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Dog Grooming in Summer: The Do’s and Don’ts
Dog Grooming in Summer: The Do’s and Don’ts Summers bring a lot of sunshine, playtime and happy memories for you and your dog. But, it all comes at a cost of sweat, smell, dirt, and grass. Rather than locking out the pooch after a good time together outside (this may discourage the Fido for play), you can find here some helpful summer tips for your dog. There are some do's and don'ts that you can follow to keep yourself stress-free and the Fido happy: 1. Bathing the Dog: Who doesn’t know how much bathing is necessary? Everyone does. However, beware of over-bathing the dog especially when he has a dry or sensitive skin. It can irritate the pooch a lot. You can bathe the dog twice a month, and for dry skin dogs, you may have to cut it short to once a month. 2. Removing Dirt and Bad Odor: To keep the pooch clean and dirt-free, you can use a damp rag (after soaking it in warm water) to wipe away the dirt. To get rid of the bad pet odor, you can use cologne or leave in conditioner that is pet-safe to keep him smelling fresh. 3. Preventing Ticks and Fleas: Summers welcome little monsters—fleas and ticks. Prevent them by using these amazing flea collars that really work for dogs that are prone to getting fleas every season. Prepare some DIY flea-repellent sprays to keep the fleas at bay during the play time. Spray the dog’s entire fur before he steps out of the house. If, accidentally, your pooch has gotten fleas; then the fleas must have entered your house too. Get rid of the flea headache as soon as possible. Remember to avoid bathing the dog after applying any topical tick or flea preventative for about 48 hours. Topical skin products show their effectiveness by getting soaked into the skin. If you bathe the puppy soon after applying the product, your money has gone to waste as the product gets washed away by water. 4. Check out for Little Parasites Regularly: Fleas multiply by leaps and bounds whereas ticks are not that great in numbers. However, ticks can cause life-threatening diseases. Be vigilant in summers to prevent the parasites from harming your pooch. You should regularly check the belly, armpits, at the base of the tail, and around the neck area for these parasites. If you’ve got a wrinkled pug or bulldog, keep a check between the skin layers. You can use flea combs for long-haired dogs to keep the fleas and ticks away. Use preventatives for fleas, ticks, and heartworm that have been recommended by the vet. 5. Get the Dog Groomed: Consult the dog groomer to find an appropriate haircut for your four-legged. It varies according to coat type and hair length that what kind of haircut is suitable for the pooch. Keep the hair short and easy to manage. Not all hairy dogs need shaving of the coat hair. You may opt for a shorter hair than shaving them off completely. The groomer will guide you the best based on the dog’s breed, coat, and hair. 6. De-shedding Treatment: De-shedding treatment rather than shaving the coat is a better option. It will help in the removal of dead skin to keep the pet feeling cool. The Fido can better manage his body temperature after de-shedding treatment. Do you have other summer tips for dogs? Let us know in the comments. Have fun and strengthen your bond with the Fido! Fiona Appleton Fiona Appleton is a Labrador owner. She is the manager of https://ultimatehomelife.com/ that has been developed to help people solve the troubles of pet ownership. She is an active advocate of animal protection campaigns. She wants people to understand that dog-behavior is reflective of our behavior. :|zpendofcontent|:
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Help! My Dog Killed a Squirrel! What Do I Do?
Help! My Dog Killed a Squirrel! What Do I Do? A good number of client calls each year start with a question along those lines. You could replace squirrel with bird, rat, gopher, lizard, you name it. Many of us are living so far removed from nature, that we have completely forgotten how life works. The idea that the family dog is a killer, comes as a shock to many. But, dogs are apex predators. That means, they sit on top of the food chain and don’t have natural enemies for whom they are a primary food source. Dogs are the hunters, not the hunted. As such, it is entirely normal for a dog to chase and kill smaller animals. That doesn’t mean your dog is aggressive and will proceed to murdering you or your children in your sleep. You are family. The squirrel is prey. It is also irrelevant if your dog is hungry, at the moment the squirrel comes along. Your dog didn’t chase the squirrel because you didn’t feed enough breakfast. Dogs chase squirrels because they are fun to chase. Dogs tend to enjoy things that assure their survival, domestication didn’t change that. All the things dogs enjoy are part of the predatory hunting sequence: searching, stalking, chasing, fighting, celebration, and consumption. If you want to explore this in more detail, I recommend the online presentation: Tug: A Deeper Perspective. So, what do you do? Tell your dog, he is a good boy. Tell her, she’s a good girl. Pet them and give them a treat. They did their job. Have you ever tried catching a squirrel? That is hard work! Let them know you appreciate their work effort. Sounds weird? It shouldn’t! This is the nature of your dog. Domestication didn’t change that. The question behind the question is of course: Is my dog dangerous to my family? Is my dog aggressive? Maybe. Maybe not. The answer depends entirely on your dog but is in no way related to killing a squirrel. Killing other animals is what your dog was born to do. Appreciate their nature. There is no reason to fear it. Aggression is something entirely different. In the canine behavioral world aggression is defined as a forward behavior—assertiveness. But that is not what most people mean when they say their dog is aggressive. People often call aggressive behaviors driven by fear, aggression, or even growling, or showing teeth, and so on. However, none of those indicate aggression. So, what is aggression? Aggression is the intent to cause injury. But that doesn’t mean any injury caused by a dog is due to aggression. A dog that bites when it is scared, is trying to create space, not injury—the injuries are accidental. Such a dog is not aggressive but can still be very dangerous. A super-friendly dog with poor bite control—the lack of ability to control how hard they bite—can also very dangerous and may need be muzzled on certain occasions. Aggression is a behavior, not a personality trait. When we call a dog aggressive, what we often mean is, the dog is prone to use aggressive behaviors. We are not our actions. Aggression is not what dogs are, it is what they sometimes do. We can teach dogs to be more aggressive or less aggressive through how we interact with them. Aggression is not genetically driven either, tolerance for frustration is genetically driven. Genetics determine how quickly a dog becomes frustrated and how the dog reacts to that frustration. All aggression starts with frustration. We can affect dogs’ behaviors by helping them manage their frustration and teach them how to handle conflict. However, some dogs love conflict and desire for conflict is also a personality trait. A dog that doesn’t know how to engage in appropriate conflict, will become aggressive under the right set of circumstances. While we can’t take away the desire for conflict, we can direct it in a way that avoids more aggression. In contrast, reactivity is a visceral response without intent. The dog just doesn’t know what else to do in a given situation. As such, reducing reactivity is about changing reactive (automatic) responses into reflective (deliberate) responses—teaching a dog to make better choices. Leashes are a prime example of this. There is no such thing as “leash-aggression.” Leashes don’t make dogs aggressive. That’s a common myth. However, restraining a dog will frustrate it and that frustration can result in aggressive behaviors. In case of a leash, simply teaching the dog to have a better relationship with the leash will reduce the frustration and in return remove the reactivity. True aggression is very rare. Of course, a dog could bite you under the right set of circumstances. However, it’s only a bite if it breaks the skin. A puncture is a bite, a scratch or nip isn’t. Dogs have a