Pet Tips And Advice

Traveling With Pets: A Safety And Comfort Guide For Both Owner And Animal

2009-04-19T17:20:00.003-05:00

Going on vacation is one of the most pleasurable times in many people’s lives. Unfortunately, it can be one of the most stressful times for our beloved pets. For some sending Fido to the kennel is out of the question. Here is some important advice for anyone wishing to travel with his or her four legged companions.

Common sense is one of our most precious allies when traveling with our pets and following is a list of great tips to ensure the safety of our pets

Must not forgets:

Your pet’s favorite bed and toys
Plenty of food. Changing food can disrupt the digestive system
Copies of up to date records of all shots especially rabies
Collar and leash
Identification tag (consider micro chipping)
Prescribed medications
Lots of treats
Photos of your pet
Your veterinarians phone number
When traveling by car:

Stop at least every 100 miles or 3 hours to give your pet a chance to stretch, walk, drink and of course empty their bladder.
Always have your pets on leash when traveling. Even if they are off-leashed trained.
Use a harness that is made to clip into the car’s seat belt while traveling
Always clean up after your pet at all rest areas.
Make sure your pet is wearing an identifying tag with a phone number that is appropriate for your trip. Cell phones are best.
Never leave a pet alone in a car, especially in hot or cold climates. Extreme temperature changes can happen in minutes and can be fatal.
When traveling by plane:

Many airlines will allow you to travel with your pet on the same flight. Small pets generally less than ten pounds can travel in an airline-approved carrier that will fit under your seat. For larger pets the airline has accommodations in cargo. Be sure to check with your airlines regarding fees and restrictions. Often there is limited space for animals so if you plan on traveling with your pet you should try to book as early as possible.

Pets brought for travel on airlines must be a minimum of eight weeks old and be fully weaned; In addition airlines will not allow pets that are uncontrollable, ill, in heat or pregnant. Pets should not be sedated for air travel. All pets for air travel will need a recent health certificate generally within 48 hours of travel as well as documentation of vaccinations and any medications he may be taking.

When traveling in cargo it is important that the crate you choose is large enough for the pet to stand without touching the top, turn around and lay back down comfortably. The crate needs to be clearly marked as “Live Animal” and should also include your name, address, and phone number (a cell phone number is best). Your final destination is also a good idea to include just in case your pet is misplaced in transit. The inside of the crate must have a food and water cup attached to it and it is a good idea to supply a zip lock bag with some extra food just in case of any delays.

For the smaller pets traveling with you it is generally easier since you will be there to care for him. A soft-sided carrier bag is generally all that is needed, Check with your airlines for any size requirements.

Upon Arrival at your destination:

Many hotel chains and campsites welcome our companion animals as their quests. When booking your room ask about additional fees for having your pets stay with you as well as any rules. Try not to leave your pet alone in the room for long periods. Remember this is a strange place for him and he will be nervous if left alone.

If you are staying with a friend or relative be certain to ask their permission to bring your pet. Do not assume that just because you love Fido so will they. Upon arrival ask your guest where they would like you to walk your dog. Always clean up after him and be respectful of your guests’ home.

So why leave your favorite pets at home? With a little bit of planning, your companion can enjoy in all your family festivities.

Mr. Howie Berkowitz has over twenty years of experience in pet care and pet sales. He owns and operates "Pets Pets Pets" of Somerset, New Jersey, and can be contacted at pppsomerset@aol.com.

The Most Important Part Of Pet Housebreaking

2009-01-18T11:11:00.002-06:00

Housebreaking can be a nightmare for many new pet owners especially if they are not aware of how to start. Successful house breaking your pet will ease up your initial pet ownership anxiety.

To begin, here are some guidelines that worked for me and many others in toilet training their pet. So, if you are still struggling with housebreaking your dog, use this as a guide immediately and be CONSISTENT!

Housebreaking your dog is one of the most important training for all pet owners if they want a more pleasant life. It is not difficult to train even an old dog to do this so long as you are consistent when guiding her. Avoid allowing your dog free run of the home when you first bring her home. She is most likely to eliminate at the wrong places most times and it can be a back breaking experience for u too! Ensure close supervision if you allow her in the home and reprimand her immediately when she make a mistake.

