Selecting Your Pet’s Daycare

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Sending your dog to pet daycare can be as scary of a proposition as sending your own child to a daycare. Horror stories of rampant germ transfer exist, and this can occur in animal care centers. But, rest assured that any quality pet daycare center makes incredible efforts to keep the place clean and as germ free as possible. With sanitizers like bleach being used on common area floors daily, germ spread is kept to an absolute minimum.

As for the benefits of using a pet daycare, just remember that some of them are almost as good as pet spas. The people who work in the care facility tend to love animals, that’s why they’re there in the first place. They’re up on the latest trends in healthy animal behaviors, and will most likely have your dog interacting with other dogs on a daily basis while you vacation. Don’t be surprised if your dogs seem happier when you see them again following your trip, than they were when you dropped them off!

By choosing poorly, you may end up handing your pets over to a daycare that’s more interested in profits than in creating a cheerful environment for your pet. To avoid this case, what you’re looking to avoid is a place where movement and motion aren’t present. Look carefully. Are tails wagging and dogs looking excited when you show up? If all the animals at the daycare look like they’re simultaneously participating in nap time, it’s a bad sign for the overall vitality of the place. Standards may be low, and community exercise time might be a long distant notion. Your pet will be unhappy when it returns from a poorly managed daycare!

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Is Your Backyard Big Enough for Your Pet?

It’s a collection of rooms, an abundance of corners: your home is where you roam, shuffling from corridor to corridor, and taking advantage of the space that belongs to you.

What waits beyond that space belongs to your pet, however, and its size must be examined.

While a yard may be tailored to your needs (with management HOA companies maintaining a lawn and its beauty), it may fail to please your pet. Different animals require different elements; and it’s vital to recognize those elements to determine if an area is worthwhile.

Useable Footage

It’s an easy assumption: a backyard is thought to be a gathering of sod and wildflowers, the open stretch of a lawn. Too often, however, is that assumption proven wrong – with a space dominated by concrete patios, in-ground pools, play areas, flower gardens and more. The useable footage your pet may have can be tiny compared to the size of the yard itself. It’s imperative that you then understand how much space you can spare. You must know how the area is being utilized and if that can accommodate your dog or cat. The square footage must be enough to compensate.

Size of Animal

Logic is an uncertain word, too often demanding laborious thoughts and complicated statistics. There are times, however, when it’s instead simple: and understanding the worthiness of your backyard is one such time. You must remember only this — a tiny pet needs a tiny space; a large pet needs a large space; and the presence of multiple pets requires an excess of acreage. These are the only rules to recognize.

Remember these suggestions when surveying your lawn.

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Do People Go Too Far with Spoiling Their Pets?

Croatian Sheepdog Mawlch Gera - on agility 

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It seems like no matter where one looks, there is someone who is going overboard, spoiling their pet to an astonishing extreme. Treating a small dog as if they’re a child, carting them around everywhere, dressing them up, and more. This leads many to ask if pet owners are going overboard with how they treat their pets.

Certainly there are those who transfer their affections onto their pets as if they were children. And there are those who don’t bother to discipline their pets properly because it might “hurt poopsie’s feelings.” Certainly those types aren’t doing their animals any favors as it encourages nuisance behaviors.

However, there are pets who do just fine despite their owners. They tolerate the attention with extreme patience and are well behaved and pleasant to be around. These pets don’t mind being dressed up, taken to pet daycare and get dolled up, fed fancy foods and more. In return, they give their owners much joy and pleasure, as well as companionship.

And when it comes down to it, any harm done is between the pet and the people that own it. The overall impact on society at large is nominal. There are way more well-adjusted pets and owners out there than there are spoilers. Even those who treat their pets like they’re supposed to aren’t necessarily immune from the occasional urge to make an impulse purchase.

Those who spoil their pets and those who don’t have one thing in common: They care enough for animals to provide them with a loving home for life.

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Choosing Between a Large or a Small Dog

After you’ve decided that you’d like to pick up a dog to keep as a pet, the next decision usually involves choosing the breed of dog that you’re going to own for the foreseeable future. There is one main choice, and it revolves around size. Do you want a large dog that you can curl up with on cold evenings and that will help to keep you, and your feet, warm? Or would you like a tiny dog that’s closer to cat sized, that you can take with you as you go from the grocery store to the coffee shop, and then to the mall?

