Fostering A Pet

Posted on July 6, 2014 by Joy Jones

Dogs And Puppies Need Your Help

Having foster homes is very critical to an animal rescue simply because it helps Save Lives. Foster homes are crucial when 90% of the animal rescue’s in-take are dogs and puppies pulled from high kill shelters and pounds. There are more dogs and puppies needing rescue than the rescues can take in due to lack of foster homes. The more foster homes a rescue has, the more dogs and puppies that can be saved from being euthanized and given a second chance to find a wonderful loving family to love them for the rest of their days.

How To Get Started Fostering A Pet

What does fostering a pet entail you ask? It is quite easy. All the rescue needs for you to do is 1.) open your home and your heart to the animal, 2.) provide love, a safe haven and socialization, 3.) be able to transport the pet where ever it may need to go (such as the vet or an adoption event) and finally to love love love getting licks and playing! It is that simple! In return for the above, the animal rescue will provide the vet care and food for the pet while it is in your care.

Fostering Through An Animal Rescue Is Specific To The Pet

Don’t get me wrong and please understand that every rescued animal is different in personality and socialization. Some of the animals may not like children. That animal would need to go into a foster home without small children or any children at all. Some animals may have a fear of men. That animal would need to be socialized with men to work on the fear of being around men, which may result in a foster home without men. Or an animal may not like other animals…so a foster where that animal will be the only animal may be needed. There are many different situations with being a foster home but only one thing will always remain the same with each animal you foster–their love for you!

FAQ About Fostering A Pet

In case you have some questions, here are some Q & A’s that will hopefully help.

Can foster parents adopt their foster pets?

Yes! As long as foster parents meet the shelter requirements that are necessary for adopting, foster parents have the first choice to adopt their foster pets, unless otherwise specified.

Are foster animals contagious? Will my pets or my health be jeopardized?

It is always a health risk to expose your animal to other animals, whether at the off-leash areas, the vet waiting room or other common animal areas. If your pets are current on their vaccinations, maintain healthy diets and lifestyles, and are not immune compromised, then the health risk should be minimal.

If someone in your household is immune compromised, consult the doctor before fostering. If you are pregnant (or someone in your house is (or plan to become) pregnant, talk to your doctor before fostering cats. You may need to take some special precautions during your pregnancy.

Are purchases made for foster care tax-deductible?

Purchases made for foster care may be considered donations to the shelter and would be tax-deductible. Please check with your shelter or rescue group regarding their tax-deductible status. If the organization is a non-profit, keep your receipts.

What do I do if my foster animal needs veterinary care?

It’s always best to speak with the specific shelter or rescue about how to handle medical emergencies, as each group may have a preferred way of managing crisis, require notification prior to treatment or have a preferred veterinarian. I’ve included some rough guidelines below, but it’s always best to sketch out a plan ahead of time with your foster contact.

Animal Rescue Emergencies

If you have an emergency during business hours, please call the shelter or rescue directly. If something happens after hours:

Restrain the animal to prevent it from hurting itself or anyone in the area.
Evaluate the situation and need for assistance.
Is the shelter or rescue’s veterinary office open for business with vet staff available?
Call the shelter.
Get the animal in to see the vet immediately.
Is the animal’s life in imminent danger? Is the animal’s airway obstructed or is the animal having trouble breathing? Does the animal have any broken bones or open wounds?
Call for emergency clearance.
Get the animal in to see the vet immediately.
Is the animal running a fever of 104F or greater?
Look at the animal’s gums. Are they white or healthy pink? Is the animal eating or drinking?
Is the animal able to urinate and defecate? Look at the animal’s stool. Is there blood in the feces or urine? Are there obvious parasites present?
If the situation is not an emergency, call the shelter vet staff first thing on the next business day.
If emergency medical attention is needed, or if you are uncertain, call for emergency clearance. Have the animal’s name, impound number and any information about the situation available so the staff can advise you of the appropriate steps.
Once you are cleared to go to the emergency veterinary clinic, a shelter representative will contact their office and let them know that you are coming. In many cases, the medical treatment of the animal will be billed to the shelter. However, some rescue groups do ask you to pay and be reimbursed.
ALWAYS check with the shelter staff before making an appointment with a veterinary clinic. Without proper clearance, the shelter cannot reimburse you for any medical costs.

What does fostering a dog involve?

When you foster, you agree to take a homeless dog into your home and give him or her love, care and attention, either for a predetermined period of time or until the dog is adopted.

Why do adoption groups need foster homes?

There are many reasons a dog might need foster care. Some of the most common include:

A rescue group doesn’t have a physical shelter and depends on foster homes to care for dogs until suitable homes are found.
A puppy is too young to be adopted and needs a safe place to stay until he or she is old enough to go to a forever home.
A dog is recovering from surgery, illness or injury and needs a safe place to recuperate.
A dog is showing signs of stress such as pacing or hiding in the shelter.
A dog has not lived in a home before or has not had much contact with people and needs to be socialized.
The shelter is running out of room for adoptable dogs.

Why should I foster a dog?

