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Pet-Friendly Home Decisions

By Jeffery Andrew - K9 Korral
17
Jan 2011

Sooner or later everyone needs to do home renovations, so why not make them good for your pet too?  Making pet friendly home decisions won’t only be good for house care, but also good for dog care.  Here are a few ways in which you can redo your home that will benefit you and your dog!

Carpet

When getting new carpet, it is important to consider if you will be able to tell if your pet has an accident.  Not being able to see where your dog has urinated will make the room smell horrible, and you won’t be able to tell where it’s coming from.  Also keep in mind that white carpet is generally a bad idea.  Many people adore white carpet for looking so clean, but that’s because it is clean.  Keeping a white carpet in it’s natural state is back-breaking, and with a pet, it is best to go for a different color.

Furniture

Dogs and cats love to lie on the couch and relax, but shedding can be an extreme issue.  Your dog’s behavior should depend on what you find acceptable, but if you have issues with pets lying on your furniture, you might want to look into Florida dog training.   I think I’m right in saying that everyone has been to a  house in which the owner lets their dogs hair stay all over their couch, and let me tell you…  it’s gross.  Not only do you get dog hair all over your clothes but it can be very smelly, itchy, and uncomfortable.  With this in mind, try to pick a couch that has a color similar to your dogs hair, and that is easy to clean.  Leather and materials of that kind are easy to clean, but if you have a leather couch, remember to trim your dogs nails regularly; dog’s nails are infamous for effortlessly scratching up pricey leather couches.

Decorations

Many people (including myself) have playful dogs.  This being said, anything within their reach is fair game for play, including household decorations.  Try to keep things away from where they can reach, so if you buy a nice vase, when placing it in your house, remember that your dog could easily run into the table it’s sitting on.  This is especially true with hanging curtains.  Dogs (and especially cat’s) can easily tear up curtains and ruin them.

Making pet-friendly home decisions will make life easier for you and your dog!

Category: Florida Dog Training, Pet Care Tips  Tags: , , , , ,  Leave a Comment

Food to Keep Your Dog Away From

By Jeffery Andrew - K9 Korral
12
Jan 2011

A healthy diet can be very important in dog care.  Everyone knows not to feed your dog certain foods, such as chocolate, because they act as dog poison.  However, there are many other things that you want to steer your dog clear of to keep him or her healthy.  For this purpose, here are some foods within certain food groups that they should stay away from.

Fruits and veggies

Onions and garlic are a big no-no in the veggie group.  These foods destroy dogs’ red blood cells and can leave their system unbalanced.  In addition to onions and garlic, it is a smart idea to stay away from all fruits with pits.  Peach and plum pits contain cyanide, which is poisonous to humans and dogs alike.  Eating fruit pits can also cause issues in the digestive system.

Meat

Fat trimmings and bones are something you want to keep your dog away from.  Both have been known for causing pancreatic problems, and bones often cause lacerations in the digestive system. All raw meat is also a keep-away.  Raw materials can cause food poisoning, and if it isn’t treated properly, the disease can be fatal in 2 weeks or less.

Beverages

As far as beverages go, it’s pretty clear to keep your dog away from caffeinated or alcoholic beverages.  This is because these two drinks have the same effect on dogs as they do on humans, but work faster and more aggressively on a dogs system.

Other foods to avoid

All foods or beverages containing dairy are something you should keep your dog away from.  Dairy causes dogs to have diarrhea, and an upset stomach (often resulting in vomiting).  Another result from dairy is often food allergies which can result in itchiness, so save them some pain and don’t feed it to them.  One other food to avoid is Macadamia nuts.  This food should be avoided at all costs! Six types of nuts can cause illness in dogs and result in muscle tremors, vomiting, high fever, rapid heart rate, and even death, so be careful with macadamia nuts.  Just as well, keep your dog away from dough.  Dough rises before it is baked, and will do the same in a dog’s stomach.

Take care of your dog by keeping him away from harmful foods!

Category: Florida Dog Training, Pet Care Tips  Tags: , , ,  Leave a Comment

Pet Care Tips #4: Auto Travel with Your Dog

By Jeffery Andrew - K9 Korral
26
Mar 2010

Are you getting ready to visit friends and family during summer holiday?  Is your budget low so the car is the best way to go?  What are you going to do about your dog on the trip?  You do not wish to leave your dog behind so why not bring your pup along.  It does not take much to make your dog comfortable on a road trip.  It solely takes a little preparation and viola!  Your puppy may ride with you.

Practice Makes Perfect

You need to prepare your dog by taking your dog on short trips.  Take your pup around town or to the gas station with you.  Let your dog feel okay sitting in a crate, while it being in the car.  Secure a crate in the car and have your dog ride in it.  Be certain the crate does not slide around.  You need it to remain in place in case of unwanted car movements.  This way your dog stays safe in the crate no matter if something suddenly happens and your car veers out of control.