The distinctions aren’t subtle. A large dog requires very different things than a tiny dog. Great Danes, German Shepherds, and other large dogs will require vast amounts of food, for starters. Think of fifty pound bags of dry food disappearing in less than a month, and you’re getting the idea. Hefting those heavy bags of food from the retailer to your home is no small chore, especially if you live on the third floor! Larger dogs also can tend to be more territorial, so when you’re out walking your fuzzy pet, encounters of a snarling nature are bound to happen. Some people tend to shy away from violence and teeth baring encounters, so consider that aspect before getting a larger dog.

Tiny dogs such as Toy Pomeranians or Toy Poodles won’t do nearly as much to raise your monthly food bill. Medical expenses will be commensurate with larger dogs, though, so don’t expect substantial overall savings. Having a pet costs money and requires dedication and discipline whether the pet is palm sized or couch sized! However, with a toy sized dog, there is one definite advantage: you can bring Fido along with you virtually anywhere, which lends an air of constant companionship to your ownership experience.

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Moderate the Affection Shown for Your Pet

It can be as natural to want to spoil your pet as to spoil your children. After all, it’s a demonstration of the depth of your love and affection that has you showering abundance upon your furry, four legged creature. As a dog or cat becomes as close as a child, interacting with you each day, they can fulfill a need which makes you feel good – that of constant companion. Unlike a child that might voice its thoughts and offer up verbal displeasure at any action that you’ve taken, a pet can appear to always be happy with your decisions. That can make a pet owner feel good. And that’s something that pets do exceedingly well – make the people whose lives they touch, feel good.

As a reward for that good feeling created, some people tend to overcompensate by being excessively interested in their pet. This leads to pet owners having conversations with their pets, feeding them lavishly and frequently – often to the point of excessive weight gain – and taking them along to any place that they visit. While the owner is used to this behavior and obviously approves of it, others may find it trite. Spoiling a pet is an indulgence, and should be more carefully considered. While it may appear to be a loving act, it simultaneously creates a level of dependence that may be considered unhealthy.

Both the pet and the owner may become unhealthily attached to the other in cases where they spend too much time next to one another. The pet is dependent for food and other necessary living requirements, but the human owner may find that they become dependent upon the fuzzy creature for solace and companionship. This can occur to such an extent that interpersonal relationships with other people take on a secondary importance. Instead of spoiling your pet, try to moderate your affections.

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Pets are Good Parenting Preparation

A lot of people use pets as a learning experience to prepare for having children. The notion is not as odd as it might sound – pets require daily care and regular feeding, just as children do. They develop illnesses, adopt specific personalities, and attach themselves to their owners much as children attach to parents. There are some exceptions, such as reptiles, which care little for interaction with humans. But the vast majority of pets, be they fish, hamsters, or dogs, do appear to enjoy their owner’s presence. Fish, you might ask? Indeed. Certain types of fish, notably angel fish, will swim to any end of the fish tank that a person appears at, and remain there for an extended period. While you watch them, they watch you, in a game that seems to imply connection.

It’s not the same with fish as it is with most other animals that people choose as pets, of course. It’s impossible to handle fish like one does with a cat or a dog. And it’s the handling that creates some of the bond between owners and their pets. That’s why a lot of people prefer soft furry creatures as pets.

And of course, that’s why mammals are good teachers for those who desire to have kids in the future. Much like children, they can be picked up, touched, and fed in an air environment, rather than water. So while fish can seem to have personalities and character, if you want to experience the bond making that occurs between pets and their owners, go with mammals. Whether that leads you to a horse, dog, or cat, you’ll appreciate the learning experience that accompanies the raising of any of these creatures. Each occurrence will prepare you for raising a child well, whether that’s related to nutritional input or presenting a caring face when your loved one falls ill.

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Pets Spas: Better Than Grooming

T hose cat and dog owners who like to pamper their best friends with the very best will probably have them groomed quite often. Instead of selecting a typical groomer, why not choose to visit an actual pet spa with your pet? Pet spas are different from ordinary groomers in the products they use, the services they offer and the complete experience both pet and owner receive. While pets are being pampered, owners can relax in softly lit, well decorated spaces with a cup of herbal tea and some light, soothing music. Your dog or cat will be professionally washed, dried and brushed. Some pets will enjoy the massage that spas typically offer. Nails will be clipped and, if you request, painted a lively color to reflect your pet’s personality. Most pet spas will use only the best and safest organic products for your pet, ensuring that there has been no animal testing in the development. This also helps to strictly limit the chemicals that your pet may be exposed to.

