Your dog is unique and special. That’s absolutely true. But it’s also true that anything you and your dog go through, somebody’s been there before. And we’re so very lucky to have, in the palm of our hands, access all the dog resources you’ll ever need.
Check your community
We’re not talking about using either search engines or social media for diagnoses or treatments. And certainly not for emergencies. Where internet resources excel (aside from shopping at Golly Gear!) is figuring out the life style options that are best for you and your dog.
For instance, we got a call from someone who was looking for a groomer for her Miniature Poodle. We’re not groomers, but she was trying to find a recommendation. She was having some difficulty finding anyone in the area who does a traditional Poodle cut. We asked if she belonged to any Poodle groups on social media. That’s a perfect use of social media. Ask “Does anyone in my area know a good Poodle groomer?”
Anything you need or want
With our dog training site, we’ve become even more interested in things like fear-free veterinary care, as well as dog fitness and conditioning. And found boatloads of information online, as well as social media groups. When you find something you find intriguing, you can ask people like you if they’ve tried it, how it works, if their dog liked it, etc.
Don’t just dive into anything because someone you know said so. Get all the information you can, then ask other people, including pet professionals you trust. We know someone who, on the single opinion of her dog walker, switched her dogs to a different food. Her dogs gained weight rapidly, and lost conditioning. Only when our friend noticed the changes did she get other opinions, and found out the “recommended” food was, in fact, a poor choice for her active dogs.
Ask too much
In college, Hope was a journalism major. One of the best pieces of advice a professor gave is true not only for writing news stories, but for life in general. Always ask another question, even if it ruins the story.
That’s the way you get the complete picture, the best advice. If you’re not sure about something with your dog, from food, to grooming, to dog parks, classes, veterinary care – ask! And if opinions vary, consider the credentials of the people giving the advice.
We all want what’s best for our dogs. And we understand that there it’s hard to choose with so very many options available today. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Call on your community, both local and online, for help.
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