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.

Get Rid of Fleas in a House

Fleas can drive pets and their owners nuts. They can cause skin problems for animals and the people who love them. Treating the pet is not the end of flea control — it is only the beginning. Once fleas get in the house, you have to treat the entire dwelling. You also must time your efforts correctly, because fleas reproduce rapidly and their eggs are often present in the home long after the adult fleas are killed.

Instructions

1. • 1

     Bathe all pets with a flea shampoo and give them a dose of a systemic pesticide. Remove them from the house for at least eight hours.

   • 2

     Remove all sheets, towels, furniture covers, rugs and curtains from their places. Wash them all in very hot water and detergent. Dry them in a hot dryer and place them in tightly sealed lawn and leaf bags. Send anything that is not washable to the dry cleaners

   • 3

     Place all open food products in the refrigerator. Clean out the cupboards and place all sealed and canned foods into lawn and leaf bags. Remove them from the house. Vacuum inside all cupboards.

   • 4

     Vacuum the house thoroughly several times. Vacuum every room, every closet and all furniture. Change the vacuum bags frequently during the process. Remove filled bags from the vacuum and seal them in a refuse bag and remove the bag from the house.

   • 5

     Mix a citrus oil cleanser into very hot water in a bucket. Scrub all cabinets and drawers with the solution and leave the doors to them open. Scrub all baseboards and walls thoroughly with sponges dipped in the solution. Mop the floor with the solution. Change water frequently to make sure it is always hot.

   • 6

     Open all the interior doors in the house. Close all exterior doors and all windows. Follow the directions to set off flea bombs. This usually involves setting the bombs off in the center of each room and leaving the house for four to six hours without returning. Make sure all pets and people are out of the house before bombing.

   • 7

     Return to the house after the suggested time. Open the windows. Return food to the cupboards and pantries. Replace washed fabrics. Vacuum one more time just in case. Launder all clothing you have been wearing.

 

 

Dog Harness Vs Collars – How To Choose?

Are you having a dilemma on choosing a dog harness or a collar? Don’t get overwhelmed about deciding. There are so many different types of stylish dog collars and harnesses to choose from. This article will describe some of the ways on how to decipher on which one is right for your pet. We all love our best friend and want what’s best for them.

Let’s take a look at a Dog Harness

– A harness is designed to go over your dogs abdomen and chest area and then crossing over their back. One type is an “H” style which includes more padding for your best friend. This style helps distribute the weight evenly. The harness design is made to keep pressure off the neck and airway. It is made to protect their neck and back.

– Do you have a small dog or puppy? A dog harness is the way to go. When you have a puppy or small dog their necks and bones are fragile. With a harness you help them breath easier when on a leash.

– We all like taking our best friend for a walk or to the park. A dog harness will give you more control while walking and training him/her. Your dog can’t get out of a harness as easily as with a dog collar. While riding to the park some allow you to hook your best friend up to the seat belt. This will ease your mind by keeping them safe.

Some options for Collars for Dogs

There are many different types of collars. We will go through a couple of the most common types.

– Choker Chain Style: While using this type you can tug quickly on the chain so it tightens. Your dog will become alert and stop. This allows them to see what he is doing wrong and correct it. You should NEVER leave the chain on while unattended. And Never use if he/she has neck or throat issues.

– Quick Release collars for dogs are the most popular type. Made out of flat nylon with a plastic buckle. This allows for quick on and off of the collar. If you have a larger stronger dog it is recommended to use a standard buckle that is stronger. There are many stylish dog collars with the quick release. You have many options of colors, designs and sizes.

– When fitting the collar to your dog it is important that it fits properly. You should fit 2 finger widths between neck and collar. The collar should not slip over the ears. You don’t want it to big and have your best friend slip out of it while going for a walk.

When it comes time to choosing a dog harness or collars for dogs, see which one best fits your needs and theirs. Either way you decide make sure you put on their identification, rabies and license tags. Rather you decide on stylish dog collars or a dog harness, you want your best friend to be happy and obedient.

YARD SALE DAY ONE

I would like to send out a huge thank you to everyone that made day one of the yard sale such a huge success both shoppers and volunteers and also the many, many people who have donated to the cause. We had a great first day and couldn’t ask for more than that. We are still taking donations  if you still want to donate but we will only be accepting stuff until noon. I hope everyone had as much fun working the yard sale as I did, many friends came to shop and volunteer, the sun was shinning, people were shopping and the laughs were plenty, again thank you to everyone for the first day I could not have done it with out all of you!! Here’s to tomorrow being as successful as today! If you didn’t come and shop today please come out tomorrow as we still have plenty of great things available, cameras,bookcase, leather couch,clothing, too much to mention so come see for yourself!!

Who is up for the challenge???

