Getting a Stroller for Your Pet

Pet strollers are more than just a recreational carrier for all types of pets. They are also a helpful way of transporting your handicapped or small pets like puppies and kittens. Pet strollers can be used for all kinds of pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits and ferrets. Pet strollers are a good source of transportation for a family pet that may be older or suffering from hip or joint discomfort. By using a pet stroller they can still go on walks with the family and not be left behind. They also like to see different things and being involved with their owner.

Walking your pet is a good means of exercise daily for your pet. Though, as their tiny paws will tire them out early, dogs should be freed from tiring walks. On the other hand, bring a pet stroller for dogs along, so that when your pet shows the signs of low energy, you can place him on the pet stroller and allow him to rest for the remaining time of the walk. You do not have to drag your pet down the street when he declines to obey your request to follow you. As an alternative, detain him to his pet stroller for dogs when he declines to budge. When using this manner, you will give him no option.

Most dog owners soon realize that their dogs adjust quickly to the pet strollers, but if you are still not sure what exactly to buy, here are some tips for you which can help you in your choice and to encourage your dog to learn to love their pet stroller.

You should use only when you are outside. If you use it only when you both are out, your dog will associate it with the nice walks and will adjust quickly to it. After a few walks, when your dog sees the stroller it will be a signal for him that you are going out and he will welcome it with pleasure. It is good idea if there is an area where your dog feels well, leave him alone with the pet stroller to investigate it on their own. It will be smarter if you put some dog snacks inside. He will be excited to find them and he will feel even feel so comfortable soon he might take a nap in the dog stroller. Then the moment when your dog will take his first ride in it is not far. It is important to lock the stroller wheels to avoid rolling away if your dog jumps in, because this will slow down the process of adjustment.

When you first put your dog in the stroller, choose calm and quiet places for your walks. After your dog is used to it, then the time to take him in busy and crowded place has come. Do not get frustrated that your dog does not adjust as quickly as you want to the stroller because he may feel your anger and thus he will associate his with negative emotions. To make your dog love his stroller, you should be very patient with your pet.

Invisible Dog Fence Will Help Keep Your Dog Safe

Are you having a hard time thinking of how to keep your pets away from restricted areas? Good thing, there is already a wireless and underground pet fence you can install in your own safe zone. It is the latest technology in the pet fence system these days. And surprisingly, more and more pet owners have this system because it is both practical and convenient. Why? Because you would not have to think about putting up a wooden or steel fence around your house just to keep your pet from roaming around the neighborhood.

Just like humans, dogs and pets alike need breathing space. Pets do not have to be locked up in a cage 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They should also have some form of exercise and play time once in a while. You should not deprive your dog the need for walking or playing outside the house. Remember, pets should be treated with proper care so do not cage him all day long. On the other hand, you do not want your pet to go rummaging around the community without you.

Wireless and the underground pet fence system is a form of pet containment system that will make your pet roam around the safe zone areas. You will be the one to decide which places are prohibited for your pet. You will be the one to create the perimeter so your pet would not stray away from your house and breaking the laws and disturbing other people. A wireless fence can be installed in no time.

Underground pet fences rely on a 4-part system in order to establish a true safety zone for doggies.

1. Hard Wires. Narrow gauge – small diameter solid copper wires, insulated and weather-protected via an outer plastic sheathing, constitute the “circuit”, through which the signal travels. In ground pet fencing wire spools typically carry up and over 200 ft. of wire. Installation is simple. Carefully mark-off the actual perimeter line that marks the “safe zone” boundaries for your doggies. Next, a small hand-size trowel is all you’ll need to slice through grass, or to dig a small 3inch trench into which the wire will be set. At any “join” area, or where you’ve had 2 wires intersect, you’ll need to simply remove wire insulation for about 2 inches, then twist the two ends together, sealed by a connection threaded cap. Result? You get a solid connection, plus weather resistant underground electric dog fence that can carry a steady training signal for years.

2. Transmitter Unit. A simple plug-in device, the underground dog fence transmitter sends out a continuous signal pulsing through the underground perimeter wire. Result? A tunnel shaped invisible “barrier” is created, leaving an interior “safety zone” to play within. The electronic pet fence is designed to create a low-impact, easy-to-install and effective pet containment system to keep your dogs safe but space-constrained.

