Liberty Hill Pet Resort, Inc.
~ June 2010 Newsletter ~
Dear Friends,
Our 2nd annual Spring Fling was a lot of fun! We had some wonderful demos of various dog activities. A special thanks goes to Sylvia Broderick and Fly for demonstrating Herding complete with sheep! Fly also did double duty in Agility. A special thanks for all the hard work and a great pulling demonstration goes to Mike and Audrey Starn, Lulu and Annabelle. They showed that dogs can pull a lot of weight and that people have to lift a lot to put the weight on the sled! Toni Kilyk and Shadow did a wonderful job showing everyone how to do Rally-O even though they were beginners. We really appreciate having two search and rescue dogs come to our rescue and give us a great talk and demonstration of how they train and work. Thank you to Diamond and Sharon Johnson for bringing their search and rescue dogs. Congratulations to Mari Lockhart for winning the basket and to Roxana Owens for winning a free swim. Thank you to everyone who donated to the SPCA. We sent them $68.00 to help them save some more animals.
We are offering a class that we have not had for a while and that will be Obedience Level II. If you have completed a basic obedience class and want to move up to the next level, give us a call and sign up for the class. It will start at 12:00 on Saturdays. Check our training section for our other offerings.
Do you want to swim your dog but you do not have the time? We are offering the boarding swim rate to dogs attending Doggy Daycare. If you would like your dog to attend Doggy Daycare all day and have fun in the pool, it will only be $42.00 until July 1st, then both rates will go up one dollar and the cost will be $44.00.
I have been talking to someone who does dog massages and she is willing to come out to our resort to give massages. We do need to schedule 6 half-hour sessions for her to come. It will be in the evening, on Mondays or Thursdays. The cost will be $40.00. If you are interested, please give us a call and we will put you on a list to call when we have enough people interested.
Do you have a small dog that likes to swim and gets along with others? We have had a request to start a small dog swim play day. I do not like to mix the big and small dogs together so they have been left out. If you have a dog that may be interested in coming for some fun in the pool, please give us a call.
Please check out the article on summer safety tips at the end of the newsletter. All this hot weather can be dangerous to our furry children!
Last but not least, we will be raising prices on July 1st. Boarding, Doggy Daycare and Swimming will all go up one or two dollars. As usual, if you buy a package before July 1st, you will get the benefit of the old price.
Mary Ann Robertson
TRAINING CLASSES
We have new training classes starting this Summer!
Come out to the farm and enjoy the weather while we train YOU to train your best friend!
Puppy class Every Saturday at 10:00 am
Obedience Level I Sat, June 5th at 11:00 am
Obedience Level II Sat, June 12th at 12:00 pm
Obedience Level I Mon, June 7th at 6:00 pm
If you would like to sign up for these classes, go to our website, print out the registration form and mail it to us with a check and a copy of your current vaccinations. Bordetella vaccine must have been administered within the last 6 months. Although we will try to accommodate everyone, you are not guaranteed a spot in the class unless you have your form and fee to us before the start date.
If our training schedule doesn’t work for you because of your schedule, we are happy to work out private training sessions with you. Depending on what you need, you can buy individual training packages or single sessions. You can bring your dog to our campus, or we can travel to your home. Call us (540-439-7297) and speak to Mary Ann with questions or for details.
KNOW A NEIGHBOR
Last newsletter we featured the Rathbone dogs, who their mom makes famous on Facebook. This month we are featuring the Andrews dogs as our pets of the month.
If you have neighbors, or coworkers who have dogs that, really need a bath, could really use some training, or might really benefit from a day or two a week at doggie daycare send them to us. We want to reward you for recommending our services to that neighbor. If your neighbor books a bath, pays for training classes, signs their dog up for daycare, or starts swimming their dog, we’ll let you choose a discount that will benefit you.* If you recommend a lot of neighbors, we’ll feature you and your dog in our next newsletter. Sounds like fun! So our challenge to you is gather your neighbors and get over to Liberty Hill Pet Resort!
