Summer Pet Care

Summer is here and with it comes the hot weather. As much as we suffer due to the heat, it can be much worse for a pet that wears a fur coat all the time. Fortunately, some easy things will make the summer much more enjoyable for your pet!

Never Leave Your Pet in the Car

As cool as it may seem outside the car, leaving your pet in the car can be extremely dangerous and even deadly. Even in the shade, the temperature inside a car can reach 120 degrees in a matter of minutes. That is unhealthy for any dog or cat to be in. Dogs can't sweat and so all of their ability to cool off comes from panting and through the pads of their feet. An animal can suffer from heath stroke, heat exhaustion, and a variety of other ailments in a matter of minutes. As hard as it is to see the pet left at home, it's safer for them in the long run.

Always Have Plenty of Water Available

In the summer, everyone needs more water, humans and animals alike. It is very important to give your pet plenty of water and always have lots of water available. Even if an animal is inside all day, he or she will still appreciate extra water.

Avoid the Sun

While it may sound funny because of their fur coats, animals can get sunburns too. This is particularly common in animals with light fur and not a lot of it. Animals can experience peeling, pain, and itchy skin due to sunburn just like people. For this reason, it is important to apply sunscreen to the tips of a dog's ears, its nose, and the edges of the lips. Even with sunscreen, it is safer to keep your pet inside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Get Rid of Tangles

A dog's fur is designed to assist the dog in staying cool by releasing heat from the body. Unfortunately, when the fur is tangled or matted, it can't keep the dog cool and will actually trap heat close to the body. It is very important to keep the fur tangle free so that the dog won't get overheated. If you don't have the time to keep the dog's fur perfectly brushed all the time or the fur is extra thick, it may make sense to save the dog for the summer.

Be On the Lookout for Anti-Freeze

In the heat, a dog may be tempted to drink from puddles. This is not recommended as puddles can contain many harmful fluids like anti-freeze, oil, and gasoline. It is easier to carry water with you than rush the dog to the emergency vet because it has ingested something toxic.

10 Essential Puppy Training Tips

1 - Start Training Early:
Puppies start to learn the moment they open their eyes and are most open to new experiences during the first four months. Start training your puppy the moment it is bought home. Good early habits endure and will result in a well behaved dog in the future.

2 - Early Socialization:
Help ensure your puppy meet and socialize with as many people as possible during the first four months. Going on outdoor trips, visiting friends who own pets, and walking along busy streets should all be part of your puppy's education. These positive experiences will allow your puppy to be comfortable with humans and reduce the likelihood of any future behavior problems.

3 - Mental And Physical Stimulation:
Every puppy thrives on both mental and physical stimulation. Exposing your puppy to new environments and experiences early can greatly enhance your dog's interest in learning new things. Puppy walks or games are great ways to stimulate your pet both mentally and physically. If actively stimulated, your puppy will become healthier and adept at learning new trainings faster. This will also help strengthen the bond between the both of you at the same time.10 Essential Puppy Training Tips

4 - Hand Feed Your Puppy:
Whenever possible, hand feed your puppy. This teaches him/her to like human contact, even when your puppy is feeding from his food bowl. Not feeding from hand can lead your puppy to turn aggressive to whoever that tries to get near him/her while feeding.
5 - Biting And Chewing:
Your puppy will certainly bite and chew while they play and investigate new things around them. If your puppy is teething; direct, encourage and reward your puppy to bite the right object (toy). Discourage and discipline by simply saying a firm "NO" and replace the object with the correct toy or training equipment.

6 - Step-by-Step Training:
Always begin your puppy training at home where it is in a familiar environment and work on one new exercise, command or trick per training session. This will allow your puppy to learn, understand and familiarize each training better and faster. Trying to introducing multiple items at one session can confuse your dog and lead to a slower learning curve.

7 - Best Time To Train:
Train your puppy when it is feeling hungry or before each of its meal. Your puppy will respond very well to food treats. This is especially useful if you are just starting out to train your puppy or you have certain difficulty with a particular command. Balance your rewards with praises and hugs so that your dog doesn't associate every reward with just food. Never begin any training with your puppy when you are feeling lousy or in a bad mood.

8 - Housetraining:
Housebreak your puppy early by supervising and recognizing your puppy's body language such as circling or sniffing the floor. Take your puppy out every 45 minutes after eating or drinking as they tend to "let go" around this time. When it eliminates at the right location, praise and rewards your puppy so that it will associate eliminating outdoors as a positive experience.

9 - Rewards And Punishment:
Different puppies learn at different speeds. Whenever your puppy obeys or performs to a certain command, praise and reward your dog immediately. This allows your puppy to associate learning with positive-ness and fun. Never use any physical corrections or harsh yelling when you puppy misbehave as this can cause fear and promote future aggressive behavior in your dog. Reprimand your dog by using a stern voice instead and only when you actually caught it misbehaving.

10 - Training Sessions:
Train you puppy in short, frequent sessions. Puppies have a short attention span and will get easily distracted or bored. Train your puppy for ten minutes each session and then play with him/her with its favorite toy to stimulate your pup's learning process. Always end each training on a positive note with your puppy wanting more. This will allow your puppy to look forward to its next training session.