Lots of great advice

CHOOSING A DOG

We are not biased at all when it comes to dogs 🙂 They make wonderful pets and dogs have many positive effects on the lives of their owners.  They promote an active lifestyle, provide companionship and they influence emotional and cognitive development in children and the elderly.  Many studies show that owning a dog reduces stress and anxiety even petting a dog familiar dog is proven to lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate, slow breathing, and relaxes muscle tension. However, owning a dog can be a lifelong commitment as some dogs live up to 15 years and more!.  As an owner, you are responsible for the dog so it is really important that you consider all the factors before you choose a dog.

Below are some useful links to help you make a decision when it comes to deciding what type of dog is right for you and where to source a dog. PLEASE be very careful where you source your dog from, sadly Ireland is considered the puppy farm capital of Europe.

House Of Hounds grooms hundreds of dogs and sadly we see are seeing more and more anxious dogs from ‘the farm’ owners sometimes unknowingly purchasing these dogs. You may think you are ‘saving’ a dog from a puppy farm but you are financially supporting the sellers and you could end up with a dog with behavior and medical issues for 15 years plus.

Do also consider adopting and don’t shop, and if you are adopting don’t forget the older dogs, they have so much to offer, and they are often overlooked.  A cute puppy may need a lot of training which takes a lot of time and money so just consider the oldies when deciding.


Useful Links

Below are some useful links to help you in deciding what dog is right for you and where to source them from.

 ADOPTING

Dogs Aid is based near Ballymun

Dogs Trust Ashbourne Road, Finglas

DSPCA Rathfarham

PURCHASING

How to avoid the puppy farm some useful tips


Which dog is for me?

Choosing the right dog

Breeds of Dogs

Costs associated with owning a dog

Whatever you decide House Of Hounds wishes you luck in your search.


“A dog will teach you, unconditional love. If you can have that in your life, things won’t be too bad.”

 Rober Wagner

Nail Trimming

Your dog’s nails grow continuously and regular trimming is very important. If their nails grow too long it can cause discomfort, breaking, and problems walking and sometimes they can curl inwards into their pads.

Nails that are too long risk being torn off or damaged while your dog is running or playing as they may get caught. When the nail hits the floor constantly as they walk, it can put pressure on the nail bed. This is painful and uncomfortable for your dog and they start to distribute their weight differently. This can lead to issues with their toe and paw joints. 

The pink part of the nail is called the quick.  The quick supplies blood to the nail includes a blood vessel and a nerve. The longer your dog’s nails grow, the longer the quick. This is why sometimes we may only be able to cut a certain amount off your dog’s nails safely as cutting too short can lead to some bleeding. This is why it is important to get a dog with long nails trimmed regularly, as we can actually shorten the quick and the nails will not grow so long in the future. 

House Of Hounds’ nail trimming is included in all of our services, and we do offer a complimentary nail trim to all our regular customers in between grooms. For some dogs, nail trimming can be a stressful experience and they may become extremely stressed/agitated, or aggressive when we attempt to trim their nails.  We will not use unnecessary excessive force on any dog therefore we may advise that a vet visit is required. 

What Are Parasites in Dogs?

There are two main types of parasites in dogs: internal and external parasites.

Internal parasites:

eg hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms live inside the body of the dog and they can be transferred in various ways and can affect many organs.

External parasites, such as fleas and ticks, live on the body of the dog i.e. their coat and can produce an infestation.

Parasites can be extremely irritating, cause serious health issues and even carry diseases. Some parasites in dogs are also zoonotic, which means a disease or parasite that can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Signs that your dog may have Parasites

Symptoms can vary depending on the type of parasite, Most intestinal parasites do not show symptoms until the infestation has become severe. Parasites can cause symptoms ranging from mild discomfort and intermittent loose stool to severe issues such as anemia, skin disease, malnutrition, and other infections. It is really important to treat your dog quickly if an infestation occurs.

Internal Parasite Symptoms

  • Diarrhea, with or without blood or mucous
  • Vomiting
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Distended abdomen (pot-bellied appearance)
  • Decreased activity
  • Scooting
  • Worms or segments (tapeworms) visible in the feces
  • Coughing
  • Difficulty breathing

External Parasite Symptoms

  • Excessive scratching
  • Excessive chewing
  • Red and inflamed skin
  • Hair loss
  • Crusting and discoloration of the skin
  • Dry coat
  • Scaly appearance to fur
  • Large amounts of black debris in ears
  • Fleas or flea dirt
  • Restless behavior

How does my dog get Parasites?

Fleas can be caught from many places for example other infected animal wildlife and from your home environment! Only adult fleas live on your dog. All the other life stages live in the environment of the dog, for example, his bed, the carpets, your sofa cushions, and the car.   Fleas can remain dormant in their pupal stage for many months.

  1. Adult flea
  2. Flea egg
  3. Flea larvae
  4. Flea pupae

Therefore, to make any inroads into controlling a flea infestation, it’s essential to treat your dog’s environment as well as your dog’s.

Ticks are caught from traveling through bushes and long grass.

Intestinal parasites are usually transmitted when an animal ingests the eggs or spores in contaminated soil, water, or food. Puppies can contract a parasite from their mothers, either in utero or from nursing.

Tapeworms can be contracted by dogs when they eat an infected flea and heartworms are contracted through the bite of an infected mosquito.

Treating your dog

If you suspect that your dog is suffering from an internal parasite, the first step will be to identify the parasite with your vet. There is no single medication that can treat and prevent all internal parasites and once your vet identifies the parasite, they can find the most effective treatment for your dog.

How often should I worm my dog?

At least every three months. Depending on your pet’s lifestyle, more regular worming may need to be undertaken and it is recommended this be discussed with your vet if you are concerned.

How often should I flea my dog?

Every 4 weeks for optimal protection – year-round, leaving no gaps.

House Of Hounds has a very strict regime when it comes to biosecurity in the salon.  We have invested heavily in the health and safety of our staff and dogs in our care and we undertake regular preventive measures against parasites.

House Of Hounds has a strict no-groom policy in place for any dog found with parasites and extra charges will apply.  Which is outlined in our T&Cs.