We all love puppies and want them to remain happy and healthy. Finding the right puppy for yourself should be a fun and happy experience like no other. When you are ready to begin this experience, consider a first-class pet establishment to assist you. One that cares about puppies as much as you do. For you’re reading pleasure, enjoy part three of tips and tricks to assure your puppy’s health and safety.

July: As we celebrate our nation’s independence, the sound of fireworks will fill the air. As many states relax firework laws, the trend of amateur firework enthusiasts continues to grow. Although these displays look and sound amazing, the noise from them often wreaks havoc on our fur-legged friends. Here are some tips to help keep your pup less affected by fireworks.

· Modify your walking times to daylight hours. This will help avoid times when fireworks are likely to be set off.

· Close windows, shades, and curtains to muffle the sound of fireworks.

· Play soft music or your tv to mask the sounds of fireworks.

· Create a calm and quiet space in your home where your dog can feel safe and in control. Often your basement provides the most soundproof area of your home.

August: The long and hot days of August have arrived. We all know what it’s like to be outside when the thermometer reaches triple digits. As it is very important for us to remain well-hydrated, we have to make sure our furry friends are also adequately cared for. When taking a puppy outdoors in extreme heat, avoid them from being in it for long periods of time, especially in direct sunlight. Macadam surfaces can be very hot, dangerous, and painful for puppies in the summer. Did you know that on a typical August day, a macadam roadway or driveway can reach up to 140 degrees? A quality pair of puppy paw protectors will keep his paws comfortable and prevent burns. Paw protectors are very easy to find and work well. If you have questions regarding the use of these, be sure to contact a reputable caring pet store for more information.

Extra cool water should be on-hand for your puppy while he is outside playing. After coming inside, a thirty-minute low activity cooldown period is a great way to allow your puppy to cool off and feel rejuvenated. On sweltering days, limiting their outdoor activity to the early morning or early evening hours are recommended.

September: September is National Preparedness Month. Planning ahead is the key to keeping yourself and your pets safe should a disaster strike. Our pets are our family, and assuring their wellbeing should be second to none. Here are a few easy tips that can be of great help to your pet should an unexpected natural disaster occur.

Be sure your puppy is microchipped. This will allow for a much quicker way to reunite with your best friend should he get separated from your family.

Prepare an emergency kit for your puppy which is readily available and easily deployed. This kit should include one week’s worth of nonperishable dog food, one week’s worth of fresh drinking water, and a list of your puppy’s medications. This list is important should you need to evacuate your city and seek refuge out of town. An extra dog leash and collar with his ID tags on them is also an essential item in this kit.

Putting this kit together takes very little time, effort, and money and can be invaluable during a crisis and is one less thing you will need to worry about.

Now that we have three months of safety and health tips out there for your puppy, enjoy the next three month’s worth. Although all puppies are different and have specific needs, they all need one thing that is the same. Our love and care! A puppy will bring you years of happiness and memories and finding the right pet store, such as Premier Pups, will help you find your fur-ever friend!

April: April showers bring May flowers! Dogs love to be outside. Rain, snow, or other, they enjoy the great outdoors. It is important to remember that when your puppy is in the rain and gets wet, he will need a good bath and brushing after. Wet puppy hair can easily become tangled and matted. This is not only uncomfortable for him but also takes away from his charming looks too! A tip to keep your fur-ever friend from having tangled and matted hair is applying a dog-friendly, anti matting spray on his coat before brushing him. These sprays are available in pet stores and online. Your puppy will love you for this!

