Surviving the Puppy Years

Puppies! They are cute, adorable, innocent, playful, energetic, full of beans and often holy terrors!!!

As a brand new puppy owner, I've decided to document my journey and progress with my puppy in a series of articles.

All puppy owners have challenges and unique situations. My current situation includes my new puppy of seven months old. She is a Samoyed/Husky mix. I also have an 11 year male Belgian Shepherd mix and a 14 year old female German Shepherd/Collie mix. And just to add that much more of a challenge, I also have two senior cats, both over 15 years old. So you can imagine with all of us old ones, this young puppy has been an absolute shock! I knew  puppies have a lot of energy. But knowing that and actually experiencing it are two very different things.

I'm constantly being reminded that I don't have as much patience as I thought I had. And I don't like to admit it, but I've questioned my sanity a few times to bring a puppy into a house with two other dogs and cats.

But besides the obvious challenges of a multi dog household, there are advantages to having older dogs around. Their corrections are much better timed than my own, and just the right intensity to stop a puppy in their tracks. And their calm dispositions do have a positive effect on her.

Whenever my puppy does something that my older dogs would never do, I have to remind myself "she's a puppy". I must think that about 20 times a day. It's so hard to remember that everything is new to a puppy and they are curious, have endless energy and want to play all the time.

So far the absolutely most important lesson I've learned is that getting frustrated makes everything worse! But why is keeping your cool so difficult sometimes? How can a little tiny puppy push your buttons to the point of sheer anger? It's happened to me more times than I care to say, but I do know that if I just keep at it and remind myself that I am in control, it will get better. I won't give up.

One lifesaver we have discovered is our local dog park. It boats acres and acres of wooded trails and open areas. Whenever we go we always see many dogs of all ages and sizes. The dog park serves many purposes. It's absolutely wonderful for draining your puppy's energy; it provides your puppy with much need socialization skills, with both dogs and humans. And allows your puppy to run and play.

Another important lesson I've learned is that time outs are not just for children. My goal is to have a calm household. I realize puppies have a lot of energy and that draining that is essential. And in return I expect good calm behaviour. When my puppy gets too excited she  goes berserk. I've discovered that tethering her on a leash in the house forces her to calm down. Some people may think that's cruel but I disagree. I am simply disagreeing with the behaviour and controlling it. Once she calms down, I praise her and remove the leash. If she stays settled down, she can be free with the rest of us.

Keep in mind; it's your house and your rules. You are providing your puppy with food, water, shelter, health care, exercise, socialization, toys, love and countless other things. You have the right to expect certain behaviour in return.

• Set rules and be consistent
• Socialize with dogs and people as much as possible
• Exercise, exercise, exercise
• Give your puppy affection only when she calm

Crate training has been very helpful. At night and when we are out of the house, we don't have to worry that our puppy is messing things, chewing things or disrupting the other animals (other than having to listen to her whining). It's an easy way to potty train as dogs don't usually mess in their crate so the minute she comes out, she goes outside. If/when your puppy cries in the crate, be strong and don't give in. If you do you will be teaching them that making noise works and that is the last thing you want. At all costs ignore the behaviour. If you have just walked your puppy and she has relieved herself, she is fine. When you do let her out, make sure she is calm. And never ever put her in the crate as a punishment. Her crate should be a place to sleep and be associated with good things like feeling calm or getting her Kong or a treat.

I highly recommend taking some sort of puppy training class. Even if you have a lot of knowledge about dogs and already know how to train them, it's still a great opportunity for all of you. Your puppy will meet other puppies and  new people, and you will undoubtedly discover something you didn't know or didn't think of. And it's never a bad thing to explore different training methods. Not all dogs respond to the same to training so trying new things can be very beneficial.

If you are also experiencing the joys and challenges of having a puppy, remember that as difficult as it may be at times, all the hard work will pay off and you will have a loyal companion for life.

Bliss Paws Dog Massage

We already know how beneficial massage can be for humans. But did you know your dog can also benefit greatly from massage?

Massage benefits all dogs, from young to old and whatever your dog's lifestyle or activity level. It promotes relaxation, stimulates blood circulation, relieves stress and anxiety, can strengthen immunity, aids in digestion, improves joint flexibility and just feels good!

