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Whether your dog has flown in cargo or in cabin, he will be delirious when he’s finally deplaned and on the ground. All he wants to do is get out, run and relieve himself. Not so fast. The area outside the baggage claim is a dangerous four-lane highway of cars, vans, buses and taxis. Before you leave the building, face your carrier toward an inside corner, open the door or flap just a crack, slide your hand in and attach the leash to your dog’s collar before opening the door fully. Then walk him on leash outside the building and toward a safe area.
Helen Fazio and her dog Raja are world travelers. Click here to visit their blog, and click here to follow them on Twitter. |
You are viewing entries tagged 'safety'.
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So your pup is having a great time in the sand and your visit to the beach is thus far a success. But now your canine friend is ready to take a refreshing dip and safety needs to be considered. Although most dogs can swim, there are great differences in ability and no dog should be left to swim unattended. Oceans, rivers and even inland lakes can have strong currents and undertows. Make sure that you are familiar with the local conditions before your pooch puts a paw in the water. Stay on the lookout for seaborne predators including jellyfish, which can make easy targets of swimming dogs. Swimming in moving water is very strenuous so closely watch your pet for signs of fatigue and exhaustion. Also, do your best to keep your pooch from drinking sea water. It can cause dehydration.
D. P. Hesano is a co-founder of the online dog wellness supply shop FidoDogTreats.com |
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Having a dog at a home with a swimming pool requires an additional level of safety considerations. First and foremost, your dog should not have any means of unintentional access to the pool. The pool needs to be fenced and gated. If you choose to allow your dog into the swimming pool, then your pooch needs to repeatedly be shown how to enter and exit the pool using the steps. The steps should also have a permanent, above water identifying mark such as a flag, landscape feature, etc. that will make the steps easily recognizable to a swimming dog. If you have a cover, then it needs to have enough rigidity to support the weight of your pooch. Many dogs have perished due to disorientation and entanglement in soft pool covers. Lastly, dogs should never be left unattended with access to the swimming pool.
Emma Rachel posts news and promotions on the FidoDogTreats Facebook Page |
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While many people will say dogs should not have “people food,” most dogs will do absolutely fine with wholesome, fresh, human-grade meats and other foods incorporated as part of their diet. In fact, many “people foods” that dogs like are much healthier than commercially available dog treats. Boiled chicken, yogurt, small bits of roast beef, a taste of baby food or tuna fish make extremely high value training treats and are not generally unhealthy provided in moderation. Dogs have walked the earth with us for tens of thousands of years. Kibble and prepared dog treats are actually rather modern inventions, and before that, dogs ate “people food” all the time because food was just, well, food!
Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY. |
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Snakes. Just the word alone can strike fear in the hearts of many. But snakes can be a real
consideration when enjoying life in the great outdoors with man’s best friend. Snakes can be found not only in the wilds of nature, but in our backyards. Dog snake bites are more common in southern and western states, but can happen anywhere snakes reside. Snake bites will most often occur between March and October when snakes are the most active. Every snake bite should always be treated as an emergency situation. A venomous snake bite can be fatal and a bite from a non-venomous snake can be harmful to your dog. When taking your dog for a walk be sure to use a leash and keep a distance from abandoned buildings, brush, bushes, long grass, and rocky areas that make great hiding places for these slithering serpents. Lauren Hope is a co-founder of the natural dog supply shop FidoDogTreats.com |
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Many of us hire lawn care professionals to help bring an emerald green shade to our grass. But when that same lawn is used by your pooch for play, rest and a place to potty, then special care needs to be taken to make sure that any lawn sprays used are pet-safe.
Many commercial lawn sprays contain herbicides or pesticides which can be very dangerous. Common fertilizers can also cause allergic reactions in some dogs. As those first signs of spring abound, now may be the time to make the switch to organic fertilizers. Common organic fertilizers include bone meal, kelp, seaweed and ever-popular manure. Fortunately, many landscape companies are becoming more aware of the increasing consumer demand for pet- and people-safe lawns and they are utilizing safe grass treatments. Emma Rachel posts useful information and special promotions to the FidoDogTreats Facebook page. |
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What’s the craziest thing your dog has ingested, and would it make the list of 2010′s most unusual objects ingested by pets from VPI Pet Insurance? Let’s hope not. VPI received nearly 2,000 foreign body ingestion claims. Among the common items pets consumed were socks, sticks and rocks. The odder items include a jellyfish, glue, a bikini, a baseball, a glass Christmas ornament, a bed sheet, a box of pencils, 16 steel wool pads and a barbecue brush. Let this incredible list serve as a reminder that many dogs will eat just about anything so be aware and keep your dog safe.
Woof Report is a free weekly email newsletter with pup-perfect dog care tips, news, products and more. Sign up at www.WoofReport.com. |
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When we take our dogs out for a walk in the winter, we’re subjecting their little paws to salt, chemical ice melters, bad weather auto fluids such as anti-freeze, and the snow and ice themselves. There are many different types of dog booties available. Here’s a quick rundown:
1. Disposable Dog Boots – these pull on and are usually made of rubber. There is a natural rubber alternative as well. 2. Neoprene Dog Boots – these have a neoprene top and rubber bottom. They are usually zip-ups. 3. Velcro Dog Boots – these often have a non-skid vinyl sole with a fleece lining. They are secured with velcro fasteners at the top. Consider ease of putting boots on, how well they stay on, if the material is comfortable and always measure for them accurately. Kelly is a pet writer. She lives in the Boston area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat. |
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A few spoonfuls of warm chicken soup can help your dog get his appetite back when he is under the weather. Also, tasty broth helps a dog make the transition from IV to solid food after an illness. It is important to choose the no MSG broth because your dog does not need any food additives when he is not feeling well.
I always choose low salt and organic as well (organic chicken broth is not expensive), but I will confess that sometimes the saltier broth is tastier and helps a reluctant eater lap up more on his own. To get him going, try dipping your finger in the broth and dropping a little on his tongue. 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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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. |
