Helping blind dogs
Father of a Blind Dog
Since I am now the father of a blind, 8-year old, Australian Cattle Dog/Dingo mix, I decided to do a little research on how to cope with having a blind dog. Actually, cope doesn’t seem like the right word. It seems too Pitiful. I’m not coping with Blue’s blindness, I’m learning a new way to train an already pretty well-trained dog.
The first thing I’ve realized, which should actually be common sense, is that having a blind dog is just like living with a blind person. You can’t keep moving the furniture around or it’s going to be frustrating for the dog to move around.
Teaching her commands such as STAIR or CURB has helped her to understand what is coming ahead of them, and avoid unnecessary falling or tripping, though she is still getting used to these commands You will still have to be cautious around stairs and out side, but this will make them a little easier around these obstacles. I’m noticing they may be scared around stairs at first, so I found slowly coaxing Blue down with a treat and a gentle tone to my voice helps her.
Vocalizing or just general noise making is probably one of the most important things I’ve learned I have to do with Blue. She still loves to play fetch with her ball in the house, I just can’t throw it as far and I make sure it hits hard floor so she can hear the thud it makes. If I want her to follow me, I call her name and pat my leg. When I feed her, I shake the bowl, so she understands where it is and what’s going on. You get the general idea, I’m sure.
And whatever you do, do not coddle or baby them. Everything I have seen or read has claimed that. With Blue, I obviously treated her like she has some terrible disease at first, making sure she didn’t have to move if she didn’t want to. I would’ve gone to the bathroom for her, if I could’ve. While I was doing all this, I noticed she was doing less and less on her own, and not even trying to do anything she could easily do. So now that I’m not babying her and trying to train her a little more, she’s able to stand on her own paws and be independent. Which works, since that’s all they wanna be anyways.
Until next time Later!
Bathtime for pet dogs – Part 3
Bath time with your dog should be like bath time with your children, only a little more elbow grease will be involved. Here are some tips that I have found helped me tremendously over the years. I no longer have to drag my dogs on their tummies choking them with a collar and chain, now I call them by their names and invite them to bathe, they come running.
Find a place that is not intimidating to the dog. It should be a place that they are allowed to access freely at all times. Restricted areas on a daily basis scare the dogs when they are lured into unfamiliar zones. If your dog is an outside dog then bathe it outside.
Fill a bucket of warm water and put in the shampoo and foam it ready. From experience dogs hate the tickling sensation from the shower head or hose but they will endure it once wet. Use a cup and start wetting the dog from the bucket, slowly if they are nervous. Dogs love a good scratch, so scratch but not too hard. Continue to wash the dog all over and leave the face area until last. If your dog is prone to nipping you when you reach the chest, sit down and have the dog lie down next to you and tickle it as you wash. You will be surprised that they soon realize bath time comes with alot of attention and loving that sometimes we find hard to give because of life committments.
Talk to your dog, in a calm manner, have a conversation. They listen. Praise the dog and tell them where you are washing them next, especially when approaching sensitive areas. Some dogs get anxious when you touch them on their tail or bottoms, keep one hand on another part of the dog whilst washing and keep talking. If at first they are still anxious, persevere, they need to gain your trust.
If you have accomplished the above you are ready to rinse. By now you may be soaking wet, covered in shampoo but the dog is happy, theres been no yelling, barking or biting, from either party ! Now rinse with the hose but with gentle pressure. Slowly use a downward stroking motion from the neck going straight down to the tail. This will also help lift the loose hairs. As you progress you can rinse using a comb or brush to help get the suds out completely. Remember to rinse very well as dry shampoo will cause dry flaky skin. When rinsing under the chest area, crouch down on the side of the dog and gently lift the chin so you can get under the neck. You will find that they will turn their heads accordingly as you gently guide their faces away from
Should young children have pets?
Every child should have a pet they can call their own. Now, deciding what type of pet and what age a child will be ready for a pet should be decided by the parent NOT the child as the parent will be the primary care-taker of this pet. Parents should never put the responsibility of raising a pet on the shoulder of a child. Children make mistakes, they forget things, they are not always responsible and this could be detrimental, even deadly to a pet. You can help a child learn responsibility by helping in the care of the pet, but the parent should always supervise in the care of the pet.
