Serenity Farm's Blog

We use the wormer Safeguard for our four week old pups. This is a good information website and video on why you worm your dog and why it is important to regularly worm your dog to protect the dog and your family.

http://www.safe-guard-for-dogs.com/puppy.asp

Dog's are not crazy about laying on their backs, particularly if they did not learn how to do so as a pup. It is a position that makes them more vulnerable so I think it probably stresses them unless they learned as a pup to lay that way.

So to start, this is best taught as a pup when they don't have as many fears. It can be taught to an older dog. I think the way to do it, is to teach the dog the trick "Dead Dog". They will learn to lay down and roll to their back. After all, play dead is just a partial "roll over".

I found this great blog entry on DearDoggy.com. This is a very well written entry on how to give your dog liquid medication or pills. I hope you find this helpful.

" If you are having a difficult time administering liquid medicine to your dog (as many people do) then these two methods may help you.

The first method is known as making a pouch and basically consists of pulling the dog’s lower lip down in order to make a little pouch where you will put the liquid. The dog’s head should be tilted back slightly while you pour the medicine into the pouch using the other hand.

I am back to blogging again after a break. We just had our first litter of pups since January of this year. Mozart had 8 nice pups. We have a couple sold already. This is her last litter and people love her pups so I expect them to go fast. I love pups so this is an exciting time for me.

I am fascinated by the Serenity Farm Goldendoodle pups development over the first six weeks. It still amazes me to see instinct take over in both mom and babies. I am lucky to be able to raise dogs and make a living at it.

Dibley and Alice are from our Anna's 2011 February litter. They now live in Boston and their owners are best of friends. Enjoy this short video of the two pups playing at the dog park.

YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGFGyS5MgwA&feature=email

Teach your puppy to walk on a loose leash by using tab289's method. I love this guy. He has many videos on dog training on You Tube. He uses positive reinforcement training. He tells you why the method he uses will work and why other methods don't.

He uses a clicker for his "reward marker" or sound that you use repetitiously when the dog has done something correct. I use the word "YES" as I do not like to remember to carry the clicker. Either the clicker or the word "yes" work in your positive reinforcement training.

I learned the wonders of Blue Dawn (blue colored Dawn Dish Soap) when I moved to Tennessee.

Blue Dawn will kill fleas and ticks. I use it to wash my horses and it is my soap of choice for my dogs.

Here is a good link on how to calculate the dosage of Benedryl ( I buy the generic brand liquid or pills) if you need it for your dog. It is a good idea to print this off and keep it with your first aid kit for emergencies.

Everyone knows that your dog will get sick at 5:40 PM on Friday after your vet closes. That is what generally happens at our farm! I like to have this med on hand for allergic reactions that my dogs may experience.

I am blessed to have some great vets here in middle Tennessee. When I first moved here six years ago, our new vets had us assemble a collection of medicines and supplies so if we had an emergency with our horses or dogs, they could talk us through it if we could not get to the vet right away or they could not get to us.

Here is a list of supplies I have found useful to have around for my dogs. Some are very obvious and some are items you keep for your own self care.

Gloves
Gauze sponges (2x2 or 4x4)and gauze roll (2 in. width)
Cotton balls
Water based sterile lubricant
Saline

I am extremely allergic to bee, spider and wasp stings. Dogs can also be extremely allergic and so what do you do if your dog is stung by a wasp or bee?

I found this information on All Experts.com and I think it is a good response.

"Bee or wasp stings not only hurt, causing swelling and sharp pain, but for some individuals a sting can also cause a deadly allergic reaction to the venom. These insects will not only sting humans, but also animals that can have the same type of reaction as humans.

If your dog is stung by a bee or wasp: