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Securing Your Garden

Dogs are quite inquisitive creatures and they love to explore their surroundings. They can walk off into far off areas if you do not curtail their wanderings. Hence, the first step in keeping your dog safe would be to secure your garden with a fence. A proper fence will also keep stray dogs from coming into your premises, and interacting with your dog.

All dogs are quite clever, and are quite expert escape artists. Therefore, the fence has to be quite strong, and tall. Larger breeds can jump to quite a height, and even a small foothold is enough for them to scamper over the fence.Also, make sure you do not leave any gap at the bottom of the fence and the ground should be hard enough to prevent your dog from digging a tunnel under the fence.

Certain dogs are also very sensitive and get distressed when they see other dogs walk past the outside of the fence. In such a case, you can install panels to a certain height to restrict their vision, and this will keep them more relaxed.

Hazardous Chemicals

Most of the products you may use in your garden are poisonous for dogs. Especially weed killers and slug pellets are quite toxic and can kill your pet. When you buy garden products make sure they are safe for pets by reading all the information on the label.

Certain weed killers will carry a pet-safe label, but on reading the fine print, you will find that the chemical is only safe for your pet when it has dried. Keep your dog indoors for a few days, after you have sprayed your garden with insecticides.

All packets and containers of garden products should be kept in a secure location where your dog cannot enter. Also, keep compost heap out of your dog’s reach.

Poisonous Plants

Many plants that we commonly grow in our gardens can be toxic for your dog and can even prove fatal if ingested. Most dogs like to dig and get to the bulbs or roots of plants, which they find quite attractive and mistake for a food item.

Here is a list of certain commonly grown garden plants that can be dangerous or fatal for dogs:

• Aloe Vera
• Rhododendron
• Begonia
• Foxglove
• Baby’s Breath
• Castor Bean
• Cyclamen
• Daffodil
• Gladiola
• Ivy
• Lilies
• Milkweed
• Oleander
• Sago Palm
• Tulip
• Yew

Garden Tools and Equipment

Dogs are playful creatures and they will pick up any object that catches their fancy. Hence, do not leave any garden tools lying around, as sharp blades or points can cause injury even if your dog steps on them.

And of course, it is not advisable to use mechanized equipment like lawn mowers when your dog is in the garden. To find more information on reliable garden equipments visit http://www.sprinklersystemstore.com/.

Ponds and Pools

Dogs are quite good swimmers, but if they are caught in a tangle of weeds or plants growing in the pond, they can drown.

Secondly, swimming pools are not safe for puppies or small breeds. If you have a water body in the garden it is best to keep it covered, or restrict access of your dog to that area.

A garden is a beautiful area, but it can be harmful to your dog if you do not take the necessary precautions. These guidelines should help give you a few good ideas on how to keep your dog safe.

However, there are a lot of things that you need to consider before taking your pooch away with you. Pets are 100% reliant on you, so you need to make sure you are prepared for every eventuality of taking your doggie away with you.

Check if where you are going actually allows dogs

This may seem obvious, but it would be a huge pain if you got to wherever you were staying with your beloved pet, and they were not allowed in! Many B&Bs and hotels in for example Hawaii and the UK do allow pets, and if they do they often have very detailed rules, like no sleeping on the furniture, but it is best to double check before booking to be sure.

Do not forget the essentials!

We all know how annoying it is when you finally get to your destination and you realize that you have forgotten your favorite flip flops, sun cream, or bikini. Forgetting your dog’s essentials can be just as much of a nightmare.

Always remember a lead and collar, with a separate ID tag for where you will be staying on your holiday, “just in case” your dog decides to take himself for a walk.

And do not forget to bring some of their favorite toys, you might love lounging by the pool all day, but you pooch might get bored very easily.

Check if your dog needs any extra jabs

With dogs, the same as with humans, if you are going out of the country, they may need extra jabs to make sure they are safe against any local infections and diseases. Laws and guidelines have been changing a lot recently, so it is best to check with your vet for further information to ensure that your pet is safe and vaccination ready for travel.

Pack enough food to last the holiday

Rapid change in diet can cause an upset stomach in dogs, especially if the food is prescribed by your vet. Do not always assume you will be able to buy your selected dog food brand everywhere, so it is vital that you plan ahead.

Work out how much food you will need to last you for your holiday, and then bring a little extra more, “just in case.” Think about how unhappy you would be if you were ill on holiday! A well fed dog is a happy dog.

