Add Colorful Flair to Your Dog’s Grooming Style

Beyond bows and bandanas, adding a colorful flair to your dog's grooming service can express a unique personality and style. The latest trend in creative grooming services offers a range of temporary designs, including stenciling, feathering, chalking and free-hand airbrushing.

 

Creative grooming can range from a simple stencil design to an extreme expression of imagination and artistic style. A basic stencil design, such as a shamrock, can represent a holiday, heritage or mood. If you lean toward the extreme, there has been increasing attention to the head-turning, over-the-top full-body designs using specialized grooming techniques and color to turn animals into works of art.

The simple use of a color accent or the placement of natural feathers on an ear or tail to a stenciled design on the chest or hind leg adds a trendy, temporary flair to any grooming style. Holiday House Pet Resort Grooming is now offering a basic creative grooming service, Furtastic Designs, as a salon add-on. These finishing options are temporary and safe for pets. HolidayHouse Pet Resort is excited about launching Furtastic Designs to offer grooming clients something new and fun.

“We are currently using Espree Bark Art blow pens and stencils for dogs because it’s easy to apply, the design lasts for an appropriate amount of time on the fur and can be removed with water and shampoo. The products are non-toxic color pens designed for use on fur,” explained Stacy Showmaker, a member of the grooming team.

STENCILS

Kids love showing off temporary tattoos and so will your dog. Why limit your dog’s collar as the only statement piece being worn? The stencils include simple designs from paw prints or a flower to a skull & cross bones and super hero insignias. The blow pens produce a fine mist of color for pinpoint application. What design best matches your dog’s personality or expresses a more playful side?

FEATHERS

Retro fashions are always in style but nothing says The Big 80s like colorful feather accents. Natural feathers add a wild, colorful flair to celebrate any special occasion, or make a strong statement when your retriever or spaniel struts down the sidewalks in town.

CHALK

Chalk is great for free-hand designs like adding a pop of color to the ears, a tail or shading a larger area like the chest or an entire leg. Multiple colors can be used to create a custom look. So when the Eagles play in the big game, you and your dog can paint the town green with team spirit!

“We’ve been perfecting our designs on a variety of dog coats. Right now, stenciling and custom color pieces are working best on white and light colored fur. Stacy and I are still discovering which mists or chalks will work best on dark colored fur. Of course, feathers look great on any coat. We won’t be transforming your standard poodle into a tiger or your westie into a panda—that’s not what Furtastic Designs is about—but we can offer clients something special,” added groomer Erin Connelly.

Still want the bow or bandana? That’s no problem, but the creative grooming finishes are temporary so why not give it a try to generate a smile, add color to a wintery mood, or celebrate a special occasion. Furtastic Designs by Holiday House Pet Resort Grooming offers basic creative grooming art for an attractive finishing touch to any grooming style. Have an idea? Let us know when you book your grooming appointment or ask to speak with Erin or Stacy during check-in. 

           

 

Helping Shelter Animals Thrive and Find a New Forever Family

By Melissa Frank – Shelter Manager, Bucks County SPCA, Upper Bucks Shelter

Originally posted to DVH Blog, October 2013

I have spent the majority of my adult life pampering very well cared for canines in Bucks and Montgomery counties. Working in an upscale grooming salon and a luxury pet resort, where loving pet parents sent their "babies" for a monthly spa appointment or on a 10- day resort vacation, was the best training to prepare me for my position as Shelter Manager with the Bucks County SPCA Upper Bucks Shelter.

Before I started working for the Bucks County SPCA, I thought I knew them pretty well. I had adopted pets from them and had the pleasure of knowing Anne Irwin, the Executive Director (who spoils her baby at Holiday House Pet Resort). I was also a foster mom for some wayward pregnant pups. I quickly discovered there was a lot more to the organization than I first thought. 

Some of the first things I learned were:

1.   Each SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is independently funded and operated. ALL of the monies received are from donations. We receive no funding comes from the federal, state or local governments.

2.   SPCAs across the country are only connected in name. Some organizations have multiple locations so it’s best to ask someone within the organization.

