Hacks to Have a Wreck-Free, Pet-Friendly Garden

We all love our pets; they're like family. But, sometimes, it can be a problem when you can't control what they do outside your home or even on your lawn. If you're considering turning your simple backyard into a luscious garden but concerned about having plants that either may be toxic to your pets or that they may destroy, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind while you make your choices.

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Plant Safe But Pet-Repellent Plants

There are some plants that cats and/or dogs seem to dislike a lot. But remember, they don't like them for a reason, and whatever it is, if they've accidentally ingested too much of it, there will be consequences-not deadly but unpleasant for the pet. So, it's a good idea to pick your plants carefully and create boundaries for your pet whenever they're in the garden. Here are some plants to consider.

Prickly, Thorny Plants -They may not be the friendliest of plants, but they can make for a useful barrier between pets and areas in the garden you want them to avoid. Rose bushes, Prickly Pear, or succulents are good but avoid Aloe Vera, Crown of Thorns (Euphorbia Milii), and the Jade Plant (Crassula Ovata), to name a few, as these are toxic to pets.

Scaredy Cat (Coleus Canina) -Neighborhood cats and dogs will learn to avoid your garden, not to mention the occasional rabbit and fox, if you plant these around. When brushed or broken, the leaves and stem of this perennial plant release a foul odor similar to a skunk spray.

Herbs -Often, pets don't like the smell of some plant herbs, so they leave them alone. These herbs include Rosemary, Lavender, Citronella, Thyme, Sage, Bergamot, Basil, Cilantro, and Catmint. The latter you use not to repel them but distract and redirect them away from your more precious plants.

Citrus Plants -Most dogs don't like the strong smell of citrus, but you'd need a few of these trees planted together and producing fruit in a few years before the smell becomes unpleasant to them. Perhaps scattering some lemon, orange, lime, or grapefruit peel will do the trick in the meantime.

Crushed Red Pepper- Pets don't appreciate the scent of this strong spice. It's best to have the powder sprinkled around the garden area to repel dogs or cats or other nocturnal visitors to your garden. But avoid applying them on the leaves of your plants.

Avoid Toxic Plants

It's surprising how many dangerous plants your pets are exposed to-lilies, daffodils, foxgloves, tulips, chrysanthemums, and ivy, etc. There's a detailed list of toxic (and non-toxic) plants on the ASPCA page that can help you decide which pet-safe plants to add to your garden.

Designate a Bathroom Area

Build an area for your pets to relieve themselves. Training them to use this spot away from your garden will prevent them from having their way with your plants. Before you start building, it's vital to choose pet-friendly surfaces like cedar mulch and pea pebbles.

Choose a Safe Ground Cover

Depending on the type of dog you have, it may be worthwhile considering your options for ground turf. It doesn't have to be real grass if you don't feel like you'll have the time to maintain it properly. You can choose from either artificial turf cover lawns, or mulch. Check to make sure whichever one you decide to pick is appropriate for the size of your dog.

Elevate Your Sprinklers

If you decide to install automated sprinklers, make sure their position is elevated enough that it protects your water mechanism from being dug out by your fun-loving, dirt-digging dog.

Build a Digging Pit

This is good protection for your garden and lots of fun for your pet. No matter how you decide to build the digging pit, it's important to remember that it has to be covered overnight, or some cat will think it's a litter box specially made for them.

Apart from the smaller plants, it's important to look at the condition of the trees in your yard. Are some of them looking a bit worse for wear? Maybe it's time to get an arborist to check the health and safety of its bark and branches. If the branches are no longer sturdy or the tree is rotting at the base from a fungal infection, it may be time to have the tree removed and replaced with a healthier one.

More importantly, with thorough research and proper care, you can have a garden that will be a haven of small delights that you and your loved ones can enjoy for years to come.

Keep Your Pets Safe at Home

Keeping your pet safe at home is one of your number one priorities as a pet owner. Here are three commonly overlooked safety issues that you should consider.

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1. Be Careful About Extermination

When you’re having pest control treatment in your home, talk to the exterminator about whether the proposed treatment plan will be safe for your pets. Try to work with a company that offers a non-toxic solution that won’t leave dangerous residue all over your home and put pets’ health in jeopardy. If you need to find non-toxic pest control Skokie IL, work with a service provider who can offer a safe and unique alternative to traditional chemical treatments.

2. Address Problematic Windows

If you have a window that doesn’t consistently stay open or you sometimes use something to prop it open, it can create a serious safety hazard for pets. If they go to a window to get a view and move against it just slightly, it could cause it to slam shut suddenly. Likewise, a window with a screen could be a hazard if a small animal leans against it. A cat who is basking in the sun or doing a little bird watching could fall out of the window if the screen rips or pops out. Don’t leave a window open high enough for this to happen or install a pet window safety guard that can prevent a tragic accident.  

