Interesting thought: Exercise with your dog. One recent college study finds that dogs do a better job than people of getting older adults out for exercise.

The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine Research Center for Human animal Interaction recently compared a group of adults matched with shelter dogs to a group partnered with a human walk buddy. After 12 weeks of walking on an outdoor trail for one hour, five times a week, researchers measured how the activity levels were improved for the participants.

It was reported that people paired with dogs improve their walking capabilities by 28 percent. The outcomes were especially good for the older adults. Older adults also demonstrated more confidence while walking trails and showed an increase in their speed. The other group walking with humans only had a four percent increase in their walking capabilities. This later group tended to be discouraging to each other, using excuses frequently, and saw inclement weather as an obstacle (i.e. “It’s too hot to go out!”).

After all, dogs just want to go along the road, eager to enjoy the exercise and all the great excitement. They are so happy to be out and about and want to keep moving. You won’t hear them complaining. Dogs really can be a very motivating trainer. We can learn from our pets how to enjoy these moments and get some exercise at the same time. Quite the win/win situation!

Source: futurepundit.com

  With all this noise and commotion, what steps can we take so that Halloween craziness will not over stress our little family members?  Consider these tips from wikihow.com and suite101.com:

10 Ways to Keep your pets safe on Halloween”

• Have a dog crate or secure spare bedroom where your pet can feel safe and not feel anxious with the opening and closing of the front door when trick-or-treaters come and pets might escape.
• No open flames at party time or for decorations around pets
• Keep candy up and away from  your dog; especially chocolates and foil wrapped candies.
• Kids and their sudden movements and startling noises can upset pets.   Scary costumes do the same so do not leave your dog alone unsupervised around kids.
• Careful about electrical cords and decorations.
• If your dog wears a costume, make certain it fits right and that there is nothing dangerous that can be chewed on.  It might be safer to leave your dog at home.
• Remind kids about the dangers of treats and not to feed the dog.
• Do not take your dog up to a strangers door/ have someone wait at the end of the driveway if you must take your dog.
• Animals are often taunted  and teased on Halloween night so do not leave your dog outside.  Black cats are especially vulnerable.
• We all want to show off how cute our kids and pets look all dressed up, but remembering these simple precautions can help keep this fun holiday safe and comfortable.

When summer ends, the kids return to school, schedules change, and doggie misses the “pack”.   The house is so quiet, playmates are not coming and going, and maybe some family members who grew up with the dog will be heading to college and not returning for quite some time.   This is a time of transition and the stress of schedule changes impact the entire family, including the dog.  They are familiar with  the one routine and now must adjust to another.  With this separation anxiety and transition, behavioral problems can occur.   How can we help reduce this stress and help dogs ease back into a different sort of routine?

Liam Crowe of Bark Busters USA offers some tips:

START EARLY:   At least a week before your children return to school get your dog used to being alone.  First separate your dog from the kids and rest of the family for a bit.   If you usually take your dog with you on errands, leave him at home instead.

PAY LESS ATTENTION:  While your dog may be the center of attention when the kids are home all day, change this scenario before they return to school so that he can adjust more quickly to quiet time.  A little less attention each day for about a week.

WHEN YOU LEAVE:  Act like a strong pack leader when you leave, ignoring him for about ten minutes before departure.  This is less confusing than  acting overly sad upon departure.

BOREDOM:  Dogs sleep most of the day but when they awaken, they want something to do.   A little planning can help to entertain them. 

HIDE TREATS:  Dogs will enjoy foraging for treats such as safe kibbles that you might hide for them…something that will not quickly attract bugs, etc.

SHELTER:  Be sure the dogs have their own “home” and a place where they feel secure and comfortable.  It is like a den.  Don’t wait to train just before summer ends, if you decide to use a crate.  Remember not to leave the dog longer than 6 or so hours alone in the den/crate.  Have a friend let your dog out if over 8 hrs and less than 6 if a puppy.  If you are going to leave your dog in the house and potty time is a problem, gate  them off to an area where accidents can easily be cleaned.  Be certain to leave lots of clean, fresh water for your pet.   Some people will leave a radio on to make the dog feel like it has company.

UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR:  Your dog may jump up or be hyper when you return.  Try to walk the dog before you leave and when you return.

TRAIN THE KIDS:  Parents need to train their children to ignore the pet for five minutes when they return to allow the dog to settle down and relax.

TRAIN THE DOG:   Bark Busters offers training  and tips to help families.  For more information and locations see  barkbusters.com.

Before you know it, the school holidays will be coming along, and doggie will be happy to spend more time with everyone once again enjoying happy “howeladays”.

Source: barkbusters.com,
delawarepuppyrescue

• Emergency Situations
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All the information from these sections can be stored on you iPhone so you can access it even when there is no connection, if you’re out hiking for example, where more injuries are likely to occur.

You can also record each of your pet’s vital medical information, veterinary contact information, vaccination schedules, identifications and notes from your visits. How cool is that??

Pet First Aid was developed by PetTech of Vacaville, a company that specializes in pet first aid in conjunction with Jive Media. You can purchase Pet First Aid from the Apple iPhone App Store for $3.99.

Summer is not over yet. River and lakes remain. Our swimming pools still hold water. Our pets can find this enticing, but dogs need to know where and how to get out of the pool regardless of where they get in. Many dogs enjoy swimming without giving a thought to how clean or dirty the water. If your pet has had a dip in a lake or river, rinse them off to avoid ear mites, eye infections and pesky clingy insects which can embed themselves into their fur.

Fido might love to jump into your pool, but make certain they know how to get out safely. If a dog falls into a lake or river, his instinct tells him to turn around and get out from the point where they fell in. Yet, in a suburban swimming pool, your pet could drown if they follow this instinctive action. Make certain you walk your dog through where and how to get out of that pool no matter where they go in. Practice, and reinforce this life-saving procedure.

Keep in mind, not all dogs do like or even know how to swim. If you can tell your dog seems eager to give swimming a try, let them get used to it gradually! Never throw a nervous, inexperienced swimmer into the water.

Remember too, if you enjoy kayaking with your pet or boating, be sure to use a doggie life-vest which can often be found in a pet store or online.

Doggie wants to Explore! Some tips and tricks that you might not have known when it comes to taking your friend out for a walk.
It’s 9 p.m. And our Labrador Honey hears the sound of the pantry opening and her bio-degradable poop bag being snapped open. She anticipates the sequence of sounds signaling that her leash it about to rattle and that means only one thing…time for a walk. More than a walk. It is time to gather the scents of pee-mails left atop shrubs, along grassy areas, and doggie business cards signaling other canine visitors have passed through on their nightly ritual too.

Why walk your dog?
The eager anticipation for this delicious time is in the dogs genes…it is their instinct to roam and migrate for miles each day hunting for food and checking out the territory. It is the world beyond the backyard “kennel”and outside the house. Walking helps to satisfy this instinct and it is beneficial exercise for both pet and master as well as bonding time. A dog is also in a relaxed state of mind after exercise and consequently destructive tendencies lessen after exercise, especially when dogs are left at home during the day. We know dogs like to go on walks but they do not like to be pulled along and neither do dog-owners.
 

Tips to keeping walking a positive experience:

•  Walk your dog on a leash. Some forget this simple safety requirement. The leash allows a safe connection to our dogs in case of surprises, emergencies, or situations where attention is hard to get or keep. Try a pinch collar if your dog is a puller for better control. A dog not on a leash can quickly resort to “tunnel vision” and run after other animals or distractions, even if trained not to do so and you have no control over a possible serious injury. Some walkers use a harness. Be careful with retractable leashes as the dog can bolt and entangle the walker and/or the dog. It has been in the news of accidents where the walker has lost a finger when it is caught in the retractable cord. If your dog is very strong, these leashes sometimes dismantle.
•  Make sure dogs are allowed where you are planning to walk.
• Pick up after your dog.
• Hydrate your dog if out during warm weather or a long walk. Disposable zip locks or collapsible cups, or just cupping your hand can work as a water bowl.
• Identification. Make sure your dog has a couple forms if identification. Name tags and collars can get lost but the micro-chip will back up the name tag. Some areas require a person to carry the dog’s rabies certificate.
• Is your dog ready? Make sure your dog is healthy enough and trained enough to walk the distance you wish to go and remain at your side. Start with short distances. Overdoing it right away can cause soreness, even for a dog.

