A Word from Amy
Hello everybody and Happy Spring!
Well, it says it is Spring on the calendar! Despite the chill in the air, Dogtopia is ready and raring to go for Spring, evidenced by our "full house" over Easter and Spring Break. We are preparing for all manner of "new things" and have had many new clients sign-up for evaluations. In particular, we have been lucky enough to meet a whole bunch of Spring puppies! We love meeting new clients and very much appreciate all of your referrals - and nothing makes our day more than meeting a sweet little puppy! : )
If you frequent our North Bethesda location, you will notice some new faces behind our front desk - Jeff Lutton our franchisee for Alexandria, VA and Sue Dietrich our franchisee for Clarksville, MD are both currently in training for the opening of their stores in the next few months. Please say "hi" and wish them well!
And finally, Mike and I are personally in full preparation mode for our newest little arrival, who we expect to make his grand appearance at the end of May. Aidan and his doggie brothers Griffin and Bodhi are all getting ready to add yet another boy to our household! We'll keep you posted...
Warmest Regards,
Founder and CEO
Heading Back to the Dog Park
Over the past few months weıve hosted an indoor dog park at our facility in White Flint, MD. It offered a perfect chance for parents to play inside with their dogs and avoid the chill and muddiness of the dog park. But with spring rapidly approaching we decided to have the park go on hiatus. Weıll return later in the summer, because for many breeds the heat can be just as difficult to deal with as the cold! In honor of returning to the joys of the outdoor dog park, here are a few tips:
- Make sure your dog is up-to-date on his/her vaccinations before heading out
- Always clean up after your dog. The dog parkıs for everyone.
- Always pay attention while your dog plays and interrupt any rough play.
- It may be a good idea to leave toys and treats of your own at home to avoid any competition for them between the dogs. Besides, the dogs are more than capable of occupying themselves.
- Donıt worry if your dog doesnıt immediately begin to play. Every dog has to reach their own comfort level.
Acchhoooo!
With pollen counts already climbing your dogıs allergies can start to act up as much as yours, so we thought weıd address some common questions we receive about allergies:
Whatıre the signs my dog has an allergy?
Most skin problems are caused by allergies. You will notice your dog licking their paws, scratching or rubbing their face. Excessive scratching in particular can be harmful for your dog as it can be destructive and cause infections. These symptoms alone do not always point to an allergy, so itıs important to consult your veterinarian.
What types of allergies do dogs have?
Much like humans, the allergens are not limited to things that can be inhaled, such as pollen or mold. Your dog could also be irritated by something touching their skin, such as different fabrics, plastics, plants or chemicals. Food allergies can also be developed. Wheat, milk, beef and soy are common food allergies.
Are some breeds more prone to allergies than others?
Purebreds and mixed breeds alike can be affected by allergies and none are immune.
Is there anything I can do at home to alleviate the symptoms?
Your veterinarian may suggest altering your petıs diet as an initial step. A fatty acid supplement can help reduce the signs of allergies, such as inflammation. Bathing your dog with oatmeal or hypoallergenic shampoo can be soothing as well.
Franchisee Corner
Congratulations to the owners of our Clarksville, MD and Alexandria, VA franchises as they both have begun construction! Grand openings are expected in Mid-May and the beginning of June, respectively.
Weıre happy to share that weıve added new members to our franchise family. Kim Nichols of Waco, TX and Patrick & Kay Moody of Temecula, CA. Keep an eye on the website for their updates!
Our Houston, TX franchisee, Don Puryear, was recently featured on Great Day Houston in a dazzling doggy fashion show. Click here to take a look!
How do you get ready for spring, Happy?
Zoe P., Reston, VA
Winter doesnıt seem to want to go away this year! But itıs just a matter of time until the sunıs shining and I always have a few steps I take to get ready.
We all tend to take a little more of a laid back attitude in the winter, so if I havenıt been on my flea and tick prevention Iım also certain to start back up! Fleas are the main cause of skin disease in dogs and ticks can spread Lyme disease. There are a variety of flea and tick prevention options, so ask your veterinarian about the best one for your dog.
Also, if your dog isnıt on a heartworm preventative all year long, again, now is the time to start. Heartworm disease is caused by a worm that lives inside a dogıs heart. The worm develops from larvae spread by mosquitoes. Many parents believe heartworm prevention is not necessary if their dog is never around other dogıs, but they are still at risk from being bitten by a mosquito while outside.
Being inside during the winter can leave your dog with a few extra pounds, so itıs a good time to review your dogıs diet. Always choose a quality brand of dog food. With recent news of pet food recalls many parents are considering a raw food diet. Consult your veterinarian about the best choices. Anytime you alter what your dog eats, gradually introduce the new food.
To complete the fit and healthy plan, get outside and play in the yard! If you use any lawn fertilizers or pesticides remember to keep dogs off the grass for 24 hours after applying any chemicals. You may also want to explore organic options in lawn care as a safe and environmentally friendly alternative.
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Origin: The Irish Setter was developed in Ireland in the 1700s, bred for hunting, specifically for pointing gamebirds. Early setters were not the solid color we associate with the breed today, as most were red and white.
