We’ve tried to keep politics out of this site, but an issue has come up that concerns everyone.  For some reason, the N.H. Legislature has decided to change how the state’s very successful low cost spay/neuter fund is administered.  Since its inception, the program has been administered by the NH Dept of Agriculture who have the trust and confidence of both the veterinarians and the dog owners who pay for the program.  Now, the Legislature is proposing that administration of the program be put...
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NH Pets Online is a volunteer project and, unfortunately, sometimes real life gets in the way of keeping it updated.  That is the case now.  Our web master is co-chairing her breed’s national specialty and will be unable to keep the site updated until it is over. See You May 20th.
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Variable Reward Training to keep training interesting for the dog Mostly today trainers talk about using food lures and rewards for putting in behaviors and perfecting them. This method works pretty well if you know how to use it correctly but there is often a bit of info left out on how to keep your dog interested in the rewards you are handing out. Picture you are being trained to do something and as a reward you get a piece of dry cereal. Stop...
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Many pet owners turn to online pharmacies and other sources for their pet medicines and flea products. While many online stores are reputable, there are some that are questionable.  To help you in your search, the FDA has a web page and a pdf  booklet to help you pick a reputable source for your pet’s medicines.  Some of their warning signs to look for are: Site does not require veterinary prescriptions for prescription drug orders. Site has no licensed pharmacist available to answer questions....
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April means it is time to get your dog licenses. Dogs 4 months old or over must be licensed on or before April 30.  Dog licenses are available from your town clerk.  In order to get a dog license, you must bring proof that your dog’s rabies vaccination is current. FEES If the dog has been neutered or spayed, a certificate must be furnished (if licensing for the first time).  New Hampshire has a sliding scale of dog license fees with puppies under 7...
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As a precautionary measure, Response Products has issued a voluntary recall of product from two lots of its Advanced Cetyl M Joint Action Formula for Dogs. This recall—while voluntary—is due to POSSIBLE Salmonella contamination from a product ingredient (hydrolyzed vegetable protein) manufactured and supplied by Basic Food Flavors, Inc. of Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Dogs are normally in heat for about 3 weeks. The first week they have a red discharge then the second a clear or straw colored discharge then almost no discharge the last week. For some dogs this all stretches out longer for 4 or more weeks. Female dogs are usually wiling breed sometime in the middle of their heat often in the range of 9-14 days of their heat season. But each dog is unique and receptive times can vary. The vulva swells so...
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May is National Service Dog Eye Exam Month.  The American College of Veterinary Ophthamologists and Merial are offering free eye screening exams to working dogs. In order to make an appointment for a free exam, an owner must register by April 30th and  your dog must meet of the following criteria: Service Dog groups including: guide dogs, hearing dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, detection dogs, police dogs, search and rescue dogs and formally trained and certified therapy dogs (through the Delta Society or similar). Dogs...
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Now that Spring is coming to New Hampshire, many pet owners thoughts are turning to gardening.  VIN is reporting that incidences of pets being poisoned by ingesting Sago Palms are increasing nationwide.  Although originally from the South, Sago Palms are now being sold in gardening centers and the big box stores nationwide.  Sometimes they are only called “Miniature Palm Tree.” If you are tempted to buy one of these, remember that your pet can die within hours of nibbling on a Sago Palm.  For...
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CNN has a great story about a mother who wanted a service dog for her autistic twins.  In her case, she decided to start with a puppy and have it trained locally. “When McMillan asked the trainer whether she was able to train a dog to assist with her autistic twin boys, the dog trainer said, “I don’t know anything about autism.” The mother did. And Kelli Collins knew how to train dogs. Together, they would train and raise a puppy to be a...
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New Hampshire seems to be confused as to what season it is, so, we are bringing you a beach video! This  was made by a group of first-time dog owners in Hungary, The Promotion Group of Népsziget, using the Mirror Method of dog training.The Mirror Method’s name comes from the idea that dogs reflect their owners behavior like mirrors. The Mirror Method consists of three parts: To build up required relationship and ranking order in everyday life Teaching with clicker using only positive reinforcement...
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Why a Breeder and not a Pet Store? A breeder is the person who owns the mother of the pups at the time the breeding took place. This usually is also the person who owns the pups when they are born. This should be the person who knows more about the litter than anyone else might, right down to individual personalities of the pups. The entire purpose of breeding purebred dogs is to produce pups very much like, or better than, the parents. Seeing...
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