Bringing home a new dog is a fun-filled occasion for the whole family. However, pets are often returned within a short period of time because the new animal is not immediately meeting expectations. For many first-time pet owners, they mistakenly believe the dog will instantly create a bond with its new family, and can be disappointed and frustrated when this expectation is not met. Tips for jumpstarting the bonding process with your pet are outlined below. Obedience Training One of the best ways to begin bonding with your dog is to attend a structured obedience class. The positive environment with a seemingly never-ending supply of treats will teach you and your dog how to communicate with one other. Communication is one of the most important components of bonding, and will help you better understand the needs of your pet and vice versa. Look for a positive-reinforcement training class in order...
Continue reading » BehaviorNo Comment Despite all of the rewards of dog ownership, caring for your four-legged friend can be downright expensive. Experts estimate that owners spend a minimum of $1,100 in the first year, and $500 per year on food and medical care after that. Additional items such as toys, treats, cleaning supplies, grooming sessions, and bedding can add up quickly. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to lessen the burden on your wallet and save money. Take Advantage of Autoship Discounts One expense that pet owners can count on is food. But, did you know that you can save time and money by purchasing pet food online and signing up for an autoship discount? Retailers such as Amazon.com not only offer pet food at reduced prices than most pet stores, but will also ship your food at regular intervals for a fraction of the price. Check out the free program here. Join...
Continue reading » PlanningNo Comment Whether you are a current dog owner or are looking to become one, fostering is a great choice with numerous benefits. A foster parent is responsible for housing a pet for a shelter or animal rescue until a suitable “furever” home can be found. The advantages of fostering are listed below. See Whether a Dog is Right for You Are you unsure whether you can handle the responsibilities of pet ownership? Fostering a pet can help you better understand if you are ready for purchasing or adopting a pet of your own. If you ultimately realize that you are not ready for the full time commitment associated with a pet, you can rest assured that fostering is a short-term commitment. Socialize your Current Pets If you are considering bringing home a new dog but already have pets and are unsure how they will react, fostering is a great way to...
Continue reading » Uncategorized1 Comment Veterinary care can be expensive, especially when emergency situations arise. For this reason, more pet owners are choosing to insure their pets with a health insurance policy, one that can cover the cost of both emergency and routine care. Here, pet health insurance is explained, as well as the benefits and disadvantages of insuring your dog. What is Pet Health Insurance? Health insurance for dogs is similar to that for humans. After choosing an appropriate policy based on deductible and coverage, as well as age, sex, and breed of your dog, a monthly premium is paid to the company. In return, the company may cover the cost of accidents, provide monetary damages should your pet become lost or stolen, and reimburse you for the majority of medical bills. These policies are most helpful when major accidents or illnesses arise. What are the Benefits of Insurance? The major benefit of having...
Continue reading » Dog HealthNo Comment Indoor and outdoor plants are common in most homes thanks to improved air quality and aesthetically pleasing colors and shapes. However, many common houseplants are poisonous to pets, and should be kept out of reach of animals. Some of the most poisonous plants – along with their symptoms – are described below. Aloe Vera Aloe is typically kept in the kitchen as a quick, natural remedy in case of burns. However, if your dog happens to eat a leaf of this plant, beware that he or she will experience gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting and diarrhea. Autumn Crocus Not to be confused with the spring crocus variety which is only mildly toxic to pets, the Autumn Crocus is poisonous and can lead to vomiting, bleeding in the GI tract, organ failure, and respiratory distress. Azalea These pretty pink flowers are extremely toxic to dogs, and even the ingestion of one...
Continue reading » Dog Health, Dog SafetyNo Comment Are you considering whether a beagle is right for you and your family? Before bringing home a new pet you should understand any quirks the breed might have, and whether you and the dog would a good match. Common beagle traits are discussed below. Temperament Beagles are known for their kind, fun loving, and trusting temperament. They are excellent family dogs that are equally suited to cuddling on the couch and playing in the yard. Although beagles are poor guard dogs due to their easy going nature, their tendency to bark or howl when excited makes them excellent watch dogs. Size As medium –sized dogs beagles top out at 13 – 16 inches tall at the shoulder, weighing 25 lbs for males and 23 lbs for females. Pocket beagles are even smaller, standing less than 13 inches tall and typically weighing 15 – 18 lbs. Other Pets? While beagles get...
Continue reading » Dog BreedsNo Comment Food has long been considered medicine in many cultures, but only recently have physicians and veterinarians begun to study the effects of foods on humans and dogs in the United States. Some of the best cures for common canine ailments are likely already in your kitchen cupboard. Five of the best foods for dogs – and their uses – are described below. Turmeric This bright yellow spice has been shown slow down the proliferation of cancer cells in both humans and dogs. The effect is so powerful that when used in conjunction with chemotherapy cancer cell growth can be stopped completely. Turmeric also has been shown to reduce inflammation and pain in pets, as well. One way to provide turmeric to your pet is through a paste, which can be made by bringing 2 cups of water to a boil with ½ cup of turmeric powder. After the water and...
Continue reading » Dog Health, Food/TreatsNo Comment Training your dog is not just a matter of him or her having good house manners – it can also mean the difference between life and death. The seven most important commands to teach your dog, as well as tips for training, are discussed below. Sit Why is “sit” such an important command? When your dog is getting ready to jump on a new person that walks into your home, asking for “sit” can keep all four of your dog’s feet on the ground. In addition, by utilizing “sit” as a pre-requisite for other daily rewards, such as going outside or having the food bowl set down at dinner time, this simple command can create a well-behaved dog. Stay Not only can “stay” be useful during an unexpected situation (such as a broken dish in the kitchen), teaching your dog how to stay also reinforces independence. Dogs with a strong...
Continue reading » Behavior, Dog Safety, Training2 Comments Pet ownership has an entirely different set of rules and responsibilities beyond simply caring for the animal. An often overlooked part of owning a pet is the way in which dog and owner interact with the world around them. Listed below are five rules of etiquette that all dog owners should follow in order to avoid conflict and be good citizens. Always Ask Before An Introduction When approaching an unfamiliar dog while out on a walk, always ask the other dog’s owner if it is okay for your pet to say hello. Just because your dog is friendly does not mean that the other person’s dog enjoys the company of other canines, as well. If you are using a retractable leash, shorten the lead and lock it in place, as the other dog may perceive a pet with more freedom as a threat. Always Keep Your Dog On-Leash Even if...
Continue reading » Behavior, Dog SafetyNo Comment With the Montreal pit bull ban making national news in the United States, owners of pit bulls and other “bully” breeds should be made aware of the existing laws within the US. What is BSL? Breed-specific legislation legally allows a city to ban or restrict dog breeds that are considered “dangerous,” based solely on their looks. For example, a municipality may place a ban on a specific breed, typically Pit Bulls, Dobermans, Rotweilers, and Wolf hybrids. With a ban in place, existing dogs from the banned breed are heavily restricted, often requiring muzzles in public, steep licensing fees, and the purchase of additional liability insurance. Any new dogs that come into the community of the banned breed must be euthanized when these bans are in place. In other instances, BSL may simply be in the form of restrictions, where owners wishing to own a dog on the banned breed...
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