We all had toys that were well loved. And dogs are no exceptions. Spencer loved Frisbees, even if they were not his. He could make them his in a short time with chewed and rippled edges. He acquired several of my daughter’s Frisbees that way! However, Eliot had no desire to chase a Frisbee!

Spencer and Eliot loved tennis balls and they were best when they were new and had lots of bounce to them!

The toy that Spencer and Eliot loved the most was their Kong! They could chew it for hours and it is indestructible. A Kong is great for filling with treats or peanut butter and keeps dogs busy for hours. But be aware that dogs (such as Eliot) can master this and lick the peanut butter out of a Kong in several minutes. It can also be refrigerated or frozen for a longer distraction.

Kong has been making dogs toys since 1976 and now makes all kinds of toys for your pet. There is an Air Kong with a rope that is perfect for training your dog for hunting purposes.

Eliot rarely plays with toys any more, but he does look forward to peanut butter in his Kong!

Brushing your dog’s teeth is just another part of grooming, and it is important to keep their teeth clean and mouth healthy. Always use a tooth paste that is designed for pets. Not only will they like the taste, but it is safe for them. Because dogs swallow, the tooth paste that humans use can upset your dog’s stomach. Pet toothpaste is available at pet stores as well as pet catalogs like Dental Care for Dogs at Drs. Foster and Smith.

There are many tools available to assist you in keeping that doggy smile beautiful and fresh smelling. There are dental cleansers that eliminate bacteria in the mouth. Dental sponges help spread the cleansers or toothpaste. There are also dental wipes to wipe away the bacteria on the teeth and gums. Finger toothbrushes are a great way to introduce your pet to tooth cleaning. You can even purchase a tooth scaler just like the one your dental hygienist uses to scrape off plaque. Of course doggy toothbrushes are also available. Electric toothbrushes or battery operated toothbrushes are very good to use if your dog will allow them. Eliot cannot get past the noise and vibration they make!

It is best to introduce your dog to tooth brushing while he is young. It takes much more patient when your dog is older. I started brushing Spencer’s teeth when he was several years old. When he saw his toothbrush, he would run to the living room and hide his head under the sofa! It took a lot of coaxing and treats to get his teeth brushed! Eliot is very easy, because I started brushing his teeth as a puppy. I simply call him into the bathroom and shut the door (I learned this trick from Spencer) and have him sit and he is ready for brushing. About ten years ago it was recommended to brush your dog’s teeth every week. The research today about brushing a dog’s teeth is recommended as a daily routine.

The thoughts of fleas can make you cringe! And if you see just one flea on your beloved pet, it can make you cry! A single female flea can lay 600 eggs in her short life span. Those eggs hatch and develop into larvae within ten days. The larvae spins a cocoon entering the pupae stage. The cocoons are extremely weather resistant and can remain in this stage for months if no host is present. However, when a host is present the mature young adult flea emerges and jumps onto your pet. The adult flea feeds by ingesting blood from their host and lays eggs which drop off your dog’s coat on to carpets and beddings. And the cycle begins again. The life cycle of a flea can be as few as 16 days! Removing fleas from your home can take months of hard work. Preventing the infestation of fleas is the easier method.

I use two medications to control fleas, Sentinel and Frontline Plus.

Sentinel is 99% effective in preventing flea populations. While it does not kill the flea, it does make the flea sterile and makes it easier for you to rid your dog and home from future infestations. Sentinel is a monthly chewable tablet that guards against heartworms, adult roundworms, adult hookworms, whipworms and fleas! Every dog must be tested for heartworm prior to use. It is safe for puppies four weeks or older and weighing 2lbs or more. It is good for all breeds of dogs.

Frontline kills 100% of adult fleas within 18 hours. Frontline Plus not only kills the adult flea but also kills flea eggs and larvae therefore completely breaking the life cycle of the flea! Frontline and Frontline Plus also kills 100% of ticks within 24 to 48 hours.

Eliot has been flea free all his life thanks to Sentinel and Frontline Plus!