Having worked in animal rescue I would highly discourage getting a pet for a child less than 6 years of age. Young children are not able to comprehend the animals’ behavior and you could be putting both your child and your new pet at risk. Pets do not understand that the small child didn’t mean to hurt them by pulling their tail, ears or handfuls of fur and will instinctually react by growling, hissing, scratching, or biting. Small children also often don’t understand how powerful they are and can accidently hurt or kill a small kitten or puppy by carrying it by the neck, by dropping it or even stepping on it. By age six children usually have a better understanding of how they should treat an animal.
Children and animals should always be supervised together, especially when a new animal is brought into the home. You never know how the child or the animal might react to the other. It is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to children and animals as you are now responsible for two lives.
Is it better to get a cat or a dog? This depends on your child and your family and you. Are you an outdoors family who spends a lot of time playing outside, going to the park, the beach, and camping? If so you may want to invest your energy into a dog that can be a companion to you and your child on such outings. Remember when looking into getting a dog that puppies will require training and there are many types of dog breeds that are high energy and require lots of attention and walks. If you often work late and will not be able to spend a lot of time with an animal a dog is probably not the way to go.
If your child is quite and prefers the indoors or if you have a hectic schedule and don’t have a lot of time to invest in training an animal a cat may be the better route. Cats are more independent and can spend more time alone than can dogs, and they can be just as loving. When looking into a cat be sure to spend time with the cat before bringing it home. Kittens are often a little on the wild side and require more attention then cats do, if you are worried about your drapes or claw marks I would suggest skipping a kitten and picking out an adult cat. Also another hint of advice when trying to decide between a cat or kitten is that with a kitten their personalities are not evolved yet and the sweet loving kitten at the shelter might be a very rowdy, high energy cat, whereas with adult cats it is more of a case of what you see is what you get.
I would also recommend looking into getting an animal from a rescue organization as opposed to a “free” kitten, puppy, dog or cat. Most of these animals live in foster homes and have had more human interacation then the animals that are being given away. Rescue organizations can be very helpful in helping you find the right pet for you and your child.
The risks of spaying your female cat – Part 1
The old saying, ‘Breed Like Rabbits’ should be changed to ‘Breed Like Cats’. I do not think there is any other animal that seems to breed faster than cats. Except maybe fruit flies.
The sadness in it all is that now there are millions of feral, homeless cats all over the United States. Rather than enjoying the warmth and safety of a loving home, the attention of loving people, and knowing a meal will always be provided, these unfortunate cats spend their short lives searching for food, being injured in fights with other cats, dogs and wildlife, or being killed by cars.
I belong to a group who routinely traps these strays, but rather than dump them off at the local animal control facility to meet an untimely death, we have them spayed or neutered, innoculated with a rabies vaccine, monitor them for a day or so to make certain all is well, then release them back where we found them. We then have volunteers who monitor these ‘colonies’, making certain they are fed, etc.
In the small town where I live, this group has already altered over 400 cats in a little over a year! How many thousands of cats will not be born to an unfortunate life on the streets because of what these caring individuals have done, all on donations?
Most people trap stray cats then haul them off to be euthanized at the local animal control facility. This of course, is heartless, but also useless, because when cats are removed, new colonies of cats move right in. So the killing never stops. The trap/neuter/release program does work, because the cats remain in the colony, without letting new ones in, and without the colony growing due to new kttens being born. This program has been in use in Europe for decades. Also, ask any animal control worker about the cost of euthanizing stray cats, and they will tell you it is expensive. Who pays for this? We, the taxpayers!
The problem with America is the ignorance of people. Most people do not seem to realize (or care) that we euthanize 10 to 15 MILLION dogs and cats in this country EVERY YEAR! Many of these animals are just kittens and puppies, who never get a chance to live because there just are not enough homes for them all.
When I try to urge people to spay or neuter their pets, I get some very silly reasons why they are reluctant to do so:
*The animal will get fat.
(No, the animal gets fat for the same reason people do-too much food and not enough exercise)
*I just can’t do that to him or her.
(Spaying and neutering is the humane thing to do, not only to prevent more litters of unwanted animals, but also, it makes a better pet. Pets should be companion animals, and one can not be very companionable if they are taking care of litters of unwanted puppies or kittens)
*Every animal should have at least one litter.
(WHAT?!? People who believe this ignorant notion are placing human emotions on animals. Just because YOU want to have kids does not mean your pet does family planning as well. Animals breed because nature tells them to)
*Altering my pet will make him or her mean.
