When you have an emergency situation with your pet every minute can make a difference. I like to be prepared in case of an emergency, you never know when your dog’s life can depend on you having the right information at your finger tips when you need it. You know it is important to have your veterinarian’s number. Most dog owners also keep the number and location of nearest emergency vet hospital in case our pet gets sick or injured on weekends or after hours. Here is a list of numbers you may need in addition to these two essential telephone numbers:

Emergency Disaster Hotline: 1 800 22 7 4645. Provided by the American Humane Association, this number is your first point of call in earthquake or any disaster preparedness for your pets, what to do and where to go. They provide support and relief information.

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency): Information for Pet Owners
If you evacuate your home, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND! The federal government now officially supports including pets in disaster plans. In 2000 The HSUS and FEMA signed an historic partnership agreement to encourage and assist people who want to safeguard their pets in a natural disaster. Before disaster hits, reach out to local officials—work with them to confirm that you will be allowed to evacuate with your pets.

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 1 888 426 4435
If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, you can call this poison control center 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The cost for a poison-related emergency consultation with a veterinarian or toxicologist is $65, which can be billed to your credit card.

Pet Poison Helpline: 1 800 213 6680
This 24-hour animal poison control service for the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean charges a $35 per incident fee, payable by credit card. This fee covers the initial consultation as well as all follow-up calls associated with the management of the case.

Spay/USA Helpline: 1 800 248 7729
This national spay/neuter referral service can help you find a low cost clinic in your area. Their mission is to reduce pet overpopulation by making spay/neuter services affordable to everyone who has a cat or a dog. Phone counselors are available M-F from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST.

The Animal Legal Defense Fund: 707 795 2533
The nonprofit ALDF was founded in 1979 by attorneys active in shaping the emerging field of animal law. Contact them if you have questions about animal neglect or abuse, pet related landlord-tenant issues, pet custody concerns during a divorce, or if you need information on how to include animals in your will.

ASPCA Pet Loss Hotline: 877 474 3310
This program was created to help pet owners who are dealing with the loss of a pet. You can also call them for assistance with the decision to euthanize, advice on how to help children, disabled individuals and other family pets who are grieving the loss of their companion, and help establishing a relationship with a new pet.

Animal and pet travel resources, airplanes and airline regulation: 1800 545 USDA
Whenever you need to travel with your dog(s) locally or even internationally, it is important for you to know your dog is protected by the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) which is enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Before taking a flight, call this number for all your needs about transporting your pet, best airline resources, Licensed pet transporters contact, and even file complaint regarding your pet if you feel an airline has treated your pet or animal inhumanely during transportation. They also ensure airlines treat animals humanely, has facilities to handle animals at airports and maintain allowable temperature limits for animal holding areas. They provide touch tone and recorded messages only. Press option 3 for pet related information.

Pet Travel Information: 877 241 0184
Do you want to travel with your dog? Call or visit Pettravel.com for information on regulations and restrictions, pet container requirements, vet certificates, and clearing security.

Pet Airways: 1 888 738 2479
The only airline that transports dogs in the cabin of the plane.

Animal Behavior Hotline: 312 644 8338, ext. 343
Have a behavior question, call and get answers to anything from separation anxiety to aggression.

Lyme Disease Foundation: 860 870 0070
This nonprofit organization looks for answers to all tick-borne related questions. If you need information about Lyme Disease, Colorado Tick Fever, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever or anything else tick related give them a call.

These are some phone numbers I think will be a useful resource to all dog owners. Remember numbers can change and some agencies are only open Monday though Friday during business hours. If I have forgotten a number you think should be included please add it to the comments below.

Happy Halloween! I thought it might be helpful to give a few tips on how to keep our pets happy and healthy for this fun holiday.

1. Keep all candy away from your dog. Chocolate contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and of course sugar is not good for dogs either. It can make them sick.

2. Designate a safe spot for your dog indoors. Costumes can scare dogs. Costumes change the way we look, add that to unfamiliar people knocking on the door and your dog might run out the door. Also, Halloween is a night for pranks, most are harmless but your dog may not like an egg being thrown at them.

3. Glow sticks can be harmful. Make sure you dog does not chew on a glow stick. The chemicals inside of glow sticks can make your dog sick and burn their mouth.

4. Watch out for candy wrappers, they still smell yummy enough to eat even when the candy is all gone. They can become a choking hazard to your dog.

