Is It a Good Idea to Get a Puppy/Dog When You Have Small Children?

To many people, dogs and kids just go together. Others are afraid the pet might harm the child. The answer is to choose the dog carefully and train it well. If the family has a dog before the babies start coming, the owners can opt for dog obedience training or train the dog themselves to prepare it for when the baby comes home.

Choosing the Dog

Choosing the age and breed of the dog carefully will also be important. If there is no dog in the home when a baby is born and brought home, the family might wait a few months before introducing a puppy or dog to the household. This gives mom time to get used to caring for a baby before she has to worry about dog obedience Training.

When the time has come to pick a dog, choose a dog that fits your home and family members’ needs. For instance, don’t get a shaggy, long-haired dog if someone in the family has allergies. Short-haired dogs that don’t shed much are good choices. Then, groom them daily. Wiping them with a dryer sheet daily will get rid of dander and loose hairs.

Choose a dog that needs the amount of exercise you are prepared to give. Large hunting type dogs need lots of exercise and space. If the family has small children, pick a mild-mannered dog breed that is more likely to be protective of children and forgiving of small children’s movements.

Mixed breed dogs are hardier and less prone to genetic diseases. It is a little harder to predict their adult size and personality, but worth the effort. Tiny dogs may not be a good choice for homes with small children.  Seeing-eye dogs who did not make the final cut or other dogs that were trained for one purpose but did not work out are worth considering because they already are trained.

Dog Training

For both existing and new dogs, it is a good idea to consider dog obedience training when introducing a baby or young child to the family mix. Dog training options start at one-day options, 6-day packages, and move to 2-week, 3-week, and 4-week packages. Each step up in the length of training adds more commands and learning.

The one-day training offers training collar and treat pouch with instructions, all day training, and added nightly homework for master and dog through e-mail. The trainer could gear the training to the new baby in the house scenario.

The longer training times do more training and offer the pet owner video updates on the dog’s progress and lessons to take home to educate yourself and all family members on the dog’s commands.

Getting Ready for a New Dog

Preparing for a new dog correctly can affect the success of the pet adventure. Before bringing a puppy or new dog home, prep the house and family for pet ownership. Get the kids to put away their things so belongings won’t be damaged by the dog. Consider baby gates to confine a new dog to a safe area. Purchase all the puppy or dog equipment in advance and have it set up and ready for the dog to settle into. Give the children some training and rules to follow for safety. Getting a puppy or dog for the family with small children can be a wonderful thing with the correct choice of a dog, preparation, and training.

Keeping Your Pet Comfortable: Everything You Need to Know About Good Hay and Bad Hay

You may think that supplementing your pet’s diet with hay means that you are taking care of them better than sending them off foraging for grass, but if you don’t know what you are giving them, you could actually be making them significantly sick. 

Good hay is a great second choice for feed for cattle, horses, and other livestock. It’s second only to pasture feeding, but during the winter this is not always an option. With proper planning and educating yourself on the differences between good hay and bad hay, you can efficiently and safely take care of your pets during the harsh winter months.

A Little Bit About Hay

All hay is not created equally. There are multiple categories of this grain, including grass, legume, cereal, and mixed. Each category contains unique types of hay that are used for differing reasons and they are not all found everywhere. Legume and grass hay are most often used for livestock feeding. Some of the most common types are timothy, bluegrass, and brome, but that doesn’t mean they grow well where you are, so be sure to do your research.

You tend to find timothy hay for sale more in the northern United States because it can handle the cold weather fairly well and it begins to grow early in spring, making it more easily accessible. On the other hand, Bermuda grass is a more popular coastal, central, and southern choice of hay because, while it does not fare well in the cold, it tolerates heat better than just about any other type of grass.

Each form of hay has a different nutritional value. This is crucial to know about because feeding your livestock hay with deficient nutrients can create dangerous results.

Good Hay Facts

You may hear commonly used hay terms thrown around in conversations by people who have livestock. Alfalfa is one of the most popular legumes fed to animals because it has good digestible energy, a lot of protein, and an abundance of calcium. Animals requiring extra protein and minerals may need alfalfa, but it can run on the pricier side, so it’s not commonly used for regular feedings.

Instead, many people turn to other forms of hay to sustain their animals during the long winter months. If you need to feed your livestock and are not sure which type of hay to choose, there’s a basic rule to look for. The hay’s leaf content contributes predominantly to the overall nutritional value of the hay.

For instance, if you are looking at grass hay, the leaves have the most nutrients while the plant is still growing. These leaves are easily digestible, but when it is at full growth it contains the most fibre. Legume leaves stay mostly consistent throughout their growth, full of fibre but not as easy to digest. However, alfalfa stems have the most nutrition and ease of digestion when they are young.

