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​We love sharing information – sometimes it’s small tidbits and other times its big juicy chunks of info, and every now and again it might be something as simple as a meme to make your smile.We hope you enjoy our blog – which is mostly dog focused but can occasionally be distracted (Travel Tuesday is a lovely distraction but also a great way to get new holiday ideas). ​

Socialization.

21/6/2013

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Socialization is such an important part of our dogs development and it’s very important to begin this from an early age. Socialization is vital with not only humans but other species as well outside the immediate environment.
Puppy classes can be a great start for this, it’s also important to introduce them to different people, sounds, places and also allowing them to be on their own. Introducing our pups to different dogs, people and situations helps to create a stable and confident mind. This can help to prevent your dog from developing behavior problems such as separation anxiety or dog aggression later on in life. These issues can later arise due to lack of exposure to different situations that may lead to low self confidence or the inability to deal with something out of the ordinary.
In order to expose your dogs to new situations and environments you, as the owner, must be confident yourself. By showing your dog that you are confident and calm in the situation they see that it is fine for them to do so as well – this is so important when developing your dog’s behavior and ability to cope in new environments. You want this experience to be positive for everyone, especially your dog. If he seems anxious or scared it is a must that you stay calm and show there is nothing to be afraid of. Regardless of how your dog initially reacts, it is important to try your best not to remove them from the situation, unless of course it is dangerous. If you are feeling unsure or anxious it’s best not to take your dog into that situation until you are completely confident yourself. Our dogs rely on us greatly to show them how to behave and our energy is a very strong way to let them know you have the situation under control. It is essential to ensure your dog experiences different situations frequently, especially if the first time wasn’t a success. It is necessary to repeat the exercise in a positive manner. If you your dog isn’t well socialized and are not confident enough within yourself to begin exposing them to different situations a dog trainer or animal behaviorist is always an option. It is very important to socialize your dog as a dog that is not confident is more likely to become aggressive if they do not know how to correctly deal with the situation and this can lead to a lot more serious issues.



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Your emotions and your pooch.

6/6/2013

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We all love our dogs and for some of us, leaving them at a boarding facility can be very scary.
Sadly, we can sometimes pass this fear and nervousness onto our dog and make the situation worse than it needs to be.

One of the most common things we hear at Dogs Country Club is, ‘my dog is a rescue dog and I’m worried if I leave them they will think they’re being dumped again,' or 'they'll think I'm not coming back.'

Luckily, this is not the case. Regardless of your dog’s previous experiences they don’t compare circumstances. When a dog comes to stay at Dog’s Country Club they are pampered with their every need met, even though you are not around dog’s are very easy to keep happy and as long as their needs are met, they have no reason to stress or be anxious.

Dog’s feed off our energy, that’s why it’s common for dog’s to act differently on leash when with their owners and they will react to the energy around them. If you are nervous or upset when leaving your dog (whether is be at the vet, groomers, boarding kennel etc) the best thing you can for them is to be positive whilst they’re around. You will notice a difference straight away, keep everything quick and easy. By showing them you are nervous you are giving them something to worry about, when in fact it’s a perfectly save situation. Once they are out of sight and you have separated yourself from your dog then you can let your emotions out.
Learning your dog’s body language can be very helpful too. For example, seeing a dog shaking can mean a number in the dog world though most of us see this as nervous behavior, this can actually be your dog’s way of showing excitement!
Dog’s do not have a concept of time like us humans do. We understand each new day though dog’s have a completely different routine, they nap throughout the day there for don’t understand when a new day starts or ends. This is why your dog will react the same to you when you pick them up from a long term holiday just as they would if you gone to the shops for milk and bread.

Making new situations positive is healthy for everyone involved and makes everything easier. It’s best to expose your dog to new situations and sounds from a young age and make sure your confident during the whole experience. You will find later in life that you and your doggy will able to share in great things together and enjoy lots of new things in life.


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Get ready for Winter!

20/5/2013

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Although we’ve been lucky to get some days of sunshine I think it’s safe to say we’re in for a pretty cold winter!

Just like us, our dogs have a cold tolerance and this can vary between breeds depending on their coat, body fat, activity levels and general health. Be aware of your pet’s tolerance during the cooler months and make sure your keeping an eye on them. Depending on how cool it may be you may need to shorten the length of your walks. If you have an elderly dog or one who suffers from arthritis don’t push their limits and adjust their exercise times as required. For elderly dogs they’re best to have shorter walks spread throughout as long as temperature outside isn’t too low It can be a lot harder for your elderly or arthritic dogs to move around in the colder weather, especially when they first wake up. If possible, sleeping inside would be ideal but if this isn’t an option their outside area must be protected from the elements and for shorter furred dogs a coat would be ideal. Although we like to think our dogs are suited for outside living they are still susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia.

Although it might be raining outside it can be hard to look into those big brown eyes and say no. If the rain is only light it is okay to go for a walk, as long as you and your mate have a coat on they’ll be more than happy to trot along beside you. Keep in mind smaller dogs have shorter legs, meaning their bellies are a lot closer to the ground and more prone to getting wet whilst outside. Jackets and coats are available that can cover the underneath section of your pooch.

Be logical when having your pet outside in the cold. Pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or hormonal imbalances (ie; Cushing’s disease) can have difficulty regulating their body temperature. This can also be an issue for very young or old pets.