5. Be careful when using candles near your dog. Your dog may knock over a candle-lit pumpkin leading to burns or a fire. Consider using a battery-lit no flame candle instead, and as an extra bonus you can use it for many years to come.

If your dog or cat accidentally ingests any potentially harmful products and you need emergency advice, please consult your veterinarian or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 or www.aspca.org/apcc (a fee applies).  Have a safe and fun Halloween.

Here is a list of the items I have decided to have in my pet emergency travel kit:

First aid kit and book

Muzzles

Gloves

Can opener

Utensils (spoons, forks etc)

2 containers of dry food

Bottled water

Dog Shampoo

Flea and Tick Spray

Brush

Heart worm medicine

Paper towels and grooming wipes

Plastic sheet

Pocket knife

Natural dish soap and Parsley Plus cleaner

Three folding bowls for feeding and water (I have two dogs)

One extra collar and two extra leashes

Four trash bags

Flashlight with extra batteries

Three blankets

A flash drive with my pets photos and medical information

A ground stake and cable in case I need to keep my dogs in one spot

Maps in case GPS no longer works

Collapsible Dog Crate times two (one for each dog)

I have been looking for a small portable radio to add to the kit also.

In a waterproof zip lock gallon bag I have:

A picture of me with my pets in case I have to prove they belong to me

A written copy of each dogs medical records

A note on each dog that tells how they react to stress, travel and other animals in case I’m not in the area.

The ASPCA has a list of what items you should include in case of an emergency. What items do you keep in your pet emergency travel kit?

Push Button Pet Gate

Do you have a puppy? If so you have probably had few things chewed up and maybe a piddle or two to clean up when you get home. One way to help control what gets chewed up and where you will find the next piddle puddle is to use a pet gate to confine your puppy inside a specific area when you’re not home to keep a close eye on your pet’s behavior.

Of course there are many other uses for pet gates in addition to basic puppy management. One use is to keep the dogs from getting to the cat’s room. Cats of course can jump right over the majority of pet gates, this keeps Fido from away from Fluffy, and helps keep your dog from consuming kitty kibble or litter box munchies. “Gross!”

Maybe you plan on taking your dog to work with you and want to keep them where they are allowed.

Gates can be used to keep your clever dog, (Who knows better than to jump on the coach when you’re home.) from getting too comfortable when you’re gone. Use a pet gate to block access to the room wherever the forbidden furniture is located. The possibilities are endless.

Probably the most compelling reason to own a pet gate is to keep your pet safe. For example, you can use a pet gate to keep your pet out of the kid’s room or out of the garage. Sometimes there are just certain places, people and things you don’t want your dog around and a pet gate is the perfect solution.

Finding the right gate for you

• It should be easy to install. You do not want to get home and discover you need to be Einstein to install your pet gate.

• Make sure your gate is strong enough to withstand any jumping, climbing or crashing into it. You may be lucky and have a dog that sees the gate and doesn’t try to test it. However, if you have a dog that tries to make a jailbreak every chance they get, you’re going to need a heavy duty gate.

• Tall Pet Gates – for the tall dog breeds such as great danes.

• It should be easy to open and close. Some gates don’t open and close, don’t create a tripping hazard in your home.

• Does your dog like to chew a lot? If so you will want to avoid pet gates with wood and plastic, otherwise it might not last very long.

• It should be safe and aesthetically pleasing. It’s going to be in your home, you don’t want something ugly. Avoid any gates that have holes large enough for your dog to get their head through; your dog could get injured if it gets stuck.

Amazon has a large selection of Pet Gates to choose from. Head on over as pick out the perfect gate for you and your dog.

As dogs age it becomes difficult for them to do some of the activities you both may have enjoyed when your dog was younger. For example, running alongside you while you’re riding your bike or jumping up into the back of your pickup truck. However, just because your pooch is experiencing their golden years doesn’t mean they have to be left out of your life. A proper diet and age-appropriate exercises will help keep your four-legged companion happy and healthy.

Here are five fun activities for you and your senior dog. These activities will keep both, you and your elderly pooch entertained while helping to improve your dog’s physical fitness, combat arthritis and stimulate your dog’s mind.

Sit up and Beg
Sitting up strengthens a dog’s hindquarter, back and stomach muscles. Senior dogs hindquarter muscles tend to atrophy from lack of use. This exercise will help keep those back-end muscles strong, which will aid your dog in getting up and down on their own.

