Preparing for a baby is quite exciting.  You have to decorate the baby's room, buy a crib, get the car seat installed, attend a birthing class or two....wait, what about your pets? 

Dogs and cats don't come preprogrammed to understand children.  We must teach them to have good manners around our little ones.  Furthermore, someday you will teach your toddler how to respect your pets.

Before your baby arrives take some time and implement a few rules for your pets.  Teach your dog how to sit, lay down, walk by your side, and a command that instructs them to leave an item alone.  Positive reenforcement with small treats work great with our canine friends.  

It is a great idea to sign up for a few obedience classes.  This way you can ask your instructor questions if your pup isn't picking up on your requests. 

Another device that will help your pets get ready for a little baby is a crying CD.  Barn's and Noble sell a CD called "Preparing Fido" which is full of baby noises.  If your pets aren't used to baby noises they can become very frightened and stressed.  It's best to start the CD training a few months before baby is due.  Play the CD softly at first and over several weeks continue elevating the volume until it sounds like a baby is wailing.  You'll know that your pets are comfortable with these sounds when they continue with their normal activities.

If you have cat in your life, you will want to set up boundaries if the baby's room will be off limits for your felines.  A screen door installed in addition to your regular door will keep felines out, but still allow you to hear what is going on.
 If cats are allowed in the room, but not on certain furnitures try plastic carpet liner flipped upside down (so the protrusions are sticking up.) This material is not comfortable and will often deter our felines from snuggling up in places they shouldn't. 
  
When you first bring your baby home, there is going to be so much excitement and emotion.  Take it slowly when introducing your new baby to your pets.  Start by having them gently smell your little baby while he or she is in your arms. 

Always remember no matter how well behaved your dog or cat may be, you should always supervise your children and your pets when they are together.  It takes just one moment for something terrible to happen. 

As your baby grows they will need to learn to respect the pets in the house.  Some dogs and cats don't like to be sat on, pulled on, screamed at, or chased.  Teaching your little one the right way to interact with animals will help prevent accidents or bites from your animals and other people's animals.

Just one more thing to keep in mind as your whole life is about to change.  Continue to make time for your pets.  Remember that they need you too.  Brushing, playing with a toy, or going for a walk is important for their well being and that loving bond you have with them.

By teaching your pets good baby manners you will be creating a good, safe environment for your family. 

Dr. Hunter & Family Travel to Canada

Myself, my husband Mic, and dog Ansel spent a fun weekend on the Gunflint Trail.  We stayed at the Gunflint Pines Resort on Gunflint Lake which welcomes canine companions, making the trip that much more fun.

Wildlife sightings included a wolf, bald eagle, and deer everywhere.  Ansel felt it his duty to wake the deer in the morning who slept behind our cabin.

 We cross-country skied across the lake the first night, made more exiting knowing that halfway across, we were in Canada; technically an international trip! We ate delicious meals at the Gunflint Lodge down the road and at the Trail Center Restaurant, and to finish up the night, we warmed up in the sauna.

We had a great dog sled ride the next morning then rented a snowmobile in the afternoon, touring around the lake and trails, hiking to see a lovely frozen waterfall. Ansel was content to snooze then so he was ready for a wonderful nighttime walk on the lake to see more stars than we’ve ever seen.

We didn’t have time for all the activities offered there; snowshoeing and horse drawn sleigh rides in the winter, canoing, horseback riding, fishing, and biking in the summer.

On the drive there and back we stopped to eat and cruise the galleries and shops in Duluth and Grand Marais, both lovely places.

We are always happy and grateful to be able to include Ansel in our vacation plans; he travels well and is comfortable in his kennel at those times when he can’t be with us.

There is so much to do at the Gunflint Pines Resort any time of year, we think your whole family would enjoy it. You can check it out on their website www.gunflintpines.com. 

On Saturday, May 6th, a team of Carver Lake employees, clients, family members, and friends joined together to support the  Humane Society for Companion Animals (HSCA).

It was beautiful day for the event.  The sun was shining the whole time!  All of the dogs on our team even wore matching Carver Lake coats and bandannas made by Veterinary Assistant Teresa!

