Dog Lovers

After every major hurricane, we receive reports of the devastation to our neighbors along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Perhaps the worst human suffering in recent time was seen during and after Hurricane Katrina. Along with the loss of life and homes, thousands of beloved pets were abandoned and perished. Because hurricanes tend to be unpredictable until the last 24-48 hours before landfall, it is absolutely essential that we prepare in advance. This readiness applies to other disasters that may come unannounced – flood, tornadoes, mudslides and wildfires.

Responsible dog owners must have a hurricane plan and kit for their pets as well as their family. Be sure your dog has had all required vaccinations. This should be done in advance of hurricane season. Keep the shot record with other important family papers. Each dog or pet should have its own hurricane kit. These are all items that should be purchased and ready before a disaster strikes. Each pet should have:

1) CARRIER – be sure it is large enough for the dog to turn around. If you live in the evacuation corridor, the dog may need to remain in the carrier
2) FOOD – a two week supply of dry food or single serving containers of wet food
3) WATER – a two week supply of water
4) TOYS – a couple of favorite toys should be included
5) COLLARS AND LEASHES – be sure the collar has an ID tag with your name and phone number
6) PET BED OR BLANKET – this needs to fit inside the carrier
7) PET BRUSH AND COMB – keep your dog groomed and free of tangles

If there is even a remote chance that you will need to evacuate, label everything in the pet kit with your name and phone number. Do your research and know exactly where shelters are located and ask if pets are accepted. Most shelters do not accept pets. If necessary, locate pet friendly hotels and if evacuation looks probable, call the hotel in advance to be sure there will be availability. Be sure you have several recent photos of your dog. If your dog should get separated from the family, you will be prepared with the pictures.

If you will not be evacuating, be sure your dog is safe and comfortable. There are several things you need to do:

1) Keep your dog in its carrier in a safe place in the house
2) Separate dogs and cats – the stress of the hurricane can cause unusual and extraordinary behavior
3) Keep food and water nearby
4) Stay calm – your dog will react to your behavior. If your dog is old, in poor health or especially high strung, talk to your vet about a mild sedative. This requires the vet’s professional opinion. In advance of a disaster, have the conversation with the vet and, if needed, get the prescription to put in the kit.

Again, get all of these items in advance of a disaster. Having a plan and being well prepared is the key to safely surviving a hurricane for both family and dog family. Waiting until the last minute can have permanent unpleasant results for you and your dog. Remember, your dog is counting on you!

GET MORE TIPS ON PREPARING YOUR DOG FOR A HURRICANE and SUPPLIES FOR HURRICANE SEASON

Mel Otero, author, worked in management in the mortgage banking industry and title insurance industry for over 25 years. She has started web sites and written articles to provide information, resources and inspiration during this difficult economy. She loves to write, learn and share information.

We are proud owners of five – yes five English Staffordshire Bull Terriers. These dogs are notorious escapees – and there are cases of dogs dying because they have snagged their collars on a fence on their way over it!

And Staffordshires are not the only breed – just one of the breeds that will try to escape. When examined many of the cases are the fault of the owner for a number of reasons, but here are the main ones:

a) Inadequate fencing

b) Lack of exercise

c) No contact with other dogs

c) Lack of contact with owners

Inadequate fencing

No matter how smart you may think your dog is you cannot expect it to be tossed into any yard and to just stay put. I shudder to think how many dogs have been lost because their owners just tossed them outside. Responsible dog owners should ensure that the dogs area is well fenced and gated. This is even more essential if you have a pedigreed dog – because these can become targets for theft.

Lack of exercise

Dogs need exercise to prevent boredom. Imagine being held captive in any area and never getting any stimulus from your environment. Dogs show signs of boredom by destructive behaviours or by frequent escapes. Try walking the dog daily – or playing fetch on a sports ground or in the backyard; this deepens the bond between the dog and yourself and also relieves the boredom that can result in escape.

No contact with other dogs

It should be remembered that dogs are social animals and in many cases live in packs in the wild. They are not created to be left all alone with no contact with a mate or companion dog. However there ARE guidelines that need to be followed with certain breeds; for example with the breeds that have any fighting background (like Staffordshires) you should not have 2 x males together, while 2 x females or one of each is acceptable for company. Consider buying a 2nd dog for companionship.

Lack of contact with owners

Why would anyone buy a dog – only to toss it into the yard without human contact? Unfortunately for many dogs – this is their lot in life! As just mentioned they are social animals – and the only substitute for another dog, is a human owner. Dogs that escape are often doing so because they are trying to find their owners.

If possible take the dog with you or if not perhaps invest in a good sized dog crate for (short term) storage for your dog (inside) while you are out.

