Cooper! Come back! That seems to be the morning ritual for me or my wife. Does your dog run away? Mine does, he seem to find a scent everyday at 6AM and then just takes off. It is very frustrating and I have attempted to put him on a leash. Stand right beside him, even keeping a flashlight or laser pointer out to get his attention. But those methods do not always work.
See, we live in Alaska and have a lot of room for the dogs to run around, I blame myself because I did not really leash train him when he was a puppy so therefore he is used to running around on his own. The problem with that is the recall on him does not work all the time. He got used to running with my ATV and so now he like to test how far away he can get from the house before we call him back.
I put a little red motion light on his collar and that seems to help with visibility and now I can see him better in the morning. I have been spending more time with him and rewarding him for all the good things he does and lately that seem to get his attention more. My wife is now going out in the morning with him and making sure he knows there is a reward for coming back. Positive reinforcement is always the answer for dogs.
We also bought an electric fence that is invisible for around the home. It has 5 settings on it from tones (beeps) only to 4 levels of corrective action, otherwise known as “shock” I know this sounds inhumane but I practiced with the beeps on him only and he has responded to that. I will find out if he stays in the yard when the moose come around.
Patience is key and all it takes is a little time and effort. My dog runs away less now and like to stay within our yard. Just keep the focus, reward their actions and they will honor and love you forever.
Caring for a Ferret does not start and stop at the pet store. This is what every pet owner should keep in mind as soon as they take into consideration owning one. Ferrets are exotic animals that come from the mustelid family. Once they reach adulthood, they emit a certain kind of smell. The time a pet owner spends caring for their pet Ferret should be carried out wisely. It is a great move for pet owners to de-scent and neutralize the odor that is emitted by the Ferret to make sure that there will be less litter made. They should also take trips to see the veterinarian often to have their regular check-ups.
To make sure that your Ferret is getting adequate nutrition that it needs, purchasing top-quality cat or Ferret foods at the local pet store is the wise choice. Because Ferrets need an adequate amount of fat in their diet, purchasing food products that have at least 20% fat and 35% protein content is most suitable. The kinds of fats that Ferrets need in their diet are the balanced fats found in poultry fat. This is considered to be a perfect blend of the essential fatty acids which are perfect for a Ferret’s diet. In addition, every pet owner must see to it that there is an adequate supply of water made available for the pet Ferret. Meanwhile, when it comes to choosing the best container, bowls are highly-recommended over bottles.
Ferret pet owners should also make sure that their pets have safe housing in which they can move around and play around more freely without putting their lives in danger in the process. They should be able to enjoy their habitat more comfortably.
It is a good decision to purchase your pet Ferret with a cage that has all the necessary qualities needed to ensure that the Ferret enjoys its time. The cage should have adequate space and is safe and clean enough for the Ferret to conveniently live in. There should be no loose edges wherein the Ferret’s feet can get caught in and the cage should not have any parts or wholes that could encourage the Ferret to stick its head in. In the wild, it is the Ferret’s nature to conceal itself in dark padded areas. Thus, the cage should also be supplied with items like sleep sacks or hammocks where they could play in as well as sleep.
Ferrets love to chew and because of this, they may always be tempted to chew on the wires of their cage. In order to avoid this from happening, items that can be easily chewed and ingested should not be placed inside the cage. If Ferret’s ingest indigestible items, they need to go through a surgery just to get it out. Otherwise, their lives will be placed in danger. Socialization with humans can be introduced once the Ferret reaches its 30th day age. You can also allow your Ferret to enjoy at least two hours of play time outside the cage daily but of course with your supervision.
George has been fascinated by ferrets even at a young age and raised them almost all his life. He researched on his favorite pet and gathered a body of knowledge that has made his furry friends more healthy and happy. He shares it with you so you can enjoy your pets better. Visit http://www.my-pets-diary.com and learn more about his research.
Confused about Dog Day Care?
Would you take your dog to a day care? Here are some tips from Dogtopia CEO Amy Nichols. Let me know what you think.
Just like parents seeking quality care for their children while they work or travel, dog owners face the same dilemma. Amy Nichols, who has devoted her life to ensuring quality of life for America’s dogs, offers the following information about dog day care to help sort fact from fiction:
* Day care provides quality, structured care: Dog day care provides a structured schedule for your pooch, complete with activities, nap time, snack time and social play. Each Dogtopia location includes a gymnasium, romper room, and lounge to suit the different sizes and play styles of their diverse clientele. There is plenty of open space, which gives your dog the opportunity to interact with other dogs, while running around and burning off plenty of pent-up energy.
* Peace of mind: Dog day care provides all-day service for your pup—that means tons of active play time with plenty of their four-legged friends. There will not be a moment in the day where the owner has to wonder, ‘Is my dog alone?’ The typical Dogtopia location cares for between 50 to 80 dogs per day with a ratio of one caregiver per 10-15 dogs.
* Your dog is never out of your sight: To create even more peace of mind for dog owners, Dogtopia employs web cam technology that allows the dogs’ owners to check on their pets at any time.
* Entrance Exams: A Great Dane might not make the best company for a Dachshund and Dogtopia understands that. All dogs undergo evaluations that include a health assessment, vaccination verification, and a temperament test to insure that the dog is social and comfortable in large groups. Dogs are placed in play groups that suit their style.
* Trained Staff: It’s important that your dog is consistently happy and healthy, so Dogtopia only employs the best. The Dogtopia staff is fully trained to provide the best care for your pup. Store owners attend pet CPR classes and all employees are trained in pack management and dog behavior.
Winter is quickly approaching which means temperatures are dropping, rain and snow are falling, and you’re bundling up to stay warm. You may know what to do to keep yourself comfortable, but it is important to remember that your pets can feel the change in the weather as well. There are a few ways that we can protect our dogs from the chilly winter conditions and keep them safe, dry and warm.
Outdoor dogs will of course be most affected by the winter. Keep them inside as often as possible, especially during rain or snowfall. If you can’t leave them in the house, they should have a sturdy outdoor shelter with walls to protect them from wind, a lifted floor to keep them off the cold ground and a roof to protect them from the rain.
- Be sure to leave your dog with a full coat for the winter and avoid trimming their fur for a few months. This allows them to better generate and insulate their body heat.
- Your pet may need more food during the winter as they will be using extra energy to stay warm. Be sure to watch for changes in eating habits and adjust food portions if necessary. Water bowls that are left outside should also be watched as they can freeze.
- You can always look into clothing or sweaters for your pets to help insulate their body heat, but make sure they are comfortable and it isn’t restricting to their movement.
- Play with them and give them plenty of exercise to keep them active and moving. Attention is important as pets can be prone to “winter blues.”
- Watch for cues of discomfort, such as changes in behavior and energy level. Make sure to have several veterinarian visits over the season to ensure that they are remaining healthy.
If you feel cold, your pet is probably feeling it too, so you can use your own comfort as a gauge for the needs of your dog. Keep in mind that your dog will enjoy curling up near the fireplace with the family as much as you will!
Kathryn Ek is a writer for Pocketchange, a shopping blog from Become.com where you can find more information about smart shopping for your dog. Check out Become.com this season to shop for all of your pet needs.
