Pets Information


No, No, No! Drop It, Drop It! Give It To Me Now!


Puppies can be so exasperating! They know what we want, and what we don't want, yet they continue to push our buttons. Wait a minute! Maybe we can rewire our buttons and bring them out of reach of Puppy! Use the following tips to help prevent Puppy Theft and other hiccups in Puppy's road to adulthood.

SUPERVISE, SUPERVISE, SUPERVISE.

The more that you can supervise rather than confine, the happier Puppy will be. Additionally, he will learn his lessons that much quicker. If you must wrap a leash around your waist to keep Puppy with you while you move about your home, do so. If all members of the family must take turns leaving the room or taking the puppy with them, do so. However, when you CANNOT keep him supervised, CONFINE him. He doesn't care that you just left the room "for a minute." That absence gave him a minute to fill--possibly with your favorite sandal.

SCAN THE ROOM, REMOVE THE BAIT.

When you leave toys, shoes, books, and other objects lying around, you have set Puppy up to fail. If it is within sight, if it is within reach, it should be considered bait. Redirect your commands--instead of directing "drop it, drop it!" at Puppy, you should be repeating "pick it up, pick it up" to every other family member in the house. Remember, every failure to remove these objects before they are confiscated by Puppy should be considered a failure by you, not Puppy.

TRADE THE GOODS.

Try rewarding Puppy--not for taking the wrong object, but for trading it for the right object. Trade a shoe or a couch leg for a favorite treat or toy, happily and without a fuss on your part. Make sure you keep your voice cheerful and offer lots of praise when he even thinks of doing the right thing. He will learn not to run from you with his stolen object, as he will know that you are approaching to offer him a desireable trade. (Make it worth the trade, or you lose!)

NEVER LET HIM SEE YOU SWEAT.

When you feel your patience running low, separate yourself from Puppy. Give him time in his crate with a favorite toy or treat and give yourself some space. Whenever you can, read about how puppies think. Do this throughout his growing stages to keep reminding yourself that he is a Puppy, not a person. Keeping this straight in times of stress will keep you giving Puppy positive signals that will help to build his confidence and his ability to be the best canine companion he can be.

WIN, WIN.

You will have a win/win relationship when you remember the Golden Rules of Preventing Puppy Theft--Supervise, Supervise, Supervise; Scan the Room, Remove the Bait; Trade the Goods; and Never Let Him See You Sweat.

The author has worked with dogs and dog people for two decades, advocating for smart selections before a new dog is brought into a home and always stressing responsible selection and ownership for the good of the dog, the family and the community. She also makes dog and cat art available to the companion animal industry and to animal lovers at http://www.GreatandSmallGallery.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Shelter pets find forever homes
Idaho Mountain Express and Guide
Over the past three decades, the shelter has adopted out more than 11000 pets and has been named one of the top nonprofits in the valley by the readers of the Sun Valley Guide. In addition, a "shelter mutt" was named one of the best breeds to have.
Adoption screening makes sure pets find 'forever home'Houma Courier
Shelter Exchange and Adopt-a-Pet.com Partner to Help Homeless AnimalsEON: Enhanced Online News (press release)
Valentine's Pet Portraits to be Offered at ShelterPatch.com
Chambersburg Public Opinion
all 22 news articles »


Pet Photo Friday is almost here - submit your photos now!
AnnArbor.com
Knowing that there are many fun-loving pets that live in and around our area, we're anxious to see what you've been up to. Why not submit a favorite photo of your pet? What fun activities did your pets get to enjoy this week - a hike, perhaps or a trip ...
Delta Society(R) Is Now Pet Partners(R)MarketWatch (press release)

all 2 news articles »


Pet oxygen masks can save animals' lives in fires
San Jose Mercury News
23, 2007 file photo, Nancee Schaffner of the Rutland Area Disaster Animal Response Team demonstrates an oxygen mask for pets on Maple, a sheperd mix dog, at the fire station in Clarendon, Vt. While pet oxygen masks have been used for decades by ...

and more »


Fracking's Toll on Pets, Livestock Chills Farmers: Commentary
BusinessWeek
A new study by veterinarian Michelle Bamberger and Robert Oswald, a professor of veterinary medicine at Cornell University, chronicles case studies of dozens of farmers and pet owners in six states over the Marcellus Shale. Their findings, published in ...

and more »


The Associated Press

Meet Your Match boosts puppy love (and kitty love) by matching people and pets ...
Washington Post
The color-coded program evaluates shelter pets and the people looking to adopt them in an effort to match personalities, energy levels and needs. Playing Cupid with Meet Your Match helped workers at the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to ...
Find puppy love (cats too) through Meet Your MatchWTOP

all 170 news articles »


Zootoo.com

Alison Sweeney Backs 'Million Pound Pledge' for Pets
Zootoo.com
Some health problems for overweight pets can include, but are not limited to, diabetes and heart disease – diseases overweight humans can also suffer from as a result of their weight. But Sweeney kept up her interest in pet obesity, and for the second ...
Pampered Pet Business Booms in USVoice of America
Consumers Pamper Pets With Healthier ProductsManufacturing.net
Big Pets Get Bigger: Latest Survey Shows US Dog and Cat Obesity Epidemic ExpandingMarketWatch (press release)
allvoices
all 34 news articles »


Bothell dog therapist helps pets get fit
Seattle Post Intelligencer
Josie's owner, So Scazafavo, began a program of pet therapy at Wag Wellness in Bothell. Josie can't twirl around like a ballerina like she used to, but she has regained some of the use of her hind legs and is doing really well, Scazafavo said.

and more »


KFOX El Paso

Pets eat the weirdest things; pet proof your home
Daily Camera
By Kat Burns Humane Society of Boulder Valley You never know what your pet might swallow. So take precautions to prevent severe injury that might require surgery. Photo courtesy Boulder Valley Humane Society Pets do not have the most discerning palate ...
Bad pet owners might be causing fee hikes for everyone elseKFOX El Paso
Meridian Valley Humane Society joins forces with Pets for PatriotsKIVI-TV

all 3 news articles »


Swell Pets

Pet Pointers: Pet health insurance
YNN
Health insurance coverage for our families is a common topic of conversation these days that has also extended to our pets. Today we'll learn more about pet health insurance in this edition of Pet Pointers. Then come back here and refresh the page.
Brits 'more likely to insure pets than family members'Swell Pets

all 3 news articles »


Fundraiser goal: Pet food for food bank
HeraldNet
The nonprofit is hosting a pet food drive on Saturday at the Safeway store located at 1258 State Ave. to benefit the Marysville Community Food Bank. By Amy Daybert, Herald Writer MARYSVILLE -- A nonprofit plans to help those who visit the Marysville ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2007