Fostering a dog is one of the most rewarding experiences you can have (other than adopting, of course). By taking an animal in need temporarily into your home you’re:

Freeing up a spot so the shelter or rescue can take in another dog.
Giving your foster dog the time he needs to be ready for adoption.
Helping the shelter or rescue learn more about the dog so he can end up in the best home possible.
Socializing the dog to a home environment and possibly getting him used to being around other pets and different types of people.

How You Can Get Started Fostering A Pet

Now, you are probably wondering how to go about becoming a foster home. That is simple too! Just find a rescue or shelter on Petfinder.com and view their websites for the foster application. Once you apply to become a foster home you will meet a rescue supervisor who will go through the whole foster home process with you.

You are not only giving an animal a new life but you are helping to save a life. For more questions please don’t hesitate to contact me through my email below or by phone at: 513-615-6726.

Robyn Moore

Robyn Moore, our Rescue Editor, is the Founder and Owner of Lil’ Paw Prints Animal Rescue Haven, which she founded in 2006. She has lived in the Loveland, Ohio area for over 30 years. Robyn loves the outdoors and traveling. She also adores animals and helps them every way she can. You can view her rescue’s website at www.lilpawprintsanimalrescuehaven.org. You can contact her at robynm@lilpawprintsanimalrescuehaven.org

Police Kill Dogs–Stop This Now!

Posted on May 26, 2014 by Joy Jones

I don’t often write posts that make me angrier as I go, but I have to say that this is the single pet cause I’ve written about lately that makes me the most outraged. How often lately have we read the headline “Dog Killed By Police Officer”? Way, way too often. The fact is police kill dogs. They kill them for no reason. And sometimes they even like it. When I was a kid I was taught that I could feel safe going up to a policeman on the street if I was lost or needed help—that they’re our friends and are trained to protect and serve. Later, I even dated a cop. I got an insider’s view of police culture. And I came to respect these people even more.

But these days what I see is not always to be respected.

Kelsey Markou and family, and their remaining dog.

In November of 2012, Kelsey Markou was walking her dog in Champaign, Illinois when another dog came up and attacked it. A passerby called the police, and when they arrived the policeman shot both dogs. Eight times, he shot them. Kelsey’s dog died…for being attacked during a walk. The attacking dog went to the vet.

Police Kill Dogs All Over

In August of 2013, the Bullock family of Cincinnati, Ohio returned to their home after a funeral to find blood on their porch and a note to call the Blue Ash police department. It seems their 5 pound Chihuahua mix, Jack, had gotten out. When two officers tried to catch him, he fled to the front porch. Cornered, he bit one of the officers who tried to pick him up. He was then tased, then shot three times. The family described their five year old son calling to the dog every day since its murder to come back. They didn’t have the heart to tell him how Jack had died, and the boy was told he ran away. This story made me ashamed to live in Cincinnati. Here’s a video that describes what I too feel about this.

Cali, giving kisses.

Cali, with the family baby.

Police Kill DogS, TheN Lie And Are Protected

In March of 2014, a policeman in Ardmore, Oklahoma shot Sarah Jo Ellen Brown’s dog because it had escaped the yard and he didn’t want to wait for animal control officers. And then he laughed. He is quoted as bragging, “Did you see her collar fly off when I shot her? That was awesome!” Although the dog, Cali, had done nothing to provoke this, the reply from the animal control officer reportedly was, “We’ll just write in the report that it tried to attack you and others in the neighborhood.” This particular police officer had already been reported several times, once even by another officer, who wrote that he suffered from, “intentional infliction of emotional distress.” Other violations had previously included searching homes without a warrant and even the fatal shooting of a suspect after lying about the man having attacked him. He was later discovered to have failed the psychological tests required to become a police officer.

Arzy

Police Kill Dogs, Even When They Are Already Restrained

The following is from the Facebook Page “Justice For Arzy”, created by Bayou Bullies Rescue & Rehabilitation, Louisiana:

On April 30th, 2014 two men from Maine and their dog were traveling through Calcasieu Parish, and stopped to take shelter from the rain inside a cargo truck outside the offices of the Southwest Daily News in Sulphur. The men were in the back of the truck for about ten minutes when someone from the newspaper called Sulphur Police. The dog’s owner, Brandon Carpenter, says police officer Brian Thierbach came up to them with his gun drawn and ordered them out of the truck. Brandon tied his dog, named Arzy, to the bumper of the truck and explained to the officer the dog was not going to be a problem. As Brandon and his friend were handcuffed and arrested for trespassing, the officer proceeded to search the truck, then suddenly, without warning fatally shot Arzy. A witness, who works for the Daily News, said the dog did not act out in any way. After doing some research we found out that In April 2013, Thierbach was placed on administrative leave by state police, pending an investigation, saying he “posed a significant hazard to the efficiency of the public service,” and that his conduct was “unbecoming of an officer.” It’s not clear from the documents what exactly led to the action, but three days after the notice was written, Thierbach resigned from the Louisiana State Police. On May 9th Sulphur Police Chief Lewis Coats said Thierbach submitted his resignation prior to final disciplinary action being taken against him. Coats said that the joint investigation found that Thierbach “violated the Sulphur Police Department’s Departmental Policy and Procedure regarding Use of Force and Personal Conduct and Behavior.” The SPD investigation is over but The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office is going forward with a criminal investigation into the shooting.