sophisticated set of weaponry in their mouths. Their use has been refined over thousands of years. If a dog puts its teeth on you and you don’t sustain an injury, you didn’t get lucky that you avoided injury. You were lucky, that your dog didn’t mean to injure you. You are unharmed because your dog chose not to injure you. Of course, accidents can happen. If you play tug with your dog and get nipped by a tooth during play, that is an accident, and not intentional. Just like we can accidentally bump into someone by mistake, dogs can accidentally scratch or nip you, especially during high-arousal activities. So, what about dog fights? Dogs may engage in a scuffle to shut a barking dog up, put it in its place, or punish it for its behavior. Those are their goals. There is no intent to cause injury in those scenarios, although injury or death is possible regardless. For an altercation between dogs to be a fight, at least one participant must have intent to cause injury. Fights amongst dogs are rare because, in the canine world, fighting is evolutionarily undesirable for survival. Because of dog’s teeth and claws, serious injuries are likely in a fight and even the victor can still die of the injuries an hour later or simply be too weak to protect itself from an even weaker competitor. Fights exert energy and injuries can lead to death. For this reason, dogs are evolutionarily very good at conflict resolution and conflict avoidance. It’s in their best interest to avoid fights. Dominance is one of the strategies to avoid fights. Dominance is ritualistic displays to settle disputes over resources while avoiding fighting—fighting comes at a huge risk. Therefore, the term “dominance aggression” is technically incorrect. Dominance is a posturing behavior to avoid fighting. Dominance ends the moment a fight starts. Fighting is aggression in action. Dominance behavior between dogs is only a problem if it is not responded to appropriately. If one party backs off during posturing, there will be no fight. Ralf Weber Ralf Weber is a certified dog trainer and behaviorist. A professional member of the International Association of Canine Professionals (IACP), an AKC evaluator for Puppy S.T.A.R., Canine Good Citizen and Community Canine certifications, author of the dog behavioral book: "If Your Dog Could Talk" and owner of the dog training company Happy Dog Training. Ralf works with clients in Southern California and can be contacted through his website at HappyDogTraining.info. :|zpendofcontent|:
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Crate Training: The Benefits and Proper Use of the Dog Crate
Crate Training: The Benefits and Proper Use of the Dog Crate To crate or not to crate, that is the question. The answer is simple: Crate your pup or emotionally and behaviorally immature dog! Crating is one component in the many strategies that you will use to bring balance and calm to your pooch. Crating is far more instrumental in your dog’s state of mind than merely potty training. We use a crate daily in APBC’s training programs because it uses a dog’s natural den instincts and gives a dog a safe place to truly rest and relax. Dogs are not people with our distaste for small, enclosed places. They are denning animals that, by choice, are born in a tightly confined area. Have you ever wondered why your dog loves to worm his way under a chair, table, or other tight space? Dogs look for spaces in your home or yard that mimic a den. Dog crates make excellent dens and provide that safe, secure environment dogs crave. Using a crate is appropriate confinement—it’s not punishment. Too many freedoms, too soon, is a recipe for failure. If your dog is young or immature, resistant to the rules, destructive in the home, or sometimes commits acts of aggression in the house, then judicious use of the crate is part of the solution. Until you have the time to devote to your dog’s state of mind, your dog should be confined. In other words, if you are busy, distracted, or want to take a shower, your dog doesn’t get free reign of the house. He has to be put into a safe, confined space like a crate, exercise pen, or kennel. No matter how good your pooch has been doing, unsupervised time in the house or yard is not in your pooch’s best interest. Essentially, whenever your puppy or misbehaving dog is out of his crate or confined space, it’s your time to focus on and supervise your dog and to provide an outlet for his mental and physical energy. That means you only have your dog out with you when you are able to pay attention and follow through. All other times of the day when you are not purposeful and intentional, your dog needs to be appropriately confined. Trust me, the time your dog is in his crate will provide you both with the ability to rest between purpose-driven activities. It’s not that this phase will last forever, but you have to prepare yourself that becoming balanced in your home is a process. Building the right relationship with your dog takes time. If you are meeting the required basics of purpose-driven activity with your pup or misbehaving dog, then the times that are appropriately confined are beneficial, fair, and reasonable. Crate Training Prep for Human Once my dog enters his crate, I do not get him out, regardless of the age of the dog. I don’t pop back in to check on him or peer around the corner at him (he can smell you long before he sees you). This dog is safe, exercised, fed, watered, pottied, loved on… now he needs to rest and sleep. Dogs do not sleep without moving. They squirm, shuffle around, whimper, wake up, and sometimes even cry when they wake up—then they go back to sleep. If you react to every little noise, you are doing them a disservice and not allowing them to comfort themselves and go back to sleep. They would be ignored in their litter, and back to sleep they would go. If their mamas wouldn’t acknowledge every noise made, we shouldn’t either. It’s OK to hear the entire spectrum of noises when you put your pup or immature dog to bed: howling, yapping, crying, whining, whimpering, fever-pitch rantings, you get the idea. Typically, the noise can go on for ten to twenty minutes. Don’t get a dog out until their appointed time in the schedule (more on this later). Period. The rare exception to this would be if my dog had been asleep and quiet for hours before suddenly beginning to scream like a bear is eating him alive inside his crate. That would get my attention, and I would go assess the situation and verify if a bear is, in fact, eating him. If a bear is not in the crate, simply turn and calmly walk away…and reposition your earplugs. If, however, you simply have to get them out because they are throwing a hissy fit that made you believe it was a bear in there, here’s how it should be done. 1. Open the door like usual and do not allow him to bum rush the door. I would wait for a polite pause and invite him out. NO affectionate touch, tone, or eye contact during this time, especially if he is agitated. It’s routine as normal. 2. Put the leash on him immediately and go directly out to the designated potty spot. 3. Then quietly assess the dog to see if a bear did in fact peel the skin off his body. 4. Again, quietly lead him back into the house and return him directly into his crate, as usual. Take the leash off, close the door, and don’t look back as you leave. 