If you haven’t heard the term counter surfing, it may mean you’ve never had it take place in your house, and that’s a good thing! If you are familiar with it, however, you know it is one of the more troublesome habits your dog can pick up, and it needs to be addressed right away.

Here we are at the end of October, when the temperatures and the leaves seem to be in a competition to see which can fall faster! Autumn is in its full glory, and there are plenty of Fall activities that you can enjoy with your dog, despite the chill in the air! However, this change of seasons does bring with it some things to be aware of when keeping your best buddy’s health and wellness in mind!.

Whenever you head out for a hike, or load up for a road trip, it’s important to have a first aid kit on hand, right? The same goes for your dog. Our canine companions are always up for a great time, and it’s up to us to see that it’s a safe time too. To make sure you’re ready for any mishap that may happen during an adventure with your four-legged friend, always take a well-stocked dog first aid kit along with you.

As we head into the cooler months, you may find yourself spending less time outside with your dog, and consequently your dog is not getting the same amount or structure of interaction and exercise that he may be accustomed to. When Fall and Winter set in, humans are sometimes prone to a more sedentary lifestyle due to the weather, and so we may find ourselves putting on a bit of winter weight if we don’t adjust our routines accordingly. The same can be said for canines, and as their caregivers and companions it is up to us to ensure that our dogs’ health and fitness does not suffer in the face of the changing seasons. So, as we have heard many times from our own physicians, we need to appropriately control the two main contributors to a healthy weight for our pets… you guessed them- Diet and Exercise.