Leashes and Collars and TOYS.......OH MY!!!!

Lets talk about supplies for your furry friend.......

Leashes

• 6ft or 4ft leashes...... a 6ft leash is usually best for a standard walking routine, a 4ft leash works best for short outings and trips to the vet.
•  Leather or nylon... I personally like the nylon.
• Many designs to choose from...I've always been partial to the multi colored pawprints.
• Make sure to get one that is appropriate for the size of your furry friend. A heavy leash might not be the best choice for a tiny Chihuahua.

Collars

• Leather
• Nylon
• Plain or designs
• Choke collars.... should be used for training only and never left on.
• Getting the right size collar for your furry friend is very important. Measure to be sure.

Harnesses

• Useful because they take the stress off the neck
• Many dog breeds do better with a harness, dachshunds for example
• Make sure to get one that fits well, snug but not too tight.
• They do not slip off like collars can.

Beds

• Come in many shapes and sizes.
• Come in many different deigns and colors
• Make sure to keep your dogs bed close to where you sit and spend time. Dogs genuinely enjoy being close to you.

Dishes

• Get size appropriate dishes
• Get separate dishes for food and water
• Come in ceramic, plastic, stainless steel with many types of colors and designs. I recommend stainless steel because they are easy to clean and some dogs may be allergic to plastic or ceramic.
• Consider getting raised dishes if you have a larger dog, it will be less strain on their neck.

Grooming Supplies

• Nail Trimmers...ask a Veterinary Technician or a groomer to show you how to trim your dogs nails if you are unsure
• Shampoo... you will have to bathe your dog on occasion. You will need a shampoo for dogs. Ask a groomer for recommendations.
• A coat conditioner.... If you have a dog with long hair or a curly, wiry coat you may need a conditioner to use.
• Brushes... There are many different types of brushes. What kind you will need will depend on your dog's coat. Breeders and groomers will be good to ask for recommendations.
• Teeth... toothbrushes, doggie toothpaste, sprays or wipes... all are good options to take care of your dogs teeth. Your Veterinarian can make some suggestions as to what would work best for you.
• Eye wipes.... Needed if you have a dog that gets teary eyes, especially white dogs.
• Ear cleaner, ear wipes.... It is a good idea to check your dogs ears regularly to make sure they are not infected.  Your Veterinarian will be happy to show you how to clean your dogs ears.

A Crate

• Crates are great to help with training especially house breaking.
• Make sure to get the right size for your dog. Your dog should have enough room to stand up and turn around.
• Put a nice mat or pillow down to make it comfy. Your dog will come to view it as a safe space.
• Keeps them safe when you go out
• Dogs should not be kept in them for extended time periods.

Cleaning and Clean up Supplies

• Wee wee pads.... will help with house breaking and can be used in crates in case of accidents.
• A pooper scooper will be needed if you have a yard to pick up
• Poop bags... or plastic bags... great for when out for walks.
• Cleaning wipes(like baby wipes) are great for wiping dirty paws.
• Pet odor eliminator... Dogs have accidents sometimes.. Invest in a good carpet cleaner. I have had good luck with Nature's Miracle cleaners. But there are many others to chose from.
• A good vacuum cleaner... If you have a dog that will shed a lot... Like a Labrador Retriever.

Identification

• Tags...   Rabies Tag, ID tag with your contact info, Dog license.
• Microchips, very small and injected under the skin between the shoulder blades by your Veterinarian. You can register your pets name and your contact info so that if your dog goes missing you can be contacted if they are found. the micro chip can be read by a scanner that Animal Hospitals and Animal Shelters have.

And the most important item needed....... TOYS.........

• DOGS LOVE TOYS!!
• Stuffed, squeaky, bone, kongs, ropes, balls, and many more.
• Not all dogs like the same toys
• Once you find their favorite toy make time to spend lots of time playing with them.
• My doxies love soft squeaky toys. they rip them open, pull out the stuffing and the squeaker and they are quite proud of themselves.