3.   People surrender their beloved pets for many reasons—it doesn’t matter if it’s a purebred Pomeranian, a sweet middle-aged Lab or an all-American mutt, from 8 weeks old to 16 years old…we see them all walk through the doors.

Living at a shelter can be a confusing and stressful time for an animal that once shared a home and a bond with one family. Placing pets in a foster home is not always an option, so I wanted to create a more pleasant environment for the animals and positive adoption experience. One of the first things I implemented at the shelter was soothing music played for every animal. From sun up to sun down, music can be heard throughout the shelter, and most of the songs on my I-pod were designed to comfort animals. Some of the songs are clinically proven to soothe the savage beast (Through a Dogs Ear).  I ordered Homeopathic drops used for generalized anxiety, fear of noises and storm stress. I also implemented off-leash playgroups. It’s important to introduce the dog into a social group as quickly as possible, so twice a day we send the dogs outside into our gorgeous, fenced-in grass play yard to RUN!!

Blubell is a 4-year-old Coonhound available for adoption at the Upper Bucks Shelter. She is great with other dogs and would love a Forever Family with a brother or sister.

A tired dog is a happy dog and happy dogs get adopted faster and transition more quickly into their new home. We also use alternative therapies such as Reiki and animal communicators to help each animal’s transition in and out of the shelter as smooth as possible.

As we celebrate National Adopt-a-Shelter Pet in October, I’d like to offer some helpful tips if you are new to adopting a shelter pet:  

First, fill out an application and have it put on file; most times, the first time you visit the shelter you may not find the type of pet you’re looking for.
•    Talk with a shelter staff member about what traits appeal to you in a new pet. Be patient. Sometimes we have a dog or cat that best fits your lifestyle and family, and sometimes, if you’re looking for something specific, it takes a few weeks or months. Be realistic about what you're willing to work on with your new pet and what boundaries you’ve set.
•    Some dogs and cats are "special-needs adoptions" which may require multiple visits to the shelter, hand feeding the pet from outside of their suite, behavior consultations or follow-up training sessions. However, adopting one of these pets can be especially rewarding.
•    Consider visiting the shelter at different times of the day. The animals, especially the cats, may be more active during the morning or evening hours. When the cats are napping, you’re not really seeing their personalities shine through. 

Lastly, ask how you can help support the organization. We would not be able to care for the animals and prepare them for a new forever family without the help of volunteers and donors! Even if you are not able to adopt a pet, everyone can make a difference to an animal in need.  From sewing dog beds and cat pillows, being a kitten foster parent, representing us at outreach events to walking a dog, spending quality one on one time with a shelter cat, or sharing an adoptable pet on Facebook, love and caring come in many forms.

The Bucks County SPCA has two shelter locations: 1665 Street Rd, Lahaska PA and 60 Reservoir Rd, Quakertown PA. The public is able to visit adoptable animals during our business hours. Please visit the Bucks County SPCA website for more details.

 

Nail Trimming 101 for Good Pet Grooming

Nail Trimming 101 for Good Pet Grooming

Good grooming is essential for your dog's overall wellness--this includes regular nail trimming. Imagine what walking would be like if our toenails were the first thing to hit the ground with every step we took. Uncomfortable? You bet.

Keeping your dog or cat's nails trimmed can avoid a trip to the veterinarian; An irregular gait due to long nails can result in skeletal problems, and broken nails can cause pain and infection.

Most veterinarians and grooming salons offer nail trimming but it is something you can do at home. Here are tips for trimming your pet's nails while reducing the stress that often occurs.

• Be relaxed and take it slow and easy--pets are really good at reading our emotions and body language
• Associate nail trimming with positive experiences like a toy, a tasty treat or playing together as a reward 
• Using pet nail clippers, insert the nail into the guillotine blade, holding the trimmer perpendicular to the nail so you cut from top to bottom
• Squeeze the handles to cut through the nail
• For clear nails, cut two millimeters from the quick--the pink part of the nail
• For dark nails, cut one sliver of nail at a time to avoid cutting the quick. Stop trimming when you see a gray or pink oval

 All finished--great job!

