Cat and Dog Supplies

Consider these distressing statistics:

• Every year 10 million pets are lost. Much of this cannot be readily prevented. A collar with identification is essential.
• According to the American Humane Association, only about 17% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats ever find their owners!
• Because their owners cannot be located, nearly 20 million pets are euthanized each year.

If your dog or cat is microchipped, there is a much higher probability that they will return to you safely. Microchips will last for your pet’s lifetime: there are no moving parts and nothing to replace. A microchip is a small computer chip that has contains an identification number programmed into it. It is small enough to fit into a hypodermic needle. Once iimplanted, the ID number cannot be altered or removed. The chip is prevented from moving about due to a layer of connective tissue that forms around the chip.

Some pet owners are hesitant to microchip their pet because they are afraid it will hurt. The procedure is simple, routine and painless, and no anesthesia is required. Your pet simply gets an injection just under the loose skin between the shoulder blades; it is a lot like getting vaccinated. Most animals don’t react at all. Long term studies show that a microchip is very safe for pets.

The chip receives an identification code that is unique to your pet. This code can be read by scanners at most veterinarians’ offices and animal shelters.

Please visit The Canine and Feline Store for more information and ideas.

This is a continuation of Part 1, which was discussing remedies to try for arthritis in your dog.

2.  Exercise. 

It is still important that, even though your dog may be in pain, he gets a short amount of exercise. Have him swim, if he is not skittish about water. A kiddy pool would be fine for small dogs. This way there is no pressure on the joints, yet he is still mobile. Short 15 minute walks are also good for him. Activities such as running after a ball or jumping are not reccomended.

3. Warm and Comfortable Rest Area.

Provide a soft, comfortable area for you dog to rest. In the winter when sool air can stiffen joints, try placing a pillow, blanket or soft object on the floor to help keep his joints warm. If you have an outdoor dog, let him stay in the garage at night to avoid colder temperatures.

Working with a veterinarian is a good idea for medications and other treatments. He can take an x-ray to see the damage to the joints. He can also judge which medications are appropriate and in what dosages. Glucosamine is very popular. It is a sugar that is generated from shell fish that  motivates joint repair and lessens joint pain. It is a natural ingredient found in animals. But as the animal ages, the body has a decrease in the production of this essential element. Glucosamine works by stimulating the production of synovial fluid, needed for healthy joints. It lubricates the cartiledge to aid in mobility.

For more ideas, products and services, you can visit The Canine and Feline Store.

Arthritis is a condition in 20% of all dogs over 7 years old. Know to veterinarians as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), it one of the major recurring problems in dogs that they treat. Arthritis in dogs can affect  their back, elbows, shoulders, hips, and neck.

Signs of arthritis in dogs include the following:

• Favoring one sideover another. His joints could be too painful on one side, so to avoid pain he tends to put pressure on the other side.
• Unusual weight gain. He would not be getting the exercise a healthy dog gets, being lethargic and sleeping more.
• Not as playful, due to pain.

Some remedies you might want to try:

1. Diet.

Dry dog food consists mainly of grains which cause joint inflammation. A better choice would be to feed him raw or cooked meat, as well as cooked vegetables. In addition to being healthier, such a diet could help alleviate some of the swelling in his joints. Avoid spicy foods and even onions. Omega 3 fatty acids can be used as a supplement to reduce joint inflammation. Also try fish capsules and flax seed, both of which can be anti-inflammatory.

More remedies will appear in Part 2. You can also check The Canine and Feline Store for products, services and information.

This series discusses some of the training “tools of the trade”: clickers, various leashes, halters, electronic collars, electronic and chemical training aids, muzzles, and treat carriers. We continue with the next item, muzzles.

6.  Muzzles. Muzzles can be stressful on a pet who has never encountered the device before, so it might be a good idea to introduce them carefully at home. Muzzles are used by some trainers as a way to curb nipping behaviors. Many veterinarian offices now use them to avoid injury to the staff during procedures such as nail clipping or shots. Muzzles are also useful in training dogs to stop barking and to avoid aggressive behaviors and injuries when a gathering of many animals is expected, such as at the park, or when introducing your pet to a new animal in the household, such as a family cat. More information is available on The Canine and Feline Store.

7.  Treat carriers.  Treat carriers have become quite popular in training circles, and they are much appreciated by your dog. Carriers will provide a clean way to carry a whole day’s worth of treats without having to dirty your pockets or to constantly have your hands full. They are an excellent choice for outdoor types on back packing trips or during a day’s hunting. They are relatively light and easy to carry, providing an ample supply of treats.

This series discusses some of the training “tools of the trade”: clickers, various leashes, halters, electronic collars, electronic and chemical training aids, muzzles, and treat carriers. We continue with the next item, electronic collars.

4. Electronic collars.  Know as “negative reinforcement devices”, these come in two major categories: sonic and shock emitting. The more humane of the two, sonic collars, emit a discomforting sound when the dog performs a certain disagreeable behavior such as traveling beyond the limits of an invisible fence perimeter or jumping on furniture. The second version works in the same manner but has the added enforcement of delivering a painful electric shock. For more information you might check under pet collars at The Canine and Feline Store.

