There are many products on the market from orthopedic and heated dog beds to numerous foods, treats and supplements.  Of course, there is always the prescription drug route as well – and that works well for many pet owners.

We have a new product on Campus called Dawg Eez – made from Elk Velvet Antler.  I can see some of you cringing now – hold on.  One of our staff members was telling me about her older dog and how she managed this dog’s arthritis very effectively with Elk Velvet so I did some research and found it is really a great product that has been used for centuries.  It can be expensive, but if it eases the pain and improves mobility many think it is worth it!  It certainly is less expensive than some alternative options such as surgery, treadmill therapy and some prescription medicines!

There are many active ingredients found in elk velvet antler including a variety of minerals, trace elements, protein, fatty acids, and glucosamine.   The product we sell, Dawg Eez, is in tablet form and contains 375 mg Domestic elk velvet antler and 125 mg of domestic elk liver.  This combination provides your dog with several basic nutrients, associated with joint health! 

Back on Campus:  Well, Martin did a terrific job with the murals!  He transformed the “warehouse” to a beautifully painted Campus!  He combined our silly humor with over 75 paintings of dogs, buildings, etc.  It is great fun and we will be hosting a week-long open house event.  Stay tuned for more information!  Woof on ….

Millions (yes, millions) of dogs are lost every year.  We see a lot of dogs here and it just breaks our heart when we get a call from one of our dog owners telling us one of our students is missing.  We go all out to help … posting flyers, using the front  page of our web site, Facebook, e-mail blasts, we call our competitors (yes … I go there) and ask them to be on the look-out.    Sadly, the two I’m thinking of have not been found.  

So, you are more careful than them – you never let your dog out of your site – your yard is fenced …..  Okay, so one of the two dogs I’m thinking of was at their Veterinarian and the dog panicked and ran out the front door never to be seen again.  The other (and this is far more commonly heard) was in the back seat of the car when the owner was in an accident.  As EMS opened the door to treat the injured driver, the dog jumped out in fear and has never been seen again.  

A microchipped dog has a better chance of finding his way home to you.  Microchipping is most often a onetime event – a onetime cost.  Did you know that most of the animals surrendered have no I.D.?  The Michigan Humane Society reports that without microchipping, the chance that a dog will be reunited with his owner is less than 20 percent.  For cats, it’s less than three percent. 

Canine College will be offering a low cost Microchipping clinic in the autumn of 2012.  If you want your pet microchipped before then – just ask your Veterinarian.

Back on Campus:  So much news!   We have been busier than a one eyed cat in a room full of mouse holes! 

The Holiday season was a blast!  We had at least 140+ dogs every day and we just had a blast with them!   Our Student’s owners just spoiled the staff terribly bringing in subs, pizza, candy, cookies … you name it!  Thank you so much.  Staff works so hard and they just LOVED the grub!

The new cameras are up – all 29 of them!  Lots of views of the playfields and lots of private dorm room web cams!  Want to watch your furry student in his dorm room at night?  Just give Sue in Student Services a call.  She’ll let you know how to reserve a suite with a camera!  

Must run – so much to do!  Woof on ….

Canine College is proud of our staff and takes great care to develop and keep our highly trained staff in a fun and safe work environment.  We operate as a true team – please note that his is not a temporary position,, this position is a unique opportunity and permanent position for the individual who loves and wants to work with dogs.

A vital part of our extreme customer service is our “Directors of First Impression” AKA our front desk administrative staff – Canine College Admission Specialists.  Our Admission Specialists are the first persons who greet our customers and their owners directly interacting with our four legged furry students and their owners with a warm smile, professional and welcoming demeanor.    Our Admissions Specialists have many responsibilities including answering telephones, making reservations, checking in and checking out daycare, boarding, grooming and training students.  These positive energy individuals know how to multi-task, have basic computers skills, have extreme customer service skills, work well in a team environment, can work under pressure and have professional telephone skills.  A love for dogs is required and past customer service experience is preferred but not necessary.

The Holidays can present a few challenges to your furry student – please consider the safety and health of your student by being aware of some of the temptations your furry student may face including:

• Holiday meal “sneaks”.  Sure, we like to share but use caution.  Limit the table treats so as not to cause your furry student to have an upset stomach!  (you too!)
• Holy Smokes!  Where did all the candy from the candy dish go?  Keep those treat plates high so our furry students are not tempted.
• Watch the doors as your guests come and go with their holiday cheer and gifts.  In the excitement your furry student can run out of the house unprotected.  Properly introduce your furry students to your guests when the excitement of the entrance has calmed down.
• Tinsel and other holiday tree trimmings can be very inviting as they sparkle and move!

