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There’s nothing cuter than getting a kiss from your dog–unless your puppy’s breath smells like a trash can!

Everyone experiences bad breath occasionally, including dogs, but chronic halitosis might be a sign of a much-needed visit to your local Durham, NC groomers, behavior that needs to be changed, or even a more serious condition.

Top Dog Training and Resort has the answers! We are your number one source for dog training, dog boarding, and dog grooming in Chapel Hill, Mebane, and Durham.

Let’s discuss some of the causes of bad breath in dogs and explore treatment and prevention options, from specialized dental chew toys to dog grooming in Mebane, NC.

Causes of Bad Breath in Dogs

There are a variety of reasons that your dog may be experiencing halitosis, from snacking on something unsavory in the yard to underlying conditions.

Common causes of bad breath in dogs include:

 Unsupervised Snacking

While you may have a careful plan for your dog’s meals, sometimes your pooch goes rogue. Your dog may have gotten into some garbage or rabbit droppings in the backyard, resulting in nasty breath.

 Poor Oral Hygiene

Dogs should have their teeth brushed regularly, just like humans. If you don’t have a regular dental care plan for your dog, bacteria and food can build up and begin to stink.

Bad breath can also indicate other oral health problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease, oral infections, or even oral tumors.

If you’re worried about brushing your dog’s teeth yourself, reach out to dog groomers in Durham, NC to see if they offer any teeth brushing services.

 Diabetes

While it may not be concerned with “bad breath,” strangely fruity-smelling breath can be a symptom of diabetes, especially when combined with a sudden increase in drinking or urination.

 Kidney Disease

When your dog’s kidneys aren’t functioning properly, they can’t filter or process waste materials in the correct manner. Waste could build up in your dog’s body, resulting in the breath that smells like urine or feces.

Liver Disease

If your dog has severe bad breath combined with vomiting, diarrhea, and/or yellow gums, they may be experiencing liver disease.

How To Get Rid of and Prevent Bad Breath

Bad breath is always a symptom of something else, and how you get rid of your dog’s bad breath depends on the underlying cause.

For temporary bad breath caused by unsupervised snacking, simply keep an eye on your dog whenever they are outside and make sure that they can’t access trash, litter boxes, or another animal’s cage inside the home. The problem will eventually go away.

When oral hygiene issues are at the root of your dog’s halitosis, begin brushing their teeth more regularly, and if nothing improves, see your vet. They may prescribe a specialized diet, medication, or therapy to improve your dog’s oral health.

If you suspect diabetes, kidney disease, or liver disease, schedule a visit to your veterinarian immediately. These conditions can be serious and need intervention as soon as possible.

The best way to prevent bad breath is to keep up with oral hygiene and grooming on a regular basis while feeding your dog a balanced diet.

Start a brushing routine as early as possible with your puppy (using only dog-friendly toothpaste!) and reach out to your local dog groomers in Durham, NC to see if they offer teeth cleaning.

You may even consider a professional veterinary dentist, and if your dog is not behaving properly when you try to clean their teeth, training might be in order.

There are also a variety of products that promote good oral hygiene in dogs, including chew toys, treats, food, and water additives.

Dog Grooming in Chapel Hill, NC with Top Dog

At Top Dog, your precious pet is our priority. We provide the best dog training, dog boarding, and dog grooming in Chapel Hill, Durham, and Mebane, NC so that your dog can feel happy and healthy!

Our professional Durham, NC dog groomers offer a wide variety of services, including our signature full-service oatmeal bath, fur trimming, nail trimming, ear cleaning, and even an optional dash of puppy-friendly cologne!

To pamper your pooch and experience the best dog grooming in Mebane, NC, contact us today!

Dog’s noses aren’t just cute; they can be an indicator of overall health. A healthy dog generally has a cold, wet nose when they’re awake, but what happens if they develop small cuts on their nose?

This condition, known as “kennel nose,” is the result of your dog rubbing its nose repeatedly into something until the skin becomes irritated. The skin may also form abrasions that, if agitated enough, can bleed.

Fortunately, kennel nose is easy to recognize, treat, and prevent, and Top Dog is here to help.

