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Spring is a time for celebration - no doubt it’s one of the best times of year for individuals to enjoy a little bit of sunshine and warmth with their pets. However, your four-legged buddy may face many dangers during this season. As it is our duty to care for our dogs the best we can, New Pet Parent are on hand to present the three major risks to your furry friend this Spring. Spring Bulbs Much like your canine companion, you must be excited about playing in the grass or going on hikes in the sunshine! Spring is an excellent time to do so, however, some plants that bloom during this season can pose a significant risk to your pet. Several spring bulbs can be fatal, so you must avoid them at all costs, especially if your dog loves chewing or digging in gardens and parks. These plants include Daffodils, Tulips, Azaleas, Bluebells, Buttercups and more. Typical symptoms of upset after ingesting these plants include: ● An upset stomach ● Lethargy ● Irritation around the dog’s mouth ● Difficulty breathing. Please, if your dog ingests any of the above, contact your vet immediately for advice! Chocolate Everyone loves chocolate, and what a lovely treat it is after a hard days activity to just relax with your favourite chocolate bar, especially with some still left at home after Easter. As pet parents, most of us have a tendency is to share some of our food with our wonderfully loyal four legged buddies, how can you resist those “Puppy Eyes” peering up at you, seeking a piece of your favourite Chocolate bar. However, whilst chocolate sweets and chocolate bars are all delicious and fun, they can be a significant hazard to dogs, and can make them really ill. With chocolate bars and similar treats lie around your home all of the time and therefore it is of the utmost importance that you keep your dog safe and keep that chocolate out of your dogs reach at all times. You may be wondering why something so delicious is a threat to your pet? The answer is theobromine. This chemical can cause tremors, diarrhoea, vomiting, seizures, and death. Darker chocolate contains more theobromine and is, therefore, more poisonous. But even white chocolate can pose a potential risk to your dog. The fats in this type of chocolate can cause pancreatitis. Here are some tips to protect your dog: Keep chocolate out of reach of your dog. Beware of chocolate foil wrappers lying on the floor. Whilst these won’t give your dog chocolate poisoning, they can cause an obstruction in your dog’s gut that could require surgery. This last one may sound obvious, but don’t give in to those big puppy eyes! You should never feed your dog any chocolate. Other Seasonal Foods This time of year we indulge in various sweet treats. Whilst our dogs will be curious about the food we are eating, for the sake of their health we must also avoid feeding them dried fruits. Present in many springtime snacks, including the delicious hot cross buns, raisins, currants and sultanas can cause fatal kidney failure. Symptoms of acute kidney failure include: Vomiting Lethargy Lack of appetite Increased thirst Change in urination pattern (much less than normal) Acute renal failure can develop within 24 hr post poisoning and symptoms can develop within 5 days after your dog has ingested them. For this reason, it is important to keep an eye on your dog at all times and keep your favourite foods out of their reach. Above are some of the dangers to look out for and to protect your furry friend this Spring. Whilst prevention is always best, the curious nature of our pets means they may find their way into an easter egg or two; if this is the case you must seek veterinary attention right away. For any further information on keeping your dog safe and healthy, visit the New Pet Parent website today!

From the early days of welcoming a dog into your life, you and your family must be clear and consistent in what their training should be. For this reason, New Pet Parent are on hand to give you some tips for training your four-legged buddy. Following are two of the most important aspects to consider while training your dog; Toilet Training Help them to decide where their toilet is; Whilst your dog adjusts to its new routine it is essential for you to be very patient and consistent, it takes time. The breeder or rescue centre you acquired your dog from will be able to detail where your pet is used to going to the toilet - typically, this will include grass, gravel, cement, on paper or puppy pee mats. If the latter, and once fully vaccinated, they can be transitioned to a specific area in your garden where you would prefer them to be. Encourage them by using the natural toilet breaks( when they wake up, after playing, after eating) to take them to the chosen toilet area, and reward them when they go potty. With time they will learn, and they will go on their own. 2. Signs they need to go. Restlessness, lowered body posture, squatting, going to the door and sniffing the ground, crying, are all indications your dog may need to go to the toilet. If you notice any of these behaviours, swiftly and calmly take them to your desired toilet destination. 