Dog Park Etiquette for You

When going to a dog park, there are several unspoken rules concerning owner etiquette. Yes, that's right, your pet isn't the only one expected to behave. However, if you follow these rules, you and your pup will always be welcomed back with open arms.


1. Scoop that poop!
If your pet decides to squat down near a bush and do her business, it is up to you to clean it up. This is the most important rule to follow at a dog park. Not only does this keep bacteria from spreading, it also confirms your responsible pet-owner status.

2. Keep flying toys at home.
Most parks welcome squeaky or tug toys, however flying toys like Frisbees are not a good idea. Flying toys can start fights between dogs or owners and may also cause unnecessary behavior issues. Treats may also cause competition or other unwanted behaviors.

3. Stay...stay...stay (in the park).
If you bring your dog to the park, you need to stay in the park with her. It is acceptable to read a book or engage in another activity. Unattended dogs make other dog park guests feel uneasy and you run the chance of your dog being injured without your presence or even taken unwillingly from the park. Always stay with your dog.


4. Take care of your dog
Avoid disciplining someone else's dog. If you end up resorting to force to break up a fight, so be it, but never attempt to punish another dog once the conflict has ended. If you find another dog’s behavior unacceptable, leave the park or politely discuss it with the dog's owner. Always maintain a positive outlook and solve conflicts constructively.

By following these simple rules, you and your pooch will be welcome to return to the park whenever you wish. Remember, owner behavior is just as important as pet behavior! Now go out and watch your dog have a great time while you impress your fellow dog-parkers with your conscientious mentality.

The Dog Park: a Place for Fido and You

Image your pooch running wild on a large span of soft grass, leashless and free. See him in his own habitat, running and frolicking with other dogs, while you sit and chat with other fellow dog fanatics. No, this isn't your fantasy of throwing a party at your 100 acre dream home. This is the reality of a dog park (aka bark park). Taking your pet to a park has many benefits, not only for your dog, but also for you as well.

Your dog will get plenty of needed exercise and will interact with other dogs. Interaction is vital for a well-rounded friendly dog. I'm sure you're asking yourself, "what benefits will I reap from this experience?" Well, not only will you be able to provide your pet with the required exercise easily, but you will gain an immense amount of pride and confidence in your pet in the process. There isn't a better place to receive compliments about your beautiful dog in the world. My boyfriend's dog (a 110 lb Akita), Athena gets more compliments than a newborn baby whenever we take her. Dog lovers appreciate the beauty and personalities of dogs just as you do, unlike the rest of the world.


Even more importantly, you will be surrounded by fellow dog owners, who can offer advice on everything from house training to local vets or supply stores. Knowledge is gained through sharing and there isn't a more fun place to share dog knowledge than while watching your pets befriend each other. One time, a fellow member informed me of signs of joint trouble in my aging Border Collie. She had been babying her back left leg for about a week, but he helped convince me to take her to the vet. She had actually torn a ligament. Without his help, I might not have taken her to the vet quickly enough for a successful surgery. Veteran dog owners offer valuable advice and support to other dog park members.


One of the most exciting parts of taking your dog to the park, is watching them interact with other dogs. For example, Athena is a single-child. She doesn't get to play with other dogs very often except for the occasional trip to my house. But when we take her to the dog park...look out! She is a playing machine; a chasing, jumping, butt-sniffing pro. Many characteristics you never thought possible for your pet will come alive at the dog park.

You and your pet are not the only ones benefiting from a local dog park; many parks donate part of their fees to shelters and/or animal protection agencies to help better the lives of all dogs. Your minimal fees for being a member of a dog park and nothing compared to the joy you will receive from experiencing a dog park. Also, if a membership isn't right for you, many parks offer daily passes at a lesser cost.

Shoo flea! Get off of me! (and my dog...and my home)

Being a pet owner has its responsibilities and not-so-enjoyable tasks such as poop scooping and teeth brushing. However, none of these ever seem to compare to the disastrous issue of flea control. Fleas are a huge concern for pet owner for many reasons. First, they may carry disease and harm your pet. They also make your pet and your home uncomfortable for everyone. If you've never had a flea issue, it might be hard for you to understand the burden of sharing your life with these uncontrollable jumping pests. Don't let their minuscule size fool you-these guys are about as troublesome as having a rabid possum living under your kitchen sink.

