Punxsutawney Phil says we are in for an early spring?
Every February 2, people gather at Gobbler's Knob, a wooded knoll just outside of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Residents contend that the groundhog has never been wrong. The ceremony in Punxsutawney was held in secret until 1966, and only Phil's prediction was revealed to the public. Since then, Phil's fearless forecast has been a national media event. The groundhog comes out of his electrically heated burrow, looks for his shadow and utters his prediction to a Groundhog Club representative in "groundhogese." The representative then translates the prediction for the general public.
     If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, it means six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, it means spring is just around the corner.Approximately 90% of the time, Phil sees his shadow. Phil started making predictions in 1887 and has become an American institution.

Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets
An astounding 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3 according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS). Periodontal disease is a common problem in dogs, particularly smaller breeds. Cats can develop painful lesions in their mouths. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.
     Oral disease begins with a buildup of bacteria in the pet˙s mouth. Bacteria, combined with saliva and food debris between the tooth and gum, can cause plaque formulations that accumulate on the tooth. As bacteria grow in the plaque and as calcium salts are deposited, plaque turns to tartar.
     Without proper preventive or therapeutic care, plaque and tartar buildup leads to periodontal disease, which affects the tissues and structures supporting the teeth. Left untreated, periodontal disease can cause oral pain, dysfunction, tooth loss and systemic complications.
     Pet owners should look for warning signs of oral disease. Common indications of oral disease include bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face or mouth and depression. If any of these signs are present, the pet should be taken to the veterinarian for a dental exam. Broken teeth are a common problem, especially among outdoor dogs. According to veterinary dental experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects, such as commercially available cow hooves, is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs.

This week's Q&A is from Carolyn in Aurora:
We recently adopted an eight week old labrador-mix puppy. When should we enroll her in obedience classes?
According to our Master Certified professional trainer, Tom Shelley, "You want to start training your puppy as soon as you bring her home. The first sixteen weeks are the extremely important. During this time they are very impressionable and able to learn the most. Start off with basic potty training and taking a puppy kindergarten class (basic obedience)."
     Use the In and Out Method of housebreaking your puppy. Food or water is consumed, 10 to 20 minutes later food or water is expelled (sort of). Establish a timing which will help her get in the swing of things. Always be available to take her outside directly after you have given her food or water. Tom suggests, "Crate young puppies at night and when they are unsupervised. When you allow your puppy out of the crate, she should be watched at all times. The two best ways to achieve this are to close off access to other rooms not being used or by attaching a six foot leash from you to your puppy via a belt loop or your wrist."
      It is important to keep your puppy with you at all times so you can monitor their behavior. When crate training, make sure not to leave her in there for longer than two hours; puppies cannot hold it longer than that. This can be gradually be increased over time as the puppy gets older and is more successful with potty training Remember, you are not only potty training her, but you are building a relationship with her. Training a dog to be on a leash will help when you move on from housebreaking to basic commands like come, heel, sit, and stay.
      Tom concludes "Obedience training is an ongoing process, so starting early and maintaining training through the pet¨s life will make for a well behaved pet." Please contact our training department to get more information about our training classes at 303-694-3712.   Send us your pet care questions and we'll post your query and our response in our new Q & A section. Email Tenaker with your inquiry.

Handsome Dan
Bulldogs are the mascot of many high schools and universities. Their reputation depicts them as fearsome and unrelenting. Yale University has Handsome Dan the XVI as their mascot (aka Mugsy). The Handsome Dan lineage dates back to the late nineteenth century. Many a Handsome Dans have been the honored guests at Yale football and baseball games. Some reigned for a few months, soon to be replaced because of their fear of the paparazzi. Others served long, with perfect attendance, even though they dozed-off, drooled, and eventually snored during the game.
      Traditionally, Handsome Dans were kept at the Yale Boat House. This posed a problem for bulldogs. They are not swimmers because of their top-heavy physique. One particular Handsome Dan fell of the dock, got his head stuck in the mud, and had to be resuscitated. He earn a spot on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Handsome Dans were frequently kidnapped. One particular bulldog and showed signs of Stockholm syndrome, as he was photographed enjoying a snack at the base of the John Harvard statue in Harvard Yard.
     The name bulldog dates back over 400 years. Europeans used them to fight with bulls for entertainment. Since that time, selective breeding has bred the fight out of them (just don't tell the U.S. Marine Corps or the folks at Mack Trucks). In reality, bulldogs are loyal, affectionate pets with happy temperaments.

