By Alice Gines

1. Don’t leave your pets outside on Halloween or the days preceding it. This can be a very dangerous time for animals, especially black cats, when Halloween pranks committed against pets can be vicious. Every year there are malicious people who steal, torture, tease, or even kill pets on Halloween. The ASPCA and other pet organizations warn to keep ALL cats indoors and NEVER keep your dog in a car.

2. Halloween candy is for people, not pets. Chocolate, for example, can be deadly to pets. Keep your pets away from candy wrappers, tin foil, cellophane candy wrappers and lollipop sticks which can get lodged in their digestive tracts and cause injury or even death. There are many safe pet treats available to have on hand and many recipes for making homemade dog and cat treats. Teach everyone in your home, especially children, about the dangers of giving candy to pets and warn them about leaving candy wrappers on the floor. Take your child’s candy and keep it out of reach from all pets in a closed closet or drawer. Dispose of candy wrappers before your pets can get to them and keep garbage cans tightly sealed. Some signs that may require immediate veterinarian attention are:

• excessive drooling
• excessive urination
• pupil dilation
• vomiting and diarrhea
• muscle tremors and seizures
• hyperactivity
• coma

3. Children love getting dressed up in costumes at Halloween, but for pets costumes can be extremely uncomfortable, annoying, stressful and even hazardous. If you do dress up your pets, be sure the costume doesn’t affect their ability to breathe, see, hear, smell, move, or bark. Masks are not a good idea for pets as they affect their ability to see. Animals depend on their sight to know what’s going on and even the sweetest dog can get snippy if he doesn’t know what’s going on around him. Injuries from Halloween costumes can include:

• Eye abrasions from sharp objects attached to masks or costumes
• Burns from flammable costumes ignited by open flames such as candles or Jack ‘O Lanterns
• Skin irritations or rashes from decorative face paints or cremes

4. If you use candles in pumpkins, be sure to keep them out of the way of curious paws and noses. The lit pumpkin can get knocked over and cause a fire and cause deadly burns on your pet.

5. You might want to consider keeping your pet is a separate room when trick-or-treaters ring the doorbell. Strangers can frighten pets and even more so in strange costumes.

6. Be sure when you open the door that your pet doesn’t run out when you hand out candy. You might want to consider keeping a pet gate in front of your door to block access in case your pet decides to chase after a trick-or-treater. You may want to crate your pet and be sure to provide plenty of fresh water, chew toys, a favorite blanket, or a piece of clothing with your scent on it to soothe your pet. Soft music can also soothe your pet during this stressful time.

7. If you do decide to let your dog greet visitors at the door, consider keeping him/her on a leash. A frightened dog can lunge, growl or bite. It will also keep him safe from running away or getting hit by a car.

8. Be sure you have proper Pet ID tags on so if your pet does run out, he/she has a better chance of being returned to you. Now is a good time to look at your pet’s collar and update any old information like phone number and address. Also, information must be clear, so if your pet has old ID tags with name, address or phone number rubbed out, now’s a great time to get that replaced.

9. If your animal is very high strung, instead of tranquilizers from your vet. Bach Rescue Remedy works really well it contains a special blend herbal and homeopathic ingredients known for their calming and soothing effect. Bach Rescue Remedy is a natural remedy with no risk of side effects or addiction and can be safely used by animals of all ages and sizes. You can find it at most health food stores.

10. Remember, your pets can’t tell you what’s wrong and what bothers them. They may be more frightened by all the noise, activity and strange people than you think. Be sympathetic and treat them as you would any frightened child. Always have your local Animal Emergency phone number available in case your pet does get into something he/she shouldn’t.

Here’s To Your Pet…Give them a Safe and Happy Halloween!

The Trick To Treating Your Pets! Treat them to Porky Puffs, Wholesome Hearts, Dental Treats, Antioxidant Bars, Purr-fectly Natural Treats (for the CAT) and don’t forget the Gift Baskets with Chew Toys! Happy Halloween From Alice Gines visit; http://www.pets-to-people.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alice_Gines

Here are a couple of great videos that show some of the amazing things animals can be taught to do using positive reinforcement techniques. Notice how enthusiastic and happy these canine and equine stars are!

First video: Kaine is a gorgeous 3 year old, clicker trained German Shepherd Dog. (Editor: My all-time best canine buddy ever was my German Shepherd Dog, Morgan. Kaine brings back fond memories. Morgan was as eager to “work” as Kaine and served as my dog-training class assistant for years.)

Clicker training is a hands-off way of training with an animal that doesn’t involve punitive punishments or force. Clicker training is mentally stimulating and encourages the dog to think. Clicker training says “If you do this (a behavior), something good will happen to you (positive reinforcement). Clicker training is gentle, effective and fun for both the dog and the person. Visit www.clickertraining.com for more information.