1) Confine your dog to an area (e.g. kitchen) when you bring her home. Do not let her roam around the house as chances are she is going to eliminate anywhere she likes to mark his territory. You may wish to keep her there for few days to 2 weeks to let her get used to his place. Ensure that his den is free from hazardous materials or household cleaning agents that she can reach out. Dogs that are bored can start to get into their mischief when alone at home, so make sure her area is sheltered and safe for her to be left alone there. Once she is more consistent in eliminating at the same stop during confinement, you can start to let her move around freely in the house. If you must bring the pet out to the living quarters, ensure that someone can closely supervise her and when a mistake is made, immediate punishment is enforced to ensure your pet knows it is wrong to eliminate in the living quarters.

2) Place newspapers in the area where you want your dog should eliminate.

3) Each time she does it at the right spot, praise her like she is the smartest dog on earth and give her some treats if you wish. When the same action and same feedback is given to the dog consistently, she will learn very quickly what to do to get those treats. Ease off those treats when she have mastered the skills.

4) If your dog eliminates on the wrong spot, reprimand her immediately by using a low stern voice. Soak up the pee with a tissue and place it at the spot where she is supposed to eliminate and show her again where she should be doing it. You may have to carry her to the spot to show her the right place for toilet. Correction must be immediately for fast result. Even if there is a delay of few minutes after the act, correcting her will be fruitless as she cannot relate the mistake she made with your unhappiness.

5) The trick to this is to eye on your pet like a hawk. When you notice she is about to eliminate at the wrong spot, distract her so she stop the act, scoop or lead her to her toilet and command her to do it there. Ensure she is confined there until she eliminates. Remember to praise and reward her for faster result. This is the fastest way to housebreak your pet but you have to be very attentive to her and know the right time to scoop/lead her before she actually eliminate on the wrong spot. If she eliminates before you can get to her, take the opportunity to reprimand her and punish her as you have caught her in the act. This requires support and cooperation from family members especially if you are busy with something or not at home, ensure someone can help to guide her.

6) Place more newspaper on a bigger area at the start of the training and reduce the paper spread gradually when your dog gets better at it.

If eliminating at home on papers is not an option for the family, then set up a routine to walk your dog at least 2-3 times a day. Dogs do not usually soil their own den (i.e. your home), so if the walks are frequent enough, she will hold it till their walk. Puppies need their toilet break more frequently usually immediately after their meal. Be prepared to bring her out for toilet breaks after every meal or after every 2 hours or so. Place papers just outside the house if need be to train them to eliminate outdoors.

Do remember that consistency and patience is of the essence to housebreaking your pet. Do not give up too early, some dogs take a day to learn, others take months. Each and single one of them is unique, we just have to practice patience and a lot of consistency for the training to be a success.

Veronica Eng researched on dog care from various sources for many years and summarized many effective yet simple guides to dog lovers. Her techniques have made her dogs healthy, vibrant and gorgeous coat that many envy. Natural pet health is her passion! More tips at http://www.dogcarezone.com

Puppy house training

2008-06-12T12:43:00.000-05:00

Every owner can teach his dog self control by following these guidelines:
Train, don't restrain: Taking a firm grip on the leash and collar teaches the dog nothing except that you can restrain him. Instead, give a simple command, such as sit, reminding with the lead if needed, then loosen the lead so there is no tension at all. If the dog breaks position, quietly and slowly reposition him, and loosen the lead again.

Ask for compliance, not submission: View working with your dog as you would working with any friend. Avoid creating a struggle by asking the dog for more than he can do at the time. For example, if your dog is really excited, he may be unable or unwilling to lay down, but agreeable to sitting quietly with a few reminders from you. Compromise and be reasonable - most struggles between dog and owner are created when the owner attempts to dominate the dog, instead of finding a solution acceptable to both owner and dog.

Remember the dog does not know what his options are: A dog who is lacking self control simply does not know that it is possible to sit quietly in the face of distractions. It is the owner's responsibility to show the dog that he has options other than lunging, pulling or leaping around.

