March 23rd is national puppy day, and this couldn’t be more fitting this year. Dr. Hartman recently got a new springer spaniel puppy named Afton! Puppies bring a lot of joy to the family, but are also work as well! A puppy should never be a spur of the moment decision, breeds and breeders should be researched, and lifestyle should be evaluated before bringing home a new pet. Different breeds have different energy levels, grooming requirements, and personalities. Care should be used to avoid adopting from a puppy mill and rescues should be considered. Many states also keep records of breeding facilities that they inspect. Puppies usually can only hold their bladder for about 1-2 hours when they first come home. It gradually increases as they get bigger (a rule of thumb is 1 hour per month of age), but some dogs are not able to go 8 hours until adulthood! It is important to consider your lifestyle and schedule for this reason. Puppies also require frequent visits to the vet in the first year for a number of reasons including to get booster vaccines, check weights, to make sure they are growing appropriately, and to be spayed or neutered. Adopting from a shelter may alter some of these visits, but there is […]
Have you ever seen a dog with a yellow ribbon tied to their leash? Do you know what this means? The yellow dog project is meant to provide awareness. Dogs with yellow ribbons or other yellow items tied to their leash are dogs that require a little more space. There are many reasons dogs may need extra space, and a yellow ribbon does not necessarily mean the pet is aggressive. Reasons a pet might need more space include: recovery from surgery or illness painful dogs dogs in season old and tired dogs that don’t want to be bothered scared dogs pets that are ill pets that are insecure pets that are fearful rescue or shelter dogs that have not fully been socialized puppies or other dogs in training dogs that are working It is important to give these dogs extra time to move out of your way, and while you should always ask before petting a strange dog, it is especially important to ask before interacting with these pets. The yellow dog project is not an excuse to be used instead of proper training, and it is not a waiver of responsibility. It should be used along with a professional trainer using positive reinforcement methods to help overcome any fears or socialization issues. […]
Providing the best possible veterinary care for your pet.
Heritage Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinarian clinic that provides examinations, diagnostic services, dental care, surgical services, medicine, grooming and boarding services in Maple Grove, Minnesota. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of pet care possible and facilitating an environment where client communication and education are at the forefront of our practice.