Dog massage requires extensive knowledge of a canine's anatomy and a love and passion for dogs. At Bliss Paws, you can rest assured that your furry friend is in good hands that are certified in both Canine Massage Therapy and Animal First Aid.

If you live in the Los Angeles to Orange County area, contact Bliss Paws and they will come to your location and give your dog one of the different massages types. The “Signature Service” includes all of the following:

• Swedish
• TTouch
• Acupressure
• Stretching
• Myofascial Release

If you choose the “Signature Service”, you can also add any of the following additional services:

• Cold Stone Massage
• Yoga Ball Exercise
• Aromatherapy Paw Care
• Aromatherapy

Visit the website for more information about each massage type.

Gift certificates are also available and a great gift idea.

Bliss Paws Dog Massage

Your Aging Dog

Aging is inevitable for us and our dogs. And it can be sad to watch your once strong and energetic dog struggle to get up the stairs and keep up on your walks.

Usually though, as the body ages, your dog's spirit is still there.



Behaviour

You will notice your dog sleeping more and more as she ages. And she may not spring out of bed like she used to in the morning or when you get home.

And she may seek more private places in the house instead of being near you all the time. When my senior dog started doing this I found it the hardest thing to except. For the entire time she's lived with me, she's been my shadow. Her retreating to the bathroom after dinner was the most significant sign to me that she's nearing the last stage of her life. Like humans, she has her good days and her bad days. Days where I'm sure we'll be parting soon and then days after that make me wonder how I ever thought that. The point is to cherish every minute you have with your dog. At this time of her life, she deserves your patience and understanding more than ever.

Health

Your senior dog will slow down and may show signs of hip problems or arthritis. Always consult your vet for advice, options and treatments for your senior.

Massage is very beneficial throughout your dog's life but especially as she ages. It's bonding time, relaxing and feels good on those achy bones and muscles. And it's a good time to check for lumps which are very common in older dogs.

Senses

Your dog's sense of hearing and sight will also dissipate as she ages. This can affect her behaviour if she is startled. Be careful to not suddenly wake her from sleep or sneak up behind her.

Diet

When your senior starts walking less, don't forget to adjust the amount of food you give her. If you aren't sure what amount is correct, the best way solution is to weigh her weekly and adjust it accordingly.

As many older dogs tend to have hip and joint issues, you might want to consider adding a glucosamine supplement to your senior's diet.

Exercise

Shorter more frequent walks, even if only walking around your backyard can be beneficial for your senior dog.

Senior dogs can still be very playful so don't forget to initiate play with them. Just adjust to their needs, throw the ball a shorter distance and do activities that won't push them too much.

Enjoy this time and try not to think about it as nearing the end of your dog's life. Your dog isn't thinking that way. She's just slowing down and enjoying her retirement. Cherish the time you've had and will continue to have with her.

Cat Peeing Outside of Litter Box

Is your cat peeping outside the litter box? Is your bed starting to really stink? Well there are some basic things you can do right now to help your cat start using the litter box again.

cat tree

Cats can stop using the litter box for any number of reasons. Some of these could be stress, medical, or behavioral. Some cats get stressed out when new cats or people are brought into the house. Some cats can even get stressed out when there are changes in the household routine. Can you identify any of these as possible causes as to why your cat has started peeing outside the litter box?

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Some cats pee outside the litter box to mark their territory. Once a cat has urinated somewhere it can be very hard to get the scent out of the carpet or bedding. You need to really clean that area good because cats have a great sense of smell and if there is any scent left of their urine they are likely to urinate there again.

Medical problems may be another reason why some cats pee outside the litter box. Some cats can have urinary tract infections or feline lower urinary tract disease. Both of these conditions can be very irritating to the cat and cause them to not use the litter box. If you suspect your cat has one of these conditions you need to seek veterinary help immediately.

Other causes of peeing outside the litter box could be due to hormonal or metabolic conditions. Older cats can get a condition called hyperthyroidism and this can lead them to urinate outside the litter box.

As you can see there are many reasons why a cat would start peeing outside the litter box. It is always best to have a good physical exam done on your cat by a veterinary to rule out medical causes before focusing on behavioral causes of urinating outside the litter box.

