Take Your Dog to Work Day on June 25

On Friday, June 25, thousands of employers across the nation will participate in the 12th annual “Take Your Dog to Work Day.”

The event was launched in 1999 by Pet Sitters International, which partnered with Dog Fancy magazine and the Association of Pet Dog Trainers to celebrate the human canine bond and promote local pet adoption.

“Bringing pets to work is a fun, proactive way for businesses across the world to promote local pet adoption,” said Patti Moran, president of Pet Sitters International. “Dog Fancy and APDT are two great organizations that share PSI’s love of pets and a commitment to responsible pet care.”

PSI is the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, with nearly 8,000 independent professional pet-sitting businesses represented by them internationally. It’s their belief that every pet should be wanted and belong to a home. Moran hopes that “Take Your Dog to Work Day” will encourage the 38 percent of the population who are not yet pet owners to consider adoption when they see the special bond their co-workers have with their furry friends.

The event has been hugely successful, gaining the interest of tens of thousands of individuals and business owners across the nation, all of which have joined to promote their love of animals and show off their well-behaved pets.

“People love their dogs, and pets enrich our lives in so many ways,” said Moran. “TYDTW Day offers an opportunity for pet parents to show off their dogs to co-workers while giving back to the pet community and promoting a great cause — pet adoption.”

PSI asks businesses to GO FURRY by supporting pet adoption on June 25. Gaining permission from employers has not been as difficult as it may seem, as employers everywhere are recognizing the benefits attending pets have to their businesses. In fact, the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association has stated that nearly one in five companies are now allowing pets in the workplace, which has been a contributing factor to boosted employee morale. According to the same survey, millions of employees feel that pets in the workplace also lead to a more creative environment, decreased absenteeism, improved productivity and increased camaraderie amongst co-workers. Forty-six million of those polled admitted to believing that people who bring their pets to the office will work longer hours.

But good office morale isn’t the only benefit to having a furry friend by your side. Moran has joined forces with pet expert Arden Moore who’s promoting the personal benefits of pet adoption, as well as the professional ones.

“Dogs show us how to better ourselves,” said Moore. “Having a canine extraordinaire (CEO) in your life can teach you valuable lessons about succeeding at home and in the workplace.”

Moore goes on to describe weight loss, a reduced risk of cancer, reduced anxiety and general improvement of mood to be just a few ways adoption is personally beneficial.

To encourage participation amongst businesses, PSI offers a website full of informational tips and tricks with everything from sample pet day guidelines for the office space and ways to prepare your dog for the office, to tips on adopting a new furry friend.

PSI also provides suggestions for office celebrations. A fundraiser for a local animal shelter, pet fair, doggie dress-up, photo sessions and canine contests such as best trick, relays and other awards are just some of the fun ways to participate.

Another way to celebrate and help promote the event is by entering your pet in the annual “Take Your Dog to Work Day“ photo contest. Submit a picture of your professional pooch, and the one with the most votes will earn a grand prize of $500 cash, $200 pet prize pack, and a $500 donation to the animal shelter or humane society of the winners’ choice.

For more information on how to participate, visit the website at www.takeyourdog.com, or follow the pack on Facebook and Twitter.

Thinking About an Aquarium? First decide on Fresh or Salt

If you’re thinking of buying an aquarium, you must first decide between a freshwater tank and fish or salt water tank and fish.

For beginners, freshwater is often the way to go as it is less costly to start and maintain, the fish are generally hardier and there is less work involved in maintenance. The allure of salt water aquariums, however, is the much larger variety of far more colorful and interesting fish and marine life. If you have the time, money and spaces to dedicate to the salt water tank, it can be a very impressive display.

Here is a great guide to help you with advice on selecting and starting a tropical fish aquarium and caring for your tropical fish: 

Katy’s Tropical Fish - A Complete Guide  

We’ve also included some selections for you to consider:

Aquariums

Originally posted 2009-02-01 21:00:42. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Toy Dogs are the Hottest New Fashion Accessory

There is a hot new fashion accessory that is gracing the covers of many magazines today. This fashion accessory is a one size fits all. What is this great fashion accessory that you must have now? It is a toy dog in your arm.