Thankfully, several options exist to help you win the war on fleas. First, you must rid your beloved pet of the fleas living on him. This can be done in several ways including, shampoos, collars or powders containing flea killing chemicals. Always read and follow the directions exactly as they are printed on the instructions. After ridding your pet of fleas, its time to take care of the real business.

Did you know that only about 10% of the flea population in your home lives on your pet? Well where are the other 90%? Unfortunately the flea eggs, larvae, pupa, and a few adults reside in carpeting and bedding. These must be eliminated or the problem will never subside or vanish. To rid your home of the remaining fleas, wash all bedding, clothing and removable furniture covers. Also, insert a flea collar into the bag of your vacuum. Then, vacuum and dispose of contents each time. If not, the remaining larvae will be left to reinfest your carpets. Finally, apply an insecticide or have it professionally done. Take extra care not to poison any food for your pet or your family.

By carefully following these steps, you will be able to finally rid your home of these pesky losers. Once you have eliminated them from your home and pet, don't forget to regularly check your pet for fleas and keep the problem from reoccurring.

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Dog Proofing Your Home

A house can hold many mysteries and adventures for a dog. There are countless smells, tastes and sounds for a canine to explore inside your home. While most are harmless, some items your pooch could investigate, could be harmful. The following is a room by room summary of what to be aware of and what to avoid when getting a dog.

Kitchen

Look out for: Sharp cooking and/or cleaning utensils may cut dogs' mouths if chewed. Many detergents, soaps and cleaning liquids are poisonous and may be deadly if ingested. Sharp aluminum cans and broken glass can cut paws and mouths of curious pups. Many choking hazards exists in the kitchen: discarded chicken bones and plastic bags may suffocate an inquisitive dog. To prevent any harm, keep cabinets containing hazardous materials locked, store garbage bags out of sight and keep cutlery and dishes out of reach. As an owner, it is your responsibility to always clean up messes immediately and to train your pet to stay out of the kitchen (or any room) at your command.

Bedroom, Family Room, Dining Room

Look out for: Any cord or wiring, such as electrical, or curtain and blind cords can choke a dog. Electrical cords also provide the danger of shock. Be very careful to keep these out of your dog's reach. As a rule of thumb, anything kept away from children should also be hidden from your god. To train your dog to stay off of furniture, use cayenne pepper or another bitter-tasting spray available at pet stores to make those areas less tempting. If chewing is a problem, provide a teething puppy with a nylon chew toy or wet, knotted towel left overnight in the freezer. Also, never buy toys or treats resembling shoes or clothing or let your pet play with shoes or clothing. Toys and bones should only be made or latex, nylon, hard plastic or rawhide.

Bathroom

Look out for: Medicines, airfresheners and personal-care products can all be poisonous to a dog. All of these items should be store out of reach to prevent ingestion. The toilet lid should also be kept down as smaller dogs could fall inside. Also, many toilet tank refresheners are poisonous and could harm your pet if swallowed.

Garage

Look out for: Paints, chemicals and motor oil are all poisonous. Check your vehicle for leaks as well. Antifreeze, a sweet liquid, will kill animals when ingested. Also sharp tools could puncture a dog so keep them away from your pet.

Many common household items are poisonous to your pet. All of the following are poisons: chocolate, crayons, ibuprofen, laxatives, onions, road salt, suntan lotion with cocoa butter. If you believe your dog has ingested some toxin, call a veternarin immediately. Also, many plants are toxic for dogs. Chrysanthemum, iris, mushrooms, nutmeg, potatoes and tulips are all toxic if ingested. Side affects may include, fairly mild, or the dog may become dehydrated, suffer from diarrhea or even die. If you suspect your dog has eaten a strange or poisonous plant, seek help immediately.

Dog proofing a home may require alot of diligence and preparation, but a happy healthy pet is always worth it. For more imformation, visit Animal Planet's website concerning this topic, Dog Proofing Your Home.

A Second Chance

Still thinking about getting a dog? Please consider an alternative to pure bred adoption: shelter dogs. The dogs found in shelters are waiting for their second chance at life. Many of them were abandoned, abused or neglected by former "owners". These dogs especially need your love and compassion. They may have been physically and/or mentally abused in some way, making their lives even more tragic than we could even begin to comprehend. They are reaching out and crying for help, although frequently their cries go unheard.

You can make a difference in the life of a scared lonely animal in need of help. The pure bred dogs will always be taken care of and have homes, the shelter dogs however, will not. Each animal is only allowed so much time before they are euthanized due to overcrowding in our local shelters. Has anyone ever provided you with salvation when you needed it? So be an angel, as Sara Mclaughlin says in the ASPCA's commercial, and give an animal in need a second chance at life.

