I know most of us associate spring with spring cleaning - YUCK. I have a better solution - get you and your dog ready for spring and summer. You need to do it anyway, and it’s a lot more fun than cleaning.
1. Time to start training your dog. Lot’s of us tend to put off dog training in the winter. Spring is a great time to start or get back into the training groove.
2. Always use a leash. Spring brings lots of new smells that our dogs just have to check out. Even the best trained dogs really want to chase those squirrels, rabbits, and roaming cats. Unfortunately dogs just chase; they don’t look both ways before crossing the street and can be hit by a car.
3. Update your dog’s ID tag. Make sure your dog's ID is readable and has the right phone # and address.
4. Time to shed those extra pounds. Your’s and your dog’s. Take your dog on an extra walk or start jogging together. Exercise not only gets both of you in shape but increases the bond with your dog.
5. Spring time time to think about flea and tick prevention. Unfortunately it also means the return of mosquitos. Make sure to get your dog on a flea preventative and make sure to get your dog back on heartworm medication.
6. Buy or put together a dog first aid kit. Spring is the time of year when bees, wasps, and other creatures start buzzing around. And if your dogs are like mine, dogs seem to think that wasps are things to be snapped or swatted at - sometimes getting stung.
Copyright 2006 Margaret Svete
