Posts Tagged ‘dog’

Spring is the time of year we get outside and meet more of our neighbors. We start planting flowers, and fixing up the yard. We also find ourselves going on diets, changing our hairstyles and vowing to exercise more. Then we want to show off our pets while we walk in the neighborhood or at the park. 

With this in mind, the article is meant to help you find that perfect groomer for your pets.  You can start your search by asking friends, people you work with, or by asking a pet professional such as your vet, pet sitter or local pet supply store who they recommend. If your particular breed requires specialized grooming, ask the breeder if local, for a good recommendation or what specific questions to ask the groomer.

Groomer quite often will groom cats. People tend not to think of grooming cats. Cats, especially long haired cats. need grooming when their hair becomes matted. Mats are also very uncomfortable and may cause a numerous health issues. Grooming long haired cats on a regular basis can help prevent fur balls from clogging the intestines.

Don’t wait too long to schedule your appointment. Groomers are good at what they do and are often busy. So don’t wait until the last minute to schedule a grooming appointment. 2 Paws Up Inc has three groomers who we recommend without hesitation.

• Grooming By Lisa, in Snellville (Centerville).
• Louise Tucker with A Woof A Whinny And A Purr in Snellville.
• If you are looking for a mobile groomer, The Grooming Fairy.

Check with places like the BBB, Angie’s List or the local ASPCA to see if any complaints have been filed against the groomer and why. If you make an educated decision, you will find a wonderful groomer who will have a lifetime relationship with your pet.

My Notification Service

Nationally the average time to notify family or friends of an emergency is six (6) hours….

if that was your pet

How long would you want to wait before someone was made aware that your pet needs attention?

My Notification Services and 2 Paws Up Inc

Give the gift of Peace of Mind by visiting this web site: 

https://mynotify1.com/index.php?aff_aid=81

You will be able to receive a 10% discount on your subscription.

New and existing clients will receive $5 off their next visit when they sign up for a subscription.

It is what about nine weeks until spring?  Spring will be here before you know it. We all know that dogs of all ages need stimulation and activity, both physical and mental.  Let’s start right now, make a New Year’s resolution to our canine companion to get out and learn, walk and play together.  Dogs of different ages need fun and games for different reasons.  For a puppy, everything is new and each game is a discovery and a learning experience.  For the mature dog they seem to value the interaction and camaraderie with other family members on outings.  For the canine senior citizen, activity helps to keep their senses sharper and also keeps their remaining energy and enthusiasm at a higher level.

It’s not necessary all fun and games.  At the core of your activities there needs to be an element of learning, obedience and training.  What do you think when you hear the word “core”?  Hum, it makes me think of doing abdominal exercises.  Well really, we have to keep our core strong, if we want to be strong.  What this really means is combining education, training, and play.  This severs as a schooling period for puppies and young dogs, reinforces and sustains training of the adult dogs, and helps older dogs adapt more easily to the challenges they face with aging.

So when you take your dog for a walk down the street, or out in the backyard for a game of fetch, or to the park for a game of Frisbee, obedience is vital.  The basic command such as sit, stay, come, leave it, or heal is so important.  Just think about how not-fun it would be if your dog didn’t obey the basic commands.

If your canine companion could use some brushing up on the obedience routine or if you’ve got a canine companion that needs to start from “square one”, there are several places in the area such as the Lawrenceville Kennel Club, PETCO, PetSmart, BarkBusters, and US Canine.  You may also contact the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (ADPT) at http://www.adpt.com for more information.

Look for future articles on sports for your canine companion such as Rally-Obedience, and Fly Ball.

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http://www.adpt.com

You have decided to take your dog on your trip.  What do you need to keep this a low stress event?  This could be a major hassle if you don’t make the right choices.

1.    Plan ahead for accommodations.

Check with the hotel/motel to be sure they allow one or multiple pets and if they have a weight limit. Check with friends or family to be sure they are welcomed, and have a pet friendly home so they won’t have to be placed in the garage or tied up outside.

2.    Collar with ID.

The collar should have your dog’s name, your name, current phone number, as well as current proof of rabies shot. Microchip your dog is another great thing to have done. We will talk more about Microchiping in a future article. Carry a vet identification card or papers. A must is to have their collars with their ID tags on whenever they are outside.  No matter how well behaved your dog is outdoors when away from home have a collar on your dog.

3.   Car safety.

Insure the safety of your pet in your vehicle by purchasing a dog car seat, or a dog car harness, or a dog crate.  Your pet will be more comfortable with the use of this equipment as well as more protected if your car has to stop suddenly.

4.   Train your dog.

Your dog should be well-behaved during the trip.  You should have basic dog training before a trip.  Your dog should know basic dog commends like, sit, stay and down.  Before embarking on a long trip, be sure to take short fun trips in the car.  Take your dog to the park.  I have never met a dog who did like to go to the park for a walk.

5.   Don’t forget the dog supplies.

Food, water, dog bowls, collar, leash, plastic bags for poop, medications, favorite dog toys, and treats.

6.   Preparedness.

Emergencies can happen so be prepared when traveling with your dog.  Take a Pet First Aid and CPR class, have an emergency kit, and prepare a list of veterinary hospitals in the area where you will be staying.

Five easy tips to help keep your pet safe for Halloween

• Keep all candy and other goodies out of reach
  Just like us, eating too much candy can make your pet sick, so keep it where he or she can’t get it.
• Be careful with costumes – yours and your pets
  Some pets will be frightened by strange costumes, and may try to run from them. If you’re wearing a costume, let your pets smell it and see you put it on, and be sure to talk to them while you’re wearing it. Be sure that any costumes you put on your pet fit properly and allow him or her to see, breathe, and move OK.
• Make sure candles are out of reach
  Even if you think your pet won’t get at the candles, they can be knocked over, and tails & fur can quickly ignite if your pet passes by.
• Keep pets in a safe room of your house
  So your pets don’t become frightened, or run out when you open the door to trick-or-treaters, keep them in a closed room, or use a baby gate to keep them away from the door. Give your pets toys or pet-appropriate treats to keep them occupied.
• Keep pets indoors on Halloween
  Cats and dogs may be frightened by the Halloween celebrations so it’s best to keep them inside. Keep in mind that there are some people who enjoy torturing cats, especially black ones, on Halloween.

By:

Therese Kopiwoda, Founder, PetsitUSA, Follow her on:  http://www.facebook.com/petsitusa