Why Do Cats Spray?
Inquiring minds want to know. Whose territory is this? How long ago was he here? Is she ready to mate? How old is he? Like a distant early warning system, a cat's urine spay contains pheromones-chemical substances that stimulate behavioral responses-that inform other felines of the cat's age, sex, sexual receptivity, and how long ago he passed by. This allows a passing cat to determine whether a rival is in the area and whether to continue on his way or take another route. You might call it a sort of time-sharing arrangement. When the scent from the first cat fades, it's safe for another cat to pass through.
     Scent marking also acts as a sign of ownership or as an invitation. When your cat sidles up to a vertical object such as a tree or light pole-or your new sofa-backs up, positions his quivering tail, and emits a pungent spray of urine, he is sending a clear message to intruders: this is mine! Unlike a dog, a cat that comes across the scent mark of another cat will not spray over it. Instead, he makes his mark in a nearby area. On the other hand, female cats in heat spray to indicate their availability. Their urine contains hormones, the scent of which attracts male cats from miles around.
     Indoor cats can be just as territorial as their outdoor brethren. It's not uncommon for indoor cats to mark their territory by spraying, especially if there are too many cats in the home or if a new cat is brought into the household. Cats may also claim ownership of their people by marking areas that smell like their owners.
     Unneutered males start spraying at sexual maturity, usually six to eight months of age. To nip spraying in the bud, neuter male cats before six months of age. A neutered cat can still spray if the urge is strong enough, but the odor of his urine is not as powerful. Female cats that are spayed have no need to spray, but they may still go through the motions.

Article and side bar from Why Do Cats Do That? by Kim Thornton (BowTie Press) $6.95. Reprinted with permission of the publisher.

This Valentines Day spend some quality time with your loved ones, like your pets! You can demonstrate your love by buying them a new toy or taking them to the groomer for some spa treatment. Our bath and brush includes a bath until clean with high quality shampoo an conditioner, hand fluff dry, complete brush & comb out, nail trim, ear cleaning and a light trim of the feet and face. Our full groom spa treatment includes the bath and brush with hair cut. Hand scissoring is also available upon request. Then you can always upgrade your pet¨s spa treatment with upgraded shampoo (for sensitive skin, whitening, etc), oil treatments and many many more. To help support National Dental Month, all dogs groomed during the month of February will receive a FREE upgraded spa treatment of Bert¨s Bees peppermint breath fresh treatment. Good at our Aurora facility only.
      No matter how you celebrate, make sure that your pets are safe from Valentines Day hazards. Candles, chocolate, thorny stems, jewelry, are potentially hazardous to pets. Read about chocolate toxicity, Xylitol, and other holiday pet perils.

In addition to our current website, http://www.tenakerpetcare.com, we have developed six more websites to give you more in depth information about our services. Please click on the websites below to check them out.
Tenaker Aurora Boarding Kennel Website
www.tenakerboardingkennelsofdenver.com
Tenaker Aurora Boarding Kennel Website
www.tenakerdogkennelsofdenver.com
Tenaker Aurora Doggie Daycare Website
www.tenakerdogdaycareofdenver.com
Tenaker Aurora Doggie Daycare Website
www.tenakerdoggiedaycareofdenver.com
Tenaker Veterinary Website
www.tenakerveterinaryofdenver.com
Tenaker Training and Agility Website
www.tenakerdogtrainingofdenver.com