Tug-o-War
This is a good strengthening exercise. Dogs love to play tug-o-war with their owners and other dogs. Tugging works the back-end and neck muscles while simultaneously strengthening teeth and gums. Be wary if your dog has weak gums or decayed teeth, you may want to avoid initiating any vigorous tug-o-war play until you can implement a dental care plan.

Swimming
Swimming is a low-impact exercise that strengthens the whole body. Senior dogs need to keep moving in order to retain muscle tone and sensory awareness. Don’t push your dog, let him determine his own pace. Swimming is excellent for the cardiovascular system. Never leave a dog unattended while swimming. Keep in mind older dogs tend to get cold more easily than when they were younger.

Walking
Walking is a great way to exercise a senior dog, and it’s good for the owner too. Walking will strengthen leg muscles and provide a good endurance workout. Walk at a pace that is comfortable for your dog. Take breaks as necessary and remember to avoid over doing it. Two or three shorter walks may be better for your dog than one long walk.

Hide and Seek
You can hide your dog’s favorite toy and have them find it. This is a great way to keep your senior dog mentally stimulated as well as physically active. Plus if the weather is too unpleasant for venturing outside this is the perfect indoor game to play.

Remember, if your dog has not been exercising you’ll want to start out slow. Watch for signs your dog may be over exerting itself: lying down or excessive panting may be symptoms. You may also want to have your veterinarian perform a health check-up on your pooch before beginning any new exercise program. These are just a few of many activities you can do with your senior dog. Do you have a senior dog? What do you like to do to keep your elderly pooch fit as a fiddle?

Summer time has finally arrived and with it, many of us enjoy going out to the lake with our boat. Several of you are probably considering taking your dog out on the water with you. Taking your dog on the water is fun for both, you and your dog. Boating with your canine companion can be a great way to explore the outdoors.

Any dog can enjoy being on a boat. Dogs that enjoy swimming and playing in the water often enjoy spending time out on the boat with you, and even dogs that do not enjoy the water can still have a great time in a boat. Even if your pup prefers to stay dry, it’s very likely they will enjoy being with you and will have fun riding around in the boat.

When taking your dog out on the water don’t forget to bring a waterproof bag of dog food (for longer trips), a bowl for water, pet waste bags and a pet first aid kit.

Here are a few safety tips when taking your dog out on the water.

I suggest starting with a short trip, especially if it is the first time your dog will be in a boat. You might want to spend some time in shallow water so your dog can get her/his sea legs and allow time for her/him to adjust to the sounds and movement of being on a boat.

Make sure your dog is under constant supervision. It only takes a split second for something to go wrong.

Keep a life jacket on your dog, even if he knows how to swim. There are many different types of vests, you’ll want to make sure to buy the correct size for your dog. I know what you’re thinking, whatever, my dog is a great swimmer. Just keep in mind some dogs may panic when they accidentally fall over board. Another reason to keep a life vest on is in case your dog does not know his limitations. Some dogs will keep going until they pass out. Most of the life jackets come with a nifty handle to help pull your dog safely back onto the boat.

Another thing to consider is your dog’s footing. Dogs do not have boating shoes and boats with fiberglass decks can become especially slick for your dog to walk on. Consider putting down some carpet, which will allow your dog to have better footing. This will also keep your dog’s paws from burning on a hot deck.

We all wear sunglasses to protect our eyes from the harsh sun when out on the water. You may want to provide your dog with a pair of doggles. What in the world are Doggles? Doggles are safety glasses made for dogs. If your dog will tolerate wearing them, they will protect your dog’s eyes from the sun.

You’ll also want to make sure you have sunscreen for your dog. There are special sunscreens available, which are formulated to protect your pooch. A dog’s nose is very susceptible to sunburn. If you have a dog with very short hair you’ll want to make sure he’s protected on his head, belly and anywhere else he may burn.

Make sure if you’re out fishing that all hooks, bait and anything else a dog is likely to get into is kept away from your dog.

You will also want to make sure your dog has a place to get out of the sun. This is important so your dog has a place to cool off when temperatures and sun can become overwhelming, and always keep plenty of fresh drinking water on hand for your canine sailor.

