Pet Auto Safety

Getting you new puppy to use a crate can be tough. After all, the little guys are so cute it’s hard for any owner to force them to do something they don’t want to do. But when you return home and realize puppy had urinated on the floor and chewed up your new leather shoes, you will realize you have no other choice than to keep your new puppy in a dog crate until they are better trained.

There are a few tricks owners can use to get their puppies to feel comfortable in their crates. Try putting a few of the puppy’s favorite toys in the crate, that way he will have something to do while you’re gone. Give your puppy a small treat each time he gets into the crate. The most important things to do are to give your puppy lots of love and attention when he’s out of his crate. Dogs that lack exercise tend to have more behavioral problems, and it’s an owner’s responsibility to give him that exercise.

Being a puppy, my dog Maya likes to investigate things by putting them in her mouth. In order to prevent her from hurting herself or doing damage, I put safety covers on all my plugs, secured all the wires from my computer and television so that she could not get to them, and the trash can is kept under the sink. If you have a pantry, you can put your trash can in the pantry or get a trash can that has a secure lid. Also, anything I do not want to get destroyed is put up out of Maya’s reach or put into a room where she is not allowed to go. Laundry is kept in a laundry basket with a lid and the bathroom door is kept closed.

Puppies need to chew so it is important that you have fun and safe toys for your dog to play with. The chewing phase generally lasts to age two, but every dog is different and some may take longer to grow out of it. Besides keeping the house secure, I also work with Maya to help her learn what she is and what she is not allowed to chew on. Maya has several toys. If I find her chewing on something she is not supposed to have, I take it away and say “no” in a very firm voice. Then I give her a toy she is allowed to play with and tell her what a good girl she is for playing with it. If your dog gets bored with their toys, switch them out every week or so. You do not necessarily have to buy new toys each time. Just give your dog two or three of their toys at one time and change to two or three of their other toys the next time it seems your dog is getting bored. They will probably play with them like they are new toys!

Another think I do is I keep Maya in a crate for when I am not home. Crate training is a great way to keep your dog safe for when you are not able to keep an eye on them. For more information on crate training your dog, visit this site: trainingtipsfordog.info.

Crate training is not cruel unless you leave the dog in for hours and hours at a time with no potty breaks. Maya actually loves her crate and she often goes in there on her own to rest. On days when I am not going to be home for long hours, I take her to a doggie day care place called Woof’s Play-n-Stay or had a dog walker from Grand-Paws Pet Sitting Services to come by and take her for a walk.

Here is an overview of the things you need to do to make your home safe:

*Put safety covers on plugs that are not being used.
*Secure plugs and wires and make sure your dog can’t get to them.
*Put trash can under the sink or in the pantry or make sure it has a secure lid.
*Make sure items that your dog might like to chew are put out of reach.
*Keep bathroom closed in order to keep the dog from getting into the toiletpaper or laundry.
*Provide fun and toys that your dog is allowed to chew on.
*Teach your dog to chew on their toys only.
*Keep your dog in a secure place, such as a crate, when you are not home.

Vet Care
If you adopted your puppy from a humane society or animal rescue group, most likely, all the health care has already been taken addressed. Whether you got your new pet from a humane society or individual, your pet still needs to visit your veterinarian. Be sure to provide the vet with all the information and records you received from the humane society or individual. The health treatments which have been done or will be done by the veterinarian include:

* Rabies vaccination to prevent your pet against the rabies virus.
* DHPP vaccination which protects your pet against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfuenza.
* Bordatella vaccine to protect your pet against various strains of kennel cough (also called canine cough).
* Lyme disease vaccine (recommended only for dogs in high-risk areas).
* Fecal exam and de-worming medication if parasites such as worms are found in your pet’s feces. (De-worming is done automatically for puppies and follow-up boosters may be necessary as well.)
* Flea & tick prevention such as Advantage and Frontline which will help prevent the parasites as well as kill any fleas and ticks which may already be on your pet.
* Heartworm prevention which will help guard against heartworms, which causes heart disease and other serious health conditions.
* Spaying or neutering.
* Microchipping to increase the chances of getting your pet back home should your pet ever get lost.

