What's in a Name?

Have you ever wondered how popular your dog’s name may be?  According to research conducted by Veterinary Pet Insurance on over 300,000 policies it has written on pets,  the following represent the top five male and female names for pets.  Included in parentheses, are the number of canine clients here at The Pooch with this name or this name with only a slight variation in its spelling.

Male:                                  Female:

Max  (24)                            Molly (22 - including our own Mollie)
Buddy (11)                          Maggie  (12)
Jake   (14)                          Daisy (12)
Rocky  (6)                           Lucy  (12) 
Bailey  (27)                         Sadie (12)

Health News

Canine Cancer affects one out of every three dogs, so it's something that pertains to all dog owners.  Luckily, through a major research project by the National Institute of Health, the complete mapping of the genome sequence of the dog has been completed.  With this research, we can not only learn more about fighting cancer in canines, but humans as well.

Nearly half of dogs aged 10 years or older are victims of cancer and that is why early detection is essential.  Routinely examine your dog for any physical or behavioral abnormalities and have your dog checked out by your veterinarian regularly as well.  Things to watch for include:

Abnormal swellings
Lumps in the crease of the legs or under the jaw
Sores that won’t heal
Foul breath
Weight loss/poor appetite/difficulty eating
Difficulty breathing
Bleeding/unusual discharge from any orifice

Mast Cell tumors are one of the most common types of cancers found on dogs, but Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Boxers, Boston Terriers, Pugs, and Shar Peis have a particularly high rate of them. If you’re an owner of one these breeds, be sure to take extra care of your pet. Some bumps are harmless, so when in doubt, be sure to have your vet x-ray any curious spots.

Spaying and neutering also reduces your dog’s risk of cancer. This is especially the case for uterine and breast/mammary cancer in females and testicular cancer in males. Breast cancer in dogs is fatal in about 50% of cases, according to the ASPCA, so be sure to keep this in mind.

If your dog does develop cancer, do not despair, there is hope. Chemotherapy, albeit expensive, can be used effectively on canines. This can extend the life of your pet and, in some cases, provide a cure. There are, of course, the side effects, which include vomiting and nausea, but dogs rarely lose their fur from the treatment. The upside is that it “damages rapidly growing cancer cells in dogs, slowing or stopping their growth entirely”.

Since the treatment is so expensive (ranging from $200 to $2,000), you might want to think about a pet insurance policy when your dog is young and shows no signs of the disease.  This may be wise especially if you have a high-risk breed like the ones mentioned above.  Contact your veterinarian to see if they sell pet insurance or honor those of certain companies.  It could be money well spent for you and your pooch!

Playful Pooch Receives New Accreditation!

Playful Pooch is proud to announce that it has recently been awarded the Colorado Association of Dog Daycare's (CADD) Gold Standard of Accreditation.  What exactly does this mean for you?  Well, CADD encourages its members to reach for a "a standard of excellence beyond the requirements for state licensure".  The regular, or standard, licensure covers facility-related criteria, such as "construction materials, space requirements and sanitation, but not behavioral evaluation of client dogs, or staff experience and training."  Each of these criterion is described in detail on CADD's website, which can be accessed at www.coloradodogdaycares.org.

The Gold Standard Accreditation is awarded to "demonstrate [a] a facility's commitment to provide the highest level of professional dog management and care."  There is an extensive application process that is required in order to receive this designation.  The criteria for the accreditation go as follows:

Behavioral assessment standards for client dogs
Staff training protocol
Primary staff trainer qualifications
Continuing education requirements
Annual pet first aid training

This is just another example of how The Pooch constantly strives to provide your pet the best in care in a safe and clean environment!

Canine Flu and You Too!

Canine Flu?  Do Dogs get the flu? 

Yes they do!  In fact Denver had a significant outbreak in December 2006 and many dogs were severly ill as a result, some with permanent respiratory problems.  The USDA approved a Canine Influenza Vaccination (CIV) in June 2010 after substanital testing that has been found to be very effective in controlling this serious illness.  Playful Pooch is taking a leading role in the Denver community by now requiring CIV for all canine guests.  Many of the local shelters, including the Dumb Friends League, the Foothills Animal Shelter and the Aurora Animal Shelter include CIV with their vaccinations.

More information about Canine Influenza can be found by clicking here.

We're a Google Favorite Place!

We have been chosen as a Favorite Place on Google.  Less than 1% of all businesses in the United States receive this special designation and it is based on the number of times our website is visited and our wonderful customer reviews.  Thanks for helping us achieve this unique recognition!

Twitter, YouTube & Facebook

Now you can find The Pooch everywhere! 

Just go to Twitter, YouTube or Facebook and type in Playful Pooch to keep up with the current news and videos.

We Sell High Quality Dog Food and Treats

Playful Pooch sells high quality dog food, treats and snacks.  Our goal is to provide a holistic approach to our dog care, by providing a safe, clean and fun place to socialize and exercise during the day, a warm and comfortable place to sleep at night, and grooming services to make sure your pooch goes home nice and clean.  We have a unique training service that addresses individual behavioral issues, and our quality food and treat selections help round out our line of services for your pooch.