parks available, send the names and addresses to us or the location and we'll be happy to add them to our site.
NORTH & EAST:
*Baron Cameron Park- Reston, VA
*Green Park- Gaithersburg, MD
*Cooper River Dog Run- Bernards Township, NJ
*Snyder Bark Park- Fort Lauderdale, Fla
MIDWEST:
*Mt. Airy Dog Park- Cincinnati, Ohio
*Jean and Carl Frank Canine Nature Park- Rochester, NY
*Cheyenne Off Leash Area- Cedar Rapids, IA
SOUTH AND WEST:
*Mockingbird Point Dog Park- Dallas, TX
*Jason Park- Englewood, CO
*Bark Park- Missoula, MT
*Desert Breeze Park- Las Vegas, NV
*Dog Beach at Dash Point State Park- Tacoma, WA
*Mayflower Dog Park- Escondido, CA
*Sausalito Dog Park- Sausalito, CA
Wherever you may travel, there may be a dog park near you. You may CLICK HERE to get a complete listing of dog parks available.
Improper toy selection for your puppy or dog can be dangerous! Some of the most harmless looking pet toys on the market can take a BITE out of your wallet or your canine's life and care must be taken to purchase those that will not endanger your pet. What may seem like a $1.50 toy may actually cost your thousands in the long run with very expensive surgery in the worst case scenario! Most likely you will not see any warning labels on any pet toys to warn customers of the hazards of unsafe pet products. The main rule of thumb is....DON'T GIVE YOUR PET ANYTHING TO PLAY WITH THAT YOU WOULDN'T GIVE TO AN UNSUPERVISED TODDLER.
If you wouldn't allow your child to play with a toy because it may be dirty or carry germs or may cause choking, use common sense where your pet is concerned.
Listed below are pet items to stay away from and to be aware of the dangers these items possess for your pet:
* RAWHIDES, PIGS' EARS AND COW HOOVES: While your dog may love these treats, such items are difficult for dogs to digest and can become lodged in your pets' digestive tract. When this occurs, your dog can suffer a severe blockage that can cause death if the item is not removed surgically by your vet. Death can also occur if blockage is noticed too late. The above items are slow to digest and they are also known to carry dangerous salmonella bacteria that can sicken and infect adults and even children who have handled them. If you do decide to purchase this type of toy, make sure to bake it at 145 degrees to kill any bacteria. The treat should be tossed out if your dog has played with it for more than a few hours. Children, especially toddlers, should never be allowed to play with these toys once your dog has.
*BONES: When a dog chews on a bone, they risk many problems such as chipped teeth or even torn holes in their throat or digestive tract from sharp pieces being broken off. Don't give your dog bones. Doggy biscuits are safe and even good for them when they contain the right ingredients.
*TENNIS BALLS: While your dog will love to chase a tennis ball for hours on end, chewing on a wet, spongy toy can eventually cause enamel erosion on his or her teeth. This can lead to costly dental bills.
*CLOTH TOYS WITH BELLS OR ATTACHMENTS: Dogs love anything they can chew on....especially small things they can place in their mouth. A puppy and dog will easily chew off a bell or any other small attachment and can then swallow it causing choking or blockage in their intestinal tract. Such items, when swallowed, often have fatal results. Soiled cloth toys should either be washed and disinfected or tossed out. Never select any cloth toy with buttons, plastic or bells attached.
*STRING TOYS: String toys can be fun to play with, but if you see that your puppy or dog is tearing the string apart from the toy, take it away immediately! Unattached string can become lodged in your puppy or dogs' throat or intestinal tract causing death. String can also become wrapped around your pets' tongue and cause severe damage. String can also cause painful gouge wounds as it works it way through your dogs' system. This toy, if purchased, is a toy that does need supervision!
*CANDY TREATS: NEVER...EVER...EVER feed your dog anything with chocolate!!!!! Chocolate contains a compound similar to caffeine and overstimulates an animal's heart and can have fatal results. Chocolate can KILL YOUR DOG!
*RUBBER AND PLASTIC CHEWY TOYS: Puppies have very sharp teeth and then very large dogs can be an aggressive chewer. They can easily break apart soft rubber or plastic toys and swallow them. Large pieces can become lodged in the throat causing death by choking. Just like the rawhide toys, plastic and rubber can also fail to digest properly in the intestinal tract that can lead to stomach blockages. Such blockages will cause extensive AND expensive surgery.
PROTECT YOUR PET BY ALWAYS SUPERVISING HIM OR HER WITH CERTAIN TOYS JUST LIKE YOU WOULD A SMALL CHILD.
Using the BEST ingredients make for the BEST PET FOOD! CLICK HERE to save money on "CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE PET LOVER'S SOUL.