Top Dog offers comfortable dog boarding near you, with dog boarding near Mebane, NC, Chapel Hill, NC, Hillsborough, NC, and Durham, NC. When dogs board with us, they can also take advantage of our amazing dog training and dog grooming.

What Causes Kennel Nose?

Kennel nose is driven by anxiety. Similar to kennel cough, this condition’s name is a misnomer. Kennel nose is as likely to occur at home as it is at a dog boarding resort.

Usually, a dog develops kennel nose from burying items in their bedding (showing a need to protect their resources), attempting to “dig” themselves out of a stressful situation, or rubbing their nose against surfaces to clean it.

What causes these anxiety responses? There are a few factors:

• New environments, such as a move to a new house or a stay at a new dog daycare and boarding facility
• Diet changes
• Spending too much time in a crate
• Separation anxiety
• A dirty face
• Pain
• Itching

Keep an eye on your pup, especially if they are about to undergo a period of stress or change. If you notice them digging, burying, or scratching their nose against anything, try to calm them down before they develop kennel nose.

How Do You Treat Kennel Nose?

If your dog develops kennel nose, there are some simple, straightforward ways to treat it.

Your number one goal will be to avoid further irritation to the skin on your dog’s nose can heal.

Common treatments for kennel nose include:

• An e-collar to prevent further scratching or burying
• Gently clean the nose with soap and a warm washcloth to prevent infection and irritation (about 2-3 times a day)
• Applying a pet-safe antibacterial ointment or balm to the nose
• Using calming techniques to reduce your dog’s stress and anxiety
• Distracting your dog with an activity to discourage scratching and burying

Kennel nose healing times vary depending on the extent of the initial skin irritation and abrasions. However, you should see slow but steady signs of healing with treatment.

When your dog is fully healed, its nose should be back to its normal, healthy black color. However, if the kennel nose abrasions were particularly deep, your dog may experience some permanent discoloration (but no change in nose function).

If your dog’s kennel nose doesn’t improve, your veterinarian may prescribe oral or topical antibiotics.

Prevent Kennel Nose with Top Dog Daycare and Boarding

Kennel nose has its roots in anxiety behaviors. Training and boarding with Top Dog will give you and your furry friend the tools necessary to address these underlying triggers.

Our dog boarding resort pairs comfortable, sanitized bedding with soothing music to keep your dog relaxed, even if they suffer from separation anxiety. We have expert caretakers on staff who will help your dog feel safe.

Our boarders also get to experience our day school, where they can receive training and learn to stop anxiety-driven behaviors.

The more a dog gets exposed to new situations, dogs, and people through dog parks, dog daycare, and dog boarding near you, the easier it will be to avoid kennel nose.

Contact us today for the best dog training, dog grooming, and dog boarding near Mebane, NC!

Does your dog suddenly seem like they have a bad cold? While dogs do experience colds and allergies, if they are troubled by a particularly loud cough, they could have kennel cough.

Kennel cough, or canine infectious tracheobronchitis, is a highly contagious respiratory infection. Although this condition is colloquially known as “kennel cough,” it doesn’t just come from kennels. It can be contracted whenever groups of dogs interact.

Kennel cough is typically spread through direct contact with contaminated dogs or surfaces, as well as airborne droplets.

Fortunately, this condition is highly treatable and easy to prevent! Top Dog’s expert staff is here to walk you through the symptoms, treatment, and prevention of kennel cough.

If you’ve been searching for “dog boarding near me,” search no further than Top Dog! We are your number one source for dog training, dog grooming, and dog boarding near Mebane, NC, Chapel Hill, NC, Hillsborough, NC, and Durham, NC.

Dogs are our whole world, and we’ve gathered the expertise to make sure your pup has an amazing dog daycare, boarding, and training experience.

What Are the Symptoms of Kennel Cough?

If you think your dog may have kennel cough, you should first ask yourself whether they have been interacting with other canines recently. Did they go to the dog park or a dog boarding resort?

The signature symptom of kennel cough is a strong, loud cough that almost sounds like a honk. However, a dog with kennel cough may also exhibit:

• Sneezing
• A runny nose
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Lack of interest in play

If your dog is exhibiting kennel cough symptoms, it is important to visit the veterinarian.

