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Pets and Fire Safety dog obedience or not, are unaware of how to keep their animals safe from fire. In honor of Pet Fire Safety Day, which takes place on July 15th, the National Volunteer Fire Council urges all pet owners to take the necessary precautions. There are several ways in which a responsible pet owner can be prepared in case of a household fire. Each of these methods is useful, whether you are with your dog, or he is home alone.
One of the leading causes of house fires is leaving cooking food and electrical appliances unattended, chiefly space heaters, as they can ignite flammable materials if they are left running for too long. Dogs are often curious about fire, and can endanger themselves when left near open flames unattended. Be sure to turn off all of your appliances and extinguish open flames before you leave your home, and regularly monitor them when they are running.
In addition to creating escape routes for the two-legged members of your family, you should also be sure to take precautions for the four-legged ones. Having an escape route planned in case of emergency is crucial to the safety of your family, and your pet. In order to prevent your dog from being trapped in the event of fire, consider installing a doggie door, for a quick and easy escape. This is especially useful if he is home alone when the emergency occurs, and you can be assured that he is capable of escaping if you are not around to help him.
Testing your smoke alarms is also an important factor in fire safety, and you can employ the use of dog training to assist you in creating escape routes with the help of smoke alarms by teaching your dog to run outside when the alarm goes off. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Smoke alarms should be tested monthly, and have their batteries replaced annually. Dogs become frightened and confused in event of an emergency, so it is important to use obedience training tactics to help them in this difficult time.
One of the most important ways to ensure the safety of your pets in a fire when you are not home is by installing a pet alert window cling. Window clings allow you to list the number of pets that you have, and firefighters can recognize them, and rescue your pets from the flames.
Use these tips to ensure that your dog will be taken care of in case of a fire-related emergency.
]]> How to Protect your Pooch in the Cold How to Protect your Pooch in the Cold
Cold weather affects pets as well as humans. Some pets are better suited for cold weather than others. There is a common belief that dogs “will do just fine” if left outside. This is not true; professionals, including veterinarians and dog trainers will tell you that all pets need proper shelter and protection from the cold. Pets should not be left outside for long periods of time in freezing weather as they can suffer hypothermia and frostbite just like humans. Senior pets with arthritis have a more difficult time in the winter cold. Be cautious of icy walks, provide warm and soft bedding, and handle pets gently.
A designated area inside is the best option, but if that is not possible, an adequate shelter that is insulated with blankets or straw and that is protected from the outside elements will help retain your dog’s body heat. Using a heated water dish will keep the water from freezing. Consult your dog trainer or a pet care specialist at your local pet supply store about finding heated water dishes.
The use of heat lamps, space heaters, and other electrical devices is not recommended as they may not only burn your pet but may also create a fire hazard. Pet product suppliers have heated mats for pets to sleep on. These mats could also be placed under a doghouse. Be sure to read all manufacturers’ directions carefully to avoid misuse or injury to your pet. Also, note that outdoor pets require more food than normal for energy and for maintaining body heat.
Large chunks of ice can get between your dog or cat’s footpads, causing discomfort. Clipping the hair between the pads will help in keeping such ice from forming. Some dogs will tolerate dog boots, which offer protection when walking in snowy areas or on icy sidewalks. Your groomer can help you in trimming the fur between your dog or cat’s toes. Salt and de-icers can cause chapped, dry, and painful paws, and afflicted pets will lick their paws. This could cause stomach irritation and vomiting. Be sure to wash your pet’s feet with warm water after a walk on icy ground. When walking your dog or cat outdoors you may also consider providing a sweater of some sort for him. You can find these at different pet stores in your area, you can even make one yourself out of an old sweatshirt. ABC wishes you and your pets a happy winter!
]]> Breed Spotlight - The Labrador Retriever
Labrador Retrievers originated from Newfoundland, and were bred in order to retrieve game. Initially, he acted as an assistant to fishermen, and was trained to help pull in the fishing nets. He is well-known for his water-loving antics, and is always up for a swim. Energetic and eager to please, Labs are active participants in a variety of activities that go beyond just hunting. He also serves as an excellent guide dog for disabled people, a search and rescue dog, a police dog, and as a participant in agility training.
Labrador Retrievers have short coats that are stiff to the touch, and relatively easy to maintain. He sheds seasonally, so he should be groomed regularly with a stiff-bristled dog brush, and bathed periodically. His coat is water-resistant, and beneath his top coat of fur is a soft undercoat, which protects him from harsh weather conditions. The most common colors for the Lab are black, yellow, and brown; however, combination's of these colors are infrequent in his breed.