At the event animal lovers can enjoy a number of pet related booths and vendors, sample a selection of free people and pet food, and play various games with your pet.

One of our favorite activities was the tennis ball pool.  For a small $1.00 donation to the HSCA, your dog gets to nose around in a swimming pool for a tennis ball...kind of like bobbing for apples.  The number on the tennis ball they choose determines the prize they win!

Carver Lake's very own Dr. Kate An Hunter was at the "Ask a Vet" booth where for a small donation to the HSCA, people could ask any pet related questions they wanted.  Dr. Hunter enjoyed getting to know so many of our community's pet lovers.

The walk itself started at 9:30 and took us around the beautiful Colby Lake Park.  Half way around the lake all the dogs enjoyed a dip in the lake to cool their feet.  It was quite a site to see all of these dogs all swimming together!

The turnout this year for the event was tremendous!  Hundreds of people and their dogs showed up for the event, and raised over $41,000 to help the homeless animals at the shelter.

Carver Lake entered the "Vet Team Challenge."   Our team of 14 people raised over $1,400!  We were so proud of ourselves and want to thank all of you who joined us at the event and those of your who donated money and raised pledges.

The turnout at this event really says a lot about the community that we live in.  Woodbury, and its neighbors can really make a difference in the lives of our homeless animals.  Carver Lake Veterinary Center is very proud to be a member of this great community.

Things to Know Before Buying a New Dog

To many, springtime seems like a great time to add a dog to the family.  Before you go off to find the perfect dog, take some time to do your research.  You should understand several things before buying a dog. 

First, know that a dog is an added time commitment and financial responsibility.  Do you have time to potty train a puppy?  A puppy needs to go outside every couples of hours for the first few months!  Will you have the time and money to take the dog to obedience classes?  These classes are very important to having a well-socialized dog, especially if you plan to take your dog to public places.  Do you have the money set aside to pay for routine and emergency veterinary care? Pets are not cheap and in the event of an emergency can cost over $1000.

Second, please consider who will be the primary caregiver of your new dog.  While your kids may initially be excited to help take care of it, the primary responsibility needs to be on the adults in the household.

Last, consider your home.  Do you have a yard that can be fenced?  All dogs need some sort of containment to keep them safe, and chaining them up is not recommended.  Think about the inside of your home.  Are you ready for the mess of fur, slobber, and possible accidents in your home?  Do you have space for a kennel in the house?  Dogs are not meant to live outdoors, and if the idea of having one in your house makes you cringe then maybe a dog is not right for you.

Resources can be found on the Internet, at the library, or through your local veterinarian or dog obedience school.  Two Internet sites that have a "breed selector" features are www.purina.com and www.petfinder.com.  They ask you a series of questions about your lifestyle and what you want in a dog, and then return a list of appropriate breeds. 

Once you decide on a breed, consider attending a local dog show or training center to observe the breed.  Research any special problems, including the breed's temperament, especially if you have children.

You can obtain the names of responsible breeders at dog show, or online at the National Breed Club sites.  There are also a variety of mixed breed dogs that need homes.  Shelters, rescue groups, and www.petfinder.com always have dogs in need of homes.

Please avoid pet stores and breeders that mix breeds and then state that it is the "newest breed."  A reputable breeder will want to get to know you to assure their puppy is going to a good home.  They will also inform you about medical issues you may see in the breed and will be honest if they feel that their puppies are not right for you.

Be careful when inquiring on newspaper advertisements.  Although many reputable breeders do advertise there, many non-reputable ones do too.

Buy a puppy from someone who allows you to see where it was raised and to see its parents.  It is not unusual if the puppy's father is not on the premises, but you should be able to see the mother in person and pictures of the father.

A responsible breeder will not sell pups less than 8 weeks old.  Puppies learn a lot from their mother and siblings during those first weeks.  Those who leave too early are likely to have socialization and aggression issues.

You should also find a veterinarian before bringing your dog home.  Reputable breeders usually will give the pup its first set of shots and a deworming medication, but it is very important to schedule a vet appointment within a few days of getting a new dog to ensure it is healthy.

We suggest contacting your veterinarian for additional suggestions and information on adding a dog to your family.  With the proper preparation, dog ownership can be fun and rewarding.