5. Yes, since they woke up, they could cry again for a while. Don’t get them out! Don’t acknowledge that fever-pitch state of mind! I know how hard it can be to see this through, but it is so worth it in the end. My Kozi was the hardest dog to crate train in the world—or so I thought until I met a few others that almost convinced me that bears do eat dogs alive in their crates. Most dogs are content in their crates in less than a week with mere ten to twenty-minute crying jags. Kozi howled and screamed for two weeks straight and would cry for almost every moment in his crate. I thought I would die! I had to have my family sleep in our motorhome for two weeks. One weekend they even went to a motel! Kozi was tough to crate train. However, Kozi is my superstar now—he is a very bright, sensitive, and intense little guy! I’m certain that had I not stuck it out, Kozi could have become a neurotic dog with high anxiety. P.S. He does love his crate now! Quiet and calm, happy and peaceful! Crate Training Benefits: ▪ People seriously underestimate a dog’s need for rest, which is his time to think and use his brain. Being a good dog is very hard work! Rest is a critical element in training. Crate time allows a dog to soak up his lessons and recharge and reboot his mindset. ▪ Crate training has been proven to be the fastest and most effective way to housebreak a dog at any age. A dog’s natural instinct is to avoid being near his own waste, so he’ll make an effort to avoid eliminating in his crate. They learn this from their mamas! ▪ Crate training provides a safe, comfortable, and familiar place wherever you go (hotels, vet, groomer, etc.). ▪ Destructive behaviors are often the result of an unsupervised dog being bored or anxious. Using a crate during an owner’s short-term absence eliminates this possibility. Dogs sleep the vast majority of the time when their owners are away anyway. Crating your dog while you’re away or unable to supervise keeps him from being destructive, stops nuisance behaviors, and prevents him from ingesting something that could potentially harm him. Crate Training Dos: ▪ Make sure your crate is not too BIG! When potty training, it is imperative that the crate area your dog resides in is very small! It should only be big enough for a dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down. ▪ Introduce a crate to an older dog by feeding in it. You don’t even have to leave the door closed for this. Just get the dog used to eating in there, and he’ll soon look forward to when you unlatch the door. Move the food bowl deeper and deeper into the crate every day until your dog is happily eating inside. Then one day you can close the door until he’s finished. You can delay opening the door by ten-minute intervals after that. ▪ Lock a dog out of the crate when it’s not in use. Remove your dog, lock the door, and let him watch you toss a few yummy treats in there. Then walk away. He’ll be counting the minutes until he can get in there! Then pop him in the crate while you do a quick errand or take a shower. Remember, the crate is not negotiable, but you are willing to make it fun. ▪ Adjust the location of the crate depending upon your dog. Some dogs do well in social areas like the living room; other dogs do better in a bedroom or basement where they are not distracted. ▪ Utilize the crate any time you are gone. ▪ Put a great chew toy in the crate like a Kong or a Busy Buddy or a pig’s hoof. Use nothing digestible; we want the chewie to relieve stress, not contribute to the need for a dog to have an accident. ▪ Never make a big deal about letting your dog in or out of his crate. Wait until he’s calm before releasing him from his crate and avoid giving praise or affection until he’s relaxed. Crate Training Don’ts: ▪ Never consider or use it as a form of punishment; rather consider it more like a safe place or puppy sitter—as long as it’s a reasonable amount of time. ▪ Don’t leave bedding in the crate if your dog is a destructive chewer. They can get an obstruction if swallowing bedding. ▪ Don’t leave your dog in his crate for extended periods of time beyond what their age supports. For a dog under a year old, the general rule of thumb is age in months plus one hour. For example, a three-month-old puppy shouldn’t be in a crate longer than four hours during the daytime. The nighttime stretch is generally an additional two to three hours to that general rule until they are making it through the night completely. Alyson Rodges Alyson Rodges is a dog trainer specializing in puppies, and all things DOODLE. She loves people as much as their pooches and teaches the necessary skills for them both to enjoy a balanced life with each other. Aly’s approach is rooted in relationship, not commands alone. Aly trains multiple dogs at once in her own home, complete with teenagers, a bit of chaos, and a lot of real life. Aly’s Puppy Boot Camp is located on the gorgeous central coast of California near Pismo Beach. You can find out about Aly at www.alysonrodges.com or email her at info@alysonrodges.com :|zpendofcontent|:
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Labeling Dog Behavior: Helpful or Harmful?
Labeling Dog Behavior: Helpful or Harmful? Have you ever been labeled “rude” when you were actually shy? Or labeled“mean” when you just had a really bad day? Most of us have been labeled at one point in our lives and they are usually hurtful and untrue. Unfortunately, dogs are also often labeled and the labels can cause more harm than good. Every day I work with dogs that bark, lunge or growl at people, dogs or novel objects. Commonly these dogs are labeled as “aggressive” when in fact they are usually fearful, anxious or shy. When dogs (and people) are put into situation that make them uncomfortable they will sometimes react with a survival response of “fight.” When people “fight” they will yell, hit or become violent in other ways. When dogs “fight”, they bark, growl or lunge. Because this response is often labeled as “aggression” the dogs are treated as if they are “bad dogs” rather than considering they are afraid. Many of these dogs can overcome their fear if they are treated with compassion and empathy. Sadly, some people will hurt these dogs to stop the “aggression” instead of dealing with the fear or anxiety. When we describe the behavior for what it is, “fearful of dogs/people” instead of labeling them “aggressive,” it is easy to have compassion for them. Many time people will label a dog as “stubborn” because they won’t do what the person wants. Typically, these dogs are not actually “stubborn” but they may be distracted, worried or confused. I will commonly work with people who tell me that their dog is “stubborn” but in reality, the dog actually does not know what the person wants because they have not been taught properly or thoroughly. If someone was talking to me in a language I did not understand, I may appear “stubborn” when in reality I just did not understand what the person was saying to me. Although people believe that a label in a proper description of a person, dog or behavior, it is actually a judgment. Unless we take time to understand why a behavior is happening, we don’t really know why it is happening. If a person sleeps a lot, they may be labeled “lazy” when in fact that person may have just undergone a treatment of chemotherapy. Instead of jumping to conclusion and labeling our dogs, we should take time to understand them. Learning how to read dog body language is the first step to understanding why a behavior is happening. Since dogs don’t use language to communicate, they use their body. Next time you are tempted to label your dog, take a minute to watch his body language, look around at the environment and be compassionate about what he might be feeling. Once you take time to really understand, you may find it hard to label so quickly. Shannon Coyner Shannon has been a pet lover all her life and a dog trainer for over 20 years. She has spent her life observing, caring for and training animals of all kinds. She has worked in the Bird Department at Marine World Africa USA, and worked as a handler and trainer for an African Serval Cat at Safari West, a private zoo in Santa Rosa, California. She has participated in behavior studies including observations of bald eagles and addax antelope through the San Francisco Zoo and Safari West. Her education includes a Biology Degree, specializing in Zoology from Sonoma State. She is a "Registered Veterinary Technician," a "Certified Professional Dog Trainer" (Knowledge Assessed), a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner, a member of the "Association of Pet Dog Trainers" and a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. Shannon is currently serving as President for the Society of Veterinary Behavior Technicians. Shannon's dog training philosophy revolves around force-free, positive reinforcement, however, her ultimate goal is for healthy happy relationship between pets and their people. Diet, exercise, environment and training all play a significant role in achieving this goal. Shannon is currently the owner of Ventura Pet Wellness and Dog Training Center in Ventura, CA where she works with anxious and fearful dogs privately as well as teaching agility classes (Venturapetwellness.com). Shannon has also started a training website called Truly Force Free Animal Training. :|zpendofcontent|:
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Puppy Power: Yes, You Can Raise Littermates Together!