“He thought I was just a train-hopping punk, and he could shoot my dog and get away with it,” Brandon Carpenter said. “You messed with the wrong traveler.”

Officer Ike

Officer Ike On Duty

Police Officer Dog Killed By Police Officer

On April 9th of this year, a Phoenix, Arizona corrections officer left his K9 partner, Ike, a Belgian Malinois, in a car for seven hours in heat exceeding 98 degrees. (As we know, temps inside cars get significantly warmer.) How did this happen? He forgot. Another officer discovered Ike had died and of course tests determined this was due to major organ failure consistent with elevated temperatures. This officer, like at least one before him, had had a sick child on his mind—so…why was he on duty? If he was a hazard to his own partner, how could he possibly help anyone else?

Ike, running.

Police Kill Dogs, Even When They Are Running Away

Cream

Less than a week ago, a family in Anderson, South Carolina was enjoying time at their home with friends. Four children were playing in the driveway, when several police cars pulled in. The family dog walked out to meet them. Teeth were not bared; there was no growling. Yet officers shot the dog. And when it ran into the bushes, shot it again and killed it. Adrien Best, owner of the dog, named Cream, was later informed the police were on the track of a stolen cell phone. As it happened, one of her son’s friends was at the house and had found the phone at school, which he was carrying. Take a look at this video—does it look to you as though these people are desperados, where that many cars were needed in the first place? Let alone what happened to this poor animal?

It seems more than evident that this country has some serious issues in how it chooses and trains its cops. And when officers are routinely reprimanded and released to continue to do more harm than good in our communities, how can we any longer feel like we are safe, let alone our pets? What can we do when an officer allows his own partner to die due to neglect? The average postal delivery worker receives more training than a police officer on how to recognize and handle an actual dog attack. And when there is an average of 69,926,000 pet dogs owned in this country, that’s just crazy. Here are some resource links, if you’d like to learn how citizens can take a stand on this issue, and how to protect your pets:

Justice For Arzy FB Page

The ASPCA’s Position

Animal Legal Defense Fund

Colorado’s “Don’t Shoot My Dog” Bill

A Police Officer’s Insight On Keeping Your Dog Safe

I still have police officer friends. I know there are good officers out there, who in no way would ever harm a pet. I’m hoping that they, and those reading this post who love them, will pass this along with their own outrage and suggestions on where citizens can go for help. This is not just about pets—it’s about the safety and rights of all people, as well.

Joy Jones, our Editor In Chief, is a syndicated columnist living with her husband Dave in Anderson, Ohio. When not working on Your Pet Space, she writes a metaphysical column called The Midwestern Buddhist as well as urban fantasy and humor. You can e-mail her at joy@yourpetspace.info as well as follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

Little Known Dog Breeds

Posted on May 13, 2014 by Joy Jones

We are familiar with such dog breeds as the Poodle and Labrador retriever. There are other less-known dog breeds, especially in this country. Below, I have given a short description of several of these less-known dog breeds. The next time you are looking to add a new dog to your household, why not take a look at one of these?

SMALL BREED DOGS

Affenpinscher — These are small breed dogs, from the same breed which also presented us the schnauzers. One of the little known dog breeds, the affenpinscher is thought to be the most suitable for a family pet. It is very intelligent, easy to train, and of a good demeanor. They have dark fur and have always shown affection to human beings.

Bouvier des Flandres — This dog is similar to the terrier. Their fur is generally dark and they have proven to be very calm. At the beginning, they were bred as herders in France but nowadays they are used for police and military purposes, as well as guidance for blind persons.

Lancashire Heeler–This is a smaller breed out of England, that was originally bred to herd cattle. They are smart and fun companion dogs, and interestingly, develop a small mane around the neck in the winter months.

Mudi–Also a smaller of the little known dog breeds. These dogs are from Hungary, and are great for hunting or herding. An awesome dog for agility trials or show, and their wavy coats are easy to groom.

Peruvian Inca Orchid — This small to medium, hairless breed may actually have tufts of hair on his head, paws or tail. Lack of fleas is a great advantage with these dogs, but their skin does require occasional care. They can be sensitive to toxins and sometimes prone to seizures.

Pumi–Thought to have been bred from terriers originating in Germany and France, these small breed dogs from Hungary are routinely used in Scandinavia in dog dancing competitions. This dog is high energy and barks easily.

Rat Terrier–This small US breed, believe it or not, contains bloodlines of the Beagle, Italian Greyhound and Miniature Pinscher. Bred for speed in catching rats, squirrels and hares, it nevertheless has a cheerful personality with people and takes well to training.

Russian Toy–One of the smallest dog breeds in the world, this animal was originally bred from terriers to hunt rats. It can be somewhat high maintenance, in that this breed often needs to see a vet for help when losing its puppy teeth and getting adult teeth. They can also be very vocal and protective of their owners.

Medium Breed Dogs

Anatolian Shepherd — This member of the less-known dog breeds is of a medium size and has proved to be very courageous. They’re also very powerful and loyal and are often used for military and hunting purposes.