I hope this list helps. If you have any suggestions of needed supplies please leave me a comment.

Thanks for Reading

Teri

Next week.....Let's talk Fleas & Ticks.

Exercise and your furry friend

Exercise is very important for the health of your furry friend.

Benefits Include:

• Will help your dog maintain a healthy weight
• Keeps muscles and joints strong, agile and limber
• Engages the body and the mind
• Increases confidence and trust
• It will create a great bonding time for you, your family and your furry friend.
• Reduces common behavioral issues. A dog that is on an engaging exercise routine is less likely to develop bad and destructive behaviors including but not limited to:

Chewing on furniture

Digging in the yard

Knocking over garbage

barking excessively

whining for attention

jumping up on people

hyperactivity

Finding the right exercise and play activity for your furry friend will be well worth the time.

Some fun examples are:

Using toys for chase or retrieving/fetch

Squeaky toys

Find/hide and seek toys and games

Walking is great for your family to do with your dog.

Swimming

Dog sports are also a great idea to get you, your family and your dog involved in together, such as:

Agility

Obedience

Tracking

Flyball

There are many different types of dog sports and all of them are fun, active and engaging for you and your dog. They also create a social atmosphere for you and your dog.

Other ways to get exercise for your pet:

Dog Parks: There are many dog parks, some are off leash and dogs all play together with separate area for small and large dogs, some require dogs to be on leash. They are both great in their own ways. Off leash dog parks allow dogs to play and social together, on leash parks are generally trails and hiking. I recommend that your dog be up to date on vaccines and that they have learned their basic obedience and manners prior to going to them. Your dog will meet many different people and dogs at these parks. Knowing their basic obedience will help them to avoid distractions. Always follow the rules at the dog park and stay with your dog.

Doggie Daycare: Consider daycare for your dog. These are businesses that have professionals watch over your dog in a group with other dogs. They play and socialize with many other dogs. Do your research and look into ones in your area. Go visit them ask to be shown the facilities and what their policies are. All of them will have policies regarding age of dog and vaccinations. prices will also vary.

Dog Walkers/Pet sitters: There are many good dog walkers and petsitters out there. These people will be happy to come to your house and take your dog for a walk or to play in your yard. This is a good option if you have a puppy not yet old enough to go to dog parks or daycare. Also works great for senior pets that don't do well with the stress of being away from their home. In home visits vary in cost. Always set up a meeting with the potential dog walker/ pet sitter so that you can meet them and see how your dog is with them.

Before you start your exercise routine there are some things to consider for your dog.

• Exercise needs vary by size, age, breed and individual dog. Ask your Veterinarian.
• Larger dogs are prone to hip dysplasia and arthritis so consider brisk walking instead of sustained jogging and running for their exercise.
• Small, short-legged dogs may not walk the same distances that larger ones will. Shorter brisk walks may be best for them.
• Bloat....... Deep chested/narrow bodied dogs like great Danes, Dobermans and others are prone to a serious condition called bloat.... so NO exercise immediately following a meal. Bloat is when the stomach expands and can becomes twisted cutting off blood supply. A dog will be restless, uncomfortable and abdomen will appear swollen. Bloat comes on quickly.... so if you suspect your dog has bloat...... GET TO A VETERINARIAN IMMEDIATELY!! BLOAT IS A SERIOUS EMERGENCY!!
• Always monitor your dog during play/exercise in your yard or home for safety reasons.
• If your dog loves squeaky toys, watch that they are not eating the stuffing or squeakers. This could cause a blockage and require surgery.

My own dogs: I have three dachshunds and they love to run in the yard, play with squeaky toys and go for walks. They enjoy going for a nice brisk walk on a cool evening meeting new people and smelling new smells.

Please get the whole family involved in the exercise and activities. Your furry family member will love all the attention and spending time with the whole family.

And the most important thing of all.......ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you for reading

Teri

Next week: Supplies .......Leashes and collars and TOYS....Oh My!

                              

                               

                 

Where to get your new furry family member...