Puppy Power: Yes, You Can Raise Littermates Together! Charles M. Schulz summed it up best when he said, “Happiness is a warm puppy.” So, if happiness is one puppy, then more must be bliss! Having raised three Siberian Husky puppies at one time, I can certainly attest to that bliss, sometimes zany bliss, but bliss just the same! So, where does one raising multiple puppies start the training process? First, let me start off by saying there are so many varied experiences and advice from others shared on a variety of sites across the Internet that sometimes it can be confusing and conflicting to know which way to go. Whenever seeking training and behavior advice for your dog, always verify your source to be sure you are getting the best and most accurate information possible. I have seen some really outrageous online conversations about not raising multiple puppies from the same litter. I say, why not?! My daughter and I not only raised three puppies (two girls and a boy) from the same litter, but we had two other young Huskies, a two-year-old girl and a one-year-old boy, already in our family. A popular question I am asked is, “How did you do it?” To which I reply, "throw away the rulebook, because when raising multiple puppies together, there really is no hard and fast one-size-fits-all rule." But, there are some important things to keep in mind. Here are some of my FiveSibes™ tips: Enroll in School. Puppy kindergarten class is a great way for you and your family to bond with your puppies, socialize them, and get helpful tips on everything from teaching commands to teething and potty training. Check with your veterinarian, groomer, breeder, community dog park patrons, and your local rescue or shelter staff to ask for their recommendations on a reputable trainer and canine behaviorist. Have Patience. When puppies are crying at night, chewing up the woodwork, or are decorating your floor with their puppy poop, you will need patience. I say just breathe, embrace it, and enjoy the ride! In reality, it is such a short period of time before puppy shenanigans will be a thing of the past. Quality Time. While it is important to teach them respect for each other as a bonded group, it is just as important to give them each their own quality time to bond with you. It is also especially important to carve out some solo time for the dogs already in your family, so they can be assured they are still your best friends. It also helps to ease any stress they may be feeling with a whole bunch of young’uns invading their territory. Positive Reinforcement. This is my mantra for all things canine. With positive reinforcement, training is much faster and pups are happy and proud with each goal they achieve, the same as with us humans! Don’t Fear the Crate. When they are ready, separate them into their own crates, positioned facing each other. A crate not only offers a safe haven for puppies, but most will love their “den” well into their dog years. Training Tools. A frozen (creamy) peanut butter filled rubber treat toy will become your best friend and help to keep the puppies happily occupied. High-Value Treats. Treats are our secret weapon! Make sure they are not only wholesome but also something über-special that they do not get at any other time to ensure you will have their undivided attention and desire to perform commands upon request! Be Consistent. Repetition—keeping to the same schedule each day—is truly the path to success with teaching multiple young pups at the same time. By being consistent, it lays down the guidelines to successful training. Sense of Humor. This goes without saying! Especially when one puppy successfully does his/her duty on a training pad and, while you are happily praising the proud pup, the other two decide it is more fun to rip that soiled pad apart in a spontaneous game of Tug o’ war, spilling its load (pardon the pun) everywhere! Record the Memories. Be sure in the midst of all the craziness to take time to photograph and videotape the growing pups. When the pups are all grown, you will love to look back at their puppy days and see how the family all came together. To watch siblings grow up with each other, having the security of being able to play together, eat together, and sleep together—never being separated from each other—is truly a special kind of joy. Dorothy Wills-Raftery Dorothy Wills-Raftery is an award-winning photojournalist and author of EPIC Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy; the FiveSibes™ Tales children’s books: What’s Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy and Getting Healthy With Harley: Learning About Health & Fitness; and Buddy, the Christmas Husky~Based On A True Holiday Miracle books (ArcticHouse Publishing), as well as the FiveSibes.com, an online encyclopedia for the Siberian Husky breed and Canine Epilepsy information, as well as her international award-winning FiveSibes blog, based on the lives of her five Siberian Huskies. Her work has also appeared in American Pet Magazine, Ruff Drafts, The Sled Dogger, and Hudson Valley Paw Print Magazine. Dorothy is the writer and host of "The Sibe Vibe” Dog Works Radio show. Dorothy is a 9-time Dog Writers of America Association “Excellence” nominee, winning the prestigious Maxwell Medallion in 2017 and 2016 for her writing, photography, and design. Her book EPIC Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy received the 2018 Independent Press Award for “Excellence” in the Reference Book category and 2017 NYC Big Book Award for “Excellence” in the Animal/Pet book category. Dorothy was also named “Best Author” in 2015 & 2016 by Hudson Valley Magazine and all four books named “Best in Print” by American Pet Magazine, An official International Purple Day® for Epilepsy Ambassador since 2012 and a volunteer case manager for The Wally Foundation-Canine Epilepsy, Dorothy is the creator of the FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness campaign and partnered with The Anita Kaufmann Foundation for #Paws4Purple Project, both inspired by her own epileptic Husky, Gibson. In addition to her Siberian Huskies, Dorothy shares her home with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. You can follow Dorothy and her FiveSibes on Facebook at FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews, on Google + , Twitter, and Instagram(@FiveSibesMom). :|zpendofcontent|:
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7 Big Benefits of All-Natural Dog Food
7 Big Benefits of All-Natural Dog Food Less than 100 years ago, eating organically was the norm. Processed foods were rare with family farms and local produce supplying the bulk of our meals. Today, we have to make careful choices about what we’re consuming. You may already be in the habit of reading food labels for yourself, but what about for your pup? Many pet parents don’t take the opportunity to double check what’s bound for the food bowl, and it can spell disaster for your doggy’s diet. Wondering if holistic and organic kibble is worth the price? These seven benefits of all-natural dog food are a great reason to budget a bit more. What Makes A Dog Food ‘All-Natural’? It only takes one or two ingredients for a dog food to go from all-natural to non-organic. A pinch of animal byproduct, sprinkle of synthetic chemical, or an ounce of anything artificial and it’s instantly disqualified. Organic and holistic dog foods fall under the same umbrella but are categorically different. Both aim to produce a sense of overall well-being, but to be considered organic, a dog food must meet the USDA’s specifications. (Read: no chemicals or antibiotics used on any ingredient at any stage.) All-Natural Dog Food Benefits Where food has gotten systematically sketchier for humans, our fur babies are enjoying plentiful all-natural puppy food options. Fill the bowl with quality kibble and you are likely to notice benefits like: Reduced allergies. Food allergies aren’t just common in humans; man’s best friend also