The last time I was at the mall, I was so relieved to find that the pet store was no longer there. No longer did I have to cover my ears as I passed so as to avoid the yelps and cries of the poor little puppies sitting in their tiny cages. I am saddened to think about what might happen to those pups when a store like that goes out of business, but at the same time it’s good to see that people aren’t in favor of supporting puppy mills.
If you’ve ever watched an animal rescue show, you’ve probably seen a puppy mill being raided, and you know that they don’t provide good conditions for the animals. The poor mothers are bred until they can barely stand upright anymore and there is often inbreeding that leads to health problems for the pups later in life. If you want to avoid buying a puppy mill pup, here are a few tips:
1. Stay away from pet shops and too-good-to-be-true deals. There is a lot involved in breeding puppies, so any reputable breeder probably isn’t going to let their dogs go for less than market value, and they’re not going to send them to a pet store either.
2. Visit the breeder at his or her home or place of business. Often, breeders work from home, but either way, you want to see where these dogs live and how they’re being treated.
3. Be cautious of any breeder who seems too eager to get rid of her puppies. Although it is a business, most reputable breeders are more concerned with finding good homes for their pups than they are with getting them out the door. If they don’t seem concerned at all with who you are and why you want a pup, that might be cause to be worried.
While some airlines allow tiny dogs to fly in the cabin with their owners, most pets fly in the cargo hold. Advance planning will make the trip less stressful for both of you. Please be aware that airlines do not accept puppies under 8 weeks old, and some do not accept snub-nosed breeds of any age.
Choose a pleasant time of the year to travel. Your precious poochie might spend several hours sitting on the tarmac, especially if the flight is delayed. He will be directly exposed to rain, snow, freezing weather or hot summer heat.
Make your airline reservation as far in advance as possible. Airlines limit how many pets they will transport on each flight. For example, Delta only allows six pets per flight, with two of those allotted to first class passengers. Some airlines limit one dog per passenger; others allow two dogs in one kennel.
Ask the airline for their list of approved pet carriers. Make sure the water container is non-spill. Attach the contact information for your destination to the dog’s collar. This will save a lot of heartache if the airline tag detaches from the crate. Also, you may want to consider writing it directly on the crate. Think of it like a tattoo that will ensure everyone knows where your dog is going. Keep the leash in your purse or carry-on luggage, rather than in the kennel where the dog might choke himself.
Schedule a veterinarian visit within 10 days of departing to obtain the required health certificate. If your dog is not current on its immunizations, then you may want to start them now. Each state has its own requirements for immunizations.
Plan to spend some private time with your four-pawed friend to help him acclimate to his new surroundings. Check him over for injuries, illness or stress.
After posting a few times about what not to feed your dog, I thought it was time to post a bit about which “people foods” are actually good for your dog. Feel free to use any of the items listed here as an occasional treat for your four-legged friend:
1. Raw, unsalted peanut butter is a favorite treat for a lot of dogs. It’s a good source of protein, vitamin B, niacin and vitamin E.
2. Add some cooked chicken or salmon to your dog’s regular food to give him a little extra protein boost. If you ever find that you don’t have any dog food on hand, you can feed your dog chicken instead.
3. Low or reduced fat cheese can make a great treat for your dog if he isn’t lactose intolerant. If you are not sure about this, you should keep an eye on your dog’s reaction the first time you give him some cheese. You also don’t want to over-feed your dog cheese since it can be high in fat and cholesterol. A good choice here is cottage cheese.
4. Vegetables, such as baby carrots and green beans, are great sources of fiber. They also don’t contain a lot of calories. Just make sure that they don’t have any added salt.
5. Fruits, such as pumpkin or apple slices, are also good sources of vitamin A and fiber, which is good for your dog’s digestion. Before you give him an apple, make sure to remove the seeds and the core so he doesn’t choke.
6. Breakfast foods like eggs and oatmeal are also great for fiber and protein. They will help your dog if he has any problems with his bowels. Just make sure you cook them before serving.
7. Yogurt is high in calcium and protein but make sure that it doesn’t contain any sugar or artificial sweetener.
I get this question a lot from friends who just brought a new dog into their home, but it really should be asked before you decide on which breed you want to get. Some dogs require more work than others. For example, my maltese needs more grooming than my friend’s rat terrier because she has long hair that needs to be brushed and cut. But, a newfoundland would require even more work than my maltese – simply because of its enormous size.
A good rule of thumb is that the longer your dog's hair is, the more often it will need grooming. There are about as many differences in dog hair as there are in human hair, and certain breeds need more extensive grooming than others (again, this is something you should research before getting the dog).
Wanda (my Maltese) has long hair, so she needs daily brushing. When you have a long-haired dog, you need to be really careful not to ever let the hair get knotted (or matted). It can be difficult to remove, and the process can be painful for the dog. On the other hand, dogs with very short hair only need to be brushed once a week or so. For dogs that fall in between, two or three times a week is probably enough. If your dog is the type that sheds a lot, daily brushing will go a long ways towards preventing your floors and furniture from being covered in dog hair.
Most dogs really like to be brushed, so it can be a good time to bond with your dog. Some people even brush their short-haired dogs daily because the dog enjoys it so much.
How often a dog should be bathed also depends on the length and texture of its hair. My dog gets a bath about once a week, but he's outside a lot and loves to play in the dirt.
With a bit of experimentation, you'll discover what works best for your particular dog. And remember, grooming can be a time for you and your dog to bond. Do the things you don’t mind doing, and leave the rest up to a professional. For example, I hate clipping Wanda’s nails – so I bring her to the groomer more often for that. But, if I was learning how to become a nail technician, I might enjoy the practice – and bring her to the groomer more often for ear cleanings.