Cat Peeing Outside of Litter Box

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Solutions to Cat Behavior Problems

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The Cat Flea Life Cycle

The flea is one of the most common parasites to infect dogs and cats. This can lead to excessive itching, scratching and even blood loss. Since fleas feed on blood, a severe infection can leave your pet anemic. Also in some cases, pets can develop allergies to flea saliva which results in a severe dermatitis.

cat litter

The adult flea is only about 2.5 mm in length and is usually dark brown, but can be seen by the naked human eye. They don't have wings but they can jump a great distance.

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In order to effectively control fleas in your house you should understand a little bit about their life cycle. The adult flea can live up to 115 days on the dog, but only a few days off of the dog because they need to constantly feed.

Normally after the fleas take in a blood meal they will mate on the skin of the dog and then the female will lay the eggs within 48 hours.

Females can produce up to 2000 eggs in a four month life cycle. As the female lays the eggs they fall off the dog and usually onto the furniture or carpet.

It takes about 10 days for the eggs to hatch into larvae form. The larvae feed on debris found on the carpet. The larvae then go into a pupal stage that can last anywhere from a few days to a few months.

How fast fleas mature through the life cycle depends greatly on temperature and humidity conditions. If these temperatures are optimal for fleas the flea life cycle can be very quick.

After they emerge from the pupil stage they have only two weeks to find a host before they die.

Remember, at any time only 1% of the population is composed of adults. 99% of the time they are in other stages like egg, larval, or pupal stages, and are not visible to the human eye.

The Cat Flea Life Cycle

Mark loves to write articles about pets and has several websites dealing with pets. One of them is about how to shop for a small dog bark collar. One of the more popular kinds is a Multivet citronella bark collar.

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Declawing Pet Insurance

Bringing home a new pet is always a stressful time - both for the owner and the animal. A new addition to the family will feel lost, bewildered, and wondering where that big furry milk-machine disappeared to.

As a new owner, you may worry that your pet won't settle into family life, or perhaps you already have other animals and are concerned how they will react to the intruder. You also have the added worry of buying suitable food and bedding, deciding where the toilet will be, how your pet will be exercised - more of a problem for dogs than cats - and a myriad other matters to resolve.

CAT DECLAWING COST

One issue that doesn't immediately leap out at you is that of insurance. Only 15% of dog owners and 7% of cat owners have their pets insured. There is no good reason for this. Pet insurance is relatively cheap compared to the costly vet bill you could face if you don't get your animal insured.

Claiming on pet insurance mirrors the way human beings use the NHS. For the first seven or eight years, most insurers will have relatively minor claims experience from pet owners. Usually, this changes in the next few years.

So just because you have a lovely two-year-old dog that never seems to get ill, don't kid yourself: in another seven or eight years you'll be spending hours at a time at the vet's - and potentially paying through the nose.

And taking a pet to see a vet can be as costly as having an operation yourself:

o A hip replacement for a dog can cost up to £3,000

o Care for a cat badly hurt in a car accident can cost £1,500 or more

o Bowel surgery and subsequent hospital care for a dog that has eaten a sharp object can cost up to £2,500

o If your dog falls down a rabbit hole while out on a walk and fractures her leg, for example, treatments can be as high as £1,500.

o And if your pet develops any on-going health problems, such as diabetes or cancer, treatment costs can run into thousands.

Insurance can help out greatly with this. You will be required to pay an excess, the amount of which you can normally set yourself - the standard minimum is £50 - and your insurer will pay out costs over and above that.

Lifetime cover is best for pets like dogs, cats and reptiles, but check your policy. Some will only cover your pet for conditions developed after the policy was taken out. Others will only cover a particular illness for up to a year, then exclude it from the policy once that year is up.

Some policies have an option to pay up to a fixed amount, such as £4,000, per year which will cover all conditions. However, if your diabetic cat suddenly develops arthritis, the upper limit on your policy may not cover all your new costs. An alternative is to have a fixed cost per condition, but this is only done on an annual basis - no good for lifetime conditions.

By far the best type of pet insurance is lifetime cover with a fixed amount per condition, per year. This will guarantee your pet is insured no matter what illness they contract or how long-term the treatment is.