While kennel cough is generally a mild disease, it has similar symptoms to other more serious conditions like the canine distemper virus and canine influenza. Your vet will be able to accurately diagnose your dog and recommend a specific treatment procedure.

How Do You Treat Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough has a simple treatment process. Normally, a dog will recover on its own with 1-3 weeks of rest, just like a healthy human recovering from a cold or flu.

It’s important to create a beneficial environment for your dog’s recovery. A well-humified room will help ease coughing, and walking your dog with a harness instead of a collar will minimize throat irritation.

If you have other dogs, you will want to keep them separate from the infected dog, as kennel cough is very contagious. Consider placing them in another part of the house or a dog boarding resort.

Kennel cough will often heal without any medication, but your vet may recommend something to speed up or ease the recovery process, such as cough medicine, antibiotics, or even a nebulizer.

If your dog does not improve, schedule a follow-up vet visit. Just like a lingering human cold, kennel cough can develop into pneumonia.

How Can You Prevent Kennel Cough?

The number one way to prevent kennel cough is the kennel cough vaccine. Kennel cough is usually caused by the bordetella bacterium, and a vaccine that targets bordetella is highly effective at preventing kennel cough.

In fact, many dog daycare and boarding facilities require kennel cough vaccines to prevent an outbreak.

The bordetella vaccine can be administered either as an injection, oral dose, or intranasal mist. The initial course of treatment is two doses, given two to four weeks apart, followed by a booster dose every six months to a year.

Although the bordetella bacterium is responsible for the majority of kennel cough cases, there are other bacteria and viruses that can cause kennel cough. Therefore, it’s important to take a few precautions:

• Avoid crowded and poorly ventilated areas
• Reduce your dog’s stress levels
• Avoid cold temperatures
• Limit exposure to dust and smoke

Dog Boarding in Mebane, NC with Top Dog

To avoid kennel cough, you also want to make sure you find the best dog boarding near you.

Top Dog offers a highly-skilled staff that can handle special diets and administers medication, and our dog boarding facilities prioritize your dog’s comfort and safety.

All of our cozy elevated pet cots have sanitized bedding, and we create a soothing environment with music.

Dog boarders are also able to take advantage of our day school during the week and get supervised play over the weekend.

Give your precious pup a safe, comfortable dog boarding resort. Contact us today!

Summer is here, and you and your dog are ready for some fun in the sun! However, it’s important that you and your pet enjoy the summer weather safely.

At Top Dog Training and Resort, we recommend incorporating a few simple things into your routine or vacation plan to keep your pet happy and healthy all summer long.

We are a Chapel Hill pet resort and dog trainer near you. Our certified trainers know all the ins and outs of dog care, and we’re here to share our top summer dog care tips!

Everyday Summer Dog Care

There are a few basics for summer dog care that you will need to work into your routine.

When taking your dog outdoors in the summer, remember:

• Give them plenty of water.
• Make sure your dog has a shady spot outside. Dog houses trap heat and are not safe shelters during the summer.
• Fill a kiddie pool with water and allow your dog to wade in it to cool off.
• Never leave your dog alone in a closed vehicle. The temperature in the car will rise much more quickly than outdoors.
• Do not walk your dog on hot asphalt. If it hurts your hand, it will burn your pet’s paws. Time walks for the early morning or evening when temperatures will be naturally lower.

If it is too hot, keep your dog inside with air conditioning.

Summer Vacation Tips for Dogs

If you’re planning on a summer vacation with your dog, you are going to need to take a few safety precautions.

Travel Tips

• Bring fresh water and stop frequently for water breaks.
• Bring towel-wrapped ice packs for your dog. If they are traveling by crate, place the ice packs directly in the crate.
• Consider adding a sunshade to car windows.
• If you are flying, investigate the airline’s specific travel rules.
• If you are shipping a dog, be sure to give them ice packs and water.
• Identify the nearest veterinarian in your chosen destination.