3. Keep Your Doors Closed at All Times

When you’re bringing things in and out of your home, be sure to keep your doors closed between trips. A dog or cat can dart out in just a moment not necessarily because of any escape inclinations but just plain curiosity. Once outside, he or she could get lost, struck by a vehicle, or attacked by another animal. Be conscientious about keeping your door closed to protect your furry family.

What Kennel Training Can Teach You About Dog Behavior and Conditioning

Imagine you've spent hours working on a DIY kennel for your dog. You carefully selected materials that look great and feel cozy, and you showed your dog around the premises during construction. Using metal stud wall screws, you didn't even need to drill holes, completing the whole project in a fuss-free manner with minimal material damage. After applying the finishing touches, you'd expect your dog to bound right in and curl up, appreciative of your efforts, right? 

Image by DavidDMuir licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

In real life, that's seldom how this scenario unfolds. Dogs are among the smartest animals we know, but that doesn't mean they can easily understand most of the strange things we humans do every day. Breaking down this common situation, you can find three underlying principles at work. In turn, knowing them will help you develop a better understanding of your pet. Here's a closer look.

Natural influences

Dog owners know that their pets are pack animals. They are descended from wolves, so we've come to expect similar behaviors from them. When another dog in the neighborhood howls, it's no surprise that your dog howls back in response. So when you build them a kennel, which is the equivalent of a den, shouldn't the dog take to it immediately?

The truth is a little more complicated. Dogs have been selected by humans over thousands of years, favoring specific traits - the ability to hunt and follow a scent, pull loads, or demonstrate submissiveness, for instance. They no longer behave entirely like their wild ancestors. Modern dogs have become more highly social animals. While there is some debate around whether or not they view humans as the 'alpha' of their pack, there's no disputing that dogs will follow human leadership.

Natural influences remain, of course, but these are mostly concerned with the survival basics-food, water, and shelter. Thus, when you bring a dog into your home, they don't understand that the house is a construct for human habitation. If they are accustomed to following you around the house all day and sleeping in your bed at night, they can't tell the difference between their kennel and 'human stuff.'

Habit formation

Of course, the high degree of social ability most dogs possess, combined with an unusual level of intelligence, makes them receptive to human efforts to train and condition them. We all know that dogs can form habits. But when your dog doesn't seem to understand, or simply refuses to follow orders, it's easy just to give up. We put it down to a stubborn temperament or being less willing to learn compared to other dogs.

Variations do exist between individuals and across dog breeds. But just like humans, dogs can require a specific approach for habit changes to take effect. Going back to the kennel example, you may have tried a few tricks to get them accustomed to the place. Maybe you put treats inside to entice them to enter, then pet or praise them once inside. But how long do you keep up this behavioral reinforcement? Like people, some dogs imprint behaviors quickly, while others will drop their habits unless reinforcement is maintained for a month or more.

As a rule of thumb, think of dogs as toddlers when trying to teach them something or break a bad habit. If your approach to their training would be effective for a toddler, it's more likely to work for your dog.

Proactive ownership

Whenever you try to understand or shape your pet's behavior, their natural instincts and individual psychology aren't the only factors to consider. As owners, we can exert great influence on our pets even when we aren't attempting to do so.

Our consciousness of the difference between dogs and humans means that we don't always see ourselves as behavioral models. Yet dogs are constantly observing and learning from us and responding within their limited capabilities. Reactive owners only train their dogs when a problem arises, when a behavior needs to be corrected, or a new one developed.

The proactive owner is aware of the need to be constantly the leader. If you want your dog to adapt to living in a kennel, that doesn't mean you have to sleep inside it-but you have to put the right conditions in place so that they form positive associations with it. Toss them treats occasionally while they're already inside, and not while they're in other areas of the house. Encourage them to stay inside the kennel regularly, not just when you're leaving the house-that would only tie into their fear of separation anxiety.

From this common scenario, you can learn a lot about a dog's psychology, and use that to guide your effort to train them in the future.

How CBD Dog Treats Help With Anxiety Disorders

If you are one of those people who think that anxiety disorders can only affect humans, I suggest you stop talking until you have done some research on this topic. Psychological disorders are not uniquely human and it is not a good idea to disregard certain symptoms in your pets, just because you believe they cannot suffer from these disorders. If you click this, you’ll see that a lot of animal species can, in fact, become mentally ill.

How To Spot Anxiety In Dogs?