M ost small dogs need to be clipped and have their coats trimmed for their best look and health. Pet spa staff members will gently and carefully cut or shave fur as you request, always with the best interests of the pet in mind. Pet spa prices will differ greatly depending upon the area of the country, so doing an internet search before you choose your pet spa will help you find the best value for your money, without scrimping on your pet’s luxury. It is also common for pet spas to offer a selection of services, allowing pet owners to choose individual items or a complete package of washing, grooming and trimming. End your trip to the spa by picking up a gourmet treat or new toy.

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Vacationing with Pets

Everyone enjoys a fun vacation, and dogs are certainly no exception to this rule. When planning a trip, many pet owners don’t even consider how much their pets may enjoy some time away, especially when choosing a vacation that involves plenty of space to run around. Leaving a pet at a kennel can also be traumatic for the animal since it alters their routine and may frighten them. Owners often worry about their animals when they are at the kennel as well, since they can’t make sure that the dog is being fed, walked, and treated properly.

The first step to making sure that a dog will enjoy a vacation is to select a location where pets are welcome, such as pet-friendly hotels, campgrounds, etc. Since many individuals consider their animals to be a part of the family, plenty of locations are now allowing pets at no additional charge. Visiting a place where there are outdoor activities to be enjoyed, such as the many venues available in Canada, also ensures that the dog will enjoy his vacation, since there are many parks and other scenery for the dog to explore and sniff.

Spots to visit can be located with services such as Canada 411. Another necessary tip for vacationing with pets is making sure to plan for breaks in driving to let the dog out to stretch its legs and relieve itself. Without these necessary breaks, even the most otherwise well-behaved dog may become agitated and have an accident in the car, which can really put a damper on the trip. When taking a vacation that will be spent primarily indoors or at amusement parks, museums, or other spots where pets aren’t allowed, it may be better to arrange care at home, but now that so many national parks and recreation areas allow pets, it makes no sense to leave a member of the family behind when taking a vacation.

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W​hy You Shouldn’t Spoil Your Pets

Just as with small children, it is possible to spoil your pets. While of course it is understandable that you love them and want to give them the best life possible, allowing your pets to control your actions and set their own rules does not do them any favors. In fact, it may even make their lives worse. Pets, like children, require limits in order to feel safe. Your pet should never be allowed to continue behaviors that are unsafe for himself, you or anyone else. This includes rough play, nipping or scratching, jumping up on people or climbing on kitchen counter tops.

Dogs are especially eager to please their owners. If raised correctly, training a puppy should be only a matter of patience and consistency. You will want to make sure to never allow your puppy to ignore your commands; again, consistency is the key. If he should ever break his leash while outdoors, you can be sure that he will come to you when called. Cats, however, are much harder to control. It has been said that the only things you can teach a cat to do are those you don’t want her to do. One prime example of this is begging for food. Some cats will get so accustomed to being hand fed that they will attempt to eat food out of your hand, even while you are feeding yourself! Scratching of the furniture and marking territory are two other main behavioral problems with cats. Most often, those problems can be abated with the use of acceptable scratching posts and by spaying or neutering pets at the earliest possible age.

Spoiling your pets may make you feel like you are giving them extra love, but the truth is that you are doing them far more harm than good. A well behaved pet will be loved by everyone, not just you, and that will matter a lot when you have guests or expand your family.

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Common Mistakes of Pet Owners

One of the biggest mistakes that pet owners make is that they think training their new pet is going to come naturally. Unfortunately, animals like dogs and cats really only can be as good as they are taught to be. If you train your pet properly, it is going to be less likely to get into places where it does not belong. An improperly trained pet may destroy prized furniture like poker tables and living room furniture.

A trained pet is going to be a happy and well-adjusted pet. Dogs, especially, are going to thrive by having a sturdy social structure. Having a master, you, is a necessary part of giving your dog the chance at good mental health and good emotional health. Dogs need a hierarchy in order to be happy because this is their natural system of understanding. You should never chase your dog or hit your dog because your dog will not understand why you are doing these things. You must train your dog in terms and ways that he or she is actually going to understand. Basic commands have the best impact, such as “come,” “lay down,” “sit,” “stay,” and “off.” These simple and basic commands are going to make all the difference in determining how well your pet is going to behave.

Teaching your dog or cat basic manners is going to have a profound positive impact on how well your pet is able to behave and perform in your home, regardless of whether you are there at the time. If you want to avoid coming home to find that your pet destroyed a piece of furniture or a furnishing, you need to make sure that you have trained that pet completely. A little bit of basic training can really go a long way in ensuring that your pet is a good citizen in and outside of your home.

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