May: Spring has sprung, and a new change of pace to your daily exercise routine may include taking your pup to the dog park. As you open the car door for your pooch to hop in, he’s overly excited! He jumps in and off you go. Many of us often forget or may not even realize that even a few mile drive poses a danger to your pup. Your puppy is a part of your family and you always want to keep him safe. A very basic and inexpensive vehicle dog harness is the perfect measure to take for road trips. These harnesses are designed to protect your fur-ver friend the same way a seatbelt protects us. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

June: The warmer weather is finally here! With the warmer weather comes some of nature’s unfriendly critters, though. Ticks are out and about, and your fur-legged family member is a tick magnet! Tick prevention and detection for your puppy is essential. American Kennel Club’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Jerry Klein suggests the following measures are taken to protect your puppy from ticks. After consulting with your veterinarian, consider topical tick treatments, anti-tick collars, and shampoos. These will help ward off ticks, which can cause your pup health issues. After each outdoor play session, be sure to take a few minutes to inspect your puppy for ticks. Look especially on his feet between his toes, in and under his ears, under his legs, on his lips, around his eyes, and under his tail. One area that ticks tend to make a home is under your pup’s collar, so be sure to check there too!

This is part two of four in ways to assure your pup’s health and safety in 2021.

As we ring in the New Year and celebrate what hopefully will be a year of good health and happiness, let’s take a few minutes to go over twelve-monthly recommendations to assure the health and happiness of our fur-legged friends. In this four-part blog series, we will explore different tips, tricks, and ideas to help keep our puppies happy and healthy.

January: Over 55% of Americans ring in the New Year determined to stick to their resolutions. Many are looking to seek better health and are committed to more exercise. Exercise is essential in your health, as is it in your puppy’s health! Consider including your fur-ever friend in your daily exercise routine. A long brisk walk or jog is great for your pup’s mental and physical health. This is also a great opportunity to bond with your pup. Exercising can be fun when you and your best friend do it together.

February: Baby, it’s cold out! You made it through the first 31 days of your New Year’s resolution. By now, you and your puppy are enjoying daily exercise and quality time together. Although your furry friend is well wrapped in his fur coat and may seem fine, extra layers for him while outdoors is very important. Depending on the climate of your region, it is suggested that most dogs wear a single layer coat while outside. For very cold climates, a double-layered fleece style coat is suggested. This will keep your pup warm, happy, and looking forward to exercising time. The stylish jacket also allows for a great photo op of your puppy!

March: It is custom that every spring, we check our smoke detector batteries at home for safety. This is also an excellent time to examine our puppy’s collar and tag and replace and or update them as needed. A quick check to make sure your puppy’s collar is in good condition is important. His collar should fit him well and not show significant signs of wear. His tags should be readable and provide appropriate and up-to-date contact information for you. Any tags on his collar, which are hard to read or have outdated information on them should be replaced immediately.

This is part one of four ways to keep your puppy healthy and safe in 2021.

In a previous article, we discussed our dog’s body language and what they may be trying to tell us through the use of their tail, eyes, ears and mouth. Now let’s take it a little farther and look into what else our pet’s body movements are telling us. From jumping up, to barking, licking and even biting or nipping everything our dogs do is a way to communicate what they are seeking, thinking or feeling.

Jumping-Many times when we encounter a dog, maybe even our own, the first thing that they do is jump up on us to greet us. Dogs thrive on attention and companionship and so when they are jumping up at you they are almost always seeking attention and affection. In addition to being a sign of excitement, it can also mean that a dog is trying to exhibit dominance over a person, this occurs most often when the dog is introduced to someone new.

Barking– Though they can’t use words, they still can communicate with their voice. A dog’s level or rate of barking symbolizes the amount of energy they are putting behind the emotion that they are trying to exhibit. According to the, “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Milan, he claims a barking dog is essentially trying to tell you that they are bored, spoiled, confused, or scared. By carefully listening to the vocals of your pet, and studying and learning their body language you can begin to understand what they are really trying to tell you.

Licking– While we as humans tend to hug or shake hands, our dogs tend to lick as a greeting. It’s a sign to say, I’m excited to see you or I love you. Additionally, when our dogs were still tiny puppies nursing from their mother they often took or licked food from her mouth, that instinct is still present in our pets and is why they are so adamant about licking you on the mouth (other than you just ate something that they REALLY want)!