3. Establish a routine To prevent accidents and establish a routine in the long term, encourage your dog to go first thing in the morning, lunchtime, after naps, after prolonged activity and before bedtime. Obedience Show them their incentive Treats and toys work best as an incentive for your dog to comply with their obedience training. Rewarding your dog encourages good behaviour and strengthens your relationship - an important part of training your puppy or adult dog. Gradually increase distance As they perfect coming back to you, be sure to award praise your dog and then increase the distance between yourself and them. This will encourage them to return to you from afar. Start in a fenced area where there is no risk for your dog to run away, and once recall is mastered, this means they can be trusted to return to you! New Pet Parent’s Additional Tips Patience, calmness and consistency are key when training a pet. Whilst reward-based training works best, the following are more training tips from New Pet Parent. Choose their name wisely: Although more suited to puppies, choosing a name for your dog can make a world of difference to your training efforts. Some names are easier for dogs to hear, making training them easier - opt for a strong, short name that you can emphasise. Only use positive reinforcement: Praise your pup with a tasty treat to keep them engaged and interested throughout your training session. You should never punish your dog for their disobedience or misunderstanding; this will not resonate with them as part of training and will only make them afraid of you. Keep sessions short and sweet: Training is most effective when kept to one behaviour at a time, in short sessions of five to ten minutes. Be sure to reward your dog for their learnings throughout and finish their training with a fun game! Remove distractions: A calm space free of distractions is imperative for training your pet; otherwise, they will become overwhelmed, overstimulated and confused with what you are asking of them - ultimately contradicting all of your efforts to teach them. Recalling: When calling your dog to be put back on the lead, be sure to reward them - otherwise, they will make the association and become reluctant to come back to you. Products from New Pet Parent The ‘New Pet Parent Book: Dog Edition’ is an educational guide rich in all things necessary for pet parents to give their furry companion the best care. From detail on nutrition and exercise to advice on obedience, this book is second to none when training your dog. Additionally available from New Pet Parent is a range of delicious Superfood and accompanying treats! Your pets can enjoy a delightful range of flavours. Our range of treats and foods can be awarded to your dog for their obedience and compliance in your efforts to train them. The New Pet Parent website is rich in Superfood, Wellness Products, Accessories and Educational posts for dogs and their owners. Each product can assist owners on their journey to training their dogs to be perfectly obedient. Be sure to shop our exciting range today!

Whilst thoroughly inspecting and brushing your pet's teeth is not always the easiest task, it remains one that is imperative to their health and overall wellbeing. Hidden within your pet's mouth can be an extensive range of insights and indications about their health; therefore, it is important to check it regularly and clean thoroughly. As February is Pet Dental Hygiene month, New Pet Parent are on hand to guide you in caring for your pets oral health! What is Pet Dental Health Month? Much like humans, pets can suffer from a broad spectrum of oral problems - and the condition of their mouths can significantly impact their overall health and wellbeing. From bad breath to gum disease, dental care for cats and dogs is an equally important part of pet ownership - for this reason, regular inspection and consistent care are encouraged. National Pet Dental Health Month is been created to educate owners on the importance of their pets' Oral Health. Additionally, following are New Pet Parent's health care tips. New Pet Parent's Dental Hygiene Tips A Balanced Diet and Dental Chews: Whilst the mouth has its self-cleaning system, its efficiency can be aided by the consumption of a balanced diet and some biscuits/chews designed to assist in oral hygiene. Brush Their Teeth: A soft toothbrush and paste specially formulated for pets can be used to brush their teeth. You should enquire with a veterinary professional to ensure you are brushing effectively and should never use toothpaste for humans, as these can be considered toxic to animals due to the high fluoride and xylitol content. Regular Check-ups: Just like us, our pets should have regular veterinary check-ups with their vet to monitor and care for their health - particularly if they are older. If their oral health is currently suffering, they may require a professional veterinary dental treatment - in addition to ongoing plaque control. New Pet Parent's Collection Of Dental Hygiene Products Dog Dental Paste: When using this product, be sure to gradually introduce it to your pet and reward them for their cooperation. For daily use through a cycle of at least three weeks, the dog toothpaste should be applied to the teeth and gums and then brushed with a toothbrush or specifically designed finger toothbrush for a minute. This product does not require rinsing, and cycles vary depending on veterinary advice. Dog Finger Toothbrush: Perfectly accompanying the Dental Paste for Dogs from New Pet Parent, the Dog soft silicone Finger Toothbrush enables swift and minimally invasive brushing of the mouth of your pet; to reduce plaque tartar build-up and to prevent any oral diseases that will compromise their health. The Wellness Bundle: Equipped with the highly sought after Dental Paste and Finger Toothbrush for dogs, 'The Wellness Bundle' from New Pet Parent additionally includes Cleansing Shampoo, Omega Care tablets and Joint Care supplements - to encourage the optimum health and wellbeing of your furry friend. The oral health of our animals is just as important as other aspects of their physical wellbeing; therefore, dental hygiene should be a priority for pet owners! As a leading provider of Superfood for dogs, New Pet Parent are proud to additionally offer an extensive range of Wellness Products, Accessories and Educational Posts to assist owners in the caring of their beloved pets. This Pet Dental Health Month, be sure to browse our collection!