Beach Tips

• Make sure that pets are allowed on your chosen beach.
• Apply sunscreen. Dogs can get sunburned, too!
• Make sure that you have a shady spot where your dog can rest, such as an umbrella, beach tent, or outdoor beach pen.
• Give your dog plenty of freshwater.
• Keep an eye on your dog. You don’t want them getting stung by a jellyfish, drinking seawater, or getting overtired from running in the sand.
• Give your dog a rinse at the end of the day. Salt, sand, and minerals can harm their coat.

Remember, not all vacation destinations are dog-friendly! If they’re not, consider the best source for dog boarding near you: Top Dog’s dog boarding.

At our Chapel Hill pet resort, we offer safe, comfortable dog boarding with skilled caregivers and access to our day school.

What To Do If Your Dog Gets Overheated or Dehydrated

The biggest dangers your dog faces in the summer are dehydration and heatstroke. It’s important to keep an eye open for symptoms and behavioral changes.

Symptoms of dehydration include:

• Panting
• Dry nose and gums
• Lethargy
• Sunken eyes

 Heatstroke tends to have two phases. In the early phase, dogs will experience:

• Panting
• Rapid breathing
• Drooling
• Bright red gums and tongue
• Difficulty balancing

In the later stages of heatstroke, your dog may exhibit:

• White or blue gums
• Lethargy
• Noisy, difficult breathing
• Shock
• Uncontrollable urination or defecation

If your dog is in late-stage heatstroke, take them to a vet immediately.

It is important to act fast! If your dog is exhibiting any of the above symptoms:

• Move your dog to the shade.
• Give your dog fresh water.
• Water may not be enough, especially in cases of dehydration. You will need to replenish their electrolytes as well, using electrolyte-enhanced water or pet-safe electrolyte solutions.
• Cool your dog down by spritzing them with cool or lukewarm (not cold!) water.
• Fan your dog.

Check your dog’s temperature, and once it is between 100 and 102 degrees, you can stop the cooling process. If you are unsuccessful in getting your dog’s temperature to a healthy level, seek veterinary help.

Dog Care with Top Dog

Top Dog is here to guarantee the best care for your dog. We are Chapel Hill’s premier dog training, dog grooming, and dog boarding center.

We do everything we can to keep your dog happy and healthy, and we work with your unique needs and schedule. We even offer a shuttle service for stress-free pick-up and drop-off.

Contact us now to discover dog training with a lifetime guarantee, top-notch dog boarding, and superior grooming!

Your dog is your best friend, and you know them inside and out.

That is–until their behavior changes. It can be disconcerting, or even scary when your dog starts acting out.

Suddenly, your furry friend may seem uncharacteristically aggressive, snapping or barking without provocation. Or they might become strangely listless, uninterested in their favorite toys, or refuse to eat.

Why has your dog’s behavior changed, and what can you do to help?

If you are looking for dog training in Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, or Durham, Top Dog Training and Resort is the premier dog trainer near you AND dog boarding near you. Our Chapel Hill pet resort is your one-stop-shop for dog behavior, grooming, and care.

Our certified trainers are experts on dog behavior, and we want to offer our perspective on behavioral changes and what you can do to help your dog.

Your Dog May Be Frightened by Change

Have you ever been stressed or scared because of a new job or a new city? Your dog can feel the same way.

Just like humans, dogs need to feel safe and secure. They get used to patterns, and when they are suddenly in a new space or facing new rules, they can get confused or lash out.

Adding a new household member, whether it’s a baby or another pet, can also throw a dog off its rhythm.

Not to mention, all of your stress around a new home, family member, or job can affect your dog. You may lapse in enforcing the rules that you have set in place, or your dog may simply be able to pick up on your stress.

It’s important to smooth over transitional periods by keeping routines as consistent as possible.

This point is especially true if your dog doesn’t have a routine or set of rules established yet. They can’t unlearn to jump on your bed if you let them sleep with you from time to time!

If you have altered your dog’s routine, diet, or environment recently, anxiety over the change might be the root cause of your dog’s strange behavior.

Your Dog May Be in Pain

If your dog hasn’t experienced any major changes recently, their altered behavior could be due to pain. In fact, if your dog’s behavior changes have been particularly sudden, pain is most likely the reason.

Just like humans, dogs can develop mildly irritating but not immediately obvious conditions such as eczema, toothaches, and joint and muscle pains.

