Tag: dogs

• Take a critical look at your lifestyle. It’s a huge time commitment – are you able to devote the required time to a dog?
• Can you provide the time as well as the financial resources required for food and care?
• Assess a dog’s energy needs – it’s more accurate than specific breed selection for addressing concerns about providing appropriate space, care and exercise
• Consider where you live – are you close to dog-friendly parks? 
• If you don’t have a car, how will you transport your dog in the event of an emergency?
• Are you willing to make a commitment to training?

• Exercise for each dog differs, but one or two brisk walks a day, plus some off-leash play in a safely contained area is recommended.

• Never leave your dog unleashed. Your dog should always be tied up on their leash especially when you intend to go to common areas of your apartment.
• Maintain control in any given situation. If you meet a neighbour inside your building, make the dog’s leash short and close to you.
   
• Use a short leash on your dog. Keep him close to you when you travel the hallways of your building.
   
• Don’t allow your dog to run up to anyone. As hard as it is to believe, not every one likes dogs. By having a short leash, you can easily control your dog’s actions.
   
• Never let your dog jump on people, no matter how small the dog is. Teach your dog to sit for praise and petting. Dogs that jump on people can cause a person to be knocked over or scratched.  This is especially important for children and older people.
   
• When waiting for an elevator, stand back so that you can get a good look at who’s in the elevator or coming off. People on elevators have a tendency to stand in front of the door and exit as soon as the door opens. Have your dog walk next to you when you enter the elevator. Don’t let him enter ahead of you, especially if someone is on the elevator.

With a little research, training, and a lot of patience, apartment dogs can enjoy the high life. Do I have any regrets? Only one. That I didn’t invite my canine roommate to move in sooner! 

When you welcome a pet into your home, you must make him a priority until he feels comfortable as a family member. The holiday season – with its shopping, entertaining and general confusion – rarely leaves you with time or attention to spare. All the distractions can make it the worst of times to bring home a furry friend.

Here are some guidelines to consider.

You get caught up in the spirit of the season as you picture Little Susie’s sparkling eyes when she discovers Fido under the Christmas tree. The temptation’s too great, and you hear yourself ask … ‘how much is that doggie in the window?’

But what happens when the oohing and aahing stops? Or the recipient decides the pet is too much work, or they just weren’t ready for the responsibility. Shelters too often bear the brunt of such impulsive gifts.

It’s a wonderful life

Lifelong commitment that is.

Pets should never be an impulse purchase. Someone considering a pet should research, prepare, and – when the time is right – select a pet that realistically complements their lifestyle.

Because owning a dog is a huge emotional, financial, and time commitment, any person taking on this responsibility must be fully prepared. Puppies need to be housetrained, watched – and confined when they can’t be watched – to prevent typical puppy behaviour that leads to destruction, accidents and even injuries.

Pets aren’t disposable playthings

Even the brightest child doesn’t have the strength, attention span, or self-discipline to care for a dog … or a cat for that matter. Living creatures, pets require substantial time and daily care, not to mention the expense of food, obedience training, and vet bills.

What is needed is an adult caretaker who is willing to accept the responsibility to care for this pet for the next 15 or more years, long after their child has left home.

Gift of anticipation

Instead of buying Fido as a gift, introduce the joys of pet ownership and help the family decide on the right dog to bring home. Books on pet selection, training, care, health and individual breeds will plant the idea of a pet in their minds. Videos and subscriptions to pet magazines and newsletters are also good choices.

You could also offer to help buy pet care supplies, or help with adoption fees, when the time is right – after the holiday season.

Your pet’s paws are constantly being exposed to a variety of potentially dangerous conditions in the cold weather. You can prevent winter weather-related paw pad injuries by following some basic dog paw care tips.

Open the door and let me in

Dogs left in the cold for long periods of times are also at risk for frostbite on paws (and other extremities – ears, tail) and hypothermia. In winter, more frequent short walks are better than a single long walk. If you suspect your dog has hypothermia or frostbite, get him to a vet right away!

Hold the ice

One of the biggest threats to healthy paw pads is the salt – and other chemicals – used to melt ice on driveways, roads and sidewalks. Whenever possible, get your dog off the salty sidewalk and onto the snow for walking.

Another threat from deicers is ingestion. Dogs love eating and licking the snow that falls off of boots, and if you have walked on a deicer compound, your pet will ingest that as well.

