From the monthly archives:

April 2009

10 Pet Safety Tips You Should Know

by Wayne Booth on April 27, 2009

In some ways having a pet is like having a child. You have to do all of the thinking and planning for him. You have to be prepared for every contingency. That means being prepared in case of emergencies and taking the proper precautions ahead of time.

Here are some tips that should help you take good care of your dog:

1. Make sure that your dog is up-to-date on his vaccinations and that he has proper tags and ID at all times. Microchips are recommended. This is a great help should your dog ever become lost. It gives him the best possible chance of being returned to you if somebody finds him.

2. Obey leash laws. This means that you should keep your dog safely contained in your own yard behind a fence. When you have your dog out with you make sure that he is restrained on a good quality leash. Don’t let your dog run loose. This is dangerous to him and a nuisance to the neighborhood.

3. Be careful what you feed your dog. No chocolate. No onions. No raisins. If in doubt about something your dog eats or if you suspect poisoning call your local veterinarian immediately. Know the number of your closest emergency vet clinic and the shortest route in case you have an emergency at night.

4. Crate train your dog. Your dog should ride in a crate in your vehicle. This is the safest way for your dog to travel. Crate training is also a great way to help house train your dog. If you ever intend to fly anywhere with your dog he will also need to fly in a crate.

5. Keep a pet first aid kit on hand and know how to use the contents. A good first aid kit should contain blankets, surgical tape, a muzzle, an antibacterial ointment (such as Neosporin), cotton swabs, tweezers, gauze and gauze pads, hydrogen peroxide, ipecac, scissors, forceps, diarrhea medication, and activated charcoal. Remember that if your dog experiences an injury that he may react out of fear or pain. Be careful in handling him. He could bite you accidentally.

6. Take special precautions in hot summer weather and during extreme cold. Remember that dogs can’t sweat and that they suffer during extremes of weather just as people do. They should not be left in vehicles during either extreme, even for a few minutes.

7. Remember that your dog needs fresh water available at all times. Dogs can become dehydrated just as people can.

8. Take special precautions with dogs when there may be fireworks or other loud noises. Many dogs are sensitive to these loud booms and can become frightened from them. Some dogs can bolt and become lost.

9. Old dogs need special care. Keep an eye on their weight. You don’t want them to be either too thin or too much overweight. Both can be signs of an underlying health problem. Make allowances for their age. Provide a softer place to sleep, give them more time to eat, make their food more appealing. Take them for a senior check-up starting when they’re about seven-years-old.

10. Be patient with puppies. They come to you not knowing anything. They will make mistakes. Teach them using positive training techniques and they will be able to learn anything you want to teach them. A trained dog is a happier dog and has a better chance of fitting into your home and lifestyle and living a wonderful life with you.

Do you have some other safety tips? Please share them with us. Simply click the comment button below.

Until next time………Wayne

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6 Exercise Outlets for Your Dog

by Wayne Booth on April 18, 2009

There are more overweight and obese dogs in the world today than at any other time in history. One reason, of course, is that people tend to overfeed their dogs. But the other reason is that many dogs don’t get enough exercise. Exercise is vitally important for your dog’s health and for his mental and physical happiness.

Here are some good exercise outlets for your dog:

Take a walk. One of the easiest and still the best ways of getting some exercise for your dog (and for yourself) is to simply take your dog for a walk. Whether you live in the city or the country, walking with your dog is a great way to get some exercise, enjoy the outdoors and to spend some quality time together.

Take up a sport. Do you or your dog enjoy a special activity? Have you ever wanted to try agility or flyball? What about canine freestyle? There’s no reason why you and your dog shouldn’t sign up for a fun activity together. Many pet stores and kennel clubs have sign-up sheets to organize team sports that you can your dog can enjoy together. These are great activities for you and your dog with the added bonus that you can meet some other dog people who share the same interests.

Jog with your dog. Many people enjoy jogging. There’s no reason why your dog can’t accompany you. You shouldn’t take a puppy jogging with you since jogging on pavement can be bad for his joints and tendons and making a puppy run more than a short distance is a bad idea, but otherwise a dog can be a great jogging partner. It’s great exercise for a dog just as it is for you.

Bike with your dog. Many people who enjoy bicycling like to take their dogs with them. There are Springer attachments that fit on bikes to make it easy to keep your dog attached while you ride. Again, don’t overdo it with puppies. Otherwise biking with a dog is great exercise and something you can enjoy together.