The tricks shown in this video include:

• The two hoop trick
• Double hoop jump
• Taking off my socks
• Leg weaving
• Figure Eights
• Stand on back legs
• Walk backwards on two legs
• Grab pole
• Hold pole
• In the tub
• Dunk a basket ball
• Lift hind leg
• Play dead
• Painting
• Take a bow

Second video: Big horses and Miniature horses perform tricks and liberty skills learned with clicker training. In this video, you’ll see the following:

• push a ball
• retrieve a bucket
• side pass
• heel off line
• come
• back up
• get in the van
• talk (like Mr. Ed)
• sit
• pivot on a pedestal
• lie down
• wave

Note: Email subscribers, you’ll need to click through to the blog to watch these videos.

The human is walking around with one shoe. You think he suspects us?

Rat Terrier puppy photo by lordshrike

Ten Tips to Stop Puppy Chewing Before Your House Looks Like a Demolition Zone
By Darlene L. Norris

Let’s face it, puppies and chewing go together like bread and butter. Puppies learn about their surroundings by either sniffing on something or putting it in their mouths and chewing on it. Puppies chew on things, but to avoid destructive chewing, it’s up to their owners to teach them which items are off-limits. Here are ten ways to stop puppy chewing and destruction:

1. Take Time To Puppy-proof Your Home

Instead of always yelling at your pup for getting into things, it’s better to temporarily put away things you don’t want him to damage. Pick up the throw rugs, put the plants someplace where he can’t get to them, and cover or tape down electrical wires. Put trash bins in the closet, along with the toilet paper and any household cleaners. Put your clothes and shoes away. Secure anything heavy that a puppy could pull down and hurt himself.

2. Give Him Only Two Or Three Toys At A Time

If your puppy has too many toys, he’ll have a hard time learning what belongs to him and what belongs to you. Plus he’ll get bored with his toys after a couple of days. That’s when you put those toys up and give him different ones.

3. Confine Him Safely To One Place

If you’re not able to keep an eye on your puppy, it’s best to confine him to a safe area where he can’t destroy anything or get hurt. Using a wire-reinforced puppy gate to keep him in one room works well. Using a crate that’s the right size for him is also recommended. Puppies often feel more secure in a small, protected den area like a crate. It also gives you peace of mind because you destructive chewing isn’t happening in your absence.

4. Lots And Lots Of Exercise Is Essential

Your pup needs one to two hours of active exercise outside every day. Playing fetch with a ball or other toy can help to stop puppy chewing, too, as well as using up all that excess energy all puppies have.

5. A Puppy Playmate Can Help, Too

Playing with another puppy will also use up his energy, as well as teaching him how to interact with other dogs.

6. Begin Basic Dog Obedience Training Even Though He’s Still Young

Keep the sessions very short. A young puppy can’t concentrate too long, but a 30-second “mini-session” several times a day is a good start. Don’t ignore training opportunities as they arise during the day. Correcting small problem behaviors as they occur will prevent them from becoming big problem behaviors in a few months.

7. Find An Agility Training Course For Him

These classes are a lot of fun, plus your puppy is getting lots of exercise while he’s becoming more coordinated and confident. This is a win-win situation for both of you.

8. Use A Bitter-Tasting Spray

If your puppy just won’t leave the sofa leg alone, try spraying it with a bitter-tasting substance. These sprays are available at pet stores, and they can be very effective in convincing your puppy that he doesn’t want to chew on the chair leg after all.

9. Don’t Punish Him After The Fact

You can’t stop puppy chewing by punishing him for something he did several hours ago. Dogs live in the present. Your pup can’t connect the fact that he chewed up your shoe two hours ago with your being upset now that you’ve just found it.

You either have to catch him in the act of chewing, or better yet, prevent the problem in the first place. See numbers one and three above.

10. Remember that it’s up to you to teach your puppy what kind of behavior is and isn’t acceptable, right from Day 1.

You should know that making the investment in a good dog training course will pay dividends now, and through your dog’s life. Avoiding destructive chewing now is only the first step in preventing dog behavior problems throughout your pup’s life.

Darlene Norris has worked at a vet clinic and an animal shelter, and has had lots of experience with dogs. If you’re trying to stop puppy chewing, visit No More Bad Dogs at http://NoMoreBadDogs.com to discover how a good dog training course will help you solve your puppy behavior problems.  Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darlene_L._Norris

(Subscribers, click the post title to view the video on our blog)

Sparta, the infamous “mean kitty” featured in the most favorited animal video on YouTube of all time — with over 20 million views — demonstrates the mischief an active, mouthy, bored-silly kitty can impose on it’s owner. But by the end of the song, Sparta’s owner realizes his mean kitty “wasn’t fighting, he just wanted attention”.