(WRONG! If anything, altering your pet will make him easier to handle, as he will not have his mind on chasing females, fighting, etc. I have had every pet of mine altered over the years, and I have never, ever seen a change in personality)
Until people wise up and also start to care, we will continue in the killing of millions of unfortunate animals each year. How sad. And how telling of the true nature of the people of this country.
Websites every pet owner should know about – Part 13
Must Have Websites For Pet Owners
We all know the internet is a never ending source of information, unfortunately it can be a timely process looking for information among thousands of pages to find out about your furry family member. Fortunately a list has been compiled of websites that are simply a must have for any pet owner. With the right resources anything from pet insurance to social pages are right at your fingertips. Most of the pages listed cover all ranges of pets from the domestic cats and dogs to the more exotic pets such as snakes, rabbits and fish.
While the internet is an invaluable tool in today’s search for knowledge, the best way to know what is going on with your pet is to pay close attention and consult a licensed veterinarian if you suspect a problem. The following websites are designed to help understand your pets, not diagnose or treat them.
Sites are listed in no specific order.
Ultimatepetdirectory.com is noted as number one on Ultimatetop100.com as the most useful pet site. It offers not only links to various pet sites but a search engine to help find exactly what you are looking for. This is a great tool for overall queries.
1800petmeds.com is a popular site that offers pet medication at discounted rates. Everything is sold here from heartworm medication to flea and tick prevention to vitamins. The products can be delivered to your door, making shopping for pet care items much easier.
Talktothevet.com is a site that has pet care tips (many from vets themselves), a vet finder for areas all across the country and even clips on each page of notable pets in the news. Although this site is full of pet care information, it is never a substitute to seeing an actual vet, as noted on the site itself.
Healtypet.aahanet.org has two great features; finding a hospital in your area and a pet care library. This is a great alternative to searching through numerous books to diagnose a potential problem or searching for the right vet to see your animal.
Altpet.com specializes in exotic pets. This can refer to anything from a lizard to a rabbit. Altpet has compiled everything an exotic pet owner would need from classifieds to the laws concerning your pet.
Petinsurance.com is an online medical insurance site for your pet. While there are other sites that offer pet insurance this is one of the biggest companies to offer the service. Petcareinsurance.com and Pet-cover.com are alternative online insurance stores for pet owners. As with auto insurance
Special Pet Care Needs For Older Dogs
The average lifespan for most dogs is between eight and sixteen years. Some breeds age expectancy is less while other breeds normally have a longer lifespan. Once your dog becomes older it is time to take some preventative steps in order for them remain healthy, happy and active. Have your vet examine your pet annually or more often, if necessary. Veterinarians understand the different breed types and are familiar with problems you may encounter with your pet. They watch for this and make you aware of what to look for, if your dog is acting a little different.
As in humans, keep your dogs weight within the proper or optimum range. An overweight dog has far more health problems such as joint problems, arthritis, diabetes and liver or kidney malfunctions. If your dog is too heavy, buy dog treats low in sugar and salt or purchase dog cookies especially made for overweight dogs, which are low in calories. Also, cut down on the amount of treats given to your pet. It is hard to resist their soulful eyes but always remember that it is for their own good. You do not want to kill your pet by thinking you are being kind to them. Feed your pet once a day or smaller amounts twice a day but remove the food if there is any left. If you have children, explain to them why they should not sneak food to the family pet.
Pre-soak or add water to the dog’s dry food if they have lost some teeth or have dental problems. Daily brushing helps prevent problems but always use toothpaste made specifically for pets, not humans. Start brushing your pet’s teeth when they are young, so they are used to the routine. Have their teeth examined annually by the vet, as they may need to have some pulled or professionally cleaned.
As with dogs of any age, make sure there is always fresh, cool water available. Some older dogs have problems getting to the water bowl so either take the water to them or place bowls of water in several different places so they do not have to go far for a drink.
If possible take your dog for a short walk daily. This helps the dog’s blood circulation and provides some new sights and smells to stimulate them and it gives you quality time to spend with your pet.
Unfortunately, dogs suffer from arthritis just like humans. Keep your dogs weight down and feed him food especially formulated for older dogs, as this does help. Talk to your vet because there is medication available that often makes your pet more comfortable and move easier. Supplements are available, but always check with your veterinarian before giving these to your dog.
