Pet-Proof Now…Avoid Problems later

Puppies have a tremendous amount of energy and natural curiosity, and they love to explore the world around them. This is part of what makes them so much fun, but it can also lead them into harmful situations. Before you bring your new puppy home, make sure you survey your home for potential dangers. In many ways, making your home safe for a puppy is similar to making your home safe for a toddler. The following tips are designed to help you keep your puppy safe. Many of the following warnings apply for adult dogs as well:

Indoor Hazards

* Know which plants are toxic and place them out of reach, or replace them with nontoxic plants. Toxic plants commonly found indoors include dieffenbachia, azalea, Calla lily, and philodendron.

* Keep all medications, including any dog supplements, in a safe area the puppy cannot access. Do not leave vitamins or other pills out on the kitchen counter or table. A determined chewer can make short work of a plastic container. Puppies are surprisingly quick at pulling things off of end tables or other low surfaces.

* Put bathroom trash cans up high where your dog cannot get into them. Sanitary supplies and used razors are only two of the hazards here.

* Full sinks, bathtubs, or toilets with open lids can be a drowning hazard. Avoid automatic toilet bowl cleaners if you cannot keep your puppy from drinking out of the toilet.

* Keep cleaning supplies in high cupboards or use childproof latches to secure lower cupboards. Remove the puppy from the area when you are using liquid or spray cleaners. They can get into the eyes of a curious puppy, and the vapors can be harmful to lungs and eyes.

* Be careful of your puppy around furniture. A rocking chair can harm a puppy’s tail or leg, and a curious puppy may crawl under an open recliner or sofa bed.

* Electrical cords are a big danger to puppies, who often chew on them while playing. This can cause burns in the mouth, electrical shock, or death by electrocution. Tie up loose electrical cords and keep them out of sight. Run cords through purchased spiral cable wrap, cord concealers, or even PVC pipe to keep them safe from your puppy.

* Any type of fire can be dangerous. Screen off fireplaces and wood stoves. Never leave your puppy unattended in a room with an open flame or space heater.

* Cords for drapery and blinds can cause strangulation. Either tie up the excess cords, or cut the loop in the cord.

* Swallowed clothing may cause a dangerous intestinal blockage. Keep socks, nylons, underwear, and other clothing put away. Keep laundry baskets off the floor.

* Keep small objects (coins, jewelry, needles and thread, straight pins, yarn, dental floss, rubber bands, paper clips, toys, etc.) out of your puppy’s reach. Jewelry and coins are easily swallowed and can contain metals that are toxic. Keep costly items and those of sentimental value put away until your puppy is older and less likely to chew. Provide an assortment of chew toys that are appropriate for your puppy’s chewing instinct.

* Keep fishing line, hooks, and lures stored out of reach.

* Be careful about closing doors as you walk through - your puppy may be right behind you and get caught.

* Keep doors and windows closed. Keep screens on windows and sliding glass doors securely fastened and in good repair, to keep your puppy from falling through or escaping.

* Close off stairwells with a pet gate.

* Many dogs will eat cat feces from the litter box if given the chance. In addition to being a disgusting (at least to us!) habit, this can be a dangerous health hazard. Cat litter can cause an intestinal obstruction, and in addition, any intestinal worms the cat has may be passed on to the dog. One solution may be to put the litter box behind a pet gate, either in a separate room or in a closet with the gate across the doorway. The gate can be raised up from the floor to allow the cat to go under it, unless the dog is able to go under it also. If the cat cannot jump over the gate easily, a stepstool beside the gate can help.

* Many human foods can cause problems for pets. Chocolate, onions, alcohol, and foods high in fat, sugar, or salt can be very harmful. Chocolate, coffee, and tea all contain dangerous components called “xanthines,” which cause nervous system or urinary system damage and heart muscle stimulation. Problems from ingestion of chocolate range from diarrhea to seizures and death. All chocolate, fudge, and other candy should be placed out of your dog’s reach. Grapes and raisins contain an unknown toxin, which can damage the kidneys.

* Tobacco products, including nicotine gum and patches, contain substances that can be toxic or fatal to dogs.

* Chicken bones, plastic food wrap, coffee grounds, meat trimmings, the string from a roast - all pose a potential hazard. Scraps from ham or other foods high in fat can cause vomiting and diarrhea, or pancreatitis. To be safe, put food away immediately, dog-proof your garbage, and do not feed table scraps to your dog. Uncooked meat, fish, and poultry can contain disease-causing bacteria, such as E. coli, and parasites, such as Toxoplasma gondii. These uncooked foods should not be given to your dog. For your own health, as well as your pet’s, wash utensils that have been in contact with raw meat, and cook meat thoroughly.

Outdoor Hazards

* Do not leave your puppy outside unsupervised. To prevent your puppy from wandering, you will need to either build an outdoor kennel or provide secure fencing that your puppy cannot jump over or dig under.

* Provide your puppy a separate area of your yard to use as his bathroom area. Use fencing, or other means, to keep him out of areas where children may play, especially sand boxes.