Not all of these procedures occur at once. If you have a puppy, your puppy may be too young for some of these treatments. Some vaccines require additional booster shots within the next few months or so. This is a lot to remember but your vet will know everything which needs to be done. Ask your vet any questions you have concerning your new pet.

Pet Supplies
Pet supplies will also be needed for your new dog or puppy. Your pet needs food, food and water bowls, leash, and a collar. You may also want to consider a special walking collar to help for in case your dog or puppy likes to pull on the leash. We recommend the Martingale collar, headcollar, or pull-stop harness. The Martingale collar works like a choke chain but can be adjusted in order to limit the amount of choking done. The headcollar fits around the head and muzzle and the leash is attached in such a way that if the dog pulls, they are forced to turn their head. The pull-stop harness fits around the chest and legs so that if the dog pulls, they are pulling from their legs and not their neck.

Another optional supply for your pet is a crate. Crate training is a great way to limit a lot of bad behaviors and establish some good behaviors. Don’t use the crate as a punishment, however. If trained properly, most dogs learn to love their crate. They eventually feel safe and secure in them. Other optional supplies for your new dog or puppy include pet toys such as a Kong or rope toy, dog treats, a dog bed, pet apparel such as a dog sweater, personalized pet id tag, and pet auto safety supplies. If you want to travel to take your dog to the park and such, it is a good idea to provide them with safety when they are in the vehicle. Large dogs do best with just a dog car seat belt. Small dogs do well with the seat belt as well, but you can always pamper them by getting them a comfortable booster seat. In combination with a harness or dog seat belt, the booster seat keeps your pet safe and helps them get a boost so they can look out the window (something that most dogs absolutely love to do).

Be sure to check out our next blog, Making Your Home Safe and Getting Your Pet Acquainted With Your Family.

Humane Societies/Animal Shelters
Once you have an idea of the breed you want and once you are certain that you can provide a quality home for your new dog or puppy, the next step is to actually find the right one. The best place to start is at your local humane society and animal shelters - even if you want a purebred. Believe it or not, shelters and humane societies often have purebred dogs and puppies available. If they don’t have the breed or breed mix you want, ask them to call you when they do. Or you can make regular visits until you find the right dog. Going to the humane society or animal shelter gives you the choice between many dogs and you get them at a very reasonable cost which includes all their shots and the spaying or neutering.

Breed Rescue Groups
You can also check with rescue groups. If you are wanting a basset hound, for example, check with a basset hound rescue group. They specialize in the breed and they can tell you about a specific dog’s personality as well as a lot about the breed itself. They will also most likely provide the animal’s shots and spaying and neutering.

Individuals and/or Breeders
You can also get a puppy from individuals by looking in classified ads in the newspaper or online. Craig’s List is an example of an online classified where you can find pets from individuals. Be careful, however, if you are buying a purebred puppy from an individual. If an individual is breeding purebred dogs for the sake of making money, they could inadvertently be spreading the genetic diseases and health problems associated with that breed. Make sure this individual has done testing for these diseases and make them show you the vet records. Doing your research on breeds will help you know what to look for. Also, make sure that if you get a purebred from an individual that you visit the individual’s home. This is to make sure you are not getting a dog from a puppy mill. We strongly urge you not to get a dog from a breeder who breeds several dogs just for the sake of making money and we strongly urge you not to buy a puppy from pet stores. This is because pet stores usually get their dogs from those kind of people who only breed dogs to make money.

Remember, you don’t have to get a purebred. Mutts are great dogs too. The main benefit is they don’t usually have all the health problems associated with the genetic degeneration of pure-breeds. A downfall would be that you may not be sure of the breed mixes, so therefore, you aren’t certain as to what to expect behavior and personality-wise from your dog. But discovering your dog’s breed mix and personality can be a fun experience. With time, patience, and lots of training, any dog can be a great dog!