OK so apparently some people still don’t understand what it feels like to be in a hot car on a summer day with the windows only open a crack! So here is the challenge I am putting forward…….. If you own a dog and that dog has fur I want you to wear a coat that would simulate your dogs fur so example; if you own a Sheppard, Newfoundlander, st Bernard, husky etc. then you must wear a heavy winter coat! If you own a short hair dog like a lab, boxer, bulldog,mastiff etc then you must wear a sweater. So the challenge is this you, your appropriate coat in a hot car with the windows cracked one inch for 30 min. I will video this challenge and post the resulting video on my website. If your not a chicken and are up to the challenge send me a message once I get enough people I will set a day and time!! So who’s ready???

This is for all my favorite dog owners!!!!

HOW TO PROPERLY TRIM YOUR DOGS NAILS

 

Unless your dog runs around on hard surfaces that help keep toenails short, you have to clip them about once a week — if you hear them clicking on a hard surface, it’s time for a trim.

Most dogs detest having their feet handled, so clipping may never be your favorite shared activity, but getting your dog used to this ritual at an early stage helps you both weather the process. Try giving your dog a yummy treat after the trimming session, along with a big hug, a boisterous “Good dog!” and a healthy scratch behind the ears.

Before attempting a trim yourself, ask your veterinarian or a groomer to show you how to trim your pup’s toenails them to the right length.

A dog’s toenail is made up of the nail itself and the quick, the pink (when it’s visible) part of your dog’s toenails that provides the blood supply to the nail. Avoid cutting into the quick because it bleeds quite a bit and it’s quite sensitive.

 

The quick is the dark part inside the nail — the blood supply to avoid!

If you can’t do all your dog’s nails at once, never fear — you can clip them one paw at a time, with other activities or a resting period in between.

To trim your dog’s nails:

1. Hold the foot steady, but hold it gently.
2. Snip off a small bit of the end of each toenail.Using either the guillotine or scissors-type clippers, place a tiny bit of the nail in the nail clipper and snip.If the nail feels spongy while you’re trying to cut it, stop immediately — you’re cutting the quick!
3. Stop any bleeding immediately.If you cut the quick (often called quicking), you’ll have an unhappy dog and a bloody mess. The quick bleeds a great deal, so if you cut it, you need either a nail cauterizer — a tool that stops the bleeding by applying heat — or styptic powder you can apply with a cotton swab. Have a damp washcloth at hand ready to clean up styptic powder and blood as necessary.Quicking hurts a lot, and most dogs remember the experience long afterward.

Don’t forget the dewclaws if your dog has them. They tend to grow long because they don’t normally touch the ground and if you fail to cut them, they will eventually grow back into your dog’s foot, which is quite painful.

If you use a nail grinder rather than clippers, use the same method — hold your dog’s foot, turn on the grinder, and grind a little off each nail.

OUR FIRST ENGAGEMENT!!

   SHE SAID YES!!!!!!

Today I helped two friends get engaged! My friend Richard came to me a few weeks ago and asked if I would go shopping with him to pick out an engagement ring, of course I said yes! Since then Richard and I have been planning the perfect day for his wife to be Celine. It just happened to be my birthday on May 23rd so we planned a birthday party for me on the 25th of may, or so Celine thought. We planned it down to the last detail and poor Celine was clueless, We had a BBQ, and had some of her friends. What Celine didn’t know is that although it was my birthday this party was not for me, but her. Needless to say Celine was shocked when my cake didn’t say Happy Birthday but will you marry me? The look on poor face was utter shock and disbelief!! Happy engagement guys and thank you very much for allowing me to be a part of your special day!! Congratulations Celine and Richard!!

Needs a new home ASAP!!

I have just been recently contacted by someone who has just rescued a 3 year old short hair pointer, she is brown and white with speckles and not fixed. from what I have been told she was left out in the cold and is so skinny you can see ribs so she has been badly mistreated! Her name is Tika and we are offering her FREE to a good home where she can get healthy and loved! If you or someone you know is willing to give this little girl a chance at a forever home please contact me ASAP as where she is now she wont be able to stay long! Please if anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated!! If you cannot offer her a forever home then maybe you can foster her until we find one!!!

Needs a new home ASAP!!

I have just been recently contacted by someone who has just rescued a 3 year old short hair pointer, she is brown and white with speckles and not fixed. from what I have been told she was left out in the cold and is so skinny you can see ribs so she has been badly mistreated! Her name is Tika and we are offering her FREE to a good home where she can get healthy and loved! If you or someone you know is willing to give this little girl a chance at a forever home please contact me ASAP as where she is now she wont be able to stay long! Please if anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated!! If you cannot offer her a forever home then maybe you can foster her until we find one!!!

Deshedding tool

These tools sell for about $60-70 in local pets stores, I have been able to find them for $25-30 from a distributor I found, they are just the same in very way as the Furminator tool found in pets store with out the mark up! If anyone is interested in purchasing them please send me an email and I will be glad to share the info with you on how to get them for cost! I can get almost any products found in pets stores from the same place just NO mark ups! If your interested in any dog products please let me know what you’re looking for and I will find the info for you and let you know how to purchase these products. No more going to stores and waiting for sales to get there to find their sold out!