To prevent your dog from ingesting deicing salts, keep a shallow bowl of warm water and a cloth near your doorway. Wipe your boots and your dog’s paws when entering the house.

Pedicure for Poochie

Trim those hairy feet

Another common cause of sore paws during the cold winter months are ice balls that form between the pads and toes of hairy-footed dogs. To reduce the risk of ice balls, keep pad hair trimmed neatly. Trim the hair so that it does not hang below the foot pad.

Keep the nails trimmed

Long nails will make your dog’s toes spread when he walks, creating more room for snow and ice build-up between his toes. This can make walking painful for your dog.

Unclipped nails also affect his weight distribution, pushing his weight onto the back of his feet. This means he’ll have less traction and will be more likely to slip and injure himself.

Just as dry winter air can dry out human skin, it can contribute to the drying and cracking of dog paws. Keep a humidifier in the house to prevent dry, itchy skin for both you and your pet.

Muttluks for mutts

Does your dog really hate the snow and cold? Dog boot are a good investment. Although it may take Fido a while to adapt, they’ll protect his feet from the harsh elements and help retain body heat.

By the warmth of the hearth

To combat the effects of salt and deicers:

– Wash his paws with warm water after outdoor capers.

– Use a washcloth, or dip the entire paw into a bowl of warm water. Pay special attention to the space between the toes.

– Apply Vaseline to the foot pads to help prevent chapping, cracking, and soreness.

– Reapply the Vaseline again before any outdoor excursions.

– Remove any snow or ice that builds up on your dog. Trim any long hair from the legs that touches the ground.

And finally, if it’s too cold for you – it’s too cold for Fido. Treat your dog’s feet like your own. Remember how miserable you feel when your feet get cold? Fido feels the same way. 

The study examined 24 dogs at two UK animal shelters. First, each dog was assessed to see whether it suffered from separation anxiety – behaviour such as barking or scratching at the door when left alone.

They found that a dog’s temperament coincided with separation from his owner.

Setting the stage

Dogs were placed in isolated settings and their reactions observed — many barked, jumped on furniture and scratched at the door. Each dog was then trained to expect that a bowl, placed at one location in a room, would contain food. A second food bowl on the other side of the room was always empty. The researchers then placed bowls in neutral locations around the room.

Once the dogs made the connection between the location and the food, the researchers mixed things up. They placed an empty bowl at random locations between the food and non-food areas.

Then they watched the dogs’ approach the bowls.

Oscar the optimist, give me a tail wag

Dogs that sprinted to the neutral bowls, obviously expecting a meal were labeled optimists. It was also noted that the animals that viewed the bowl as half-full were generally calmer when left alone. They had no doubts that their owners would return, while the pessimists assumed they have been abandoned.

Poochie the Pessimist? please raise your paw

A slower approach to the bowl indicated that these dogs – the pessimists – assumed there wouldn’t be any food. Dogs with a bowl-half-empty attitude are more likely to bark, yowl and chew when left alone according to the study. Pessimists are more prone to separation anxiety disorders— going to the bathroom inside, barking, and destroying items around the house.

The message to dog owners

The study carries an important message for dog owners. Instead of punishing a dog that pees in the house or chews up a favorite pair of shoes, pet experts suggest working with an animal therapist. Dogs that express serious anxiety when alone may need treatment, as it could be a sign of unhappiness and instability.

Jumping is rewarded with attention. When Jackson leaps up on his people, , they react in one of two ways. Either they try to calm him by petting and stroking him; or they jump back, trying to push him off while waving their arms frantically and making lots of noise. To Jackson, both reactions are direct rewards for his leaps and bounds.

When the dog jumps up, you need to withdraw of all your attention. Quickly turn away, fold your arms, make no eye contact, and say nothing. After a short while – although puzzled by your lack of attention – he’ll stop his frenetic behaviour. Once the dog has settled, give him lots of attention and serious petting.

Once the dog learns that that are no rewards for jumping, the behaviour should decrease. As the dog is calming down, give the sit command and reward the dog for the good sit. This is especially helpful on walks when the dog meets a favourite human. Just before he gets excited, give the sit command, then reward him with food, petting, praise, etc. Get the human to come down to the dog’s level and greet the dog that way.

Oh, and one more thing. When your visitors say they don’t mind if your dog jumps on them – ignore them. Stick to your training and don’t make exceptions. The trick is to make sure that all family members, as well as guests and friends, know how to react in this situation: by correcting bad behaviour, and rewarding good behaviour.