What’s next?
You have your supplies and are prepared. For the novice, here are some pointers on how to begin. Keep in mind you want to walk your dog at your side; not have your dog pull you.

• Before you leave the house, call your dog to you. Do not go to the dog. Have him sit calmly and then slide on the collar. We are establishing who the leader will be.
• Take the dog to the front door and open it. Have your dog sit quietly/ not bolt out the door. Doggie must see you are the one leading.
• Once doggie sits quietly at the exit, it is time to leave. You exit first.
• Keep the collar far up on the neck for better control.
• Keep your dog to your left side on a short leash. If he pulls, stop and wait then praise when he looks at you and stops walking. If your dog gets too excited, have them sit next to you until calm and then start walking again, left foot first
• Give off calm and assertive energy. Walk at a good pace and display confidence as your dog will pickup on tension and uncertainty. Remember again that you lead, not your dog. It is advised that dogs sit at crosswalks and when the walker stops to talk.

What if  I am approaching a barking dog?
Keep moving forward and if you sense your dog is about to be distracted, tug on the lead to avert attention back to the walk and say “leave it”. Correct excited behavior right when you anticipate it coming. Timing is everything!  Caution: Dog parks do not relax a dog.  The dog will remain in an excited state while romping in a dog park. If you are planning on going to one, take a long walk first to tire them out.

How d I teach my dog not to pull while walking?

When the dog is about to apply any tension to the leash at all, immediately stop. When the dog turns to see what happened to you, praise for his attention. Encourage the dog back into a heel position next to you.

As long as the dog is in this spot next to your leg, continue praising and give rewards, make it wonderful. Always repeat whenever there is pulling. Be consistent and never move forward when the leash is tight.

What if I stop and my dog keeps pulling?
Then just wait, turn and abruptly walk away (dog still on leash of course) this will set your dog off balance and he will turn toward you. Then praise as he catches up next to your leg. Your goal is to not have tension on the leash but rather a loose leash walk in time.

Satisfy your dogs urge to migrate and you will bond along the way. Remember if you and your dog have been out for very vigorous activity or running, do not feed your dog right before or after but rather wait. Meals too close to a lot of activity can lead to a twisted tummy and bloat in certain breeds who are prone to this and this can be fatal if left unattended. Check with your vet.

Sources:
Walkfido.com
Diamondsintheruff.com
Loveyourdog.com
Dogbreedinfo.com
About.com

Your kids are home for the summer.  They have friends over.  Some have pets; some do not. Young children are frequently left alone with the pets while parents “run a few errands”.

Can problems happen?  You bet they can.   What can you do NOW to help enforce safety when it comes to kids and dogs.

First off, all children should be taught to respect other living things.  The key words are “be gentle”.  It is as simple as that.   One day your children will encounter an animal, if it is somebody else’s pet in a controlled environment, or meeting a strange dog on the street.  What can you teach your kids now to help avoid problems later?

Three Basics for Dog Safety with Kids:

1. Be Gentle:  some parents do not even notice how rough their children are.  Teach them how to pet “gently”; not pulling on ears or fur, no squeezing handfuls of fur, not pulling tails.  You might use a stuffed animal to teach these lessons. 
2. Approach the dog properly:  Ask the owner for permission to pet first! After given permission, do not run to a dog, ever!  Safely let the dog sniff you, letting him decide how close he wants to get.  Some dogs love attention, but the first minutes of the new meeting is critical.  If it goes well, then maybe a hug.
3. Don’t overdo fear:  Showing your child how to respect dogs and animals is a vital lesson.    If the child reacts overly fearful, the situation may become even worse.

What do I do when there’s a stranger’s dog wandering around without a leash?

Keep a cool head, and do not scream and run.  This will trigger a “prey” response and a dog that was ok sitting and watching will suddenly chase.  The dog will be thinking “This is playtime,” but this could result in possibly hurting the “prey”.  What should you do then?  Use a loud firm voice and tell the dog to “go home”.  Do not panic.  Is the dog just watching you with curiosity with ears perked, tail wagging and a relaxed stance?  If so, you can calmly WALK away.