Visit our website for information on the grooming salon at Holiday House Pet Resort, or call 215-345-6960 today to schedule a grooming appointment.

Bring Your Lost Pet Home

This pet is being scanned for a microchip.

The warmer weather seems to bring an increase in lost pet postings around town or on social media. Whether scared away by loud noises like firecrackers or thunderstorms, slipping out a door that was accidentally left open, or getting past an invisible fence, losing your pet can happen. Sadly, one in three pets will go missing from home during their lifetimes. Without correct identification, 90% of missing pets never return home. Getting lost is the primary cause of death for pets.

When a lost pet, without an ID tag, arrives at a veterinary clinic or animal shelter, it is scanned for a microchip. The microchip is linked to a registry with owner contact information. If the registry information is up-to-date, the pet will be reunited with the family. One study showed:
•    Over 50% of microchipped dogs were returned home; only 22% without a microchip were reunited
•    Nearly 40% of microchipped cats were returned home; less than 2% without a microchip were reunited

How does a microchip work?
Unlike a collar and tag which can come off your pet, a microchip is permanent identification. A microchip—slightly larger than a grain of rice—is inserted under your pet’s skin usually in the shoulder area. The unique microchip number and owner information are entered into a registry. Properly administered, the microchip should remain in place and not cause discomfort after the injection. 

The most important step is having the microchip registered. It's important to remember, a microchip is not a GPS tracking device but a link to a database with contact information. Many animal hospitals will offer registering the microchip and information as part of the procedure. If not, the owner is responsible for making sure the contact information is registered. Without the correct contact information, the microchip is not useful in reuniting a lost pet with family. Once a profile is created, you should upload a photo, add alternative contact information and note any special medical information like diabetes or seizures. Many registries offer membership benefits and services such as alerts, the ability to create flyers and poster for distribution, a medical hotline and travel assistance for found pets, in the event your pet is lost.  

“We do see a high percentage of pets that are microchipped with incomplete or outdated information in the registry,” said Carol Hinckley, shelter manager for the Bucks County SPCA in Lahaska.

Doylestown Veterinary Hospital recommends and administers the HomeAgain microchip with national registry program. The procedure is done using safe, effective sedation for pain management during injection and optimal placement of the microchip to ensure it doesn’t move or come out, which is rare but possible.

Microchipping clinics do offer a free or discounted on-the-spot procedure but pain control may not be available. The needle used to administer the microchip is more than twice as thick as a needle used for vaccinations or to draw blood which can cause discomfort to your pet. The staff at Doylestown Veterinary Hospital, an AAHA-accredited animal hospital, want your pet (and you!) to be comfortable with having the microchip administered, and automatic registration in the national HomeAgain registry is included.

For more information about checking your microchip registry information or scheduling an appointment to have your pet microchipped, please call Doylestown Veterinary Hospital at 215-345-6000.

Lost Pets Reunited with Properly Registered Microchips

 

WOULD YOUR PET BE PROTECTED IF IT WAS LOST? HOLIDAY HOUSE PET RESORT & DOYLESTOWN VETERINARY HOSPITAL TO HOST “CHECK THE CHIP” EVENT ON AUGUST 15, 2014

Lost Pets Reunited with Properly Registered Microchips

DOYLESTOWN, Pa., July 23, 2014—The warmer weather seems to bring an increase in lost pet postings around town or on social media. Whether scared away by loud noises like thunder and firecrackers, slipping out a door that was accidentally left open, or getting past an invisible fence, losing a pet can happen. Sadly, one in three pets will go missing from home during their lifetimes. Without correct identification, 90% of missing pets never return home. Getting lost is the primary cause of death for pets.

As a way to remind pet owners to have their pet’s microchipped and to keep the registration information up-to-date, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) created National Check the Chip Day. Doylestown Veterinary Hospital & Holiday House Pet Resort will host a free Check the Chip event on Friday, August 15, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the resort on 380 N. Shady Retreat Road, Doylestown.