In order to be able to help your canine become more carefree, happier and healthier, you will first have to learn how to spot symptoms of this disorder in the animal. Some signs are rather obvious, but others are so subtle that it takes a keen eye and a responsible and attentive owner to notice them. While communication between us and our dogs is a bit hindered due to their inability to speak, you can rest assured that the little fur balls have their ways of sending you the message that something is wrong.

There are a lot of different types of anxiety disorders and all of them manifest in slightly different, but yet similar ways. You should be on the lookout for signs like fear of staying alone, fear of loud noises and hostile behavior towards other animals and people. Those are the most obvious signs and you will definitely notice them easily, since your canine’s behavior driven by those fears will cause you some troubles.

As I have mentioned above, there are also some more subtle symptoms that you should keep an eye on. Those include excessive barking, frequent urinating, shivering, digging, destroying your furniture, and similar. If you notice that they are excessively chewing or licking themselves, this can also be a symptom of anxiety, because this is the pet’s way of inflicting self-harm.

How To Treat It?

There are a few different ways you can help your dog when it is suffering from anxiety. Those include engaging in certain behavioral trainings, administering products such as the ones found at https://pethempcompany.com/products/cbd-dog-treats-stress-anxiety-relief and, of course, cuddling with them and making them feel safe when they are upset. All of these things usually have to be combined in order for the treatment to be successful.

One of the most popular and highly effective ways of treating anxiety is giving your dog CBD treats. People are increasingly administering these products to their pets because they have noticed a significant improvement in their behavior and their overall quality of life after giving them CBD. In case you still aren’t familiar with Cannabidiol, you’ll find the info you need below.

CBD Treats And Anxiety

These treats are made from the cannabis-derived compound called Cannabidiol. I know what you might be thinking now that cannabis is mentioned, so let me clear the air immediately. This compound isn’t toxic, or psychoactive, so it cannot harm your animal in any way. It has been thoroughly researched and no serious side effects have been discovered by now.

The only thing that you should worry about is giving your pet the right dosage. There are a few symptoms connected to exaggerating with the dosage. Those include vomiting and sleepiness. It’s best that you consult an expert before administering the product, but you will probably be able to determine on your own how much is enough. Start slowly and increase the dosage if you don’t notice any improvements.

Speaking of that, let me now quickly tell you what kinds of improvements you’ll actually be able to notice. Of course, all the signs of anxiety in your dog will slowly keep disappearing after you start giving the pet CBD treats. Cannabidiol is known for being able to soothe our animals and help them feel more at ease. This product will get rid of the fear your pets are feeling without any cause whatsoever and that will lead to them being less anxious.

By reacting with the cannabinoid receptors in the central nervous system, CBD treats have a calming impact on the animal’s whole body. After you introduce this product to its daily routine, you’ll quickly see your dog become more relaxed in situations that would have previously caused them to throw a tantrum. In other words, they will become less anxious.

All About Dog Tooth Decay

Dogs are more than just pets. Apart from being great companions, they warn us of impending danger and also protect us from intruders and wild animals. 

Thus it is important to keep them healthy by taking good care of them. Tooth decay is one of the most problematic health issues that they experience.

If the right measures are not taken to prevent or treat  it then it can develop into serious complications that disrupt their normal routine. 

Below are a few things that you should know about the topic. You can also look at this link to get more information.

What are the causes?

As in humans, the number one cause is lack of brushing. Some people rarely brush their dog’s teeth while others don't even know that they are supposed to do so. 

Failure to do so leads to the accumulation of food remains that forms plaques and tartars. This results in bacteria producing enzymes that wear off the teeth enamel and also causes other infections such as gum diseases.

The other cause is poor diet. They should be fed a healthy diet consisting mainly of chewable bones and meat. These do not stick on the tooth surface as much as artificial foods hence minimize plaque formation. 

The chewing action also removes some of the food remains from previous meals thus reducing accumulation. See this link to read more about tooth problems in dogs https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/features/dogs-teeth-toothaches-problems#1 

What are the effects?

These vary depending on the extent of the decay. At the initial stages, the effects include teeth coloration and bad breath. These might go unnoticeable since the dog is still able to go about its daily activities without any pain or difficulty. 

The middle stages are marked by pain as the worn-out tissue exposes sensitive nerves. This might change their eating behaviors, characterized by localized chewing which is one-sided and accompanied by wincing and strange sounds. The final stage is tooth loss and bleeding gums.

How can these be prevented or treated?