The dog days of summer are fast approaching; and even though we might have a little time until summer is “officially here,” we’re already experiencing warm to hot days. It’s during these days that pet owners need heightened vigilance to guard their pets from the uncomfortable dangers of the heat. Here are 7 tips to help keep your dog cool this summer:

Get your dog a pool – a lot of dogs love to jump in, splash around and cool off in their own doggie pool. This is a great way to let your pup cool off while with the added benefit of watching them play in the water, wonderful entertainment for those of us who own them.

Ice Cubes in their water - the water in your dog’s water bowl tends to warm up a lot during the summer. Drop a few ice cubes in their dish throughout the day to keep the water cooled down. Nothing like drinking some nice cold water to help keep you cool during the summer. Make sure your dog always has access to fresh water.

A dog cooling bed – my dogs give up sleeping on their beds during the summer opting instead for the hard tile floor because it’s cooler. If you want your dog to have a cool, but comfortable place to lay during the summer get a cooling dog bed. Your dog will relish the cool comfort it can provide during the summer.

Pupsicles – many companies offer frozen treats for dogs, however, you can make your own. I like to take plain yogurt and mix it with fresh blueberries or bananas. Then I put the mixture into ice cube trays. When it gets hot outside I like to pop one of these out and give it to my dog.

Exercise in the morning – get your pet outside before the heat of the day and limit activity on hot days. I like to take the dogs out to the river where they can swim during the summer. I take them early in the morning, so they don’t overheat and neither do I.

Bring your dog inside – if you need air conditioning then so will your dog. Remember your dog has a fur coat that they cannot take off. If you have to leave your dog outside make sure they have plenty of shade, fresh water and ventilation.

Never leave you dog in a vehicle – temperatures can reach over 100 degrees in just a few short minutes and over 120 degrees or more in less than 10 minutes.

Springtime is here and it’s time for planting in the yard. It’s also the time of the year when we start to see fleas jumping around on our dogs. Here is a list of plants you may want to consider if you own dogs and want some natural flea repellent. Each one of the plants listed will help to repel fleas from your yard and keep them off your beloved pets and none are harmful.

Rosemary – When planting Rosemary you want to make certain you get the herb plant. The Rosemary Pea or Rosemary Bog are both poisonous to dogs. You can use the Rosemary herb when cooking. It’s one of my favorites to cook with.

Sage – Is another plant that can double as a cooking herb. It repels fleas and other pests. The blooms attract honeybees and butterflies.

Chamomile – A wonderful plant because it can be made into a tea and it repels fleas and rodents when planted in your yard.

Lemongrass – A member of the citronella family is great for soups and seafood, plus its oils keep pests at bay.

Lavender – It repels moths and mosquitoes. I love the smell of this plant when it’s blooming.

Mints – Easy to grow and wonderful to smell. Mint spreads aggressively so you may want to grow it in a pot or other container. It also doubles as a cooking herb and makes great tea.

Taking the time to plants some of these around your home can help repel fleas naturally. I enjoy the fact that many of these plants can also double as cooking herbs. I like to dry the Mint leaves and sprinkle them on my dogs’ beds, under the couch, between the couch cushions, or anywhere I want a little more flea repellent.

While I was out hiking today I realized another great reason to teach your dog the “Stay” command. We were coming down the trail when I saw a Timber Rattler. He was sunning himself right across the trail. Both Sadie and Rusty had already gone past him before I even realized what I was looking at.

The Rattler didn’t even try to move. I think it had just come out of hibernation because I could tell by its breathing that it certainly was alive. Still it didn’t seem to care that we were on its trail and curiously looking on. Ok so I was doing a little more than simply looking. How else was I supposed to get a picture to share in this post.

Since I was taking a more than a casual interest in something, both Sadie and Rusty decided it must be awesome. Why else would Mom and Dad, my husband was with me, stand around and take pictures of something? Sadie and Rusty then decided to turn around and come back to see what we were looking at.

That’s when I told them to, “Stay,” and fortunately due to frequent practice, they both obeyed. I did have to repeat it after about a minute. Yes I spent a couple of minutes looking at a rattlesnake. I blame it on the fact I grew up in the country, and this was by no means the first rattlesnake I have encountered.

This was the first rattlesnake I had encountered that just didn’t feel like moving at all. How could I pass up the chance to get some photos? Unfortunately, I only had my cell phone to take pictures with.

