Congratulations on welcoming a new dog into your home!

A few things you must get your dog right away is a good quality leash and collar with tags to ensure in the unfortunate situation your pet may slip away that he/she can be indentified and return safely to you.

Get an ID tag for your dog with your contact information on them. You can either buy them at Petsmart or Petco or order online. Your dog should have his/her ID tag on the collar at all times!

If your dog isn’t microchipped we highly recommend going to your vet and getting them chipped. A microchip is the size of a grain of rice and is implanted under the skin between the shoulders. If your pet is ever lost and most animal control facilities as well as veterinarian offices can scan for a microchip. Then your contact information will come up, so it’s important to keep your information up to date.

Small breed dog should be walked on a harness. We still recommend that they wear a collar with an ID tag but the leash should be attached to the harness for walks. Pressure from the collar can crush the trachea of a small breed dog!

Your dog relies on you for a lifetime of care and commitment. They are loyal and loving every single day. There is always a solution to any problem you may be having with your dog. If a behavioral issue arises schedule a visit to your dog’s veterinarian to rule out any medical problems. Once medical is ruled out next see a trainer or a dog behaviorist who can help you work through these problems. This will take some work but don’t give up on your dog! If you’re having simple problems such as your dog pulls too much on a leash, pick up The Easy Walk Harness at Petsmart or Petco. If your dog destroys items in your home when left alone, crate your dog while not home. There is always a solution.

If your having problems paying for veterinary care, search for low cost clinics there are some in the Chicago area. Pets are not disposable so please find a solution to any issues you might be having. Too many owner surrendered pets are getting euthanized daily at various animal control facilities due to lack of space.

If you surrender your dog, the sad reality is that more than likely your pet will not find a good home and will be euthanized.

Regular vet visits are important to keep your pooch in top notch shape! You should be taking your dog to the vet at least once per year for a yearly check up, fecal, heartworm test and vaccinations.   Heartworm Disease is transmitted when a dog is bitten by a mosquito that is a carrier. The larvae travel through the blood into the heart where the worms will grow and live until they kill the dog. This is easily prevented with the monthly heartworm preventative like Heartguard which you can get from your vet.

You should also get the monthly Frontline, which kills fleas and ticks. It is applied once a month between your dog’s should blades and works all month long!

Spay or neuter your dog!  Too many puppies and adult dogs are euthanized every hour in the US due to the overpopulation issue.  There are simply too many dogs and not enough good homes.  Please be part of the solution not part of the problem.

Proper exercise is essential for the health of your dog! Dogs who don’t get enough exercise can start exhibiting behavioral problems. They can start getting into trouble by destroying items in the house, barking excessively or digging holes in the yard simply because they are bored or need to burn off that extra energy. Take your dog for at least two long walks per day.

Quality food is the most important thing you can give your dog. We strongly believe that your dog’s health is a direct reflection of what you feed him/her. Many of the well-known dog food companies spend millions on marketing and advertising to make you believe that their product is the best. Simply look at the ingredients…do your research. We have done ours and the verdict is in! The best food you can feed your dog is The Honest Kitchen. This is the only dog food made with quality human grade ingredients in an FDA inspected human grade facility. You can feed as is or add fresh fruits or veggies to it, your choice. If you feed your dog healthy, nutritious food…your dog will be healthy! Another quality food is Fromm, Orijen or Acana.

Good luck with your pooch and we are always here for advice.