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Canine Respiratory Virus?
Not even one case!  How did we do it?

Our Isolation Protocol policy used in our puppy classes was been extended to all of our courses.  As a result of this, we haven't had a transfer of infectious illness from one dog to another in these courses - even the Canine Respiratory Virus that floated around the region during the summer months last year.

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The protocol requires that all of our students avoid contact with unknown or exposed dogs and avoid areas where the stool and urine from other dogs may be present for at least two weeks prior to attending the course and for the duration of the course.   It is also required that our students keep their dogs from having such contact with known dogs who have had any of these exposures themselves in the prior two weeks.  These exposures include dog parks, day cares, grooming shops, boarding kennels, pet stores and veterinary lobbies - UNLESS THE FACILITY PRACTICES ISOLATION PROTOCOL THEMSELVES (like Ralston Valley Canine, owned by the same owners of Terroux Dog Training). We do encourage socialization with known dogs who are known not to have had any such exposure themselves in the two weeks prior to the socialization.

Terroux Dog Training

Isolation Protocol Advisory

 

In response to increasing concerns about canine cough and influenza (contagious respiratory disease) from local veterinarians, we are expanding our isolation protocol, that is currently used in our puppy classes, to now include all group classes.  Further, we recommend that all dog owners practice this protocol, whether they are attending group classes or not.

 

Isolation Protocol:

All dogs in our classes are required to adhere to this policy for a minimum of 10 days prior to attending their first onsite class (Week 2) and throughout the course to Week 7 (or when their dog completes the course).

 

  1. Students are instructed to make sure their dogs have no contact with other unknown dogs (or the stool and urine from other dogs) in public areas such as parks, dogs parks, day-cares, kennels, grooming shops, pet supply stores, neighborhood walks, fence-line encounters, etc. Exceptions can be made for those facilities that are also following an isolation protocol.

  2. Students are instructed to make sure that their dogs have no contact with any dog who has had such exposures themselves in the last 10 days prior to having contact with the student’s dog.

  3. Students are instructed not to bring a dog to class who is known or suspected of showing symptoms of canine cough or canine influenza which may include cough, runny nose, fever, lethargy, eye discharge, diarrhea, or reduced appetite.

  4. Students are encouraged to socialize their dogs only with known dogs who have not had any public exposures themselves in the 10 days prior to having contact with the student’s dog.

  5. Students may opt in or opt out of the 5-minute contact socialization segment featured in the beginning of each week’s live Basic Obedience class.

  6. Students are required to inform us immediately if 1) their dog begins showing symptoms of canine cough or influenza, and 2) whether or not their veterinarian confirms a diagnosis of canine cough or influenza.

 

This virus didn’t just show up recently; it’s been around the Denver area since early spring and became relatively common over the summer.  We are in contact with thousands of dog owners every year in our classes and at our kennel.  We know dozens of dogs who have contracted the virus, but none of these dogs that we know of have passed from the virus, though two developed complications. 

 

Our puppy isolation protocol has prevented transfer of contagious virus and disease for more than 20 years with over 4,500 puppies within our public classes.  We hope to have similar results by now applying the same restrictions to all of our classes.

 

Please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns.  Thank you.

 

Terroux Dog Training

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