Sounds easy? Yes, it is! But it’s still fun! So check it out!!

Play this fun game!

Do you think this is funny or out of line?
“Too much sex can be a bad thing… for little tigers too. Help keep your cats (and dogs) out of trouble: Always spay or neuter!”

Interesting thought: Exercise with your dog. One recent college study finds that dogs do a better job than people of getting older adults out for exercise.

The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine Research Center for Human animal Interaction recently compared a group of adults matched with shelter dogs to a group partnered with a human walk buddy. After 12 weeks of walking on an outdoor trail for one hour, five times a week, researchers measured how the activity levels were improved for the participants.

It was reported that people paired with dogs improve their walking capabilities by 28 percent. The outcomes were especially good for the older adults. Older adults also demonstrated more confidence while walking trails and showed an increase in their speed. The other group walking with humans only had a four percent increase in their walking capabilities. This later group tended to be discouraging to each other, using excuses frequently, and saw inclement weather as an obstacle (i.e. “It’s too hot to go out!”).

After all, dogs just want to go along the road, eager to enjoy the exercise and all the great excitement. They are so happy to be out and about and want to keep moving. You won’t hear them complaining. Dogs really can be a very motivating trainer. We can learn from our pets how to enjoy these moments and get some exercise at the same time. Quite the win/win situation!

Source: futurepundit.com

  With all this noise and commotion, what steps can we take so that Halloween craziness will not over stress our little family members?  Consider these tips from wikihow.com and suite101.com:

10 Ways to Keep your pets safe on Halloween”

• Have a dog crate or secure spare bedroom where your pet can feel safe and not feel anxious with the opening and closing of the front door when trick-or-treaters come and pets might escape.
• No open flames at party time or for decorations around pets
• Keep candy up and away from  your dog; especially chocolates and foil wrapped candies.
• Kids and their sudden movements and startling noises can upset pets.   Scary costumes do the same so do not leave your dog alone unsupervised around kids.
• Careful about electrical cords and decorations.
• If your dog wears a costume, make certain it fits right and that there is nothing dangerous that can be chewed on.  It might be safer to leave your dog at home.
• Remind kids about the dangers of treats and not to feed the dog.
• Do not take your dog up to a strangers door/ have someone wait at the end of the driveway if you must take your dog.
• Animals are often taunted  and teased on Halloween night so do not leave your dog outside.  Black cats are especially vulnerable.
• We all want to show off how cute our kids and pets look all dressed up, but remembering these simple precautions can help keep this fun holiday safe and comfortable.

When summer ends, the kids return to school, schedules change, and doggie misses the “pack”.   The house is so quiet, playmates are not coming and going, and maybe some family members who grew up with the dog will be heading to college and not returning for quite some time.   This is a time of transition and the stress of schedule changes impact the entire family, including the dog.  They are familiar with  the one routine and now must adjust to another.  With this separation anxiety and transition, behavioral problems can occur.   How can we help reduce this stress and help dogs ease back into a different sort of routine?

Liam Crowe of Bark Busters USA offers some tips:

START EARLY:   At least a week before your children return to school get your dog used to being alone.  First separate your dog from the kids and rest of the family for a bit.   If you usually take your dog with you on errands, leave him at home instead.

PAY LESS ATTENTION:  While your dog may be the center of attention when the kids are home all day, change this scenario before they return to school so that he can adjust more quickly to quiet time.  A little less attention each day for about a week.

WHEN YOU LEAVE:  Act like a strong pack leader when you leave, ignoring him for about ten minutes before departure.  This is less confusing than  acting overly sad upon departure.

BOREDOM:  Dogs sleep most of the day but when they awaken, they want something to do.   A little planning can help to entertain them. 

HIDE TREATS:  Dogs will enjoy foraging for treats such as safe kibbles that you might hide for them…something that will not quickly attract bugs, etc.

SHELTER:  Be sure the dogs have their own “home” and a place where they feel secure and comfortable.  It is like a den.  Don’t wait to train just before summer ends, if you decide to use a crate.  Remember not to leave the dog longer than 6 or so hours alone in the den/crate.  Have a friend let your dog out if over 8 hrs and less than 6 if a puppy.  If you are going to leave your dog in the house and potty time is a problem, gate  them off to an area where accidents can easily be cleaned.  Be certain to leave lots of clean, fresh water for your pet.   Some people will leave a radio on to make the dog feel like it has company.

UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR:  Your dog may jump up or be hyper when you return.  Try to walk the dog before you leave and when you return.

TRAIN THE KIDS:  Parents need to train their children to ignore the pet for five minutes when they return to allow the dog to settle down and relax.

TRAIN THE DOG:   Bark Busters offers training  and tips to help families.  For more information and locations see  barkbusters.com.

Before you know it, the school holidays will be coming along, and doggie will be happy to spend more time with everyone once again enjoying happy “howeladays”.

Source: barkbusters.com,
delawarepuppyrescue

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All the information from these sections can be stored on you iPhone so you can access it even when there is no connection, if you’re out hiking for example, where more injuries are likely to occur.

You can also record each of your pet’s vital medical information, veterinary contact information, vaccination schedules, identifications and notes from your visits. How cool is that??

Pet First Aid was developed by PetTech of Vacaville, a company that specializes in pet first aid in conjunction with Jive Media. You can purchase Pet First Aid from the Apple iPhone App Store for $3.99.