Try the measures above and I believe that you will resolve most; if not all of your fence jumping issues.

Steve

Walk through pet gates are the easy and affordable way to restrict access to certain areas of your home from kids, dogs, and cats. Pet gates are also ideal if you just want to restrict your pets freedom to a certain area or room when you are not at home or at night.

These gates are sometimes referred to as a baby gate, but are constructed for pets, generally considered to be perfect for dogs of small sizes.

Pet gates are not suitable to be used a baby gates, they are not strong enough and can be unsafe. Never use a pet gate as a baby gate.

Depending on the type of dog you have will determine what type and how tall of a gate you need. In the larger breed of dog they could easily jump over most smaller types of pet gates unless these gates are designed to be extra tall. Not to worry though, walk through pet gates are available for dogs of all sizes.

A gate is not a solid wall, and should not be used as one. The gate is designed so that your dog or cat can see through it, feel like part of the family and enjoy the “family gathering”. You do not want to shut your pet out of bonding time with you and your household, but you also need to insure that your guests and little children feel safe in your home.

Gates are made for indoor use and can be installed easily without the need for expensive tools. Most of the time no tools are required to install a walk through pet gate.

By putting your pet in a space that utilizes a gate as a barrier, it will allow enough room for your pet to easily move around and are ideal if you just want to restrict your dogs freedom to a certain area or room when you are not at home or at bedtime. Simply have a comfortable bed, a water supply and a variety of favorite chew toys available and your pet will be content and safe.

Some brands of gates are portable so you can take them with you, when you travel. This is a safe and responsible way to control your pet when you plan to visit relatives and friends. Being a responsible pet owner will gain you “kudos” the next time you plan on traveling.

Walk through pet gates are a flexible, inexpensive and in some models, an attractive piece of furniture to keep your pet safe. These gates are especially helpful for new puppies and kittens that can get into mischief or are easily bothered by other animals and people.

They come in many sizes, heights, widths and styles, wood, metal and plastic and are designed for all the features in your house, including the top or bottom of the stairs, doorways and irregular openings.

There is generally no place in a home that a pet gate can not be used to the satisfaction of the pet, and the pet owner.

At the SuperMartPetStore we have a terrific selection of Pet Gates and we are certain to have the gate that will work great in your home.

As one of the most trusted online pet supply stores we encourage you to shop in confidence and privacy. Our warehouse is packed with over 1800 name brand quality products at reduced prices to save you money on all your pet supplies.

In a crash test, a 35 lb. crash test dummy dog generates over 1,100 lbs. of force at 30 MPH! That’s just a 35lb dog. Imagine the result of a quick turn, sudden stop or accident. A dog becomes a flying object that could seriously injure or kill him and/or the passengers in the vehicle.

An unrestrained dog could jump in the drivers lap and block his or her vision. The dog roaming around the car could distract or jump in the drivers lap and cause an accident. There have been incidents where small dogs have gotten under the driver’s brake pedal impairing their ability to stop.

Dogs have been known to get overzealous and have leaped from moving vehicles. Dogs who enjoy sticking their heads out the window have been picked up and pulled right out of their seat by high winds. I personally know of such an incident and thankfully the dog had been safely restrained. She just dangled against the car door. She was a little shook up but unharmed. If not for the dog seat belt, she would have been thrown onto a busy street and most likely would have died.

In an event of an accident, a traumatized dog could run away. An attack could occur against the very people who are trying to help you and your pet. If the dog was to run into traffic another accident may happen.

When deciding on which dog seat belt to use for your dog, make sure he or she can sit or lay down while wearing it. Make sure the harness provides comfort yet stability and works by holding the dog in place with a strap that attaches to the car’s seat belt system. This will not put pressure on the dog’s neck in case an accident does occur. As you can see, there are some obvious as well as not so obvious reasons to always have your dog safely buckled in. Don’t learn the hard way.

Jess Bysong is a Pet Advisor with Petlane Paws and Whiskers. Pets health, safety, and well being is her passion and focus in life. She educates owners about the physical, emotional, social, and intellectual needs of their pets. For more information and to purchase dog seatbelts today visit: http://www.keepyourdogsafe.com

Ticks are parasites that can be deadly to our pets, other animals and to humans. Although ticks are commonly thought of as insects, they are actually blood-sucking arachnids like scorpions, spiders and mites.

Ticks can be present anywhere-from deep woods, urban parks to our own backyards.

Adult ticks attach themselves to the tips of grass blades and vegetation and transfer themselves onto passing animals or humans. Ticks are not very mobile – they rely on passing animals to both feed on and for transportation.