The most basic means of prevention is regular brushing to remove the food remains and sticky plaque. This is done using special paste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Others include:

• Healthy diet

As mentioned earlier, the regular diet should be made up of food that does not stick on the surfaces and should also be easily removable by natural mechanisms such as chewing and tongue movement. Bones and chewy meat fall in this category. Opt for natural foodstuffs.

• Regular checkups

They should be taken to oral specialists after regular intervals, for instance, after every six months or a year for dental checkups. This ensures that infections and other issues are treated before they worsen.

• Use supplements

These contain a lot of beneficial properties that help fight bacteria that cause decay. Ozone water and oils, for example, are antibacterial and can also be used to treat mild cases. The water can be used for both drinking and as a mouthwash.

• Chewy toys

Dogs are playful, especially puppies. Thus giving them a toy that incorporates chewing to play with is a good idea. It exercises the jaws and helps remove plaque hence ensuring dental hygiene. Avoid giving the toys to those that are already experiencing adverse effects such as inflammation as they can cause irritation.

• Aloe Vera

The aloe vera extract can be used as a homemade remedy for tooth and gum diseases characterized by pain. It has both medicinal and soothing properties. At times it is mixed with other compounds such as hydrogen peroxide. Only use the extract and not the whole leaf. Piece of advice, the taste is not pleasing hence it should be used in small amounts and after meals.

• Chlorhexidine

This can be found in drugstores. It should be used sparingly and in low concentrations. It comes both as a mouthwash solution used for rinsing and an oral spray. Click here to see how you can tell when your dog is having a toothache and how you can help.

Conclusion

Observing dental hygiene will go a long way in ensuring your dog’s oral health and saving you all those trips and money to the vet. It is as simple as implementing regular brushing and a healthy diet. Minimize the usage of artificial products as some have side effects when used for long. Go for natural ones whenever possible. Also bear in mind that some breeds are more susceptible to tooth decay than others hence require extra care. Watch what they eat.

Questions to Ask Yourself Before Getting a Pet

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Most of us have had a pet at some point in our lives. If you don’t have a pet right now, you may be considering getting one. Now, there are so many perks that come hand in hand with getting a pet that it would be impossible to list them all in one article. They can make great companions. They can bring a smile to your face. They can entertain you. You can bond with them. But it’s absolutely essential that you really think about the decision to get a pet over before diving in the deep end and buying or adopting one. At the end of the day, pets are sentient, feeling beings and you will be entirely responsible for their health, well being and happiness. Some can live a long time and pet’s don’t grow up and gain responsibility in the same way that kids do - you’ll remain responsible for them and will have to care for them their whole lives. You need to be absolutely certain that you can meet their needs and more! Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself first.

Can I Afford this Pet?

Any pet is going to come with financial costs. Some, admittedly, more than others. But there’s going to be outgoings attached to them. All animals require veterinary care - whether that’s vaccinations, worming, flea treatments, booster injections or anything else they need on a regular basis. That’s before we consider potential costs attached to unexpected illnesses or accidents. Realistically, any pet you have needs to be insured so you can always provide the care they need. Take into account that this insurance cost can rise as they age too, so may not be cheap forever. Then, you need to think about food costs. Bedding costs. The cost of toys and games they may enjoy. Treats. The list goes on. Pets simply aren’t cheap.

Can I Meet this Animal’s Needs

Different animals have different needs. A horse’s care will vary drastically from a dog’s care. A cat’s care will be hugely different to a cichlids care. So, make sure to look up the needs of the animal you’re interested in. Does the pet require exercise and will you be able to take them out frequently enough? Do you have enough space? Can you keep up with necessary grooming? You need to be able to tick every box in order to give this pet a good quality of life.

Do I Have Enough Time?

Pets require a big time commitment. Sure, some pets can be left to their own devices for longer periods of time as long as they have the right environment - reptiles for example. However, if you’re out of the house all day every day, a dog probably isn’t going to be for you.

These are just a few questions you need to ask yourself before getting a pet. This really is a significant decision that you have to be certain about!

Five Great Reasons To Groom Your Dog

Becoming a pet parent is a privilege. You get the chance to raise, teach and nurture an animal - much like you would a child. You gain loyalty and companionship, and your pet is going to be a huge friend in your life unlike any other. Getting a new dog is not the same as buying a new iPad or toy to play with and then discard once you’re bored. You buy or rescue a dog for a lifetime, and this pup is your brand new responsibility - embracing this is so important.

It’s going to be on you to feed it, look after it, cuddle it and teach it how to regulate its moods. Dogs are emotional creatures, and you are going to be responsible for ensuring they are happy and secure. The mark of a good dog owner isn’t just in the training it not to bite (though this helps!) it's in how you look after your dog, too. You can make sure that your dog has the best  Leather Bowtie Collar and coat, but you should also ensure that you are doing everything within your power to keep your dog healthy. Doing this means regular grooming and getting to know the groomers in your area is important. You want to take your dog to a groomer that you can trust. After all: your dog is your beloved pet - they deserve the best!

