Introducing Your Dog To A New Baby

dog-hugs-baby5

Babies act, smell, and behave a lot differently than humans. Dogs can be a little put off and not necessarily in a bad way. But it is a new experience for them and introducing them to your new baby is something that needs to be done carefully and with patience in mind. Here are some tips to safely introduce your dog to a new baby.

Good Impressions

Your dog should have an enjoyable experience with a new baby the moment he sees it. When you bring the baby home, make sure everyone he’s used to seeing enters first. This is to make sure all of that excitement is out before the baby is actually in the house. Have your dog leashed, even if your dog is the nicest on the block. And stay calm. Have plenty treats as a reward for any calm reaction your dog has toward the baby. Try to avoid scolding. Doing so will associate the baby with negative behavior. It should be a very positive experience.

Choose a Quiet Space

When letting your dog investigate the new baby, you want to make sure it’s in a quiet room. Have someone leash and hold your dog and make sure to have the baby cradled in your arms.

Make sure when you invite your dog to approach the baby, it’s in a calm, gentle tone. If you’re comfortable with it, allow your dog to sniff the baby, but continue to do so while talking to him gently.

Conclusion

Introducing your dog to a new baby is something that makes a lot of parents nervous and for good reason. It’s understandable as animals can be unpredictable, regardless of how well you know them. So take this slow. Make it a deliberate process to help your dog interact with your little one. If long interactions don’t make you very comfortable, try brief ones throughout the day. You’re still getting some introduction time in, but at a pace with which you’re most comfortable.

 

Are Two Pets Better than One?

There is no denying the fact that owning a pet can add value to your life. The unconditional love and affection they provide coupled with their adorable antics can make your life rich with joy. This is why many people want to add a second pet to their life. But is this wise? There are a few aspects to consider with this.

 

The Cost

The first thing you should know is that two pets are more expensive than one. This is because you will have to pay double for food, vaccines, vet visits, grooming and everything else you spend on your pet. While they may be able to share some of their toys, you will need to have more toys for them to play with.

 

Attention from You

Another aspect to consider with this is the amount of attention that will be required with two pets. You will need to give them equal attention so they do not get upset. This is not a good idea if you do not have enough time to devote to one pet at the moment. Even if you have a spouse or children who can devote attention, you want to be sure that both animals will get the love and attention they deserve, as it will affect both of them.

 

Your Current Pet’s Temperament

It is also important that you understand the temperament of your pet. While you may have the ideal vision of your pets playing and napping together like they were twins separated at birth, this may not be how it works out in the long run. If you are not sure how your pet is with other animals, it may be helpful to offer to pet sit for a friend or family member as this will give you a better understanding of how your dog reacts.

 

Having two pets can help to complete your family. However, this is not something that is right for everyone. By considering these different factors you will be able to determine if this is the right choice for your family.

How to find the right pet sitter for when you go on vacation

Owning a pet is an amazing experience. While you are going to go through heartache and sadness from time to time, the amount of joy pets give you is truly unmatched by anything else. Of course, it is not always possible to travel with your pets, no matter how much you might want to. If you don’t have someone staying at home or a friend who can watch your pet, you need to find the right pet sitter for you and your pet.

Ask Around

First, ask your other friends who have pets if they use someone specific for their pet sitting. Chances are you are going to find someone who is able to help you out with this. Whether it is a friend of their family or an actual service, you can find locate several individuals through this who provide sitting services.

Look Online

There are many ways to locate pet sitting services now. This can range from them living in their actual home to more of a kennel setup. Ultimately, it is just going to depend on what you feel comfortable with and what your pet might like. Some pets enjoy being with other animals at the same time while others might work better just in the individual household. These services can help you out.

Comfort

Most importantly, you need to feel comfortable with the individual and the facility. Make sure to schedule a meet and greet and ring your pet along with you. This way, not only you can determine if you feel comfortable with the individual and services they provide, but your pet can feel comfortable as well. It often helps when they see you interact with the individual and meet them ahead of time in terms of their general comfort when you are not around.

Tips for Bringing Your Dog to Work

Bringing your dog to work is a great way to break up mundane routines while giving you a chance to spend time with your best friend while on the job. When you want to bring your dog into work, there are a few tips to help smooth the process of bringing a pet in and introducing it into a new environment.

