Hey folks! It’s been awhile since we’ve written first hand in the blog, but it’s not because we haven’t been busy. This is the first of what will be many of our new series the Pet Parent Files, which we will be doing every Tuesday in conjunction with Best Friends Animal Society’s #PetTipTuesday (with their enthusiastic blessings).

How to Give a Rat Meds

Ever had to give a rat medication and had no idea where to even begin? Well here’s a quick tip on what we do when our rat Chunky comes down with a respiratory infection. We went in and got him some Baytril, which will make things a little easier on him. This video gives you our step-by-step on how we crush the pills, mix it in with baby food, and feed it to our sometimes persnickety rat.

If you have any questions or tips, please feel free to leave them in the comments. We are always open to hear what you have to say!

Filed under: Advice, Pet Parent Files, Videos on June 8th, 2010 | No Comments »

Today’s Guest Post is brought to you by the awesome Karen Wild, Professional Dog Trainer and Behaviourist in the U.K. Enjoy!

How Do I Find a ‘Good’ Rescue Dog?

As a dog trainer and behaviourist I am often called about dogs that have just come to a new family from an animal shelter. In this article I want you to consider some of the factors in what would make the best kind of rescue dog for you.

Whilst cruelty cases are what most people think they are going to see when they get a rescue dog, more often than not in my experience this isn’t the case. Often it’s a dog that hasn’t had the right start due to poor or ill-informed choice. Often the dog hasn’t had decent social experience. Or, they just got as big as the owners knew they would get, but couldn’t handle. It’s very sad but sometimes I have to support the rehoming decision.

So it is something I am particularly passionate about – trying to make sure that any dog, no matter what breed, gets a home that is appropriate.

If you are looking, be prepared to wait for the right dog. And wait. And wait. When you visit a shelter, all the dogs are extremely appealing but a good shelter won’t let you take a dog straightaway.

A shelter operator may tell you that a certain dog is not really suitable for you,. This may make you all the more determined to prove them wrong, but do listen to them. No doubt they have experience of dogs being returned – yes, it does happen. Try to see beyond looks. I am a mongrel fan, I don’t really care what the dog looks like as long as I can see its temperament.

Look for the dogs that appear relaxed, not frantic. Don’t mistake ‘relaxed’ with ‘shut down’ body language. Some dogs find a kennel environment stressful and you will not be seeing the true dog. If you can look for a dog that is happy to approach, tail not under but also not stuck up like a waving flag. Panting can be a sign of stress, as can lowered head, licking and yawning. Many dogs in shelters bark simply because they are joining in, so don’t let this put you off. You should bear in mind that this may of course be caused by you standing there looking at them! Something to bear in mind – could be fear – but not always. So take your time, ask if you can see the dog away from the kennel and maybe take it for a walk and a play. Try to do this more than once!

If possible, aim to foster the dog for a while. In this way you can learn about each other and it gives you the chance to see if your choice was appropriate.

A sensitive dog can be a great, and very loving companion. At the same time, sensitivity means the slightest thing can affect the dog and sometimes they hate to be left alone. A busy, lively dog will be a fantastic training opportunity and will work, and work. They will also work, and work when you are crying out for a rest. Look for balance and remember, if you are looking at an adult dog, you have a pretty reliable idea of how they will be. This can be very useful!

Be prepared with any rescue dog that you will need a great deal of patience and understanding. Give them a chance to learn that at times, you will go out and leave them. Give them a chance to learn the house rules before being too ready to correct what they are doing. Remember that some rescue dogs have been badly undersocialised and they will need you to take over that process and help them make the unusual, usual.

If you make the wrong choice? My advice is, do NOT feel guilty about going back to the shelter. Most good shelters and trainers will help with settling in and will support you no matter what you decide. One of my most successful cases was a client that was on the point of giving up and returning her newly rescued dog, only to have a major breakthrough after a weekend of mutual learning! Two years on and the dog (and owner) are doing wonderfully.

You should be prepared to invest in a good local trainer and maybe even a behaviourist (your Vet will refer you to an APBC member). Find someone that has a proper accreditation and a qualification from a recognized national education provider. Avoid anyone that calls themselves a bizarre title. I am happy to be plainly known as a dog trainer, and a behaviorist. Ask to see their code of practice, and check their credentials. Avoid any franchises and of course, anyone that talks about packs, dominance or uses harsh handing haven’t kept their skills up to date. Your new dog deserves the very best, and decent trainers usually don’t cost the most, so take heart!

Of the dogs I see, the rescue dogs are the most rewarding challenges for the owners. I have seen some amazing successes where owners are clear, kind, but most of all, prepared.

