HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS FOR YOU AND YOUR ANIMALS

With Christmas fast approaching, the area Santa Claus parades are starting. If you decide you want to take your dog to the parade with you, please be aware of sights and sounds which may be startling to your dog. People are in costumes and often are walking among the onlookers. Little elves also throw candies into the crowd and if your dog picks one up it has the potential to be harmful to him/her. There is also plenty of noise. Children are excited, sirens will be going off, bands will be playing and there is usually at least one horse drawn wagon. Please keep this in mind to make your night a pleasurable experience for your whole family.
Because the parade is at night that again poses a different kind of threat to your dog. PLEASE… do not use a retractable leash at the parade. As you are watching the sights, sounds and your children your dog could be 20 ft away from you on a retractable leash therefore while you are enjoying the festivities, your dog is being crushed by a fire truck, car, horse or one of the many obstacles presented at the parade.
This time of year also poses its own set of problems with the colder weather. When you are out shopping we at rrruffhouse.com suggest you leave your dog at home. We realize that your dog loves to go with you, but please consider what is best for your pet. As the days get colder your dog will also feel this and may not be capable of adjusting its own body temperature accordingly. You may wish to rectify this by keeping your car running. While this may seem like a good idea, if you have a dog that jumps around the car while you are gone, there is the potential that your dog could put your car into gear. We also know how easy it is for 10 minutes to turn into an hour –you hit a sale, meet a friend, etc.
If your dog likes to go for car rides, take him for a drive with you to see the Christmas lights. He will enjoy this much more as he is actually spending the time with you.

Taking Care of Dogs in Cold Weather

Dogs get cold in the cold weather just like people do and it is important to make sure your dog is as comfortable as you can make the dog. Some dogs have heavy coats to protect them from the elements but most dogs even if they have a fine coat of fur can really feel the bite of cold weather. There natural coats may not keep him warm outdoors depending on how cold it is outside. Of course some dogs like Huskies like it cold outside but you still have to watch the weather to make sure they don’t get too cold.

If a dog is use to being indoors cold weather can really set in on the dogs since the dog is used to warm temperatures of the indoors. If a dog is an outside dog extremely cold temperatures are not good for the dog either. If you have an indoor dog and you are cold chances are the dog is cold to, inside dogs are use to the same indoor temperature that you are. If it is cold out and your dog has to go outside for a bit little booties may help him be more comfortable.

A good rule for humans to follow is if the temperature outside is Twenty degrees or less then a dog should not spend a lot of time outside. Maybe just a short trip to the bathroom and then they should come back in to warm up. If you take your dog ofr a walk you may want to consider the dogs comfort as well as your own. maybe a little doggy coat would help yet some dogs are hardy enough to go for a walk in just their natural coat. A cat should not be outside at all in temperatures less then twenty degrees since cats are not made for temperatures that cold.

There are ways you can help protect your dog from the cold and make there life more comfortable. One thing you can do for your dog is to shovel a path to a place that your dog likes to go. That way the dog will not have to fight walking through deep snow to get to their favorite spot. Dogs usually have a favorite place they like to check up on and smiff at everyday. It is their territory and a habit to check on certain places.

If your dog lives outside all the time it is best to keep there house off the ground. Insulating the house with clean dry straw and plenty of nice blankets will help the dog stay warm in winter. A dog likes to bundle itself up in blankets when it is cold and a little insulation of fine straw can go a long way for added comfort from the cold. If you have two dogs and they get along with each other if they can share the same house they can use each other for warmth by cuddling up together. If the temperature drops below twenty degrees it is best and most humane to invite your dog to stay in your nice warm house with you. Dogs can get very lonely and they love to have your company. A dog can be great company for a human too.

If you didn’t get your dog inside in time and you notice some of your dog’s skin is red, gray, white or black it could be frostbite and that can be very serious. Take your dog to see your Veterinarian as soon as you can. Remember your dog depends on you for all of his care, needs and safety. Your dog depends on you that you will take care of him and make sure that the dog in comfortable. If you take proper care of your dog you will have many rewards from you dog and the dog will be forever greatful.