Many great orthopedic dog beds are available. Some are made of memory foam and there are heated beds available. An older dog needs good support and warmth for their aging body. Dog beds are easies for your pet to get into than a sofa or your bed.
Looking after your senior pet and taking him to the vet regularly helps keep your dog healthy and happy longer.
Dog Training – Dog Diarrhea
Diarrhea can, and chances are will come to every dog you ever have in your lifetime and is a very common type of illness to have but in most cases is nothing serious and is not a cause to worry.
Lots of things can cause diarrhea in your dog and although on most cases the vet need not be contacted if it persists or becomes uncontrollable by your dog then it may need a better examination and diagnosis to prescribe the correct medicine.
Diarrhea is more common in puppies due to their immune system not being as strong as a dog’s immune system yet but diarrhea in dogs is also very common. Situations which cause diarrhea can be anything from a change in surroundings, worms, or conccidia, to a virus or pest your dog has caught.
A change in diet or food may have triggered the illness and it should be looked into to stop it happening again, dogs are very vulnerable to changes and it can affect them in many ways. Being over excited or having stressful days along with other emotional changes may bring this problem.
It is always important to look after your dog well while they are suffering this illness, puppies and dogs will get dehydrated in these times and you need to make sure they have enough fluids to stop further illness.
While your dog has diarrhea they become weaker due to low body weight and not getting sufficient vitamins so their immune systems lower making it easier to catch other viruses and illnesses.
Keep a close eye on your dog when they have diarrhea and if you have fears of it being anything but a common diarrhea cause then seek a vet or professional for advice. There are plenty of advice leaflets and informational sheets around in pet shops and dog care specialist places, as long as you are aware of your dog’s problem and are aware of these facts you should be in good shape.
About pet health care insurance – Part 3
You are waiting in a busy veterinarian office for your puppy’s first series of booster shots. Among pet health care pamphlets colorfully displayed at the reception, you notice one particular pamphlet about pet health care insurance.
You take a look as you start wondering if you should enroll your puppy.
More and more pet owners are enrolling their dogs in Pet health care insurance. The truth is that an unexpected illness can happen at any time and pet owners are not always financially prepared for the unexpected. Sadly, many times pets are euthanized because their owners cannot afford the costly veterinary fees. An overnight stay at an animal emergency center can quickly add up and easily reach in the thousands of dollars. Most of these emergency centers require a deposit upon having the pet hospitalized. Many animal health insurance companies help cover most of these expenses.
There are many benefits when it comes to pet health care insurance,this is why pet insurance is gaining popularity, for instance:
-Unlike most human health insurance companies most pet insurances allow your pet to see virtually licensed veterinarian any where in the world. Specialist visits and and emergency after hours visits are mostly included.
-You will be provided claim forms that your vet will need to fill. Once filled by your vet, you will attach receipts and mail the paperwork out. Shortly after you will receive a check in the mail.
-Most insurance companies have toll free phone numbers you can access in case you have any particular questions.
-Monthly premiums are affordable. Many people believe that pet insurance is costly, but in most cases it is much more affordable than human health insurance. You may expect in average to pay approximately between $19 – $30 a month for a dog and between $12 – $25 for a cat.
-Most pet insurance companies will reimburse a rather large chunk of your medical expenses, in some cases even up to 90% with a $50.00 to $100.00 deductible.
-You are offered different options of coverage depending on your needs. Accidents, illness and routine care coverages are options you can chose from.
However, you must be aware that most pet health care insurance requires you to pay the vet bill up front and will reimburse you shortly. This may be a burden for people that do not have money put aside for such emergencies. This is why it is always recommended to keep some money saved for such occurrences. There are however, some pet
Promoting harmony between dogs and cats – Part 1
Dogs and cats getting along?
The age-old feud between Fido and Fluffy is legendary and frequently brings to mind the classic Billy Murray quote from the 1984 movie hit Ghostbusters, “This city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions… Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together… mass hysteria!”
Dogs and cats that live together may never, ever genuinely get along, but there is no reason why you and your pets cannot co-exist in relative peace. Let’s face it – dogs are generally the instigators in most dog vs. cat scenarios. Understanding why dogs chase cats in the first place is essential, if you desire more peaceful interactions among your pets.
Prey Drive
All dogs possess some level of predatory aggression, which is an involuntary desire to chase, catch and kill other small animals. It is a survival mechanism passed down from the wolf and some dog breeds have stronger prey drives than others.
