Cheap Petco vaccine clinic

"Be the person your dog thinks you are" -Unknown

My dog just turned one year old, and it was time for her to get her yearly vaccines.  I called the vet and they said that for bordetella, rabies, distemper, and a heartworm test that the price was STARTING at $130 and up.  A coworker of mine said to stop by my local Petco who partners with Luv My Pet (a traveling vet service) and see what their prices were for all of the vaccines.    When I learned of their prices I was more than impressed.

They have many different vaccine packages to choose from.  For my dog, I chose the superior dog pack which included rabies, bordetella, distemper, a heartworm test, a lyme disease test, and a fecal test all for $103.  I was told to get to the store as early as 45 minutes before the veterinarians were to arrive, because there can be extremely long lines of people that come to the clinic.  

I was shocked with how quickly I was able to get my dog in and out.  I was the first in line, and once they called my dog's name I was in and out within 5 minutes!  Not bad!  For the price and speed of going to Petco, I would recommend this to everyone!  Like I mentioned above, make sure to get there early because by the time that I left the line went all the way through the back of the store.  Below is a link for prices, and locations where you can bring your dog or cat.  The Luv My Pet group travels throughout many locations within the United States.  

Luv My Pet Locations
Luv My Pet Home Page

More Prices For Packages, Individual Vaccines, and Medications

Canine Packages

LMPP Luv My Puppy Pack 5 or 6 in 1 (distemper/parvo +/- 4L) Corona Bordetella Round/Hookworm Dewormer (A $28 SAVINGS over individual prices)

$57.00

LMDP Luv My Dog Pack *Rabies 5 or 6 in 1 (distemper/parvo +/- 4L) Bordetella (A $14 SAVINGS over individual prices)

$57.00

SDP Super Dog Pack *Rabies 5 or 6 in 1 (distemper/parvo +/- 4L) Bordetella Heartworm Test (A $29 SAVINGS over individual prices)Heartworm & Tick Disease (4DX) Test ADD $12

$75.00 $87.00

SSDP Superior Dog Pack *Rabies 5 or 6 in 1 (distemper/parvo +/- 4L) Bordetella Heartworm & Tick Disease (4DX) Test Fecal Test (A $26 SAVINGS over individual prices)

$103.00

Canine Individual Services

*Rabies	$19.00
5 in 1 (DHPP)	$24.00
6 in 1 (DHPP4L)	$27.00
6 in 1 + Corona (DHPP4L+CVK)	$41.00
5 in 1 + Corona (DHPP+CVK)	$37.00
Leptospirosis	$24.00
Bordetella	$25.00
Lyme	$39.00
Canine Influenza Vaccine	$25.00
Heartworm Test	$33.00
Heartworm & Tick Disease (4DX) Test	$39.00

Canine/Feline Individual Services

Microchipping Price includes lifetime registration, not avail in FL	$44.00
Fecal Test -$3 off with package	$19.00
Round/Hookworm Dewormer	$19.00
Tapeworm Dewormer	By Weight

*Please NOTE: At 8 weeks only, litters of 4 or more puppies: (5 in 1= $16) (Deworming=$12). Prices are per puppy.

Feline Packages

LMKP Luv My Kitten Pack 3 in 1 (distemper combo) Feline Leukemia (begin at 10 weeks) Round/Hookworm Dewormer (An $26 SAVINGS over individual prices)

$49.00

SKP Super Kitten Pack Kitten pack w/ Felv/FIV/Heartworm Test (A $32 SAVINGS over individual prices)

$82.00

LMCP Luv My Cat Pack *Rabies 3 in 1 (distemper combo) Feline Leukemia (A $26 SAVINGS over individual prices)

$49.00

SCP Super Cat Pack *Rabies 3 in 1 (distemper combo) Feline Leukemia w/ Felv/FIV/Heartworm Test (A $32 SAVINGS over individual prices)

$82.00

Feline Individual Services

*Rabies	$19.00
3 in 1 (distemper combo)	$27.00
Feline Leukemia	$29.00
Felv/FIV/Heartworm Test	$39.00
Ear mite medication	$25.00

*Please NOTE: We have to see proof of prior rabies vaccination to issue a tag longer than one year. Proof means written documentation that the pet presented is the same pet, and has had a rabies vaccine given by a vet in the past. Without such documentation we can only mark a rabies vaccination as good for one year. Prices shown don't include cost of boosters. Packages include one of each item listed. There is a medical waste fee per pet (varies based on location). At 8 weeks only, litters of 4 or more kittens: (3 in 1= $16) (Deworming=$12). Prices are per kitten.