Appenzeller Sennenhunde–These Swiss Mountain dogs are of medium size, have a distinctive tri-color coat and were originally bred as cattle herders and general farm dogs. This is a high energy working dog, and not recommended for apartment dwellers or a more sedate lifestyle.

Azawakh–Originating in Africa, these tall sighthounds are used in their homelands to hunt gazelle and hare, and can run in short sprints up to 40mph. Relatively uncommon in the US, they are becoming more popular, despite the fact that their temperaments vary from snuggly to fiercely protective. They are highly emotional and sensitive dogs, which need large, fenced areas to run free off-lead.

Basenji –These are medium sized muscular dogs and are also named the African Barkless Dogs. These dogs are able to bark, they just choose not to. Their greatest skill is hunting.

Belgian Laekenois — Hard working sheep dogs, these animals are fabulous at agility, tracking and herding trials. They are recognized by their woolly, tweedy coats. Interestingly, they were also used during the First and Second World Wars as messenger dogs.

Bergamasco Shepherd–Originally from Italy, these dogs were bred for herding and guarding sheep and cattle, and are of medium size. Their most notable feature is their unique felted coat (think a dreadlock look). Fans of the breed would enjoy agility trials, obedience and show events. These dogs make great companions and even guardians.

Catalburun–Only two other dog breeds possess this dogs’s unusual split-nose feature. Originally from Turkey, they are known for their agility and strong scent ability as hunters. They are considered a pointer breed.

Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen–like the Basset Hound, these dogs originated in France, as hunters of boar, deer and rabbit, and look like extreme furry versions of their Basset brothers. They are pack dogs, so will do best in households with at least one other pet.

Hovawart–originally bred to be home guardians, these dogs came from Germany’s Black Forest, and are exceptional search and rescue animals. They are best suited for those with experience in dogs, and not as a first pet.

Kai Ken–these dogs have been bred for centuries in Japan and are commonly known as “Tiger Dogs”. They are of medium size, and full of alertness and bravery. They are loyal, good with children, and love water.

Polish Owczarek Nizinny — This dog is of medium size and has long fur which covers its eyes. These are devilish dogs that are known for creating chaos when left alone.

Large Breed Dogs

Asian Ovtcharka –One of the little known dog breeds from Central Asia, the Ovtcharka are large and muscular dogs. They appear to be very loyal and fearless dogs with strong protective instincts which makes them perfect as watchdogs.

Chinook — This adaptable US breed came from a cross between the Husky and the Mastiff, and is basically a big sled dog with a love of children. They also do well with other dogs, and are often used in search and rescue and skijoring.

Dogo Argentino — Developed in Argentina to hunt big game (including pumas), this dog’s ancestry comes from a large variety of fighting dogs, as well as the Great Dane. Today, they are also chosen for military and police work. They are all white, and can be prone to deafness.

Estrela Mountain Dog–Hailing from Portugal, this large breed has two coat colors, both of which have about the same texture as goat hair. As a livestock guardian, this is not the pet for everyone, and is recommended for those with a firm handle on leadership.

Spanish Mastiff–very big and strong, this dog has a longer nose than most mastiffs, and enjoys a lumbering daily walk. They are calm, but smart, and very loyal. But their size and rumbling bark probably mean they are better kept in the country than city.

Wirehaired Vizsla–This medium-large dog originated in Hungary, and although they were bred for hunting, their even tempers make them great family dogs as well. They have skills as both scent dogs and retrievers, and are lean and very rugged animals.

Maybe you’re a pet lover who is also a writer. And maybe you enjoyed this article and it gave you some ideas of your own. 🙂 Contact me at joy@yourpetspace.info if you’d like to join our staff. Thanks!

Ask The Trainer: Do Dogs Need A Pack Leader?

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Joy Jones

Once Again, Here’s Our Ask The Trainer Feature!

I often get asked the question: do dogs need a pack leader? My answer is yes, dogs need a good pack leader. Dogs by nature need some one to lead them. Even the small breeds need a leader. Problem dog behavior such as social issues, fear biters, separation anxiety and other dog behavior issues develop because the dog does not have a good leader.

How To Be The Alpha Dog/Be A Good Pack Leader

So, what is a good pack leader? A good pack leader has calm, assertive energy. A good pack leader does not yell or scream. A good pack leader is consistent in what they are asking of their pack. They do not ask the pack, “Would you like to do this?” Instead, they lead the way . A good pack leader has great focus on what they are asking of the pack…and is also very clear in communication.

How To Solve Dog Behavior Issues

Some of the ways you can become your dogs pack leader are: Always have your dog walk beside you and be your partner. Reward calm behavior. Never reward a dog when they are feeling nervous or scared. This only makes the dog think they are doing the right behavior. Pack leaders always go out the gate or door first. As the pack leader, you should be able to take food and toys away from your dog. Always feed your dog when they are calm.

Your canine friend will be a happy well balanced dog, if you will be a good, calm, assertive pack leader. And here’s a great video to demonstrate how to be the alpha dog with subtlety!

