Puppy Dog Tales

	"Crate Training, Safety and Security for Your Pet"
	by S. Altan

Crate training can provide your dog with its own “Den”, giving your pet  its own area of security and privacy when it becomes tired or anxious.  Crate training can also provide the owner with peace of mind knowing your dog can’t damage your home while you are away.

Before you begin your training you and your family should decide what the “rules of the house” are going to be for you and your new pet.  If you allow a puppy on your sofa now, it will be harder to break your pet from wanting up with you when it becomes full grown.  Keep in mind the adult size your puppy will become, and consider any behaviors that are cute in a little puppy may be hard to break in your adult dog.

A new puppy should be familiarized with its crate with the door open.  Keep in mind that a puppy younger than three or four months, needs to go to the bathroom  frequently, and you don’t want to teach them to go where they sleep and eat.  So set your crate (door open) in a small area of a room like a  kitchen or bathroom, with food near the crate and newspapers or puppy pads nearby for elimination purposes.  Make the inside of the crate comfortable with a soft towel or blanket, and a few toys to help keep your puppy occupied.

As your puppy's attention span lengthens, and you begin to understand his habits of eating and relieving itself,  you can begin to schedule feeding time that fit into your families schedule ( keeping water available during the day), and can begin training your dog to relieve itself outside.  By the time a puppy is four months old, it should be able to stay in its crate with the door closed for three to four hours before needing a “potty” break during the day, and overnight soon after that. 

Remember dogs are social animals, and you are the leader of its’ “pack”.  The closer your dogs’ crate is to where your family gathers, the more included and happy your pet will be.

**Never use the crate as a punishment.  Crate your dog if you anticipate behavioral problems.  Example: the dog becomes too excited when company comes, to prevent jumping on guests or small children.

Don’t leave meals in the crate, and don’t feed your pet immediately before placing him in the crate.

Crate training with consistency and patience can give you long-term results that with be rewarding and beneficial for you and your pet.

This article is meant as a guide only, if you have any questions about crate training your new puppy or dog, please consult your veterinarian.

"Buyer Beware“
submitted by Carolyn B., Long Beach, CA

Californians are one of the most health-conscious groups of people in the U.S.A., but how many of them think about how their pets food is consistently loaded with antibiotics, pesticides, hormones, and indigestible fillers?

Check your ingredient list on Fidos’ kibble, and you may find “meat meal or byproducts”, euphemisms to everything a human consumer would reject (these include beaks, feet, hooves feathers, horns and entrails), and some pet food manufacturers use product from “4D” animals (dead, dying, diseased and disabled).  Look for artificial colors and flavors, and chemical preservatives like BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin which have been linked to common health problems in our pets.

Think about organic or all-natural food the next time you buy dog food.  This can help your pet avoid common problems from allergies to many types of cancer.  Just avoiding food loaded with wheat gluten, ground corn, soy, and other fillers will increase your dogs’ overall health.  Remember dogs have evolved over thousands of years and have a short intestinal tract designed to quickly and efficiently digest meats.  Fresh vegetables also provide nutritional value to your dogs diet.

The more you question the effects of artificial ingredients, chemicals, sweeteners, salt, and heavy metals  in your own diet, the more you will understand the importance of what you feed your “best friend”.

Think eco-friendly, read labels, and go organic or all natural.  You and your dog will  be glad you did ! 

“Truly Man’s Best Friend”

All of us are concerned about heart health, but did you know that researchers have found that only 10 minutes a day of interaction with a canine companion can help relieve anxiety in people undergoing stressful events in their lives?  Seniors in hospitals and nursing homes with heart failure have shown improved heart and lung function and are less anxious when allowed quality time with companion/ therapy dogs.

“Flu Season for Your Dog?”

Doggy flu is spreading through clinics, kennels, and shelters around the country.  To keep your K-9 friend healthy, make sure your grooming or boarding facility are clean.  Kennels should be disinfected daily, and groomers should clean brushes and equipment after grooming each dog. (Infections spread more in dirty facilities, don’t be afraid to ask questions).

Make sure your dog is current on its shots.  Check your dog often for signs of ticks or fleas that can compromise their immunity.  A healthy, happy dog has a better chance of not getting sick.  There is no cure for the flu, but your vet can prescribe antibiotics to treat the symptoms.  If your pet exhibits coughing, wheezing, nasal discharge, lack of energy and a fever, check with your vet.  Make sure you and your dog avoid other pets in parks and on walks that seem to exhibit any of these symptoms.

Have Bag Will Travel
Traveling with your Companion Dog with ease and comfort.