When a lost pet arrives at a veterinary clinic or animal shelter, it is scanned for a microchip. The microchip is linked to a registry with contact information. It’s important to understand that a microchip is permanent identification but not a GPS device to track a lost pet. If the registry information is up-to-date, the pet will be reunited with the family. One study showed:

• Over 50% of microchipped dogs were returned; only 22% without a microchip were reunited
• Nearly 40% of microchipped cats were returned; less than 2% without a microchip were reunited

“We do see a high percentage of pets that are microchipped with incomplete or outdated information in the registry, or a pet profile was never created,” said Carol Hinckley, shelter manager for the Bucks County SPCA in Lahaska.

All community pet owners can stop by to have their pet’s microchip scanned for their number and to receive registry information. There will also be information about the HomeAgain microchip program recommended by and administered at Doylestown Veterinary Hospital.

Guests will also be treated to family fun and games:

• Spin the Holiday House Pet Resort game wheel for great prizes
• HomeAgain Snoopy tattoos for the kids
• Tours
• Dog treats and People treats too!

The Check the Chip event is free, open to the public, and will be held rain or shine.

Does Your Pet Have a Noise Phobia?

A sudden clap of thunder, firecrackers or yelling can cause a surprised reaction and instinctive desire to hide for any pet. When that reaction becomes a persistent and profound fear to loud sounds causing severe anxiety and unwanted behaviors, your dog may have a noise phobia.

The extreme reaction to noises usually gets worse if left untreated and can also lead to separation anxiety. The fears are real and should not be punished—yelling and punishment will only add to the anxiety.

It’s important to see your veterinarian if you suspect your dog has developed a noise phobia or separation anxiety to rule out possible medical problems and discuss ways to manage these conditions. 

Signs your pet may have a noise phobia include:
•    Excessive drooling/panting
•    Withdrawing/hiding
•    Trembling/pacing
•    Uncontrolled urination/defecation
•    Destructive behaviors such as chewing and scratching
•    Barking/whimpering/howling
•    Loss of appetite
•    Frantic attempt to escape such as running away or jumping through windows

This condition is the result of part genetics and part learned behavior. Herding breeds such as German/Australian Shepard, Border Collie, Shetland/Old English Sheepdog and Pembroke Welsh Corgi most commonly experience this phobia, possibly due to having acute hearing.

Thunderstorms and fireworks are the most common causes of a pet noise phobia but other loud sounds can include:
•    Garbage truck/road noise
•    Sirens
•    Breaking glass
•    Yelling
•    Rattling pots and pans
•    Lawn mower or vacuum
•    Door slamming
•    Wind noise/wind chimes
•    Musical instruments

Management and treatment for noise phobias
Calming measures
•    Provide a safe area such as a crate or dark, quiet room where the dog can feel secure. Only use a crate if the dog is crate trained.
•    Play soft music or create white noise with a fan or appliance to override the stress-inducing noise
•    Apply light pressure to the body by leaning gently against the dog, massage techniques,  wrapping in a blanket, or using specially-designed pressure wraps and clothing like a Thundershirt.
•    In the case of fireworks, it’s best not to bring your pet to a fireworks display since frightened pets can react with unexpected or abnormal behaviors.
•    Aromatherapy and calming pheromones
 
Behavior modification
This type of treatment includes desensitization or counter-conditioning. The phobic response can increase in intensity with each exposure to what’s causing the fear without proper treatment. It’s best to consult with a training or behavior modification professional before starting either type of program.
 
Drug therapy
Medications including anti-anxiety, anti-depressants and tranquilizers could be considered for treatment as part of an overall management plan.

Be sure to let anyone who is taking care of your dog in your absence—such as a family member, neighbor or pet resort—know about your dog’s noise phobia so your pet continues to feel safe and happy wherever they go. If you have any questions about your dog’s unwanted behaviors, call Holiday House Pet Resort at 215-345-6960 to schedule a training evaluation or exam and consultation with one of our veterinarians at Doylestown Veterinary Hospital.