Once you've settled on the type of cover, there are a few more things to bear in mind:

Some companies will offer a multi-pet discount for all the animals in your household
If you are a dog owner, consider public liability cover - if your dog attacks someone the insurance will cover any compensation or medical bills.
Decide how you want to pay for your insurance. A one-off annual fee can be handy for getting the cost out of the way, but you may find it easier to pay monthly - ask about interest-free direct debits.
Check how much your premium will increase if you make a claim. It's no good having all-singing, all-dancing pet insurance if you're too scared to claim on it!

Finally, if you've decided on lifetime cover, make sure it does mean lifetime. Dogs and cats can live as long as 15 to 20 years, so ensure your 'lifetime cover' isn't just for 10 years.

Declawing Pet Insurance

J Tillotson is an author based in the uk. Her specialist subjects are energy and efficiency, and insurance.

CAT DECLAWING COST

What Do You Do With Homeless Cats?

Most cats adopt YOU, not the other way around. They very craftily sneak into your life by appearing on your doorstep with a pitiful look in their eye, which you assume to be 'hunger'. Being the kind person you are, you offer some tuna to the hungry kitty. That is, unless you are already feeding a cat or cats. In which case, you offer cat food. The timid cat hungrily accepts your offer. You feel better for having fed a helpless animal. You think you may never see the poor creature again, and...it was so cute!

If you are a seasoned 'cat person', you know the 'cute' little cat will be back tomorrow. At this point, you hope the 'cute' little cat won't bring a litter of kittens or, Heaven forbid, be pregnant. You might as well go to the grocery store and buy cat food, you've been tagged.

CAT DECLAWING COST

Dry cat food is easier and less messy for leaving outside. Don't forget to also leave a water bowl. You have now agreed to adoption. The law, in some cities or states, says "if you feed a feral cat, you are then responsible for its care and its actions" (such as pooping in your neighbor's flower bed). Most of us don't take that seriously enough to worry about it. The biggest problem most of us experience is that if you feed one feral cat, you may find you are feeding three or six or more.

If you decide to keep the cat and claim it as yours, you need to gain its trust in order to transport it to the veterinarian for a checkup and necessary vaccinations. Then, arrange for spaying or neutering. Buy it a cat-safe breakaway collar that won't get caught on a fence to strangle it. Put at least a name tag on the collar, with your telephone number. If you don't want to pay for a name tag, put the rabies tag on the collar, which has the veterinarians telephone number. The vet can identify your cat by the vaccination number. Now, you are a cat parent and this precious creature has a good home.

If you decide not to take responsibility for the cat, this leads to more serious questions. Can you afford to feed a neighborhood full of feral cats? Can you afford to have them spayed or neutered to keep a colony from growing? Can you afford to, at the very least, give them rabies shots? It really does become your responsibility to keep from adding to the problem.

The best solution I have seen is the TSNR (Trap/Spay/Neuter/Release) programs adopted by some Humane Societies, SPCA's and even some city governments. The program usually loans you a trap, picks the cat up after you trap it, takes it to their veterinarian for spaying or neutering and then returns it to your neighborhood. Then, you can continue to feed the cat without contributing to a growing colony of feral cats. It does, of course, require time to take care of a large colony but it can and is being done all over the country.

If you have a number of stray cats in your neighborhood, and would like to help, please contact your city or county humane society, SPCA or animal control to see if they offer the program.

What Do You Do With Homeless Cats?

The author, Pat Lemmons is a 66 year old woman who has owned cats for 10 years, knows cats and operates a retail web site for cat products. http://www.kittystoreonline.com The product prices are discounted for maximum savings. The site features the latest technological products such as unique automatic litter boxes, the best quality cat & kitty beds, pet doors, litter box furniture covers, pet carriers, crates and containment, unique artist t-shirts, sweatshirts & nightshirts, and a large selection of kitty condos, trees, scratching posts, cat toys and treats. Nothing but the best for your pampered feline, including premium quality cat furniture and outdoor enclosures to keep them safe.

A portion of every sale is donated to the Gulf Coast Humane Society in Corpus Christi, TX and to the SPCA San Pat County in Aransas Pass, TX. These organizations are the rescuer of homeless animals and make them available for aoption to good, safe homes. They perform a magnanimous service to our communities.

CAT DECLAWING COST