Dogs and Fireworks

Every year many dog owners are faced with the issue of their dog freaking out over fireworks. The loud noises send them running for cover or cowering in the corner, and it can be a real headache for their owners. With the upcoming Independence Day festivities, this is a good time to consider how you are going to handle your dog if loud noises are an issue.

Fortunately, there are some common sense things you can do to minimize the problem. First of all, leave the dog home when you go to the fireworks show. Try leaving him in the crate, if you use one, with his favorite toy to keep him busy and happy. Use the TV for normal “background” noise. Don’t make a big production out of leaving, as this will tell him something big is happening. Make sure your dog is secure. NEVER leave him outside or tied up unattended. Dogs can hurt themselves trying to escape. Animal Shelters always see an increase in dogs after July 4th because so many of them run off trying to get away from the noise and find their owners. Make sure your pets have identification tags or microchips in case they do get away.

If you have been through this before and know your pet is seriously distressed by the loud noises, talk to your vet for ways to help alleviate the anxiety. It’s a good idea to exercise your dog a few hours before dark so they release some energy and hopefully get more tired later on.

With a little planning you and your pets can have a happy, safe holiday.

Dog Dining in Chicago

With the beautiful, warmer weather in Chicago we all want to be outside enjoying the season. I really love to dine 'al fresco' when the weather is nice. Of course, I also like to have my dog me as much as possible, and thankfully, there are many places in Chicago where I can do both. In fact, Chicago is one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country, with dog parks and dog beaches and some truly fantastic restaurants that allow dogs in the summer when dining outside.
If you want to take your dog to the big city, I recommend you check out either http://www.bringfido.com/ or http://www.dogfriendly.com/ for more information. I have enjoyed the lakefront many times and dined at Navy Pier with our two dogs. Riva's, Charlie's Ale House, and Harry Carey's all have outside seating and allow dogs. They may ask you to wait for a table near the entrance or away from other diners, and of course you must have a well mannered dog that is under control at all times. Your dog should know the "down" and "stay" commands. Our dogs have either lain under the table or in one case stayed on the other side of the railing next to our table. Never give your dog table food or let him beg.
Here's a partial list of other restaurants in the city, many of which I have tried and enjoyed, although not always with my dogs:

• Brasserie Jo, on W Hubbard


• Four Moon Tavern, W Roscoe


• Bar Louie on Polk St.


• Boston Blackies on Riverside Plaza


• Orange, N Clark


• Adobo Grill, W Division


• DOC Wine Bar, N Clark


• Julius Meinl, Addison and Southport


• Crepe Town, N Sheridan


• Lou Malnati's Pizza, N Wells


• Wishbone, on Washington and on N Lincoln


• Southport Lanes on Southport


• And for a great Chicago steak, Sullivan's on N Dearborn

Remember to check with the restaurant. Being listed on these websites is no guarantee. Also, a well mannered dog doesn't bother other guests or make the restaurant rethink their pet friendly policy. So get out there and enjoy being near one of the world's most beautiful cities. And let me know of other dog friendly places you discover.

Foster a Deployed Military Member's Dog

I saw this article in Dog Fancy (July 2010) and thought it was a great way to help our service families, especially with Memorial Day coming up. The article explains how military families often get moved around a lot and may not get a lot of notice when they are deployed overseas. While pets are a great source of comfort and enjoyment to service people, just as they are to the rest of us, it can be difficult to find someone to take care of the pets when the service member gets deployed. Fostering a military member's dog or cat is one way we can give back for their sacrifice. The last thing they deserve is to have their pet put in a shelter. The magazine goes on to give information on three national groups that help arrange foster care for military family pets. Check them out if you would be able to help. They are:

• Guardian Angels for Soldiers' Pet, at www.guardianangelsforsoldierspet.org
• Military Pets Foster Project, at www.netpets.org/netp/foster.php
• Operation Noble Foster (for cats), at www.operationmobilefoster.org

Also, if you would like to volunteer to foster a pet, check with your local shelter and rescue groups.

Dog Beach and Park Tips

Going off leash? Heading off to the dog park or beach? Dog parks and beaches are really popular in our area. We have a new park in Homer Glen and a great park in Frankfort that is sponsored in part by Aussie Pet Mobile. When you let your dog play, keep in mind some basic tips we got from our partners at VPI Pet Insurance:

Sprains - Playful, excitable dogs are prone to accidents at the park - they can trip in a hole while running or maybe play a little too enthusiastically with a pal who's a bit too much to handle, resulting in sprained joints. Be sure to keep a watchful eye on your dog to avoid these types of incidents.