So, let’s take a look at five great reasons that you should groom your dog regularly.

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1. Dogs shed, and that is not a secret. So, the first great reason to groom your dog is to control that shedding process. Professional groomers know exactly what grooming your dog needs. They’re specially trained, and they can give your dog the cut that they need. Pet groomers are able to get your dog’s coat looking healthy and gleaming. You can carry this on at home with regular brushing and weekly baths.

2. Grooming regularly avoids medical issues, which is why this is the second excellent reason to groom your dog. You want to ensure that you prevent your dog from any medical problems that arise as a result of a lack of grooming. Prevention is much better than a cure, and when it comes to taking care of your dog, you need to ensure their nails are trimmed, the hair in their eyes is cut back and you don't have a dog riddled with bugs that you can’t see! 

3. Did you know that grooming allows you to build a connection with your dog? You can really build a bond of pure love with your pet when you brush and groom them regularly. It’s not just for your pet, but for you, too. After a long day at work, you want to make sure that you have something to look forward to - and your dog is going to be that something. When you take care of him properly, he’s going to be more in love with you than ever! It’s relaxing to brush out the coat of your dog, and you shouldn't underestimate that! It also gives you a chance to set up recognizable commands so that your dog knows what to expect.

4. When your dog heads to the groomers, they will get a chance to experience proper massage techniques. Massage for dogs is important, and it’s not something that you should try unless you are properly trained in dog massage techniques. Dogs can benefit from your touch, but you should ask for advice when it comes to proper massage techniques. You don’t to get this wrong!

5. Lastly, proper grooming is going to improve the emotional health of your dog. You want your dog to look good and that will make them feel good, too. When we look good we feel great, and dogs are no different. Dogs need to feel taken care of for them to be happy and healthy. Dogs will feel often stressed and uncomfortable when they’re not groomed properly. This leads to nervous behavior and can also lead to hair shedding and biting their own skin.

Getting on the same page as the groomers is important. You don't take a dog home and expect it to look after themselves; they can only do so much! You are in charge of their health, and if you would use flea treatments and take them to get new coats and dog shoes for cold weather, then you should make the effort to ensure that proper grooming is done, too. 

The Best Way to Care for Your Sick Dog

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It can feel awful whenever your puppy is sick. You love your pet a lot, so it can feel like the world is against you when they are whining. One big way to prevent sickness in animals is getting them vaccinated. If you have not done so, you can visit Vet Products Direct for dog vaccinations or information about it. Of course, talking to a vet can yield better information.

However, when your dog is sick, you can make a big difference by giving them love and comfort, taking them to see the vet, and giving them medicine.

Make Sure They Are Comfortable

Sometimes, there is not much you can do besides this. For small illnesses or chronic ones, making them comfortable can be the best option. This can include buying a soft bed and blanket for them or letting them sit on your sofa or bed with you. For small dogs, a large pillow may be all they need. Giving them plenty of water and soft, chewable food like unseasoned chicken and rice can help their recovery.

Go to a Vet Clinic

We go to the doctor when we are sick. So, it only makes sense to take your dog to the vet when they are sick. Your vet should have all their records up to date, including vaccines, so they can better determine what care your dog needs. It is a good practice to listen to their advice and purchase the medicine they recommend. For most cases, they will have notes for you to take home to assist in administering the medicine. Following-up may occur as well.

If you are not sure where a nearby vet clinic is, you can use this site here to locate one. It is a good idea to at least have the location written down in case of emergencies.

Give Them Medicine

Whether it is a tablet or ear drops, the medicine you buy can give your pet the fighting chance they deserve to recover. With any administration of medicine, it may be helpful to have someone else help with holding the dog. Unfortunately, they do not understand that we are trying to help them and can struggle during the process. You do not want the medicine to be given improperly or wasted.

For ear medicine, you should swab the area first with a cotton ball before emptying the medicine into their ear canal. For eye drops, apply the same way you would to yourself. For edible medicine like tablets, a lot come in chewable form, but you may need to place it further down the dog’s throat for it to be consumed. In any case, make sure to reward your dog afterward so they do not feel like the medicine was a punishment.

Even if you are not practiced, there are instructional videos online that can teach you how to properly care for your sick dog. Some great advice can come from your vet, especially if your dog has a file at that clinic. Make sure to ask questions if you feel confused or need more elaboration. They should be more than happy to help. Remember, when your dog is sick, they just need a little extra love to feel all better.