The general rule of thumb is that, if you are looking into grass or legume plants, the more mature the hay, the more fibre and less nutrition. Leafy hay with fine stems carries more nutrition and causes fewer health problems.

Your choice of legume or grass hay for your pet’s use may not be solely up to you, though. You need to see what is available where you live and analyze the nutritional needs of each individual pet that you have. 

Avoiding Bad Hay and Feeding Problems

Regardless of your pet’s diet, you absolutely must not switch it overnight. Maybe you have realized that you are feeding them bad hay and you are horrified at the thought of causing intestinal damage. You want to rush right out and replace their feed with the top of the line, highest quality hay around. Wait!

No matter what kind of animal you have and how good or bad you are feeding them, you should never change their diet drastically overnight. This has to be a gradual process, or you can insight even more problems than you had to begin with.

Changing hay is easy, but a gradual, process. You can simply mix the old hay with the new hay at greater and greater concentrations. Start with very little of the new hay and the majority of the old, then begin adding the newer hay in higher amounts during each feeding. This allows your pet time for their digestive tract to adjust and get used to the new feed.

Be Sure to Watch for These Factors No Matter What Hay You Choose

There’s no substitute for quality hay. Even the most expensive, highly recommend the type of hay can be poor in quality if it has been run through the mill enough times. If it looks and feels bad to you, it is probably going to taste bad to your pet and be unhealthy for their body.

Avoid hay with mold on it at all costs. Mold is commonly created when hay is stored in an enclosed space and moisture is allowed to seep in. When you feed mold to your animals, it perpetuates more problems because they breathe in spores. These spores create health issues with the animal’s lungs and can cause chronic lung diseases. To avoid mold, stay away from hay that has been rained on or been exposed to moisture long-term.

Pests can also release toxins that are harmful to livestock, such as botulism. If an animal dies in the hay and is not removed quickly, it would decompose. During that process, it creates toxins that can cause problems running the gamut from reproductive problems to death.

Educate Yourself: There is Good Hay and Bad Hay

Just because you are incorporating hay into your pet’s diet does not mean you are doing the right thing for them. Feeding them bad hay can be more dangerous than letting them forage on their own. Educate yourself on the difference between good and bad hay and ask questions before you buy your next bale. Your pet’s life may depend on it!

How to Reduce Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Most of us dog owners love to tell stories of our amazing, brilliant, smart and rotten dogs. How many times have you heard about the pet who, unhappy that its owners’ left them alone, left a “present” of the most unpleasant kind?

Really though, dogs aren’t capable of “spite.” They aren’t like people. Humans are the only animals that have an idea of “revenge,” “spite,” or “getting even.” That’s not to say that dogs don’t have emotions – all dog owners know better. But most of us can agree that dogs aren’t planners – they live completely in the moment.

As far as disciplining your dog for making a mess in the floor goes, you should only correct them if you catch them in the act. The old technique of “rubbing their nose in it” isn’t something that you can do hours after the fact. Dogs do not remember committing the crime. Yelling at the dog when you find the mess only teaches the dog that finding a mess is bad. Therefore, in dog logic, he will learn to hide the mess instead of learning not to make a mess in the first place.

If you’ve been tempted to accuse your dog of “spiteful” behavior because it does leave messes when you’re gone, it may be time to rethink what’s going on. Your dog isn’t telling you that it’s angry you left – it’s telling you it’s anxious and unsure when you’re not there.

It’s been said many times that dogs are pack animals. As a pet owner, you should be heralded as the leader of the pack by your dog. This means your dog is, for its entire life, a juvenile member of the group. Because you are the strongest member of your “pack,” your dog may be a be feeling separation anxiety when you leave; it doesn’t know what to do when its leader isn’t there to direct him. You can help combat this anxiety with CBD oil for dogs and with proper training.

Now that we understand, a little bit anyway, how a dog thinks, we can use that information to help create the behavior we want. Crate training your dog is a good way to alleviate many sources of anxiety – both yours and your dog’s. A crate, or cage, is civilization’s answer to a cave or den. Your dog, when faced with stress, can know that it will feel safe and secure in its “den”. A crate should be big enough to allow the dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down. That’s it.

If you are claustrophobic, don’t project that onto your dog. Like cats with boxes, a dog likes feeling safe, secure and enclosed. It likes not being responsible for checking out every sound. It’s happy and able to relax when there are no decisions that have to be made. Never let a dog make a decision – it will choose wrong.

