Dogs are great pets! They are very loyal and love their owners deeply. They are a vital part of our lives and we want them to be happy. Trained dogs are able to express themselves to their family. They are also better behaved and don’t need to seek negative attention. Good communication leads to a happier life. So, who wouldn’t want to train their pet?

Training your dog is a process that starts when your dog is only a puppy. As you spend time with your puppy, pay attention to how they express themselves. They communicate with their entire bodies, but especially with their eyes and ears. As you learn about their reactions, you will be able to communicate with them more effectively. For example, if you know your dog puts their head down and their ears back when they are frightened, you will know how to protect them. Their barks also communicate many messages. Listen for the subtle differences between a dog barking for attention and the bark to express the need to go to the bathroom.

Start training your puppy from the first day you have them. Puppies are very curious and are paying attention to everything. Like a child, they are soaking up knowledge like a sponge! The most successful way to train your dog is with positive reinforcement. Simply petting your dog is a reward that your dog loves. Don’t give them food every time they do something right, as obesity in dogs is very dangerous to their health. Praise your dog. Remember, you are focusing on the positive behaviors and ignoring the negative behaviors. Don’t punish your dog and definitely don’t hit your dog. If the bad behaviors are ignored and the positive alternative is rewarded, you are successfully training your dog. Just be careful to not reward negative behaviors unintentionally. For example, if your dog is barking, do not pet them to get them to be quiet. That is rewarding their behavior of barking.

For more assistance with your dog, bring them to Celebration Veterinary Hospital. We are passionate about getting to know your pet and giving you more specific advice. If you are in Central Florida, you can find us in the Water Tower Shoppes. We are on 192 in Celebration near Walt Disney World and near Kissimmee, Florida.

Living in Florida, we know how hot it can get in the summer. Don’t forget that your pets need to be protected
from the heat, just as we do. Pets can easily suffer from heat exhaustion, sunburns, and dehydration during the summer months. The Celebration Veterinary Hospital, in Celebration, Florida, has some tips to offer, but as always, keep a close eye on your pets and bring them in if you have any concerns.

Make sure that your pet always has a fresh supply of cool water. Leaving water outside will cause it to be too hot to drink very quickly, so make sure you have ample shade and replenish the water regularly. If you will be leaving your pets alone in the day, freeze a bowl of water so it can thaw and provide cool water for a longer period of time.

Bring pets inside during the hottest hours of the day. If it’s too hot for you to be outside, it is too hot for your pets. Remember, they have extra fur and their body temperatures can rise quickly. While they are inside, consider purchasing a pet bed that can be filled with cool water or placing a fan near them.

When they are outside, make sure you have provided a comfortable shaded area. You can wrap an ice pack in a towel or sock and place it where your pet rests. You can also purchase cooling pads, bandanas or collars that can help keep your pet cool. Allow them to rest in the heat of the day and wait until it cools off to take them on a walk.

Never leave your pet alone in a car. It isn’t enough to crack the windows for them, as the temperature rises too quickly in the car. Take an extra key with you so you can leave the air conditioning on for your pet while you run your errands.

Pets, especially dogs, can sunburn easily. Pet sunscreen can be purchased, but avoid rubbing it on their belly or in locations where they can lick it off. The sun reflects off of sidewalks and sand, so don’t go to the beach unless you can assure there will be sufficient shade.

If you have a pool in your backyard, supervise your pets as you would supervise children to avoid accidental drownings.

Celebration Veterinary Hospital is here to help you keep your pet happy and healthy, so contact us to give you specific advice.

Don’t you love it when your cat snuggles up in your lap or you get to spend time in the backyard playing catch with your dog? What about watching your children play with your pets? We love our pets and they bring happiness to our families. They have dynamic personalities and our houses wouldn’t be the same without them.

Celebration Veterinary Hospital exists because of our love of animals and we understand how much they mean to you. We are dedicated to caring for your pet as we care for our own. We are a full service pet healthcare center in Celebration, Florida, near Walt Disney World and Kissimmee, Florida. We offer and encourage preventative medical services, including annual health exams, vaccines, internal/external parasite prevention and dental cleanings to keep pets and their families healthy. We also offer boarding services when you will be out of town.

When your pet is not feeling well, we understand that you worry about your pet and want to provide the best care possible. We are committed to offering compassionate patient care at Celebration Veterinary Hospital. Our highly trained team works with state of the art medical instruments to accurately diagnose and treat your pet. We also want to help you be a great pet owner through education. In our location, we offer services to help, such as behavioral consultations and therapeutic diets. Online, we will write blogs to help spread awareness about pet care and offer helpful tips. Come on in to our location in Water Tower Shoppes next door to Carpet One and check back online to keep up to date with us.