Pet Auto Safety

Maya the Easter Puppy says, “Keep your dog safe this Easter,”

and, “Just because I am so cute doesn’t mean I should get Easter candy.”

With Easter coming on, it is time to review some dog Easter safety tips for your dog.  Check out this post we wrote on our American Dog Blog, titled “Easter Candy Safety for Your Dogs”.

Dawn Ross, the primary owner of Pet Auto Safety.com, is now a certified dog trainer with the Animal Behavior College. So if you live near Lawrence, Kansas and if you are interested in getting help on learning how to train your dog, contact Dawn at naturebydawn@aol.com. Since Dawn is a new dog trainer, dog training classes will be less expensive than most other dog training courses. And if you like how Dawn has helped you train your dog, reference her to other dog-people you know.Also, look for dog training articles by Dawn Ross on the Pet Auto Safety Blog and the American Dog Blog.

A visitor to our site recently asked us, “Do you have any suggestions on how to get dog hair out of a pet car hammock without having to wash it?” That was a difficult question and I am sorry to say that unless you have a super powered vacuum cleaner, there is no perfect answer. If you have a lot of time on your hands, you can use a lint roller brush and a pair of tweezers. But most of us don’t have that kind of time - or patience. So here are a few quick tips which may not get rid of all the hair but will certainly help.

Bounce fabric softener claims to repel pet hair. Try putting a few Bounce sheets in your dryer along with your dog car seat cover or pet car hammock. Do this before you put the dog car seat cover or pet car hammock in the car and do it again in a few weeks or months, depending on how often your dog rides in the car.

Try spraying the dog car seat cover or pet car hammock with a static guard spray. This type of spray not only reduces static, but it also helps to repel pet hair. Obviously, with your dog sitting on the car seat cover or pet car hammock, hairs are still going to get forced into the fabric. But perhaps not as much.

Try using a material lint brush rather than the tape ones. I have a red glove-like lint brush which resembles an ovenmit without the thumb-piece. I believe I got it at PetsMart or possibly even Walmart. It is very easy to use and you can do a few swipes with it every time your dogs get out of the car. Again, it won’t remove all the hair, but it will help keep it at a minimum.

The visitor to our site told us that she has heard of using rubber gloves. I have never tried that but from what I have read elsewhere, it sounds like it might work. The next time I need to clean my dog car seat cover, I will give that a try.

If you have any suggestions, please share!

Make sure the airline as comprehensive information and guidelines for traveling pets. They should have a phone number specifically dedicated to owners with flying pets. Continental, for example, has a dedicated phone line for pet travelers.

Get an appropriately sized, airline approved dog carrier. Dog carrier specifications include proper ventilation; no wire kennels; a dog carrier large enough for the dog to sit, stand, turn around and lie down comfortably; no wheels on the dog carrier; two empty food dishes in the dog carrier; absorbent material on bottom of the dog carrier, such as a blanket; properly closing dog carrier (no locks).

Consider weather conditions - You need a backup for in case the airline determines that weather conditions are too extreme for pet travel.

Your dog’s veterinarian will need to issue a Health Certificate within ten days of departure.

Flying can be very stressful to your pet. You have probably considered tranquilizers for your pet, but I have found that veterinarians do not recommend this except in extreme circumstances. A tranquilized pet can not pant in hot weather (panting helps cool them down) or shiver in cold weather (shivering helps warm the body). If you think your dog will be too stressed for flying, try to find an alternative.

Although there are very strict regulations about animals flying, bad things can still happen. I heard a story on the Bonnie Hunt Show, where the dog in the kennel was left exposed to the pouring rain as the luggage was being put in. As a result, the dog was wet, the blanket was wet, everything was wet for the entire plane ride as the dog rode in cold terror in the baggage compartment of the plane. Thankfully, the dog was okay, but very very stressed.

Now that you’ve brought your new friend home, it’s time for the fun part — and the hard part! This is your chance to really prove to your parents, yourself, and your pet that you’re a responsible guardian. It’s a lot to live up to, but don’t worry…you can do it! All you need to know is what your pet’s needs are, then meet them. Here is some great information put together by term papers:

Food

• Be sure you know the diet and feeding schedule of your new pet. Get information from your veterinarian or the pet store.
• Most animals need to be fed once or twice a day. Sometimes baby animals need to be fed more.
• Don’t ever give your pet table scraps — people food (especially chocolate!) can make most animals sick.
• Introduce changes to food or feeding time gradually — food changes can be stressful for an animal.
• Feed your pets in a quiet, protected place, so they feel safe and comfortable when they eat.