*discounts can be any of the following:
1. Free nail trim
2. 10% off training classes
3. 25% off baths, swimming, or doggie day care, if you are already attending (no new dogs)
3. Free land play day.
Our Featured Pets of the Month
The featured pets of the month belong to Annie Andrews. She has eight wonderful whippets named Maxwell, Jude, Beetle, Ringo, Josephine, Isabelle, Lucy, and Timmy. Many of them have gotten their Canine Good Citizen certification, titles in Obedience, Conformation, and Rally. Lucy was even in the Washington Post recently. They also come swimming. Six of them do a great synchronized swimming routine! We also appreciate her referring the Whippet club to come out to play and swim.
Grooming Services:
We now have a full time groomer and are offering even more services and special deals.
Baths: start at $25…price increases with size of dog and length of hair
Nail Trims: just a clip $8 grinding $15
Full Groom: bath, nails, face, ears and clip…price depends on breed and required cut.
Nail polish: We have seasonal colors in. Have your dog’s nails done for only $10.00.
De-shed Package: It gets all the dead hair and undercoat out with a combination attack of special deshedding shampoo and conditioner, force air dryer, Furminator and deshedding rack. The package starts at $50.00 and price increases with size of dog and length of hair.
Puppy Package: This is for puppies 5 months and younger. Being groomed can be scary for a puppy so we will start nice and slow to get them use to the experience. We will trim the feet, face, and fanny so they can get use to the clippers. We also give them a bath, clean their ears and clip or grind their nails. All this for only $25.00!
Please call for information if you have other grooming needs.
Summer Swimming!
Our Spring Swim Schedule:
Monday: 7:30 am to 6 pm
Wednesday: 7:30 am to 6 pm
Friday: 8:00 am to 6 pm (self swim only)
Saturday: 7:30 am to 2 pm
If your dog is recovering from surgery or needs to get in shape for surgery, consider swimming. It’s also great for arthritic older dogs. Some dogs swim for fun and others to lose weight. Be sure to call early for an appointment 540-439-7297.
Boarding
Maybe it’s a weekend away or maybe you’re going all out and going on a cruise for a week! Just don’t forget to make reservations for pets to stay with us. While you’re away having fun, your pup can swim in our heated pool, hike our rolling pastures, or maybe just romp all day with newfound furry friends in our securely fenced play yards. For you business travelers, it’s never too late to book your pet’s stay with us. If you get called out of town unexpectedly, we’re happy to have your pup stay with us for a few days. We board cats and dogs and don’t be afraid to ask if your turtle can stay with us too!
We are getting reservations for the 4th of July Weekend so if you are planning to be away then, please call early so you can be sure of getting your pet a space and please be sure that they have had their bordetella within the last 6 months.
Pets are charged for the arrival day regardless of the time they check in. Pets are charged for departure day only if picked up after 12:00 noon.
Our drop off and pickup hours:
Monday thru Friday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm.
Saturday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday: 7:30 - 8:00 am and 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
You may arrange after hour pickups and drop-offs for an additional fee.
We also have day-boarding available for those dogs who do not want to play with others all day but also do not want to stay at home by themselves.
Doggy Daycare
7:00 am to 7:00 pm
Monday to Friday
All sizes every day.
Summer Safety Tips from the AKC
Hot weather can make us all uncomfortable, and it poses special risks for your dog. Keep the following safety concerns in mind as the temperature rises, and follow our tips to keep your dog cool.
Heat Hazards
If your dog is outside on a hot day, make sure he has a shady spot to rest in. Doghouses are not good shelter during the summer as they can trap heat. You may want to fill a child's wading pool with fresh water for your dog to cool off in.
Never leave your dog in a closed vehicle on a hot day. The temperature inside a car can rise to over 100 degrees in a matter of minutes.
Always provide plenty of cool, fresh water.
Avoid strenuous exercise on extremely hot days. Take walks in the early mornings or evenings, when the sun's heat is less intense.
Try to avoid prolonged exposure to hot asphalt or sand, which can burn your dog's paws.
Dogs that are brachycephalic (short-faced), such as Bulldogs, Boxers, Japanese Chins, and Pekingese, have an especially hard time in the heat because they do not pant as efficiently as longer-faced dogs. Keep your brachycephalic dog inside with air-conditioning.
General Health
Make sure your dog's vaccinations are up to date, especially since dogs tend to stay outdoors longer and come into contact with other animals more during the summer months.
Keep dogs off of lawns that have been chemically treated or fertilized for 24 hours (or according to package instructions), and away from potentially toxic plants and flowers.
Keep your dog well brushed and clean.
