Help Your Pet Sitter Today - Houston Humane Society Fun Run

On Sunday, March 25, 2012, Crystal will be participating in Houston Humane Society’s 31st Annual K-9 Fun Run & Walk, and she needs your support!

The K-9 Fun Run & Walk is Houston’s oldest dog walk. Proceeds benefit the numerous programs at Houston Humane Society, a private, non-profit animal shelter that receives no local, state, or federal government money. HHS offers a low cost Animal Wellness Center to the general public (including Houston’s only $30 spay/neuter service), a state of the art adoption facility, RAIDER animal cruelty services, humane education, and so much more.

She's getting involved in the Fun Run because she want to support our local animal shelter. Please help her by supporting this wonderful cause! To make a donation on her behalf and help her reach her fundraising goals, please go here and click on the donate button to the right. To join her in my efforts and run/walk on March 25th, click on "Join Me."

And, please cheer her on at the 31st Annual K-9 Fun Run & Walk on March 25, 2012. There will be a post race party in the park for all participants with vendor booths, food & drinks, doggy costume contest, HHS alumni parade, and more. This event is not to be missed!

Thanks for your support!

Crystal Broadway

Allgen Companion Care

My Dogs Love Apples & Bananas

It’s not uncommon for animals to like fruit, even though it seems odd. My 2 maltese love apples, strawberries and bananas. They are approximately 1 ½ years old. They seem to really like certain fruits and come running when I start cutting an apple. Fruit, now and then, instead of purchased treats seem to help in managing the larger ones’ weight. “Now and then” are the key words here. I don’t replace all snacks with fruit however I do bake my own dog treats. All dogs are different and I would ask a professional especially for senior dogs.

According to professionals, senior dogs need adequate protein and a little more fiber. I peel the apples to reduce the fiber since my maltese are very small dogs. Fiber is not considered an essential nutrient in the diets of cats and dogs, but it is present in almost every commercial pet diet. Natural antioxidants in pet foods contain Vitamin C. Vitamin E, vitamin C, citric acid, and rosemary are among the most commonly used natural antioxidants in pet foods. Vitamin C is provided by ingredients such as cranberries, blueberries, apples, and some other fruits. Dogs and cats do not derive any energy from fiber however improved colon health is a benefit of having fiber in the diet.

Some things that are really good for dogs are Blueberries (fresh or frozen), baby carrots, apple wedges (no seeds), bananas, melon, and pears. The ASPCA has a good list of people foods to avoid feeding your animals.

Pits from Peaches/Plums: Can cause obstruction of the digestive tract.

Grapes/Raisins: 10 cases reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), each dog ingested between 9 ounces and 2 pounds of grapes or raisins. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and lethargy.

Dogs can suffer kidney failure after eating of large quantities of grapes and raisins. The key words are "large quantities", and of course the size of your dog. The reported adverse responses to grapes and raisins are not from pets eating the occasional single grape or raisin. The cases of kidney failure involved ingestion of 2 ounces to 4.4 ounces of grapes/raisins.

Giving your dog 3-4 at a time could get you up to that 2 ounce limit.

Source: http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659+1661&aid=1030

To Kong or Not to Kong

Dogs can exhibit behaviors when they are pups that should be corrected so they live a happy, secure and anxiety free life. Puppies can chew for many reasons, whether they are just bored, teething, or anxious about being alone. There are many suggestions and they all require persistence, repetition and time. It’s natural for dogs to chew and most articles suggested redirection.

In an article by Deb Duncan, a canine behaviorist suggests plenty of chew toys and an apple bitter spray. She encourages positive dog training by stressing to avoid getting upset when you find your dog has chewed on something they weren’t supposed to chew on. Similarly in an article by Ian Dunbar, animal behaviorist and dog trainer based in Berkeley, California, he encourages teaching the dog ‘how to entertain himself in your absence vs. punishment’. He suggests using ‘instant gratification’ and ‘passive training’. Fill a kong with treats that are difficult to get out and they will be more interested in getting the treat out of the hollow opening. Some dogs may not be as easily swayed. Something that the dogs like, such as cheese or peanut butter may be used to peek their interest in the toy if they seem uninterested. Ian suggests passive training such as confining them to an area away from the chewing location while redirecting their chewing. Some dogs are more stubborn than others. I had a behaviorist come out to visit my poodle when I was having issues with him digging in the potted plants, among other things. Because of his extreme case of separation anxiety he suggested blowing pepper in his face if catching him digging in the plants. He also suggested putting the pepper around the area to associate it with the object that is being destroyed encouraging him to stay away. The trainer also suggested hot sauce on his tongue when he was disciplined for tearing up the plants. The hot sauce didn’t work but the pepper was pretty affective.

Some dogs take longer than others to train. Most of the time they just need more activity. Our pet sitting services can help your dog(s) get more exercise.  With a little bit of persistence you can make sure that you and your dog can live together in harmony.


Pets Warehouse

Sources:
http://www.thedogspeaks.com/artchewing.htm
http://www.sulawesirr.com/About_Sulawesi_Kennels/General_Information/chewing.htm

While you were away

All of our pets, now matter how many, have unique personalities. We always like to try to catch them relaxing, playing or just sleeping.

From Movies

Canine Bill of Rights

Dogs are a huge part of our lives. They give us a reason to smile when we feel down and they bring out the caregiver in all of us. All dogs whether they are bought by a breeder or obtained from a shelter deserve to be treated just as we would treat a friend. It's important to remember that if you are not able to give them the time and love that they deserve you should rethink your thoughts of bringing one into your home. The book 'Positive Dog Training' contains basic bill of rights that we should consider before bringing a dog into our lives. There are also links provided below that point to other Bill of Rights defined by dog lovers on the web.
Provide a place in your daily life for the 15-plus years where he will live, no matter what your life changes may be.

• Provide quality food and clean water


• Provide proper socialization


• Provide shelter from hot and cold weather


• Provide clear, concise, positive training


• Provide good health care and regular grooming


• Provide daily physical exercise and mental stimulation and enrichment


• Provide the time and dedication to find proper solutions if the dog develops health or behavioral problems
  
  Links
  http://www.wtv-zone.com/nywoman/page68.html
  http://www.byteland.org/projectk9/k9rights.htm
  http://www.athertonacres.com/rights.html
  http://www.gemgreyhounds.org/guide/gde_bill.htm
  
  Source
  Pamela Dennison, Positive Dog Training