photo credit: Abigail Silvester

Fireworks and noisemakers; confetti and champagne Cesar warns that even though these are the makings of a successful New Year’s bash, they are certainly potential hazards for your four-legged family member.
Make your party and party favorites pet-safe.
- Confetti can cause problems in the digestive system if your dog decides to eat this stuff.
- If you have a puppy, or even an older dog that will eat everything, make sure you get paper-based confetti because it is generally safer than plastic or metallic-based varieties.

Don’t share the champagne with your dog.  Alcohol is NOT a happy way for your dog to finish the old year. And be sure to clean up any glasses that are within your dog’s reach. Every year, hundreds of dogs die from alcohol poisoning. Sharing your bubbly will be detrimental for your dog. If you’re not sure if your dog has ingested alcohol, knowing the signs can help you realize there is a problem: vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, and tremors.

Prepare for your dog’s reaction buy to fireworks and noisemakers. The best plan is prevention. If you’re not sure how your dog will react, make sure he is in a safe area and wearing proper id.

- Don’t take your dog to fire work areas if you can help it.
- Preventative measures are always best.  Prepare to protect your dog before the noise starts.  Help your dog to get through the night.

Give your dog a quiet place to retreat from the party. If you are partying in the new year, your kids may not  be the only cranky ones the next morning. If your dog is NOT used to long partying, consistent noise, make sure you allow your dog some “away time”.

Keep emergency contact information handy! During any party where your dog might slip into the trash can unnoticed, it’s a good idea to keep contact information for a 24-hour clinic handy, as well as the number for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center National Hotline: 888-426-4435.

Find out the emergency numbers in your area.  You should always have it posted where you post your family emergency numbers…after all, your canine buddy is part of your family!!

THANKS CESAR MILLAN, THE DOG WHISPERER

Technorati Tags: Cesar Millan, Dog Safety, dogs and new years eve, dogsa and alcohol

photo credit: foxrosser

I was driving to my local pet store and turned off a main street into a side street when around the corner comes one little dog…off leash, no owner in site, running towards one of the busiest streets in the area.

I quickly parked the car and tried to lure the dog to me.  At least he stopped running and stood staring at me.  I knew if I went towards him he would be gone, so, I just got on my knees, held a leaf in my hand and kept his attention on me.

The owner came from the opposite direction, empty harness in hand; his little monster had got loose.  Why do I call it a little monster you ask?  Because it got loose you ask?  Nope,

Because when the owner called the dog, it ran in the opposite direction.  When he finally got close enough to it,he growled and snarled at him.  By the time I left, he still couldn’t get the harness on his dog.

People…little dogs need training too. They are not funny or entertaining when they are obnoxious, discourteous or even aggressive.

Train your dogs, for your safety, for their safety, for the safety of the general population and… it will give you back your sanity and peace of mind!!!

Secrets of dog training, check it out!

Technorati Tags: Dog Safety, Dog Training, End Of Leash Training, Small Dog Training

photo credit: Phil Romans

Since my own black lab, who never leaves my side, he is like glued to me, took off swimming without even a backwards glance, I did some research! See my wayward black lab post here

As in all aspects of dog training and safety.  The Recall Must Be Rock Solid!!!!  Just because your dog has a perfect recall on land, not necessarely so in water…always test your dogs recall on a leash in the water to make sure he responds with the same quickness as he does on land.

So what are the general rules when having your dog swim?  Should you keep your dog on a leash?

It depends on many things:

Is it your dog’s first time to swim?
How old is your dog?
How good is your dog’s recall? **** This is a must
What about boats, people, other dogs, kids?  Are there a lot of distractions?

I read of one person who gets in the water with each of his new dogs the first time.

Some say: If it’s not the first time, and if they don’t have good recall, then do keep a check cord on them just like you would on land until their recall is rock solid.

It is easy for a dog to get tangled in a cord/cotton leash, so make sure that if there is trouble you are always within reach to help out.  I think the cord should be used to teach and train recall in the water.  Be 100% sure!!!  Your dog will listen and obey you even when swimming.

Here are some tips I picked up from my research:

- If your dog is swimming in warm water, HE CAN OVERHEAT, so please be careful and don’t let him work too hard at having fun swimming.

- Many dogs will swim till totally exhausted, and then, if they have too far to swim back, they will drown

- Don’t let your dog ever jump into water unless you KNOW that he knows where he can safely get out!

- If you take your dog swimming in a natural environment, be aware of the surrounding area if you take your dog to the beach, lake or pond. Watch for trouble and make sure your dog will come to you as soon as you call. Recall is one of the most important lessons you can teach your dog. It can literally save his life.

- Also, take care that you are familiar with currents, under currents, and what the bottom of the lake floor is…can it hurt your dogs paws?

There are life jackets for dogs.  Be safe, Always!!!

Technorati Tags: Dog Safety, Lifestyle Pets, Pet Safety

I was taking my two dogs for a walk this morning; it is the perfect day here. And, as I was walking I was thinking. (Yes I do that sometimes )

Most reputable dog training free shipping courses, including Cesar Millan, The Dog Whisperer, will train YOU, the walker, to walk in front of the dogs, and have the dogs follow you. This makes you the pack leader, and also puts you in total control of the walk.

I have to disagree with this…for dog safety reasons! Here where I live we have had numerous dogs poisoned, even in the dog parks. Some of this poison was meant for squirrels, for raccoons, or even for cats (which of course is as bad as poisoning a dog.)

If my dogs walk behind me, even on the sidewalk, I cannot tell what he is doing. Is he sniffing something I don’t want him to sniff, or worse, is he eating something I don’t want him to eat.

I mean we know, it takes a few seconds for a dog to pick up something and eat it. They don’t even lose their stride doing this. And, if they are behind you, you just can’t protect them.

I like to see my dogs at all times. So, I do what I call my “end of leash” training and “no pulling” training. My dogs know, that at the end of the leash, no matter what the distance, no pulling allowed.

For your dog’s safety and well being this summer, and all summers following this year. Train your dog!

Technorati Tags: Dog Safety, Dog Training, End Of Leash Training, No Pulling Training

If you own a dog, please!! You must pop over to Dogster’s list of 3 main causes of dog death’s in the summer.

Check it out here, for the safety and the life of your dogs.

Technorati Tags: Dog Safety, Pet Safety