Taking Care of Dogs in Cold Weather

Dogs get cold in the cold weather just like people do and it is important to make sure your dog is as comfortable as you can make the dog. Some dogs have heavy coats to protect them from the elements but most dogs even if they have a fine coat of fur can really feel the bite of cold weather. There natural coats may not keep him warm outdoors depending on how cold it is outside. Of course some dogs like Huskies like it cold outside but you still have to watch the weather to make sure they don’t get too cold.

If a dog is use to being indoors cold weather can really set in on the dogs since the dog is used to warm temperatures of the indoors. If a dog is an outside dog extremely cold temperatures are not good for the dog either. If you have an indoor dog and you are cold chances are the dog is cold to, inside dogs are use to the same indoor temperature that you are. If it is cold out and your dog has to go outside for a bit little booties may help him be more comfortable.

A good rule for humans to follow is if the temperature outside is Twenty degrees or less then a dog should not spend a lot of time outside. Maybe just a short trip to the bathroom and then they should come back in to warm up. If you take your dog ofr a walk you may want to consider the dogs comfort as well as your own. maybe a little doggy coat would help yet some dogs are hardy enough to go for a walk in just their natural coat. A cat should not be outside at all in temperatures less then twenty degrees since cats are not made for temperatures that cold.

There are ways you can help protect your dog from the cold and make there life more comfortable. One thing you can do for your dog is to shovel a path to a place that your dog likes to go. That way the dog will not have to fight walking through deep snow to get to their favorite spot. Dogs usually have a favorite place they like to check up on and smiff at everyday. It is their territory and a habit to check on certain places.

If your dog lives outside all the time it is best to keep there house off the ground. Insulating the house with clean dry straw and plenty of nice blankets will help the dog stay warm in winter. A dog likes to bundle itself up in blankets when it is cold and a little insulation of fine straw can go a long way for added comfort from the cold. If you have two dogs and they get along with each other if they can share the same house they can use each other for warmth by cuddling up together. If the temperature drops below twenty degrees it is best and most humane to invite your dog to stay in your nice warm house with you. Dogs can get very lonely and they love to have your company. A dog can be great company for a human too.

If you didn’t get your dog inside in time and you notice some of your dog’s skin is red, gray, white or black it could be frostbite and that can be very serious. Take your dog to see your Veterinarian as soon as you can. Remember your dog depends on you for all of his care, needs and safety. Your dog depends on you that you will take care of him and make sure that the dog in comfortable. If you take proper care of your dog you will have many rewards from you dog and the dog will be forever greatful.

How to Break Up a Dog Fight

I was asked recently from a client this question,

I have read several articles in our local paper about people witnessing a dog fight and wanting to stop the dog fight but did not know how to stop a dog fight. I am impulsive when it comes to these things and it caused me to ask what is the best thing to do when witnessing a dog fight? Is there a way to break up a dog fight? Should I try to stop a dog fight? I love animals and react without thinking about my safety and have stepped in before when I have seen a dog fight – fortunately I did not get hurt. What is your suggestion for what to do when confronted by dog fighting?

This was my response,

First, do not get rid of your instincts. There is no knowledge behind instinctual intelligence so “not thinking” is actually a good thing. In my profession, I only use “thinking” when I have to explain something to the human. With dogs, it’s all about instinct and energy.

Here’s what you need to keep in mind. You can stop a dog fight by observing body language. This is what I do with aggressive cases – stop the bad dog behavior at the very instance you see it about to escalate. But if that’s not possible, during a dog fight, once there is one occurring, stay calm and observe who or which of the two dogs is at a higher level of intensity. That’s the dog I’m going to focus on. Then you need to step in to give that dog the right touch – this means the rib cage area. The reason is that this forces the dog to open his mouth and let go of his hold on the other dog during the dog fight. It’s about timing too, so look for the right moment and then act quickly.

You can use a loud, strong voice or grunt directly at him and pull back from the back of his neck and collar – not from the top, but from the back and pull up, otherwise he can interpret this as you getting into the fight as well, and this is when the dog can turn on the human and bite him because his level of intensity is so high, he doesn’t think “oh, that’s the human.” You’re just another dog in the fight and before you know it, the dog you’re trying to defend is coming after you.

Whether it’s a big dog or little dog, the technique and method is the same. Do not scream repeatedly unless you are calling for help. Sometimes people are not going to help, so don’t expect that everyone will have your ability or good will. Most importantly, be quick, stay mindfully aware, emotionally in tune, and remain calm and assertive.