Biting or Nipping– Our canine friend’s innate nature is often to bite or nip when they are nervous, anxious or possessive of an object or person. You may notice that they incessantly chew on a favorite bone or toy or even on their own paw when their environment changes and they become nervous or uncomfortable. This is most often triggered by the presence of another animal or a stranger that they are not accustomed to. They may also nip or bite as a way of protecting their food, bone, toy or anything else that they don’t want anyone else to have- they do it as a sign of warning to back off. Lastly, dogs will bite if they feel threatened or in danger or if they are trying to protect their humans from the threat of harm or danger. Most dogs do not just bite without reason.

While we may never know all of what are dogs are thinking or exactly what they mean, we can have a very big understanding of what they are trying to tell us in a roundabout way. Our pets are patient with us as we try to communicate with them and it is important for us to extend that same patience with them. They are man’s best friend for a reason and we owe it to them to listen and learn.

To find out more information on how you can bring home your very own fur-ever friend, please visit, premierpups.com and talk with one of our knowledgeable and caring puppy care team members today.

Our beloved canines are always communicating with us through both body language and movements. By observing these actions and learning to understand them we can begin to recognize what it is that our pups are really trying to tell us. In this article we will look at their body language exhibited by their tail, eyes, ears and even their mouth.

Tail – We’ve all seen dogs wag their tail when they are happy or excited or even when they get a big ole whiff of something they want to eat, but do dogs really only wag their tail when they are happy or excited? Not necessarily. A dog is also inclined to wag their tail even when they are exhibiting stress or anxiety or are fearful of something within their environment. This makes it even more important to understand all of your pups movements and body language. You may also notice that when your pooch is frightened, they may tuck their tail in between their legs. Additionally, a raised and stiff tail is signaling an aggressive emotion and is a warning to stay clear.

Eyes- Those big brown eyes aren’t just for making us feel guilty for not sharing our table scraps. Surprisingly, the canine’s eye movements aren’t that far off from a human. They will appear large when they are startled, uncertain, or even frightened. They can also show signs of something upsetting them, for example, you may notice your dog turn their head away, but they are still looking at you from the corner of their eye, this uncertainty that they are exhibiting can lead to aggression so it is best to stay calm until your pet becomes calm also. When they are relaxed their eyes will appear relaxed and start to slowly close. We often believe that when our dog is staring directly into our eyes it because they love us, and why that can certainly be the case, a frozen stare can mean a sign of warning and aggression, so pay attention to the movements of the other body parts discussed in this article.

Ears– Depending on the breed your pup may have floppy, pointed or rounded ears. And though, the appearance may be different the movements and the language are the same. A dog whose head is slightly turned to one side, with their ears at full attention (usually, stiff and upright or pulled back tightly), is showing signs of alertness, uncertainty, curiosity or even submission. If the ears are just slightly back, the dog is showing you their friendly and playful nature. Essentially, the further back a dog’s ears are the more afraid and fearful they are.

Mouth– Even though our beloved pups can’t use words to communicate with us, they can still use their mouth to give us insight on what they are trying to say. If your dog is feeling happy or at ease, their expression will have calm appearance with their mouth being slightly parted or their jaw relaxed. If they are anxious about something their mouth will be closed and their jaw tight. If a dog shows their front teeth while pulling up their lips they are showing signs of aggression. Additionally, if you find your dog is panting, they are trying to cool down. Dogs don’t sweat like us- they breathe out heavily and drool to cool down. They also, release heat through the pads of the feet.

We all wish we knew what our pets were thinking or that they could talk to us. But by simply watching your dog’s movements, you can recognize some very clear messages as to what they are actually trying to tell you. If you are looking to find your very own fur-ever friend or to find out more information on some incredible dog breeds, please visit premierpups.com today.

If pet parents had one wish for their fur babies an unsurmountable majority of wishes would be that our precious pups would live forever or at least as long as us. Our pups bring so much joy, love and unmatched companionship that it is hard to imagine life without them. As quoted by, –Agnes Sligh Turnbull, “Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really”. And oh, how true this is! So how can we make our pets golden years active, meaningful, and full of love?

