Skipping the Pet Stores

Adding a new dog to the family is a great idea if you’re ready for the care and commitment – and fun and love – that comes with a great pet. Whether you’re buying your first family dog or another to add to the mix, we hope that you’ll skip the pet store and head to the shelter. Adopt, don’t buy, your next dog. And we’re using “dog” purposely. Most people want cute, adorable puppies, but older dogs make wonderful pets, and you may be lucky enough to get one who is past the chewing, jumping, peeing in the house stage, and is ready to relax with the family. But pup or dog, here is why shelters are great places to find your new best friend:

• Many people think that shelter dogs are dangerous strays who were roaming the streets looking for people to bite before they were taken to the shelter. But dogs come to the shelter for any number of reasons. Maybe his elderly owner couldn’t care for him anymore; maybe an owner was moving for a new job and couldn’t take his beloved pet; maybe a dog owner moved in with someone who was allergic; maybe an energetic dog was too much for someone to handle. None of these reasons involve the dog being “bad,” or violent or unmanageable.
• Some people don’t want mutts. This is sad. Some of the best dogs are mixed-breeds. But if that’s your prejudice, consider that forty percent of dogs in shelters are purebred dogs. That’s right.
• Where do you think some pet stores get their dogs? Yup, the pound. Skip the middle man and help a dog out.
• Your new pet will have all of his vaccinations and will be spayed or neutered before you take him home. Your adoption fee covers this, and the fee is certainly less than you would pay in a pet store.
• We can’t speak for all people who work at animal shelters, but we’ve seen those that walk the dogs, play with them, talk to them, and even bring them home on occasion. They interact with the animals, which helps socialize the dogs. Do pet stores do this?
• You’re getting a pet, and you’re saving a dog. Adopting a pet is something you can feel good about. We all wonder how we can impact the world; you can definitely impact a dog’s life by choosing to go to a shelter.

As with any pet you’re taking into your home, you need to make sure that the dog is comfortable with you and you are comfortable with him. Take time to visit, walk him, play with him. You will find that there are a lot of lovable, kind, gentle, dogs waiting for you.

Pup Psychology

Victoria Stilwell is a world renowned dog trainer and expert. Her show on Animal Planet, It’s Me or the Dog, focuses on helping dog owners create a home where both man and his best friend are happy, healthy, and safe. This can involve helping the owner train his dog to modify behavior – and helping train the owner to provide better care, such as by taking more frequent walks or by providing more healthful food.

On a recent show, she made an interesting point: people run into problems with their dogs when they begin treating them like people. We love our dogs; they are parts of our families, but she is right. They are not people. Thank God! They’re dogs, they’re wonderful – but we’re the ones training them, not vice versa.

To some dog owners, it may seem almost cruel not to treat their dogs like people. But you need to remember that dogs are dogs. They have thought processes and natural instincts that are very much different than ours. One example of this is the pack mentality. They have historically lived in groups, and this behavior is ingrained in them. They seek out the strongest member of the pack and follow his lead. You need to be the alpha dog in order to create a safe and healthy home. And it also creates a secure and happy dog. He likes having structure and rules to follow.

Another thing to be aware of is that dogs do not have emotions like we do. This is hard for many people to accept because your dog loves you! Right? Right. But he shows it in nonhuman ways. We tend to think of dogs leaning on us, putting their paws on us, etc., as signs of affection. In fact, they are more often signs of dominance. If your dog loves you, he feels comfortable and confident giving you space. This doesn’t mean he doesn’t love to curl up in bed with you – but remember that he probably likes this mostly because of the warmth.

The website, Dog Breeder Info, brings up an important point. We offer dogs comfort in human ways. If they see something that scares them, for instance, our first instinct is to reach out and comfort them with a touch. According to this site, this actually reinforces the fear. Next time they encounter whatever has made him scared, we comfort him. This is our nature. This is what we would do with a child, and this is what would help a child overcome his fear.

But in dogs, it is seen as weakness from their human. And when there is weakness from their human, there is indeed something to fear. Instead, simply allowing your dog to process the fear and work it out in his own mind is far more effective. If your dog starts at a clap of thunder, for instance, you go on about your business. Don’t look at him, even if you think he’s scared. Just be nonchalant. Your dog will look to you, the pack leader, to see if he should be afraid. You’re not concerned? He’s not concerned. The fear is not reinforced.