Prepare for long journeys

Car journeys can be a very stressful experience for a dog, especially if they are only used to shorter journeys. Dogs, like humans, get travel sick very easily, which would not be a pleasant experience for the pet or the owners!

Make sure you plan your route with plenty of opportunity for comfort breaks for your dog, allowing them to relax, stretch their legs and break up the journey into manageable chunks of break-stop runs or rests top retreats will, hopefully make it a lot less traumatizing for your little four legged loved one.

Elle works for No1 Traveller lounges in Birmingham and No1 Traveller Lounges Gatwick as a travel writer and pet lover!

]]> http://tailsofhawaii.com/dog-health/5-top-tips-for-taking-your-pooch-away-on-vacation-with-you/feed/ 0 http://tailsofhawaii.com/dog-health/how-to-give-your-puppy-cpr/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-give-your-puppy-cpr http://tailsofhawaii.com/dog-health/how-to-give-your-puppy-cpr/#comments Fri, 31 Aug 2012 22:35:53 +0000 leeann http://tailsofhawaii.com/?p=1445 Continue reading →]]> Puppy CPR

Everyone loves puppies. Cute smiles, wiggly tails, sometimes they almost seem human. To many of us our pets are thought of as children. But can you take care of your puppy in an emergency?

Our four legged friends are not built like us, and often require special care, especially in emergency situations. In this guide brought to you by Carrington we will show you the correct way to administer CPR to your furry best friend. Special attention is needed when a puppy is involved!

Even if you are trained in emergency rescue for humans you will still need to follow guidelines so that you don’t harm your shaggy best friend. Follow our precise guide and you will soon be on your way to being prepared to care for man’s best friend!

We provide a fully illustrated walk through of the steps to administering proper CPR to your puppy, so you can be prepared.

Via the Carrington College Veterinary Assistant Program

Anxiety

As with humans, anxiety is an issue that plagues many in the dog world. Dogs can become anxious because of a new person or animal in the house, or they can feel stressed out when their owners are gone for the day. Anxiety can lead a dog to destroy items around the house or to start going to the bathroom indoors. Instead of disciplining the dog, behavior modification specialists look to the root of the problem: anxiety. They work to ease the anxiety that the dog is feeling so that he or she can handle separation or new beings in the home properly.

Creating a “Teamwork” Setup

In traditional models of dog training, you’ll see the owner simply stating a command and the dog obeying the command. Behavior modification does emphasize the importance of the dog having respect for the owner. However, part of that respect comes from the owner making modifications. For example, if the dog’s anxiety cannot be fully eliminated, the owner can hire a dog walker or pet sitter to come over during the day to provide the dog with some company. If the dog is frequently running around the house and knocking down valuable objects, the owner can limit the dog to a certain part of the home. Additionally, the owner should take the dog out for more walks or to a doggy park for some exercise and play time with the other local dogs.

The Help of a Professional

Another positive of behavior modification practices is that they are generally positively reinforced by the help of a professional. You might wonder why this is so important. Well, behavior modification specialists can help you to better understand your dog. They will likely know training techniques and methods of which you are not aware. Once you have completed a number of sessions with them, you will feel as though you are better able to communicate with your pup. Perhaps you’ve felt silly about calling a trainer to help with simple commands such as “No” or “Stay.” However, now you may realize that a professional can help you get to the underlying causes of your dog’s disobedience, and hopefully you realize that it is not a silly undertaking at all. Some people get rid of their dogs because they will not try hard enough to train them. You don’t have to be one of those people who abandon a pet.

Clearly, behavior modification training for dogs has some wonderful benefits. Most importantly, it will deepen the bond that you have with your canine friend.

This guest post was provided on behalf of Bark Busters, offering customized in-home puppy training services in throughout Canada.  For more information please visit, http://www.barkbusters.ca

Dogs and cats are interesting creatures because of their fondness for their human owners. While people enjoy having some of each, this typically does not work out because of the behavior of the animals among each other.

On one hand dogs are very aggressive and territorial, but they are also very loyal to their owners and are often more intelligent than many other animals one can own. Cats can be crazy and downright mean, but when treated right can be very loving and a joy to be around any time of the day.

Knowing the major differences between taking care of each is a good way to decide which one will work best in someone’s household.