Tina Caldwell, our Training Editor and author of “ask the trainer”, has been training dogs and their families for about twenty years. She likes to work with all kinds of dogs and people, and has shown and competed in many different events over the years. Some of her specialties are conformation, obedience and agility trials. Her favorite breed of dog is the Cane Corso. You can contact Tina through Petsmart Eastgate in Cincinnati, or at training@yourpetspace.info

How To Train An Abused Dog

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Joy Jones

Often you will come across a dog that has been abused at one point in his life. These dogs are difficult to deal with, as the normal things we do cause them anxiety and fear. You can, however, increase your chances of teaching an abused dog to trust with a few simple changes in approach and a lot of patience.

How To Approach A Once-Abused Dog

When interacting with this dog, bend down to appear less threatening. When talking to him, keep your voice low and cheerful. A loud or frustrated tone will cause him to fear. Call him to you; don’t approach him. If he makes an effort to obey, praise him. Don’t wait for him to obey completely. Remember, he may be used to getting hit when he approaches someone.

When you do get to pet this dog, avoid his head. Keep your hand palm up as it approaches him and gently rub under his chin or on his chest. Rubbing either spot tends to calm a dog. If he moves to step backward, let him retreat. In time, he will stay longer.

When A Dog Is Nervous

When a dog is nervous or you have a skittish dog, he will often wet the floor involuntarily. If this should happen, it is important not to allow your frustration to show. It is not a deliberate attempt at disobeying and will likely disappear as he gains trust in you.

How To Train An Abused Dog

When training or retraining an abused dog, keep any sessions short, with just a few minutes of actual touch each time. You can gradually increase the time as his trust grows. Often, just sitting quietly and waiting for him to approach you will make him feel comfortable. If your initial attempts fail, try this.

These Dogs Make A Great Pets!

A once-abused dog can be as trusting and loving as any other. Working with abused dogs takes patience on the part of those in their lives. A crouching position, low voice and appropriate touch will win them over eventually. The effects of animal cruelty can manifest in many nervous dog symptoms. But love and time really do conquer all.

Where to Adopt

Here are a couple of links we recommend for awesome shelter and rescue organizations in Cincinnati. If you need a referral in another location, feel free to contact us!

Lil Paw Prints Animal Rescue Haven

Rescue Me.Org

Flea And Tick Season Is No Joke

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Joy Jones

Okay, so it’s April Fool’s Day–but that’s no reason you have to feel like an idiot about flea and tick season. Yep, there’s a lot to know about the situation and a lot of products to choose from. When exactly is flea and tick season? And how does one decide between Advantage or Frontline? Or between Frontline or Advantix?

Why Are Fleas and Ticks Important To Prevent?

These insects live on the blood of our pets. And did you know fleas can jump thousands of times (an average is the length of three football fields) and up to two feet in each jump in search of a host? :: shudder :: Fleas live sixteen days to twenty-one months, depending on the environment, feeding on your dog or cat about once every two days.

Fleas can cause anemia in adult dogs. And in puppies a flea infestation can be life threatening. Pets who are allergic to the saliva of fleas can have problems after a single bite of one insect.

Ticks are often picked up in urban parks and deep woods, and can transmit serious diseases in pets. Diseases like ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, anaplasmosis and others.

When Is Flea and Tick Season Where I Live?

Well, it all depends on temperature and humidity. For instance, if you live in California or Nevada, flea and tick season begins in February and runs through October. If you’re in Florida, Pennsylvania or Ohio, the season starts closer to March.

Which Is Better: Natural or Traditional Flea and Tick Products?

Honestly, Dave and I are fanatical about doing everything natural we can for our pets, just as we choose organic solutions for ourselves. BUT, our experience has been negative with the use of organic flea and tick repellants. When we picked out our Brittany puppy, Castle, the breeder explained she had been using brewer’s yeast to prevent fleas. When we spoke to our vet, she was adamant that this does not work. But, we took that with a grain of salt since, after all, our vet’s office sells flea and tick preventatives. Dave chose a natural product for her, which contained rosemary, lemon, lavender and peppermint. That sweet little dog smelled like we were cooking all the time!

And yet–not very long into our first season with her, Castle presented with fleas–and it turned out she had an allergy to them! By the time we discovered her treatment wasn’t working, it was an expensive trip to the vet to get her comfortable, plus we had to treat all our cats and dogs, just to make sure none of her visitors were jumping off for a ride on anyone else! Not good.

Having said that, if you’re reading this and you’ve had an awesome experience with a natural flea and tick preventive, we’d LOVE to have you write a review on it. 😉

Traditional Flea and Tick Season Products In General

First of all, there are all kinds of ingredients in different products on the market–most are topical, but some are oral. Any topical product you choose needs to be waterproof. You want to make certain you do not use products designed for dogs on cats, and vice versa.

It’s super important that you get specifics from your vet on which product is safe to use on your puppy, or your lactating or pregnant pet. And be cautious if your pet has a history of seizures. Some products require your pet to test negative for heartworm before use. And some should only be given with food.

How Do I Decide Between Advantage or Frontline? between frontline or advantix?

Advantage’s benefits are: this topical product is available for dogs or cats and can be used on puppies and kittens. It is waterproof, is given monthly and kills 98% of pre-existing fleas in twelve hours; then new fleas in two hours. Contains a flea sterilizer.