Lacerations - Sometimes even the friendliest wrestling match between dogs can turn into a tussle. Cuts and scratches are common dog park injuries, so keep your pooch away from agressive dogs and look out for foreign objects like fallen branches that could cause harm while dogs are at play.

Toxins - Be aware of any chemicals used by park maintenance crews, like fertilizers, snail bait or pestisides. It's a good idea to use a damp towel to thoroughly wipe down your dog's fur after a romp in the park in order to get rid of any residue that could be licked off.

Parasites - Shield your dog from fleas and other bugs before visiting the park by using a topical preventive product. Also, be a good park patron by picking up after your dog and reminding others to do the same; worms and other internal parasites can be easily transmitted if fecal matter is injested.

Overheating - No matter what time of year, always be sure to have plenty of water on hand to quench your dog's thirst and prevent overheating. Be sure to take frequent water breaks so your dog can stay hydrated. If your dog shows any signs of overheating such as excessive panting, vomiting, or sluggishness, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Bug Off! - Dogs and cats of any age need protection from fleas and ticks. Aside from being a nuisance, they can also cause skin problems and spread disease. It's easier to prevent fleas and ticks than it is to fight them after they've already infested your pet - and your home.

Tall grass and weeds are very inviting to flease and ticks, so be sure to keep your yard mowed and trimmed. Outdoor flea sprays are also a good tool for keeping bugs at bay. Inside, clean and vacuum your home regularly, and wash your pet's bedding each week.

Remember, if you're interested in pet insurance, call VPI at 800-719-1303 or visit www.petinsurance.com/apm to get the Aussie Pet Mobile discount!

Earth Day 2010

Earth Day is Thursday, April 22. This year is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, a day to celebrate the birth of the modern environmental movement and a chance to reflect on how we can better care for our planet. Every day we hear about "going green" and ways to do our part for the environment. As pet lovers, we already have a special bond with the natural world. We can do more by being responsible pet owners. Some obvious ways would be to spay and neuter our pets to decrease the population of homeless and unwanted dogs and cats. We can look for more natural pet foods and pet products, and keep our pets clean and healthy. At Aussie Pet Mobile Southwest Chicago, we only use safe, biodegradable, nontoxic grooming products. We have a full line of natural, specialty shampoos that provide specific solutions to pets with various types of coats.

The Earth is our home. Let's take care of it.

Shave-down Season

Now that the day's are getting longer and (hopefully) warmer, we are starting to get calls for shavedowns. If you are considering getting your dog shaved, you should understand some of the issues regarding shaving. Remember, dogs sweat from their paws, so having a shorter coat doesn't significantly affect the dog's body temperature. Also, if you are shaving due to the excessive shedding, you should know that shaving will make the hair shorter, but it will not completely stop the shedding. If shedding is your only reason for the haircut, you may want to consider a de-shedding treatment such as the FURminator, which we offer.

Still, shaving can make life easier if you dog is a swimmer, has a skin condition or fungus, is matted or the coat is in bad shape. When we shave a dog, we are careful not to go too low. You don't want to shave all the way down for a couple of reasons. First, dogs can get sunburn and even skin cancer, just like people do. It is important to protect their skin. Secondly, some breeds may not regrow their fur if it is shaved too short, a condition called alopecia. Also, with double-coated dogs such as huskies, fur protects against biting flies and mosquitoes.

And remember, Spring is a busy time at your groomers so call as soon as possible to get your appointment set.

February is National Spay and Neuter Month

Spaying and neutering your pet is an important decision for all pet owners. Unfortunately, there are too many homeless animals all over the country, many ending up in shelters. The Humane Society of the United States estimates about 7 million homeless animals end up in shelters every year. Half of these animals are adopted, but the other half are euthanized. Many of the pets that never get adopted would have been loving companions if they only had a chance.

As a pet owner, you should know that the only reason not to spay or neuter is if you intend to be a responsible, knowledgable breeder. Otherwise, the pet is much better off being spayed or neutered, from both a health standpoint and for your own piece of mind. It's not true that females need a litter before being spayed, or that males will somehow be less of a dog if they are neutered. It will not make them less protective or fat and lazy. This procedure is safe, inexpensive, and the right thing to do. It's an easy way to save lives.

For more information, go to the Humane Society of the US at www.humanesociety.org