Cats who spend time outdoors have an outlet for their energy, however an outdoor cat’s life expectancy is considerably shorter than its indoor counterpart. You love your kitty enough to keep him safely indoors. But how do you keep him mentally and physically entertained?

Kaylee Todd writes,

If you are a cat lover and a cat owner, you probably chose cats over dogs because they are “low maintenance.” You don’t have to take cats on walks, or walk behind them with a “poop bag” to pick up after them. You can go off on a weekend trip and safely leave an indoor cat alone in the house. But as much as cat owners love the fact that our indoor cats are basically self-sufficient, we still want them to be happy.

Yeah, and we don’t want bored-silly mean kitties. Read Todd’s ideas on how to make your indoor cat a happier cat.

Article submitted to Puppies Are Prozac by Dr. Patty Khuly

You may think fat pets are cute––and on the surface, Iʼd have to agree with you––but as a veterinarian, nothing says premature illness, pain and disability like a fat cat, dog, horse…or even an overweight iguana. Thatʼs when pudgy isnʼt so cute anymore.

In the US today, pets are fatter than ever before. The preponderance of obese pets is starting to mirror the human population. Puppies are fatter. Older cats are fatter. Even show dogs are fatter.

In fact, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 50% of dogs and cats in the United States are overweight; and an estimated 14% of these overweight animals are obese.

Those are some scary stats! And if thatʼs not enough, hereʼs a quick list of the common health risks overweight pets face:

• Osteoarthritis
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Respiratory disorders
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Heart Disease
• Many Forms of Cancer

Sure, you can love on those irresistible love handles, but nothing says real love like a pet owner whoʼs committed to slimming down their pet through diet and exercise.

This article’s author, Dr. Patty Khuly, is a veterinarian who practices in Miami, Florida and writes a daily veterinary blog at www.dolittler.com.

photo credits: Obese cat by Yukari* / English Bulldog by ~Asturnut~ / Heeler by image415 / Pug by jmatthew3 / Walking English Bulldog by i eated a cookie

By Dr. Will Draper, DVM

If you’re like me – and 50 percent of American households – you probably have some furry, four-footed, winged, webbed or scaly family members. No, your 102-year-old great uncle doesn’t count. These family members are commonly referred to as “pets” by the other 50 percent of American households.

To pet parents, they are so much more than just domesticated animals. They are best friends and constant companions. We let them sleep in our beds, dictate our schedules and (although we know we shouldn’t) sneak a bite from the table now and then. When we’ve had a tough day or life has beaten us down, there’s nothing more heart warming than coming home to someone who will show you unconditional love.

It’s no wonder separation anxiety can set in after just a day away from our pets, hence bring your dog to work days and pet-friendly hotels. We don’t like to be without our pets, but sometimes we have to be.

Every responsible pet owner plans for his or her pet before they take a vacation or head out on a business trip. We make sure all our pets’ needs are met before we board the plane or load up the minivan.

But what if you were leaving town for a different reason? Imagine a flood is heading your way and city officials are telling you to evacuate to the nearest shelter right now. The shelter doesn’t accept pets and there’s absolutely no way you’re leaving Spike, Mittens or Polly behind. What would you do?

Unfortunately that situation is all too common during floods and other natural disasters. But it doesn’t need to come down to an unimaginable decision. While we can’t control the weather, we can control our response to it. You and your pet can be Ready for the unexpected by taking a few simple steps today: prepare, plan and stay informed.

Step one: Prepare by creating a Ready kit for your pet. Start with items to meet your pets’ basic needs and build from there. Fill a water proof container with the following:

• Food. Keep at least a three day supply in an airtight, waterproof container
• Water. Store at least a three supply for each pet.
• Medicines and medical records. Have an extra supply medicines and copies of medical records in a waterproof container.
• First aid kit. Good basics to include are cotton bandage rolls, bandage tape and scissors, antibiotic ointment, flea and tick prevention and latex gloves.
• Collar with ID tag, harness or leash.
• Crate or pet carrier. You may need one to transport your pet if you have to evacuate. Make sure it’s large enough for your pet to stand up, turn around and lie down.
• Sanitation items. Put extra litter and a litter box, shavings or newspapers in your kit in case you need to leave home. Plastic trash bags, bleach and paper towels are a good idea too.
• A picture of you and your pet together. If you get separated it can help with identification.
• Familiar items. Favorite toys, treats or bedding will help reduce stress for your pet.

Step two: Make a plan. If you have to evacuate, it will greatly reduce your stress level if you already know where to take your pet. Remember, most public shelters don’t accept pets, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of options. Try these:

• Locate a boarding facility near your shelter.
• Locate veterinary hospitals near your shelter in case your pet needs medical care. In many cases, hospitals offer boarding too.
• Set up a buddy system with an out-of-town friend or relative. In the event of an emergency in your area, you and your pet have a safe place to go, and the same applies to your buddies.
• Find pet-friendly hotels along your evacuation route.

