Paw Pads and Whiskers

How to Leash Train a Dog

Angela Carr — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:50:30 +0000

How to leash train a dog requires patients and consistency. To teach a dog to walk properly on a leash the dog owner needs to be consistent with his methods. When a puppy starts the leash training process the dog owner needs to walk a puppy everyday rain or shine. A puppy has lots of energy that needs to be released through exercise.

Start walking the puppy in small increments of time 20 minutes to start is best. When the puppy starts to respond positively to leash training the owner can walk the puppy longer. Reward the puppy with positive praise and puppy training treats. When exiting the home to begin the walk make sure you the dog owner have the puppy sitting before you open the door. This can take a very long time to achieve but is a very important part of the leash training process. When the puppy is sitting patiently reward puppy with a treat. Owner must walk out the door first with the puppy following the owner, not the other way around. Always be leading the puppy on the walk, if puppy is in front of the owner while walking, the puppy will think he is the leader.

Practice makes perfect when leash training be consistent.

Should you put your Pet to “sleep?”

Kimberly Coghlan — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:01:38 +0000

My miniature schnauzer Rudy is moving along in age, and I’ve begin to think about how I’m going to handle it when he does die. Rudy is 11 years old, and that means that I’ve owned him throughout my twenties. Together, we’ve been through a lot. I’ve heard lots of people say that when their dogs got along in age, they took them to the vet’s office, and put the dogs “to sleep.” The idea of this methodical procedure tends to make me want to hyperventilate, in part because I have an unnatural affinity for my dog. When you look at the bare truth, I treat my dog like a child, and could you ever fathom having your child put to sleep? The term “Putting him to sleep” is a nice way of saying I’m going to kill my dog. Now, I’m not saying that you’re a terrible person if you’ve done this because I’ve also heard the reasons. He was having seizures, he had vertigo, and he was simply suffering. I suppose it is more humane than the older method. People use to take a shot gun to older dogs, and yes, I’m gagging at this very moment. Maybe I won’t ever have to make this decision, but if I do, how will I ever have the courage to do it? I really think that when Rudy becomes sick and decrepit, I will go completely bankrupt keeping him alive. He may even end up being the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest dog alive. I know I’m in denial. Let me be.

ferrets

victoria pichette — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 04:01:49 +0000

When you are trying to think of a pet to get.. one who will be loyal, fun, cuddly, and miss you when you leave.. what would come to mind is usually a dog, maybe a cat.. Not usually so much something that is part of the weasel family. Well, when I got married, my sister replaced me with just that.. A FERRETT! I thought, “She replaced me with a weasel! What did I do to deserve this?”
Then I came home from my honeymoon.. spent a little time with my family (and my new neice, Ingrid the ferret), and saw why my sister loved her so much.
I really didn’t realize that ferrets were so much fun. They are so playful (especially when they are babies). They are not afraid of humans like hampsters or mice are, and also, Ferrets are really very cuddly creatures! My sisters ferret thinks it’s her child, and will crawl into bed with her and cuddle up in the sheets. But you want to know the best thing of all?? They can be potty trained!!! That’s right, they actually make ferrett littler boxes! AMAZING right?

They Need Our HELP!!

Adelle Tilton — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:27:09 +0000

Is there anything more precious than a kitten? Probably not. Well, maybe a whole litter of kittens! But the reality is that there are thousands and thousands of kittens born every year with nothing but a very bleak future to look forward to. At the best, they might find an area that they can live outside and find meals here and there from compassionate people. At worst? A short life filled with disease, abuse and an early death. Too many kittens are born unwanted.

Please spay and neuter your cats (and dogs). They will live longer and have happier, healthier lives.

AHA! Alliance for Humane Action

Happy Mother’s Day

Adelle Tilton — Mon, 12 May 2008 01:17:25 +0000

You know, this just never gets old. We have had two births in our shelter in the last two months and expect, I believe, two more litters. But I will never tire of watching. This video, from a very special mama kitty, is presented in honor of Mother’s Day.

Adopting a Pet? Know Your Rights!!

Adelle Tilton — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:28:41 +0000

Well, it isn’t so much knowing your rights as in a civil liberties case. But it is important to know your boundaries AND the shelter’s or agency’s boundaries when you decide to adopt a pet. Adoption of an animal is a big step and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly.

I found this great “Bill of Rights” online, explaining what an adopter has the right to feel and experience, as well as the obligations of the shelter offering the pets for adoption.

Being that adopting a pet can be an emotional experience, it wouldn’t hurt to print this out and take it with you. It is very easy to become quite distracted by all the fuzzy faces eagerly hoping that you will want them. It is also easy to get caught up in a “hard luck” case that may or may not be the right type of pet for you and your family.