There are people who resist the idea of a crate. They think that a crate is cruel. And there are some dogs who do not need their crates past puppyhood. But if your dog is prone to separation anxiety, a crate will help keep your dog safe and calm while you aren’t immediately available. If you’ve never used a crate, or put it away as your dog matured, you will have to introduce it slowly. Leave it out with the door open, possibly with your dog’s bed inside. You can try to feed the dog in the crate. Throwing toys into the crate for it to fetch is another way to slowly introduce it. Whatever you do, don’t ever use the crate as punishment, or as a substitute for a trip outside to do their business. Remember that dogs shouldn’t be left alone more than six to eight hours. If your schedule requires an animal to be left alone 10 or 12 hours a day – you should consider getting a dog walker, or get a cat instead.

When you begin crate training, only leave the dog in the crate for a few minutes. Have a special treat, like Medipets CBD CBD Dog Treats or toy that the dog gets only in his crate. Many people like to use a hollow rubber toy with a bit of peanut butter or soft cheese spread inside. Happily tell your dog it’s time to “kennel,” (the word you choose doesn’t matter, as long as you are consistent) and put the toy in the crate.

If the dog doesn’t come – go get it. Never tell your dog to “come” to you for something it doesn’t enjoy. Place it in the crate, close the latch and then walk away. Only leave them alone for a few minutes the first time. If the dog whines or cries, ignore it. When it’s quiet, let the dog out and tell her what a good girl she is.

Gradually build up the amount of time your dog is in the crate. Conventional wisdom says that the first 15 minutes are the best indicator. If the dog settles within that time he’ll be fine. And you’ll both be happy – Pupper has no decisions to make, and you’ll have no messes to clean.

4 Invaluable Life Lesson Kids Can Learn From Their Pets

Your kids are lobbying for a family pet and you’re ready to say yes. The great news is that beyond just putting smiles on their little faces, pet ownership can teach your children valuable life lessons. But let’s be honest, despite the extra work a pet creates for you, those grins are almost reason enough. Here are four lessons a family pet can teach your kids.

1. Responsibility

As you learned the minute you first held your baby in your arms, caring for another living creature is a huge responsibility. Having a pet who needs to be fed, exercised, groomed, cleaned and played with daily will give your children plenty of chances to take on responsibility. Before you commit to pet ownership, sit down with your kids and talk about all of the chores involved in pet care and what supplies you will need to budget for and buy. Help them think through what pieces they are willing to take on. If you get a cat, perhaps one kid will agree to clean the cat litter box, while the other will be responsible for morning feedings. Whatever the arrangement, allow them to be a part of the decision making, ensure their responsibilities are age appropriate and make sense with their schedules.​

2. Healthy Habits

Involving your kids in the feeding, grooming and exercising of pets can teach them about the importance of those things for themselves. Talk with your kids about the animal’s diet and how that correlates to their own dietary needs. Show your kids why their pet needs brushing and a bath to stay healthy just like they do. Involve your kids in the pet’s exercise to not only get them moving themselves, but teach them that movement is necessary and fun.

3. Self-Esteem and Social Skills

A study from the Institute of Infection and Global Health found that children with pets have greater self-esteem. Pets are non-judging companions for kids and often become a child’s confidante. The unconditional love from a pet, coupled with the pride that comes from caring for another, can help build your children’s self-worth. The same study found that kids with pets have greater social skills. The study showed that children who have pets have an increased social competence, a stronger social network, better social interaction and social play behavior. Basically, owning a pet will both give your children the skills to play better with others and a common talking point with other kids (e.g., “Hey, that’s a cool dog, can I pet him?”).

4. Bereavement

Although not a happy thought, learning about loss and grieving through the death of a pet can be a valuable lesson for kids. The reality is that most pets have a relatively short lifespan, and so death is a possibility. Helping your children cope with their grief productively will provide them with skills to deal with loss and pain in the future.

Yes, having a pet will add a bit more chaos to your already busy life, but a family pet will also teach your kids some truly invaluable life lessons like responsibility, healthy habits, increased self-esteem and social skills and how to deal with loss. Those lessons, plus those sweet smiles, make getting a family pet totally worth it.

How to Make Your Dog More Obedient

Obedience is very important when it comes to dog ownership. Your dog doesn’t necessarily have to be a slave to your command, but it should definitely listen to you when it’s important. Obedience doesn’t come naturally to any creature. 

Here are a few ways you can make your dog more obedient.

Develop Your Method, and Stick to It

There are many ways to train your dog for obedience. If you do some research, you will come across a tremendous amount of advice and techniques. Find what works for you, and stick to it.