The Daily Care Difference

Daily care for a dog and a cat varies drastically because of their overall nature. Cats can easily stay inside for an extended period of time and use the liter box, but dogs do not have the same luxury.

Besides taking a dog out for bathroom breaks, they typically need to just go outside to run around and expel the energy they have not been able to use from being in the home all day. While most walks serve as multipurpose, most owners will find they want to take their pet to different places with them as they go about their daily activities.

This can be easy if going to a large outdoor area, but some places will simply not accommodate a pet. Cats, although they do not need to go outdoors often, will often shed and spread litter throughout the home which means it must be cleaned quite often.

People with hard floors will not have too much of an issue, but carpeting will trap much of the dander and hair that can cause bad allergy problems. Dogs suffer from this too but typically shed less hair depending on the breed involved.

Health Depends On The Breed

Even though both cats and dogs can suffer from health problems, picking the right breed of each is important to ensure they have a long and healthy life. Some breeds have major health issues and require a lot of vet visits while others almost never have to make visits.

Making sure one is in the position to provide a pet the care it needs throughout its life is important; otherwise, the pet may feel neglected and become angrier as time goes on. Dog ear infections may be common among some breeds while dog cataracts can be issues with others, but properly taking care of the pet can prevent these from becoming a problem.

This includes providing them with the proper nutrition along with high quality dog food. These simple steps can mean the difference between a long, healthy life and one that is not enjoyable to live.

Eric Blair writes about dogs and how to keep them healthy by using the advice at www.MyCanineHealth.com and canine care best practices.

Can Dogs See in Color?

Many sources on the internet suggest that dogs can actually see in color, due to the fact that they possess not only the ‘rods’ within their eye when light images filter through, but vitally that they also possess ‘cones’ within the eye, which is known to interpret different color schemes in the human eye.

A dog’s cones react at different light settings to humans, with a common theory suggesting that a dog’s sight is similar to that of a human with the relatively common red-green color blindness condition, with the specific dog form thought to be deuteranopia, as a result of a slightly altered neuron light receiving structure in comparison to a conventional human eye.

This essentially means that dogs do in fact see the world in a similar method do us, although they may confuse certain colors such as seeing their perceived favorite ‘yellow’ food bowl in a more neutral dull grey color scheme, perhaps rendering the question then of why they would seem so attracted by certain colors, or maybe it depends more on whether food is involved in terms of dog dish colors!

Color Perception

It is believed that dogs are lacking in number of color receptive cones in relation to humans, which may mean that dogs cannot discern color as quickly or as accurately as we humans can. What may also be a factor is our increased cognitive ability to dissect the color cues feeding into the eye and interpret them in a more complex fashion in relation to a dog, which has led many to believe that our rainbow spectrum of sight which includes colors such orange, yellow and green may actually appear similar to a dog, with them only able to determine distinctive colors such as reds, blues, indigos and violets.

 Verdict

So it may appear that the long held veterinary myth of dogs seeing in black and white has been dispelled, with dogs actually seeing the world in a color blinded state, but nonetheless certainly in color of some kind, although we appear to boast a much greater ability to determine between various color hues in relation to our favorite canine companions.

Amy blogs about eyesight of our favorite animal companions for leading glasses online providers Direct Sight.

For most people, their pet is just like any other member of the family. When our pets are sick or suffering from a medical condition, it can be heart breaking. If your dog or cat has a tumor or is suffering from another illness, you will want to know as much information as you can about it. By understanding what it is your animal is suffering from, you will be able to make the best choices on how to treat their condition. With some research and studying, you can find the best way to treat them so that they can live a long and happy life.

Look On The Internet

The first and most obvious place to find information regarding your pet’s health is the internet. The internet is full of information about all types of pet illnesses. Find websites run by animal professionals to be sure you are getting knowledgeable information. You may also be able to find pet forums and blogs where you can chat with other pet owners regarding a specific medical condition or illness. This information should give you good ideas on how to best treat your pet. You may find alternative treatments that you had never thought of before.

Talk To Your Vet

The other place to get solid information is with your vet. Your veterinarian should be able to sit down and speak with you regarding your pet’s condition. They will be able to provide you with a ton of great information. You should also be able to get paperwork and pamphlets regarding issues like tumors in dogs or cataracts in dogs.  The information you get from your vet will be the most reliable. You can take what they give you and then do further research on your own. Don’t just take the advice of professionals. With your own research, you might make a completely different decision based on the needs of your pet.