After writing my post last week about people food that you shouldn’t give your dog, I thought it would be helpful to lest a few more. Oh yeah, and I also felt a little bad for condemning those who feed their dog people food – so, I wanted to clarify my position on that. I do think it’s irresponsible to feed your dog random scraps from the table. On the other hand, it can actually be very healthy to feed your dog a diet of the right “people” foods. For example, boiled chicken and rice are recommended for your canine friends, and they both are probably better than the “dog food” you buy at the store. So, for those of you who are trying to do the right thing by feeding your dog “people food,” I wanted to share a few more of those foods you need to avoid.
Artificial sweeteners: These contain xylitol and can cause low blood sugar, which can result in vomiting and weakness. Large amounts can cause liver failure. Bones: Don't give your dog bones from your meal. Yes, dogs like bones, but they cann splinter and cause obstructions in or lacerations to a dog’s digestive system. Grapes, raisins and currants: These contain a toxin that is damaging to a dog’s kidneys. Macadamia nuts: These contain a toxin that can damage a dog's digestive, nervous and muscular systems. Milk and dairy products: Large amounts of dairy can give a dog diarrhea or other stomach ailments. Garlic and onions (raw, cooked or powdered): These can contain sulfoxides and disulfides. These can damage red blood cells and cause anemia. Raw eggs: Raw eggs may contain Salmonella, and they contain an enzyme that decreases the absorption of biotin, which can cause hair and skin problems. Raw meat: Raw meat may contain bacteria such as E. Coli and Salmonella.
If your dog has eaten these foods, he or she may appear tired, listless or weak. He or she may also vomit, have diarrhea, or a rapid heart-rate. If your dog exhibits these systems and has recently ingested these foods, it’s a good idea to call the veterinarian.
If there’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s a dog begging for food at the dinner table. Not only is it rude, but it can also be dangerous to the dog’s health, if you feed it the wrong food. Most people don’t know which foods are safe for dogs and which can be fatal (the list is different than for people), so feeding your dog “people food” scraps is just an all-around bad idea. And too many others take the attitude that they know enough about health not to poison their dog. People health is different than dog health. I just wanted to get that out there. Just because you’re a registered nurse doesn’t mean you know what your dog can and cannot eat.
Chocolate is one of the most dangerous foods for dogs to eat, causing symptoms of toxicity that range from mild to severe. Just how severe the symptoms are depends on the weight of the dog and how much chocolate he ate. Milk chocolate will cause dogs to become sick, but unsweetened chocolate is much worse. It can be 10 times more toxic and can really cause a severe reaction. Chocolate contains a chemical known as Theobromine, which is similar to caffeine. When dogs eat even small amounts of chocolate, they may start vomiting and have diarrhea. If your dog happens to get into a full bag of unsweetened chocolate, she may experience increased urination, irritability, tremors, and seizures – she may even die. So, keep Fido as far away from the chocolate.
Raw fish is another food dogs should never eat. Salmon is especially dangerous because it often contains the Neorickettsia salmincola parasite. Symptoms commonly associated with fish poisoning include diarrhea, weakness, loss of appetite, fever, dehydration and swelling of the lymph nodes.
Avocados are delicious, but are often responsible for animal poisoning. The fruit and skin contain persin, which is poisonous to dogs. When dogs eat large amounts of avocado, the heart can become damaged, which may lead to heart failure.
Raw bread dough is especially dangerous to dogs because their warm stomachs can cause the dough to expand, causing reduced blood flow to the dog's stomach wall. Yeast also produces alcohol inside the stomach, which can be absorbed into the body. Dogs that have eaten raw bread dough often have distended abdomens, disorientation, vomiting and a loss of coordination. Eating raw bread dough can lead to seizures, coma and even death.
These are a few examples of the worst foods you can feed your dog, but there are plenty others that can hurt your four-legged friend. To be safe, avoid feeding your dog anything that isn’t dog food – or learn what the best foods are for dogs. Remember, only a few are mentioned here; there are many more foods your dog must avoid in order to stay healthy.
The single most common mistake that new dog owners make at the shelter is to become emotional. You might feel sorry for one dog who looks sad or take a liking to another who is showing you affection, but neither of those things indicate whether the two of you will be a good match. Remember, you are committing to taking care of this living thing for the duration of its life; this isn’t a decision to be making on a whim.
Before you even get to the shelter, research different breeds to find one that suits you best. If you live in a small apartment, you should only be looking for small breeds. On the other hand, if you want a running partner, small breeds aren’t the best option for you. When you get to the shelter, you’ll find very few actual pure breed dogs, but you can often tell what their parents were.
There are a lot of pit bulls and Staffordshire terriers (the two are different, but the differences are extremely slight) in the shelters – mostly because people didn’t know how to train them or didn’t care to spend the time. These dogs can be amazing companions, but you have to commit to training them properly. If you don’t have the time or money to spend on a trainer, you might be better-suited to find a different breed.
Ultimately, you want a dog who shares your energy level. If you’re very active, you want a dog who loves to run and play, and doesn’t tire easily. If you just want a quiet companion, getting an overly-exuberant dog would be a recipe for disaster. One of the best ways to see if you two “click” is to take that dog on a walk. Some shelters won’t allow this, so you have to ask. It’s in this one-on-on time that the two of you will realize whether you’re a match made in heaven or a disaster waiting to happen.