Frontline’s benefits are: this topical product is available for dogs or cats and can be used on puppies and kittens. It is waterproof, is given monthly. BUT only its PLUS line contains flea sterilization, and it takes longer to work (twenty four hours to translocate, then four to eighteen hours to kill fleas).

Advantix’s benefits are: this superior topical product is available for dogs or cats and can be used on puppies and kittens. It is waterproof, is given monthly and contains a flea sterilizer. 98% of fleas are dead in twelve hours. It also kills ticks; repels flies and mosquitos.

We like: Vectra 3D because: this topical product is available for dogs (even as small as 2.5 lbs) or cats and can be used on puppies and kittens. It is waterproof, is given monthly and kills 96% of fleas in six hours. In addition, it kills ticks and repels flies and mosquitos!

But it is not recommended for pregnant or lactating pets.

Using a different product altogether and want to see how it compares? Go here.

So yeah–dealing with fleas and ticks is no joke. Your pet should not be hosting a flea circus! Be smart, talk to your vet. And if you’d like to see how prices compare online, check out Your Pet Rx Space.

Pet Videos: Pets With Mirrors

Posted on March 29, 2014 by Dave Jones

Pet Book Reviews: The Dog Listener

Posted on March 22, 2014 by Joy Jones

The other day I was asked about puppy bonding techniques. And I was pleased, because it at last gave me a chance to do one of my favorite pet book reviews.

And on the amichien bonding method, no less!

Jan Fennell

Jan Fennell is the international best selling author of “The Dog Listener” and her training, the amichien bonding method, is used by dog owners worldwide. The success of her method has resulted in six books being translated into 27 languages and published in 34 countries! Jan has had two national television series in the UK and Australia, television appearances in the UK, New Zealand, the USA, Poland and Australia, countless radio appearances in many more countries and has given talks and seminars in twenty six countries- to date.

I began reading Jan Fennell’s The Dog Listener just after speaking to an animal communicator about our young dog, Castle. We were having some behavior problems with our little Brittany, among them mouthing, jumping and border running (incessant barking at the fence line).

Never having heard of the amichien bonding method myself, I’ll explain a bit here:

The amichien bonding method, simply put, is one of respect and understanding rather than a form of dominance or force. By intuiting how dogs treat each other, we can key into how they choose freely to follow a leader, instead of being made to.

KEY POINTS IN THE AMICHIEN BONDING METHOD

Jan Fennell’s teachings are based on four times in wolf families where the pack members re-establish who is leader:

When the pack hunts.
When the pack eats.
At times of danger.
When the pack reunites.

It is at these times that dog owners must understand how to make dogs want to do what we expect of them of their own free will.

When the pack hunts translates as walking in the modern dog world. Jan tackles subjects in this area such as dogs that run wild off leash and don’t return, chaos in the car, and so on.

When the pack eats is handled in many different ways, including eating first (or at least “fake eating”, since in wolf packs the alpha pair eat and then the rest of the pack) and dealing with problem eaters as well.

I can tell you that Dave and I personally have mastered mealtimes using Jan’s techniques with our three dogs. We simply establish our leadership by waiting until all three have given us a “down stay” to put food down–and although this was tricky at first, we now have it down to less than 60 seconds per mealtime!

“At times of danger” could cover a lot of territory–but certainly for us, border running was equivalent to this issue. Castle was once attacked by a dog only blocks from our home, and its clueless owner continues to walk him right by our house every day. Castle would begin fear barking and racing all around the yard to confront her nemesis approaching from all angles every time he passed. And when we did force her back inside by using a leash, she would still bark and pace agitatedly for some time after.

Thanks to Jan’s book, and the amichien bonding method, we rarely now have trouble getting her to be more interested in coming in than barking at the fence. But she also covers things like canine confrontations, fear of noises and dogs that bite. When the pack reunites, for us, took a little longer to understand–until we realized that it meant every time we re-entered the room, to a dog! But this was the reason for Castle’s jumping–and the solution much simpler than you might expect.

Other situations Jan covers in this book include: nervous aggression, separation anxiety, puppy bonding techniques, potty training problems, multiple dog issues, dogs that are too possessive (of owners and/or toys), nervous dogs in general and problems specific to rescue dogs.

The book also includes a 30 day training guide–how cool is that? And she even got her horse training hero, Monty Roberts, to write the foreword!

In short, we highly recommend The Dog Listener, and the amichien bonding method!

Here are some words from Jan, also, taken from her website:

“The absolute joy that dogs have brought into my life, from a very early age, made me wonder if it were possible to repay this gift in any way.

Like a lot of dog owners, I was less than happy with traditional training of dogs, which involve jerking, pushing and punishment but knew of no other method. There was also the widespread acceptance of the notion that to successfully work with a dog demanded a knack or special gift, a belief that prevents many loving owners from ever succeeding.