—

Karen Wild BA (Hons) Dip App Psy, is a full-time U.K. dog trainer and behaviour consultant with 17 years in the field. She has a degree and diploma in Psychology from the University of Nottingham, is a full member of the APBC and is an ABIPDT. Karen’s work has ranged from class teaching, obedience, flyball, agility and working trials competition to running a popular dog display team. When she started her own family Karen realised there was a genuine need for one-to-one help in the family environment. She formed her company Pawprint for behavioural consultations and training, and Intellidogs which specialises in online advice in this area. Her passion is to create and rebuild the ‘enjoyment factor’ that can come from family dog ownership. Karen strongly believes that there is ‘always a way’ and prides herself on her commitment to uniting families with their dogs in the gentlest way possible. Karen’s work with dogs and young people includes her current programme to bring more dogs into schools in the UK. Her writing has been published in Dogs Today Magazine and she is a regular blogger for Dr Ian Dunbar’s revolutionary website, Dog Star Daily. Karen’s family focused approach to dog training can be accessed via her site or why not link up on Twitter?

Filed under: Advice, Guest Blogs on June 1st, 2010 | 1 Comment »

Today’s Guest Post is brought to you by the awesome Karen Wild, Professional Dog Trainer and Behaviourist in the U.K. Enjoy!

How A New Family Can Give Rescue Dogs a New Life

It was nearly seventeen years ago that I spotted a little grey bundle in a rescue kennels. He was an odd looking thing, with a grizzled coat that stuck out all over the place, and a Jack Russell head with eyes that didn’t look terribly interested in me peering at him. He was only 2, but he looked ancient!

At the time I simply wanted a dog. Any dog. A dog of my own. I wanted a rescue dog. I took him for a walk and not much happened. That weekend I took him home. He was a very withdrawn little mutt.

As it turned out, he became the start of my career. After many struggles and a lot of work, he became Pepper, ‘The Flying Flea’ or his official working register Kennel Club name ‘Red Hot Chilli Pepper’. He did Agility, Obedience, Working Trials training and was the ‘small dog’ in the ‘Superdogs’ Display team.

Can every rescue dog be given a new lease of life? The success stories are many, and they are out there for everyone to see. It’s not easy, it’s not always cheap, but nothing worth having in life is a simple walk in the park.

Often in my work I get calls from owners asking if an older dog can be trained. The answer is, yes. Pepper learned to “wave” when he was 15 years old, and in the year before he died, he learned to bark to call me when he couldn’t manage to reach something.

It may be your rescue dog didn’t get the chance to learn about life and ‘normality’. It will take them a long time to adjust to what you take for granted as familiar. Often these are the dogs that need careful, long-term social experience. They need to go at their own pace – and you need to help them. You will learn about fear and stress signals and you will become your dog’s guardian.

Taking on an adult dog from a shelter is sometimes complex when that dog arrives in your home. It’s not always straightforward. Neither is getting a new puppy, so it’s not always the better choice! An adult rescue dog has probably learned an awful lot already, so part of the fun is finding out what they know – and what they never learned, and also teaching new habits that suit you.

I have seen several cases where the families called me the day they brought their rescue dog home. Perfect! This meant that any worries they had, they could ask me to assess what to do next. As months pass, they mould these dogs into good citizens. Sometimes, the dogs are just relieved to be somewhere where they can adapt and learn without fear.

Get yourself a good trainer – someone qualified, with proper credentials, with a code of practice, and no harsh methods or talk of old-fashioned dominance theory. Give your new dog the best chance you can. Keep notes of the early days so you can look back at how far you have come. You will be amazed!

With Pepper I learned a huge amount about training a terrier. About their determination, and about my own patience. About the benefit of silence and observation.

And the love, oh the fun and the feeling that I gave him a chance. I will never forget the day a lady came over after a dog display we had just completed, pulled a roast beef joint from her bicycle basket, and stuffed a wodge of it into Pepper’s mouth. He was extremely happy about that part of his career!

So folks, if you want to blame anyone for my presence on this site today (and on my own site www.karenwild.co.uk) then the fault lies with rescue dogs!