With their hairy coats, closeness to the ground, playfulness and love of exploration dogs are the perfect host for ticks.

The tick will attach itself to a warm, moist and dark place on the body then insert a probe into the skin and begin sucking blood.

Dogs are apparently 50 to 100 times more likely than humans to come into contact with disease-carrying ticks. As a result, each year thousands of dogs contract Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and other vector-borne diseases.

Signs of Lyme disease in dogs are difficult to detect, and warning signs may not appear until several months after infection. Signs may come and go and can mimic other conditions. Cases vary from mild to severe. In severe cases of Lyme disease, kidney failure can occur and the result, fatal.

You need to check your pet for ticks. It is easier to feel for ticks than to look for them.
Mostly, the ticks are found around the head, neck, chest, front legs and especially behind the ears, with many exceptions. At first glance, a tick may look like a small grey dot on your dog’s skin but eventually the tick will grow in size and appear wart-like.

In tick prone areas, it is essential that you do a daily search for ticks. You need to check from nose to tail to check for ticks. Ticks attach themselves by embedding their claw-like mouth parts into a victim’s skin and feeding on its blood.

If this check is done routinely, you can then eliminate tick paralysis because the tick usually has to be on the animal’s body for more than two days to cause paralysis.

Remove a tick as soon as you discover it. Use fine pointed tweezers and grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible (making sure to grasp the tick where the mouth parts are embedded into the skin). Gently pull the tick straight out with steady pressure. If you have difficulty, seek veterinary help.

Do not try to kill the tick by dabbing it with methylated spirits or other chemicals. This will cause the tick to inject more toxins.

If the tick is accidentally pulled apart and the head stays in the skin, there is a risk of being infected with other microscopic organisms. This kind of infection has nothing to do with Lyme disease, but can still be dangerous and unpleasant and its worth taking your dog to the vet for assistance.

If you have a dog with a long coat, a comb is a great way to find ticks. You need to comb your dog from the top of the head and go through their fur, running the comb backwards, against the grain of the fur, followed with your hands.

Feel for any bumps and if you feel one, stop and have a good look. You need to pay particular attention to armpits, behind the ears, and in the ears.

To create a home environment that is free of ticks, as a precaution, you should regularly mow your grass in the backyard and keep mulch and leaf litter away from the main entrance to your house. Trim shrubs, overhanging paths and play areas. This not only protects your pets from ticks but also protects you from them also.

Luckily for dog owners, a wide array of pest control products for pets are available from your pet store or vet. These include foggers, sprays, dips, powders, dusts, collars, oral liquids and tablets, and even a liquid one-spot topical treatment. Your vet can advise on an effective tick control programme for your dog.

Let’s face it, we all love pets in our house. We give our dogs, cats, fish and birds all the necessary comfort and nutrients for them. In connection with this, it is also a must that as a homeowner and pet owner that you should consider pet-proofing your yard to make it a safe place for pets. You may also want to keep your neighbor’s dogs and cats out of your yard too.

Nevertheless, not all backyards are the best playgrounds for your pets, so the following will help you pet-proof your yard.

1. Check the fencing around your home and your gate and make all necessary repairs. Gaps that are more than two inches wide should be filled. If you think that your dog can open the latch on the gate, replace the latch with a heavy-duty one. Furthermore, you could also add an extra locking device like a slide bolt or chain around the gate and the gatepost.

2. To prevent dogs from digging under the fence to get out, put cement blocks under the fence or you could also extend a chicken wire from the bottom of the fence several feet underground. Provide a section of yard with loose sand and soil for your dog to dig in to satisfy his digging urge.

3. Avoid using toxic pesticides in your garden and your lawn. Keep in mind that rat poison can kill dogs and cats. If you are going to use it in your yard or house, make sure that your dogs or cats could not get into it. Inspect your yard everyday for any rats or mice killed by the poison. Get rid of them to avoid getting your pets near bodies of poisoned animals.

4. Make sure to clean up dog poop daily since animals can acquire bacterial infections and parasites from droppings.

5. Put up a ‘Keep Gate Closed’ sign on both sides of your gate as reminder to people to always keep the gate closed.

6. Make it a habit to take your pet for a walk everyday and take time to play with them so they will not be inclined to escape your yard. Leave small holes in the fence so they can be able to see outside your yard. Give them toys to play with.

7. Refrain from using cocoa mulch fertilizer for your plants. Mulch that contains cocoa shells can be harmful to pets since it contains theobromine, which can cause stomach upset and even death when taken in large concentrations. This ingredient is the same one that makes chocolate dangerous to cats and dogs.

8. Ensure that you have enough water and shade in your yard for your pets. Put the water in a place that remains shaded the whole day.