A dog in pain is likely to exhibit sudden aggression: growling, snarling, or snapping, especially when you get near the injured area.

For elderly dogs, sometimes sudden aggression comes from the loss of hearing or eyesight, as they now have one less sense and are afraid. They may even experience dementia or insomnia.

Abrupt appetite changes are also key markers that something might be wrong with your dog’s health. Maybe your dog keeps begging for treats even after eating its regular meal, or maybe your dog has no interest in eating at all.

Appetite changes can reflect a variety of issues, from allergies to health conditions or just poor training.

Other behavioral changes associated with pain include:

• Becoming irritated at night
• Reluctance to walk, run, jump, or climb stairs
• Restlessness or difficulty finding a comfortable position
• Unwillingness to play
• Avoidance of other dogs or humans
• Panting without heat
• Hiding parts of the body
• Licking or itching
• Limping

If you suspect your dog is lashing out due to pain or a health issue, contact your veterinarian.

How You Can Help Your Dog

The first step is to visit your veterinarian. Your vet can determine whether your dog’s strange behavior is due to pain.

If your vet clears your dog of medical issues, it is time to get on Google and search “dog trainer near me.”

A certified dog trainer doesn’t just help your dog work through behavioral changes caused by environmental factors; they can also give you the tools to set strong routines and alleviate your pet’s transition-related anxiety.

That’s where Top Dog can help! At our Chapel Hill pet resort, our certified and knowledgeable staff provides a variety of training options to meet your pet’s needs.

We offer group and private dog training, as well as dog boarding, a dog day school, and grooming. To accommodate your busy schedule, we also offer a shuttle service.

Dogs are our passion, and we are so confident in our dog training in Chapel Hill that we give it a lifetime guarantee!

Contact us now for the best dog grooming, dog training, and dog boarding near you.

After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hillsborough Police Department will host its sixth annual Easter egg hunt and costume contest for dogs Saturday, April 16.

• Enter to win 10 FREE days of school
• Search An Rescue Demos
• Police Dog Demo
• Costume Contest
• Dog Treats in Egg Hunt
• Sample agility Equipment
• Foster Dogs up for Adoption and more!

Join us and the Hillsborough K-9 officers Jet and Vader this Saturday, April 16th at 10 a.m. at Gold Park, 415 Dimmocks Mill Road. Easter eggs with treats will be hidden throughout the park, with a separate search area available for older and small dogs.

All animals must be non-aggressive, current on vaccines, and leashed at all times. Participants will be required to sign a waiver and release form.

Interested in making a forever home for a dog? Independent Animal Rescue also will be on-site with dogs available for adoption. The nonprofit works in the Triangle region to provide homes for hundreds of unwanted cats and dogs each year. It is run primarily by individuals who volunteer their time. See the rescue’s website, animalrescue.net, to read more about the organization and its adoption process and to complete an application form in advance.

Ah, spring! The flowers are blooming, the breezes are getting warmer, the world is waking back up–and so is pollen!

Spring brings seasonal allergies for many humans, but did you know that dogs can get seasonal allergies, too?

Top Dog is the go-to dog trainer near you and Chapel Hill’s best pet resort. Here, dogs come first. We care about your dog’s health and happiness more than anything else.

That’s why we want to share some information about dog allergies with you: what they are, what might cause them, and what you can do to help your pup feel better.

What Is An Allergy?

Let’s start with the basics. An allergy occurs when the immune system overreacts to the presence of a particular stimulant, called an allergen. The inflammation response goes into high gear, causing symptoms like swelling, rashes, and congestion.

When your immune system encounters an allergen, the allergen’s protein molecules interact with antibodies in your blood and attach to a mast cell, which releases histamines to create inflammation.

The immune system is trying to protect you, but when it comes to allergies, it responds with such unnecessary strength that it can be uncomfortable or, in extreme cases, dangerous.

Common Types of Dog Allergies

Just like humans, there are certain types of common dog allergies, including:

• Skin allergies
• Environmental allergies
• Food allergies

Skin allergies can be caused by fleas or environmental factors. They are often marked by itchy, red skin, called atopic dermatitis or eczema. Eczema can cause your dog to itch and bite its skin and lead to secondary infections.