Be Informed To Help Your Pet

There is a huge amount of information out there regarding any pet illness. The more informed you are, the more you will be able to do for your pet. With thorough research, you will find the best way to treat them. You may choose to use alternative methods based on the information that you find. Your pet is just like any member of your family. This means they deserve the best treatment possible when they are sick. The more you know the happier they will be in the long run.  Take some time to find out everything you can.

Eric Blair is a writer for NuVet Labs, a company that is dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles for millions of dogs and cats through its line of supplements. Instead of covering up symptoms, their products attack the causes of disease such as cataracts in dogs. NuVet Labs has been developing its product line for over eight years and uses an FDA approved laboratory with natural, human grade ingredients in all of its compounds.

If you are someone passionate about your pet, iPhone apps have you covered, giving you information on everything from how to choose a dog breed to the dangers of mosquito bites to puppies.

For those that have been sifting through a sea of iPhone apps looking for something fun, entertaining or informative relating to pets, here are five top picks for you to check out.

Five Perfect iPhone Apps for Dog Lovers

Petsbook

A conscientious pet owner always has their pet’s health and happiness in mind. This comprehensive pet app allows you to create profiles for all of your dogs, including photos and vital stats, in order to better keep track of their needs and development. Petsbook does it all, from holding vet information and appointment dates to calculating human age and alerting you when it’s time for a bath.

All Pets Radio

Perhaps you are a dog owner who prefers to listen to, rather than read, information on your animals. All Pets Radio is an app with the answer, broadcasting exclusively on pets, including interesting facts, helpful tips and the latest news in health care. The content covers all types of pets and is available all day with a wide variety of pod casts to satisfy the most ardent animal enthusiast.

Petfinder

This highly decorated app helps animal-lovers locate the perfect dog, with nearly 300,000 pets from thousands of shelters and rescue centers. Petfinder lets you search by categories like breed, age and size, view photos and background information, and share what you like by email, Facebook or Twitter. You’ll even find contact information and directions to the location of your future pet, as well as happy adoption stories from fellow users.

Touch Pets Dogs 2

If for some reason you can’t have a pet right now, then Touch Pets Dogs 2 is the animal app for you. In this virtual pet world you get to adopt your own puppy, play and care for it, and even dress it up a little. With Touch Pets Dogs 2 you can also create a custom play area for your dog with exciting features, treats and more.

Dog Compatibility Test

Dogs may be man’s best friend, but not all breeds match well with their human owners. Dog Compatibility Test helps pinpoint the dog breed that’s right for you, taking into account things like lifestyle, temperament and living quarters. It even lets you test the compatibility of your dog to a new animal you are thinking of adding to the family, or a friend’s dog coming over to play.

The Tail End

Like so many things in life, iPhone apps make being a pet owner easier and entertaining. Check out each of these apps that dog lovers are likely to love and discover a few new ones of your own along the way.

This post provided by guest blogger Michelle Deaven, a writer interested in how iPhone apps can help you pick your pet and protect them from mosquito diseases.

Treats

One of the first things that you need to decide is how you are going to reward your puppy’s good behavior.  Many people use dog treats. This option is fine, but there are a few problems that you should watch out for.

First, make sure that the treats are actually something nutritional and not just doggy junk food filled with preservatives. Second, only use small amounts of food as a reward or you run the risk of having an overweight dog over time.

Clicker

Some people like training with a dog clicker. These are small, usually plastic devices which make a clicking sound when pressed. The idea behind this method is to associate positive feedback with the sound of the clicker as a means of boosting reinforcement for good behavior. Studies show that using a clicker can actually reduce your training time by a third.

Collar

Having the right training collar is also important. Stay away from choker collars as these can apply excessive force to the neck of your puppy. Use a halter or a head collar instead. Keep a short lead available for walking and a long lead for teaching your dog “stay” and “come” commands.

Pens

Dog pens are special enclosures designed for dogs. Both indoor and outdoor dog pens are great training equipment for you and your puppy. Just make sure to choose the right size for your needs.

Toys

Having toys available to break up training sessions is also a good idea. Keep hard rubber toys that are tough enough to handle the chewing and rough play of a puppy. Avoid shoes and other household items that your dog might chew on.

I hope this have been helpful and have fun with your training sessions!