5. Electronic and chemical training aids. These are aimed at combating specific behaviors. The electronic shock mat is one of the most popular. It is placed on furniture to keep your pet from jumping onto your leather couch or expensive recliners. When the pet comes in contact with it, the device emits a mild but persuasive electrical shock. Don’t forget to remove these items before you or a guest sits down on the furniture, or it might prove to be a shocking experience!

     There are chemical based training aids that include such products as Bitter Apple sprays or creams, used to prevent chewing or self-mutilation behaviors. There also are products administered as a dietary supplement to produce calmness in excessively overactive dogs, or to stop a dog from eating feces.

This series will discuss some of the training “tools of the trade”: clickers, various leashes, halters, electronic collars, electronic and chemical training aids, muzzles, and treat carriers.

1. The clicker.  This handy device is a plastic box with a piece of metal inside. When pressed, it emits a clicking sound. This is an attention getter for dogs that they can be taught to recognize. Once learned by the dog, the clicker can be heard over much background noise or relatively long distances. It is a positive reinforcement used by many dog trainers.

2. Leashes.  Shorter leashes of less than 18 inches are used for more control when working on training an animal for up close behaviors such as “sit”, “heel”, and “stay” commands, or also when walking through large crowds when longer leashes would not be safe or effective.

     Longer leashes - up to 20 feet or even more - allow more flexibility. The retractable leash with a spring-loaded spool permits the dog to explore at a distance but will coil itself back as the animal returns. The leash can also be locked for any distance.

               Leashes can be found at The Canine and Feline Store.

3. Halters.  Essentially an extension of the collar, a halter fits around the dog’s upper torso, allowing more control for the owner and less strain on the neck. Halters also are used for working dogs such as Seeing Eye dogs, police and military animals.

Knowing these few major downfalls in advance of training will help avoid stressful situations later.

1.  Expecting too much.  When encountering other obedient trained dogs, it is easy to forget the many hours that went into making them well behaved. Don’t expect your dog  to learn these thing overnight.

2.  Losing your temper.  Such actions as raising your voice and punishing your dog, make for a frightened pet that can become nervous and unresponsive rather than obeying your commands.

3.  Letting the dog become the master.  If you do not take over the leadership role, your pet will. Your dog could lose control of his behavior and become a danger to himself and others.

4.  Giving up.  Dogs love to learn, especially when the owner rewards well learned behavior. Don’t settle for your dog merely answering to his name and stopping barking when repeatedly shouted at. Your dog can and will respond to your training efforts if given the time to do so.

5.  Be consistent.  If you tell your pet to sit and he doesn’t, stick with it until he does. Always use the same command words and enforce the same action each and every time. Manually enforce the command if necessary, and reward the dog with some play time and verbal praise for properly performing the routine. Consistency is the key to training your dog.

For further possibilities, visit The Canine and Feline Store.

In addition to the topics covered previously on this subject, here are the final third and fourth things that you should do to help your difficult dog. You might find a dog harness helpful.

Be Patient

This is not an overnight problem. It takes time and patience to change the behavior patterns of a difficult dog. Expect to commit a great deal of time to correct your dog’s errant behavior. Furthermore, impatience increases the risk of inconsistency in training and the likelihood that you may lose your temper or act inappropriately in handling your dog.

Seek Assistance

Sometimes a dog simply requires professional training assistance. If you have tried to manage the situation unsuccessfully and feel that you are at a dead end, you must consider using a professional dog trainer. Quality professionals have broad experience and may be able to isolate training methods that will be effective for your particular dog. You may plan to consult a professional trainer on a regular basis.

1. Seek out information

What you need is not the small pet store pamphlet. Find more detailed and expertly written information about dog training and specific methods to assist you in training your difficult pet. Canvass the library, bookstores and the internet in pursuit of knowledge and tips that deal with your specific pet problems.

2. Make sure your dog is healthy.

Often an underlying health problem is causing the behavioral problems of your dog. Your dog’s behavioral issues could be sympotmatic of a physical problem. Have a veterinarian thoroughly check out your dog. Too often, medical cuases of poor behavior go overlooked. If a medical issue is underlying his poor behavior, proper treatment can rectify many of his problems and ensure a long healthy life for your dog. For additional ideas, check the Information and Articles categories of The Canine and Feline Store.

When you first bring home a little puppy, you expect that he will brighten your family’s life. He will be a cheerful companion for the whole family.

But sometimes it does not work out that way. You never expected him to destroy  clothing and furniture. You didn’t expect biting. You did not anticipate his aggressive personality. Random barking and wanton disobedience were not part of your plans. The fact is, you own a difficult dog.

Should you give up because you feel you are trapped with a “naughty” dog? Some might even consider the inappropriate route of abandoning the poor animal. Neither “solution” is good for either the dog or his owner. Rather, you must make the commitment to take appropriate steps to deal with a difficult dog. One item that you might procure would be a dog training collar.

If you want your dog to lead a happy life and be a wonderful companion for you and the family, there are several things you need to do. these are described in the 2 ensuing blogs.