Check our blog later for information on what to do once you get your new pet. Future blogs in this series includes getting pet supplies, potty training, grooming, and more!

I used to give my dogs rawhide bones all the time because they absolutely loved them and I thought it was good for their teeth.  But when they ate the whole bone within a matter of minutes, I worried.  Should they be eating that much at one time?  Even though it is good for their teeth, is it good for their bodies?  Rawhide is made from the hide of animals.  I couldn’t imagine that it had much nutritional value.

We came across an article recently that spells out the truth about rawhide bones and why you probably should not give them to your dog.  Check out this great article by Jon Dakins:

 http://ezinearticles.com/?Rawhide-Toys—Treat-Or-Trouble?&id=1492142

Before I went searching for a puppy, I checked with my apartments to make sure I could have another pet. I also made sure I could fit the expenses of a new pet into my budget. And finally, I needed to make sure I had the time for a new dog. Living in an apartment, I would have to take the dogs out for a walk everyday, even in winter. I would have to be around to keep a puppy from crying and disturbing the neighbors. And I couldn’t very well train a puppy if I didn’t have the time.

Research - Time
Puppies take a lot more time for care and training than a full grown dog. For one thing, a puppy’s bladder is very small so they need to go out every couple of hours or so during the day and probably at least two times during the night. It will take time for a puppy to get used to being away from their family so the first few days and nights may be full of puppy cries. Multiple vet visits will take more time. Unlike a full grown dog who may only need to go to the vet once or twice a year, a puppy will need to visit the vet 3-5 times just in the first 6 months alone. This is for booster shots, de-worming, surgery for spaying or neutering, and general health checkups for your fast-growing pet. Time will also be needed for training. You want to start training right away. If you are not familiar with how to train a puppy, classes may be provided by your local pet store, vet, or humane society. If you have a dog or puppy which is known to be very active, you will need to make sure you have the time to go on regular walks and/or visits to the park.

Research - Money
There are a lot of up-front costs for getting a new puppy. There are the vet visits and shots, dog collars, a leash, spay or neuter cost, puppy food, food and water bowls, and chew toys. You may also want to consider a crate for crate training, a dog bed, a pet ID chip, a dog seat belt or pet car seat for traveling in the car, pet health insurance, and a registration tag from your city. There may also be a pet deposit with your apartments, landlord, or neighborhood association. The monthly fees for pet care include food, annual shots, bi-annual vet visits, heartguard, flea and tick repellent like Advantix, replacement collars and leashes for regular wear and tear, and finally more chew toys and dog treats. Some apartments or neighborhood associations may also charge you a monthly fee for keeping your pet. You may also need money to board your pet or pay a pet sitter for when you travel and can’t take your dog with you.

Research - Living Conditions
Before you get a new dog or puppy, find out from your apartments, landlord, or neighborhood association if you are allowed to have dogs, and if so, if there is a weight limit. If there is a size or weight limit, you want to make sure you get a puppy that you know will not get very big. If you live in an apartment or a house with no yard, you want to consider getting a dog that does not require a lot of exercise or make sure there is a safe place to take your puppy for regular walks.  Keep in mind that some breeds do much better when they are outdoors and get a lot of exercise.  So be sure to do you research on dog breeds first to make sure the dog you want is suitable for where you live.

Later we will talk about where you can get a new puppy or dog. Check back with us in a few days!

Are you considering getting a puppy? If you have never owned a dog before, it is important that you understand the responsibilities involved in raising a puppy so you will be more prepared to handle what is to come. It may also help some of you realize that perhaps a puppy just isn’t right for you. You may want to consider an older dog instead, or perhaps even a cat. Puppies take a lot of time and patience. There are going to be difficult times and many messes to clean up. But if you are prepared, you and your puppy will be much happier. And eventually the task of taking care of a puppy becomes easier as he learns the routines and rules of the house.