Step three: Stay informed about what disasters could affect your area and how you and your pet should respond to each. For example, know when to shelter in place with your pet and when to evacuate. Be aware of what’s going in your area and listen to authorities. If you have to leave, grab your pet, its Ready kit and go.

You might be wondering how zoos prepare for emergencies, since you seem to have a small one at your house. With three cats and three dogs of my own, believe me, it can be done. Collecting some extra supplies, doing a little research into evacuation routes and visiting www.ready.ga.gov to find out how to respond to different types of disasters is the least we can do for the ones who bring so much joy to our lives.

If they had opposable thumbs, you know your pet would do the same for you.

Pet preparedness is a crucial part of responsible pet ownership. If you’re looking for something to do this Saturday, try spending some time with your four-legged best friend and preparing him or her for whatever might come your way.

Dr. Will Draper, DVM grew up in Inglewood, California and earned his veterinary medical degree from Tuskegee University. Practicing for almost 18 years, Dr. Will was recently honored as one of Atlanta’s “Best Vets” in the February 2009 issue of Atlanta Magazine. His areas of interest include dermatology, internal medicine and surgery. Married to his classmate, Dr. Françoise Tyler, they have four children, three dogs (Gypsy, Harley and Angel) and three cats (Fagen, ZigZag and Caleb).

(photo credits: Maltipoo by JJZ / Black Labrador Retriever by OakleyOriginals / Dachshund by t-dawg / Standard Poodles by Karen James / Jack Russell Terrier by sarah … / Pet rescue Hurricane Katrina by smiteme)

On Easter Sunday 2006, at the age of six, Frankie, my Dachshund, suffered a fall and ruptured a disk in her back.

Frankie doesn’t have control of her back legs, bladder and bowels. In the beginning, caring for a disabled pet felt daunting and overwhelming. Poop and potty here, there and everywhere just about did me in. One day after cleaning up yet another mess, I decided to change my thoughts. I literally said out loud to myself, “There are worse things in life than poop!” From that day forward, acceptance took over. Acceptance gave me the patience to focus on the timing of Frankie’s bathroom habits and caring for her became much easier.

Applying what I have learned from motivational and inspirational speakers, I decided to look for the blessing in our situation. I realized Frankie was teaching me about challenges and that I had a choice about my attitude. Not once did Frankie feel sorry for herself. Despite three months of physical therapy, and then being fitted for a dog cart, she never gave up.

Frankie easily accepted her new way of getting around by scooting at first, then learning to roll in her doggie wheelchair. She is still the same sweet Frankie she has always been. Nothing about her has changed, except for the use of her back legs. She continues to face each day with joy and enthusiasm.

(email subscribers, please click post title to view video within this post)

Yes, Frankie’s paralysis was an adjustment, but the blessing is that she helped me find my life’s purpose, which led me to writing her story, Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog. We now share the lessons we’ve learned, visiting schools, nursing homes and hospitals to show others that disabled dogs can live quality lives, and that anyone can overcome challenges with a positive attitude.

Barbara Techel is the award winning author of Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog. Barbara’s book was awarded National Best Book from USA Book News, Merial Animal-Human Bond Award from Dog Writer’s of America, and Editor’s Choice Award from Allbooks Review. Frankie was inducted into the 2009 Wisconsin Pet Hall of Fame. Please visit Barbara’s blog and Frankie’s blog.

During the month of April, a portion of Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog book sales will be donated to Rolling Dog Ranch, a non-profit charitable animal sanctuary in Montana that rescues and shelters disabled animals.

“Huhn huh, Dad told me hotdogs were full of bad nitrates and stuff, but it looks so yummy. Come on, I’m a good boy. Just one bite, pretty please? It has CATsup on it!”

“Mom, I’ve got this bike thing mastered. Can we take the training wheels off? Quick, before that smart alec Border Collie notices.”

“This is sooooo beneath me…. Please, get a coffee table.”

Do you have a dog that needs a higher education? Professional dog trainer Eric Goebelbecker from Dog Spelled Forward LLC shares his tips in How To Select A Dog Trainer.

(photo credits: Poodle riding bicycle by Sailing “Footprints: Real to Reel” (Ronn ashore), Dachshund hotdog costume by marymactavish, Schmoopy’s balancing act by SuperFantastic)

Do you have allergies to pet dander?

(Albino Ball Python (Royal Pythons, Python Regius) by mattmcdole)

Here’s some great news: Reptiles are hypoallergenic for those who suffer from pet hair allergies. This Albino Ball Python looks a bit like a lemon-swirled lollipop. Slurp!

Gillian, one of our readers, shares her expertise with Ball Pythons. Click here to read her pet care article and view some additional Python photos. Thanks Gillian!