How to Socialize a Dog

Whether he’s a puppy or perhaps a rescue that needs some TLC, the process by which your dog becomes accustomed to animals, people and other situations without become fearful or aggressive is what’s called socializing your dog. Here are a few tips to make the process a little easier.

Instructions

1. • Take your dog to the vet. Whether he’s a puppy or a rescue, you must make sure that your dog is in good health and is up to date with inoculations before introducing him to other people or pets. This is for both the safety of others and your dog.

   • Enroll in obedience classes. Are you afraid that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Don’t be. Puppies to elders can all benefit from professional training. By teaching your dog to be attentive to commands, you’ll be able to control and relax him in almost every situation.

   • Practice! Just because class is over, doesn’t mean that it’s time for you to stop using the commands. The more often you practice commands with your dog, the more habitual his following of those commands will become.

   • Walk your dog. Grab the leash and take him around the block. Slowly introduce him to the sounds of traffic, other people and other dogs that may be on their walk as well. Keep tight control of the leash, especially if your dog is sizable. Slowly let your dog “smell” and introduce himself to other dogs. As he gets used to it, you’ll slowly be able to trust him with more slack on the leash.

   • Praise and reward your dog. If your dog exhibits acceptable and correct behavior, praise him, encouraging him to repeat such behavior. If he exhibits something unacceptable, ignore the behavior. Different trainers have different thoughts on how to “correct” your dog. Some encourage you to “check” your dog by tugging on the leash, while others promote a “verbal correction.” Also, some trainers also utilize “treat training.” Which means when your dog something positive, you reward him with a treat. Communicate with your trainer on what system works best for you and your dog.

   • Ensure that you take your dog everywhere! The goal of socialization is to be able to have your dog remain obedient to you in any situation. The more scenarios you place him in, the more he will excel.

SUCCESS TEDDY

This is an email I received from Teddy’s owner and wanted to share,

We heard about Grace from our daughter Emily who had used her for their dog Toby. We decided to give her a try with Teddy. Teddy is a two year shitzu who thought he was the boss in our house. He would listen only when he wanted to, he would bark and jump up on our visitors, jump up on our couch when he felt like it. Recently he was introduced to a baby which he felt he needed to be the protector of the baby and when the baby cried and the dad tried to calm the baby Teddy decided he would nip the dad . We then knew he needed to be dealt with. He went and visited Grace and her boot camp for seven days. Since coming home he only gets up on the furniture when he is invited up, when our guests come to the door he sits and waits til he is told he can greet the visitors, when I would go down the stairs to the rec room he would tear down ahead of you, now when we tell him to wait at the top he waits til he’s told that it is ok to come down. The biggest accomplishment is when he had something in his mouth like my sock he would bite if we tried to get it from him, now I just say drop and he does. Our Teddy and now me are totally changed , I am the pack leader not him.
Thanks
Linda

HOW DO I MAKE THIS EASY FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND?

In the past 48 hours I have had some news that has  me confused. I can’t for the life of me figure out why humans do the things they do? Probably why I work with dogs, they are much simpler and easy to understand.

Here is my dilemma, people give up dogs either to me or shelters because the dog is either to much for them to handle,  or they simply chose the wrong breed,  or worse find out that they don’t have the time to spend with the dog to accomplish what the dog needs. This I do understand. I don’t like the reasoning, but I understand. Think before you purchase them, take in account your life style, availability, and finances.

So then WHY do these same people a few weeks later, or a few months later then go and get another dog? If you didn’t have time for the first one or couldn’t afford to train it, spay or neuter it, or have the space for it, then why do you get another one if you haven’t changed anything?  You still can’t afford it, or worse you  got a more difficult breed than the one you gave away? When I asked why did you get another dog the answer I get freaks me out! Because it was cute and needed a home!!!!!!! So you selfishly took away the opportunity for this dog to find a permanent loving home where it would get everything that it needs from training, medical needs, room to run. You know as well as I do in a few short weeks or months your going to be right back in the situation that you were in before and give up yet another dog, only now that this dog is older it’s going to make placing it in a good home that much harder!

