Pure happiness! If you don’t own one of these fancy contraptions, read my blog on Fetch!

Do your research even if you have owned a pet. We can have selective memory as to time, costs and energy going into raising and loving a dog. We often forget what puppyhood was like after having a dog for 15 years. It’s good to make sure you can really go the distance with a new family member.

2. Are you an athlete or a couch potato?

Like with any relationship, having things in common matters. For example, if you are a mellow person, then get a mellow dog. Yes, of course training can influence a dog’s temperament–but this is also an age issue. Great young adult dogs of all breeds can be found in shelters that may fit your bill. If you are an active family or household and want to hike and bike–knock yourself out with a puppy 0r an athletic breed of dog or mutt.

3. Do you want to include your dog in your daily workouts?

Maybe I ask this question because many busy people (who want a dog) often go for the athletic high energy breeds. Unfortunately, these high energy dogs often end up at home waiting for their owners to come home from the gym and don’t get the exercise needed. The advice I have for a working person, who also goes to the gym more than walking or hiking outdoors should forget the uber working, herding or terrier-like  breeds. Stick to the fun middle-of-the-road temperaments and breeds.

4. Do you think small breeds are easier to handle?

Well, not always!  Some small breed dogs are not easier to train or exercise than larger breeds. For example, a Jack Russell or a Boston Terrier can be quite a handful in terms of exercise needs. Whereas a Great Pyrenees or even a Bull Mastiff are large but can sometimes be mellow and lumbering in disposition. In other words, do your research and don’t think that all little breeds are easy. Do your research on your own lifestyle and daily routine to see what size, temperament and age of dog best matches your daily routine and family.

5. Are you or any family members allergic to dogs?

My advice for potentially allergic family members is to go to an animal shelter and visit many friends with dogs to see the person in question’s reaction. Allergies can vary and it isn’t just the dog’s hair–it’s the dander. Therefore, breeds like Poodles, Maltese, and Portuguese Water dogs along with many other breeds are not always the answer. This is an individual issue and everyone reacts differently. Be sure.

6. Is everyone in your family in agreement with owning a dog?

Make sure everyone is in agreement! Couples are often not on the same page on whether to get a dog and this can cause a problem! The one who can eventually end up losing is the dog, A great way around this is to make a plan. Make a list of expenses, vet bills, food, time and training classes. Finding a breed that matches your lifestyle is the key. Have fun looking and do not make an impulsive choice. I have seen the most obstinate people who are against getting a dog be won over with wags. You just have to go about it the right way.

7. Are you getting a dog just because your child wants one?

Are you getting a dog only because your child has been hounding you for years? Many parents experience this pressure. My advice is not to get a dog only because your child wants one. The responsibility will and should fall exclusively on you–the parent. This can be a great experience, but remember, you will be the one guiding both your dog and child throughout your daily routine.

According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, moving is one of the top 10 reasons dogs and cats are given up by their owners. Moving with can bring up stress for both you and your dog. Preparation is key to making a smooth transition from old house to new. Here are some of my tips for a successful move!

Paws For A Minuteâ„¢… Tips on preparing for a move with your pet.

1. Check the pet policy.

Many rentals require a pet deposit, or simply do not accept pets at all. Be aware of what is required and communicate clearly with your landlord and new neighbors. Many apartments and condos also have weight and number restrictions on pets. Do your research beforehand!

2. Prepare your dog/cat  for the move in advance. Begin using the “wait” command to indicate leaving on short errands before you move.

Using the words “sit” and “wait” triggers a command of how you want your dog to behave. The first few days and nights in your new home may trigger an insecurity. New noises, sounds, smells come with the new territory. You will have to leave to do an errand or go to work leaving your dog in the new house alone. Gating your dog for a few weeks before you move will set a pattern of denning and get your dog used to a routine.

Get a baby gate and /or a crate and use the den concept to create a sense of security several weeks before you move. Moving can be a hectic time. Dogs can sense this nervous energy. Dogs are innately den animals and they love having their own place, den or room, so to speak. Therefore creating an area within your house by gating off a room for an hour several times a day (while you’re home) will help prepare your dog for being in your new house the first few days. Gating will also help with open doors and gates during the hectic move.

3. Expand their new environment slowly.

When you arrive at your new residence, do not give your dog or cat have free reign of the house. Giving them their own room yet not shutting a door on them is key. Shutting a door on a dog can create anxiety stress. You can’t explain things like “I’m going to a movie and dinner and I will be right back,” but you can show them through giving them a safe place to hang out. Music helps a lot too. Gating or crating allows a dog to acclimate slowly to the overwhelming new sights, sounds and smells.

4. Get new name tags in advance.

Put this on the top of your list. In addition to address changes for mail carriers and bills don’t forget pet tags!

Save on your vet bills and be informed!

Most dogs seldom need to have their ears cleaned. However, there are a lot of breeds that get chronic ear problems! Ear problems can be from a variety of different issues such as mites, allergies or foreign bodies getting stuck in ear canals. For instance, one time my own dog Daisy somehow got a fox tail in her ear canal on our walk.

Paws For A Minuteâ„¢… Health Tips!

1. A great dog owner tip is to do a full body check on your dog once a month. It could prevent major infections by catching potential problems early.

2. When giving your dog a bath make sure no water gets into the ears. You can put cotton wadding or balls to gently cover the ear canal to prevent water from getting inside.