The first step before getting a puppy is to do research. You need to know what breed or breed mix is best for you and your family, whether your living situations can accomodate a pet, and finally, where you are going to get your puppy. Today’s article is about doing the research on what kind of dog or puppy to get. Later in the week we will talk about the other research that is needed. And later still, we will talk about the responsibilites involved in owning a puppy.

Research - What kind of dog or puppy to get
Before you decide on a breed, research dog breeds for their temperament, grooming requirements, and size. This will give you a lot of information on what to expect if you want a purebred dog. Don’t select a certain breed for superficial reasons until you have done your research on the breed and you are certain you can handle the responsibilities involved with that particular breed. You can get information on breeds from books, vets, various rescue groups and shelters, and from online sources such as blogs, articles, and forums. This will also help you learn about certain genetic diseases and health issues that are associated with certain purebreeds.  JustDogBreeds.com is an excellent on-line source for getting information about specific breeds.

Most dog breeds can learn to get along with children and other pets, but some breeds tend to get along with them better than others. So if you have children or other pets, researching dog breeds will be very helpful.

You also need to condider if you can handle a dog which requires special grooming. If your dog is going to be mostly indoors, do you care if it is a breed that sheds? Do you want a dog that requires a periodic hair-cut? Will you take the time to periodically brush a long-haired dog?

The size and activity level of the dog your puppy is going to grow into is another thing to consider. You don’t want a large or highly energetic dog if you live in an apartment unless you plan on regularly taking the dog out for exercise. If you have children, the size and energy level of the dog may also be considered. Small children may not be good with a small dog and a large energetic dog may not be good for small children.

If you don’t care if your puppy is a purebred or not, knowing about breeds is still helpful. Sometimes it is easy to tell what sort of breed-mix a puppy is and this could help you in making your decision. Mixed breeds can also be good because your dog will most likely not have the genetic issues involved with purebreeds.

Owning a pet offers years of a rewarding experience. The loyalty, love, and affection they provide is vast. It has even been said that pets help people live longer healthier lives. Although the rewards of owning a pet far outweigh the reponsibilities, the obligations of a pet owner are still very important. After providing annual shots and vet visits, spaying or neutering your dog or cat is the most important. Several people have excuses about why their pet is not spayed or neutered. As pet lovers who sincerely believe in helping to prevent homeless animals, we feel that it is important to stress the benefits of spaying or neutering.

Why Breeding Your Pet is Not a Good Idea
Unless you are a professional breeder, you probably should not be breeding your dog or cat. There are a lot of costs involved in breeding that you may not have considered. Finding a male for your female is not always easy. And if you do find a male, there may be a stud fee involved. If you already have both a male and female breed, you may be inadvertantly breeding dogs or cats that are too closely related and therefore contributing to the degeneration of the breed. Once you have a pregnant female, there are several vet visits which cost money. There is not only the vet cost for the pregnant female, but there are also vet fees involved for the puppies or kittens. If you want to sell quality breeds, vet costs increase because you want the vet to check for health issues and hereditary problems. Also, some breeds require docking of tails or ears which also involves vet fees.

Another thing to consider is that all of your puppies or kittens may not be sold. If you are a considerate pet breeder, you may want to dispose of them by taking them to a no-kill shelter. No-kill shelters often request a donation in order to help them care for the animal before it is adopted. More often than not, breeding dogs or cats is not as profitable as you might think. And sometimes, no profit is made at all.

Besides costs, a lot of your time is required when caring for the pregnant female and her puppies or kittens. The mother dog or cat does not always care for her young properly. And if proper care is not given by either you or the mother, some of the young may die before they have a chance to be sold.