9. Get rid of toxic plants in your yard. Several common plants like Sago palm and avocado can intoxicate your pets. Animals that are safe for your pets are coleus, African violets, palms, catnip, Swedish ivy, ferns, spider plant and wheat grass.

Overall, look at your yard from the point of view of your pets. Keep them safe at all times by ensuring that you have a safe yard for them to play.

Do you belt your pet? I am not talking about discipline. Safety restraints for pets are rising in popularity. Some states have pending legislature to pass laws requiring the use of pet restraints in automobiles. Though there are no statistics compiled of household pets injured in automobile accidents, judging by the number of pets I have seen traveling in vehicles, the number is certain to be high. In some states, pets are not allowed to travel in the backs of pick up trucks, but like children, you see this all of the time.

An unsecured pet can multiply its weight by hundreds or even thousands of pounds during an automobile accident. Some vehicle accident statistics report loose objects, including pets, to be in the top five reasons for automobile injuries. In a sudden stop your unrestrained pet becomes a projectile and this can result in serious injury or death of your pet or other lives in the vehicle.

When I was pregnant with my first child, we were shown a video tape during childbirth classes of an interview with a mother who had held her child in her arms traveling in their family car. She crushed her newborn to death with her own body weight during an accident. After that tape, none of my three children ever traveled in a car without being properly restrained in a child safety seat. Think of the same associated risk to holding your pet. No, I would never compare the life of my children to that of our household pet, but I have friends whose pets are treated better than some of the children I have seen while volunteering throughout our community. My friends who chose not to breed, to them, their pets are their children. With the pet safety restraints that are affordable, conveniently available and easy to install, their use is worth the small investment.

There are two restraints that I like, and I am not an affiliate nor in any way associated with either company. Pet Buckle makes a harness available that can be used with existing seat belts or you can purchase separate tethers for the automobile or a pick-up truck. The Roadie from Ruff Rider offers a well tested harness unit that is machine washable and available in a variety of sizes. Small kennels are also a great option to protect your cats, small dogs or other smaller pets and are available at most pet stores for under $20.00. They even have a built in loop for seat belts to slide through, securing your pet.

Ask your Veterinarian, they may suggest their favorite product. Go online and learn more about the different types available. You will find the one that is right for you and your pet. Go ahead, belt your pet. Until next time, happy (and safe) trails!

Many dog owners do not understand dog language or how important basic dog training is. Some dog owners do not acknowledge problems or aggressive behavior from their pet. If a dog owner has a poorly trained pet it is usually due to lack of knowledge. These dog owners are very sensitive about helpful tips as many parents are about their disruptive children. It is best to wait till they leave the dog park before exercising your pooch. Leading by example and letting others inquire about your methods has been a very successful approach.

Always sit and observe the other dogs and owners in the park. If all looks safe join in the fun. Bring extra bags to help remove stools others missed or pretended not to see. This helps keep parasites from invading your favorite park.

When a new dog enters the park be prepared to pick up your dog and leave. Do not leave your dog on the ground with a leash attached. You can become wrapped up in it and helpless. Dogs tend to be less territorial of their owners if not on a leash. Leashed dogs often feel threatened by the free dogs and display defensive body language and behavior.

Remember entry and exit points are areas where dogs try to rule. Stay away from the entrance/exit gate after entering the park.

Keep moving, walking rather than standing and talking to other dog owners. This helps to minimize territorial behaviors.

Keep your children close to you, not all dogs are socialized with children. Do not let your child scream, run, have food or toys. Running insights the chase mode, screaming sounds like prey, food and toys are desired items that may cause disputes.

Dogs have different play styles, temperaments and physical abilities. If another dog is too large, wild or rambunctious it is time to leave or wait till all is clear.

If a problem occurs never run or show fear. Dogs get distracted easily if you make a cat hissing sound as a warning sign, most dogs will stop. Use a low voice never high pitched when saying a loud “No” or “Sit” command. I carry a stun gun as back up. I have never had to use it on another dog but I have turned it on and hit the button which makes an electric warning buzz, so far the aggressive dogs have decided to leave us alone. Never use the stun gun once a dog fight has started. Instead grab the rear legs of the dog and travel in a circle away from the other dog however if you do not have experience breaking up dog fights for your own safety get out of the way. Other dog trainers prefer to use pepper spray (factor in wind direction) and/or a walking stick (must be willing to hit the aggressive dog).

The key to safety is to be aware of your surroundings. Your goal is to give your dog exercise and socialization. Remember to have fun, walk and talk with other dog owners. It’s healthy for you too!
Google (search bar) dog parks to find ones near you.