Water

• Make sure your pet has plenty of clean, fresh water.
• Water should be changed at least twice a day.
• If your pet is a fish or turtle and lives in water, be sure to clean the tank at least once a week.

Shelter

• Your pet needs a place to call home — whether that’s a tank, cage, or doghouse.
• If your dog or cat spends a lot of time outdoors, make sure shelter is available at all times. Shelter keeps pets protected from cold, wind, and rain in the winter and from the harsh hot sun in the summer.
• Even if your pet spends most of the day outdoors, he should sleep indoors at night. This will protect him from cars, bad weather, and animals such as coyotes that will attack pets.
• When it comes to shelter, remember that animals who are treated like part of the family are better-adjusted and will be more closely bonded to you. And after all, your pet IS part of your family, right?

Potty

• All animals need a place where they can go to the bathroom. Unless you’re able to train them to use the toilet, cats need a litter box, gerbils need a cage, and dogs need to go outside or in a special lined area.
• Make sure you create a safe place for your pet’s bathroom needs and — this is REALLY important — clean it regularly! After all, think about how gross it is to use a toilet that doesn’t flush.
• If you have a dog and live in an apartment with no yard, you need to make sure your dog is walked often. If he goes in a public place, be sure to pick it up and dump it in a trashcan.

Exercise

• Dogs need plenty of exercise. Physical activity keeps them healthy, happy, and fit. Make sure you walk, run, hike, or play fetch with your dog every day. Not only is exercise good for your pup, but it’s good for you, too!
• Cats, especially if they live indoors, also love some quality playtime with you. This is a chance to have fun and get creative with cool cat toys.
• Rodents like hamsters and gerbils will thank you for putting an exercise wheel in their cage to make life a little more interesting.

Grooming

• It’s a good idea to brush and comb your pets every day to get rid of loose or shedding hair.
• Poke around to check for fleas, ticks, leaves, and other things that might be tangled in your pet’s fur.
• If you can, bathe dogs once a month and cats every few months. But don’t overdo it! Too many baths take away the natural oils from a pet’s skin and can cause itching or rashes.
• Cats will have fewer hairballs and shed less if they’re combed on a regular basis.
• If your pooch has killer doggie breath, try brushing his teeth when you bathe him.

Training, if you have a dog

• Yes, Bowzer is your buddy, but you need to be his boss! If you don’t set up rules for him to follow, he may act aggressively and out of control. You don’t want your dog dashing into oncoming traffic, jumping on little kids, or growling at your neighbors, right? So you need to set up rules for him to follow and help him follow them.
• You can do this in a very gentle manner without raising your voice or becoming mean. Work with your parents to determine the rules of the house. If there’s a “no dogs on the sofa” policy, don’t let Spot on the couch the minute your parents leave the room. It’s best when all of you work together to teach your new family member how to behave.
• An obedience class is a great way to learn how to speak a dog’s language and teach her the rules of your household. But don’t expect her to be perfect — there will be accidents! Just be patient and loving, and eventually the hard work will pay off.

Health care

• Just like we need annual checkups with our doctor and dentist, most pets need regular checkups, too.
• Veterinarians, or animal doctors, check your pet’s general health, can answer any questions you might have, and make sure your pet’s vaccinations are up-to-date.
• If you bring home a new dog or cat, you should take him to the vet right away to get checked out.

Love & affection

• Just like people, pets thrive on attention! The more love you give, the more you’ll get back.
• Give your pet plenty of hugs, kisses, gentle pats, and love. Okay, so maybe you can’t pet a fish, but you can still show you care by talking to it, watching it, and feeding it special treats.

Get your house ready for a new pet
Before you bring a new animal into your home, make sure your house is pet-ready. Take a tour around your home and yard with your parents, using this as a checklist:

• Are there any holes, broken concrete, drains, or swimming pools that your pet could fall into or get stuck in? They need to be fixed before your pet arrives.
• Are there any gaps in the fence, or a broken gate, that might allow your new pet to get out of your yard?
• Are there any poisons, like snail bait, antifreeze, or other toxic chemicals just sitting out? These things are super-poisonous to animals. Make sure containers are stored away in locked cupboards far out of reach.
• Check for dangling electrical cords in the house or outside. Puppies, kittens, and rodents love to chew them, thinking they’re toys. Cover cords or tape them down with industrial tape.
• How about your toys? Do you have any Legos or other small pieces lying around that an animal could choke on? Keep your things out of reach of little paws.
• What about stuff that breaks? If you don’t want something to get knocked over or stepped on — maybe your mom’s valuable vase or your favorite model airplane — put it up high or away for a little while.