Get Permission

Before thinking of bringing your dog to work, it is essential to get permission from your manager or employer directly. Getting permission to bring your dog to work is important to reduce the risk of bringing an animal into the workplace if you have co-workers with severe allergies or fears.

Have Your Dog Vaccinated

Have your dog vaccinated and get any routine shots that are necessary before bringing him or her to work to minimize the risk of potential injuries or illness to others.

Create a Safe Space for Your Dog in the Workplace

Create a safe space for your dog at work by bringing blankets, toys and special treats from home to help make him or her more comfortable. Having a designated area where your dog stays throughout the day can also help you to keep a better on on him at all times. Bring treats, food and a fresh supply of water along with toys to keep your dog happy without bothering others while you are working.

Ensure Your Dog is Well-Trained for Social Environments

Any time you plan to take your dog where other individuals are present it is necessary to feel comfortable enough with your animal in social environments. Ensuring your dog is well-trained for social environments is possible by taking him for walks, to public parks and introducing him to large groups of people before bringing him into work.

Knowing how to bring your dog to work without a hassle is a way to reduce the risk of embarrassment or being told to return your dog home once you are actually working. The more familiar you are with your dog’s habits, behaviors, and abilities to interact with others, the easier it is to gauge whether or not he or she is ready to go to work with you.

Benefits of Pets

kidsDogs1

When adopting a pet, it does not matter if you purchase her from the local pet store or save him from the local humane society, once a pet enters your home they are quickly going to become part of your family. When welcoming a new animal to your home, they are going to be more than just there to greet you when you enter the door or bark at individuals who pass by the house. If you have never adopted a pet before, you probably have not truly experienced all of the benefits of owning a pet.

Meet People

Whether you are new to the area or you are just looking for new friends, there really is nothing better than having a pet with you. Dogs are perfect for interacting with individuals, as there are probably cafes and restaurants near your home that allow you to eat and sit with your four-leged friend. There are even pet social media websites that allow you to communicate and meet others who have pets and share your same interests.

Stay Healthy

It is a proven fact that individuals with a pet are going to weight less than those who do not have a pet. Whether it is chasing a cat around the house or taking your dog for a walk, owning a pet is an excellent exercise option. There are all sorts of different activities you can do with your pet, including jogging, hiking or even yoga (yes, there is yoga classes for dogs).

Beat the Blues

Pets know when you are feeling down. Whether it is a sixth sense or they can read your emotions, they are always there to lend you a shoulder to cry on or just a buddy to snuggle with. There is a reason there are pets used in therapy sessions around the world.

What To Do When Your Dog Eats Something He Shouldn’t

Animals discover information about their environment by smelling and tasting first, and then using their vision and hearing as back-up “detectors”. Dogs are no exception to this instinctual behavior and often suffer consequences from simply wanting more information about the world around them.

Dangerous to a Dog’s Health

Hazardous substances lurk indoors and outdoors for curious dogs intrigued by things that smell (and possibly taste) interesting. Common items consumed by dogs that may induce poisoning include:

  • Medications–depending on the type of medication the dog consumes, one pill may be toxic while two pills may not harm the dog. Always call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your dog has ingested any kind of medication
  • Pesticides–sweet-smelling pesticides meant to attract mice, rats and other pests also attract other mammals like dogs and cats. In addition, your dog’s flea and tick collar may make him ill if it falls off and he decides to chew on it.
  • Antifreeze–the ethylene glycol in antifreeze that prevents your car’s radiator system from freezing in the winter is sweet-tasting but toxic to your dog. Don’t leave antifreeze jugs uncovered in your garage and always fix broken radiators so that your dog doesn’t lick antifreeze leaks laying on your driveway.
  • Plants and flowers–hyacinths, tulips, azaleas and hydrangeas are just a few plants that may poison your dog if he eats them

Other consumables potentially toxic to dogs: chocolate, onions, garlic, xylitol (found in toothpaste), grapes, raisins and avocados.

Signs That Your Dog May Be Poisoned

  • Excessive drooling
  • Extreme thirst
  • Disorientation/lethargy/clumsiness
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Difficulty breathing/panting
  • Muscle tremors
  • Nosebleeds
  • Seizures or convulsions

Treatment for Poisoned Dogs

The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center urges dog owners to take unconscious or seizing dog to an emergency veterinary clinic as soon as possible. If you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic substance but the dog is not in distress, you can call the ASPCA at 888-426-4435 for professional advice about what to do or your local veterinarian.

