You also need to check up on fence once it is installed to make sure perimeter wire is in tact, batteries in your dog’s collar still work and if your dog has a heavy coat, area where collar makes contact is shaven. Also, check with manufacturer about radio frequency whether is it FM or AM. FM is preferable as AM tends to pick up stray signals that may give your dog a correction even when he is not near perimeter of fence.

Another disadvantage to this type of fence is that it does not keep other animals out. For this reason people often use this type of fence in conjunction with a standard fence to keep dog out of a garden or pool.

Safety Light collars and vests

Safety collars and vests with flashers in general are constructed with reflective fabrics and have a flashing lights attached to them. Some, such asPolyBrite™ collar and leash do more than just reflect light, they generate their own. Both collar and leash and give off a bright red glow and can also be set to flash. They use a replaceable watch battery that last up to 250 hours, are light weight, and above all – water resistant. You can also find a range of clip on flashing lights, from more durable and water proof for larger dogs to something very small and light such as Pet Blinker. The clip on flashing lights can also be attached to a child’s coat or belt if needed.

Safety vests are a must for working dog or if you take your dog jogging in poorly lit areas. Also essential for hunting dogs. Besides being constructed of reflective material higher end safety vests generate light and may have a flashing light for added visibility. Summer is a fun time and a great time to get out and run or swim with your pets. Even though you’ve taken safety precautions, should unexpected happen to your pets it is always advisable to have pet insurance should you find yourself in emergency room. (see: http://www.a1-dogs.com/pet-insurance.htm). Whatever you do, have a great time this season.

Hematomas My Golden had one once, a big one, from shaking her head because of her ear condition. My Vet says a hematoma can turn into a very serious condition if not treated. My golden had to have an operation for it. Hematomas are collections of blood. They are common in ears because there doesn't seem to be anything in ear to generate enough pressure to stop bleeding until ear swells enough with blood. Ear infections, ear mites, fly bite irritation, mosquito bites, allergies and immune mediated diseases have all been implicated as underlying causes for this problem. Anything that causes dog to flap its ears can make this happen and it appears to occur spontaneously in a number of dogs. Large hematomas should be treated surgically or medically. Surgery usually involves making an incision on inner aspect of ear and draining blood, removing any blood clots that are left and then suturing two sides of ear together by putting sutures all way through it, in a "mattress" pattern. Sometimes it is possible just to place a drain and massage blood out of ear daily until it heals. If you use a commercial ear product please make sure it is of good quality and please make sure it is proper product for condition. So many dogs have had tremendous ear pain and complications because of wrong product, or wrong use of a product. An educated dog owner is best kind of dog owner.