Pet “Don’ts”

• Don’t use insect sprays and weed killers around your pets or allow antifreeze to spill in any area where pets hang out. If animals get poisons on their fur or paws, then lick themselves, they can get very sick or even die.
• Never leave a pet alone in a car on a hot day…even with the windows cracked open. Temperatures can go up quickly and cause an animal to overheat, which is sometimes fatal.
• Don’t ever feed your pet chocolate, no matter how much they might beg. Dogs can’t digest chocolate and can die from eating too much.
• Don’t let your dog wander the neighborhood without you. She could get lost, hurt, or catch a disease from another animal. Always keep her on a leash when in public areas, like a park or busy street.
• Never give pets human medicine. Keep all medicines — human or pet — out of your pet’s reach.

While we love to spoil our dogs while we are spoiling ourselves this Thanksgiving Holiday, let’s be a little careful about the kind of food we give our dogs. Some Thanksgiving food can be high in fat. And while a little bit may be okay, it could still upset your dog’s tummy. Dogs who are used to eating dog food with no salt, seasonings, preservatives, or other additives, might have very upset stomachs from eating our Thanksgiving food. An upset stomach can be painful for a dog. And it could cause unpleasant diarrhea or vomiting.

Some fatty foods include the skin from the turkey, gravy, candy and other sweets, or anything buttered. Foods which can be harmful for your dog include raisins or grapes, macadamia nuts, onions, potatoes, and dark chocolate. Be sure to ask your veterinarian for a list of more foods which are not good for your dog. Some of these foods could even be deadly.

Another important thing to remember is to not give your dog turkey bones - not even the big and thick drumstick. The bones of the turkey splinter easily and can get caught in your dog’s throat or puncture their intestines. The damage of a turkey bone could cause a lot of pain for your dog, and possibly even death. And it could cost you a lot of money and heartbreak.

Be safe this Thanksgiving Holiday. Give your dog lots of dog treats if you wish to spoil them over the holidays. If you think about it, most dogs don’t even take the time to taste their food, so they probably won’t even know the difference!

To anyone living in Frederick County, Maryland, please keep an eye out for a small black and brown dog which escape from their SUV after the owner got into a car accident.  Unfortunately, the owner dies of her injuries.  The dog could also be seriously injured and may need medical assistance as well.  To get more information on this car accident, visit http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?storyID=96795.

Did you ever wonder why your dog just doesn’t listen? You hear about it a lot with some parents and their children, but with dogs it is a much simpler reason - and a simpler solution. As it sometimes is with children, dogs don’t listen to you because they don’t respect you. You give them everything they could ever want and they don’t have to do a thing to earn it, so what is their motivation for doing what you tell them to do? Not much. But before your use negative motivation like yelling (or worse, physical punishment), try some simple positive actions to earn your dog’s respect.

Watching Good Morning America this morning, I just learned about this awesome group of biker men who not only rescue abused and neglected animals, but they also confront the offenders.  They have a show which is going to premier on the National Geographic Channel on Friday, September 25, 10pm EP. I checked out their Success Stories page and it brought tears to my eyes - tears of sadness that there are people in this world who actually treat animals this way - and tears of happiness that there are people in this world who really care and want to do something about it.

Check out this link on the success stories:  http://www.rescueink.org/success.html.

Pet Auto Safety.com will soon have a certified dog trainer on their staff. Dawn Ross has completed the written course and hands-on course through the Animal Behavior College. All that’s left is 10 hours of volunteer time and a final exam.

Our company has recently moved to Lawrence, Kansas, so she will hopefully be completing the 10 hours at the Lawrence Humane Society. But first, she has to go through orientation which will not be until September 10th. After the orientation, Dawn can train some of the dogs at the shelter in order to help them be more adoptable. She can’t wait to get started!

Be on the lookout for when she is a certified dog trainer. She will be posting some helpful dog training tips. And our company is planning on expanding into dog training products in 2010.