Food allergies are usually marked by gastrointestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or bloating, but can also cause hives or swelling. Food sensitivities can also lead to itchy skin, normally behind the ears or on the paws.

Environmental allergies are the most common allergies in dogs. They are caused by factors such as dust, pollen, and grass and are often seasonal.

Environmental allergies can manifest as many things, including atopic dermatitis, watery eyes, congestion, and, in rare cases, chronic ear infections.

Most of these reactions are mild. However, it is important to note that, just like humans, dogs can go into anaphylactic shock.

Monitor your dog closely if they start a new medication or diet or enter a new climate, and if you suspect a serious allergic reaction, take them to an emergency veterinary hospital immediately.

How to Diagnose and Treat Dog Allergies

Because allergies have symptoms that overlap with other types of allergies and conditions if you suspect that your dog has allergies, a trip to the vet is your first step.

A vet will rule out other conditions and recommend allergy testing, through either a skin test or blood test. However, allergy tests are not always conclusive, and the entire allergy diagnosis process can get complicated.

If you suspect that your dog is being affected by a specific factor in their environment or diet, try to remove that factor. You could switch your pet’s food or deep clean the house to remove dust.

Working in conjunction with your vet, you may try a few different treatment options:

• Allergen avoidance
• Change in diet
• Allergy relief prescriptions, such as antihistamines and decongestants
• Allergy shots
• Regular bathing and grooming

 You may also consider finding a dog trainer near you to help pets understand when to stop allergy-causing behaviors and prevent complications due to itching.

Chapel Hill Dog Training with Top Dog

Whatever your dog needs, we are here for you! Top Dog’s expert, certified trainers make us your top destination for dog training in Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Durham.

We also offer dog grooming, dog boarding near you, and shuttle service so that you can make sure your dog makes it to Top Dog and back without any hassle!

Dogs mean everything to us, and we do everything we can to make sure that they are healthy. We are so passionate about dogs that we offer a lifetime guarantee for our training!

Contact us today to

What You Should Expect When You Adopt a Rescue Dog

Adopting a rescue dog is one of the best decisions you can make! Not only do you get to provide a home to an animal in need, but you also get a friend who loves you unconditionally!

If you’ve only ever bought a dog directly from a breeder or pet store, however, there are a few things you should know.

Top Dog Training and Resort is here to help! Dogs are our life. We are a Hillsborough, Durham, and Chapel Hill dog training and pet resort, and we also offer dog boarding, dog grooming, and our signature door-to-door dog pickup and dropoff service!

Here’s some advice from our certified dog trainers to help you build a strong bond with your rescue dog!

It May Take A While For Your Dog to Adjust

Every rescue dog has a unique backstory. Some may have had a loving home with an elderly caretaker who passed away, whereas others may have come from abusive environments.

Depending on their background, your rescue dog may demonstrate anxiety, distrust of other animals or people, or bad habits when you first get them.

I remember the heartbreak I felt when my rescue dog, Bailey, bolted out the door and down the street the second we brought her home.

She was scared of the new environment, but a week later, she was snuggling in my lap–already the little princess!

Don’t get discouraged if it takes your rescue dog weeks or even months to adjust to their new life.

Just have patience with your rescue dog and do your best to provide an open, comfortable environment where they can explore their new home and their relationship with you.

If you need any advice on helping your rescue dog adjust, look no further than Top Dog’s knowledgeable staff. At Top Dog, we foster a caring, fun environment that helps dogs learn.

Your Dog May Need Some Training

Many rescue dogs do not come from backgrounds that build healthy habits. They may not be familiar with walking, listening to commands, or using the bathroom outside.

So, you may be asking yourself, “Where are the dog trainers near me?”

If you live near Chapel Hill, dog training at Top Dog is the answer!

Our certified trainers are dedicated to teaching dogs in the way that makes sense for the individual. We understand that no two dogs are alike, so every dog needs a unique approach!

We offer three different “classrooms” for the dogs in our care: the training room, where they learn basic skills and manners; outside, where they learn to socialize; and field trips to pet-friendly establishments, where they learn how to behave in public.