The Labrador Retriever is described as highly trainable, as both a family dog, and a sporting dog. It is important to train him in his youth, as he will become incredibly strong in adulthood and is resistant to being obedient if his leader is not 100% in charge. Teaching him dog obedience is vital to the success and happiness of a Lab. He should also be socialized at an early age, as he can become reserved or wary around strangers if he is not accustomed to their presence. His breed needs a strong pack leader, and he can become destructive or restless if he is not regularly exercised, so it is important to provide him with mental and physical activities in order to keep him happy and well-occupied. In order to effectively manage and train your Lab, consult your local dog trainer.
If you are looking for a family oriented, easily trained dog, the Labrador Retriever is the breed for you. He is capable of adjusting to apartment life, as long as his owner has a comprehensive grasp of animal behavior, and enough free time to frequently exercise him. The Lab is a well-known and widely loved breed who will serve as a loyal companion to anyone who adopts him.
The Yorkshire Terrier was named after the city of Yorkshire in England, where he originated. In the early years of the breed the Yorkie belonged to the Working Dog Group. Eventually the breed left the workforce and became a popular companion to families in European high society. Now we know the breed to be recognized in the Toy Group. The Yorkshire Terrier was first recognized by the AKC in 1885.
The Yorkshire Terrier is most known for his long silky coat. It was often times said that his coat was a product of the looms. This derived from Yorkies working in the clothing mills in the nineteenth century. In order to keep your Yorkie’s coat in good condition, it needs to be brushed regularly to avoid matting. You may even want to trim his hair if it drags on the floor to avoid any foreign items getting tangled in the coat. The Yorkshire Terrier coat should be fine and silky. It should be straight and not wavy. The Yorkie should be black and tan in color; however blue and tan is also acceptable.
An animal trainer may express that the Yorkshire Terrier can be both difficult and easy to train. Due to the dogs small size many owners let their Yorkies get away with bad behaviors other dogs would never be allowed to do. Some Yorkies will become demanding and overly confident, often times they will develop jealous or possessive behaviors with toys and food. They will even become overly protective of their owners. Some refer to this as small dog syndrome. If the owners do not give these small pooches boundaries and limitations they can become very stubborn, making it difficult to train in the long run. It is important, especially with a small breed, to keep up with regular dog obedience in order to ensure a happy life for you and your Yorkie.
If you are looking for a small dog with a big attitude and lots of heart, the Yorkshire Terrier is the dog for you. He requires minimal exercise and daily grooming. The Yorkie is well suited to many different living quarters because of his small size. The Yorkshire Terrier is a favored companion and will continue to be for years to come.]]> Breed Spotlight - The German Shepherd Dog The German Shepherd Dog
According to the AKC Registration Statistics, the German Shepherd Dog (GSD) was the 3rd most popular dog breed in the United States in 2008. The German Shepherd Dog is an energetic and fun loving companion. The GSD is one of the most well- known and beloved breeds. He is the worlds leading guard, police and military canine. The German Shepherd Dog is a consistently popular breed in the U.S.
The German Shepherd Dog originated at Karlsruhe in Germany in 1899. Captain Max von Stephanitz and other dedicated breeders were responsible for producing the first German Shepherd Dog. In April of 1899, Captain von Stephanitz registered a dog named Horan as the first Deutsche Schäferhunde, which means German Shepherd Dog. The first GSD exhibited in America was in 1907.
The German Shepherd Dog belongs to the Herding Group. This means that he will most likely have a high prey or chase drive. Since herding dogs are bred to work closely with humans, they are easier to train. This is due to the fact that a herding dog is highly sensitive to his master’s every move and command. However, this can also cause problems like separation anxiety in certain circumstances. This will happen when the dog becomes overly-attached to his master.
The German Shepherd Dog is a great family pet. Once they have established a bond with children, they are perfect guard dogs and will have a protective relationship with them. Your GSD will also require a high level of physical and mental activity in order to maintain his obedience and not to become overly bored.
Your local dog trainer will tell you that your German Shepherd Dog should be given a job to keep him mentally active. There are many dog rescue organizations that specialize in finding homes for German Shepherds. If you are looking for a loyal companion, the German Shepherd Dog is for you. He is best-suited in a home with a yard; however, if properly maintained with daily physical and mental activity, the GSD is suitable in any home. He requires regular grooming, and once dog training is established, maintaining his dog obedience will be simple. The German Shepherd Dog has been a loveable family pet and working companion for many years and will be for many to come.