The three main choices to get your new furry friend from are:

Breeders

Animal Rescue Groups

Animal Shelters

Breeders:

There are many good breeders out there. Ask around at local Veterinarian offices for recommendations on reputable breeders in your area.

Breeders take their breed very seriously and have a deep love for their breed. They will tell you a lot about the breed you are looking at, both the good and the bad. A good breeder will be willing to show you their other dogs including at least the mother of the puppies. In most cases they will relish the idea of showing you their dogs, they are very proud of them.

One of the signs of a good breeder is that they will ask you a bunch of questions. To find out as much as they can about you they will ask about you, your household, children's ages, activity, who will be home, who will be the primary caregiver, and many more questions. These questions are very important. They will give the breeder a better idea if the breed is a good fit for you and your family. If the breed is a good fit for you and your family the breeder will go over many things such as feeding and training as well as make many suggestions. Included in a contract will usually be a stipulation to bring the puppy back to them if you can not keep it for any any reason.

Cost of a puppy from a breeder can be up to $1000 or more.

Animal Rescue Groups:

Many rescue groups are breed specific, so if you are interested in a specific breed try to find their rescue group. there are also rescues that have many different types of dogs, both purebreds and mutts. They have many dogs that are need of homes. Again veterinarians and their staff are a good resource for information. Many veterinarians work closely with rescue groups. These rescue groups will also ask many questions and have you fill out applications. They will have staff to talk to you and guide you to the perfect doggie match for your family. the majority of rescue groups use foster homes for their dogs  and these foster "parents" will gladly tell you all about a dog if you are interested. They will love to help find a great home for their foster. These and other volunteers are a wealth of information about a dog. Rescue groups will generally ask you to think on your decisions for 24 hours, this gives you time and gives them time to call any references you were asked to provide. They will also have all family members including other dogs come meet the potential new family member. Rescue groups will make sure a dog is up to date on vaccines and spayed or neutered before allowed to be adopted to anyone.

Costs will vary depending on the rescue group and the veterinary and travel costs involved.

Local Animal Shelters:

Animal shelters are a great choice to adopt a dog from. Many dogs wind up in shelter every year and they are all great dogs. They all need loving homes. Visit your local shelter and look at how many dogs are there looking for homes. Ask the volunteers and trainers at the shelter about different dogs. they will be happy to give information about the different dogs and how great they are. Adopting from an animal shelter is a great way to give a dog a new home. Dogs at shelters are there due to many different reasons and they are all looking to be your new best furry friend.

The shelter will have an application process much the same as the rescue groups. They will also have you bring all family members to meet the dog including any other dogs you currently have. Dogs will be up to date on vaccines and spayed or neutered prior to going into a new home.

Cost will vary depending location and licensing fees for your town.

Final Thoughts:

I have purchased a puppy from a breeder and also adopted from both rescue groups and animal shelters. They are all great options. My suggestion is to do your research, ask local Veterinarians and staff as well as dog owners about local breeders and rescue groups. Also talk to volunteers for the shelters and rescue organizations. These will be valuable sources of information.

One final thing: PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE A PUPPY FROM A PET STORE. They use puppy mills which are places where dogs live in horrible conditions and females are bred to often just so that people can make money.

 Thank you for reading
Next week we'll look at exercise for your dog or puppy
Teri

So... you've decided to get a dog.....

 

 

 

Congratulations on deciding to add a dog to your family. Now we need to sit down and answer some questions to find the right furry family member for you.

There are few who can make a spur of the moment decision on a pet, for most of us a bit of research and discussion is in order.

 

In this entry I will endeavor to help to ask the right questions.

 

 Take a hard look at your personal situation to ultimately answer one question: What do you expect from a dog?