suffers at the hands of a few common ingredients. When you say bye-bye to byproducts, low-grade grains, and processed portions there’s far less chance of your pet experiencing an allergic reaction. Improved skin, coat, and teeth. The more nutrients they take inside, the more it will show outside. Not only will it add luster and shine to their coat, all-natural dog food can also prevent fatal gum disease in dogs. Fewer vet visits. You don’t need us to tell you that vet services are expensive. The more health conscious their diet, the less trips you’ll have to make outside your regular checkup. Better breath. No matter how much you love your pup, bad breath is a bummer. Want to banish your dog's bad breath? Chomping on all-natural dog food can dislodge bacterias that lead to a stinky snout. Increased digestive health. A regular pup is a happy pup. As an added bonus, the more nutritionally complete their dog food, the more you can prevent painful gas bubbles from forming (and escaping) their digestive tract. Faster fill-ups. The more nutrients you provide your pet, the more satiated they’ll stay. A high-grade protein will fill Fido up fast, causing him to eat less at each setting. This means you’ll have to replenish your supply less often, too. Consistent, healthy weight. The dangers of doggie obesity are numerous. The healthier they eat, the more energy they’ll have to run, play, and keep the weight off. When looking at labels, steer clear of filler ingredients like starches or sugars that can pack on the pounds. Lengthened life expectancy. You probably want your pooch to live forever! (Or at least as long as you do.) While all-natural pet food can’t make any sweeping promises, it has been shown to boost animal immune systems and increase their longevity. Essentially, maintaining a balanced doggy diet starts with eating clean. While all-natural dog food may cost you a little more upfront, it’s likely to save you in the long run. Discuss the change with your vet and be sure to slowly switch out food over a two-week period to avoid digestive upset. When in doubt, remember that high-quality food equals a high-quality life! Mitch Felderhoff Meet Mitch Felderhoff. Mitch joined his family business in May of 2007 after graduating from the University of North Texas. After several years working in sales, Mitch took on the responsibility of marketing, new product development, and was named Vice President of Muenster Milling in 2009. With the company now firmly in the 4th generation of Felderhoff’s, Mitch’s commitment to excellence is stronger than ever. When Mitch isn’t working on extruding dry pet foods, he is a husband and loving father of three boys. :|zpendofcontent|:
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The Importance of Letting Your Dog Sniff
The Importance of Letting Your Dog Sniff Imagine you’re on a trip of a lifetime. You’re on safari and looking forward to seeing all the different types of animals out on the plains. However, your tour guide is driving so fast that before you get a good look at what you think might be an elephant, it’s already gone. In fact, it went by so quickly that you’re not even sure it was an elephant, it could have been a rhino. Our dogs experience this every day as we rush them around on their walks. Not only does it become frustrating, but we are affecting our dog’s mood by denying them a Scent Safari, or a ‘Sniffari’ if you will! Scent goes directly to the emotional centre of our dog’s brain or limbic system. The limbic system is the most primitive part of the brain and is responsible for our dog’s emotional life. Pleasure, fear, frustration as well as the ability to learn and remember are all governed by this ancient part of the brain. Allowing your dog to sniff enables the release of feel-good hormones leading to a happier dog. Not only is a daily walk good for you but it’s often the highlight of your dog’s day. Exploring the World Differently Together Walking isn’t just physical exercise for our dogs. Exploring the assortment of smells along the way is how our dogs make sense of their environment. It’s well-known that our dog’s sense of smell is far superior to our own. A dog’s nose has up to 300 million olfactory receptors compared to humans who only have around 5 million! Dogs can separate each smell into the individual elements that make up that smell. While we enjoy the smell of freshly cut grass, our dog is smelling the grass, the earth, the motor oil of the lawn mower, the scent of the person using the lawnmower and everyone else that has recently walked on the grass. The Nose Knows While our sense of smell shares the same nasal channels as our respiratory system, our dogs have a much more sophisticated way of detecting scent. Their brain is structured differently to our own, with the area dedicated to scent detection forty times larger than ours. When dogs breath in, they separate the breath along two separate pathways in the nose. The first pathway moves around 12% of the air to an olfactory recess for sampling, while the second pathway takes the rest of the air to the lungs. Dogs’ noses have receptors within their olfactory recess that sort the odour into its parts. The brain then receives messages about each of the various elements. Our dog’s ability to use separate routes for breath and odour allows for an almost constant sniffing action and means that they can hold onto smell even once they’ve exhaled. And if that wasn’t enough, our dog’s nostrils work independently from each other enabling them to check out two smells at once. Schedule a Scent Safari! While it might not be possible to take your dog on a Sniffari every day, you can set aside time within each walk to let them explore smells and scents. Sniffing is mentally challenging. It’s a bit like us having to sort through complicated paperwork or learning a new skill. Not only will it benefit your dog, but you will reap the rewards too. Giving your dog an opportunity to use their nose not only enables them to exhibit a natural behaviour but as a bonus, it tires them out much faster. Remember to Smell the Roses Our dogs love to use their noses, and they are specifically designed to do so. Giving our dogs the opportunity to explore their environment in their own unique way contributes to their wellbeing. So, next time you’re out walking with your dog, take time to enjoy their enthusiasm for life and the safari of scents all around us. Practical Paw Practical Paw is written by Kim and Mike, with inspiration provided by our own dog, Theo (the happy ginger chap in the photo). Whether you are brand new to sharing your life with a dog or an experienced dog parent we are here to offer you a Practical Paw on all things dogs. We believe in positive reinforcement, kindness and respect to our animals. It is our aim to promote the well-being and best practice for dog lovers for all aspects of being a responsible dog owner. Practicalpaw.com :|zpendofcontent|:
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A Day in the Life of a Dog Owner