—

Karen Wild BA (Hons) Dip App Psy, is a full-time U.K. dog trainer and behaviour consultant with 17 years in the field. She has a degree and diploma in Psychology from the University of Nottingham, is a full member of the APBC and is an ABIPDT. Karen’s work has ranged from class teaching, obedience, flyball, agility and working trials competition to running a popular dog display team. When she started her own family Karen realised there was a genuine need for one-to-one help in the family environment. She formed her company Pawprint for behavioural consultations and training, and Intellidogs which specialises in online advice in this area. Her passion is to create and rebuild the ‘enjoyment factor’ that can come from family dog ownership. Karen strongly believes that there is ‘always a way’ and prides herself on her commitment to uniting families with their dogs in the gentlest way possible. Karen’s work with dogs and young people includes her current programme to bring more dogs into schools in the UK. Her writing has been published in Dogs Today Magazine and she is a regular blogger for Dr Ian Dunbar’s revolutionary website, Dog Star Daily. Karen’s family focused approach to dog training can be accessed via her site or why not link up on Twitter?

Filed under: Advice, Guest Blogs on May 18th, 2010 | No Comments »

Hey all! Did you know that April 30th (TODAY) is National Hairball Awareness Day? ILRA is celebrating with Romeo the Cat and the folks over at FURminator Inc (who provided the great content) by giving you, our awesome readers, a few tips on hairball prevention and overall cat welfare.

Five Tips for Preventing Hairballs

Fuzzballs, cat scratches and dirty litter boxes may be top complaints from cat parents, but paws down, hairballs are among the worst of the worst. In observation of National Hairball Awareness Day, to help both cats and parents alike, FURminator, Inc. created five quick tips for hairball prevention.

1. Regular Grooming: Decrease the amount of hair your cat ingests by using the FURminator deLuxe deShedding Tool, which reduces shedding by nearly 90 percent.

2. Home Remedies: Add a little canned pumpkin to your cat’s meals once or twice a week. The fiber in the pumpkin can help move any hair clods through their system.

3. Stay Hydrated: Encourage your cat to drink plenty of water by placing various bowls throughout the house. The water will help flush out the hair before it has time to clump in the stomach.

4. A New Menu: There are several specially formulated cat foods that aid in the fight against hairballs. Always consult with your vet first before making any drastic changes to your cat’s diet.

5. Ask Your Vet: If you believe your cat has a chronic hairball problems ask your veterinarian to recommend a laxative supplement to help prevent ingested hairs from forming hairballs.

A Closer Looks At Cats: Wellness, Aging, Instincts & Hairballs

We’re also taking a closer look at the cat: feline wellness, aging, instincts and the dreaded hairball!

Did you know?

• When a cat coughs up a hairball, it is actually choking. This hacking can be dangerous and can cause death in some cases. Cats will over-groom themselves, especially in the spring during peak shedding season. To reduce the amount of hair ingested, and the corresponding hack that follows, many veterinarians recommend the FURminator deLuxe deShedding Tool for cats; it’s a safe, natural and holistic way to lessen the amount of hair cats ingest.
• Cats have primal instincts and the location of their water bowl can prove it. In the wild a cat would never drag its kill to a watering hole to eat and drink at the same time. House cats have inherited this same instinct. Owners should keep a cat’s water bowl in a separate location than their food bowl. Cats will drink more water (and this increase will help their system clean itself of ingested hair).
• A cat’s age can affect how they shed. As a kitten matures their coat changes in several ways – texture, thickness, curl and coloring. This transition may take up to two years depending on the breed. Once a kitten’s coat has matured they will begin to shed more by dropping their “kitten coat”. Consult with a veterinarian or groomer on when a cat’s grooming needs change.
• Keep cats active to stay healthy; they’re athletes at heart. A healthy cat can jump as much as seven times its height and yet 21 percent of cats are considered obese or overweight by their veterinarians. Interactive toys with feathers on the end will encourage cats to leap, stretch and stay active. Keeping cats active will help them maintain a healthy skin and coat, as well as increase balance and coordination.

April means more than just hairballs – spring cleaning tips & tricks

Shedding peaks in the spring, causing increased hairballs, as well as fur tumbleweeds rolling across floors and lawns and furniture… Pet owners, both feline and canine, are looking for ways to battle the fuzz and capitalize on all that spring cleaning elbow grease. Rid your home of excess pet fur and keep a clean, healthy pet by following these simple tips from FURminator, Inc.