Backseat Rider

When your dog rides along, keep your dog in the backseat of the car.  If possible, attach a harness or click a seat buckle around your dog.  And, forget about allowing your dog to stick his/hers head outside the window.  I know, I know, there is not a day that passes by where you do not see a vehicle on the roads permitting their dog to partake in this action. Nevertheless, it is not healthy.  Your dog will be at risk for inner ear damage.  Alternatively, if something was flying down the road, it may hit your dog causing life-threatening damage.  Avoid these scenarios completely.  The damage, which may ensue, is not worth it.

Do not be scared to travel with your dog on road trips.   You love to be with your dog so why not bring your pup along.  Just be cautious and smart about how to proceed ensuring the safety, health and happiness of you and your dog.  Talk to a Florida dog training professional today.  He/she will be able to provide you with more experienced advice on how to travel with your dog by car.

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Pet Care Tips #1: Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

By Jeffery Andrew - K9 Korral
22
Jan 2010

There are dog owners who still wonder why in the world they need to brush their dog’s teeth.  Pet owners do not realize this is an important care tip to implement for it is not solely designed to make your dog’s breath smell good.  It is essential to your dog’s overall health.  Gum disease is a familiar, grim problem in dogs and the best way to prevent it is through brushing.

Oral Care Issues in Dogs are Serious

Just as in humans, if you do not brush your dog’s teeth, food particles and bacteria along the gum line build and form into plaque, which when left untreated turns into tartar.  Tartar is the number one problem causing severe mouth pain, teeth falling out, and bacterial infections.  The reason it is serious if left untreated, the bacterial infections seep into the bloodstream affecting the rest of the body.  Therefore, brushing the teeth is vital to your dog’s overall health.

How Often Should You Brush

It is recommended to brush your dog’s teeth on a daily basis.  If your dog is of a small breed, where teeth are generally crowded together, brush frequently.  For the plaque collects more often on teeth set closely together than on a widely spread mouth.  You need to keep an eye on your dog’s teeth.

What to Use

To carry out pet care tips properly, many stores carry products to make these jobs easier.  Check out the oral hygiene products section at pet stores.  There is normally an area  dedicated to doggy toothbrushes.  There will be different types available and the best way to discover what works is to try it out at home.  Some dogs may prefer dental sponges to doggy toothbrushes, but you will not know without testing.

Regarding toothpaste, there is one main rule to follow; do not use human toothpaste.  Pet stores and your veterinarian have pet toothpaste created specifically for dogs.  The flavors may range from chicken, peanut butter, liver and mint making it appealing to your dog.  And, if your dog likes it, then brushing your dog’s teeth will be less of a chore than it initially sounds.

Category: Florida Dog Training  Tags: , ,  One Comment

Winter Care Tips

By Jeffery Andrew - K9 Korral
15
Jan 2010

When it is cold outside, it may be challenging to get a dog to go outdoors for exercise.  The salt in chemical deicers may hurt a dog’s paws or the wind factor may be too much for smaller breeds.  You have to think of ways to keep the dog happy while in the cold and alternative activities rather than going out entirely.

Coax Your Dog with Treats

Some dogs dislike the idea of venturing outside while the air is frigid.  Use treats to keep the dog distracted during the walk.  It will enhance the mood of the dog and actually have the dog look forward to going on outdoor excursions, even if it is cold.  For example, when you take your dog on walks during the winter, pop a few treats into your pet’s mouth.  The dog will eventually associate walking outside with treats allowing it to be much easier to sway the dog to go outside, regardless of the temperature.

Engage the Dog in Aerobic Activity

The quickest way to keep your dog warm during winter months is to play off-the-leash exercises.  Play tug, fetch and encourage your dog to romp around with other dogs.  It will warm up the body quick and keep its mind diverted from the cold.

Increase Indoor Activities

Enroll your dog in indoor agility classes.  These classes include flyball and other fun activities in heated facilities sharpening your dog’s intellectual skills and body.  It is beneficial to your dog’s overall health.  Check out Florida dog training classes and discover additional classes offered due to it being winter months.  Furthermore, play more games in the house that will expend energy, such as tug-of-war.  It would be a great excuse to further bond with your dog and provide your dog with extra loving attention.

If your dog is still struggling with the cold, then consider putting a coat or sweater on, especially if your dog is without much body fat.  Invest in a well-fitted coat covering your dog’s back and underside.  Also, do not be surprised if your dog requires supplementary food intake during the winter months.  It exhausts more energy to stay warm, so the additional food may be a necessity.

Category: Florida Dog Training, Pet Care Tips  Tags: , , , ,  Leave a Comment
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