If the dog appears to be standing in a threatening manner (ears back on head, body tense, tail up) then this is a threatening posture.   Say firmly “go lay down”.  Do not yell, do not scream, do not make sudden movements. Start to away slowly. If the dog advances on you and lunges, drop to a “turtle” position, yell for help.  Parents, if you come across your child in this position, do whatever you have to to get the dog away.

Never approach a dog when he is eating.

This is common sense and your children must know this if you have pets in the home or not.  If your own dog is food protective try to train him out of it.

Remember

• A dog should never be left alone with a child under five years of age.
• Your dog should have a place he can retreat to, away from active kids and their excitement.
• Neighborhood kids should not tease your dog.  You might need a crate if there are many boisterous kids around.
• A dog tied in the yard can lead to aggressive behavior especially when screaming kids run past him.  You might want to limit tug-of-war games if you have many children around because the dog will consider kids’ toys something to grab which could result in problems.
• Even the most gentle family dog might bite if he is in pain or has just “had enough”. 

All it takes is a little safety review now, especially at the start of summer when there might be more children around pets unsupervised.

For more information, visit CanisMajor.com and Dogs on About.com

Never hesitate to call animal control if a strange dog is roaming loose or seriously threatens your child.   Loose dogs are a menace and these irresponsible owners should be held accountable.  If a dog owner does not care where their dog goes or what they do then they should not be a dog owner!

The problem: The sky is lighting up for the Fourth of July and pets are running for cover. Pet owners need to remember that dogs have more than twice the sensitivity to sound as humans and can hear sounds four times farther away The unfamiliar combination of painful, unusual noise and flashing lights can cause Fido to bolt. Animal shelters across the country report extremely high numbers of “July 4th Dogs” are rescued by good samaritans and animal control officers every year as they run off during fireworks celebrations. Dogs are willing to do anything to escape the noise as their behavior is usually unpredictable and out of character. This behaivor may include: chewing through leashes, jumping through screens and even windows, digging under fences, jumping over walls, bolting from the owner and sadly, running into traffic.

Fortunately, there are some simple guidelines to follow to help ensure your pet’s protection and make the 4th a fun and safe holiday.

The precautionary planning:

• Do not take your pet to fireworks displays
• Keep pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area. A television or radio for background noise might help muffle some of the unfamiliar fireworks noise. When frightened, your pet may become destructive,
• so make sure special or harmful items are out of reach.
• Do not leave your pets unattended outside even if your yard is fenced. Pets risk being injured or killed if they escape to look for you. If they are chained up, they may become entangled risking injury.
• Be certain that you have current ID tags on your dog as well as having had them microchipped. These chips remain a permanent ID in case the collar is lost.
• Never punish a dog for showing fear.

What about Fourth of July parties and BBQ’s?: If you are having large crowds come to celebrate, it may be best to put your dog in a bedroom away from the crowd. Small animals sometimes are accidentally stepped on by a visitor. Guests may feed your pets foods that your animals are not used to causing upset tummies. Some vets will prescribe anxiety meds if your pet is extremely sensitive to stressful events. Excitable children need to be watched so as not to overwhelm a pet. Not all dogs are happy to be held by strangers. Also, the 4th can bring soaring temperatures in July so be sure to have plenty of water and shade for your pets and of course, never leave them in a parked car. Watch dogs around the pool and beach. Keep toxic items such as matches and lighter fluid away from pets. Plates of food left laying around create a tempting grab and go treat for pets and rib bones, etc. can cause a choking or digestive hazard.

The outcome:

With a little thinking ahead, and utilizing some of the above precautions, your pets can have a blast on the 4th too and everyone can have a safe and memorable holiday.

Sources:
ivillage.com
examiner.com
theleafchronicle.com
hsus.org
kdrv.com
dogs.suite101.com

Just make sure you diligently research and read up on the products before giving any to your pet. Be a smart consumer! Don’t give your dog something unless you understand what’s in it and you are there to supervise.

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