Move slowly and talk quietly: A dog who is highly excited needs calm, slow handling. A common mistake owners make is to move quickly, grabbing at the leash and collar, raising their voice and speaking in short, sharp tones. From the dog's point of view, the owner appears as excited as they are, and short sharp tones often sound like barking. Instead of calming the dog, this reinforces his excitement. By moving slowly and talking quietly, the owner sends a clear message to the dog that he is not excited and is in control of the situation.

Remind and ask, don't demand: A dog who is already excited is likely to resist a harsh correction or respond by becoming more excited. "Ask" by using the lightest possible touch on the leash and collar, and remind the dog what he's doing each time he forgets and shifts position.

Work on teaching self control in all situations: Begin by working in distraction free areas, and ask your dog to sit on a loose leash for five minutes. Gradually move on to more exciting situations, and practice often. Work at home, at friends' homes, in parks, shopping centers, at dog shows, training classes and the veterinarian's. As your dog's self control and respect for you increases, you can add laying down quietly for up to 30 minutes to his skills. click here for more

About the Author
good writer

2007-10-31T15:58:00.000-05:00

What not to Feed your Pet This Christmas!
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CHOCOLATE:

There has been a lot of articles in the news about the lethal effects of chocolate recently and here’s why! Chocolate contains theobromine. Theobromine is a similar compound to caffeine and stimulates the heart and nervous system. In dogs it can poison them with death occurring from heart failure. Cats may not metabolise chocolate in the same way as dogs but are also thought to be at risk.

Plain and dark chocolate contains more theobromine and therefore is more dangerous than milk chocolate if your dog or cat ingests it. Theobromine stays in the dogs system for a long time, this means that chocolate poisoning can even occur if small amounts of chocolate are fed repeatedly.

Also remember that cocoa powder, baking chocolate and other foods contain theobromine. In the November 2003 Issue of Dogs Today they also pointed out that Cocoa mulch (sold in garden centres) smells delicious to dogs but is highly toxic.

Dog chocolate has had the theobromine removed. However, if it contains milk (see below) and sugar then it is probably best you avoid this as well, especially if your dog is already overweight!

COWS MILK:

‘Cats and dogs along with most other mammals lose, to a variable extent, their ability to digest lactose (milk sugar) with age, because the activity of the enzyme lactase declines with age’ Source ‘Manual of Companion Animal Nutrition and Feeding’ by BSAVA (British Small Animal Veterinary Association).

Lactose cannot be broken down without the enzyme lactase. Cats and dogs which are lactose intolerant may suffer from diarrhoea and/or flatulence when fed milk.

RAISINS AND GRAPES:

The ASCPA (Animal Poison Control Centre in the USA) has recently published information stating the toxicity of raisins and grapes in dogs (they do not know how they affect cats yet, but advise to avoid feeding them anyway). Eating just a handful of raisins and grapes has been shown to cause kidney failure. They do not know why as yet but it might be due to a pesticide sprayed on the grapes or perhaps a type of mould found on the skin of grapes and raisins.
Christmas Treats!

FATTY MEAT SCRAPS:

Most dogs and cats will get a bit of Christmas dinner this year, however bear in mind that if it is more than the occasional scrap, very fatty foods may lead to problems such as pancreatitis. The pancreas releases enzymes to help digest the food. Pancreatitis is a very painful inflammatory condition associated with the ingestion of fatty foods.

FRUIT AND VEGGIES:

Green vegetables are a great way of boosting your dogs immune system, you can feed these raw or cooked. You could even try a piece of raw carrot as a healthy treat. Vegetables are probably better for dogs than fruit. Some fruits are quite acidic (as well as sugary) and may not be good for dogs with skin or digestive complaints.