Also, like most people, I knew that dogs had an excellent communication system of their own but as a human, with a completely different method of communication, failed to see how I could bridge the gap and make real “contact”. Then in 1989 a good friend, Wendy Broughton, introduced me to the work of the acclaimed horseman Monty Roberts, and I saw, for the first time, how it was possible to not only learn the communication system or language of another species but more importantly, find a way of responding in an acceptable, kind way to that animal and thereby open true conversation, with the emphasis on working with the true nature of the animal, gaining its trust and willingness to co-operate, of its own free will.

This gift of understanding means that we are all now able to quickly identify, understand and consequently, resolve all type of undesirable behaviour. We can do this (no matter what the breed or age of dog) without the use of force, fear, frustration or gadgets, and it can be achieved by anyone who chooses to adopt my method ‘Amichien® Bonding’.

There is only one thing better than finding something so special and that is being able to share it, which I have been able to do through the books, DVD’s and courses for many years now and how wonderful it is to have a team of highly qualified colleagues, worldwide, passing on this information in such a way that empowers all dog owners.

I wish you joy on your journey of understanding and promise that you can do this too.”

Jan Fennell

Click here to buy: Books By Jan Fennell

Joy Jones, Publisher, is also the Vice President of Your Pet Space, a cage free dog boarding facility serving the greater Las Cruces, NM area. She is also a syndicated columnist living with her husband Dave (below). When not working on Your Pet Space, she writes a metaphysical column, as well as urban fantasy and humor. You can e-mail her at joy@yourpetspace.info as well as send her a friend request on Facebook.

Pet Sitting Tips: How To Find A Pet Sitter

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Joy Jones

Pet Sitting Tips

Finding a pet sitter can be a daunting task if you’ve ever had to find a suitable day care or babysitter for your children or even locating a long-term care facility for your senior parents, you’ll understand. Each person’s and each pet’s needs will vary. Here are a few guidelines to consider when looking for “while you’re away” pet sitting for your fur family:

Pet Sitting Instructions For You

How long will you be absent from your pets? How do your pets do when separated for long periods of time? If you have dogs or even cats that require a fair amount of attention, consider finding a pet sitter that stays on the premises overnight. Find a sitter that will help you with the most suitable service that best fits your needs.

Pet Sitting Instructions For THEM

Each pet sitter communicates with their clients differently while you are away. Some are tech-savvy and some are not. Find one that will work out a good communication system with you in case of emergencies or even simple inquiries that may have been missed in the initial introductory meeting.
Consider having the pet sitter meet your pets before planning your vacation, to see how well your pets get along with him or her, or even suggest a trial period to see how the pets adjust to a different person in the house.

Pet Sitting Instructions IN GENERAL

Some pet sitters carry insurance–not all; however, finding one that is insured and bonded can be a good bonus to consider for peace of mind. Many are pet first aid certified as well.
Locate a pet sitter through referrals from your vet clinic, online groups such as Facebook or LinkedIn. Some places such as the Chamber of Commerce may have listings of pet sitters in your town as well. Get advice from your friends, family or even co-workers, as well. Craigslist and Kijiji will mostly have postings from young people looking for extra money or place to stay while attending college/university. Find a sitter that cares more about your pets. Trust your gut instincts to put your trust in a new person in your pet’s lives!

More pet sitting tips: There are all types of “while you’re away” pet sitting. Some only do dog-walking Mondays through Fridays, some only do cat-sitting and not overnight stays, some only do small animal care, and some consider doing farm jobs as well. Some will stay at your house and some will board your animals in their own homes. There are many options available to you out there!

by Jen McEachen

Pet Sitter/Owner of Pampered Critters

Jen grew up with an assortment of animals including cats, dogs and rabbits. She began “hobby” sitting for a few people in 2004. Having graduated from the College of New Caledonia in 2008 with certification in Applied Business Technology, she was awakened in early June 2010 by a dream – the dream that ultimately set her on the path to establishing Pampered Critters. She’s always had a strong compassion towards animals and clients, and really, pet and house-sitting seemed a far more suitable career path for her than sitting in an office and being an administrative assistant.

Her interests mainly surround animals, disability advocacy, and some recreational activities including bowling and socializing with friends. She volunteers her time as the volunteer resources coordinator at the Canadian Red Cross’ HELP (Health Equipment Loan Program) depot and also volunteers for the Canadian Cancer Society as well. Contact her at: www.pamperedcritters.ca

Who Is Dogs On Deployment?

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Joy Jones

What Happens To Dogs Of Deployed Soldiers?

Every military member deals with various difficulties and personal uphill battles during their careers; a dual military couple is a special breed of marriage where those battles are multiplied with the complexities of two careers, two commands, two goals and two paths which aren’t always convergent. This is the situation my husband and I found ourselves in. We knew it going into the deal; that our marriage would be tested, we’d be apart, and it would be tough. My husband, LT Shawn Johnson, US Navy, was at the tail end of his first sea tour stationed in San Diego, CA, and facing an upcoming deployment. I had just commissioned into the US Marine Corps, and would be attending an infantry-centric six-month training required by all Marine officers, The Basic School, in Quantico, VA, followed by up to two years of Naval Flight Training in Corpus Christi, TX. We were as prepared as we could be to meet the challenges of separation and trying to manage a marriage from two separate states. What we weren’t prepared for, of all things, was our dog.

