[Click to Listen] - - Investing your time and energy into a dog training class taught by a certified professional dog trainer is one of the best things that you can do for the relationship between your dog and your family.

The summer months bring opportunities to play in the water for both people and pets. While it brings much joy, water also is a source of concern. Some things to consider:

Many dogs enjoy swimming, but some dogs don't swim well and even the best swimmers can get tired. Life jackets for dogs can save lives.

If you have a pool, your dog needs to be supervised whenever they have access to the pool. You should take the time to train them how to safely enter and exit the pool from the shallow end.

Salt water can damage a dog's coat, so after any ocean dips take the time to hose them down with fresh water.

Don't let your pet stay wet! For some dogs, staying wet can lead to skin irritations, otherwise known as "hot spots." These can be a source of discomfort and infection for your pet.

Enjoy the summer but please make sure you keep yourself and your pet safe and comfortable

This is the third and last show in a series on pet-friendly, force-free and fear-free pet care. This week Kate and I talk with Dr. Dave Cloutier from the Veazie Veterinary Clinic about fear-free veterinary visits, a new initiative among the veterinary community. This is a topic that Dr. Cloutier is very passionate about and he explains what he and his staff are doing at Veazie Vet to decrease fear for their clients. 

For more information on the Woof Meow Show go to: http://bit.ly/HjrFE0

[Click on image for audio] - It's time to celebrate and for many that means it's time for fireworks.

Fireworks, with their loud booms and bright flashes of light can be very frightening to pets especially if they are close by, like in your yard or your neighbor's yard.

Make sure your dog or cat always has somewhere inside to hide and that they have access to this place at all times. This could be their crate, a special room, or under a piece of furniture.

During firework season, walk dogs during daylight hours and keep cats and dogs indoors anytime when fireworks are likely to be set off.

Close your windows and curtains at night and put on music to mask and muffle the sound of fireworks.

If you use fireworks at home, keep your pet inside.

If you go someplace to see the fireworks I would advise you to leave your pet at home in a safe quiet location. They'll be glad you did.

CONCERNED ABOUT CANINE FLU? DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW!

The canine flu has been all over the news and even though it has not been seen in Maine this year, we asked Dr. Hanks to talk to us about canine flu. Topics addressed; what differentiates the flu from other respiratory disorders we see in dogs, how does the canine flu seen in the Midwest differ from the canine flu seen in 2002/2004, what are the symptoms, how should the flu be treated, when should dogs be vaccinated, what tests are available, should we be worried about people bringing dogs in to Maine from other states, and how serious is this? 

For more information on the Woof Meow Show go to: http://bit.ly/HjrFE0

[Click on image for audio] - It's time to celebrate and for many that means it's time for fireworks.

Fireworks, with their loud booms and bright flashes of light can be very frightening to pets especially if they are close by, like in your yard or your neighbor's yard.

Make sure your dog or cat always has somewhere inside to hide and that they have access to this place at all times. This could be their crate, a special room, or under a piece of furniture.

During firework season, walk dogs during daylight hours and keep cats and dogs indoors anytime when fireworks are likely to be set off.

Close your windows and curtains at night and put on music to mask and muffle the sound of fireworks.

If you use fireworks at home, keep your pet inside.

If you go someplace to see the fireworks I would advise you to leave your pet at home in a safe quiet location. They'll be glad you did.

Every year Kate and Don always talk with Dr. Cloutier about fleas, worms and ticks. This year we’re talking all about ticks because it’s such a hot topic with our clients at Green Acres. Dr. Cloutier discusses; ticks and when we’re most likely to see them, micro environments/habitats where ticks often thrive (some places are much worse than others), how ticks get on us and our pets, how to control tick habitat in our yards, how to keep our dogs away from ticks when hiking, how to check your pet for ticks, how to safely remove ticks, what products should we use to help keep ticks away and which should we avoid, how do we balance effectiveness with safety, how do we choose a product when we have both dogs and cats in our home (some products for dogs are fatal for cats!), and the importance of talking to your vet about any flea and tick products you use with your pet

For more information on the Woof Meow Show go to: http://bit.ly/HjrFE0

Summer is the time for family and group gatherings, something many pets don't enjoy.

In fact, many dog bites occur during family gatherings when our dog's routine becomes different and there is more noise, confusion, and overall chaotic activity in your home.

Consider these steps when you have a family gathering:

Put your dog in his crate with a bone or favorite chew toy, at least during the most hectic times - when guests are arriving and leaving as well as when meals are being prepared and served.

Assign one adult to be in charge of each of the dogs, to watch for signs of stress and to protect the dog from unwanted attention from children.

Assign one adult to supervise each baby or toddler, with no other tasks assigned to them.

Or consider, boarding your pets at a pet friendly boarding facility where they can have a good time as you relax and enjoy your gathering.

NutriSource and Green Acres Kennel Shop are giving away two pairs of tickets to see the Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox. One pair of tickets is for Monday, July 27th at 7:10PM and the other is for Tuesday, July 28th at 7:10PM.

Winners will be drawn at the close of business on Saturday, July 18th and will be notified by email on Sunday, July 19th. Tickets must be picked-up in person, by the winner, by the close of business on Wednesday, July 22nd, or we will draw a new winner.

Contest rules are noted below.

 #GreenAcresKennelShop #RedSoxPromo #NutriSource

It's summer and time for Don and Kate to discuss how the heat and sun and other seasonal issues effect our pets. Topics covered include; sunburn, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, dogs in cars, hiking and selecting an appropriate hike, water safety, hotspots, bug bites and bug repellent for pets, ticks, bees and other stinging insects, holiday gatherings; and why some dogs might not like them, fireworks, and preparing your pet for traveling if they go away with you.

You can download an article on this topic at: http://www.greenacreskennel.com/pet-health/summer-pet-care-tips

For more information on the Woof Meow Show go to: http://bit.ly/HjrFE0