Remember, everything in moderation! You do not want to be clearing up diarrhoea due to too much Christmas pudding!
About the Author:
John Burns is a qualified veterinarian
who for the past fourteen years has also been producing a natural, holistic and
complete food for dogs and cats, Burns Real Food - free of artificial colours,
flavourings and preservatives.
As a practising Veterinary Surgeon, John became increasingly concerned about the
quality of pet foods on the market, and how nutrition was playing a part in the
poor health of the pets that he was seeing in his surgery.
Burns Pet Nutrition are known for being an ethical company with excellent customer
service and nutrition support which can be accessed via their website www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk

Boxer Dog Breed

2007-09-20T18:32:00.000-05:00

The Boxer is considered to be an all-time favorite breed among dog enthusiasts. They were formed as a result of breeding two specific European breeds that no longer exist today. They were the Danziger Bullenbeiser and the Brabenter Bullenbeiser. The AKC recognized the Boxer during the early 1900s.

This dog has a very outgoing personality, playful, and attentive to its owners and training commands. The Boxer makes a perfect addition to a family who enjoys an active lifestyle. They are generally well behaved with other household pets and are friendly towards children.

Upkeep And Maintenance

The Boxer is not a breed that is meant to be kept indoors without activity. He needs daily stimulation, both mentally and physically, and enjoys running. This dog would make a great jogging companion and must be active through daily walks on the leash.

Boxers are best suited for living indoors with their family. Hot weather is not this dogs best preference in terms of temperature. He prefers a cooler atmosphere so if you keep your Boxer outdoors for any length of time, be sure that there is plenty of shaded area for him to rest when overheated.

Grooming is very simple with the Boxer. Due to his short coat, you'll only need an occasional brushing once weekly in order to remove dead hairs.

Health Information

The Boxer dog breed has an average life span of anywhere between eight to ten years. Veterinarians recommend that Boxer dog owners have their animals specifically tested for health issues such as hip dysplasia, cardiac issues, and potential thyroid problems.

There are a few major health concerns that seem to be typical with the Boxer breed, and they are SAS, CHD, and Boxer cardiomyopathy. Minor concerns include corneal erosion, gastric torsion, hypothyroidism, and colitis. Occasionally, the Boxer dog breed may develop brain tumors or degenerative myelopathy.

2007-09-14T07:18:00.000-05:00

Buying A Service Dog –The Absolute BEST Adult Dog You Could Ever Find

Copyright © Susan Jennerjohn
http://www.PetTipsandAdvice.com/

When deciding to add a new adult dog to the family, have you considered purchasing one that is actually retired? What is a “retired” dog? Simply put, most people never consider finding a companion that used to be of service to other people, such as a guide dog.

If you look up the reports provided by the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners, you'll find that there are approximately 8,000 to 9,000 dogs in the United States alone that are “employed”. These animals are out there providing service to our fellow human beings by guiding blind people, helping the deaf, and offering assistance to other disabled men and women.
However, not all dogs who are bred and raised in order to provide some sort of service is actually out there working. And other dogs have indeed been of use to people during their life but obviously cannot continue working forever. To help these animals find homes, there are guide dog organizations who provide adoption programs as part of their services.

These animals are definitely in high demand. Most of them are completely trained and offer stable companionship from the day they are brought home. The reason for this is because most of these working type dogs spent months and even years going through intensive obedient classes and learning training protocols. This type of training is so extensive that most everyday citizens could not afford to have their pets undergo such training from professionals.

Consider this, it takes a very special and intelligent dog just to get excepted into a program which will train them for a career as a service dog. They must be well adjusted, in good health, and show all the signs necessary to make them good students of whatever particular job the trainers will be preparing them for.

Just these attributes alone, before being trained to work, would make a wonderful pet. Now imagine six months up to two years of additional heavy-duty obedience training and career protocol programs. The result is a dog that anybody would be extremely grateful to have as a house pet.

So before you decide to go to a shelter or any of the usual places to buy or adopt a dog, consider checking out local facilities that specialize in providing dogs that are ex-service oriented, or those canines that for some reason or another did not completely make it through the training. Either way, you are guaranteed to enjoy a high class, first rate quality pet.
Train Your Cat and much more click here:
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© 2007, Susan Jennerjohn. All Rights Reserved. This article is brought to you courtesy of http://www.PetTipsandAdvice.com/
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2007-08-22T18:56:00.001-05:00

Buying a Service Dog-What Kind of Service Dogs Can You Adopt?
Copyright © Susan Jennerjohn
http://www.Pettipsandadvice.com

Buying A Service Dog – What Types Of Service Dogs Can You Adopt?