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Your Dogs Health - The Basics Every Pet Owner Should Know
by: Randy Jones
Your
is probably stronger and healthier than most humans that you know. However, by taking him from his natural environment, where only the strongest survive, to the artificial one in which most pet dogs live, we have exposed him to an entirely new set of dangers which their instincts are not designed to cope with.
A dog’s health is influenced by the genes inherited from his parents and by the care given to his mother during the prenatal period, as well as to the puppy during his first 2 or 3 months of life. A puppy, whose mother was properly cared for during pregnancy, will be more able to handle the hazards of growing up.
The majority of dogs lead perfectly healthy, normal lives. They overcome occasional skin rashes, chills, and upset stomachs, recover from cuts and bruises with ordinary care, sensible first aid when necessary, and professional diagnosis and treatment of serious ailments. Chances are that if you give you
a normal diet, a healthy home environment, a well balanced life, you will only need to see the vet for check-ups and vaccinations.
A healthy dog’s temperature, taken rectally when he is rested, is about 101.2 degrees in an adult dog, 102 in small breeds, and 102.5 in a puppy. It can fluctuate one way or the other, being lower in the morning and higher in the late afternoon. Long-coated breeds have a slightly higher normal temperature than short-coated ones. His pulse is taken at the femoral artery, high inside the thigh. There is no normal pulse rate for dogs. It can range from 120 beats per minute in a young puppy, to 70 or 80 in an older dog. Count the beats during 30 seconds and multiply by 2. Normal respiration ranges from 20 or 30 respirations per minute for a puppy to 16 per minute in an older dog.
A normal eye is bright and clear, although the lens becomes pale blue as he ages. His nose is moist and cool most of the time, but a dry, warm nose doesn’t always mean a fever or illness. His tail wags and he carries himself normally. His coat is shiny and sheds normally. He eats his meals without gulping compulsively and without being coaxed, drinks a normal amount of water after meals and exercise, and more during hot weather. His bowel movements are regular and well-formed, his urine is clear and both process’s are painless.
As a puppy he sleeps most of the time, but as an adult only about half the time, and he is generally friendly, alert, and inquisitive.
A sick or ailing
will have a temperature over 102 degrees, a sign of fever, or under a 100, a sign of weakness. If it does not return to normal within 24 hours, call the vet. If his temperature is as low as 99, or as high as 104, call the vet immediately. His pulse may be weak or irregular, his respiration at rest may be irregular or labored, panting or weak. His eye may appear dull, red or yellow with a sticky discharge. His nose may be dry and hot, also with a discharge.
His tail may be immobile, carried stiffly or between the legs, his coat may be dry and stand up when it should lay flat, the skin may be itchy and flaky and there may be bald spots, or red patches. He may eat with a good appetite but usually doesn’t want food at all, and is usually reluctant to swallow any water. His bowel movements may be abnormal in form or color, have a bad odor, and contain
FLICKA FLICKA BORDER COLLIE Female 0 years 8 months Here since 4/6/2008 A165060
blood or mucus, or he may be constipated with no movement at all. The urine may be dark, cloudy, or painfully produced.
He may sleep all of the time and hide in dark corners; his breath may have a bad odor and be labored. He may show very obvious symptoms of disorder such as swellings, protuberances, lameness, pain, prolonged wheezing or coughing, and unusual sensitivity in some part of his body. His overall general behavior will be lethargic and unresponsive when he is normally friendly and active, or nervous and excitable when he is the quite type with snapping or snarling for no apparent reason.
The symptoms offered here which are fairly obvious and not too far from our own human symptoms, (good and bad). It’s the severity of the symptoms for an ailing
that will determine whether you should call the vet. Far sighted
and cat owners select a veterinarian as soon as they become a pet parent, for sooner or later they get sick to some degree, and your chances of prompt attention are better if the vet already knows your pet.
About The Author
Randy Jones and his partner Brent Jones have been in the pet industry for a long time.
Recently they formed Joncopets.com. On the site, customers can read articles about anything pets as well as shop for the latest fancy
collars,
dresses, fancy
beds, and more for their best friend. Feel free to check out the site at http://www.joncopets.com.
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is a specific topic related to dog that you
would like us to cover, please contact us at any time.
And again, thank you to those contributing daily to our
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