How much exercise is required for your dog?

"A man's soul should be judged on the way he treats his dog." -Charles Doran

There amount of time and energy that one dog requires varies from pup to pup; every dog is different.  Certain breeds are known for having  more energy then others, some have extended puppy hoods , others are known to be very relaxed lounge dogs, certain breeds seem to have a never ending amount of energy, and so on.   It is important to research the type of dog that you are interested in BEFORE purchasing it. 

Yes,  a dog you're looking into buying may seem very adorable until you learn that they will have an insane amont of energy for the first five or more years of their lives.  Will your hectic schedule allot time to take the dog out as often as it needs?  Are you an active person but you're looking at a breed that is known for having a very low energy level? Questions such as these are vital when looking into your new furry family member. 

It is recommend that the average dog gets a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise, and a maximum of 60 minutes of exercise daily. Of course, this varies by dog as well. Some may require more then one hour per day such as my dog (her energy never seems to end!) 

For some dogs that do not get enough exercise there can be serious consequences. First, they can develop health issues such as weight gain, heart problems, diabetes- all of which can negatively affect your dogs bone health.  This could heighten the risk or condition of hip dysplasia and/or arthritis. 

Another implication of not getting enough exercise is that your dog may start to destroy your house while they attempt to burn their energy on their own. Your dog may be showing signs of anxiety as a result of not having the ability to have an outlet for their energy. 

Of course taking your dog on a walk is an obvious way to help them use up their stored energy. Other ideas include teaching your dog new tricks. Dogs can become very mental and physically drained while trying to learn something new and challenging. Dogs like to feel accomplished and love to be praised when they are doing something right. My favorite way to tire out my dog is to take her on a walk in the morning, and take her to the dog park just after she eats her dinner. She is able to run free, play with other dogs, relax when she chooses, and this is a great way to have her socialize with people as well. After about 45 minutes to 1 hour at the dog park she is ready to sleep all night! 


Here is a link to find a dog park near you!

Here's another option for looking up dog parks

Picking the best harness for your dog

"Dogs are better than human beings because they know but do not tell."—Emily Dickinson

Understanding which type of harness to purchase for your dog can be a bit overwhelming.  There are many different colors, fabrics, ones with padding, different fits, and so on.  There are two types of harnesses that I am going to talk about. One that is great for dogs that do not pull, and one that is great for those of us, such as myself, that have strong dogs that like to play tug-of-war with me and the leash.  

The first harness that I’m going to discuss is the type that latches onto a leash from the back, such as the picture below-  

These types of harnesses are very commonly seen on dogs. However, they are not the best option for walking your dog.  The reason for this is because if your dog tends to pull on the leash, they will continue to do so with this harness. Having the clasp on the back only encourages the dog to continue to pull, causing your dog to struggle and pull harder on the leash;not the best option if you want to keep your arm in it’s socket.  

 The harness that I would recommend is one that fastens in the front center of their chest, such as the one below-

This is called the front-hook harness.  I use this type on my dog since she is very strong and loves to pull me along while trying to chase anything that moves. This was recommended to me by a dog trainer, and it has worked wonders.  The reason this type of harness is so effective is because this puts pressure on the dog’s chest causing them to react by slowing down.    

Why do dogs eat grass?

Properly trained, a man can be a dogs best friend. ~Corey Ford

Here's Ava happily munching on some grass at the park yesterday. 

My dog loves eating grass. She eats it once in a while, and she happily licks her big black lips while she gulps down each blade of grass.  So what’s the deal?  Why do dogs like to eat grass?  With the expensive dog food that Ava (my dog) gets, one would think that she wouldn’t be craving boring old grass.  Yet, she continues to eat grass here and there. 

Where does this behavior come from?  Well, this started back when dogs were wild and not domesticated.  When wolfs ate their prey, they would eat every last bite including their organs.  Their prey’s bellies and intestines typically contained grass and other plants.  As time has evolved dogs still continue to ingest grass, however not in such a way as wolves.  They get the easy route; eating from our lawns. 

It is thought that eating grass provides aid with digestion.  However, only when ingesting in moderation. Some believe that when a dog ingests a large amount of grass it is because they are trying to induce vomiting.  It is believed that a dog will sense that it does not feel well, so they will force themselves to become sick.  Therefore, keep a close eye on what your dog is doing.  If they are becoming sick you may want to bring them to see the vet for any possible problems.