Even if you are lucky enough to find homes for the puppies or kittens your pet has had, you would be surprised to find how many of them end up in a shelter later. A lot of people get a puppy or kitten on impuse because they are so adorable. But people who don’t have the knowledge or the desire to learn about raising a pet tend to end up with an adult dog or cat they can’t handle. That pet may then end up abandoned. Stray dogs may bite or attack people or pets, get into trash, defecate on your lawn and spread disease to other pets. Research shows there are more dogs and cats born every day than there are people which means there are not enough people willing to adopt them all.

Spaying or Neutering Does Not Cost a Lot of Money
Costs to spay or neuter your pet can vary depending on your vet. If you can’t afford those costs, check with your local humane society and ask about low-cost spaying and neutering programs. These programs were formed in order to prevent unwanted pets so they will be glad to help you find something that can fit within your budget.

Spaying or Neutering Can Help Curb Certain Behavior Problems
Male cats who are not fixed tend to spray more often than male cats who are not neutered. When a male cat sprays, there is a highly offensive odor that can easily infiltrate your entire home. Not only that, the odor on the item that was sprayed will be difficult to remove. When female cats who are not fixed go into heat, they tend to do this odd screeching cry that is both incessant and loud. This could happen twice a year (usually in the spring and fall) and lasts up to three weeks.

Male dogs who are not fixed tend to mark more often, even indoors, and especially when they smell a female dog in heat. Indoor marking could damage your furniture and the smell could be difficult to remove. Female dogs who are not fixed tend to leave marks of blood on your carpet or furniture. Dogs do not bleed as heavily as people, but they do bleed - the bigger the dog, the more noticable the spotting.

For both male and female pets who are not fixed, you could have problems with them trying to get out of the house or fenced yard. Females in heat are especially more urgent to get outdoors. Male pets who catch the scent of a female in heat could be more inclined to get out of the house or dig out of the yard or jump the fence.

If you are wanting a loyal and lovable affectionate pet, your chances of getting one is by having your pet spayed or neutered. Believe it or not, studies show that fixed pets tend to be more affectionate.

Spaying or Neutering Can Help Prevent Certain Health Issues
Fixed pets tend to live longer. Losing a pet is very difficult so you want your dog or cat to live as long as possible. A dog that is spayed or neutered also tends to be healthier. They are also less likely to get certain types of cancer. A sick dog can be very expensive to make healthy. And in many cases, the pet can end up dying anyway.

So please help to prevent homeless pets by getting your dog or cat spayed or neutered. Spaying or neutering your pet benefits you, your pet, and the community.

This article was inspired by No More Homelss Pets KC (NMHPKC)

According to No More Homeless Pets KC (NMHPKC), “. . . for every one person born, 15 dogs and 45 cats are also born. And that means there simply aren’t enough homes for them all.” So what happens to the excess animals? They roam the streets. They may possibly spread diseases to your own pets, get into garbage, mess in your yard, and continue to breed which causes more homeless dogs and cats. Wild dogs may form into packs and sometimes attack people and other animals, including your own pets. And the worst of all, millions of homeless dogs and cats get euthanized each year - That’s right, MILLIONS!

So what is being done to prevent homeless animals? There are many non-profit organizations all over the country that dedicate their time to not only find homes for these animals, but to also find a way to prevent more homeless animals. There are several in the Kansas City area, including No More Homeless Pets KS (NMHPKC). Their mission is “To lead a cooperative effort to end pet overpopulation and transform the KC area into a ‘Humane community’.” Part of what they do is help in getting homeless animals adopted. They also prevent homeless animals by providing humane education and low-cost spay and neutering.

So what can you do to help prevent homeless animals? The most important thing you can do is to spay or neuter your own pets. There are many benefits to spaying or neutering your dog or cat. Check out our following blog in a few days about the benefits of spaying or neutering.