For example, dogs from the sporting and herding groups (German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Coon Hounds) were, and still are, bred for their skills in detecting and/or herding prey. It is not a behavioral problem, but a natural response to a natural stimulus.
As far as your dog(s) are concerned, cats and kittens are nothing more than a daily trigger for this behavior. It’s a game in many respects, especially for puppies and adolescent dogs – a serious game involving stealth and survival, one which can end in tragedy for the feline(s) in your household.
Suppressing, Redirecting, Relocating
For better or for worse, pet owners habitually label their beloved pets’ behavior with human characteristics. Despite what we might think, the dynamic between dogs and cats has nothing to do with “not getting along,” or “not being nice.” It’s really just predator versus prey and the outcome is determined by which animal has the better skills. The best you can hope to do is suppress it, redirect it, or separate the two participants geographically.
What You Can Do
Here are some suggestions to help minimize the barking, chasing, hissing and clawing that usually follows when Fido and Fluffy cross paths:
- Introduce dogs and cats to each other as early in their lives as possible. Kittens and puppies of the same general size and age that grow up together will be less likely to demonstrate aggressive behaviors toward one another as they mature.
- Once a puppy or young dog experiences the prey drive, it is very difficult to break him or her from acting upon it. The best thing you can do before this happens, and it most certainly will, is to begin training your puppy or dog simple commands as soon as you bring him home. If your dog responds positively to the sit and stay commands, you can redirect his attention to you and the command before he bounds off after your cat. Reward you dog when he listens to you, resisting the urge to chase. He will soon understand which behavior provides him with the most favorable outcome.
- Allow your pets to have their own “space.” Despite your best efforts, dogs and cats are going to do what nature is telling them to do and the chase will eventually ensue. Make sure your cat(s) have an area of your home all to themselves that it strictly off-limits to the family dog(s.) Train your dog(s) from Day 1 that this location is verboten. This is where your cat(s) can escape to if things get a little, or a lot, out of control.
Cheap Pet Insurance Brings Peace Of Mind To Animal Owners
There are many households in the United States where the pets in the family are considered to be of equal importance just as any other member. Just as the family is concerned about the health care needs of loved ones, they are equally concerned about the well-being of their beloved pets. Purchasing cheap pet insurance can help the family to have the security that their family pets will be able to get the health care they deserve, without the stress of figuring out how to pay for the veterinary pet bills.
Pet insurance is a fairly new insurance product on the market. It has become a great way for average families to be able to have the sense of peace and security that the animal will be properly cared for in case they encounter some type of illness.
Pet health insurance was introduced to the market about 20 years ago and was met with some skepticism and ridicule. Some thought it was simply a new method for insurance companies to sell policies, while others thought that is was something only the wealthy could afford. However, for many families, cheap pet insurance has provided the needed coverage for health care services for their pets and reduced financial stress for the family.
The best news is that with the advent of more affordable and cheaper pet insurance, people are able to relax knowing that their animal will be taken care of in times of need. This takes away the worry and concern that is often in the back of people’s minds. When a family budget is already stretched thin to take care of necessities for the children in the household, adding concern about an illness or accident with the family animal can place additional stress on the parents.
Now that pet health insurance has been on the market for a few years, there are more and more providers entering the arena and bringing competition. This has the beneficial effect for the consumer of lower prices and making cheaper cover available. There are now options for veterinary pet care coverage that can be obtained for just a few dollars a month as the premium.
However, it should be noted that cheaper cover for your animal is not always the best option for your particular needs and for your specific situation. One of the things to watch out for when doing any kind of animal cover comparison is to uncover how reliable the company behind the policy is. It can be terribly frustrating and expensive to make a decision to go forward with a procedure for your pet based on expected coverage and then run into excuses and run-around’s by the insurer trying to avoid paying the veterinarian.
One way to avoid this problem with any kind of animal cover, is to do your homework. Ask questions about how long the company has been in business. Search the internet forums for people who have had experience with the pet insurance company you are considering. Check with your veterinarian and ask if they know the company and if they have ever had problems with being paid promptly.
Taking time to do this type of research will help you to avoid the problems that could turn your cheap pet insurance coverage into a hassle or a nightmare. It is also a good idea to find out where the company is based and check with their local Better Business Bureau to see if they have had any complaints that have gone unresolved. Taking these additional steps will give you great peace of mind knowing that you have chosen an affordable pet health insurance policy.