A Day in the Life of a Dog Owner Owning dogs, or rather, being owned by dogs is the life for many of us. Some of us own one, some own multiple dogs. However, no matter how many dogs you are owned by, dog parenthood is pretty much the same all around. Behind all the glitz and glammer people see when we walk our gorgeous pups, is a lot of work. A lot of routines. A lot of love, and a lot of fun! So what do our days look like? I can't speak for everyone, but here is a break down of a day in the life of a dog owner, from my own personal experience with my three Siberian Huskies. 9:00am - Wake up, take the dogs outside for a morning pee. 9:10am - Give the dogs some water, and breakfast 9:20am - Lock the dogs in the living room, using the baby gate in order to avoid counter surfing and garbage picking in the kitchen. 9:45am - Go to work 6:00pm - Come home from work to clean up whatever they decided to chew in the living room. 6:15pm - Take dogs outside for a walk and a pee. 7:00pm - Feed the dogs dinner , and water 8:00pm - Howling match with my huskies 8:15pm - Playtime with the dogs. Play catch with them etc... 9:00pm - Tv time, which means cuddle time with the huskies, and dog hair all over my clothes. 10:00pm - Change out of my dog fur clothes into my jammies. 11:00pm - Take dogs outside for a pee 12:00am and onward - get ready for bed 2:00am - Fight for some space on my bed 2:30am - Give up on fighting for space, and just curl into the big balls of fur beside me. Rinse repeat. Keep in mind this is just a general day. Of course, more is involved on weekends and what have you. But you get the idea. A lot of work yet a lot of perks go into being owned by dogs. I think one of the biggest benefits aside from a dog's undying love for us, is the social part of it. Walking your dog, or even taking him to a dog park is a great way to meet people in your area. I have made some awesome friends just because our dogs wanted to sniff each other. Exercise! When you are owned by dogs, exercise is essential. So for my lazy butt, my huskies keep me moving. Keep me busy, and keep me outdoors and active. Boredom seldom occurs when you have dogs. It's Sunday, there is nothing to do. No one is around. Hmmmm what to do, what to do? Look over at your dog who is always eager to do just about anything with you, and bam light bulb hits. Take the dog for a walk. Go to the dog park. Go outside and play with your dog. Make a fun hide and seek game with treats. Bake some easy, yummy treats for him. The possibilities are endless. Now you know the typical day in the life of a dog owner from my perspective. But I'm curious. What does your day look like? Share in the comments! Jenna Drady Hi, I'm Jenna Drady AKA HuskyCrazed - author and creator of ownedbyahusky.ca. I am a mother of two beautiful daughters and of course my 3 huskies. Being a husky mom for a long duration of my life, I was inspired to begin writing about them. In doing so, I started doing massive research on dog behavior, and all things dog in general. I am inspired every day by my family, and love to bring my readers valuable information as well as a little laugh while I'm at it. I created my own business partnered with my lovely mother while blogging called Pawz N Clawz Jewelry N Things. We currently sell handmade jewelry with added pet charms, as well as a few dog toys too! As an animal rights activist, and huge believer in helping pets who have been stuck in shelters, we donate a portion of our sales to local shelters throughout Canada. :|zpendofcontent|:
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5 Telltale Signs of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs
5 Telltale Signs of Hip Dysplasia in Dogs Canine hip dysplasia is a fairly common condition that you see a lot in larger dog breeds, but smaller dogs breeds can develop it as well. Hip dysplasia occurs when your dog's ball and socket joint in their hip develops incorrectly and grinds or rubs together instead of glides. This condition can drastically decrease your dog's overall quality of life, and there are five telltale signs of canine hip dysplasia you want to watch for. These signs can worsen over time, so early detection and treatment are key. 1. Decreased Activity One of the easiest 'tells' or signs that something is wrong with your dog's hips is a decreased activity level. You may notice that your dog wants to rest or sleep more, and they'll be less enthusiastic about activities that make them physically active like going on walks or playing. A lot of pet parents may assume that this is simply a consequence of their dog getting older. However, it is very important to mention any radical change in your dog's behavior like decreased activity to your vet because your dog may be in pain and you don't want them to suffer. 2. Difficulty Getting Up As canine hip dysplasia worsens over time, you may notice that your dog has difficulty rising after they've been laying down or in a prone position. It can be noticeably worse in the morning after your dog wakes up from sleeping all night. They may also have more difficulty getting up after they've been laying on cold, hard, or slippery floors. Carpeting or area rugs is one way to help your dog, and it can also give them better traction, so they don't slip and fall as they're walking around. 3. Not Able to Climb Stairs or Jump Up Your dog uses their back legs to push themselves up the stairs, and as hip dysplasia advances, their hips become inflamed and sore. This can directly impact how well your dog can climb stairs or jump up because your dog's range of motion in their hips decrease. In the beginning, when the inflammation first starts to develop, you might start to notice that your dog hesitates when they have to climb stairs or jump up. This hesitation can lead to your pet refusing to climb the stairs or jump up completely, or they won't do it without assistance from you. 4. Bunny Hopping The term "bunny hopping" is referring to the way your dog changes their gait when they walk, climb stairs, or run. It got its name because dogs tend to "hop" and lift both of their back legs at once when they're moving to decrease the pressure on their joints. If your dog is lifting and putting down both of their back legs at the same time, it can make them distribute their weight more evenly, and this can make it less painful to move around. They may also lead with the opposite leg when they climb stairs. 5. Hip Pain and Sensitivity A final indicator of hip dysplasia is that your dog displays signs of pain when you or one of your family members touches their hip area. When hip dysplasia starts to develop, the ball joint can pop out of the socket and cause tiny fractures to appear and the joints to stretch to accommodate it. As this problem develops, these tiny fractures and stretching turns into cartilage breakdown and eventually to osteoarthritis. This can make your dog's hip area very painful, and they may shy away when you try to touch the area. Bottom Line Your dog is more than a pet, and you want them to have as happy and as healthy of a life as they can, for as long as they can. This is why it's so important to monitor your dog for any changes in their behavior and talk to your vet if you have concerns. If your dog develops hip dysplasia, early detection and treatment can help to improve your dog's quality of life. They'll be happier and healthier well into their old age. Ashley Turner Ashley Turner is a Dog Mom of a beautiful Westie named Lily. She also happens to be the community manager and blogger for PuppyWire. Her passion is to help other Dog Parents by giving them practical advice through tips, guides, and reviews for popular dog products. Find out more by visiting PuppyWire.com. :|zpendofcontent|:
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10 Ways Your Dog Shows He Loves You