3. Give your dog a treat. Put him on the leash in the house for 5 minutes. Brush your dog in a calm mellow manner. This way you can inspect his coat and ears for any early signs of lumps, bumps or infections.

4. If you discover anything odd always check with your veterinarian.

The most frequently asked questions regarding rawhide are, “What is it?” and “Is it good for my dog?” It is actually made from the hide of a cow or buffalo. Some people feel that it is too hard for their dog to digest and therefore harmful. There are many types of rawhide on the market. The best kind to get is pressed rawhide, which is unbleached and a natural light brown in color. Rawhide comes in bone shapes and sticks. Rawhide chips are also available , but they are too small and thin and could get stuck in a dog’s throat.

Why rawhide? Dogs–especially young ones–need to chew. Unless your dog has a particular digestive ailment, rawhide is a godsend and certainly more digestible than a shoe or couch! Large bone and stick shapes are the best.

Caution: Keep a watchful eye. If the piece of rawhide your dog chews begins to get too small, throw it away.  Always check with your vet first, before giving rawhide to your dog!

Pet health insurance is a preventative, protective and worthwhile measure. Many dog owners are not familiar with health insurance for dogs. Even my response was guarded. “Health insurance for my dog? I’m not sure. I’ll think about it.”

After the initial expense of getting a puppy, spending more money for this preventative measure was not foremost in my mind. A few years later, because of accidents, I wished I had gotten pet health insurance. My German Shepherd Bo was a healthy four-year-old when he severed the ligament that holds the knee together. The extent of his injury was not apparent for several months despite many vet visits. A chronic limp that started after exercise was first diagnosed as a sprain and then possible arthritis.

After several different opinions based on X rays and other tests, and months of painkillers, Bo had to undergo cruciate ligament surgery costing thousands of dollars. Although this is a common sports injury to human athletes, I never thought it could happen to my German Shepherd. After this long and expensive lesson, I now advocate looking into health insurance for your pet. You never know what’s going to happen over the life span of your pet–on average, ten to fifteen years. Pet health insurance operates much like human healthcare plans.

• Statistically, two out of three dogs experience major medical problems in their lifetime.
• Most pet health insurance companies let you select any vet, specialist or hospital.
• Many pet health insurance companies insure puppies eight weeks of age and up.
• Rates are usually based on age of the pet and the selected plan, averaging $100 per year and up.
• Most pet health insurance companies have plans that cover routine office visits, spaying and neutering costs, teeth cleaning, and minor ailments such as skin and ear problems, as well as accidents and major illnesses.

Ask your vet about more information and literature regarding health insurance companies. A good place to start your research is with VPI Pet Insurance.

Paws For A Minuteâ„¢… This is an awesome tip for people who have just rescued a dog from a shelter. Puppies that are 5 months and older and even adult dogs that are going into a new home need a transitional space to help them get acclimated to the new environment and their owner’s daily patterns of leaving and returning home.

Why? Shutting a door on any new dog can create a lot of anxiety for the dog, not to mention your own anxiety from listening to the sound of your door being redesigned by the dog scratching on it to get out. Before long, this stressful situation escalates until you’ve developed a full-blown bad habit of physically pushing your dog back and shutting the door in his face.

For the dog, the stress of trying to squeeze through a door being closed on him can make him very anxious when you leave. This is one of the main reasons gating is so important. Gating your dog allows him to see you through the gate and not feel shut off by a door closing in his face. The gate reduces stress and creates a nice ritual of sitting and hanging out with you in the same vicinity.

Get:

• Baby Gate.
• Clock radio. Soft music is a great trigger, teaching your dog to relax.

Where? The best place to gate is in a central area of your home, such as a kitchen or hallway that is not too remote and where people are hanging out as well.

How? Create a nice ritual. Guide him into the gated area on the leash, then take the leash off once the gate is up. Make sure your pup has water, a nice place to chill, a bed and something to chew. Don’t make a big deal about it. This is not prison or a punishment. This area is just to designate a safe place and should be initiated while you’re home for the first few days for only an hour a few times a day. When letting your dog out of the gated area, lean over the gate and put on the leash, lift up gently on the leash and say “Sit,” then the word “Wait.” Then open the gate. Repeat “Wait” and then say “OK!” and guide your dog out of the gated area. A great idea would be to go directly outside to go potty before giving your dog free time with you in the house. Always put music on while gating your dog.

When? Begin the gating process while you’re home at first. Do this for an hour a few times a day. Your dog will get used to being gated gradually and not feel abandoned. This gated space helps train your dog to chill out in the house and it teaches both of you to trust. Soon this area will be his hangout space and you can leave the house knowing he is not having a wild party. When you are ready to try leaving the house, always gate him 20 minutes before you leave.

Your first step in training is to get your pup used to wearing a regular nylon collar, while supervised. Be careful with young puppies. Make sure there is nothing the collar could get caught on, especially if you’re leaving your pup unattended.(If in doubt, take off the collar when you are not at home.) Your puppy might scratch a lot at first, because the collar feels unfamiliar, but he will get used to it in a short time.

Put name tags on the nylon or leather collar right away. Get your pup used to the feel of a leash by walking him around your living room. While walking, use a squeaky toy to distract your pup from fretting about being on a leash for the first time.

CAUTION: Do not leave a collar on an infant puppy when you are not home.

We love you! -Inger and the Paws For A Minuteâ„¢ Team