Keep a leash by the door so that if you have an emergency you can quickly grab it on your way out. During a fire, it is easy to get caught off guard. You do not want your dog to run out scared and possibly run away....become lost....or hit by fire trucks coming to your home. A leash by the door will also remind you that you have a pet inside of your home in case of disaster.
To prevent your pet from becoming lost during a fire, make sure he or she is wearing a collar with an ID tag or that your canine is micro-chipped. Keeping a tag on a leash has also become very helpful for many pet owners who do not leave collars on their pets while inside.
To prevent your pet from becoming lost during a fire, make sure he or she is wearing a collar with an ID tag or that your canine is micro-chipped. Keeping a tag on a leash has also become very helpful for many pet owners who do not leave collars on their pets while inside.
Use doggie doors only if they lead immediately into a fenced area.
Did you know that dogs can have allergies to foods just like humans?
Some dogs have fragile digestive systems, which may lead to soft stool and mal-absorption of the nutrients contained in their foods.
Some canine foods that are good for your puppy or dog should he or she have food allergies contains rice as the main starch source, combined with chicken and egg in an extremely highly digestible diet. Beet pulp, a fiber source, and yeast extracts that favor balanced intestinal flora, help to reduce the risks of diarrhea.
Foods that are good for your canine who have problems with other dog foods will also contain yeast extracts that help to build natural defenses by increasing the quantity of antibodies. High concentrations of antioxidant vitamins E and C, Lutein, taurine and trace elements such as zinc and selenium, help delay the effects of accelerated cell decay.... While supplementation with natural seafood and cartilage extracts helps to protect the joints. For dogs who have dry, itchy, sensitive skin....look for foods that contain soya oil, fish oil and chicken fat....sources of omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids, are combined with Zinc and vitamins A and C make for healthy supple skin and a shiny coat. To help alleviate dry skin in your canine, Pro Derma V is a very good supplement to add to their food.
CRATE TIPS: When selecting a crate for your new pet, size is very important.
If you purchase one that is small, it will cost you more in the long run. If you know that your new pet will grow to become a mid-sized dog, it is best to purchase either a giant or Xtra large crate so that the puppy can grow into it.
Many articles claim that a dog will not soil its sleeping area. While this is true for an older dog.....many puppies will soil inside of their crate and most of this is due to being to immature to physically hold their need to eliminate or defecate.
As a puppy gets older, he or she will not only become more mature, but will learn to wait until you get home. If you are gone for 8-12 hours, do not expect your dog to NOT soil inside of its crate. Puppies can not control their bladder and do need to be taken out at least once an hour for urinating and usually within 5-10 minutes after eating for defecating.
CLICK HERE to read crate training advice. If you are in need of a crate, click on the ORDER NOW icon. Purchasing your crate from an affordable place is also important if you are on a budget. Walmart carries some nice sized crates and is very affordable. Many pet shops have a higher mark up on their products. The ORDER NOW icon will take you to a company who has many great and affordable pet products and shipping is available on all of their items. Crating your puppy can be stressful in the beginning when they are removed from their siblings. Our kennel does begin crate training from the age of 4-5 weeks of age as well as newspaper training. This helps make YOUR process easier. Once your puppy comes to your home and settles down, introduce him or her to their new crate. Place some toys inside along with a comfy towel. You may want to leave your puppy inside of the crate for approx. 15 while you walk away into another room. This will help the puppy to understand that this is his or her sleeping area and place for "quiet" time. Before leaving your puppy alone for a few minutes, you may want to sit near the crate for awhile just to make sure that he or she is comfortable. After returning to the crate, let your puppy out and reward him or her for being a "good boy or girl"with a liver treat. Always use positive reinforcement when training....never scolding, swatting or hitting or yelling. Negative reinforcement will create a very fearful dog. After playtime, place your puppy back in the crate and leave alone for a bit longer. Continue to do this until your puppy feels comfortable being left alone. Make sure not to "coddle" your puppy....remember, a puppy will realize alot of yelping and crying will result in your providing comfort if you run to him or her each and every time he or she cries for attention. Never leave food or water inside of your pups' crate unless you are going to be gone for over 3 hours. Never crate for hours on end.
OF LABRADOODLE WORTHY NEWS: On December 5, 2006 the following article was found in the Orlando Sentinel and written by Erin Cox. This article was in relation to TEGAN PARK LABRADOODLES:
"Designer dogs" caught in divorce
The Labradoodles were turned over to animal control after breeders split. "Lady Lake- The Australian Loabradoodles once had their curly coats groomed and ate doggie gourmet meals of raw meat, V8juice and yogert. The Labrador-Poodle hybrids fecthed $2900 each for their breeders Angela and Derek Cunningham, until the 47 dogs became victims in the couple's divorce.
