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Showing posts with label Quick Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quick Tips. Show all posts

Helpful Tips For Busy Families

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School is back in session and life is hectic again. There are soccer games to get to, piano lesson, teacher meetings and all the other stuff that comes with fall. The days are also getting shorter and cooler and it is all to easy to forget about the four legged family member.

Just because your schedule has picked up doesn't mean your dogs needs have lessened. He still needs walked EVERY day, and he still needs attention, and set rules to live by. Make sure that you are making time for him or you will have behavior problems and also an unhappy pooch. Here are some ideas to help you keep Fido happy and still keep up with your busy schedule.
  • Soccer practice? Take the pooch. I used to run laps around the soccer field with my dog while I watched my son's team practice.

  • Walk to school. This is a great way to keep your dog socialized and exercised!

  • Add a pack. If you can't go for as long of walks now you can add a back pack weighted with watter bottles to make sure your dog is still getting the most out of his work out time.

  • Treadmill train. If you have a treadmill train your dog to use it. It takes some patients but is likely easier than you think. Fido can get in a good walk while you get ready for the day.

  • Divide it up. Make a schedule for the dogs needs. Write out who walks, who feeds, who grooms etc. Share the task so that no one person is bogged down with too much. This also ensures that each family member gets special bonding time with the pooch!

These are just a few ideas to help you meet your dogs needs in a busy world. Be creative, have fun and remember that you made a commitment to your pet. His needs don't go away just because your schedule gets full.

The Joys of Fostering

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{My kids teaching one of our fosters how to snuggle and show love...this is why we do it!}


Our home had an exciting weekend. One of our foster dogs was adopted to a nice family and another one came in. Fostering can be such a fun and wonderful experience. For one thing, you are helping save a dogs life! Shelters and rescues all over the country would be forced to put even more dogs down than they do now if not for the thousands of homes who step forward to foster. Obviously fostering is a benefit to the animal, but what are the benefits to you and your family?

*Fostering gives you a sense of purpose and excitement for helping.


*Fostering teaches children in the home about service and respect for all living things.


*Fostering is a great way to find a forever friend!


*Fostering is very good for your dog to stay social and well balanced, and also teach good house manners to the foster dog.


*Foster parents are often given lots of help/advice from the shelter or rescue they foster through that can be used for your dog as well!


*Fostering is FUN! You can be a home for many different breeds, shapes and sizes without having to make a life long commitment to them.



Our family has loved playing the foster roll, and while you may not want to foster as often as we do, I encourage you to consider it. Yes, you do get attached, and some times there are tears when your foster finds a home, but everyone in the house will know that they brought joy to a dog in need and were there to help when it mattered most.



How can you get started? Contact your local shelter, or a rescue near you. Most will train you and provide you with the things you'll need such as, leash, crate and food. The links on this page (see right) are a good place to get started looking for information.



*Remember, there is never enough space to go around in rescues and shelters. The more foster families there are the more lives will be saved. Please consider the benefits of fostering today.

Weekend Visitor

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My husband jokes that our house has a revolving doggy door because so many dogs come through here. It is more truth than joke, and this weekend was no different. Saturday morning I brought home a APBT mix, Moo, who needed a safe harbor for a few nights until a permanent foster was found.


Bringing Moo in brought the house up to 3 dogs, 2 cats, and 2 chickens. Not to mention the humans! That is a lot of creatures for a small city lot, but it was a good reminder about the importance of set rules in the house. Adding in a new comer goes quite smoothly if the whole pack already follows a good routine and has clear boundaries. What could have been a weekend of headaches and chaos was actually very pleasant and fun because each pack member knew his or her role and what was expected.


Moo is a laid back, easy going guy, who is available for adoption through Boise Bully Breed Rescue. To find out more about him you can contact Cathleen at 208-713-1818.
Dogs and Allergies

Dogs and Allergies

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With spring in the air many dogs sufferer from allergies just like we humans do. Here is an article I found that gives some good information about recognizing an allergy in your dog, and what to do about it. Make sure you always check with a vet before doing any kind of home remedy.

www.k9web.com/dog-faqs/medical/canine-allergies.html

Dog Tip

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Remember not to give affection to your dog when he is demanding it. Becareful, a demanding dog can look very sweet, but pushing you with his body or nose is still a form of dominance. Even when that nose is super cute!

You invite the snuggle and your dog will be much more secure in your leadership.
Bringing Home a New Dog

Bringing Home a New Dog

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A new foster dog came home with me today. Mick, he is a Blue Heeler mix and is a recent graduate of the dog/inmate program here in Idaho. Mick will have a home soon, but because he is SO smart and energetic he can only go to a home that will match his wit and energy. Until that home becomes available he is staying with my family, so it is the perfect time to practice good introduction habits.
Introducing a new dog to an already busy pack is not always easy. There are some important things to remember. When I brought Mick home I did not take him right into the house and let him explore, as so many people do. This would have been a big mistake. It would give Mick the wrong message and set us all up for headaches. Here is the proper way to introduce a new dog...

First we went on a long walk to drain his energy and make things go more smoothly. On the walk I did not let him lead or pull. This is a bonding exercise that shows the dog you are the leader. This way they know right off that they are follower in this new pack.
After a brisk walk Mick and I met my husband, children, and 2 year old Border Collie at a park close to our home. This is a perfect greeting place. Both dogs are on neutral territory and can greet properly. I had to correct Mick one time when he growled at our dog. After that they were getting along fine so we all walked home together as a pack. This is very important. It tells the new dog what is expected, and the old dog that you are in control at that this new comer is welcome in your pack.
When we got home only our dog got to go in off leash. Mick had to wait until each member of the family, or pack, as he saw it, was through the door. Then I invited Mick in, still on a leash. I allowed him to sniff one area at a time and only with my permission. This is not new to a dog, it's nature. The new pack member must always respect the packs territory, it creates harmony and balance.
When it was time to meet the cats I made sure Mick respected me and was responding to my authority first. Never allow a dog to meet a pray animal off leash. Mick had an intense stare of the cats, which is not what you want to see. Staring could mean trouble or an attack.
When he focused on the cat I would correct him with the leash. This let him know the cats were mine and off limit to him. Because he is so smart and motivated it was not easy, I had to keep correcting until he submitted (by ignoring the cats). Mick will be a great pet for someone soon and he is learning good house manners with my family.

*Remember to be in control from the moment you invite the new dog in. Save the loves and cuddles until you have gained respect and trust. This will ensure a smooth transition and set up the boundaries for a healthy, happy life together!*