* Some outdoor plants and trees can be toxic to dogs. Common ones include potato (all green parts), morning glory, foxglove, lily of the valley, and oak (buds and acorns). Many bulb plants, such as daffodils, are also poisonous. Cocoa bean mulch can be toxic to dogs. Some dogs chew and swallow landscaping stone, which can cause dangerous intestinal blockage.

* Make sure all gasoline, oil, paint, lawn fertilizers, insecticides, and auto supplies are placed into secure containers, out of reach. Be especially careful with antifreeze and rat poison, both of which taste good to dogs and both of which can be deadly if ingested.

* Pools, ponds, and hot tubs should be covered or fenced off. Drainpipes can also pose problems.

* Fire rings, barbecues, and other heat or fire sources pose the potential of causing burns.

* Keep all food and other garbage in securely closed containers. Used coffee grounds can contain harmful amounts of caffeine, and decomposing food may contain toxic molds. Keep compost in a secure bin.

* Walk around your property and look for other areas or items that could be a hazard to your puppy, such as broken glass, exposed nails, or other sharp objects. Plan how you will restrict your puppy’s access to these areas.

Bringing home a new puppy is a time of fun and excitement. Following these tips and investing in a few key pet supplies will help you keep your new friend safe, so that the two of you can enjoy each other’s company for years to come.

Making sure you give your dog adequate amounts of exercise is extremely important not only in preventing behavior problems, but also for the overall health of your pet. It can help keep you both happy. But not all dogs need the same amount of exercise so how do you know what amount you need to spend exercising your dog?

The primary consideration in determining the amount of exercise a dog needs depends on breed. Herders, hunters and working dogs need the most exercise of all the dog breeds. Ideally, these dog breeds need 30 minutes to one hour of daily exercise, whether it is a walk with its owner, playing outside with other dogs or running around and chasing squirrels. Misbehaving is much more likely to occur as well as health deterioration without this daily amount of exercise. Examples of these breeds are: Hounds, Beagles, Border Collies, Alaskan sled dogs, Australian and German Shepherds, Terriers (particular Jack Russell) and Shelties.

A common misconception is that the smaller the dog the less exercise the dog needs. This is a misconception. It is all about breed.

Mixed breed dogs makes it a little more difficult for the owner to know how much exercise is needed. The best way to gauge this is for the owner to observe the dog’s behavior. If the dog seems to enjoy lying in the sun all day then most likely he does not need a lot of exercise. On the other hand, if the dog is restless and wanders around the yard and house constantly, his needs will be better served with more exercise.

Walking is one of the top modes of exercise. But it’s not a lot of fun to walk a dog that “pulls” or who is not obedient to your commands. Clearly a dog who knows the proper way to walk on a leash will get more walks. Teaching this skill to your dog as a puppy is critical. However if this is not yet accomplished, there are ways to teach your adult dog to walk properly on a leash.

The phrase “walking properly” refers to the dog obeying the commands the owner gives and not “pulling.” For example if the owner says “stop” the dog knows and does stop. If the owner says “sit” the dog knows and does sit. If the owner says “heel” the dog knows and does heel. By teaching your dog these commands, both you and your pet will have much more frequent and enjoyable walks together.

Raising a dog to be a well rounded, obedient and good canine is a bit like raising a child to be a good adult. In this article, I’ll tell you exactly why.

No, I’m not saying that you should treat your dog as if it were your own child or the reverse (I don’t expect your child to eat chunks of meat from a bowl on the floor, of course not!) but there are many great similarities between the two.

For instance, you see so many examples of bad parenting and kids who are doomed to failure and crime from the moment they are born due to bad parenting. The same applies with a dog.

There are lots of training tips out there that are useful but what you really must understand is that you are the boss. The dog must always understand that you are the boss and do not take any nonsense from them.

No matter how much they whimper for that food off your plate, you’ve got to ignore them. No matter how much they keep jumping up at you and your visitors, you’ve got to ignore them and put them in their place.

It’s a bit like a child who throws a tantrum whenever they don’t get their way. Then some parents will cuddle the child and give them what they want. If the child wants some candy and throws a tantrum, the bad parents will give in and buy them the candy.

This might shut them up and make them happy in the short term, but in the long term it is causing a lot of damage.

In the same way, you are the boss when it comes to your dog and you cannot tolerate this kind of bad behaviour. So if your dog won’t leave your food alone then you need to intercept it and make a surprising dominant noise, like a quick “woosh” from your lips. It will stop the dog in its tracks.

As soon as it tries again, make another “woosh” noise. It only takes a few hours or even minutes for a dog to realise who is boss and obey him. These few minutes of discipline on your part will have a huge effect in the long term on your dog’s behaviour.

Remember, you’re the boss and don’t let your dog forget that.

As a pet owner, it is an important responsibility on your part to keep your dog healthy. You must bring your dog to the vet regularly. Even a healthy puppy will require many visits to the vet. Vaccinations, exams, worming, spaying, neutering and flea control are a few of the things that requires to be done to your dog on its first year of life to protect it from disease and other dog health problems.