10 Ways Your Dog Shows He Loves You Dogs are full of love, that is no secret. And they love to show us just how much they have to give. Generally, it's not hard to tell when a dog is showing affection. But sometimes their action can be mistaken for affection, or vice versa - their affection can be mistaken for something completely different. What do I mean? Take tail wagging for instance... We assume that when a dog wags his tail, it means he's happy and showing his love for us. But that is not always the case. Tail wagging can mean different things such as anxiety, stress etc... Today, lets go over 10 ways your dog shows he loves you: 1. Tail Wagging As mentioned above can most definitely be a sign of affection. 2. Shadow Pup Do you notice your dog follows you around sometimes? While this can mean he needs something (a potty break, food, etc.) it can also be him wanting to just be near you. Your dog's need to be close to you is a sure sign of love. 3. Face Licker! While some may find this intolerable... others will accept it on occasion and some even think it's cute when their dog licks their face. Once again with face licking - it doesn't always mean he is showing love for you, but most cases if your pooch is giving you a big wet sloppy kiss... he loves you. 4. Jumping This unwanted behavior - your dog jumping up on you when you come home - may not be accepted, but still good to know the reason behind it. Your dog wants to come up to your level. As a pup, they learn to lick their mama's face. Recognizing you as a parental figure, your dog wants to greet you by jumping up and attempting to get to that face of yours! 5. Ever Notice a Difference in Your Dog When You Are Ill? Your dog might seem to act a bit different when you have come down with the flu, or even a cold. He might get clingy, or even worrisome. This is because he is concerned for you, and feels the need to watch over you. 6. Whether Your Dog Is Allowed on Your Bed or Not It is still good to know that the reason Fido always wants up there, is because he instinctively feels the need to curl up and sleep with his pack. He sees you as part of his pack, and wants to lovingly snuggle you! 7. The Lean Mostly common in medium to large breeds sized dogs, they tend to lean on your legs. Some think this is the dog trying to be dominant. However, dogs will lean on you to show affection. 8. Say Cheese! Dogs do smile, just like we do, although not quite as obvious. If you know your pet well, it is not hard to see from his facial expression when he is upset, feeling playful, or feeling lovey-dovey. 9. Rough Play Undesirable, yes. But... your dog (generally) is not trying to hurt you, or be rough with you. Puppies play very rough with their litter mates as well as their mothers. Your dog is not trying to hurt you, just trying to play with the fam the way a dog knows best. 10. The Stare Down When a dog locks eyes with you, some people still think that means they are challenging you. When in fact, they are showing you an extreme amount of love. Brian Hare, director of the Duke Canine Cognition Center tells us that oxytocin (a chemical released when new mothers and their babies instinctively bond) is also released when dogs stare at you or even simply touch you. Tell us, how does your dog show he loves you? Author: Jenna Drady Hi, I'm Jenna Drady AKA HuskyCrazed - author and creator of ownedbyahusky.ca. I am a mother of two beautiful daughters and of course my 3 huskies. Being a husky mom for a long duration of my life, I was inspired to begin writing about them. In doing so, I started doing massive research on dog behavior, and all things dog in general. I am inspired every day by my family, and love to bring my readers valuable information as well as a little laugh while I'm at it. I created my own business partnered with my lovely mother while blogging called Pawz N Clawz Jewelry N Things. We currently sell handmade jewelry with added pet charms, as well as a few dog toys too! As an animal rights activist, and huge believer in helping pets who have been stuck in shelters, we donate a portion of our sales to local shelters throughout Canada.
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8 Tips To Keep Your Dog’s Water Dish Fresh & Clean
8 Tips To Keep Your Dog’s Water Dish Fresh & Clean “Water is the driving force of all nature.” ~Leonardo da Vinci The warm weather has finally arrived in many areas after what seems like a (too) long winter! Now is when we all spend more time outdoors with our dogs, from going on long walks and hikes to extended play times in backyards and at the dog park. It is also the season when dogs can very easily overheat and dehydrate. According to DogFoodAdvisor.com, “Water is perhaps the most neglected daily nutrient your dog must count on for you to provide.” Not only is having a constant supply of fresh water crucial to your dog’s health (not just in the spring and warmer weather, but every day all year long), it is also important to be sure his/her water dish or bowl is always clean. Here are some of my FiveSibes™ tips on taking care that your dog’s drink and dish are the best and safest they can be: 1. Beware of Glass Bowls Do not use glass bowls outside on wooden decks as they not only can heat up to the point of breaking, which the broken glass is a hazard to your dog, but the sun can also filter through the glass like a magnifying glass, causing the wood to ignite and cause a fire. 2. Plastic is Not Friendly Plastic is not a good choice for a pet’s water bowl for many reasons. Aside from possibly harboring potentially dangerous chemicals (even if it is BPA-free), it is a very porous material, where germs and mold love to invade. It is easily scratched or chewed, inviting nasty bacteria, and can crack or have pieces break off that can be sharp and cause a serious health risk to your dog. 3. Keep it Fresh Whether outside or inside, water in dishes can become mucky even after a few laps from saliva, dirt, dropped treats, and dribbles of food into the dish. Multiple dogs? That’s multiple times the amount of drool and slime that gets deposited in the water bowl, so change out the water often. 4. Get Shady Keep your dogs’ outdoor water dishes out of the sun. Check the yard, porch, and/or deck for a shady area and make that your furpal’s designated watering hole. Be consistent, so your dog will always know where to go to get a fresh drink. 5. No Sharing! Always be sure birds are not using your dog’s watering trough as their personal bath to avoid your dog from getting a disease. 6. Water 24/7 If you are not always home to check on your dog’s water quality and supply, check into the possibility of installing one of the constantly flowing fountain-style dishes. 7. H2O on the Go! Going for a walk or hike with your furry best friend? Be sure to bring along a clean portable water bowl and a fresh container of water. A great tip is to freeze a plastic bottle of water beforehand so as the ice melts, you can pour still-cool water into the bowl for your dog. When empty, toss the water bottle into the recycle bin. 8. Clean Means Safer To avoid any growth of germs, bacteria, and/or mold that all can cause our dogs to get sick, be sure to wipe off any slime or film that may be on your dog’s water dish and then give it a thorough wash daily with hot water and soap (rinse well so there is no soap residue left behind), or run it through a cycle in the dishwasher. Just as we drink out of a clean glass or cup, our dogs should drink their water from a clean bowl or dish. According to The Honest Kitchen blog, “While hand washing with soap and hot water will get the bowls clean, the dishwasher takes it a step further. Most bacteria that collect on pet bowls need scalding hot water (140° F) to fully remove and kill it.” Whether you choose to clean your dogs water bowls with some good old-fashioned light elbow grease, or by popping them into the dishwasher, keeping our dogs’ dishes clean, and, thereby, safe for use, is an easy task that will keep our pups happy and healthily hydrated, not only in the warm weather months, but all year long! Dorothy Wills-Raftery Dorothy Wills-Raftery is an award-winning photojournalist and author of EPIC Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy; the FiveSibes™ Tales children’s books: What’s Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy and Getting Healthy With Harley: Learning About Health & Fitness; and Buddy, the Christmas Husky~Based On A True Holiday Miracle books (ArcticHouse Publishing), as well as the FiveSibes.com, an online encyclopedia for the Siberian Husky breed and Canine Epilepsy information, as well as her international award-winning FiveSibes blog, based on the lives of her five Siberian Huskies. Her work has also appeared in American Pet Magazine, Ruff Drafts, The Sled Dogger, and Hudson Valley Paw Print Magazine. Dorothy is the writer and host of "The Sibe Vibe” Dog Works Radio show. Dorothy is a 9-time Dog Writers of America Association “Excellence” nominee, winning the prestigious Maxwell Medallion in 2017 and 2016 for her writing, photography, and design. Her book EPIC Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy received the 2018 Independent Press Award for “Excellence” in the Reference Book category and 2017 NYC Big Book Award for “Excellence” in the Animal/Pet book category. Dorothy was also named “Best Author” in 2015 & 2016 by Hudson Valley Magazine and all four books named “Best in Print” by American Pet Magazine, An official International Purple Day® for Epilepsy Ambassador since 2012 and a volunteer case manager for The Wally Foundation-Canine Epilepsy, Dorothy is the creator of the FiveSibes #LiveGibStrong K-9 Epilepsy Awareness campaign and partnered with The Anita Kaufmann Foundation for #Paws4Purple Project, both inspired by her own epileptic Husky, Gibson. In addition to her Siberian Huskies, Dorothy shares her home with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and grandson. You can follow Dorothy and her FiveSibes on Facebook at FiveSibes: Siberian Husky K9 News & Reviews, on Google + , Twitter, and Instagram(@FiveSibesMom). :|zpendofcontent|:
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How to Appreciate Your Pets
How to Appreciate Your Pets Regardless of the fact, that you own a rabbit, horse, cat or dog, your pets will bring great happiness in your life. Might be you bought a pair of earrings for your mother on the Mother’s Day to show your love for her. You also take out your wife/husband for a dinner on Valentine’s day to let her/him know how deeply you love her. But seldom you provide this type of attention to your pets. When was the last time you move out of your position to display your pet how much importance you give them? If you feel difficulty in remembering the exact date and time, when you offer a treat to your pet in your home, then remember your pets require love and attention from your side. If you are ensured of what you need to show your angry pet just how much you love and adore them, don’t sweat, read this article to get some ideas of appreciation for your pets. Here we are ten different methods for you to show your pets how much you appreciate and love them. Petbounce is a good arthritis medicine for cats. 1. Purchase Treat for Your Pet Every cat cherishes a new toy to play around with and every dog likes a nice bone to bite on. For your lovely pet, order toy or a fantastic delicious treat. Dogs especially like chicken jerky, bully sticks and bones. The cats are fond of fish jerky, fresh chicken for dinners and catnip. Order a monthly pet box for your pet, if you want to surprise your pets. You’ll receive a toy every month designed for specific breeds and sized animals. When the tell-tale package will reach your doorstep, your pet will feel appreciated. 2. Devote Some Quality Time to Pet Pets required attention like humans. While purchasing toys and pet treats in one of the methods to display your appreciation, the similar old saying “Money can’t buy everything” applies to your pets also. Every week, make it a habit to spend some quality time with your pet. If you are the owner of a dog, then take her or him to the dog beach or dog park for some time for continuous fun. You can also go with them for the next camping trip. This way they can enjoy the fantastic outdoors with your family and you. Some people inspired and teach their cats to perform some interesting tricks. If you have patience and time, teach some circus-type moves to your cat. Your cat likes the stimulation and you will have the latest starter for conversation for your upcoming dinner party. 3. Renovate Pet Bedding Everyone likes a latest and new comforter to settle up in the night or a brand-new pillow for resting their head. Therefore, your animal is no discrete. If the bed of your pet is looking a little substandard for rest, or if they’ve been deploying old throw pillows and blankets, then leave some cash and save money for real-deal and brand-new bed for your pet. Your angry pet will be very happy for it, and you will feel that you need to implement this idea early. But you won't feel unhappy for a long time because your pets will come near you and show his/her affection and love for you. 4. Choose a Date for Play Like people, animals require socializing with others of their type. Set a return date for play with animals, family and friends so that your pet can love some social interaction. This is also a good method to teach latest skills to your pet. There are some chances that pet of your friends knows something which your pet doesn’t know. Similar to a school for a child, these play dates for pets are necessary to help your fleecy friend become the good animal, as they can be. 5. Acquire a New Pet Many pet owners think that if they adopt a new pet, then their current pet might feel replaced or left out. Fortunately, this is not true. Many pets are social animals like humans. There are great chances that your pet would like his or her new companion or friend to play with. Therefore, you can easily go to your office or socializing during the night. Before you bring your new furry friend to home, ensure that your cat or dog plays well with other pets by fixing the play dates with different pets you will like. Also, speak to your veterinarian regarding your plans to acquire a new pet. As he or she might want you to take some precautionary measures to safeguard the health of your pet before adopting another pet. You are also required to keep yourself updated about the vaccines for the pet. 6. Implement Something New Jointly Hiking the natural trails to taking up Frisbee in the park, there are some things that you and your pet does not know how to implement. Learning something new at the similar time, your pet and you can bond with each other in an exciting and new way. It will give new dimensions to your relationship and your pet and you respect each other mutually. 7. Cook Feast for Your Pet What is the most innovative way that you display your pet friends showing you appreciate and love them? You can cook a feast for your pet. The homemade food is the method to win everyone’s hearts. Therefore, your pet will easily know how much you appreciate and love them by cooking a homemade feast. If their ideal pet food has green beans and lamb, then bake few lamb chops, and top it with green beans and put homemade gravy on the other side. Also, make some homemade cat or dog treats for serving for the dessert. 8. Be a Volunteer of Society To show your pet how much you appreciate them, you need to help others of their type that require it the maximum. By donating or volunteering to some other shelter or to the Humane Society, you are displaying your love and appreciation for the animals they offer you. Most of the pet shelters always require towels and blankets for the animals. You can help the local humane society by cleaning, walking, fundraisers and many other different methods. Pets require your affection. Lavish and shower your love on the pets. Take your pet for a walk. 9. Make Portrait of Pets Draw some beautiful portraits of pet. It is a very nice and relaxing experience for you. Brush the hair of pets. 10. Give your Pet a Massage Dog massages and touch is the latest trend. It is also not too difficult to find a certified pet massage practitioner near your home. Your dog will love the massage done by you. Petbounce is a highly effective arthritis medicine for pets. By attempting out any one of the ideas given above, you can strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Because of this, you share and have a stronger relationship with your pet. Hope you will find this information useful. Kathreen Miller Kathreen Miller is a pet health expert at Petbounce natural pain relief for cats. She lives in Chicago with her daughter and a dog named “Buddy”. She regularly contributes her write-ups to pet health-related websites and blogs. In her free time, she loves listening to music, watching TV and traveling. :|zpendofcontent|:
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