The Labradoodles were neglected-their non shedding coats matted and covered in sandspurs. Packed into outdoor kennels at a breeding ground in Lady Lake, some dogs suffered heatstroke, some had sores and others drank slimy green water. When Angela Cunningham took control of the dogs late last month, animal control officers warned her that the dogs' care and living conditions needed dramatic improvement.
The next day she sent 30 dogs, worth at least $75,000 to the pound. In less than two days, every designer dog was adopted for less than $150- a financial casualty in a divorce fraught with accusations.
"I panicked", Angela Cunningham said as she stopped to swallow tears. "If I had five more days, I would have spread them out across the country. But I was scared".
Court records show Angela Cunningham tried to take out a restraining order and block Derek Cunningham's access to the property where the dogs lived. Another one filed against Derek Cunningham's girlfriend mentioned that the dogs were packed into kennels and were not eing groomed. Derek Cunningham, who did not return calls seeking comment, also tried to block Angela Cunningham's access to the dogs.
In the end, Derek Cunningham was evicted from the property. Angela Cunningham was given access to the dogs again.
She had the dogs for two days before turning them over to animal control. Unaware of the battle behind the scenes, Labradoodle lovers inundated the Lake County Animal Shelter just before Thanksgiving. "I had a woman from Oklahoma or something calling me from a plane," said Rene' Segraves, the county's assistant animal-services director. "I said, 'Ma'am, you better turn back around and go home. They are all gone'. The dogs were dirty, under-weight and had been neglected, Segraves said.
Leslie Kalwara, former secretary for the Cunninghams' business, spread the word to other Labradoodle breeders that Angela Cunningham had turned over a fortune in neglected dogs. Outraged breeders contacted rescue groups. The messages zipped across Labradoodle chat rooms and forums across the internet. One nonprofit rescue group named the "International Doodle Owner's Group, inc." volunteered to adopt them all, but the shelter declined. The national group patrols web sites and classified ads across the country looking for Labradoodles and Goldendoodles, in shelters. Most dogs IDOG rescues are tossed aside by backyard breeders who tried and failed to capitalize on the hybrid-breed trend.
"They're (The Labradoodles) not coming from reputable breeders, until this big fiasco," said IDOG's Rescue Coordinator Jo Cousins, who said she finds Angela Cunningham's decision baffling. "There are so many people who would have stepped in and helped, and she chose to dump them into animal control".
The Labradoodle world regards the Cunninghams as pioneering breeders. The Cunninghams started their first breeding center called TEGAN PARK in their native country of Australia in 1992. The couple leased a ranch here in 2005 to transfer their Australian operation to TEGAN PARK USA, providing closer access to other breeders, who paid up to $25,000 for a Tegan Park stud dog. But after the divorce, even the most expensive of their dogs went to the shelter, where a deadly virus spread.
Canine parvo-virus infected at least three dogs as they waited for the surgeon to spay or neuter them. One Labradoodle died, and the shelter euthanized another dog that began showing symptoms. New adoptive owners have quarantined at least a half dozen other Labradoodles. "It's just a tragic end to those poor dogs," said breeder Peggy McElroy who had leased the Lady Lake ranch to the Cunninghams. During the divorce, McElroy said, she paid a groomer to help clean the dogs, but only a handful received care before Derek Cunningham ushered them off the property. She said she thought Angela Cunningham would restore the business and take care of the neglected dogs. "It's almost like when a mother kills a child," McElroy said. Angela Cunningham said she's still grieving. She kept two of the 17 dogs she did not send to the pound. The rest are staying with breeder friends who promised to give them back when she's ready to start over.
Of personal notation: ARE THOSE WHO PROMISED THIS WOMAN SHE COULD HAVE HER DOGS BACK WHEN SHE'S READY TO START OVER, OUT OF THEIR MINDS???? This woman, who has a website still on the internet for TEGAN PARK AUSTRALIAN LABRADOODLES, didn't waste any time dumping her supposedly beloved dogs off at her local animal shelter. She claims she "panicked". What she really did was dump the dogs quickly so that her husband could not receive any financial gain through the divorce because their dogs were a business that could be divided. The dogs got caught in their mess and neither person gave one ounce of care as to the welfare or well being of those dogs. She didn't need five more days! The person who leased her the property was willing to help her; She had breeder friends who were willing to help her and many people came to this woman's side to offer their help. Instead, she dumped the dogs. She can later use the dumpage as a business financial loss and she kept two dogs so she can start over, AFTER the divorce has been settled. The entire story sickens even myself because both people allowed their dogs to get caught up in their selfish, careless actions. Regardless of how they felt about each other, the dogs welfare should have come first. I am shocked that neither party were fined by Florida Authorities.