In addition to our main training regimen, we also offer private lessons and a boarding school program to better suit both your needs and your dog’s!

You Will Fall in Love

All pets are unique and lovable, but there is truly something special about the bond between a rescue dog and their family.

While rescue dogs need some extra patience as they adjust to their new home and learn better manners, the unconditional love they provide is more than worth it!

Top Dog is there for you and your rescue dog every step of the way. We’ll work with you and your dog to establish healthy habits from the get-go.

Even years later, if you are headed out vacation and finding yourself searching for “dog boarding near me,” we are your top choice!

Top Dog’s boarding program is an environment where your dogs can relax while you are away. We provide clean, comfortable beds and calming music, as well as access to our expert trainers and Day School.

To pamper your pooch with the best Chapel Hill pet resort while also making sure that they are on their best behavior, contact us today!

Pets are an essential part of every household. Guaranteeing their safety during disastrous situations is the owner’s responsibility. To help you do that, we are listing 4 steps to follow when creating an emergency plan for pets.

An Emergency Survival Kit

In a disastrous situation like hurricanes, floods, or tornadoes, an emergency kit should be your priority. It should contain:

• At least three days’ worth of food and water.
• Compiled medical records and essential medicines.
• Basic first aid essentials like bandages, disinfectants, gloves, scissors, ointments, saline solution, flea, tick prevention medications, etc.
• We suggest you opt for microchipping your pet to keep track of their whereabouts. Otherwise, you can always put an ID label or tracking collar.
• Keep items for sanitation, including a litter box, newspapers, trash bags, paper towels, etc.
• A picture of your pet and you in case you two get separated.
• Some of your pet’s favorite toys to help reduce stress during disasters.

Draft a Getaway Plan

You must do your research before you abandon your house during emergencies. Conduct your research and identify safe zones to head for if need be. Identify friends or family members who may be willing to take care of your pet or look for boarding facilities or hotels that can help you out.

Buddy Rescue System

Disasters often come unannounced and unexpectedly. Make sure you talk to neighbors or friends who can evacuate your pet in case you are unavailable.

Contact your Vet

Discuss your pet’s conditions with your vet before drafting the plan. Ask them or any specific medications that you need to carry during emergencies. They will also provide you with contact details of emergency treatment centers for your pets. Make sure you keep that list safe and readily available during an emergency.

Hearing loss in dogs can be hereditary, due to trauma, the result of congenital disability, or an infection. It is especially common for dogs to lose their hearing as they age, similar to humans.

Some breeds of dogs have what is called ‘congenital deafness.’ This refers to a loss of hearing triggered by certain genes. This sort of loss of hearing tends to be permanent and cannot be treated.

Here are the main signs that your dog is losing its hearing.

1.   Disobedience

It’s pretty common for people to mistake a loss of hearing in their pet for a behavioral problem such as disobedience.

This is especially true if your dog has thus far been very well behaved. A well-behaved dog that suddenly stops responding to its owner’s instructions and commands can easily be pegged as being disobedient.

Generally speaking, this sort of loss of hearing affects senior dogs. Before getting angry at your dog for misbehaving, make sure to conduct certain tests at home to check whether your dog is being disobedient by not listening to you, or whether he simply cannot hear you.

If you realize that your dog is having problems understanding your voice, you can always use hand signals and other visual cues to communicate with your pet.

2.   Loud and Frequent Barking

When a human has a hearing problem, they often start turning the volume of the TV up or start speaking louder than they usually do. In the same way, a dog suffering from hearing loss is likely to bark very loudly and all the time. This is because, without proper hearing, the dog doesn’t realize just how loud it is being. So, if your dog has suddenly started barking very loudly, this may be a sign that it’s starting to lose its hearing.

3.   Excessive Sleep

Generally speaking, a dog that is still adjusting from its newly discovered loss of hearing will try to compensate for this loss by sleeping frequently. Although you may initially assume your dog is only sad, the truth is, it is undergoing changes that it does not know how to cope with.

These were some of the major signs that your dog is losing its hearing. If your pet is displaying any of these signs, it’s best to get him checked by a vet at the earliest.