JD is our baby. We had gotten him as a puppy, and his 35lb body of fur brings so much love into our home, that his presence is the thing that makes me smile in the mornings. He was two years old when I commissioned. In a few months, I was scheduled to move to Virginia for training, where I would be required to live in the barracks, where pets are strictly forbidden. Shawn was scheduled to deploy at the same time. We broke the lease on our house, moved our stuff into storage, and then stared at our dog in puzzlement as to what to do with him. Our immediate family was unable care for him for the six months we needed, and professional boarding (which we would have paid if it came to that) was the same as a small mortgage.

We were lucky. A distant relative on Shawn’s side of the family lived in Virginia, near the base I was moving to, had a large yard, and was retired military, understanding the difficulties placed on military families. Without even meeting JD, they agreed to welcome him into their home for six months, while I tromped around the forest in my boots with my M-16, and Shawn deployed to the Middle East.

We were lucky, but not all military members are.

On our drive from California to Virginia, we got to talking about the situation. JD in the back seat inspired us to come up with an idea to prevent this worrisome situation from happening to other military members. We would create a national non-profit that would connect military members with volunteers willing to board their pets during their service commitments; deployments, training and moves. We would eventually come to extend our network to homeless veterans, Wounded Warriors and the families of those affected by military hardship. We would use the money we raised from donations to give grants to needing military families for help with their pet’s care during emergencies, providing funds to transport pets overseas on moves, pay for emergency surgeries, give food to homeless veterans’ dogs, and even basic care, like spay and neuter initiatives. Thus, in June 2011, in the cramped seats of a baby blue Volkswagon crammed with everything I owned, my husband and my beloved dog, we founded Dogs on Deployment.

Growth of Dogs On Deployment

With the help of our small group of volunteers, Dogs on Deployment has grown to include a network of over 10,000 users. When a military member needs assistance with their pet’s care during their upcoming service commitment, they can visit our website and register their pet. In turn, what we call “DoD Boarders” register as foster homes to welcome a military-owned pet into their home. Through Dogs on Deployment, the two can connect, and work together to provide placement and a safety net for the pet. Our network aims to prevent needless relinquishment of military pets to shelters due to lack of options, and also improve the morale of deploying troops by providing them with resources able to help them and their pets.

Our network is robust. While we are currently limited to only helping those in the United States (though we do have future plans to expand internationally), we allow listings for any type of pet. We have helped over 400 military-owned pets find temporary care in their owner’s absence since founding, to include dogs, cats, birds, turtles, rabbits, ferrets, reptiles and more. Since Dogs on Deployment is a networking service, there are few requirements placed on DoD Boarders to register, as it is the decision of the owner who they choose to care for their pets. Our open network allows for easy communication between military members needing help and those that want to help them.

What Dogs On Deployment Promotes

Besides providing the largest foster network for military members, Dogs on Deployment also promotes responsible, lifelong pet ownership by military families. Last year, we hosted our first annual Dogs on Deployment Military Pet of the Year and Mascot Competition to celebrate this, where we had several military-owned dogs submitted in our contest, and the winner by popular vote was Bram, a Rottweiler owned by a US Air Force family stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, MO. Bram has represented Dogs on Deployment and responsible pet ownership this past year by competing in training trials, being an ambassador for his breed and attending several community events.

The search has started again, and Dogs on Deployment launched our 2014 Military Pet of the Year and Mascot competition on February 1^st, where we will find our next mascot and announce the winner in March.

In 2012, Dogs on Deployment was registered as a national 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit. We are funded through private donations and sponsorships. With the new year of 2014, we have big goals to expand our network, including launching a new website, increasing our financial grants to military families, and providing additional aid to DoD Boarders when a pet through our network is in their care.

How You Can Foster Dogs Of Deployed Soldiers

Should supporters of Dogs on Deployment want to get involved through volunteering or donating, please visit our website www.dogsondeployment.org to learn how you can help.

Our organization’s success relies on the community support in both the civilian and military sectors. When you bring two common passions together; American troops and the love for animals, you create an unstoppable force of dedication, support and outright generosity. Running this organization has been an adventure, and a fulfilling one. Becoming a Marine is my greatest accomplishment. Being a Marine means self-sacrifice, and putting others before yourself. Dogs on Deployment allows others to feel that same sort of pride. Helping a military member with their most precious item, their best friend, their family, can be challenging. But the reward is worth the effort. Seeing reunions of our troops with their pets (which you can watch on Dogs on Deployment’s YouTube channel), can bring tears to your eyes as the viewer. Being the one who made that reunion possible, is what I hope, a great accomplishment for any of our DoD Boarders.

Support us and foster dogs for deployed soldiers by finding us online, on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

The Johnson Family

Founders Alisa and Shawn Johnson proudly own two miniature Australian Shepherds, JD and Jersey, and two Caique parrots, Kiki and ZoZo, who are the inspiration behind their work. They are also active fosters for Dogs on Deployment and their local rescue groups.

May 2024
S	M	T	W	T	F	S
« Nov
			1	2	3	4
5	6	7	8	9	10	11
12	13	14	15	16	17	18
19	20	21	22	23	24	25
26	27	28	29	30	31