Toy Dogs: Pug

Pug


The Pug comes from East Asia and is known as the biggest family dog there is. With it’s smooshed in face and adorable wrinkles, you can’t help but fall in love with one of them! These loving dogs are very docile and don’t bark a lot. If you’re looking for a puppy for your little tyke, this is the dog! They are very good with children and other animals. Above all, they are extremely intelligent and are very social. The Boca Raton Veterinarians are looking forward to meeting your new addition!

Toy Dogs Part 4

Pekingese:

The Pekingese was originally bred for the Emperors of China. These little dogs have a boisterous personality but they are not very tolerant of children or other animals. They are very good watch dogs and will keep you informed whenever a stranger is approaching the house by barking. These dogs are difficult to train and do as they please. While this is true, they are very loyal and protective of  their owners. Their beautiful long coats will need regular grooming.

Toy Dogs - Part 3

Maltese

The Maltese is the king of queens in the toy dog world; this companion dog  was originally bred for royalty or the very wealthy. They are natural born troublemakers, but are very loyal to their owners. As expected, not all toy dogs are cuddly and warm. The Maltese doesn't have the patience to put up with children, strangers, or other animals. They possess average intelligence and train-ability  but also have a sense of stubbornness to them as well. They’re beautiful coats require frequent grooming and a bath every now and then wouldn't hurt much. Talk about being set up for royalty! The vets and groomers at Boca Village Animal Hospital are looking forward to meeting your Maltese and treating him or her like royalty every time you come in for a visit or appointment.

Maltese in full show coat

Toy Dogs Part 2

Bichon Frise

The name may seem unfamiliar, but this happy go-lucky-puppy is as friendly as can be! As a small dog that was originally bred as a companion dog, the Bichon Frise possesses a boisterous personality, and is very tolerant of children, other animals and strangers. This breed is highly intelligent and very trainable, making fetch all the more fun! These dogs have a short and curly white coat that does require frequent grooming, and will require a bit of washing from time to time. There’s no time like a good bubble bath! We offer professional dog grooming services at Boca Village Animal Hospital.











Chihuahua










Chihuahua Puppy




 The Chihuahua may be the best known of the toy dog breeds. Don’t let their size fool you, this dog carries a punch. They aren’t very tolerant of children, other animals or strangers, but if they’re next to their caretaker, you’ll realize that this dog is a very loving and protective puppy, so this dog would fit best under a one to two person household. They posses average intelligence and trainability, and because of their amount of energy, need to be let out and walked regularly throughout the day. Their coat is of short to medium length and won’t require much grooming. The Chihuahua hails from Mexico originally and is the smallest of the toy dog breeds.



Long Hair Chihuahua

Thinking of a Toy Dog?

• Toy Dogs - Part 1

  Before you get a dog, the Boca Raton veterinarians at Boca Village Animal Hospital encourage you to do your research - a pet is a long term commitment. Be sure to bring your new pet in for a health and wellness check up before you make the final decision.
  
  

  Have you ever wanted a dog, but not the kind that would take up more than half of the bed when you’re sleeping? Or when you’re on a walk and you’re the one controlling which direction you go instead of the other way around? Many people believe that the biggest dogs, like Labradors and German Shepards, are the more loyal dogs. Well, I’m here to tell you otherwise. A dog is a man’s best friend, regardless of shape and size. So, if a lap dog is what you’re looking for, have you ever considered a toy dog?
  
  
  
  
  
  What do you think about when you hear the term “toy dog”? I can tell you one thing, they are not the kind that you wind up and have to insert batteries to make them bark. No, no, they move all on their own and bark whenever they please. Toy dogs, unlike the child’s term, are actually very small dogs, such as Chihuahua’s and the Maltese. They are called “toy” dogs because of their miniature size in comparison with other dogs.
  “Toy” dogs are becoming more and more popular as the days go on. These little dogs are the result of generations of selective breeding, and are generally very good companions. Their miniature size and playful nature just better proves this.
  Most of the toy dog breeds hail originally from Asia where the process of selectively breeding dogs to make them smaller is believed to have begun, but there are plenty of toy breeds from other areas of the world as well. I am going to take you down a list of the top 5 toy dogs to have as a best friend.
  
  
  

  
  

A Letter From the Post Office

A patient brought this to us  at Boca Village Animal Hospital and it was too good not to share:

Unfortunately we don't know who to credit with this wonderful story. 

A Letter from the Post Office... this is absolutely the bes!
We don't know who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the deal letter office.

Our 14-year-old dog Abbey died last month.   The day after she passed away my 4-year-old daughter Meredith was crying and Meredith & Abbey talking about how much she missed Abbey.   She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her.   I told her that I thought we could so, and she dictated these words: Dear God, Will you please take care of my dog?   She died yesterday and is with you in heaven.   I miss her very much.   I 'm happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her.   She likes to swim and play with balls.   I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog.   I really miss her. Love, Meredith We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey & Meredith , addressed it to God/Heaven.   We put our return address on it.   Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office.   A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet.   I told her that I thought He had. Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith' in an unfamiliar hand.   Meredith opened it.   Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.'   Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope.   On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note: Dear Meredith, Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help and I recognized her right away. Abbey isn't sick anymore.   Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart.   Abbey loved being your dog.   Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in so I'm sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by. Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me.   What a wonderful mother you have.   I picked her especially for you.   I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.   By the way, I'm easy to find.   I am wherever there is love. Love, God

Learn a Dog Trick

Teach Your Dog an Old Trick: On Trust and Paid For

At Boca Village Animal Hospital we know that the bond between humans and their dogs is very strong. Part of that is due to the time you spend together. Teaching your dog tricks not only helps this build bond but it fulfills some dogs need to make you happy!
One of the oldest dog tricks is when you put a treat on your dog's nose and they won't eat it until you give the word. This trick requires a lot of patience. 

Have your dog sit.  Hold the dog's head steady with your hand. Place a treat on their nose. While the head is steady, the treat will be balanced.

Repeat “on trust, on trust” while holding the dog's head steady with one hand. This is teaching the dog patience not to want to grab the treat. Just be gentle and hold up a finger and keep saying, “On trust, on trust,” to the dog.

Releasing the dog’s head, say “paid for “ to the dog. Give a chuck under the dog's chin and encourage the dog to throw the treat up in the air. The dog catches it. Of course the dog will eat the treat when you first start practicing. The dog may take awhile to catch on, so have plenty of treats on hand.

Repeating this continually with the dog will be a fun exercise. The dog will think it’s a game. Eventually you dog will not need your hand holding him steady. Then, try to balance the treat on their nose. The dog cannot move until the "paid for" command is given.

Add to the trick by  talking to the dog using the “on trust” command in the conversation.

Put more focus on the word trust. An example would be, “Izzy, I have a yummy treat, “on trust”. Izzy is a smart dog and won't eat treats on trust but waits until is has been paid for.” Of course placing emphasis on the command paid for.

You can teach your dog to eat the treat on a certain number, using three for instance. Just place the treat on their nose. Hold the dog’s head and count putting emphasis on three, then chuck the dog’s chin. This takes a lot of practice and patience. Try counting out of order and still strongly saying three. Never make the dog wait too long as their patience can wear out; as will yours! They want to eat the treat.

You are the master, be patient. The dog should never be punished for not learning a trick. Just keep practicing and rewarding. Having fun and quality time with your dog is the most important thing while trying to learn dog tricks. Enjoy your dog!
If your dog is trained to do tricks and obey commands it make it so much simpler to take him to your local Boca Raton vet and or other places away from home.