These are just a few ways in which we can see how our dogs think and act differently than we do. We can create a better home for our dogs and ourselves when we understand a little pup psychology.

Keeping Your Dog as Healthy as You Can

Since pets are part of the family, it only makes sense that we want them to be as healthy – and happy – as possible. Our dogs can’t tell us what hurts, so as with small children, we have to pick up on their clues and just have a general understanding of their health. Here are some tips to help you do that and to make sure your pal is able to walk with you, go on adventures, or just sit with you in the evenings.

• Play, exercise, play. Not only can play and exercise help keep your dog’s weight under control and his heart strong, it helps stimulate his brain. He’ll be eager to learn, which will keep him a puppy at heart. It also increases his quality of life, which is always worthwhile.
• Spay or neuter your pet. Your dog will have fewer health problems (cancers and illnesses of the reproductive organs, for instance), and you won’t have to deal with an unexpected litter of puppies. It will also decrease the likelihood that your pet will want to roam around, which in itself increases his safety.
• Feed him healthy and nutritious food for energy and weight control. Overweight dogs don’t live as long, so make sure you’re feeding your dog a balanced diet. Your vet can help recommend foods appropriate for your dog’s breed and age. Also, if you are using treats to train your dog, remember to make them healthy ones. Air popped popcorn is a good, low-cal choice.
• Make friends with your vet. Go once a year for a checkup, especially if you have a “senior” dog. They can often spot problems while they are relatively easy to resolve. Also, be on the lookout for symptoms that can signal a problem. For instance, watch for changes in appetite or energy level.
• Keep up to date on his vaccinations. This keeps him safe, as well as those around him.
• Don’t forget the teeth! Dogs don’t have to have doggie breath, and yours doesn’t have to have teeth or gum problems either. You can brush, use a rinse, or give him dental treats.
• Attention. Dogs need love and attention, just as people do. Don’t forget to pet your dog, give him praise, and slip him a treat now and then to let him know he’s appreciated. Living longer should also mean living better, and the best way to do this is to make sure he’s happy.

Helping Train a Great Walker

Dog needs walks; it is one of the most essential aspects of owning a dog, and it can be one of the most enjoyable. Taking an afternoon stroll with your best friend on a nice day? What could be better? That’s if he walks with you nicely, doesn’t pull on his leash, try to veer off and chase cats, dogs, pedestrians, or cars, or sniff and paw at every interesting scent he comes across. Here are some tips for making sure you both look forward to your walks.

Before you even move out the door, make sure that your dog is sitting calmly. Don’t put the leash on until he is calm, otherwise every time he sees that leash, he will jump and make your life a bit more stressful. When he’s calm, put the leash on. Open the door and go out first. You go out first because you are the leader of your pack. Dogs will try to assert their dominance, not because they want to take over the house, but because it is their instinct. You have to be the leader, so make sure he lets you out first. If he goes out first, bring him back in and try again.

Pulling is one of the biggest problems when it comes to walking dogs, and if you have a large breed, you will probably get much more of a workout than your pooch. If you have a puller, try this: put your dog on his leash and start walking. When he starts to pull, firmly grasp the leash and start walking in the opposite direction. Chances are he’ll catch up and start to do it again. You do the same thing, changing direction abruptly. The point is to let him know that he cannot pull, and that you are in charge and decide where to go. Keep doing this consistently and work with him. He’ll pick it up very quickly. Make sure to reward him when he walks well with treats and lots of praise.

Keep your dog’s leash at the same length. Dogs thrive on consistency; when your dog is learning to walk well on a leash, he needs the length to be the same. A retractable leash teaches him that he can walk wherever he wants. You’ll have a much harder time teaching him to stay with you. Keep the leash slack and don’t put tension on it. If he pulls and it goes taut, reverse directions quickly.

It is important to be patient and use positive reinforcement often. When your dog is walking well, reward him randomly with a treat and praise. This way, he won’t expect at any specific time and walking well will become a habit. When you praise your dog, “Good dog,” is nice, but not really clear for your dog. Is it nice that he stuck his tongue out? Is it nice that he shook his head or scratched his belly? He doesn’t know, so you need to tell him. Reinforce with “Walk,” when he is doing well. Say it in an encouraging and positive way. Name it and reward it.