5 Considerations For Future Pet Owners

Countless stories tell the tale of the happiness that a pet can bring into your life. For those who are struggling with anxiety, depression and loneliness, adopting a dog or a cat can be a life-changing experience. Many claim that they never rescued their pet from the shelter; it was always their furry friend who rescued them. Pets can bring a lot of love and fun to your home, regardless of your situation. 

But a pet is not a toy. Adopting a dog or a cat comes with heavy responsibilities. You are not only caring for a living creature, but you are also responsible for their behaviors, their actions, and the damage they cause. If you’re in a position where you want to adopt your first pet, you need to make sure that you understand your duties as a pet owner. 

Teach dogs not to chase big cars

#1. Your pet could cause injuries

If you’ve played with a kitten in the past, you probably know that these fierce little cuties have sharp claws and teeth. It’s impossible not to escape with a few scratches when you play with a young cat. But it’s part of the deal; kittens are ultimately babies that are not yet able to control their strength or enthusiasm. The same phenomenon happens with puppies. It’s something you need to be prepared for. However, as your pet grows older, you will soon notice improvements as they realize how strong they are and become more careful during playtime. Typically, it is the time where you can tackle abnormal signs of aggressiveness and help your pet to feel more confident. It is your responsibility not only to keep your dog or cat safe but also everybody else. Indeed, you don’t want a neighbor complaining about an unprovoked dog bite as it can be a painful experience. If the law finds that you didn’t keep your dog on a leash in a public place, or that you didn’t handle your animal’s aggressive behavior adequately, you might be asked to cover medical bills and other compensation for the victim. Additionally, authorities might rule to put your dog down. 

#2. Living next to a road is dangerous

Every pet lover wants a garden for their dog or cat to enjoy some fresh air. But, if you live next to a big road, you need to keep your garden secured so that your pet doesn’t escape. Indeed, even for careful drivers, it can be tricky to react appropriately when a dog suddenly barges onto the road. Defensive drivers are more likely to have life-saving reflexes if they have sufficient time to respond when they see your dog run into traffic. However, your pet may not be that lucky; it could be hit, it could even cause an accident. Make it your number one training lesson to teach your dog not to run after cars. 

Keep your pet on a leash

#3. They can break everything you love

Keeping your dog or cat at home all day while you’re at work can come at a high cost. Indeed, your pet needs entertainment. Left to their own devices, pets are likely to destroy your belongings. Chewing on a sofa or pushing things off the shelf; your beloved furry friend can cost you a lot of money. If you can’t find a local daycare company for your pet while you’re working, it’s a good idea to block access to some rooms during when you’re away and leave them with plenty of toys. 

#4. There’s the matter of the vet bills

Did you know that every year pet owners choose to abandon their animals rather than pay for veterinary bills? Vet care doesn’t come for free, and ultimately, it’s something you can manage with dedicated pet insurance cover. When you adopt a dog or a cat – or any other pet – you are responsible for their health. Vet facilities that offer extensive and emergency services, distinctive experience and high credentials are likely to increase the bill. But don’t you want the best to look after your pet?

#5. Training your pet is hard work

You can’t become a pet owner if you refuse to train your pet. Too many dog owners try to skip the training stage by interpreting their pet’s behaviors in human terms.In reality, humanizing your dog’s actions can cause errors of judgments and communication, which are likely to lead to unpleasant reactions. Training is hard work, but it is necessary if you want to build a safe relationship with your pet in your community. 

Adopting an animal is an exciting and emotional experience. But you can’t just welcome a pet to your family without considering your responsibilities. As a pet owner, you have a duty of care to your pet but also the public. Failure to keep them safe can cause you many troubles. 

Taking a Pet-Stop: Make Sure You Have More Quality Pet Time

Owning a pet is a big responsibility these days, but it can also be one of the most important things in life. More and more households these days are introducing pets into the family home, and this is really improving things for them. As such, it is important for you to make sure you are doing what is right for your animal, and this generally involves spending time with your furry friend.

Pet owners need to make sure they take time out of the stresses of daily life to make time for their pets. However, this is something that can be more difficult to achieve than you might think, and this is certainly something to consider. These are some of the best ideas to make use of when you come to make more quality time for your pet.

Get Out of the House

One of the best places to start with this is getting out of the home. An animal like a dog doesn’t do well being cooped up all day, so you need to get out and take them for a walk. This is a great way of keeping active, and it keeps you healthy and active at the same time. Having a happy and healthy pet is something that makes a big difference to their life and yours. And these are some of the best ways you can achieve this right now. 