Ice is nice

The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog. ~Ambrose Bierce


The past few days have been pretty hot.  I took my dog out on a walk, and before long she was hot.  I brought her back into the house, and even with the air conditioner blasting she was still burning up.  So my fiancé gave her a couple ice cubes.  Instantly I took the ice cubes away from her.  I always heard that ice cubes could result in stomach problems.

Quickly I researched if dogs can eat ice cubes.  All of the websites said that it was ok for a few reasons.  First, ice cubes are good for cleaning your dog’s teeth.  Next, it is a quick way to cool your dog down.  My dog loved eating them immediately.  She thought of them as treats.

A couple days later I took her on another walk and again she was very hot by the time we returned to the house.  I went into the freezer and popped out a couple cubes, and gave them to my dog.  Only a few minutes after she ate them she threw up. 

Again, I went online to find out what happened.  I found out that when you give an overheated dog ice, it shocks their system causing them to vomit.  The only time it is appropriate to give a dog ice is when they have been indoors and their body temperature is regulated. 

Another thing to keep in mind is the size of the ice cube.  Dogs can choke on ice if the cube is too large.  Make sure the cubes are an appropriate size for your dog. Also, be aware if your dog has dental issues. Not all dogs have the ability to chew the cubes.

Here's a few pictures of my dog, Ava chewing on an ice cube. She's loving it!

Choosing the right dry dog food

"Happiness is a warm puppy."

Charles Schulz

Going to any grocery store looking for your next bag of dog food can be overwhelming to say the least. How do you know which brand is the best, healthiest,  and most fit for your dog? There are so many brands yet, what makes them all different from one another?  

Most of the dry dog foods that you can purchase at your local grocery store are less then ideal for your dog. The dog food aisle is equivalent to the junk food aisle.  Most of the common brands that the stores carry have cheap fillers, food dye, and preservatives. Instead of providing your dog with quality food, which one would assume they are purchasing at the store, it is not the ideal option for your furry pup. Yes, your dog will feel full, however it'll be most likely be on the corn starch filler.

I personally have decided to purchase Fromm Gold dog food. It is all natural and it contains top quality ingredients.   Fromm Gold contains duck meat, Wisconsin Cheese, eggs, chicken, lamb, oatmeal,  and many other ingredients.  For a full list and nutritional facts please click on the link below. 

Fromm Gold ingredients


There are so many options for finding quality dog food out there. I recommend clicking on the next link which lists all of the top dry dog food brands, all of which are all natural and contain only the top ingredients.  Yes, they are a bit more pricey. Yet, when it comes to your dog's health it's worth it. I buy my dog's food from amazon.com. Here you can typically find better deals, and the website usually provides free shipping if you spend a minimum amount of money.  This link below will point you in the right direction.  Good luck! 

Best dry dog food list

How to stop your dog from teething on you and your belongings

"A dog is the only thing on Earth that loves you more then himself"

-Josh Billings


So my new puppy has bought love, joy, and her sharp little teeth into my life. Yes, she is the cutest thing, but those teeth hurt! I can't look away from the dog for a second without her finding some piece of furniture to grab onto with her mouth... or my arm. So I called some dog trainers and looked into what I could do to try and stop this.  Here are the top 5 responses I received. 

1) Take an empty tin soda bottle, fill it up with coins, and put some heavy duty tape over the opening. When the dog nips, shake the can while saying "No!". Repeat whenever the dog nips. This will startle the dog,  in hopes that they will discontinue the behavior. 

2) Purchase a spray bottle and fill it with water. Anytime the dog nips, you can spray the dog in the face while saying "No!". Dogs do not like to be sprayed with water.

3) Go to a local pet store and buy a Kong dog toy. These toys can be filled with treats and peanut butter (which they love!). This will allow your dog to chew on the toy to help with their teething, while expelling a large amount of energy. It is a lot of work for your dog to reach the treat.

4) Purchase many dog bones and toys. When your dog tries to nip at you or an object say, "No!", and replace the object with the bone/toy. This is showing the dog what is acceptable and not acceptable to chew.

5) There are all natural sprays that you can buy which dogs have a natural dislike towards. You can spray objects that you do not want the dog to chew, including your body parts (my arms and hands have take. A toll). The hope with this method is to make the dog not want to attempt to lick or taste the substance. Below is a link for some home made sprays you can do yourself!

Do it yourself sprays

Personally, the methods that have worked best for my dog include buying the Kong, bones,  and toys.