Surprising Household Cleaning Supplies that are Dangerous for Pets

Cleaning-supplies-1al6xdr

Most people use a variety of cleaning supplies throughout the home, never realizing the potential hazards these products pose to their furry friends. A startling number of common household cleaning products contain chemicals that are harmful to pets. Here is a look at some of the most dangerous chemicals, as well as the surprising places you will find them.

Pine Oil

Pine oil is common in all-purpose cleaners such as Pine Sol. The oil is actually the distilled resin of pine trees. Pine oil is dangerous to dogs, cats and birds. Early symptoms of pine oil poisoning include irritation inside the mouth, drooling and vomiting. It can also cause an upset stomach and a fever. Severe cases of pine oil poisoning can damage the central nervous system and kidneys. Pine oil can also cause lung damage if your pet inhales it.

Formaldehyde

This chemical is widely recognized as poisonous, leading many pet owners to assume that it doesn’t have many household uses. However, formaldehyde can be found in a variety of products. It is common in laundry detergent, dish soap, furniture polish, body wash and hand soap. Shockingly, it can even be found in Nature’s Miracle and Zodiac pet shampoos. When inhaled, formaldehyde causes asthma in pets, and it is also a known carcinogen in humans and animals.

Glycol Ethers

Glycol ethers are found in carpet cleaners, spot removers and glass cleaners. This chemical can be difficult to spot in cleaning products. Check the labels for “glycol.” Some of the most common glycol ethers are ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and diethylene glycol. This substance can cause anemia, kidney damage and lung damage in dogs and cats.

Ammonia

Most pet owners are aware that ammonia is a dangerous substance. However, they might not realize how common it is among cleaning products. Ammonia is often found in oven cleaners, degreasers, glass cleaners and stainless steel polish. It can cause irritation or burns to mucous membranes, and your pets can develop asthma after inhaling the fumes.

The Importance of Pet Hydration

272683-brussels-griffon

Summertime is coming quickly and even pets can succumb to the heat. That is why it is ever so important to be mindful and vigilant of them, too. Like children, they can easily become overwhelmed by the scorching heat, especially pets that live further south where the heat is beyond hot. But, regardless of how hot it is, Summer is the time to make sure pets are not left in vehicles and that they are properly hydrated. They may get sick or even die if they are not.

Keep in mind that outdoor pets are especially at risk. Some will not even drink water that becomes warm due to sunshine or heat. So besides keeping an eye on the water bowl, try to utilize other methods for keeping your pet hydrated. For example, switching to wet pet food instead of dry food helps to combat dehydration. Using ice cubes as a treat also keep the pet both cool and hydrated.

Additional things that can be done include providing as much shade as possible for your pet and limiting the amount of exercise an animal gets during the hottest hours of the day. Animals, like people, can get heat stroke if they become too hot and dehydrated. Watch your animal’s behavior closely to prevent this from happening. And remember, of course, the best way to prevent it is to keep your pet as cool as possible and as well watered as possible.

How to Avoid Puppy Mills

download

Puppy mills have received a lot of media attention in recent years, but it can still be difficult to avoid them if you’ve never purchased a dog before. Puppy mills are notorious for breeding as many puppies as they can and making the animals live in horrible conditions. Here are some helpful tips to avoid buying a dog from a puppy mill.

Avoid Pet Stores

A pet store might seem like a safe place to get a puppy, but many of these stores receive puppies from puppy mills. They can buy the pets really cheap from these mills and then sell them for a much bigger profit.

Visit the Breeder’s Facility

If you plan on buying a puppy from a breeder, visit the breeder’s facility beforehand. Make sure the facility is clean and the dogs have plenty of room to move around. If a breeder seems really hesitant to show you the facility, it is a bad sign. A reputable breeder will want to show you around and make sure his puppies are going to a good home.

Adopt from an Animal Rescue Center

To be really safe, adopt a dog from an animal rescue center. The people who run these rescue centers have the pets’ best interest in mind.

If you follow these helpful tips, you can avoid puppy mills and bring home a healthy pet.

1 3 4 5 6 7 21