If you're lucky enough to be purchasing a dog that was trained to provide a service for people, or a least adopting a dog that was accepted for such training but did not make it for some reason, you are in for a special treat. Most people aren't even aware that such dogs exist.

What type of pets are we talking about? Any dog that was trained for or actually worked a “career” by leading the blind and helping other disabled people is a prime example.

You Have 3 Choices Of Service Dogs To Choose From

When looking to adopt a professionally trained career dog, your choices come in three different forms: dogs that are retired from being guides, “career changing” dogs, and finally, there are the canines that for some reason did not make it through the training program, or simply put - flunkies.

Guide Dogs No More: Just like people, service dogs cannot work their jobs forever. As these animals get older, they become slower and are no longer effective in helping their owners. The average amount of time that a service dog can work is approximately 8 years. At this point they become prime candidates for adoption by people like you and me.

Dogs That Had Multiple Careers: Many dogs can be taken out of one service job and then trained for another. The reasons for this can vary. It may be because of temperament issues, medical concerns, or perhaps a dog was just not a suitable match for its owner. For example, a dog may be retired from guide service and then prepared and transferred to work at a rehabilitation hospital or a nursery home. Sometimes these types of animals are even assigned to children's homeless centers in order to play with the kids.

Just Didn't Make The Cut: Finally, we have our flunkies. Now before you consider a flunky to be a negative thing, reconsider that notion because quite the opposite is true. Thousands of dogs are trained every year by organizations which lead them into service jobs.

Not all of these dogs make the cut and move on to work with people. They are considered flunkies for whatever reason, whether it is from temperament problems, health problems, or perhaps were a little too excitable for service work. However, the important aspect to remember here is that these dogs are still a cut above any other pet you may find elsewhere.

Just to get accepted into these types of programs for training preparation means they already had natural first-class qualities and characteristics which made them ideal candidates. These dogs are typically between the ages of one and two years old. Most are very gentle and loving and have had some type of extensive obedience training during the beginning of the program.

2007-08-16T09:17:00.001-05:00

Dog parks – Are You Practicing Good Dog Owner Etiquette While At The Dog Park?

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Taking your dog to a dog park where he can roam free and socialize with other dogs is beneficial to both your pet as well as your peace of mind knowing that you are providing your companion with a high level of socialization. For example, in the city of San Diego there are two locations near the beach which offer a designated dog park which is a fenced in environment, in addition to a “dog beach” which is a section on the shore totally set up for dogs to roam free off leash.

Needless to say, the animals must also be accompanied with their owners, obviously. However, there are a few aspects and responsibilities of bringing your dog to such an environment that you must consider. Too many people make the mistake of letting their animals run free and completely disconnecting from the entire time their dogs are out socializing. By sitting on a bench in waiting until it's time to go home, you are potentially missing out on maintaining obedience etiquette with your dogs.

What does all this mean? I'm simply referring to the fact that your dog may cause several problems that you may not be aware of my leaving him alone at the dog park without any interaction from you. Below are a few ways that you can ensure your pet's safety and fun while at the dog park, in addition to keeping him under control and obeying your commands.

1. Leash your dog every now and again and walk him outside of the fenced enclosure. Initiate the basic commands that he is used to such is sit or stay. Be sure to reward the dog and then allow him to return to his fun. By practicing this activity you are letting him be reminded that obedience is still an important rule even though he is in the middle of doggie heaven.

2. While he is out running around with other packs of dogs, occasionally walk out and call him by name. Have him follow you for a quick petting before returning him to his games. This accomplishes two things: you are reminding him that you are still the leader and you are also letting other dominant dogs see that you have territory over your dog, thus preventing dominance aggression from other animals.