 

• Small dog or large dog?..... depends on your living space. Keep in mind that a small dog may not be the only solution if you are living in an apartment. Some small breeds can be big barkers, dachshunds for example, or be very active, like most terriers, while some large breeds, great danes for one, can be more sedentary and require nothing more than a few good walks and a space on the couch.
• Are you active or a couch potato? You will want a dog that will be active with you or one that enjoys watching TV and snuggling on your couch.
• Are you single? Married? Young couple? Older couple? Children?  Your status may influence your decision on what kind of dog to get. Do you want to get a family dog for your children? Do you want a dog to just be a companion for you? Do you foresee and changes.. such as you are planning to have kids but don't yet? Assess these things to help you decide what kind of dog you want. Not all dogs are great family dogs, not all dogs are great solitary dogs. Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers make excellent family dogs. Other breeds, for example german shepherds tend to bond fiercly to one person.
• Do you have other animals in the household? Not all dogs do well with other dogs, or small animals and cats.
• Does anyone in your household have allergies? This does not rule out getting a dog but will influence the type of dog you get. You will want a dog that does not shed a lot or is more hypoallergenic such as a poodle.
• Who will be the primary caretaker? If you get a puppy to grow up with your children you are the one making the 10 to 15 year commitment to taking care of the dog. You will also be taking on the responsible of teaching your children the best way to care and interact with a dog.
• Time.... Dogs take up a lot of time. Time to walk them, feed them, time to give them attention. Taking on a dog will require you to assess whether or not you have enough time to give to a dog. Puppies may require more time devoted to their training and housebreaking.  Adult dogs most likely will be housebroken and may require less training time but may come with their own issues and require time to adjust to a new living environment.  If you are at a point in your life where you do not spend time at home either due to personal life or career than maybe the timing is not right to add a furry family member to your life.
• Exercise... Dogs require exercise. Dogs also love to spend time with their owners. So it stands to reason that it is best to combine these. Walking, brushing, playing fetch going to parks and trips to the local pet store are great ways to exercise your dog, both his body and his mind. A bored dog with nothing to do will most likely look for an alternative thing to do such as knocking over and ripping into your garbage. If your exercise space is small look into different things in your local area, dog parks and hiking/walking trails are great ways to spend time exercising your dog or puppy.
• Cost..... Are you ready for the cost of owning and caring for a dog or puppy? Costs will include supplies, bedding, collars, leashes, toys, dishes, grooming supplies, training classes. Medical costs will vary depending on the breed and age of dog. But vaccinations, yearly exams, flea and tick prevention and heartworm prevention will add up as well as any other miscellaneous medical expenses.  Know the breed that you are planning to get, such as dachshunds and corgis are prone to back problems, larger breeds are prone to hip dysplasia, some small breeds are prone to teeth and gum problems and dogs with a pushed in nose may be more prone to respiratory issues.

The best thing you can do is research, research, research. Ask Veterinarians, owners, and rescue groups about different breeds as you try to make your decision. They are always happy to help.

 

Next time we will discuss where to get your new furry family member.

 

Thank you for reading.

Terilyn

 



A tiny bit about me.

Hello.............

My name is Teri and I thought for my first post I would write a tiny bit about me. 

Caring for dogs is something very important to me. Currently I am a pet sitter although my background is in Veterinary Medicine, graduating with a degree in Veterinary Technology from Suffolk County Community College. Prior to pet sitting, I worked at the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind for 12 years managing the kennel. It was a rewarding job being able to work around all the dogs and puppies as well as the knowledgeable people they have.

Working closely with the staff Veterinarians there to ensure the health and care of the dogs in the kennel and breeding facility, gave me the opportunity to utilize my training on a daily basis. It was a terrific and fulfilling experience working there. 

My greatest joy is watching dogs play, get the care that they need to thrive in their environments. I hope to be able to share some tips and insights to help you with your dogs. Please comment and let me know if there is something about taking care of dogs that you would like to see discussed.

Currently my little family consists of three rescue dogs, Jilly,Buster and Baxter. Baxter and Jilly are black and tan smooth coated dachshunds. Buster is a tan smooth coated dachshund/chihuahua mix. They are my babies and I love spoiling them!

Thank You 
Here's to great discussions! 
Teri