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Bring Your Pet on Vacation

Of course, it depends on where you choose to go, but it could well be the case that you will be able to take your pet on vacation with you. This would be ideal if you are going somewhere that allows you to be outdoors a lot. You might need to check about things like pet-friendly hotels, and what the deal is if you are looking to fly. There is accepted etiquette for vacationing with pets, and it’s important to familiarize yourself with this so that you can get the best possible outcome. 

Regular Check-Ups

Another thing to keep in mind is that you need to take care of the health of your pet, specifically, when it comes to their physical well-being. And this means taking them for regular check-ups at the veterinarian and ensuring you keep on top of any health problems. Pets can live long and healthy lives provided they are well looked after and taken care of, and this is something you should be doing on a regular basis as a pet owner. The more regularly you visit the vet, the easier it is to keep on top of problems and identify health issues when they arise.  

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As you can see, there are a lot of things that you can do that are going to help you improve the time you have together with your animal. Taking the steps to do this effectively is so important, and you have to be sure you are doing what is right for them. This sometimes means getting a little more creative with stuff, and you need to make sure you put your animal first as much as you can.

Tips To Train Your Puppy

One of the most joyous, loving, loyal additions to any family unit is a dog, and puppies are just the cutest darn’ thing in the world. However, your new bundle of joy needs love, play, your attention and most importantly training. One of our best friends and housemate for many years has great experience at training rescue dogs and puppies, and his mantra for a long-time happy dog is ‘A happy dog is an obedient dog’. 

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Training through play

Dogs love to play, it’s their favourite thing to do. Be it fetching a ball or stick, tug-of-war on a rope, jumping for a toy, rolling over or, something more productive in terms of training, even learning to sit and stay - if you can make the training task you are trying to achieve become a game, your dog will enjoy this activity and learn from it. Play is a treat for a dog in itself, so if you can use play as a treat rather than using treats to get your dog training through play, then you’ll have a healthy and obedient dog in no time.

House training

Dogs need to learn where it is allowed for them to go and do their business and where it is not allowed for them to do this. This really is the trial and error part of dog training, as they’ll never learn they can not wee or poop on your lovely carpet or floor until you tell them otherwise. Many owners will pick their dogs up during the act and physically move them to the garden or pet toilet area until they learn this is the place to do it. Others will tell off their dog at the scene of the crime, so they learn that this is not ok. In both of these well-known approaches, it is key that you praise your dog when they are weeing or pooing in the right place! 

Another house training to consider is where you want your dog to be allowed to go or not go in your home. This is completely down to you as the owner, but don’t just rely on gates or objects blocking their paths to these areas - you must teach them where they can and can’t go.

But, admittedly, sometimes the teaching or house training process can be very frustrating. Particularly in the early training stages, your dog may still end up pooping in your yard or anywhere around your property. Don't give up. Instead, continue to train them, or better still, hire a dog training expert to do that for you. Another expert you can consider hiring is someone to scoop the poop from your yard. Yes, professionals are devoted to that task, and you can find them on many online platforms, such as https://scooptroop.com/. 

Dog obedience school

As well as your owning training methods, and the tips above, you should also go to a dog trainer or a dog obedience school. Here you will get professional help from trainers with years of experience behind them, in all forms of training and will all types of dogs. What’s great also is that this is a place your dog can meet and play with other dogs in a controlled safe space, but do make sure they don’t pick up any bad behavior from fellow dogs.

Training your dog takes time, care, strategy and your unwavering love and attention - but with these tips, you can make the most out of training your dog and reap the rewards which are a happy dog and happy family!

Signs Your Family is Ready for Pet Ownership

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There will come a time when most children will ask if they can have a dog. You may be concerned about the challenges of being a dog owner presents, but there are ways to tell if your family is ready to deal with them.

Are You Allowed Pets?

The first thing you have to consider is if you are allowed to keep pets where you live. If you have your own home it will not be a problem, but it could be if you live in an apartment complex, for instance. You will know from when you moved in whether pets are allowed or not. There are some states that ban certain breeds too, and you should check this out before buying any family dog.

No Allergies

As much as they may love the dog, if a family member is allergic to them they could suffer a great deal. It is worth getting the family checked out first, especially very young children and older people. Most kids will outgrow the allergy and it could be a case of just waiting another couple of years. This will seem like a lifetime to your child, but it will soon pass and then they can have the dog they have been dreaming of.

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Can You Afford It?

On a day-to-day basis, dogs are not expensive to keep, but vets bills or pet insurance can soon add up. You have to be honest with yourself about whether you have the spare money to pay for these things, or your pet could be unwell and you not be able to pay for their treatment.