It just goes to show how important the “Stay” command it. You never know exactly when you might need to use it for keeping your dog out of harm’s way.

This is a guest post written by Bobbi from All Dogs Big and Small. Bobbi believes dogs should receive the best possible care and her store has nothing but all natural and healthy items.

There are those who question, are we humanizing dogs too much?

Expensive outfits, designer collars, organic treats and feed, human grade, vegan grooming products…

Of course, for the most part, I have shared my life with Dobermans, German Shepherds and other large breed dogs. Cute, frilly or matching designer outfits are not really my accessories of choice, but an occasional collar charm, a decorative bandanna, or some holiday bling are not out of the question. If a dog is decked out in pinks and frills and is enjoying some oohs, aahs and extra attention because of it …why not?

When it comes to health care, I do have a strong opinion, because I feel dogs deserve the best health benefits and treatments that pet owners and science can provide them. Every day their presence in our lives is scientifically proven to provide us with numerous life enhancing and medical benefits. Why would we not want to provide them with the same?

As science begins to recognize not only the long-known and accepted emotional advantage of pet interaction, but also the documented evidence of how the companionship of our pets lowers our blood pressure, which in turn helps to prevent heart disease. The health and wellness factor of pets is leading to even more proven in-depth benefits to human health care.
According to an article by the editor of Your Dog, American Association of Pet Product Manufactures, ultimately pet interaction can lower health care costs. Since stress has now been identified as one of the leading causes behind many diseases and scientific research has proven that pets reduce stress levels.

Service dogs can sense oncoming and possible life threatening medical conditions can alert their human in time to prevent a potentially more costly health crisis. Other studies our showing that autistic children are benefiting from close interaction with specially trained dogs.

So when I hear someone ask,” are we going too far by integrating human-grade organic treats, natural chemical free skin care products or holistic health care alternatives into our dog’s lifestyle?” I have to reply, with the many ways in which they enrich our lives, are we going far enough?
All Dogs Big and Small

With Christmas right around the corner, I thought it might be helpful to give a few tips on how to keep our pets happy and healthy throughout the holiday season.

Several of the plants commonly purchased for decorations during the Christmas season are poisonous to pets and children, for example poinsettias and mistletoe. Choose a non-poisonous plant instead; the ASPCA has a listing of poisonous plants and non-poisonous alternatives.

Be wary of tinsel, lights, bulbs, and many other decorations on Christmas trees. These decorations are pretty and festive, but can be dangerous to your pet.  Keep ornaments out of your dog’s reach. What looks like a fun toy may be disastrous if swallowed or chewed and result in serious damage to your pet’s digestive systems.

Christmas is the time of year when we have our family and friends over for holiday festivities. Lots of people, strange smells, and loud noises can spook even the calmest of dogs. It may be a good idea to keep your dog away from the party-goers and occupied with a long lasting chew or toy. Sadie and Rusty love elk anters.

While you may enjoy the holiday candies, treats and drinks be sure to keep them away from your pets. Do not reward your dog’s cuteness by giving him/her a tummy ache. Many holiday treats involve chocolate and while chocolate is wonderful, it also contains an ingredient called theobromine. Theobromine is lethal to dogs, and the darker the chocolate, the more theobromine it contains. Also keep an eye on those candy wrappers they smell like the treat they once contained and can be harmful if swallowed. Be strong, if you want to give your pet a sweet treat, offer your pet one of his/her favorite dog treats. Consider giving Muttos Treats to your dog, 10% of the profits get donated to help animals.

Sweets are not the only thing to avoid feeding your dog. Steer clear of giving your pet table scraps too. Dogs only require so much food each day and human food is not designed for your dog. Just like with sweets your food can cause problems to their digestive tract. You will especially want to avoid giving your dog bones from the table; they can break into sharp splinters and cause serious health problems, and sometimes death.

If you intend on traveling this holiday season and plan on bringing your dog, make sure your friends or family do not mind. Some people are frightened of dogs, and it may be best to leave your dog with a friend. If you cannot find a friend to watch your dog you could board your dog or hire a pet sitter.

If you burn candles during the holidays remember that they can pose a fire-risk, especially if they get knocked over by a curious cat or a wagging tail.

If you are thinking about getting a pet for Christmas, I suggest adopting one from your local animal shelter. There are many wonderful dogs and cats waiting to find their forever home. Both of mine, Rusty and Sadie came from our local shelter.