I would recommend that you make a list of “absolutes” to take with you to the shelter. There should be two sections: One section of qualities you absolutely must have, and one section of traits you absoloutely will not tolerate. For instance, a heavy shedder might be an absolute no if you have a family member with allergies. Another example could be that the pet must be of a size to sit on your lap. Some people have definite feelings about male or female dogs and cats.

Whatever you want (and don’t want) is your right. Remember Fido or Tabby will live with you for a long time. And making yourself happy with your choice will also make the pet you adopt happier and healthier.

Bill of Rights for Adopters

Your New Pet – Cat or Dog?

Adelle Tilton — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 02:29:31 +0000

Most people have definite feelings about the topic of dogs versus cats. It is like the war of the sexes. It will never end and proponents of each side are intensely loyal to the animal of their choice. We have heard of “cat people” and “dog people,” and some of us enjoy both. But when deciding on a pet, it is a personal choice as to whether cats rule and dogs drool, or the other way around.

Thinking of Adopting a Cat?

Thinking of Adopting a Dog?

Weight Loss Pills (?) For Dogs?

Adelle Tilton — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:27:40 +0000

Is Fido fat? Does your best four pawed canine friend, need to go on a diet? It seems unbelievable, but a weight loss drug has been developed for dogs. Sentrol, the name of the new medication, works in two ways. It makes the dog feel full so he or she is less likely to want to eat, and it also blocks fat absorption.

The thinking behind this drug is that as Americans gain weight, so do their pets. Food equals pleasure according to some, and therefore if we are loving our dogs enough, they may very well be overweight. And an overweight dog has the same health issues as an overweight person.

What I don’t get is the whole reasoning behind this. The dog may not feel full and want to eat, but he can’t really call and order and pizza, or stand in front of the refrigerator for hours grazing on this and that left over from a previous night’s dinner. And he certainly can’t buy a healthclub membership so he can work off his extra pounds.

Part of the responsibility of owning a dog (or any other pet) is feeding it properly so that weight isn’t a problem. And much of the fun of having a dog is that you always have a partner to go for walks; no matter how much a friend might not want to go out on a cold and gray day, you can count on your dog to walk with you.

Perhaps these pills will have some use for dogs with medical conditions that cause weight gain. But for the vast majority of the dogs who need to drop a few pounds, the answer can be found in owners who feed responsibly and play with abandon.

FDA Approves Weight Loss Drug For Dogs

Prevent Pet Loss: Identifying Dogs & Cats

Adelle Tilton — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:43:40 +0000

Is your four-legged friend, whether it be a cat or dog, your treasured best friend? Then surely you have protected your FurBaby with the means to locate him or her, should, Heaven forbid, Socks or Rover get lost. A missing pet is one of the worst scenarios possible for those of us who live in a world of “meows” and “bow-wows.” (I have never actually heard a dog say “bow-wow” but it is the common translation for a bark, so we’ll just go with it.)

My cats are strictly indoor residents so the risk of them getting outside and becoming lost are slim. But it has happened. One of my good friends had a beautiful purebred Maine Coon cat escape through the smallest opening possible near an air conditioner. Seven days later we had all but given up hope. The hundreds of “Lost Cat” posters she had put up finally paid off one evening, with a late phone call, that resulted in Trevor returning home. He had lost weight, brought along a few hundred of his new flea friends, and had ear mites. But no matter. Trevor was home and some good meals and minor vetting had him in tip top shape in no time at all.

My Pembroke Welsh Corgis are only outside on a leash. Again, the risk of them becoming lost is minimal but leashes can break. Dogs that are in a fenced back yard can come up with the most cleaver methods of escape as well; Houdini would have been impressed at some of the escape antics I have heard about.

So how do you prevent this problem? How do you do everything you can to avoid that sinking feeling the first night that you go to bed not knowing where your lovable best friend is?

This problem not only applies to all of us with our beloved pets, but is an issue for purebred dog and cat breeders. Animals that make regular appearances in the show ring, or that are used for breeding, can be at high risk for kidnapping. This is not only an emotional issue, but a financial concern as well for the professional breeder.

Four basic tips that are the smartest ways to begin with identifying your dog, or cat, are featured by Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer. These tips are easy, inexpensive and can save lots of tears and worry. They can also save your pet’s life.

Four Tips on Dog Identification

Microchips: Common Questions

Global Pet Finder – GPS for Your Dog or Cat

When a Cat Says “Let Me In”

Adelle Tilton — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:47:08 +0000

Well, suffice to say, a cat wanting in is a whole different story than a dog wanting in. It doesn’t matter if the cat is outdoors and wants inside, or if it is an indoor cat that just wants access to a different room that is closed off to him. If the cat is one place, he wants to be in the other. And what will he do to achieve that goal? Take a look; I just know cat owners will be laughing with a knowing look – we’ve all been there!