Are you getting a Christmas Puppy? Post a photo of your new puppy on Christmas day and on January 6th receive FREE daycare!

Are you getting a Christmas Puppy? Post a photo of your new puppy on Christmas day and on January 6th receive FREE daycare!

Are you getting a Christmas Puppy? Post a photo of your new puppy on Christmas day and on January 6th receive FREE daycare!

Tell us what was your favorite Childhood toy and be entered in today's chance to win a $10 gift certificate to Ultimutt's retail room.

Christmas Puppy!

Are you getting a Christmas Puppy? Post a photo of your new puppy on Christmas day and on January 6th receive FREE daycare!

Share the recipe of your favorite Christmas candy or treat for a chance to win today's $10 gift card to Ultimutt's retail room.

Day 2 of the Holiday Market.  Items are selling fast! Come support a great cause and do your Christmas shopping.

Come see us at the Holiday Market today! Get all of your gifts for Granddogs, dog lovers, and of course your dog!

Christmas Decorating Tips

Don't forget stockings and presents for your dogs. Special bones and treats will help make the holidays better for everyone. Remember not to overdo the treats!

Don't forget to come see us at the Junior League Holiday Market tomorrow at the convention center.

Christmas Decorating Tips

Extension cords, power strips, and Christmas lights can be fatal if chewed. Please keep out of reach.

Christmas Decorating Tips

Many ornaments resemble toys.  All breakable ornaments should be out of reach. Also, consider wiring the tree to the walls so if your dog knocks it over or your cat runs up it the tree will not fall over.

Christmas Decorating Tips

Presents under the tree look pretty but never wrap food, spices, or scented the candles. Dogs will think it is a game and open them. Tinsel can cut open a dogs intestines and lead to death.

Christmas Decorating Tips

Poinsettas and the Christmas Rose are poisonous to dogs as well as many other plants, here is a full list.

Common Dog Fears: Canes, Crutches, Wheelchairs

Dogs are scared of canes, crutches, and wheelchairs because they are uncommon and usually 'coming' at the dog. Ease their fears by (as a puppy) introducing your dog to as much as possible. If your dog is grown, try to introduce him to these in a controlled environment and have the wheelchair approach on the side and offer treats. NEVER let them come at your dog head on.

Common Dog Fears: Sudden Loud Noises

They are scared of sudden loud noises because it hurts their ears. You can ease their fears by remaining calm while going on about your routine. Provide a 'safe haven' for your dog to retreat to.

Common Dog Fears: Delivery Trucks/Men

The trucks hurt their ears and they associate the delivery men with the hurtful noise. To ease their fears take your dog on a walk during delivery times, distract your dog with a toy, treat, or game while they are delivering.

Flu Shot Clinic @ Ultimutt 11/10/10

Bring your dog to daycare TOMORROW for their flu shot and/or bordetella vaccinations.  The shots will be given from 7:30 - 8:30 a.m.

Common Dog Fears: Men

Men are typically larger, louder, and more dominate than females. To ease their fears have men calmly greet your dog with a treat until they are less apprehensive.

Common Dog Fears: Storms

STORMS

Why? Barometric pressure changes, electrostatic disturbances, and the noise are some of the major reasons. You can ease their fears by making a  change in environment to create a safe haven to keep them calm.

Dog Flu Vaccination

Canine Influenza: 33 of 50 states have had outbreaks leading to death.  Dogs are not immune to influenza and they cannot build immunity to the virus. The flu vaccine cannot prevent the infestation with the flu virus, but can reduce the symptoms of the disease. A vaccinated dog will suffer from less severe lung lesions and the coughing may also be reduced. More importantly, the dog flu vaccine will prevent the shedding of the virus and the infestation of other canines. The dog flu virus is typically shed through saliva or other bodily secretions.

Bordetella Vaccination

There currently is only a Bordetella vacanation for the bacterial strain, not the viral. Both are very easily spread. All boarding, grooming, and daycare facilities should require this.

Vaccination

Your dog can catch Leptospirosis by simply smelling the urine of an infected skunk, raccoon, etc.

