• Radar's Recon

    Not There! Outside!

    Is your dog still having accidents in the house? Don’t get frustrated. All you need to do is rethink your strategy.  Firstly, think about how much freedom your dog has, where and when are they having accidents? Are they out of your sight when it happens? Then don’t let them out of sight. Until your dog knows where and when to go to the bathroom they should be on a leash in sight, or in a crate. Freedom is earned.  The best way to train your dog is to create success. Make sure young puppies are going out every 45 minutes to an hour so they are going to the…

  • Radar's Recon

    I’ll Be Back Soon! – Separation Anxiety

    Separation anxiety is like any fear; in order to get over it we must face it. Staying home and inside if the dog that doesn’t want you to leave is only going to add to the problem, you must start leaving them alone more often. Crates and Kong’s are the best two things to help you combat separation anxiety.  Getting your dog used to a crate while your home will help keep them safe when you leave. crates don’t just prevent destruction, they can keep your dog from getting into all the dangerous chemicals under the sink, chewing on electrical cords, etc. Using a crate while home will slowly build…

  • Radar's Recon

    Farm To Table To Dog Bowl

    Every species breaks down compounds of foods differently; what is good for one is not always good for another. Dogs can eat many of the things we can but there are some foods that are good for us and deadly to them Here are some examples of foods that your dog can and cannot have. Please note, some dogs may be more sensitive to certain foods while others have a stomach of steel. Healthy Carrots; good source of beta carotene, fiber, vitamin K1, potassium, and antioxidants dogs love them cooked or raw Peanut Butter; excellent source of protein, heart-healthy fats, vitamin B, niacin and vitamin E, but only if you’re…

  • Radar's Recon

    Bringing Home A Dog For The First Time

    Taking care of a dog isn’t as easy as it seems. Bringing home a brand new pup or a older dog that needed a new home, you are going to have a lot of teaching to do and could end up very quickly feeling over whelmed. To help you be prepared here is a quick list of things that you help you manage your new dog and some quick tips on safe games and discipline methods. Things you’ll need Crate: Never underestimate having a crate. There may come a time when you need it to transport them, don’t assume you’ll always be home. It’s best to begin crate training on…

  • Radar's Recon

    Always A Gift, Never A Present

    If you’re thinking of adding a new furry friend to the family, make sure you’re compatible before picking them up!  We can compare getting a dog to buying a book. When we walk into a bookstore, we usually head straight for the genre that best suits us; we always know if we’re looking for reference books, fiction, young adult, horror. But first, we pick the bookstore. Sometimes we need to go to the big flashy brand name store, but there’s also the independently owned bookstore, and our online options. Next we choose the book and as any good reader knows, you never choose a book by its cover! We’ll spend…

  • Radar's Recon

    Cover Up – Picking Pet Insurance

    Navigating the world of pet insurance can be complicated and confusing, it will all be worth it in the end. Pet insurance will help cover unexpected, emergency veterinarian bills. When you’re looking to buy your pet insurance, start by asking yourself the following questions: Am I looking for a pet discount plan or a comprehensive insurance plan?  The difference between these two is, a discount plan involves paying an annual fee from getting discounted veterinarian and related pet services; a pet health insurance plan would look much more similar to human health insurance plans.  Will I get to choose my veterinarian? Some plans come with pre-approved doctors; if you want…

  • Radar's Recon

    Getting Ready For The Cold

    Even though it doesn’t seem like it recently, we get cold winters that many dogs are unable to cope with. We can prepare ourselves for those bitter cold days by making sure our dog is comfortable and safe. If your dog doesn’t have a coat of their own, make sure you buy them one. Short haired dogs and dogs without undercoats don’t do very well, for very long in our winters.  Before you take them for a walk, look to see how much salt has been put down on the sidewalks and how recently. Their feet are unprotected and will succumb to chemical burns from the de-icer. Ensure you are…

  • Radar's Recon

    Know The Law

    It’s important to both know and understand the legal obligations that come with owning an animal, especially dogs. Legalities regarding ownership may vary from province to province, or even region to region. Some cities have their own bylaws set in place regarding the number of animals that may be permitted in a home and will also include specifics on leash laws, what would be considered “running at large” (loose), or even if you need to have your dog licensed by the city. Additionally, in Ontario, we have what is known as the Dog Owner’s Liability Act aka DOLA. This lays out the basic foundation for ownership laws throughout the province…

  • Uncategorized

    Car Sickness

    Car sickness isn’t fun, especially when it comes to dogs. When we say carsick, often, what comes to mind immediately is nausea or vomiting. However, it doesn’t always just manifest that way.  Your dog might be experiencing car sickness if you notice things like, excessive drooling, panting, pacing, whining or barking in the car. There could be a few reasons for this so it may help to consider the following. Have they ever been in a car before? If they have, but don’t get in the car often, are they going somewhere scary, like the vet? The best way to deal with any fear, is to slowly get them used…

  • Radar's Recon

    5 Bad Behaviours And Why

    Jumping  Jumping is how dogs will greet each other and this is something they’ll do when they’re excited to see you. Sitting prevents jumping. If you don’t like your dog jumping on you, tell them to sit before they have the opportunity to get their feet off the ground. Remember though, jumping can also be a taught behaviour. Rewarding them with praise and love when you get home, will only make them jump up more. Digging Dogs dig out of boredom, to hide resources, or to find them. To keep your dog from digging up your flower bed, provide them with their own digging sandbox or a designated spot. Keeping…