Nicole Cardiff - Candid Expressions

            If you have a veteran dog in your home, then you may not worry about where you put him when you leave the home; he’s probably been around long enough that away-from-home disasters rarely happen.  However, if you have a puppy or a dog that gets bored easily, then figuring out where to keep him when you are away can be an issue.  Here are a few suggestions on what to do with your beloved pooch.

            Some owners have an outdoor area for their dogs.  So, when they leave their homes, the dogs have a place to chill out, and the owners do not have to worry about their homes being destroyed.  If you have an outdoor area for your pooch, then use it!  The area needs to be safe and provide protection for the dog.  If it’s super hot outside, then your dog needs access to a shade.  If it’s cold outdoors, then your dogs needs access to a dog house or something to keep him warm.  No matter what, your pooch should always have access to plenty of water.  If you choose to leave your dog outside, then don’t assume that he won’t be bored.  Bored dogs outside can be just as destructive as bored dogs inside.  An outside dog may dig holes, bark excessively, or try to escape.  Keep your pet occupied with fun, mind-stimulating toys.

            Be careful about chaining or tethering your dog.  Many communities and organizations view chaining and tethering as a form of animal cruelty.  No, that doesn’t mean that you are necessarily harming your dog, but problems can arise when an outdoor dog isn’t properly cared for or if he gets hung up on the chain.  Before you place your animal on a chain, make sure that it is not illegal in your area, and follow extra safety precautions to keep him free of danger.

            For the puppy:  If you are crate training, then what to do with your puppy is probably not an issue.  You simply leave the puppy in the crate while you are away.  If you are not crate training, then you may have to be a little more creative.  Does your puppy have a favorite room or area in your home?  If you are away from your home a fair amount of time, then you may need to make an area especially for your pooch.  You can even enclose a space with pet gates.  Remove any breakable or valuable objects from the area.  If you leave something dear to your heart with your puppy, then you should take the blame if something happens to it.  If your puppy isn’t potty trained, then you may want to include potty pads or newspaper in the area.  Also, throw in a Kong, chew toy, or other favorite toy to keep your pup occupied.

            For the older pooch:  Perhaps your dog has already gone through crate training, and you do not like the idea of keeping him in the crate.  This is perfectly fine; however, many dogs will resort to destructive behaviors while their owners are away, so letting him roam your home may not be an option.  In these cases, you may have to treat him like a puppy:  make an area just for him to use while you are away.  If he has shown destructive behaviors in a certain area of your home before, then do not leave him in this area.  Instead, choose an area where he is normally calm and content.  Often, a dog won’t destroy his sleeping area, so you may want to try that place out.  If he is housetrained, then newspaper or potty pads are probably not necessary, but toys are a must! 

            If you must leave your pet at home during the day, then it’s always a good idea to relieve some of his excess energy before you go.  Tiring him out can help ease his destructive behaviors.  You can even play soothing music or music made especially for dogs (yes, it’s true), while you are gone.  Be creative, and figure out what calms your pet.

            You probably don’t want to leave your pet at home all day; but for most owners there is no way around it.  Having a safe, outdoor area for your pooch is always a good option.  But, if your dog needs to stay inside, then try to figure out what keeps him calm.  Place him in “his” area, and leave him with plenty of toys.  It’s always a good idea to tire him out before you leave, relieving some of his excess energy.

This article was provided by www.pet-super-store.com a pet website featuring dog strollers and dog crate pads.

As a responsible dog owner, you probably pick up after your pet wherever you go.  It is easy to carry along plastic bags for your pet, since they keep your hands away from the waste and can be tossed in the trash can.  But, have you ever thought about how bad those plastic bags are for our environment?  If you’ve paid any attention to the “green” movement, then you may have an idea.  Lucky for you, there is a green way to dispose of your pooch’s waste.

            It seems that everywhere you go, companies are trying to reduce excess plastic consumption.  Most grocery stores now offer an alternative to plastic when it comes to carrying your groceries home.  Canvas (and similar material) bags can be purchased for a dollar at many stores.  The bags are reusable, and help keep plastic out of the landfills.  Even if you use a canvas bag to take your groceries home, you probably do not use one to dispose of your pet’s waste, since you would also have to dispose of the bag.  But, don’t fret, a couple of eco-friendly companies have heard your concerns and have come up with a solution.           

            Poop Bags and BioBags are two companies that are offering environmentally-friendly dog waste bags.  The bags are fairly inexpensive and can be purchased at a number of pet supply stores.  The bags are made from biodegradable materials, such as corn.  Although there are “safer” plastic bags, these bags do not contain plastic; so, they decompose easily without leaving behind harmful residue.  You use the bag just like any other bag: collect your pooch’s waste and seal the bag.  The bags are somewhat breathable, allowing moisture the escape and reducing odors.  So, if you place the bag in your kitchen trash can, you can rest assured knowing that you won’t have to make an extra trip to the landfill before your scheduled trash pickup.  Some people have expressed concerns about the shelf life of the bags, since they are not made of plastic.  Just like paper products in your home (plates, towels, etc.), the bags can remain on the shelf for over two years.