Canine 5 in 1 (DA2PP) Distemper is often deadly and causes vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and death. Adenovirus (type 1 and 2)  protects against Hepatitis which is spread through urine and can be deadly. Parainfluenz is a respiratory virus that causes coughing and can linger for weeks. Parvo is spread through feces and will remain contagious long after feces is removed. This usually causes death.

Rabies is required by law in every state in the US for dogs and cats.

Trick-or-Treat Safety

Make sure all candy wrappers are out of reach.  Wrappers are as deadly as the candy.

Halloween Photos - Ultimutt Dog Care TONIGHT

Halloween Photos - Ultimutt Dog Care TONIGHT from 6 - 7:30pm. Contest is at 6:30.

Trick or Treat Safety

The best pets are often scared of costumes.  Keep them in a secure location during parties.

Halloween Photos at Ultimutt Dog Care TONIGHT

Halloween Photos - Ultimutt Dog Care TONIGHT from 6 - 7:30pm. Contest is at 6:30.

Halloween Dog Photos & Costume contest at Ultimutt TOMORROW night.  Pictures are from 6:00 - 7:30 PM and the costume contest is at 6:30. Prizes will be awarded!  Come join the fun!

Trick or Treat Safety

Keep pets inside during Halloween week. More cats and dogs are tortured this week more than others.

Most grooming breeds should receive a full haircut monthly and schedule bi-monthly touch ups for feet, fanny, and face upkeep.

Upload your favorite dog Halloween costume to our Facebook page.

Bark for Art and The Ultimutt Coloring Contest are going great.  Submitt your entry before 11/10 at Ultimutt.

Does your dog smell like, well a dog?

ALL dogs big and small should visit their groomer at least once a month for a good bath, nail filing, pad hair cut, tooth brushing, and ear cleaning.

Neutering Your Dog

Do you want to reduce the risk of prostate, perianal, and testicular cancer? Then neuter him before he is 8 months old!

Win a gift certificate! Join Ultimutt's Halloween pet photo contest, winner receives $10 gift certificate. Post your favorite Halloween dog pic on Ultimutt's Facebook page.

Cancer in dogs?

Do you want to reduce the risk of your pet developing ovarian, uterine,or breast cance or pyometra (an infection of the uterus)? Then spay your pet before her first heat!

Be sure to watch 40/29 news at 5, 6 & 10 tonight to see Ultimutt's story on the Canine Influenza vaccination!

Eye Envy

Eye Envy Tear Stain Remover is the most effective product for curing runny, ugly tear stains on your dog or cat on the market today. Their solution removes tearstains effectively, safely and gently. Eye Envy is an eye treatment solution that is non-irritating and proven to prevent eye leakage and discharge, quickly and through an easy to use method your pet will appreciate.  This product can be purchased at Ultimutt for $29.

Vaccination Clinic TODAY!

Canine Influenza & Bordetella Shot Clinic Round 2. TODAY 10/20 7:30-8:30am

Dog's Pads

4Paws is a great product for pads that are dry, cracked, rough, split, or torn.  You can purchase this product at Ultimutt.

Canine Influenza Shot Clinic at Ultimutt

We will host another shot clinic for the Canine Influenza and Bordetella this Wednesday from 7:30-8:30am.  Drop your dog off for daycare and get their shots!

Puppy Pedicures!

Long toe nails are more than just clickty clanks on the floor-they can cause your dog to walk differently which will result in severe damage to your dogs' joints. (See additional infomation here) Toe nails, especially dew claws, can curl under and grow back into the dogs pads. On rocks, stairs, carpet, crates or frozen ground a dog can easily break off a toe nail-this almost guarantees you an infection unless antibiotics are administered. By filing your dogs toe nails monthly you can prevent many of these injuries.

Photo Contest!  Enter your favorite Halloween pet photos on Ultimutt's Facebook page.

There ain't No Bugs On Me...

There ain't no bugs on me... This happens only if you do flea prevention and yes, year round!!!  Remember, fleas don't come alone!

Head, Shoulders, Tails, and Paws

This week we will help you know how to care for each part of your dog!