Which dog is right for me?

Thinking about getting a new family member? Before rushing out and buying the first wide-eyed furry creature you find, consider the information in this blog. Choosing a dog isn’t just about how cute and cuddly your new pet will be. There are many factors to consider in determining your next addition. Before even researching breeds, you should be able to describe what you want out of the relationship. Ask yourself the following: Do I want a jogging/walking partner? Is low-maintenance important to me? Does it matter how much food my dog will eat? Do I want a dog I can carry without effort? How much room in my home do I have to offer my future pet? The answers to these questions will help to determine what breed is right for you.

Exercise

If a dog that is more than willing to exercise with you is important, consider one of the working breeds such as Akitas, Boxers, Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands or Samoyeds. Many of these breeds are employed as police dogs, guard dogs, sled dogs and rescue dogs today. These breeds are extremely intelligent, but independent and sometimes difficult to manage. They might not be the best choice for first time pet owners and should also be professionally trained before adoption. However, for those seeking a companion for their career fields, the working breeds are best suited to help assist in demanding tasks and rescue missions.

Grooming
If low maintenance grooming is a priority, consider breeds with a short and smooth coat. For example, Doberman Pinschers, Dachshunds and Saint Bernards all require minimal grooming. Breeds requiring moderate grooming include Chow Chows, Cocker Spaniels, and American Eskimo Dogs. If grooming is not an issue for you whatsoever, breeds such as the Poodle, Sheepdog and Maltese require daily brushing and frequent hair trimmings.

Size

Size is also a very important factor to consider when choosing a dog. Will you be able to provide enough space and food for your large breed to live comfortably? Or do you prefer a smaller breed, whom you can easily tote around and doesn’t require as much living space? If larger breeds are of interest, some of the largest are Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, and Old English Mastiffs, all included in 120 pounds and higher club. If you desire a larger, but not massive dog, Rottweiler’s, German Shepards and Bernese Mountain Dogs will suffice. Medium sized dogs include Border Collies (one of my personal favorites), Huskies, Labradors, Bulldogs and some larger terriers and spaniels.

If you live in a smaller home, consider one of the small or toy breeds. They can range from four to twenty pounds full grown. They require less living space and food. However, most are more energetic and will need a lot of exercise and attention. (My Min Pin is trying to jump on my lap as I type this.) Some breeds are: Dachshunds, Beagles, Pugs, Chihuahuas, Papillions, and Miniature Pinschers.

Finally, the absolute most important thing to consider when choosing a pet is your own capabilities. Are you financially, emotionally and physically capable of caring for an animal? Being a pet owner is a huge responsibility. One must be completely positive that they will be able to afford food and medical costs for the animal, provide a plentiful amount of living space and exercise, and above all else, attention and love. Dogs deserve your love and affection. If you are unable to provide any of these basic necessities, consider waiting until you are completely able to support yourself and a pet.

Hopefully this information will help lead you to your newest, and most compatible best friend!

Go Pet Your Pooch!

Hello and welcome to the first post in a series of blogs dedicated to man, or in this case, woman’s best friend. I will persistently be answering questions and concerns prospective or current canine owners face as well as promoting ways to support those fury friends that didn’t get as lucky as our pampered pooches.

I’ve had a passion for dogs my entire life-I’ve never lived even a week without a dog or two by my side. I hope to help answer readers questions and also to create an understanding of the responsibility of being a pet owner.

I believe I am fully capable of this for several reasons. First, as previously stated I am a lifetime dog owner and currently have three amazing girls: Rozalyn, Ruby and my “step-dog” Athena. Also, I have resided less than four blocks from the local Humane Society’s animal shelter, where I spent countless hours just wandering and visiting with the dogs and employees alike. I am also a member of our local Dog Park. Finally, I am a new member of Helping Paws, an organization at my college dedicated to caring for and supporting animals in need through volunteer work and fundraising.


I hope that by reading my blog, you will walk away from you monitor with your canine confusions solved. I also hope that you take an interest in some of the dog-benefitting ideas and help make a difference in the life of an unfortunate pup.

By the way...all of the dogs featured on this page are available at the Almost Home Humane Society RIGHT NOW!

Almost Home Humane Society's YouTube video

Until next time... go pet your pooch!