3. Always keep a close eye on your dog and be quick to avoid situations that may lead to unwanted behaviors. Be careful to look out for mounting, intense staring, or aggressive body language between two or more dogs. Watch out to make sure your dog does not suddenly lie on his back, tail tucked in, and possibly start urinating. This is a sign that your dog is completely overwhelmed and in fear. This happens all too often when groups of dogs get together at these parks and by nature, root out the submissive ones.
About The Author: Susan Jennerjohn
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2007-08-08T16:43:00.000-05:00

Housetrain a Puppy in a Week
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There are many people who mistakenly think that puppies are just little dogs. Nothing could be farther from the truth however. Puppies should be considered more like babies than dogs given that they have not matured enough in size and internal bodily functions.

The idea of having an eight-week-old puppy that's completely housetrained is a great idea, reality and a puppies physiology are both working against you. These baby dogs have simply not developed bladders that are able to hold their urine for more than about two hours. It isn't until a puppy is at least 10 weeks and closer to 12 weeks old that they are able to control urination longer than just a few hours.

So one of the more popular questions on forms and other question and answer type sites is how long does it actually take to housetrain a puppy. The answer of course, depends on many factors with the animals' age being one major consideration.

While there may be frustration in attempting to housetrain a puppy a little early, a strong commitment from you to the task is more likely to result in success than simply waiting and not making any effort at all. This is because another issue that determines how long it takes to housetrain a puppy is the need to unlearn bad behaviors that have been picked up before coming to your home.

Many pet shop animals and those from backyard breeders are kept in small cages that encourage the dogs and puppies to relieve themselves in the same general area where they eat and sleep. This is a very bad habit that actually goes against the preference of dogs to have a clean den like area for sleeping.

Crate training is an excellent way of keeping control of your puppy while he's in your home. By confining your pet to a crate, you limit the potential for accidents, which can develop into bad habits. The last thing you want is for your puppy to find a nice place on your expensive wall to wall carpet to use as a bathroom.

The way to limit this from happening is to always keep an eye on your puppy when they're roaming around your home. Watch for your pet signs that they are looking to go to the bathroom. These signs may include sniffing around in out-of-the-way corners, doing a "test squat" or turning around in circles. When you see these signs it's important to take your dog out immediately. Your goal is No accidents.

Should an accident occur however, immediately and completely clean it up while keeping your mouth shut. It does absolutely no good to yell or get upset with your pet because you were the ones that allow that to happen. A puppy can find a place to go squat and urinate in about five seconds. Remember that you were supposed to watch them when they were out of their crate.

By carefully following crate training methods, it's common to see real house training progress in just a few days. Once your pet understands what you want them to do and where you want them to do it, you're well on your way to a completely housetrained new best friend.
Author: Abigail Franks

2007-07-11T22:27:00.001-05:00

Dog Training
Copyright © Susan Jennerjohn
http://www. pettipsandadvice.com

Training your golden retriever helps you build a solid relationship. The basic rule of good dog training is to have effective communication. You should have specific commands, and work on a routine. Reward your dog when he follows directions and redirect bad behavior. Training will let your dog know who is boss. Once you have trained your dog you will be able to avoid or solve almost any problem that may come up with him.

If you have a new puppy then one of the first things you will want to do is to potty train him. Be aware that potty training a puppy takes work and discipline. You should always keep an eye on your puppy during training, so you can catch an accident before it goes to far. Be gentle and reward him when he goes potty in the right place. Ask him if he needs to go outside often. Take him outside on a schedule and remind him to go once you get outside. Keeping at it and being repetitive will ensure your puppy learns and inside accidents will be few, if any.

Keeping your cat healthy may seem difficult. Cats are prone to all sorts of problems, but weight has been found to be the number one cause of many feline disorders and conditions. Playing with your cat and making sure she gets exercise regularly is a great start. You may also want to weigh her food and cut out any treats or table scraps. Simple steps like these will help keep your cat in at a good weight and in good health.

Skunk spray smells horrible and can be frustrating to get out. Whether your animal has gotten sprayed, or worse you have it is nice to know some simple tricks to getting rid of that skunk smell. The following list is some common items that have proven to remove skunk spray - peroxide and baking soda with a tablespoon of dish soap, tomato juice, delicate laundry soap, lemon juice, mouthwash, perm neutralizer,
vinegar, tangerines, triple-strength pot of coffee (cooled and used as a rinse), peppermint extract.

About The Author: Susan Jennerjohn
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