The definition of crazy to me is, doing an activity over and over, change nothing, but expect a better result!  CRAZY

This drives me nuts, the irresponsible people who get these dogs and are not willing to do what ever it takes to keep them safe, healthy and happy for the entirety of the dogs life, should stop getting them! You make mine and others jobs much harder than need be. Animals are a commitment! A huge commitment!!

Annual Costs to Care for a Dog

First Year              Each Subsequent Year
Food and treats                               $1200            $1200
Inoculations                                      $300              $150
Worming                                             $ 160             $160
Spaying or neutering                       $300 – $1000 depending on size of dog
Flea/tick/heart worm prevention      $160     $160
Licensing                                               $45        $45
Accessories and toys                        $150   or more  and every year
Grooming                                               $75-400      $ 75-400
Training                                                  $300-500     depends on how well you did the first time training is a life long commitment
TOTAL                                                  $ 4015               $ 2715

These numbers  do not show, health issues, corrective surgery, accidents, etc….. dogs are not cheap!!! There is no such thing as a free dog! If you don’t feel that you can afford this, then don’t get a dog. Dogs like our children deserve to be in homes that can provide at the minimum,  the basics, these numbers are the basics!

Please people think long and hard about owning an animal, our shelters are full, foster homes are full, SPCA is full, most dogs and cats that get dumped in these shelters get put down far more times then they get adopted. Especially if we as humans failed them. If your dog is a large breed, untrained, bad mannered, hyper etc. these dogs are usually the ones to be put down first!! They are considered the UNDESIRABLES !! These dogs never asked to be put here, or have bad owners, they are the innocent victims of our selfish ways!!!! Please, please, I beg you to STOP!!!

MEET REAGAN

REAGAN

 

As many of you may have read the other day we had a new arrival to rrruffhouse, well her name is now officially Reagan, my husband gave her this name and it seems to suit her not that she would know as I said the other day she if deaf. She has been with us for two days and she is wonderful, bounds of energy and smart as a whip. Also as some of you may know just three weeks ago we lost our rottweiler Justice, we still miss him and every once in a while look for him, no dog will ever replace my boy. With that said I would like to announce that Reagan is now a permanent fixture in our home I didn’t think I was ready for another dog nor did I need another dog, but you know me I am a sucker for a sad story;  she has won our hearts and Puppet loves her like no other. She brings a lot of life, love, energy and many new challenges with her like I always say; you never get the dog you want, you get the dog you need. Who am I to challenge that?

NEW ARRIVAL

new puppy

Right: Puppet
Left: New puppy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today a baby white deaf boxer was welcomed in to rrruffhouse, she was surrendered from a family that could not meet the needs of this little deaf girl. She will require very specific training in order to keep her safe in our big world, just like our children she needs to learn to navigate in silence. For a dog this can be especially dangerous if not trained properly, she needs to learn to recognized the dangers of such things as the roads, water, ( we live on the water ) and other dogs. She will not understand some of the cues other dogs give in warning like growls, and barks she needs to learn to read other dogs by sight and smell, with a not so friendly dog this can get her hurt. This beautiful little girl has a long road ahead of her but for now is simply just settling in with a new family and a pack of dogs, and she is doing great! She is a very soft soul and playful and seems to have found a new best friend with our Puppet. She is a delight and Puppet seems to be guiding her where she needs to go, and when to come back. Puppet will be a good teacher and protector! Now we just need to find her a good name.

SORRY MISSES…………..

I feel the need to explain this video, Last year we got Misses she was a rescue dog that my husband fell in love with and decided we were going to keep her. Misses was with us for about a week when she accidentally dropped one of her kibbles from her food dish down the cold air return vent that is in our living room, The kibble when dropped down the vent made a very tiny PING sound when it hit the bottom. Well this tiny PING sound apparently scared the hell out of her and now every time she hears a sound that she does not understand or know where it comes from she goes to the vent. For example we do not have a door bell but she heard one on the TV so she went and looked down the vent, a bird chirping she looks in the vent, Christmas song ring tone on my phone, she looks down the vent. Last night my friend and I were playing with our phones and I was showing her this stupid app on my phone that sounds like a chimpanzee and when I played it for my friend, yup misses went and looked down the vent, well this started the two of us laughing so hard we had tears and of course I have told people who Misses has a weird vent thing but this was the first time I had a witness. Deb my friend starting making all these noises and killed herself while Misses screamed at the vent and of course the person I am I recorded the entire thing.