Waggin’ Tails
4109 Morsay Drive
Rockford, IL  61107
815.391.8101

Puppy SmartStart Classes
Early Learning for Puppies to Promote Socialization and Good Behavior

CLASS SCHEDULE:
Class meets once a week for five weeks for 1-1/4 hours at Waggin’ Tails. The first class is for humans only - puppies come to class the next four sessions. The class fee is $75.00.  Please call 815.391.8101 for class dates and times.

WHO IS INVITED:
Puppies, their families (including children from 3 years of age) and friends are encouraged to attend. At the time of the first class, puppies must be at least 7 weeks of age and not more than 12 weeks of age and have received their first set of vaccinations along with a healthy pup vet check.

REGISTRATION:
Class size is limited and class openings are filled as registration is received. To register, please call Waggin’ Tails at 815.391.8101.

HEALTHY PUP CHECK:
Puppy must have at least the first puppy vaccinations, a bordetella vaccination, a negative fecal and flea/tick preventative (seasonal)

For a fun learning experience…
attend Puppy SmartStart classes

Now that your new puppy is home and settling into family life, it’s time for puppy and the entire family to attend a puppy socialization program. Waggin’ Tails is pleased to be offering the successful puppy program developed by Julie Jackson, Certified Pet Dog Trainer and Animal Medical Clinic’s Behavior Wellness Program Director; and two noted animal behaviorists, Drs. R.K. Anderson and Scott Line (both Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists).

You’ll learn positive techniques to motivate puppy and activities to build puppy’s confidence – yours too! Every member of the family will learn to manage puppy’s behavior using effective positive methods.

Could you use some help with housetraining puppy; techniques to manage puppy’s nipping, barking and chewing; or information on good grooming? We’ve got the expertise to address these issues.

Where else will you get the opportunity to “pass the puppy” or observe “puppy playtime”? These activities are not only important learning experiences, but they are great fun for both puppies and their humans!

We think you’ll find our course fee to be a doggone good deal - $75 for a five week session		For further information or to enroll, please call Waggin’ Tails at 815.391.8101

Doggie Day Care available for boarding dogs!

"Each morning at 8 a.m., a kennel staff member will bring your dog to one of the playrooms at Waggin’ Tails for the day. There is plenty of time for some play with other dogs and staff. There are tunnels, mini A-frame, teeter-totter, jumps and toys available. There is also time to settle on one of the doggie beds. A staff member walks your dog several times a day. Your dog is then picked up by a kennel staff member and returned to the boarding facility for dinner and a good night’s sleep!

The cost of day care while boarding is an additional $11 per day – you pick your dog’s day care schedule – day care is open Monday through Friday.
Waggin’ Tails’ “Kong on a Stick” has proven to be quite popular with our doggie guests! For an additional $2.50, you can purchase this tasty delight for your dog to enjoy during his/her stay.

Stop by Waggin’ Tails, take a look around and meet Julie, our Behavior Wellness Director. She will be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Hip Dysplasia and Large Breed Dogs

Owners of large breed puppies are justifiably worried over the risk that their new puppy will eventually develop hip dysplasia. Large breeds, whether from a kennel, private owner or a pet store are at risk of this crippling disease. It can be very painful, and by the time it is diagnosed and treated the dog has often suffered for weeks or even months. Preventing this suffering has been everyone's goal for many years.

Treating hip dysplasia is expensive. In mild cases aspirin and other pain relieving drugs can be used, but must be given for the life of the dog and are eventually irritating to the gastrointestinal tract. Surgery, which is very expensive and a lot more debilitating to the patient can treat more severe cases. The most common surgical options are:

1. TPO (triple pelvic osteotomy) -- This $1,200-$2,000 per hip surgery cuts and then re-attaches 3 bones in the pelvis to change the angle of the hip socket. Only done early in life (6-10 months of age), there is a loss of range of motion.
2. FHO (femoral head ostectomy) -- This $700-$1,000 per hip surgery removes the femoral head. This surgery results in a loss of the normal hip anatomy, and the larger the dog, the less successful the surgery is.
3. THR (total hip replacement) -- This hip $3,500-$5,000 per hip surgery replaces the abnormal hip joint with a prosthesis. It is only done at specialty and university clinics.

Different surgeons recommend different procedures based on their skill level, instrumentation, age of the pet, severity of the disease, and finances available. The entire process can be very complex, costly and emotionally draining. Most of all, this very painful disease is now largely preventable!

Hip Screening

Testing is now available that can predict which puppies are at greater risk of developing hip dysplasia. Furthermore, a surgical procedure is now available that should allow the hip bones of a puppy to develop and form a better hip joint.

Screening of large breed puppies (over 50lb adult weight) MUST be done before eighteen weeks of age (the earlier the better).

The screening consists of general anesthesia and palpation of the hips. If palpation is positive, this indicates a loose or lax joint. "PennHip" x-ray may be done to provide further verification.

Those puppies that test positive benefit from a procedure (Juvenile Pubic Symphysiodesis) that destroys the growth plate in the pubic bone. This causes early fusing which changes the angle of the hip as the puppy grows, ultimately providing the puppy a much better hip joint. Benefits of the surgery, compared to those required for hip dysplasia, are remarkable. There is very little discomfort after surgery. There is no "bone" surgery and no loss of range of motion of the joint; integrity of the hip joint is maintained. There is rapid healing with few complications. Also, the cost is low when compared with dysplasia surgeries.

This surgery reduces the degeneration of the hip joint beginning at a very early age. The most important factor in its success is the timing of the surgery -----IT MUST BE DONE AS CLOSE TO FOURTEEN WEEKS OF AGE AS POSSIBLE! Early detection is imperative.

Hip screening total cost only $150.00: Office consultation, pre-anesthesia blood tests, isoflurane gas anesthesia, and palpation.

**Dogs that receive JPS surgery should not be bred and spaying or neutering is MANDATORY at the time of the JPS surgery.

Remember: This surgery SHOULD BE DONE AT 13 WEEKS OF AGE OR IT BEGINS TO BECOME LESS EFFECTIVE!!

Call Animal Medical Clinic, Animal Medical Clinic North, or CherryVale Animal Clinic to make an appointment with Dr. Thompson or Dr. Buhl for your puppy's hip screening today.