Your dog cannot tell you when it feels sick. It is very important that you are familiar with your dog’s normal behavior. Any sudden change to his physical or social behavior may signal the onset of a dog health problem, and early detection may save your dog’s life. If your dog gets sick, take him to the vet right away. Veterinary care protects your health as well as your pet’s, as the dog may carry a disease that can be transmitted to people. The most dangerous and well-known transmittable disease by far is rabies, a disease that causes almost certain death if not treated immediately.

You should learn to recognize signs of illness in your dog. A sick dog usually tires easily, drinks excessive amounts of water and/or refuse to eat. The other signs that can show are fever, runny or red eyes, dry nose, convulsions, and also dry cough. Frequent vomiting and loose bowel movement may also indicate a medical problem.

Parasitic worms are also a cause for concern as these parasites cause various dog health problems. Blood tests to check for heartworms should be included in your dog’s annual checkup. These parasites are transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause serious illness. Your vet can prescribe you medicine that will protect your dog against heartworms.

Fleas and ticks are also a nuisance to your pet’s health. They can cause anemia or paralysis. Keeping your dog clean and well groomed can help minimize this threat. Cleaning and dusting your pet’s quarters with flea powder weekly can also help keep your dog free of fleas.

As an owner there are preventive measures that you can take in order to prevent dog health problems from manifesting. Make sure that you give your dog the best nutrition possible in order for him to develop a shield against common diseases associated with malnutrition or improper diet. Keep your pet healthy and in shape by giving him plenty of room and time to exercise. Follow your veterinarian’s vaccination schedule and regularly bring your dog for check-ups in order to detect any early signs of trouble. Always, give your dog regular prevention medicine for his/hers heartworm and also the other parasites. Always keep your dog well-groomed and clean. Brush your dog’s teeth or give it a tooth cleaning treat every week to avoid any gum or dental problems. Most of all, do not forget to give your dog lots of affection and firm but fair discipline to help keep him mentally healthy and happy.

Your vet can tell you more about common dog health problems for your dog’s particular breed, so make sure you ask about them on your dog’s next visit.

Before choosing a family dog, realize it should be the start of many years of happiness. A bond should develop that will exceed expectations. Few things are more rewarding than choosing a family dog, raising it, and doing a good job.

So, you want a puppy?

Ask yourself if you are getting a dog for the right reasons. Don’t pick a dog because of physical appearance or because it was seen in a movie or television show. Understand that you are not selecting a dog to be a fun toy or entertaining gift. Next to raising a puppy, the only thing more time consuming is raising a child. The difference is the intense puppy stage only lasts about a year. Few things are more rewarding than choosing your puppy, raising it, and doing a good job with it. Before choosing a family dog, be aware you must accept a commitment that will last the lifetime of the dog. In return, it will offer you an abundant level of devotion.

Getting a dog or puppy can bring a family together unlike any other family involvement.

Dogs are physical playmates, sources of comfort and companions. Experiencing dogs in the family can teach children responsibility, as well as the happier and sadder aspects of life. Before choosing a family dog, determine if you are up to the tasks required (grooming, exercise, meals, housetraining) as well as the financial investment.

Make sure you will be able to keep your dog should you undergo a change of living space, get married or have children.

What is your daily life like? Before you a family pet, determine if you can integrate the dog and its schedule into your life? You must be willing to commit time and effort over the long haul, hopefully 12-15 years or more.

Your choice should be clear as to the priority.

When you are away from home, you must see to proper arrangements in your absence, or be ready and willing to take the dog with you. Beforehand, know if this will be a problem. Children may claim they will be responsible for the new family member, but an adult must take ultimate responsibility. Before you bring a dog or puppy into your life, know you must be willing to sacrifice things you might want to do if at the time they conflict with the needs of your canine.

Are you up to the financial commitment?

The puppy’s purchase is just the beginning. Your budgeting should include periodic or yearly veterinary care including but not limited to: vaccines (distemper, parvovirus, coronavirus, leptospirosis, kennel cough), yearly booster shots for adult dogs, heartworm testing and prevention, spaying/neutering, annual check ups, blood tests and dental care. Teeth should be professionally cleaned every year or as needed. Good, healthy teeth will go a long way in eliminating a host environment for disease and will aid in the longevity of your dog.

Good guardianship of your dog will require high-quality premium food, an area for exercise, obedience training at 3-6 months, toys, collars/leashes, a crate, and brushes. If you take frequent trips, boarding, or the preferable home visitation, costs must be factored in. Money is very much involved in properly taking care of a dog.

Determine what sort of dog will fit into your lifestyle.

Don’t concentrate on what kind of puppy since that stage only lasts about a year. What is your personality like (e.g. relaxed, controlling) and what personality traits make you feel uncomfortable?

The good news is when you choose a family dog, it is all worth it: worth the money, effort and time if you are able and willing to give it.