Blue Buffalo Recall

Yet another recall has been initiated. This time it’s a dog food recall by Blue Buffalo. The recall, which is voluntary has been initiated because there may be levels of vitamin D in the dog food which are too high for safe consumption. The following products, bag sizes and lot numbers are part of this dog food recall:
BLUE Wilderness Chicken- 4.5 lb., 11 lb., 24lb. – JUL1211B, JUL1311B, JUL2611Z, JUL2711Z, JUL2811ZBLUE Basics Salmon – 11 lb., 24 lb. – AUG2111B, AUG2211BBLUE Large Breed Adult Chicken – 30 lb. - SEP 22 11 P, SEP 23 11 P, OCT 26 11 P
Blue Buffalo has released the following statement regarding this recall:
We came to this conclusion after discovering that our ingredient supplier had made a scheduling error and produced a Vitamin D supplement immediately prior to preparing the ingredients for the BLUE products that are in question. We believe that some of the Vitamin D supplement may have been carried over into our products, resulting in more Vitamin D than is called for in our formulas.
While the potential of increased Vitamin D presents no serious health risk, and any negative reaction to these products has been confined to a very small segment of the canine population who appear to be sensitive to higher levels of Vitamin D, we have a zero tolerance for any product that does not meet our specifications….
Blue Buffalo has suggested that if you do have one of the recalled bags in your possession, you should immediately stop feeding your dog from that bag, and call 1-877-523-9114 for further information regarding a refund of the product.
Blue Buffalo produces both cat food and dog food. They are headquartered in Wilton, Connecticut.

Dog is Love

Dog is patient, dog is kind, dog does not envy, dog does not boast, dog is not proud. Dog is not rude, dog is not self-seeking, dog is not easily angered,dog keeps no record of wrongs, dog always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perserveres. Dog is Good. Dog is Love.

Don't they deserve the same from us?

Shirts with this saying on it are available at Ultimutt for $24.00.

 

Heat Stoke and Frost Bite/Hypothermia

Heat Stoke and Frost Bite/Hypothermia can be deadly in dogs.   A dogs average temp is 101.5-102.5. You are at danger any time their body tempeture rises or falls outside of this range. If your pet is a puppy or geriatric dog, don’t leave him outside without supervision, especially in snow. Dog feet can get very cold very quickly, especially on thin-coated dogs, and you may have to rescue a shivering pet who cannot walk across the snow.

Socializing Your Dog

Socialization is essential when it comes to providing your dog with all the necessary things he needs, such as food, water, shelter, and love.

What is socialization? Socialization is the process of introducing your dog to new stimuli in order to get him acclimated to strange sounds, smells, people, dogs, and environments. This will help to build his confidence, but also prevent any behavior problems from developing as a result of poor socialization, such as fear aggression, submissive urination, or separation anxiety. Socialization should begin as soon as you get your puppy. Introduce them to sights and sounds around your house before taking them out into the world. Be careful, too, that you don’t jeopardize his health by bringing him to a public place before he has his all of his puppy shots.

One of the best ways to socialize a young dog is to enroll him in doggie daycare. Daycare can provide a wonderful opportunity to expand your dog’s horizons and allow them to learn from other dogs and people. If the doggie daycare has well-trained, experienced, and non-threatening staff, your dog could blossom in the positive environment. Aggressive dogs would not be allowed into daycare immediately; however, with proper training and desensitization, it could happen someday. Daycare can also be useful for the fearful or shy dog, too. Playing with other dogs and people during the say is a very functional way to help your dog come out of his shell. Socializing your dog is so easy and so much fun that a lot of people fail to take it seriously. However, without adequate socialization, your dog may become fearful and is likely to develop two of the most serious and hard-to-resolve problems, biting and fighting. A well-socialized dog may still chase, hump and argue. However, socialization ensures your dog has the requisite social savvy to enjoyably and confidently interact with unfamiliar dogs that he may meet and to resolve arguments with other dogs without doing damage. It is easiest to socialize your dog when he is young, but it is never too late to make him more dog friendly.