Giving natural raw food diet is still one of the best treats for your pets. Fresh natural raw foods are viewed by many as safer than processed food due to less exposure to processed food contamination. Dog raw food diets are very simple and pet safe; they are the basic diets in the wild. Right diet can keep your dog fit and fine and their coats shiny and smooth and healthy dogs are pride of their owners.

Raw food diet provides a range of benefits including no doggy odour or smell, they naturally cleans teeth as well as they will surely enjoy it like other dogs in the wild. Promoting raw diet will make much less stool production and normally turn them into firm and chalky dog waste. When they gnaw raw bones, the time it takes to chew a raw meaty bones give their stomachs adequate time to get acids moving. Puppies develop at a more appropriate growth rate and quick growth spurts are avoided. A good puppy owner will want to stop fast growth which is better and much considerable. The ripping and chewing involved in eating raw meaty bones develops the jaw, neck, and shoulder muscles of the dog. Commercial dog foods will never assist in this important muscle development. And of course, less food cost plus decreased vet bills, the dogs are healthier.

Other benefits that other experienced raw diet feeder testimonials, dogs who were previously un-energetic, and sluggish become completely new dogs once the raw diet feeding begins. Remember, grains are one of the biggest sources of allergies in dogs, allergies their dogs previously had on commercial foods, disappear once they start with the raw diet. It is effective for older dogs, arthritis has significantly reduced or disappeared in some dogs switched to raw diet. There is also good balance in their weights; raw diet is a better weight and food consumption control. And with dog natural diet, dogs are living longer than what their other dogs previously had survived on commercial dog foods.

Start with the basics - a range of different raw meaty bones, or preferably whole items, such as chicken, quail, fish, eggs. For the majority of raw feeders - chicken is the base of the majority of their dogs meals. However, if chicken is not available readily, use what is available locally - raw meaty - lamb, beef, venison, duck, rabbit, kangaroo, pig, raw whole fish, they will surely enjoy chewing them on their dog crates.

Aren’t chicken bones dangerous? It is one of the biggest myth of all time, Raw chicken bones are fantastic for your dog. They are soft enough so that they bend easily, and break well for the dog to digest. Remember, cooked chicken bones can be a problem, and I recommend that you do not feed cooked chicken bones.

First start off having your dog eats just the meat and bones the first few days. Make sure that their stomachs are ok with this before moving on. Go slow with the food variety and gradually introduce new meats. You may want to stick with one protein source for several weeks before slowly introducing new ones. This will help your dog adjust and help avoid stomach upset which can also happen when individuals switch from one variety of kibble to another. Feed your dog based on their energy requirements. It will differ for how much work your dog does, and what their metabolism is like. Look at your dogs and cats regularly - if they are looking a bit porky, then remove all carbs in their diet. If they look a bit thin, then, an extra chicken quarter in the diet for a few days may be the solution.

About bacteria on raw chicken, there is bacteria everywhere. Dogs have an amazing immunity system specifically designed to eat all manner of bacteria. And a healthy raw fed dog manages those bacteria without a problem. E-coli, salmonella, etc are found on raw chicken, but those nasty bacteria are also found in your fridge, in your sink, on your floor, in your backyard, in your car, on the footpath, down at the park, and perhaps in your bed and even possible on commercial dog foods. The most important thing is to wash your hands thoroughly after feeding your dogs, and even after cutting up meat for your own meals. Our digestive systems are not quite as robust as our dogs, so we must protect ourselves.

Before you run out to your local butcher and start ordering all the raw meat and bones for your dog, be sure to check with your veterinarian. Remember, best educated vets recommend an all natural diet. You need to make sure it is right for your dog before starting them on one. Just as you should check with your doctor before going on any kind of diet, the same is true for your dog. Talk to your local butcher, abattoir, or chicken processor to get raw food stuff. Many of the leftovers that these guys consider waste, us raw feeders people consider fantastic for our dogs. Things like chicken carcasses, chicken necks, chicken feet, and chicken heads are considered rubbish, and are sold for next to nothing. You should be able to get these fairly easily.