They will also need toys to play with and their own bed to sleep in and this are the sorts of thing that will soon mount up.

Do You Have The Time?

A dog needs you to devote some time to it if you want it to stay healthy and happy. They have to be bathed, groomed and played with as well as ensuring they get plenty of exercise.  Some people get around the exercise problem by using on-demand dog walking services. Then they know that even if they are out all day, their canine friend will get the walk it needs with someone who understands dogs and will know how to care for them.

Does Everyone In The Family Agree?

Does everyone in your family agree that it would be good to own a dog, or is one of your children frightened of them? Although owning a dog could be good in helping them to get over this fear, it could also create a lot of stress and anxiety for them. Children will not always relate their fears to anyone, and you should ask each family member if they have any problem at all with your buying a dog.

Adding a new member to the family should be something that everyone is happy with, and that is really the last hurdle to decide if your family is ready for pet ownership.

The Benefits of Animal Medical Insurance

Healthcare is something that is very necessary for every family in the United States. It protects you from unexpected health events. Just like you would invest in medical insurance for your children, you might want to think about investing in insurance for your animals. Whether you are looking for insurance for your dog, or horse medical insurance for a farm of animals, there are a number of different providers that you can choose from. The policy that you choose should fit your budget, but it should still be able to provide you with the amount of coverage that you need.

What is Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance is designed to provide coverage that will cover the cost of a medical procedure. Just one day of attention from a vet could cost you thousands if you aren’t prepared. Something as simple as a urinary tract infection can take time to diagnose and treat. Your insurance provider will help cover the costs that you incur during an appointment with a professional. Depending on the policy that you have chosen, you may also get assistance with routine medical examinations, prescription medication, etc.

Peace of Mind

You can’t predict when one of your animals will require medical attention aside from a routine appointment. The monthly cost is usually very low and typically a large percentage of your expenses will be covered after you reach a certain deductible. In the long run, you’re going to save a lot of money. You’ll also feel better knowing that you have this coverage available.

Pets Living Longer

Unfortunately, many animals are not able to receive the attention that they need because the owner cannot afford immediate medical attention. Insurance will remove this burden and get an animal the care that they need. When you invest in animal medical insurance, you are preparing for a medical emergency that could strike at any time. Seeking medical attention for an animal can be a very expensive situation. Take the time to learn about animal medical insurance and what it provides to you as the owner.

Accommodating for All of Your Pet's Needs

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We are a nation of pet lovers! It’s not all too surprising that we want what’s best for the wide variety of different animals that we choose to keep and who provide us with unconditional love and companionship! So, here are a couple of different ways that you can accommodate for two different pets that you might have taken in as a part of your family.

Horses

Let’s start with a relatively large and difficult pet to accommodate for - a horse. If you have a horse, chances are that you have already done your research and are well aware that accommodation for this species of pet is neither small nor necessarily cheap. However, if you have gone ahead and taken on the responsibility of a horse anyway, you’re more than likely happy to provide for your equine friend. Seeing as a horse cannot live comfortably within a human home (and cannot really be housetrained so probably wouldn’t be welcome indoors anyway), you are going to have to invest in a stable. You may also want to consider more portable options, such as field shelters, for situations in which parts of your land flood in the rainy season or are too exposed to the sun in the dry and warmer seasons. This will ensure that your horse is comfortable throughout the year!

Dogs

Dogs are a more common household pet than horses and, admittedly, require a little less specific care when it comes to housing them safely and comfortably. After all, they are more likely than not living within your own home, which is likely to already be warm and secure for your own comfort. But there are a few additional bits and bobs that you can invest in to make your canine companion that touch more comfortable. Dogs tend to sleep a lot more than humans do, with the average canine requiring between twelve and fourteen hours’ worth of shut eye on a daily basis. So, you should browse a variety of different dog beds where they can rest their weary head throughout both the day and night. The type of bed that you should choose will largely fall down to your pooch as an individual. Larger breeds, of course, will need larger beds. Smaller breeds are generally content with a smaller bed. Measure your dog and measure the bed to ensure that they won’t be cramped up in it. The next factor will be shape, material, and filling. Most pooches aren’t fussy and will be just as happy on a large dog bed cushion as a doughnut or bolster bed. You will get to know your own pup’s preferences as time goes by!

These are just two different types of pets and a couple of different ways that you can accommodate for their accommodation needs. There are, of course, plenty of different species out there that you might care for! What’s most important is that when you take on any pet, no matter how large or small, and no matter how seemingly intelligent or unintelligent they may be, you cater to their every need. They are reliant on you and it is your responsibility to care for them adequately!