Most importantly, be consistent and keep practicing. Your dog will get it, and you will be amazed at how much more pleasant walks are.

Finding a Dog Kennel

While there are more pet-friendly establishments and more people are taking their dogs on vacation with them, there are times when your pet just has to stay behind. If this is the case, and you don’t have a friend or relative available to dog-sit, then you’ll need to find a good kennel. For some people, this decision is as agonizing as which daycare to spend their child to. Here are some tips for finding great dog care while you’re away.

• First, ask your other dog-owning friends where they have boarded their pets. This is an invaluable, and location-specific, way to glean information. If, for instance, someone used a kennel and their dog acted like a maniac for a week after, that’s a good indication that you will want to try elsewhere. Dogs should be well-behaved after a stay – assuming they’ve had adequate play time, exercise, and attention.
• Check out the facility before you book it. Make sure there is a play yard, whether indoor or outdoor, that has sufficient space for your dog to run. Also, ask if they have one-on-one time with each dog. Look around and see if you can see how many dogs there are and how many staff members around. They should allow you to see the kennel area, and if they don’t, move on.
• Ask questions: who will take care of my dog? What activities will they do? How much of the time is my pet in a crate or kennel? If my dog is sick or injured, where do you take him? Is there a vet on-call or do you have access to an animal hospital? Ask anything that comes to mind. Not only will you get some answers, but you’ll be able to tell a lot about the kennel from the willingness of the staff member to talk with you and answer anything you ask.
• Do they offer a meet and greet? See if you can set up a pre-stay meeting for your dog, yourself, and the kennel owner or caretaker. During this time, you can allow your dog to get used to the place, as well as share any special instructions. And again, ask questions!
• Check their prices, and make sure you have an understanding about how they charge. For instance, if you return at 2 in the afternoon, do you get charged for a full day? Can you pick up your dog early and get a refund for the extra? What if you’re running late? Can you extend the stay easily without extra charges?
• Trust your feeling of a place. If you walk in and feel uneasy, or if your dog appears to feel uneasy (more than just being in a new place), trust this. It may not be the most scientific method of choosing a kennel, but if your dog is going to be on-edge for days, then you’ll want to try a different kennel.

This is a lot of work! But once you find a good kennel, you should be able to keep going back. If you want, try an overnight or weekend stay before a big trip to give your dog some time to get used to the place. And then, you should both have a great vacation.

Choosing the Right Shoes for Your Dog

Many people are of the mind that because dogs are animals, they do not need shoes. It’s silly – why would you do that to a dog? But really, many dogs have sensitive feet, injuries, irritations to salt and other road chemicals, or other conditions that make boots or shoes necessary. If your dog is one of these, don’t worry. It is easy to find the right pair of boots, and it is good to know that you are doing the right thing for your dog.

The first step is to measure your dog’s feet. Easier said than done, right? It can be difficult if you have an energetic (or antsy) dog. Measure from the tip of the nails to the base of the paw. Then, when you are ready to buy your boots, find the right size on the size chart that should be on the package. For instance, if your dog’s paw measured 1.5 inches, he would be an XS in most boots.

Next is choosing the boots. You can be footwear that is more dressy in nature, but for winter or for dogs with sensitive or injured paws, you need more utilitarian boots. And there is no shortage of brands from which to choose. To make sure that you get the right boots for your dog, keep the following in mind:

• The fit. Are the boots going to be snug without being tight? How do they stay on the dog’s paws? Are they stretchy?
• Are they easy to take on and off?
• Do they have traction? Boots without it will not be of much use on slippery sidewalks.
• Are they waterproof? Breathable? High enough to protect your dog’s legs? These are all points to consider because the point of dog boots is to keep your dog comfortable and happy.

If you have never bought dog boots before, it is best to go to a pet supply store and have your dog try some on to see how they fit. Let him walk around in them to make sure they are comfortable and they won’t fall off.

When you find a pair, let your dog practice in them in the house. Put them on for a few minutes at a time. Your dog will probably respond like a baby who wears shoes for the first time – there is a learning curve here! But give him some time, and he should adjust to them and be ready for his next cold weather walk.

If you can’t get him to wear boots, don’t force it. Some dogs just will not. You can try a protective wax before you go outside. Happy walking.