3. Collar Receiver Units. A light weight weather resistant collar is the “messenger” part of the underground dog fence system, where the “action” and training occurs. A simple receiver technology, the underground pet fence collar and controller transmitter can be calibrated or powered up or powered down, in order increase the radius of the “beware don’t enter” zone along the perimeter line. After training, dogs quickly learn that the “beep beep beep” sound radiating form their collar means “stay away”…or receive a low voltage shock from the collar’s pins, which butt up onto the dog’s neck. Don’t worry, there’s no physical harm or impairment caused by the “corrective” shock, rather your dog experiences a startling sensation which effectively trains, and reminds her where the boundary line exists.

4. And Your Dog. No underground pet fence would be complete without a dog or two to complete the system. Training is gentle, lasting only 10 minutes or so on several sessions, with your dog on a leash, wearing the collar…listening for the tell-tale “beeps” near the line of warning flags inserted into the ground, acting as a visual cue. Gentle walking, coaxing your dog with words of encouragement, leading her gently towards the barrier until the rapid “beeping” followed by a short corrective shock occur. No surprise that mentally nimble situation-solving dogs quick deduce the “meaning” of this newly installed underground dog fence, and quickly learn to stay within the “safe zone”.

What are the reasons behind an invisible pet fence? Let’s take a look at 4 prime reasons:

1. Stayyyyy… stayyy… STAY!: That is a phrase most dog owners probably know well. Getting your dog to stay where you want it to can be a difficult thing to train a dog to do. How many times has your dog ran into a neighbor’s yard and stolen the morning newspaper, or torn up a friend’s flower garden? By investing in an invisible dog fence, you can ensure that your dog stays put where he or she belongs, safe and sound in your yard!
2. It’s a Dangerous World Out There!: One of the most devastating things that can happen to an animal lover is losing a beloved family pet. One of the most common reasons for outdoor dogs passing away is from being struck by traffic near their home. By installing an invisible dog fence, you can have the peace of mind that your dog is safe from the temptation to run out into traffic by your house, whether it be to chase a small animal or whatever other reason.
3. Dangerous Liaisons: Now don’t giggle, but making sure that your dog stays put in your yard means that you do not have to worry about him or her “meeting up” with dogs of the opposite gender and getting themselves into a bit of trouble. If your pet has been spayed or neutered this becomes less of an issue, but none the less it is still something to consider. Also along the same vein, an invisible dog fence will also keep your dog from wandering around the other neighborhood dogs which may or may not be friendly.
4. Teaching Obedience: Training your dogs to properly and safely use an invisible dog fence is a fantastic way to train them to be obedient. If you have a stubborn dog who does not like to necessarily follow all the rules of the house, dog fences can whip them into shape quickly and safely. Just think, after training your dog to use the fence, it may very well even be easier to train them in other areas as well!

Keeping your beloved dogs safe is a huge priority to us pet lovers. Do yourself and your pet a huge favor and invest in an invisible dog fence!

Boarding Kennels – Discover the Best One For Your Pet

By Kristen Nelson, D.V.M.

With summer around the corner, it is time to find a comfortable place for your pet while you are on vacation. You want to know your pet is safe and well cared for in your absence. But how do you find a good boarding kennel? How do you make sure your pet is happy so you may enjoy a guilt-free vacation? The answer is simple, do homework in advance.

Kennel Design

Before booking a reservation, take a tour of the boarding kennel. Pay close attention to the number of barriers between the animal holding area and the outdoors. I like to see at least one set of self-closing doors between the animal areas and the front door. If a dog slips its leash, they usually run to where they entered the building. Ask about the security system. Does the facility have smoke detectors? If smoke is detected, will it automatically activate sprinklers? Unfortunately, kennel fires do occur so every precaution must be taken to protect the animals inside.

Look at the layout for species-specific rooms. I prefer separate cat, dog and exotic areas. Each may be customized to reduce stress and provide behavioral enrichment. Cats especially benefit from not sharing their space with a pack of yapping dogs. Make sure there are solid partitions between animal cages or runs to prevent fights and disease transmission. A chain-link fence is not an adequate barrier between runs. I have treated many dogs for injuries suffered through fence fights! The runs and cages should not face each other. From a dog’s perspective, direct, across the aisle eye contact is an aggressive gesture. Timid animals may feel threatened and aggressive ones might be stimulated. The face-to-face set up also permits disease transmission. If you see this manner of design, I suggest you find a different place for your pet.