How to Choose a Veterinary Hospital

Do you have a new puppy/dog? Have you moved recently? One of the most important decisions you can make as a pet owner is choosing where to take your pet for medical care. A lot of people think that most veterinary hospitals are pretty much the same. They’re not!

It’s important to look for specific qualities when choosing a veterinary hospital. Location is a big factor. But don’t decide to go to ABC Animal Hospital just because it’s closest to your house. By driving a few more extra miles you could find a hospital where both, you and your pet feel more comfortable. You might even save a few bucks!

You may read information about how to choose the right “doctor” for your dog. It IS important for you and your dog to feel comfortable with the veterinarian. However, what may be even more important is how you both feel about the hospital staff. After all, these are the people whom you and your dog will be dealing with 75% of the time. How do they treat your dog when you walk in? How do they treat you? Is the place clean? Does it have an odor or smell?

Be sure to find out as much information about the staff as possible. Do they employ licensed or certified veterinary technicians? These individuals, much like registered nurses, will be working with your pet more than any other person on the staff. It is important that they are both knowledgeable and professionally trained. Many veterinary hospitals try to save money by hiring un-credentialed support and train them “as they go.” Unfortunately there is no law that states the person operating your pet’s anesthesia or drawing your pet’s blood needs any formal academic training. If you ask me that’s scary!

You can begin your search for a new veterinary hospital simply by talking to people you know. Ask them who they like and why. If that doesn’t work open the yellow pages. There will certainly be a lot of listings under “veterinarians.” Take a look at the ads and see if anything jumps out at you. Often they will have a list of services, office hours, doctor names, etc. If they have a website, be sure you visit it!

Many veterinary hospitals cater to working individuals by offering late office hours. This can be a godsend—especially if you are dealing with a pet that has a chronic disease or a condition that needs regular visits and prescription refills. Some hospitals also offer 24-hour care and emergency services on-site while others will refer you somewhere else, even during normal business hours. Be sure to ask about emergency services when seeking out an animal hospital so you can be prepared in case something unexpected happens.

If a hospital only has one doctor on staff chances are the office hours are going to be very limited. However, many people appreciate the intimacy a one-doctor hospital can offer. You also know that when something goes wrong with your dog you will always see the same doctor. This consistency can be reassuring. Unfortunately, having only one doctor on staff also means a limited number of services offered. And what happens when the doctor goes on vacation? Or leaves for a conference? Does the whole place shut down until he comes back?

When investigating multi-doctor practices find out if any of the veterinarians have any special interests. A lot of general practice vets study a specific area of medicine like orthopedics, dermatology, behavior, acupuncture, etc. but may not actually have a “specialty” accreditation for that discipline. This could save you, a lot of money and a trip to the specialist should you and your dog ever need help in any of those areas.

The best way to choose a veterinary hospitals in your area is simply to ask around. Where do your friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors go? Have they had any good or bad experiences that they can think of? Ask them about the staff retention rate. Are the same employees working there, year after year? Or are you seeing new people working there every time you go in? This can be a huge RED FLAG. If people don’t like being there it must not be a positive working environment. Look for a veterinary hospital that has established for itself a long-term staff. You and your pet will appreciate dealing with the same people year after year. Ask them if the vet listens to them when they talk about what is wrong with their pet.

Be sure to visit any hospital you plan on taking your pet to in person. How does the staff interact with the clients and pets? How does the staff interact with each other? Does the receptionist handle phone calls well? You can also ask to be taken on a tour. While visiting, ask for a list of prices and brochures to take home. You can often get a good or bad feeling just by spending a few minutes in the lobby. And don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Whether you just adopted a new puppy, or are interested in modifying the behavior of your adult dog, it’s important to find a quality dog trainer. Not only someone who gets results, but someone who also works to improve the relationship between you and your dog.
Today there are many people who call themselves dog training “experts.” Honestly, a lot of dog trainers are full of hot air. Expert is just a title that they’ve given to themselves.

So, how do you sort through all the hype? The goal is to make learning fun for both, you and your dog. If you both dread the whole training process then nothing will get accomplished, and you will be wasting both your time and money.

There are dog trainers advertised everywhere, in your community newspaper, in the phone book, on the internet, and on bulletin boards in local pet stores and veterinary offices. Ask your friends, family, and co-workers if they recommend any dog training programs.