If you have a pet dog that you love then any measure taken for his or her safety wouldn’t seem enough. If you have a pup, an adult or a fully mature dog, you are always hoping that they never fall ill and remain in the best of health. However, bad times do not give a warning before coming, which is why you must choose the safer way out, get dog insurance!

There are 3 basic kinds of insurance for dogs. They are as follows -

• Life Time Cover

• Condition based Cover

• Annual Cover

Each of these insurance policies has their own relevance to the life stage your dog is in. When you select an insurance cover for your pet dog, ensure that it covers everything right from the basic wellbeing of your dog to the travel insurance if required. Look out for those policies that you offer you maximum benefits at the lowest premium.

The Life Time Cover

If we look at the Life Time coverage type of insurance for dogs, it is the most expensive kind of insurance for your pet, but the benefits are huge. It covers your pet dog for the on-going illnesses that may arise year after year. This means it is actually a good coverage policy as it can save you a lot of the veterinary treatment costs. Thus, even though it charges a high premium, having it would mean that you can be rest assured about the health of your pet dog.

The Condition based Cover

The other type of dog insurance, which is the condition based cover as the name suggests is for specific health conditions that your dog may face. Unlike the others, they are not time bound. This means that you can claim the condition for as long as it would take until you reach the monetary limit. However, there are some insurance providers that have specific terms and conditions with regards to certain breeds of dogs.

The Annual Cover

The annual cover on the other hand, is considered the cheapest form of the insurance for dogs as it involves a monthly premium that can be claimed after maturity of the insurance. The claim amount is quite less as well, which is the main reason why this kind of insurance is comparatively cheaper. The annual cover is highly beneficial when you need to make claims that occur in unexpected situations you may face with regards to your dog’s health.

Whichever policy you select remember this; ‘cheap’ does not spell ‘good’, if you choose an insurance that is cheap, it is not necessary that you get the best out of it, at worst, you might end up spending way more than you ever expected owing to the hidden charges etc. Always go for a reputed insurance provider and make comparisons between the policies to finally settle on the best.

You will find a host of dog insurance providers on the net that will try to grab your attention by quoting their various offers and discounts, However, only a trusted online comparison site will help you sail through this dilemma. Offers and discounts are a good way to save on your dog insurance, using a price comparison site will help you make an informed decision on the right policy for you.

Within the various categories of insurance for dogs, you will also find the types of offered coverage. They too are easily categorized into 3 types as listed below;

• Accident

• Illness

• Routine Care

The Accident coverage

The coverage for accidents constitutes to be the most affordable and primary type of insurance for your pet. Almost all the dogs usually qualify for this cover irrespective of their age, breed or health issues. Most of the accidental insurance covers lacerations, poison ingestion, insect bites, injuries from car accidents or falls, broken bones etc. All the veterinary expenses along with the prescribed medication, hospitalization, X-rays too are covered that emerge after the accident occurs.

The Illness Coverage

A lot of the concerned pet owners insure their pet dogs against both the accidents as well as specific illnesses that a dog is prone to. While most of the dogs qualify for this cover, a few do not due to their breed or their age. Most insurance companies for dogs have different terms and conditions with regards to any particular breed.

The commonly seen illnesses that dogs are prone to include asthma, allergies, arthritis, joint and bone issues, canine epilepsy, cancer, knee injury, eye disorders, ear infections, heart diseases, gastro intestinal issues, thyroid disease, skin problems and the likes.

However, if the disease that your dog catches was preventable with necessary vaccinations then you could be denied the claim, again this differs from company to company. Veterinary expenses covered typically include the diagnostic tests, treatments, hospitalization, prescribed medication etc.

The Routine Care Coverage

The routine care coverage which is also known as the wellness coverage is a much more comprehensive cover. This type of cover normally includes annual check-ups, heartworm tests, vaccinations, neutering and spaying, dental care etc. However, not all the insurance providers have routine care coverage in their policies and this type of cover is usually an addition to your existing policy.

You need to provide the best insurance for your dog. Finding the right policy can sometime be a difficult process. By comparing dog insurance with the use of a pet insurance comparison site you will be able to single out the right insurance policy for your pet.

Getting the correct insurance is very difficult and a confusing process if you don’t know much about it! This article makes the understanding of dog insurance very easy. My name is Rob and I write articles about pets. We run a care centre for animals and run a leading Pet Insurance Website; http://www-petinsurance.com/