Inspect the cages and runs for problems. Look for sharp edges, rusty bolts or other signs of disrepair. Does the cage give the animal enough room to stand, turn around and stretch out? If the answer is no, the space is inadequate for that animal. Spend the extra money to book a larger space. Most kennels clean the runs by hosing them towards a gutter or drain. Make sure the drain or gutter is covered and that the cover is fastened in place. I have treated dogs for paw injuries from stepping into an uncovered drain. I have also heard tragic stories about small pets falling into drains.

Outdoor Spaces

A sturdy wall should surround outdoor spaces used for exercising the animals. Points of entry should have double gates or doors to prevent accidental escapes. If animals are left outside unattended, the enclosure needs a roof as well. The roof will provide protection from the elements as well as protection from unwanted intruders. I treated a large cat who liked to sit on a balcony. A Great-horned owl swooped down and grabbed her. Thank goodness, the owl could not fly with the cat. He dropped the overweight feline in the pool and the cat survived.

Sanitation

As the saying goes, cleanliness is next to Godliness. The entire kennel, including outdoor enclosures, should be clean and free of strong odors. A powerful ammonia or disinfectant smell is a red flag. All cleaning products should be removed after use with thorough rinsing. Ask if the animals are removed from their run or cage for cleaning. If the answer is no, find a new kennel. In my view, reputable kennels remove the animal to prevent exposure to cleaning agents. When animals are left inside, they may suffer skin irritations, corneal ulcers and chemical burns on their paws. This actually happened to one of my own dogs.

Ask how many times per day the dogs are taken out for exercise. Most kennels exercise them twice a day, once in the morning and once around dinner time. In my opinion, this is not enough, especially for geriatric dogs. Check to see if the kennel will give your dog additional outs. I gladly pay extra to make sure my dog gets out at least three times per day. This is better for your pet and helps you attain a guilt-free vacation.

Vaccinations

To protect all the animals that stay at a facility, most kennels require up-to-date vaccinations. For dogs, they usually require rabies, some form of DA2PP and Bordetella. In addition, the kennel might require vaccinations for Leptospirosis, Giardia or Lyme disease if it is a problem in the area. I also recommend heartworm, flea and tick prevention prior to a kennel stay. For cats, most kennels require rabies, FVRCP and FELV vaccinations as well as FELV/FIV status. Animals without proper vaccinations should not be boarded. Note vaccines require two weeks to achieve efficacy! People who choose not to vaccinate should use an in-home pet-sitting service. Warn the pet-sitter that your animal is not protected so they take precautions to avoid transmitting a disease into your home.

Diet

Most kennels offer one standard canine and feline diet. If an animal develops diarrhea, they often switch to a bland diet as part of their standard operating procedure. If your pet requires a special diet, bring it with in a sturdy container. Clearly mark the container with the pet’s name, name of food, the number of feedings per day and the amount fed per meal. Exotic pet owners usually bring their own food. Instruct the staff about any special feeding or handling requirements. Similar rules apply for medications. For example, if you have a giant breed dog, ask the kennel to elevate the food and water bowls off the ground.

Behavioral Enrichment

Better kennels look out for a pet’s emotional and physical well-being. Some install video monitors in the kennels tuned to ‘Animal Planet’. Other’s play soothing music and provide toys, beds or snacks to make the time away from home pass more quickly. Cat wards often have an aquarium filled with brightly colored fish. I board my dog at a kennel with a swimming pool. Study the animals in the kennel. Their behavior will tell you volumes about the environment.

Staff

In my experience, a high rate of staff turnover is a bad sign when it comes to kennels. Ask your tour guide how long the staff has been employed at that location. The Pet Care Services Association, formerly known as the American Association of Boarding Kennels provides an accreditation program for facilities and personnel. Ask if both the staff and the kennel are certified. Some kennels display their certificates and awards behind the reception counter. You know your pet likes the kennel when they are happy to see the staff even though they would rather be at home.

Emergency Care

All kennels should work with a veterinarian to provide emergency care for their animal guests. Ask who the kennel works with and then check out the clinic’s reputation. If you are not satisfied request they consult your regular veterinarian in case of emergency.

Copyright 2009© Veterinary Creative, L.L.C. Permission is hereby granted for reproduction in whole or in part if credit is given to the author: Kristen L. Nelson, D.V.M.