PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

A jumping dog is seeking attention. In order not to reward the behavior, the best response is to ignore it. You’ve met a kid who acts up even though his parents yell at him, because he sees even the negative attention as a reward, right? Same thing with jumping dogs.

Responding to Jumping Dogs

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Volunteering at an animal shelter is a great way for children to learn responsibility and prepare for adopting a family pet. However, it can be tough to find organizations and activities that are child-friendly, particularly if the child in question is younger than about 10. Some rescue groups and shelters don’t permit anyone under 18 to volunteer, for reasons of liability. However, with persistence and creativity, it’s possible to get children involved in volunteering.

Locating a Kid-Friendly Shelter or Rescue

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Barack Obama and his family will be moving into the White House soon, with a puppy in tow. But what could an Obama presidency change about dog ownership in America?

Shortly before the election I received a chain email informing me that as a dog owner, I was obligated to vote against Obama because he would restrict my right to own dogs. The email went on to claim that all dog owners should vote Republican, making some very shaky connections between the Democratic Party and various extreme animal rights groups that favor policies which would restrict pet ownership.

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Food thieving is a common problem, but tough to solve because it is self-rewarding. There is no point in punishing the dog once she’s gotten food. The punishment will only serve to create fear at this point, because the thieving has already been rewarded with food. If a dog snatches food that could endanger her, approach her in a friendly way with a favorite treat and offer it to her in exchange for dropping the stolen food. Then praise the dog when she does drop it and accepts your trade.

In general, if you don’t prevent the thieving from happening, the only thing you can do is ignore it after the fact– it’s frustrating, but refrain from yelling if the dog has already reinforced the behavior by getting food.

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We’ve talked about keeping a pet’s coat healthy at home, but let’s face it: Some breeds’ grooming needs just can’t be realistically met by most owners. For example, Poodles of all sizes need regular grooming to remove dead hair and trim the coat. Spaniels, terriers, and toy dogs also often require professional grooming. While an owner can learn to groom any breed at home, most pet parents don’t have the time or the desire to learn to do so. That brings us to today’s subject: Choosing a professional groomer.

The Shop

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Raw feeding is healthful, frugal when done right, and fun– but it’s also time-consuming and difficult at times. Most raw feeders know the frustration of being ten minutes late in the morning, reaching into the meat drawer for their pet’s breakfast, and coming up empty-handed. Forgetting to thaw happens to everyone who feeds raw, and it’s among the most aggravating experiences one can have! Fortunately, there are several alternatives that can replace a single raw meal for dogs and cats.

Vegetable Meals

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The first time a stray found me, I was completely unprepared for the situation. A Cocker Spaniel turned up in the courtyard outside my apartment and proceeded to evade me for nearly two hours before finally permitting himself to be captured. He snarled and snapped as I slipped a loop of leash around his neck, but as soon as he realized he’d been caught but not harmed, he turned from a growling feral into a wiggly, fearful puppy. My plan to simply capture him in order to keep him out of the road and then call Animal Control evaporated when he put his head on my knee and sighed.
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This post was submitted to heighten awareness about animal shelter adoption. Adopt a pet today!

So you want to adopt a pet but don’t know where to begin or how to go about buying one. If fears are holding you back from adopting a pet, you need to face those fears and come to the realization that adopting a pet may be one of the best decisions you make in your life.

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Halloween’s coming, and that means pet owners should be thinking about their pets’ safety as well as holiday fun. Treats like chocolate and caramel can be harmful or even fatal to some types of pets. In addition, excitement and activities surrounding Halloween may frighten pets or place them in harm’s way. For a safe and fun Halloween with your pets, follow these simple suggestions.

Keep Pets Safe from Candy

Put all Halloween candy on a high shelf that pets can’t access until it’s time to start handing out sweets to trick-or-treaters. When it’s time to give out candy at the door, put dogs in their crates or a safe room, and shut cats in a safe room with food and water. Caged pets should remain securely caged. This will ensure that the pets don’t snatch a treat while you’re not looking. It’ll also prevent them from dashing out the door or frightening a child.

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With the current financial crisis, if you’re not cutting back on expenses already, it’s likely that you will be soon. Pet parents are feeling the crunch even more than those without pets. It can be hard to justify spending extra money for fancy pet toys, especially when some families and pets are still coping with the aftermath of Ike and Gustav. Of course, to make matters worse, prices are going up on just about everything, and show no signs of coming down any time soon.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save money on pet care without compromising your pets’ health or happiness. Making pet toys at home is one way to cut costs while keeping pets happy and stimulated. More →