Take a hike. Many people love to go hiking with their dogs. Great scenery, great exercise and wonderful quality time together. Pet product companies even make backpacks for dogs so that your dog can carry his own water and treats.

Go for a swim. Many dogs love to swim. Some dogs take to it naturally while others may need a little coaxing. But swimming is great exercise. Whether you have your own pool or you decide to use a nearby lake, swimming and water sports are something that you and your dog can enjoy together. Make sure to get your dog a life jacket — bright colors and proper fit are important. If you’re using a pool be sure to show your dog the steps and teach him how to get out.

There are many kinds of exercise that you can enjoy with your dog. The key is to get out and do something. You and your dog can have a lot of fun together and you won’t feel like couch potatoes.

Please share with us what you do to exercise your dog. Simply click the comment button below.

Until next time……….Wayne

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8 Things A Responsible Dog Owner Should Do?

by Wayne Booth on April 9, 2009

If you own a dog there are a few things you need to do in order to be considered a responsible dog owner.

1. Before you get a dog ask yourself if you have enough time to properly take care of him or her. Do you have the time to housebreak and train a puppy? Can you afford good veterinary care and good dog food? Can you make the commitment necessary to care for a dog? Is everyone in your home able to make the same commitment?

2. When choosing a dog make sure that you choose the right dog for you. This means considering your lifestyle and circumstances. Do you like grooming? Do you have time to groom? If you don’t, then don’t get a longhaired dog that requires a lot of weekly or even daily grooming. Do you live in a small apartment? Then you shouldn’t get a very active dog that needs lots of room to run. (But remember that size isn’t always an indication of how active a dog is. Some very large dogs are quite happy to sleep all day while some small dogs can be extremely active.) Do you have children? By all means choose a breed that’s known for being great with kids. In other words, think before you get a dog. Don’t choose a dog impulsively.

3. Once you bring your new puppy or dog home be sure to take him or her to the vet for a check-up. This is the most responsible thing you can do for several reasons: a) You need to confirm that the seller has given you a healthy puppy or dog; b) You need to be certain that the dog will not pass on any illness to other pets; c) You should be sure that your new puppy or dog is current on vaccinations for his or her own protection and for yours. Most cities and states require dogs to be vaccinated, at least for rabies. Check with your city or with your vet to find out about the vaccination requirements in your area.

4. Be sure that you provide your dog with fresh water at all times and with healthy dog food. Educate yourself about the ingredients in dog food. Learn what makes a good food and what your dog needs in his diet. Not all dog foods are created equal. Some dogs are full of cheap fillers and other foods are made of expensive organic ingredients. Find out what your dog actually needs so you can make an informed choice about his food.

5. Keep your dog responsibly contained and do not let him wander the neighborhood. Virtually every city and town in North America has leash laws of some kind that require dogs to be kept leashed or on their owner’s property. A good fence or a leash when you are walking your dog will keep your dog from roaming. Dogs that are allowed to roam and wander may become lost or hit by cars. If picked up they can go to animal shelters where they may be put to sleep. Keep your dog safely contained for his own protection.

6. If you do not intend to responsibly breed your dog you should consider having him or her neutered or spayed. Neutering and spaying prevents unwanted pet pregnancies and saves you from having to find homes for unexpected puppies. Responsible breeding is not easy. It entails health testing the parents, researching pedigrees, planning and overseeing matings and researching homes for puppies. Unless you plan to undertake these activities most pets are better off being spayed and neutered unless you have reason to believe that your dog would have a health problem with such surgery.

7. Train your dog! There is nothing better than a well behaved dog. A trained dog is a joy to own and to live with so be responsible and take the time to train your dog. You can start with a puppy class when your puppy is around 10 weeks old. Formal obedience should start at 4 months of age. Your dog will appreciate you efforts.

8. Do the right thing for your dog even when it’s difficult. This means that when your dog has reached the end of his days and there is no more that the vet can do for him, you will have to make the difficult decision to say goodbye. Stay with your dog and comfort him till the end.

Being a responsible pet owner is a big job. It means that you have to think of everything for your dog from the time before you get him until the end of your days together. But, in return, your dog will give you all the love in his heart and soul. It’s a good trade.

What would you ad to the list?  Let us hear from you.

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