Fleas and ticks, and the mosquitoes, which carry heartworm disease, are more prevalent in warmer months. Ask your veterinarian for an effective preventive to keep these parasites off your dog. The AKC Pet Healthcare Plan can help with the cost of providing quality healthcare, including preventive medicine, throughout your dog's life.
Beach Tips
Make sure your dog has a shady spot to rest in and plenty of fresh water.
Dogs, especially those with short hair, white fur, and pink skin, can sunburn. Limit your dog's exposure during the day and apply sun block to his ears and nose 30 minutes before going outside.
Check with a lifeguard for daily water conditions. Dogs are easy targets for sea lice and jellyfish.
Running on the sand is strenuous exercise. A dog that is out of shape can easily pull a tendon or ligament, so keep a check on your dog's activity.
Do not let your dog drink seawater; the salt will make him sick.
Salt and other minerals in ocean water can damage your dog's coat, so rinse him off at the end of the day.
Not all beaches permit dogs; check local ordinances before heading out.
Water Safety
Most dogs enjoy swimming, but some cannot swim, and others may hate the water. Be conscious of your dog's preferences and skills before trying to make him swim.
If you're swimming for the first time with your dog, start in shallow water and coax him in by calling his name. Encourage him with toys or treats. Or, let him follow another experienced dog he is friendly with.
Never throw your dog into the water.
If your dog begins to paddle with his front legs, lift his hind legs and help him float. He should quickly catch on and keep his back end up.
Don't let your dog overdo it; swimming is very hard work and he may tire quickly.
If swimming at the ocean, be careful of strong tides.
If you have your own pool, make sure your dog knows where the stairs or ladder are located. Be sure that pool covers are firmly in place; dogs have been known to slip in under openings in the covers and drown.
Never leave your dog unattended in water.
Travel
By Air – Many airlines will not ship animals during summer months due to dangers caused by hot weather. Some will only allow dogs to fly in the early morning or in the evening. Check with your airlines for specific rules.
If you do ship a dog, put icepacks or an ice blanket in the dog's crate. (Two-liter soft drink bottles filled with water and frozen work well.) Provide a container of fresh water, as well as a container of frozen water that will thaw over the course of the trip.
By Car – Keep your dog cool in the car by putting icepacks in his crate. Make sure the crate is well ventilated.
Put a sunshade on your car windows.
Bring along fresh water and a bowl, and a tarp or tent so you can set up a shady spot when you stop. Keep a spray bottle filled with water to spritz on your dog to cool him down.
By RV – A dog's safety should not depend on the air conditioning and generator systems in an RV or motor home. These devices can malfunction, with tragic results.
If you leave your dog in an RV with the generator running, check it often or have a neighbor monitor it. Some manufacturers have devices that will notify you if the generator should malfunction.
Never leave an RV or motor home completely shut up, even if the generator and AC are running. Crack a window or door or run the exhaust fan.
Never, ever leave a dog unattended in a vehicle in the summer months. Heatstroke and death can occur within minutes in warm temperatures.
Heatstroke
Heatstroke can be the serious and often fatal result of a dog's prolonged exposure to excessive heat. Below are the signs of heatstroke and the actions you should take if your dog is overcome.
Early Stages:
- Heavy panting.
- Rapid breathing.
- Excessive drooling.
- Bright red gums and tongue.
- Standing 4-square, posting or spreading out in an attempt to maintain balance.
Advanced Stages:
- White or blue gums.
- Lethargy, unwillingness to move.
- Uncontrollable urination or defecation.
- Labored, noisy breathing.
- Shock.
If your dog begins to exhibit signs of heatstroke, you should immediately try to cool the dog down:
- Apply rubbing alcohol to the dog's paw pads.
- Apply ice packs to the groin area.
- Hose down with water.
- Allow the dog to lick ice chips or drink a small amount of water.
- Offer Pedialyte to restore electrolytes.
Check your dog's temperature regularly during this process. Once the dog's temperature has stabilized at between 100 to 102 degrees, you can stop the cool-down process.
If you cannot get the dog cooled down and you begin to see signs of advanced heatstroke, take the dog to the veterinarian immediately
Call us with any questions at (540) 439-PAWS (7297) or visit our website at www.LHPAWS.com.
Your Pet’s Best Friend,
Liberty Hill Pet Resort, Inc.