• Healthy Diet: Diet plays a key role in your pet’s overall health. Feeding your pet a quality pet food with protein, vitamins and Omega-Fatty Acids will promote a healthy weight and topcoat and can help reduce shedding.
• Scratch the Itch: Pets can itch because of fleas, dry skin or even a skin allergy, which can spread dander throughout the house. Whatever the cause, make sure to speak with your veterinarian to help your pets feel and look their best.
• Love Your Pet, Hate the Shedding?: Use a professional style grooming tool, such as the new FURminator deLuxe deShedding Tool, which is guaranteed to work better than any brush, rake or comb available. The deLuxe deShedding Tools reduce the amount of fur left on floors, couches and clothes by nearly 90 percent. They also feature a FURejector button, making it faster to clean and remove loose hair from the tool.
• Lessen Allergies & Sneezing: Create allergy-free areas for family members with pet allergies by restricting animals to certain rooms of your home and consider using allergen-resistant covers on mattresses and pillows. Regular grooming will also decrease the amount of airborne allergens and dander around the house.
• Pet Hair Removal: Upholstery is a pet hair magnet and removing fur can be tedious. Eliminate newly shed hair with a lint roller before fur works its way into fabric. If pets are allowed on the furniture, consider investing in furniture throws that can be laundered – this will keep your home looking and smelling better.
• Pet Crates: Pets prefer a clean, dry space to sleep in. A crate acts like their bedroom and provides a positive solution to house-training. Be sure to keep their “room” clean by washing blankets kept in the crate.
• Avoid the Outside Coming In: Keep a washable rug near the door your pet uses. Wipe off their paws so mud or dirt is not tracked onto floors. Consider using a bottle of the FURminator Waterless deShedding Shampoo & Conditioner to easily eliminate odor without bathing. Also, dispose of pet waste regularly to ensure it’s not being tracked into the house.

Got some good hairball tips? Share with us and help us celebrate National Hairball Awareness Day!

Filed under: Advice, Events, Product Review on April 30th, 2010 | 1 Comment »

Hey everyone! I am beyond excited to introduce our very first guest blog post! This great informational article is brought to you by Nicole Silvers, a Canine Behavior Expert and owner of Silver Sky Canine Behavior Consulting, LLC. She can also be found on twitter @pitbull_fan76. Nicole is an amazing woman who has dedicated her life to helping shelter dogs, as adopted adolescents are her specialty. She also volunteers her time at several rescue organizations in her area. Check out her site for more information!

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I Brought Fluffy Home This Morning, Now What?

When you bring a shelter or rescue pet home, chances are good, you’ve got an adolescent. While there are the occasional puppy and elderly dog adoptions, primarily, shelters receive dogs between 1-3 years of age.

Regardless of what kind of dog you get, where you got it, and what kind of training you have done, the adolescent phase is characterized by the first appearance of some behaviors. Although things like reduced responsiveness to commands, running away, digging, barking, destructive behavior, humping, challenging other dogs, and others are typical for the phase, these behaviors are unwanted behaviors, which explains the frequent surrender of these dogs.

On the positive side, adolescent dogs have the ability to focus on training in a much more intense way than they could as puppies. So, whether you get a shelter “teen” or have raised a puppy into a teen, adolescence is an ideal time to train dogs into stable, reliable adult companions.

Ideally, a dog adopted as an adolescent will go with his owner directly into a humane, effective group or private training class from day one. Many people feel that the dog needs to adjust, and that the dog will adjust most rapidly without their participation, which they call “interference”. Nothing could be further from the truth! Helping your dog acclimate by developing a clear communication system as the foundation of your relationship is the perfect way to start bonding from day one.

Another common misconception is that dogs will “outgrow” bad behaviors. The behaviors practiced through adolescence –whether good or bad– eventually become lifelong adult habits. Proper guidance will ensure that your dog’s lifelong habits are the ones you like.

If you are seeing troublesome behaviors, such as biting, growl, resource guarding, fighting with other dogs, etc., private training is the best place for you, then a group class specializing in “troubled dogs”, followed by a “normal” group class is the best way to ensure your and your dog’s successful resolution of behavior problems.

In selecting a professional, there are many styles of training that can be both humane AND effective. No one style of training works for all dogs. All approaches have potential side effects. However, all good training provides consistency, patience, lack of anger or frustration, no hitting, yelling, or kicking. Reward-only training is a great way to start, but it can tax the patience of both dog and owner, as you simply wait for the dog to do the right thing & reward it. Punishment-only training is a very poor way to start a trusting relationship with a new addition! There are a number of blended styles that use both active reward and humane & non-painful punishment to encourage the dog’s behavior.

To establish if your potential professional is reputable, don’t rely too heavily on stories from a few owners, who may not be able to accurately assess why their dog succeeded and how your dog compares. References from dog-savvy individuals, like other pro trainers, dog sport competitors, active members of rescue organizations, and reputable breeders.

Always look for a professional who has experience with re-homed dogs. They may pick up on potential issues that you can avoid, preventing problems before they arise.

Nicole Silvers owns Silver Sky Canine Behavior Consulting, llc, providing in-home private training. She specializes in adopted adolescent dogs, often with extreme behaviors.

Filed under: Advice, Guest Blogs on July 10th, 2009 | Comments Off