Access to Dangerous Materials is Biggest Holiday Pet Safety Hazard In and Around Homes, according to Pet Sitters International

King, NC (Vocus) November 13, 2009 — Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters reports that the biggest pet safety hazard consistently witnessed by pet sitters during the holidays is a pet’s access to dangerous materials in the home that can be easily ingested.

PSI recently surveyed its nearly 8,000 member businesses to determine the top three hazards professional pet sitters encounter during the holidays. More than 10 percent of the association’s members participated in the survey. While the majority of respondents, 63 percent, said that access to dangerous materials was most prevalent, 25 percent cited electrical appliances left on in the home and 24 percent referenced a pet’s access to dangerous plants. Read more

How To Secure Your Dog While Traveling

In this article, “How To Secure Your Dog While Traveling”, we will look at the best ways to protect your canine when taking him along with you on car trips.

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Natural Degreaser Hopes to Help Eliminate Household Poisonings and Make the Home Safer for Children and Pets

Toxic chemicals found in many household cleaners are dangerous to family and pets. A new natural biodegradable degreaser hopes to eliminate that problem. It has won the approval of the U.S. Naval Center for Environmental Health.

Dallas, Texas (Vocus/PRWEB ) January 28, 2009 — Bio Cleaner and Degreaser has just been released to the public, and it is being marketed as a natural solution for household cleaning products. Those who use this product can get rid of toxic chemicals in their home and instead use the cleaner and degreaser, which is made from processed extracts of natural plants. Read more

Basic First Aid For Your Pet – What To Do In Case Of Emergency (Part III)

In this article, “Basic First Aid For Your Pet – What To Do In Case Of Emergency (Part III)”, we will look at common household emergencies that you may face in the course of owning a dog and how to solve/deal with these problems. Read more

Basic First Aid For Your Pet – What To Do In Case Of Emergency (Part II)

In this article, “Basic First Aid For Your Pet – What To Do In Case Of Emergency (Part II)”, we will look at common household emergencies that you may face in the course of owning a dog and how to solve/deal with these problems. Read more

Basic First Aid For Your Pet – What To Do In Case Of Emergency (Part I)

In this article, “Basic First Aid For Your Pet – What To Do In Case Of Emergency (Part I)”, we will look at common household emergencies that you may face in the course of owning a dog and how to solve/deal with these problems. Read more

How To Prepare Your Dog For the Winter Weather

Winter is a cold time and you should not be concerned about your health, but also your dogs!  Remain a responsible dog owner during the winter by caring for your dogs in the following ways:

1. Give your dog fresh water – Do not consider snow as a replacement for water.  It could contain antifreeze or other chemicals that are poisnous. 
2. Give your dog plenty of food – If your dog is outdoors a lot, he/she will need more calories to keep their body temperature regulated.  If your dog is an indoor dog and is less active during the winter, be cautious of the diet given to limit his/her weight gain.
3. Rinse and dry your dog’s feet after a walk – This will help to limit tiny cuts and cracked pads.  You can even use petroleum jelly to help soften and moisturize your dog’s pads to prevent from cracking.  Think of it like how we use lotion to smooth our skin and prevent cracking, dogs need the extra care too during winter times.
4. Focus on keeping your dog warm
   • If your dog is wet from the weather, towel / blow dry him/her to keep warm.
   • Provide blankets and padding on uncarpeted floor areas

Finally, winter hazards to be aware of include:

1. Do not leave your dog outside for long periods of time – Dogs can get frostbite on their body such as the ears, tail, and/or feet.
2. Do not leave your dog in the car - The carbon monoxide from a running engine is dangerous.

Reference:  ”American Kennel Club News Article: The American Kennel Club Offers Tips To Help Winterize Dogs”.  Retrieved on January 6, 2009 from http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3665

Dog Training: Frequently Asked Questions

By: Susie Aga

I frequently get asked the same questions by different clients all the time. Here are the questions and the solutions.

Why won’t my dog come to me when I call them?

First of dogs with out a fenced in yard are the harder to teach come to, because they do not have enough time off leash and will not give that up when they are loose. If you give your dog ample exercise off leash in an enclosed park or some other area on a regular basis then it is no big deal for them to come to you when they are loose because they are not giving anything up. Also you MUST be exciting no one wants a boring dog and no dog wants a boring owner. I can teach you 3 tools that will get your dog to come to you first their name means come to me, then “come” as an emergencies command and then I have a secret weapon that is fool proof. Read more

Is It Okay To Leave Your Dog Outside?

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) suggests that pets all pets should stay indoors with their family.  However, don’t mistaken this to mean your dog should never be allowed to go outside.  The HSUS recommends that your dog spend time outside when supervised and under control.

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Keeping Your Dog Safe On Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving is a fun time for all with the food and festivities around. Since it’s also a time when people share with one another, you should be careful about what is shared with your dog. Here are a few Thanksgiving safety tips from the ASPCA:

• If you feed your dog a nibble of turkey, make sure it’s cooked well and boneless
• Sage and other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can lead to gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression if eaten in large quantities
• Don’t let your dog have raw bread dough, because your dog’s body heat can cause the dough to rise in his/her stomach, resulting in vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could then become life-threatening and require surgery
• Keep your dog away from things that are raw such as raw meat, batter, dough, etc., because it may have salmonella
• Don’t let your dog overindulge during Thanksgiving, because it could cause a stomach upset, diarrhea, or pancreatitis.  (It’s recommended that dogs stay on their regular diet during the holidays)

Source: “Thanksgiving Safety Tips”, ASPCA.org; Retrieved on November 24, 2008 from http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pets_thanksgiving

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