Before signing up to any program or class go and watch a training session in person. Do the dogs and the owners seem to be learning anything? Would you be comfortable using the techniques that are used? Does the instructor offer more than one way to solve a problem? Not every technique works for every dog.

You should not work with a trainer who relies on physical punishment to train your dog. A dog trainer should not be showing you how to scruff your dog or force him into a submissive position (this is called “alpha rolling”). Basically, if you are uncomfortable with any of the training methods you are presented with go with your gut instincts and walk away.

While choke chains can be effective training tools, they are not my favorite method of training. Personally, I’ve found my dogs learn faster when I reward them for doing something right, rather than punishing them, whenever they do something wrong.

Are the dog trainers you are interested in using keeping up with the latest research and developments in animal behavior? Or are they using the same training techniques they learned 30 years ago? Once again, experience matters, but you have to make sure that the trainer you are working with also hasn’t gone through the past 30 years with blinders on. Check to make sure the trainer or instructor is a member of educational organizations like the Association of Pet Dog Trainers or is pursuing other educational opportunities.

Some dog trainers come to your house, which can be very expensive. However, there is no better place to train a dog than in his own environment. This can be extremely valuable, especially if you are dealing with a behavior that revolves around the home.

You may also find some trainers who offer to train your dog for you. You drop your dog off at their facility and leave him there for a certain period of time. I always thought this concept was a little odd since it’s not really teaching the owner anything. I also can’t see how this would deliver a consistent message to the dog. And who knows what kind of training methods they are using in your absence? In my opinion, your money is much better spent hiring a trainer to come to your house.

If you can find a trainer or instructor that follows the philosophy of Stan Rawlinson both, you and your dog will be rewarded.

He says, “Being the leader does not mean you have to be big and aggressive. Nor does it mean that there has to be a battle of strength or wills, after which you emerge the victor. Anyone can be the leader. It is an attitude, an air of authority. It is the basis for mutual respect, and provides the building blocks of communication between you and your dog. It never means punishment or overt aggression.”

Links:

Association of Pet Dog Trainers

http://www.apdt.com

Stan Rawlinson

http://www.doglistener.co.uk/index.shtml

It seems like everybody is jumping on the doggy daycare bandwagon these days, and for a good reason. Your dog gets exercise while you’re at work and gets to play with other dogs. New puppy owners also don’t have to worry about their puppy sitting alone in a crate all day.

However, it’s a good idea to research any daycare facility you plan on using. Not all doggy daycare centers are created equal.

First of all, make sure the facility is just that—a building designated for one specific purpose—and not someone’s house. While someone can run a successful doggy day care out of their house this is the exception and not the rule. There are certain limitations and restrictions that must be applied when many dogs are put together, and this can be difficult to accomplish without a lot of space.

Think about it. Would you want a bouncy Labrador Retriever playing with your Chihuahua puppy? Probably not. Not that the lab would mean any harm, but he might hurt a smaller dog on accident. Make sure your dog is only allowed to play with dogs of similar size and temperament.

Now, a Jack Russell terrier is pretty small, but he would probably do OK with the bigger dogs. It all depends. A knowledgeable staff would know how to handle this accordingly.

Also make sure you take your dog to a facility that only accepts dog friendly dogs. This may sound like common-sense, but many places will accept any dog just to get the money. There should be some kind of socialization test your dog has to go through before being accepted.

Do not take your dog to any doggy daycare center that does not require all dogs to be current on vaccines and fecal examinations.

Find out what kind of activities your dog will be participating in. Will he just be standing around or is there some kind of interaction with the staff? Some dogs would rather play with people than other dogs.

Go and check out the place in person. Does it look like a safe environment? Do the dogs seem relaxed or stressed out? Are they allowed to take a time-out and nap?

Does the staff know what to do if a dog fight occurs? Have they been trained to recognize the signs of animal aggression? What level of experience does that staff have?

What’s the policy if your dog hurts another dog and vice versa? Do you have to pay for any medical bills or is that the responsibility of the daycare? Ask questions!

Doggy care should be a positive experience for both you and your pooch. A little research can go a long way!

My family and I recently took a trip to Fort Bragg. Whenever I travel I try to find places that are dog friendly, Fort Bragg happens to have many dog friendly attractions. Point Cabrillo Lighthouse is one of the attractions where your four legged family members are always welcome and greeted with a treat at the door.