Exercise

We all need exercise to keep our bodies and minds healthy and it is no different for our canine companions. In fact, many dogs need quite a bit of daily exercise no matter the size. Make sure to learn about the exercise requirements and mental stimulation needed each day for your pet’s breed.

Eating Properly

We are what we eat. If we eat poorly, then we feel poorly. If we eat good our body reflects that, as does our largest organ, the skin. This goes for Fido, also. We all know that most dogs aren’t picky about what they put in their mouth, but we as pet parents must be very aware of our pet’s diet and health. A high quality diet with plenty of nutrition is key to allowing your dog a long and healthy life. Talk with your vet about the diet that is best for your pup.

Regular Veterinary Visits

Our pets can’t tell us when something isn’t right and it can be difficult to always pick up on the signs. Regular scheduled vet visits will allow us to stay on top of any health related issues as well as keeping them vaccinated against disease. It is recommended to schedule a yearly vet visit for younger dogs and biannual as they become young adults into seniors. If at any time you feel that your pup isn’t acting right or may be ill, contact your local veterinarian right away.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

We love our pets so much and one of the best ways to show them this is to feed them treats and table scraps. However, too much can cause problems not only with diabetes and heart disease, but also with obesity. If a dog is overweight this can cause problems for their joints and back, as their small bodies aren’t designed to carry extra weight. Feed treats in moderation and keep them on a daily exercise routine to maintain their health and weight.

Limit Stress and Anxiety

Yes, our pets experience stress and anxiety just like we do. Though, the reasons are very different the emotion is the same. Our pooches rely on us for everything from exercise, to food, to attention and companionship. Most dogs don’t do well being left alone for long periods of time, so limiting the time we spend away from our pets will help to ease stress and anxiety. In addition, our pups are very keen on picking up our emotions, so if we are upset chances are they will feel that. If we are happy they will pick up on that also. So it is important to keep in mind that our canine’s attitudes can be correlated to ours.

Our pets fill our homes and hearts with so much joy and love that it is easy to want to return the same affection and devotion to them. Keeping our pet’s heathy and happy while they easy into their golden years is the best gift we can give them.

To find out more on how you can bring home your very own fur-ever friend, please visit premierpups.com today and speak with one of the knowledgeable and caring puppy care agents today. Financing is available.

At any stage in our life we crave companionship and there is no greater love or affection than that of our beloved canine friends. They love without judgement and see no fault in anything that you do. Studies over the years have shown that owning a dog lowers blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides. It also improves mental health by raising levels of serotonin and dopamine in the brain. Research has even gone onto show that those who have dogs to care for in turn begin to care for themselves more- so this becomes a win-win.

This is especially important as we begin to age and slow down. Immobility becomes more common after retirement and the demand of a job and raising a family are no longer necessary. While each individual has unique needs and abilities, dogs can also provide excellent motivation to get out of the house and walk, ensuring that seniors stay as fit and as safe as possible. In addition to help keeping seniors fit a dog helps to ensure they are getting out for fresh air and even meeting other people. Dogs are naturally social and curious creatures so with one by your side you are sure to draw attention and conversation.

Older people have a wide range of needs and preferences, so the perfect pet for one senior may be entirely unsuitable for another. Some breeds have certain combinations of traits that make them more popular choices for seniors and retirees. Most seniors do well with smaller breeds as they can handle them better and most require only moderate amounts of daily exercise. Below is a list of 9 of the most popular breeds for the active or (soon to be active senior). These dogs were picked based on size, temperament, trainability, grooming needs and companionship.

Shih Tzu
Miniature Poodle
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Maltese
Pomeranian
Havanese
French Bulldog
Bichon Frise
Yorkshire Terrier

Having a canine companion is a great way to exercise, socialize with others in your community, and enjoy the benefits of unconditional love and true companionship. Many seniors also thrive on the experience of caring for and nurturing another living being. To find out even more on these canine companions or to find out how you can bring home one of your very own fur-ever friends, please visit premierpups.com and speak with one of the knowledgeable and caring customer care agents today. Financing is available.