Kirby's Korner

Training Updates

Puppy and Adult Obedience classes are in full swing here at Dioji.

With so many new puppies we’ve expanded our puppy training to include both a Puppy Level 1 course and level 2 course.

• Puppy I – Ideal for puppies under 5 months of age, stressing the importance of socialization
• Puppy II – For puppies who have completed Puppy I that want to continue the learning or for dogs 4-7 months of age who are just getting started in their obedience training
• Adult Obedience – Perfect for dogs over 7 months who are new to training or simply need a refresher course

Also, be on the lookout for an upcoming Saturday event where we will have a local Agility Group set up some equipment to try your hand at Agility.

Kirby Wendel

VP of Quality Control
Owners Jeannie & Bryce's yellow lab

July Birthdays

Abby	Albus	Aldo
Angelo	Aztec	Bailey
Bandit	Baron	Bella
Bella	Blessing	Bodhi
Boo	Boru	Brandy
Buddy	Cake	Casey
Cassie	Chai	Chance
Charlie	Charlie	Cinnamon
Coby	Coco	Comet
Cowboy	Daisy Jane	Ella
Forest	Forza	Gabriel
Gamadoo	Harley	Hermes
Honey	Jake	Jazzy
Kai	Kali	Kayla
Kobie	Kula	Kuma
Lani	Leroy	Levi
Lilly	Lily	Lily
Lucca	Lucy	LuluBelle
Lya	Maggie	Maggie
Maggie	Maggie	Margarie
Mars	Max	Maximus
Miki	Miles	Monty
Mozart	Mung Mung	Ninja
Oliver	Oliver	Oreo
Parker	Pluto	Prince
Princess	Quito	Radar
Rainey	Reno	Rico
Rocco	Sailor	Sandee
Santo	Shanti	Shasta
Smudge	Sophie	Stella
Stella	Sting	Suzette
Tacoma	Tawny	TJ
Toa	Tommy	Winston
Winston	Wrigley	Angus
Caya	Chloe	Coco
Colt	Elvis	Frieda
George	Hercules	Kenji
King Louis	Kingston	Maverick
Pogo	Rocco	Roody
Rosy	Sadie	Sancho
Titus

Ask the Expert

Foxtails are out in force this year!

By Angela Dyer, DVM
Medical Director, VCA Noah’s Ark Animal Hospital
160 N. Fairview Ave., Goleta, CA - (805)683-7788

The foxtail is a common grass in our area. These grasses dry out in early summer and hold their seed packets high waiting to hitch a ride. The design of these seed packets is great for the plant; because seed packet falls to the ground where it can burrow into the soil, but horrible for dogs because they do not discriminate between dogs and soil! Each seed packet is shaped like a little spike with tiny hairs that keep it going forward through whatever is in its path.

Foxtails can dig deeply into a dogs flesh and cause serious problems and infection. In these first few weeks of summer, we at VCA Noah’s Ark Animal Hospital have been removing foxtails from dogs on a daily basis. They can end up anywhere in the dog, and may require surgical attention.

Here are some common areas for dogs to get foxtails:

• Feet: Limping, licking, or swelling may be signs that a foxtail has imbedded in the foot, usually between the toes.
• Ears: Shaking the head or scratching at the ears may be a sign of a foxtail in the ear canal. A dog with a foxtail in the ear can develop a chronic ear infection or even get a punctured eardrum.
• Eyes: Squinting, redness, eye discharge, or pawing at the eye could mean one has gotten in the eye.
• Nose: Due to dog’s propensity to sniff, foxtails commonly get in noses. Signs include sneezing (sometimes violently), bleeding from the nose, and pawing at the nose. Left alone, these foxtails can migrate to the lungs and cause pneumonia, or even the brain!
• Other places: Not as common as the sites listed above, our doctors have also seen foxtails in the following areas: Mouth – causing abscesses in the face, vulva – causing vaginitis, uterus – causing the need for emergency hysterectomy, bladder – causing a severe bladder infection, spine – from an entry wound in the flank.

What you can do to minimize your dog’s risk:

• Keep your dog out of the fields of foxtails.
• Mow your property to keep foxtails out of your dog’s home turf.
• Trim the fur, especially around your dog’s feet, so you can easily see the foxtails.
• Go over your dog from head to foot after a hike or off-leash romp to look for foxtails. Comb your dog to get them out of the fur. Get them off your dog before they dig in.
• If you notice any of the above symptoms, seek veterinary attention immediately. It is much easier, and less costly, to deal with a foxtail early. Wait and surgery may be required!

Did You Know?

FDA Approves First Cancer Drug for Dogs

Just last month, the Food and Drug Administration approved the nation's first drug developed specifically for the treatment of canine cancer. Manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health Inc., the drug will hit the markets in early 2010. "This cancer drug approval for dogs is an important step forward for veterinary medicine," Bernadette Dunham, D.V.M., Ph.D., director of FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, said in a released statement.

Inside the Club

Sunday, July 12th 10:45am
Dioji Adult Basic Obedience Class

New six week course begins for dogs over 7 months of age who have either never had a training class or could just use a refresher.

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Sunday, July 19th 9:30am
Dioji Puppy II Training Class

A six week course begins for dogs who have either completed our Puppy I class and would like to continue learning or for puppies 4-7 months new to training.

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Saturday, July 25th 9:00am
Dioji Puppy I Training Class

A new six week course begins for puppies under 5 months of age.

Call to sign up for any of our classes or for more information click here.

Outside the Club

July 19th: 10am to 1pm
SB Botanic Garden Doggie Bagel Brunch

Enjoy a stroll through the gardens with you furry pal! Doggie snacks provided by Dioji and you can get your dogs ID tags made plus have you and your dogs caricature done along with many more activities. For more info/tickets: 682-4726 ext. 110. Garden members, $10, non-members, $25.

Barkimonial

Hello my fellow Dioji members! My name is Maximus and I am a one year old boxer who has had a membership at Dioji since November 2008. When I was referred to Dioji by my cousin Allie I had no idea what to expect. The first couple of days were a bit overwhelming, but I quickly gained confidence in the dog bone shaped pool and made countless friends for life. Every experience that I have ever had at Dioji has been positive. My mom and dad never have to worry about me when I am spending the day at the athletic club because they are familiar with the facility and the staff. My parents even get a daily report card detailing my day.

Unlike the other doggie daycares that I have been to, Dioji allows me to play all day with a 100 percent cage free facility. The Dioji staff always makes sure that I get my lunch break and ensures that I am not late to my scheduled grooming and/or manicure-pedicure appointments on time. Honestly, I do not know what I would do without Dioji in my life. Dioji truly makes me a better dog.

In this doggie world it is all about treats and the friends you make along the way. Trigger, Ruckus, Roxy, Lily, Jenna, Allie and Bubba are just a few of my best buddies. I look forward to many more playful years with you at my home away from home, Dioji.

Your forever grateful member,
Maximus Kolb-Ramirez

Dioji Family

Each month we would like to introduce one of our valuable team members to you so you can get to know the Dioji staff even better.

Who
Ayres d’Este Mitchell

Position
Receptionist and Dog Associate

Hometown
Santa Barbara, CA

Favorite or funniest Dioji moment
I love it when the puppies try digging in the little turtle pool! They are so determined that they will get to the bottom!

Something people may not know about you
I am a member of The Associated Daughters of Early American Witches, because I am related to two ‘witches’ hanged in Salem, during the Witch trials.

Featured Product

Hand Crafted Dog ID tags

Your dog deserves an ID tag as unique as he or she is! Hand stamped tags in various styles and metals. Samples available to view at Dioji.

Prices start at $15