For our shorter coated, older pets inside access (especially of a night time) if ideal but sometimes we can forget our dogs natural body functions. Some breeds of dogs are designed for the cooler weather and we can easily forget this. Breeds such as Huskies, Malamutes, Saint Bernard’s and Pyrenean Mountain Dogs are all working dogs from the snow. These breeds have thick double coats and can easily over heat if we try to over compensate for their natural ability to stay warm. In saying this, no pet should be left outside for long periods of time in the cold.
 If you ever have any concerns about your pets or ability to cope during the cooler weather it’s best to consult your vet.

A common issue, that’s normally more spoken of in summer, is pets being left in cars. Although your dog can keep out of the wind inside a vehicle, if left un attended for a period of time your car can quickly cool down and turn into an ‘ice box’ as such. We all know how cold our cars are of a morning when we first get in and the temperature can drop very quickly even with a doggy inside.

If your exercise routine changes due to the cold weather and your dog gets less exercise make sure you adjust your meal sizes to match. For example, if your pet is high energy who would normally exercise a lot on a daily basis and this becomes less during winter you may need to feed a little less to avoid unhealthy weight gain.

Don’t forget your pooch can help to keep you warm too, nothing beats coming home from a cold day and snuggling on the couch with your furry four legged best friend!
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Gemma & Frodo - Keeping warm!

16/5/2013

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What a chilly weekend we are set to have!
We hope everyone has kept nice warm over the past week!

Have no fear with the cool weather though; all of our guests at Dogs Country Club enjoyed a nice snug night inside their fully insulted and sound proof room with heating available for any guests that require it.
We also have available, for all guests, our very fashionable Thermatex Coats. These coats are made from a natural wool based fabric and although they are quite light and breathable they are extremely comfortable and offer the warmest option for our guests.
These coats are available for purchase in our office also and might be just what you need coming into these wintery months. All sizes and colours are available but if we don’t have them in the requested size we can always order them in for quick delivery.

If you have any questions or queries in regards to our coats let our staff know or check them out next time your down here.
In the meantime, enjoy the photos from our fashion show in our new Thermatex Coats.


Gemma & Frodo.

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What do you know about Arthritis?

3/5/2013

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As our pets age their bodies begin to deteriorate and health issues can begin to arise. One of the most common problems in dogs, both young and old is Arthritis. We’re all aware of Arthritis but how does it really affect our dogs?

Although it is more common in older dogs and larger breeds it can affect any dog of any age and size.

What is Arthritis?

Cartilage cushions the ends of bones throughout the body and allows smooth and frictionless motions in the joints. Arthritis occurs when this cartilage breaks down; it becomes rough and eventually wears away, exposing the sensitive bone underneath. This results in pain, inflammation and stiffness in the joints and ultimately it loses its stability.

What Causes Arthritis?

There are a number of different causes of arthritis but the most common cause in dogs in chronic wear and tear of the joints. This is more common in medium to larger breed dogs who can put extra stress on their body with their weight. Other causes can be injury, such as cruciate ligament damage and fractures to the joint. Once a joint is injured it can become unstable would then lead to damage of the cartilage.
Congenital joint problems such as hip dysplasia, luxating patella etc. can also lead to Arthritis. These health issues cause the joints to develop abnormally in a young dog and lead to instability as the dog ages.
Infection can also lead to arthritis, bacteria and other organisms can invade the joint and cause

How do I know if my dog has arthritis?

Arthritis is something your vet can diagnose with a variety of tests and scans. With this in mind, if you notice your dog struggling to get up in the morning or showing any signs of pain it’s best to get seek the advice of your vet, this way you cross out any serious injury or underlying health issues.

How is Arthritis treated?

There is a variety of medication available for the treatment of arthritis that your vet can recommend but there are things you can do yourself at home to help ease the symptoms.

The most important thing you can do for your dog is manage their weight, an overweight dog that suffers from arthritis is a painful mix. Keeping your dog at their ideal, healthy body weight is going to prevent any unnecessary extra weight bearing down on their sore joints. It’s also very important to keep your dog at a healthy weight from a young age, this will help keep their bones strong and healthy and help avoid arthritis from a young age. This is vital in the growth stages for larger breeds especially. It’s best to consult your vet to find out the best weight for your dog, although you can find the average weight for specific breeds every dog is different.
It’s important to maintain regular amounts of low impact exercise as this can actually reduce stiffness and help to strengthen the muscles that support the joints. Soft leash walks and swimming are ideals forms of exercise; in older dogs it’s best to exercise them for smaller amounts of time more often during the day instead of one large walk once a day. 
Try to make life as easy as possible for your dog, if needing to get in and out of the car give the option of a ramp or steps. Make sure their bedding is thick and warm during the cooler weather but is still low line to the ground so it’s easy for them to move on and off.
If you find that pet is in pain or have any questions on their health, weight or exercising it’s best to contact your regular vet and have your dog examined.

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Who We Are
Why Choose Us?
What to Look For When Choosing Accommodation
Knowledge Centre
Rates
Boarding Requirements
FAQs
Links
What we offer
Premium Accommodation
Luxury Accommodation
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​Advanced Medical and Rehabilitation Care
Guest Pick Up and Delivery
Our Menu
Testimonials
Take a Tour
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15 Sumner Rd,
​Baxter Victoria 3911
​Australia
Phone  03 5971 1127
Email  info@dogscountryclub.com.au
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Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9am – 5pm
Saturday 9am – 12noon
Sunday 1pm - 4pm and
Wednesday our office is Closed.
Please see our 2021 calendar for Public Holiday Office Hours.
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