Mixing methods can confuse your dog rather than train it. In almost all cases, the style of training you adopt will boil down to a few basic premises.

• Reward behaviors you want
• Don’t reward behaviors you don’t like
• Stay consistent
• Change the setting from time to time
• Stay calm and patient
• Keep practicing and improving

It’s really as simple as that. You must put in the time and effort, or you won’t see any results. Just understand obedience doesn’t happen overnight.

Don’t Forget Dogs Have Personality

Your dog has a mind of its own. Some of the simple obedience techniques may not work well for your particular breed or your dog’s particular character. Getting professional UK dog training services may represent the best option for teaching your dog obedience. It’s also ideal for any advanced obedience training you would like your dog to have.

Start with the Simple Stuff

It’s best to start your obedience training off with some of the simpler commands.

Sit – The “sit” command is one of the most basic. It can help you to keep your dog under control when excitement tries to get the better of it.

• Hold a treat before the dog’s nose
• Raise the treat so your dog’s bottom lowers as it raises its head to follow the treat
• When the dog’s bottom is firmly on the ground, say “sit”
• Allow the dog to have the treat, and show some love
• Repeat this process each day until the dog will do it on command.

Down – The down command isn’t as easy as the sit one. It goes against the basic nature of many dogs, since it’s a submissive position. However, once you have it…down, you will have an effective way of keeping your dog from lunging forward, or from moving around when you need to get something done.

• Hold a treat in front of your dog, make sure it’s a good treat
• Move the treat down towards the floor
• Move the treat along the floor, allowing the dog to stretch and lay in order to follow it
• Once the dog is fully down, let it have the treat

You can repeat this each day. Your dog may give you some difficulty with this one, but don’t give in and release the treat until your dog does what you want. Also, do not force the down position, let your dog do it on its own.

Stay – The stay command will stem from other commands where your dog must stay in a particular position. So, before you teach your dog to “stay,” you must first teach your dog to sit. Once you have your dog sit, say “stay,” and back away. If the dog stays as you back away, even for a few seconds, give your dog a reward.

There are various other simple commands you can train your dog to obey. The more your dog learns, the easier it will become to transition to more complex commands.

While many of these commands start with treats, you will want to gradually fade the treats out as you teach the dog to obey. This will help your dog to understand obedient behaviour is generally expected at all times.

Six Signs That Your Dog Is In Discomfort

We all want to take care of our dogs to the best of our ability, but sometimes it’s hard to know what exactly to do because, of course, they can’t tell us what exactly is wrong with them. As responsible pet owners, we need to do our best to start understanding the physical cues that our dogs give us that indicate that they aren’t feeling great. Here are some of the signs to watch out for…

A Lack Of Appetite

If we feel nauseous then our general instinct is usually to start eating less than we normally do – and this is often the case with animals as well. If your dog’s appetite changes drastically (or not so drastically!) it’s important to take note of it and see how long it lasts. If it’s over twenty four hours then it’s a good idea to take your dog in to see the vet to see what might be up with them. You might also notice your dog drinking and sleeping more.

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Bad Breath And Drooling

Bad breath and drooling are two classic signs that your dog might have toothache – which, as you probably know from your own experiences, can be extremely painful and debilitating. Your dog may also be experiencing some sensitivity and tenderness in his muzzle, and be staying away from his food.

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Scratching

If you notice your dog scratching a lot more than usual, he could be suffering from fleas or ringworm. These can be extremely uncomfortable – and you need to deal with fleas as quickly as you can with a medication like Advantage Multi for dogs to make sure that it doesn’t spread to any of your other pets or – even worse! – to you. Dogs can suffer from eczema and other skin complaints so watch out for areas of redness or dry skin when you’re grooming your pup.

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Excessive Panting

All dog owners are used to hearing their pets pant a little from time to time but if it starts to get excessive then they could be suffering from a cold or breathing problems – at the very least they’re in some discomfort, and it could be stress induced or caused by a physical health problem. Try to remove sources of stress, and if that doesn’t work, take them to the vet.

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Obsessive Grooming

If your dog has an area of pain on his body then chances are, he’ll spend time obsessively grooming and licking that area – it’s his version of trying to care for the wound and stop it getting infected. Of course, this won’t always work, particularly if there’s no surface injury. Make sure you get it checked out.

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Behaviour Changes

If your dog is acting unusually aggressively or shyly, they might not be feeling at their best – if they snarl or their ears flatten in a way that’s out of character, they could be trying to protect themselves because of an injury or illness. They might also be lying still much more often than usual, particularly on their sides, and they might end up making a mess in the house when they’ve been house trained for a long time. Don’t tell your pet off for it – instead get to the vet.