            So, how exactly do the bags work?  First consider what goes inside the bags:  your dog’s feces.  Your dog’s waste is biodegradable, so it can break down in the landfill fairly quickly.  However, if you place the waste in a traditional plastic bag, the plastic can take closer to 100 years to break down.  The biodegradable bags take the same amount of time to break down as, let’s say, an apple or tomato.  They decompose the fastest when they are placed in a commercial composting system, taking anywhere from 60 to 90 days to decompose.  Pay attention to the word “commercial.”  You may have a composting system at home, but it is never a good idea to dispose of your pet’s waste in a home system.  The waste can carry bacteria, especially E. coli, which makes it less than ideal for a home-use system.

            In addition to the quickness and ease that the bags degrade, there are other advantages to using this alternative.  You probably know someone who litters.  No, I’m not saying that it’s okay to litter if you are using these bags, but they can help short-term littering, especially when used in public areas.  Not only will the bags break down, but they will not pose a choking hazard to other animals.  If an animal tries to eat a biodegradable bag, then the bag can be digested.  Dog waste also contributes to water pollution (via water runoff) when it is not properly disposed of.  So, coming up with a way to remove the waste and dispose of it properly can keep some bacteria out of the water supply.

            If you are looking for a way for you and your pooch to be more environmentally friendly, then consider purchasing a BioBag or a Poop Bag to clean up your dog’s waste.  These bags are biodegradable and do not leave behind any harmful residues.  They are fairly inexpensive and can be used just like traditional plastic bags.  Don’t worry about shelf life; these bags survive just as long as paper towels and paper plates!

This article is sponsored by Pet Super Store. A great website for petsafe, innotek, and dogtra.

            Perhaps you let your dog play with anything; if he finds it, then it’s his.  Or maybe, you buy your dog a new toy every time you visit the pet store.  The question is:  are the toys you buy appropriate for your pooch?  Before you purchase the softest stuffed animal and raw hides, or before you hand your pooch a ball of yarn, consider what your pooch needs to keep him both safe and occupied.

            First of all, don’t underestimate the power of dog toys.  You may think that your pooch doesn’t need anything to play with, since he seems so occupied already.  The fact is toys can help stimulate your pooch’s mind, provide a little exercise and play, and help keep him away from boredom and destructive behaviors.  If you don’t provide toys for your dog, then everything in your home is fair game, including socks, shoes, and anything that ends up within his reach.  It is a bad idea to let your pooch chew on old socks and shoes in the first place!  He will not be able to differentiate between your worn out house slippers and your expensive work shoes, so it’s better to never let him start the habit.

            Your dog needs a variety of toys to keep him occupied and keep him interested.  There’s no sense in throwing twenty toys around the house; instead, rotate four or five toys (at a time) every week.  Each toy should engage him in a different way.  He should have a chew toy, a mind-stimulating toy, a prey toy, a comfort toy, and an active toy. Below are a few suggestions on engaging and interactive toys for your pooch.

            If you have a puppy, then you probably need to find a suitable chew toy.  Don’t choose anything that could pose a choking hazard.  This includes materials that can be easily shred, torn apart, or swallowed.  Many owners like to give their puppies raw hides and hooves.  Before you hand one of these items over to your pup, talk to your veterinarian.  Your vet can recommend which types of hides are safe.  If you do choose to give your puppy one of these items, then only let him play with the item while under supervision.  A great chew toy for your puppy (or adult dog) is a rubber Kong.  The Kong is filled with a treat, and your pup must chew the toy to access the treat.  This is also a great mind-stimulating toy that can provide hours of fun for your pet.

            If your dog likes to attack his “prey,” then find him a toy that is an appropriate size.  His prey probably won’t be the size of a tennis ball, so look for something a bit larger.  Often, large, stuffed animals make great prey objects.  If you choose a stuffed animal, make sure that is made especially for your pooch.  Remove any items on the toy that could pose a choking hazard, such as ribbons or buttons.  Sometimes, you pooch may enjoy caring for his toys.  Stuffed animals make great comfort toys, too.  Unlike his prey toy, the comfort toy should be easy for him to carry around.

            Your dog also needs a toy that allows him to be active.  Rope toys are great for this purpose!  They are fairly durable and can be used to play fetch.  Make sure the rope won’t shred; or, if it does shred, throw it away and get a new one.  A tennis balls can also make a great, inexpensive activity toy.  Your pooch will enjoy carrying it around, fetching it, and just chasing it.  Once the tennis ball starts to fall apart, it should also be thrown away.  If you choose a ball other than a tennis ball, then make sure it is large enough so that it can’t be swallowed but small enough to be carried around.

            Finding the right toys for your pooch may require a little trial and error.  Keep your pet interested by rotating the toys each week.  Provide your dog with different types of toys, including a chew toy, a mind toy, a prey toy, a comfort toy, and an active toy.  No matter what you choose, make sure the toys do not pose choking hazards!

           This article was provided by pet-super-store.com a website featuring dog doors and orthopedic dog beds.