You are viewing entries tagged 'exercise'.
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Do not leave tennis balls unattended with your dog. If he or she has strong jaws and chews on the ball it can pop into the back of her throat and cut off the air supply. Also, dogs who chew on tennis balls can wear down their teeth on the tough outer fuzz.
Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter. |
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As the cold sets in, many of us are reluctant to take our dogs for a bone-chilling visit to the park. But our pets require exercise to maintain proper physical health and emotional balance. Fortunately, indoor dog parks continue to proliferate while expanding their offerings and level of service. As with any occasion where our dogs will be socializing, we need to make sure that our pets mind their manners. Remember to bring a record of your dog’s vaccinations upon your first visit to a new indoor park as most will require that this information is kept on file. Leave sick pets at home as doggie illnesses will spread quickly in this environment. All owners must respond quickly to any distasteful doggie behavior. And don’t forget to clean up after your pooch to keep the park smelling fresh.
D. P. Hesano is co-founder of the all-natural online dog supply FidoDogTreats.com |
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Consider what type of play excites your dog. Does he like to chew, fetch, tug or hear strange sounds? Choose an appropriately-sized toy for your breed. And make sure that the toy is large enough that it won’t reach the back teeth where it can fall victim to those powerful canine jaws. Be sure the toy is both durable, easy to wash and well constructed. Perfectly round toys are the best shape for strong chewers and elongated shapes work well with the casual chewer.
Regularly inspect their toys for safety, and also rotate them to ensure maximum playtime fun. Heavy chewers should not be given toys that have stuffing, ropes or seams as they can easily come apart. Consider earth friendly dog toys for sustainable doggy fun. L. Hope Hesano researches new products for the dog shop FidoDogTreats.com |
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Dogs that live in communities with other dogs or go for walks in neighborhoods where there are many dogs out and about become naturally socialized towards getting along. Dogs that grow up in isolation as single dogs in environments where there are few other dogs never get the chance to experience the normal give and take, the sniff and bark, of normal encounters.
If your dog is mainly an isolated dog, please consider doggy socials, either ones you’ve organized yourself among your friends or at major pet chains. Learning how to be a dog with other dogs is just as important for your pet as learning how to live with humans. Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
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Back to school time creates a flurry of activities: medical visits, new clothes, new supplies, and new schedules for kids. And for parents, the many jobs to get ready for the big day are daunting. When it finally comes, parents are relieved and can finally relax. But what about the family dog? Fifi’s best friends have all gone away for hours, or days at a time. And when they come home, they have so many other things to interest them. For attentive dog owners, back to school time is a transition and an opportunity to reconnect personally with the family dog and reestablish old patterns of caring and companionship that the chaotic days of summer fun have interrupted. Go take a walk in the park, just you two!
Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
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Walks give your dog a chance to explore the world while spending time in your company. Unfortunately, walks can also involve some danger. There might be strange edible things on the ground, cars may whip around corners unexpectedly, and squirrels, cats, other dogs, and people can appear out of nowhere.
Giving walks your undivided attention will allow you to better enjoy the experience with your dog and spot hazards in advance. Walks are not an appropriate time to catch up on phone calls or text your friends. Take advantage of the opportunity to commune with your dog and your surroundings instead. You and your dog will have a good time and be safer too! Irith Bloom is the owner of The Sophisticated Dog, a company offering pet-friendly training services to clients in Los Angeles. |
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Before you take your pup there next, review these tips to help you brush up on your dog park etiquette.
1. Some essential items to bring with you include a leash, poop bags and water. 2. Make sure your pup is up-to-date on shots. 3. Consider your dog’s temperament with other animals and kids. If your pooch is overly aggressive or if you don’t feel confident that you can control him, he may not be well-suited to run free with other dogs. 4. Keep the gate securely closed to ensure all the dogs remain safely inside. 5. Always supervise your pup. Keep Fido and children within sight and hearing distance. 6. Keep food, treats and toys out of sight to avoid conflicts or territorial behavior. Emma Zemba is a co-founder of FidoDogTreats.com where you can receive special discounts via Twitter. |
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Whether at home or the dog park, look for dogs who: have their cackles up (that strip of fur at the top of the shoulders), have their tail down (even if it’s wagging slightly), have a penetrating stare, and/or have a stiff body.
If a fight breaks out, do not jump into the middle of it. Instead, pull your dog back by the collar or back legs. Note, though, that this can be dangerous, as a dog might, accidentally of course, bite you. Other thoughts are to carry citronella spray, a squirt bottle, a loud horn, or, for Pit Bulls, a breaking stick. At home, you can keep objects they might fight over out of the way (including blankets, cardboard – anything they could “own”). Of course, obedience training and leashing your dog will go a long way. Kelly is a pet writer. She lives in the Boston area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat. |
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The greatest advantage of food dispensing toys and games is that they provide your dog with much needed physical AND mental stimulation. Bored dogs are ill-behaved dogs.
You are the most important food dispensing toy. Instead of giving your dog her food for free, make her work for it through fun, frequent, and positive training sessions. On a rainy day, divide the dog’s food between all family members and play a game of hide-and-seek with your dog to practice her recall. On a busy day, make your dog a “kibble hunt,” hiding the food through your house or yard and letting her use her nose to find it. Let her learn to earn, and you will have a happier, better-behaved dog! Casey Lomonaco is the owner of Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY. She is an award-winning author and contributor to numerous electronic and print animal training publications. |
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There are a variety of food-dispensing puzzle toys on the market. Nina Ottosson toys are a classic, but can be expensive for many dog owners. Relatively new on the market is a less costly alternative, the Aikiou.
You may also make your own very basic food dispensing puzzle toy by treats or food in the depressions in a muffin tin, covering each with a tennis ball and having your dog figure out how to remove the tennis balls to get to the food. Casey Lomonaco is the owner of Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY. She is an award-winning author and contributor to numerous electronic and print animal training publications. |
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