We wish you, your family and friends peace and joy …….  Enjoy the Video

Here’s the scoop – every grooming salon should be requiring updated vaccinations!  What about their groomers?  What if they got bit by a dog who did not have updated vaccinations?  What about airborn viruses?  What about the ground the dogs walk on?  The grooming table? 

Let me get back on track – this blog was prompted as the result of a story “Bacterial infection diagnosed in 20 Detroit-area dogs that can be transmitted to humans” reported by Channel 7 Action News WXYZ on October 27, 2011.

The story reported that a bacterial infection known as leptospirosis is infecting dogs and can be transmitted to other dogs and humans. The strain can spread rapidly through unvaccinated dogs causing fever, depression, and vomiting (according to MSU). The bacteria can also attack the liver and kidneys.

What you can do:

• Call your vet within the next few days to determine if your dog has had a leptospirosis vaccine – this may have been given as part of the Distemper vaccine
• Advanced Vet will be here on Wednesday, November 2nd for anyone wanting the leptospirosis vaccine (cost is $22)

Canine College REQUIRES all of it’s students to be up-to-date on Rabies, Distemper, and Bordetella and we strongly suggest every year your Vet faxes to us a negative fecal exam for your furry student. Ask yourself ….. when was the last time a dog park, other grooming salon, or pet store asked for your vet records?    Why haven’t they?

What brought this on?  At Canine College we prepare training documents and manuals for all of our employees and we were updating our material.  It is really good stuff (if I do say so myself) so, I thought I’d run this little section on the blog.

Facebook Question:  While preparing the documentation, we posed the question on our Facebook page asking what folks thought was the most commonly used calming signal dogs display.  We gave 4 examples which were all calming signals but asked which was the most commonly used by dogs. 

Facebook Answer:  The most frequently used calming signal used by dogs is the Look Away according to many experts. 

There are many calming signals including:  1) Paw Raising, 2) Yawning, 3) lip/nose licking, 4) sniffing, 5) sneezing, 6) scratching, 7) blinking, shaking off, 9) sitting/lying down and even moving in an arc pattern away from a person or dog (seen most often on leash).    Many of these are a combination or sequence of signals so if you see your dog “sneezing” or “sniffing” don’t misinterpret it as a calming signal and jump to the conclusion your dog is upset about something.  You dog may just be sneezing or sniffing!  If you see a number of these in sequence, it is suggested you respond back and/or take actions to settle your dog.

Experiment:  I’ve tried this at home and it really does work – give it a shot.  If your dog is jumping crazy and wants to play and you just want to rest, try yawning over and over.  You’ll notice your dog with good communication skills will soon yawn back at you.  Your dog may even follow-up with some calming signs listed above (sniff around, circle, sit or lie down)

Situation:  You come across a dog who is shy or not quite as warm and welcoming as you are used to.  Perhaps he is concerned about you.  Implement the “look away” by raising your chin and sharply turn your head to your right …. Hold.  Turn your head to the left ….. hold.   You should  see a response from the other dog if the dog has communication skills.    Fun stuff.

Back on Campus:  We are putting in a new (huge) webcam system, new activity packages, and ramping up for the winter holiday season.  Heather is busy putting new photos up on Facebook a few times a week, Andrea is busy giving Heather a hard time about it, Dion has decided he likes working in the front a little more than in the back on certain days, Sue is crazy busy putting together newsletters and having a blast.  We are all missing Bre who should be returning in mid November after her big Texas wedding.   Kim is taking a few well deserved days off every now and then ramping up for the busy winter holidays.    

 Fred is surveying the building and giving me a list of “to-do’s” before the winter months come in.  Paula, Steph and Phil are very busy training our new field coach team.  Rob and Scott have been volunteering with Bonnie and team and are now part of the Four Legged Rascal training programs.  Kari has started teaching on Sundays which she loves (as do her students) and now she has scheduled a few Sunday seminars! 

Linda and Julie have been joined by Kristy in the grooming salon and Linda has taken over the role of Grooming Manager (thank you!).  I didn’t even come close to covering everyone here – suffice to say, we are busier than a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs!