A Pet Friendly Home Around the Holiday!

You've decked the halls and wrapped the packages. But have you done everything to protect your pets from the home's holiday hazards?

Around the house there are many holiday hazards. From Christmas trees, tinsel, gifts under the tree, to your Christmas dinner table setting. There is so much stuff that your pet can get into!

Curiosity to Christmas can be a bad combination for your pet if you don't think ahead and take proper precautions.

Some precautions include:

• Keep your pets away from the Christmas tree. Secure your tree to make sure that it does not topple, and by all means...keep the pooch out of the tree water! It contains dangerous bacteria and chemicals!
• Skip the holiday tinsel! If swallowed, it can cause choking or even worse, intestinal problems.
• Keep the pets away from packages and gifts. Wrapped or not wrapped, gifts can appear to be a new toy for your pet, but in all reality your new gift can be a hazard to your pets! Wrapping supplies, glue, rubber bands, and ribbon can cause intestinal problems if swallowed. Your children's new toys can cause choking if small pieces and balls are involved.
• Your Christmas table I am sure is picture perfect! The people food, candles and holiday centerpieces (poinsettia, holly, lilies, mistletoe, hemlock and ivy) are all VERY dangerous to your pets. Make sure that they are out of reach!

There is a wonderful article in the December 2007 Dog Fancy magazine on this topic. Pick a copy up today! Your pets will thank you!

Socializing Your Pooch!

I try to take my dog "Pixie" everywhere. I live an active lifestyle that is full of errands and pit-stops throughout the day. I believe that it is my job to expose my dog to as many situations and circumstances as possible. "Pixie" and I love to go to the gas station, the dog-park, post office, the local pet supply store and many more pit-stops throughout the week!

Pixie's exposure to life's diverse and downright noisy situations has really paid off in a confident, secure puppy. When we go through the car wash, she doesn't even flinch!

Rub-A-Dub-Dub!...Grooming Tip

How do you groom a dog who's bouncing off the walls with energy, jonesin' for a walk, or just plain ready to play? You don't!

Grooming is best suited for quiet time. So if you have trouble getting your hyper hound, revved-up retriever, or tense terrier to relax and settle down, consider your timing.

Grooming is a perfect wind-down activity after a walk, training session, or a play date. They say that a tired dog is a good dog, but a tired dog is also a better grooming customer.

"Pet-Proofing" Your Home

A pet is like a small child. He/She is very curious and will investigate your home. You can allow them to do so, but you must ensure that various household items do not become a hazard for your pet. One should try to pet-proof your house before you bring the pet home. Here are a few tips that will help you pet-proof your house.

• Ensure that your exterior gates are closed properly and built in a way that your pet cannot get out.
• Check fences and hedges everyday for holes and gaps.
• Clear balconies of clutter so that your pets can run about on them.
• Move your car only when you are sure that your pet is not under or near it.
• Before mowing the lawn, make sure your pet is safely indoors as they might be frightened by the noise of the mower.
• Ensure that pesticides, fertilizers and other chemicals are locked and stored away.
• Inside the house, make sure that cables, wires, and cupboards are secured and tucked away so the pet is not enticed to play with them.

Pillowcase Pixie

Keeping your dog active is important to your dog's lifestyle. Many dog trainers agree that one should exercise your dog 45 minutes to an hour every morning, and then feed them their morning dish of kibble after thy have cooled down from their morning activity. This keeps your dog healthy and happy.

The pay-off to the owner after getting up and exercising the dog? The owner gets exercise too, but then the pooch takes a nice long nap!

Take a look at Miss Pixie after her walk...she burrowed herself between the pillow and it's pillowcase! What a NUT!

Tips for First Time Dog Owners

• During the first 16 weeks of life puppies should meet 100 people and 100 dogs.
• Consider the time, energy, and financial requirements of a dog and choose one that you will be able to provide for.
• Consider future housing. "Landlord Issues" is sited as the #2 reason dogs are surrendered.
• Dogs take years to train...so be patient.
• No matter how overcome with love and adoration for your new dog, remember, it is your job to be the leader and to provide rules, structure, and boundaries for your new canine companion.

Quick tips for a tummy ache...

Yesterday my dog "Pixie" had a rough day. She was just plain-old not feeling well. She was a mess. Her stomach was moldy and she was throwing up. I immediately contacted my vet and asked her what I could do to make her feel better. I wanted to pass this info onto you so your pooch can feel as good as he/she should.

1. Pull her food and leave out fresh water.
2. Let you pooch rest as much as they want to...in other words, don't over-stimulate.
3. Monitor her energy level.
4. Let her sleep through the night.
5. In the morning give her some rice in chicken broth to keep her diet bland.

Low and behold after following these steps..."Pixie" is doing much better!