Adult dogs are our reliable companions. They have negotiated the trials of puppyhood and settled in to predictable routines and behaviors. What you see is what you got. Different dogs mature a different rates. The smaller breeds are physically mature at about a year. The very large breeds may take several months longer to mature. Most dogs aren’t socially mature until between one and a half and two years. Our goal is to maintain your dog’s health and preserve his energy, enthusiasm and activity.

Nutrition

Now that your dog has reached his full growth potential his nutritional needs have changed from growth to maintenance. He doesn’t need as much protein to grow new muscle or calcium to promote bone growth. Energy for his daily activities and specific nutrients to maintain organs at optimal health are what he needs. Good quality adult formulations can provide appropriate levels of nutrients to maintain health and energy.

The most common form of malnutrition in our pets is obesity! Our dogs today frequently have a more sedentary lifestyle just as we do. It is important to monitor their body condition and adjust calorie intake to usage.

Examinations and Vaccinations

As an adult, your dog"s body is less changeable than as a puppy. Daily wear and tear and unpredictable events can cause problems. Annual examinations can allow us to detect these issues and correct them.

It is very important to booster the puppy vaccinations after a year. This helps reinforce the immune system and ensures duration of protection. After the "one year" boosters some vaccines can be administered every three years. These are typically vaccines against viruses. Vaccines against bacterial diseases, such as Bordatella or kennel cough, need to be boostered at least annually for adults.

Parasites

Dogs are at risk of exposure to many parasites. Intestinal worms can be left behind from other dogs as well as foxes and coyotes. Heartworms travel to your dog by mosquitoes. Fleas and ticks can find their ways into many environments. While some adults may be resistant to some intestinal parasites, they are always susceptible to heartworms, fleas and ticks. Year round control can prevent the damaging effects these creatures can have on your dog.

Dental Care

Periodontal or "gum" disease is very common in adult dogs. It starts as plaque and tartar accumulation on the teeth that extends below the gumline. The bacteria cause inflamation that can progress to infection causing pain, bad breath, loss of bone and support tissue to the teeth. The bacteria and their toxins gain access to the blood stream through inflamed tissues and get circulated to all the internal organs.

The best and least expensive way to prevent periodontal disease is just the same as for us, daily brushing and periodic professional cleaning above and below the gumline. Keeping your dog’s gums healthy can prevent pain, halitosis and damage to internal organs that may shorten his life.

Behavior

Dogs enjoy learning new things, especially if it pleases us and rewards them. Continuous obedience training as well as learning new activities keeps them mentally stimulated and can help them be calmer dogs.

If you dog has developed an undesirable behavior, it can often be helped through behavior modification. Behavior modification involves accurately diagnosing the behavior and its cause. Then a plan can be developed to retrain the dog to display alternative behavior or be desensitized to the original cause. It is a process that can take months of daily effort but it can give you the dog you desire.