Toy dogs, often referred to as “Pocket Pets” have begun to be one of the most common fashion accessory that can be seen strolling down the street or nestled in the arm of her owner. Usually these great fashion accessories are seen in an even more fashionable tote bag. With the likes of Paris Hilton, taking her toy dog, Tinker Bell everywhere with her, this is the new fashion icon. Paris had to post a reward when her precious Tinker Bell disappeared.

There is much to be taken into account before you jump on this fashion accessory bandwagon. There are many types of toy dogs that you can choose from for your fashion. You also have to consider the items that you will need to take of your pint-sized bundle of joy. There is also a world of fashion that you can get to dress your toy dog in as well. Fashion for the fashion accessory is a must.

Types of Dogs 

There are a few breeds that you should consider when looking into a toy dog. The most common of the toy dogs is often the tea cup Chihuahua. This is the same type of dog that Paris Hilton has. Yorkshire Terriers are another breed of dog that is a great one to look into. This dog has a stubborn temperament and is often better suited to older people. Some of the other toy dog breeds to look into are toy Poodles, Shih Tzu, Pomeranian, and Pugs.

Care of Your Toy Dog

This fashion accessory is going to need more care then your cashmere wrap of last season. You will need to take care of the basic necessities for your toy dog. You will need a small water and food dish that is low to the ground. Remember your toy dog will not need anywhere near as much food as their full size counterpart. You will need a place for your dog to sleep. Grooming is important as well when it comes to toy dogs. A basic dog grooming kit is essential to keep your toy dog healthy and looking his best.

 Fashion

This is one of the fun things about owning a toy dog, all of the fashion accessories for them. There are rhinestone studded leashes and collars to make sure that your pet has their jewelry on at all times. You can buy clothing for every event that your toy dog may need to attend. There are many fashionable bags that you can choose from to take your dog with you everywhere that you go.

A toy dog is a great fashion accessory for anyone looking for a little bundle of love to have with them. These great pets do take some care to make them healthy and happy. Once you have done all of your research on what breed that you would like to have, you are ready to purchase this year’s hottest fashion trend.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 21:03:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Things to Look For When Deciding on a Dog Breed

There are certain things to look for when deciding on a dog breed.  Let’s examine what those things are.

Choosing a breed that compliments you and your personality is one factor.  If you are choosing a dog as a family pet, ensuring the dog gets along with children is another.  Selecting a breed based on the type of group it falls into is another consideration. 

For example, are you looking for a small dog, such as a Pekingese, Poodle, or Terrier?  Or perhaps you’re looking for a Bulldog, Chow Chow, or Bichon Friz?   No?  Maybe a Beagle or Basset Hound is more to your liking.

The point is that a dog’s temperament does play a role in deciding what type of dog you choose.  In addition, you may wish to ask yourself these questions before deciding.

• Do you want a dog that is large in size?
• Will the dog fit in with my lifestyle?  
• Would you prefer a short haired or long-haired canine? 
• What type of facial features are you looking for?
• Do you want a dog that is feisty, dependent, or one with a playful personality?
• Would you prefer a show dog?
• Will your dog remain indoors or would you prefer a dog that resides outside?
• Do you wish to have a dog for protection?
• How much time and attention can you devote to the dog?
• Do you like a dog that listens and follows your commands?
• Are you interesting in a hunting dog?
• Would you prefer a dog that is independent and can be left alone?
• Is a mixed breed more to your liking?

Once you have answered these questions, another decision has to be made.  Do you wish to adopt a dog from a shelter, or acquire a specific type of dog from a breeder?
If you choose the latter, there are certain steps you can take. 

For example, let’s assume you choose a Bichon Friz.  They are great with children, have a playful personality, are very loving, and can readily be found through a breeder online.  The first step is to contact the person and determine if the dog is available.  Some Bichon Friz are highly prized as show dogs.  You can easily check online to trace their pedigree.  This will give you a clear indication that there has been no cross-breeding and their lineage is intact.

Another way to acquire a dog is from a pet store.  Be careful here, however, because most pet stores carry dogs that come from puppy mills and may not be purebreds.  Some of these pet store owners are an unscrupulous lot who may not give you details as to the health of the dog either.

Before choosing a specific breed, locate the type of dog you would like and then spend some time with the dog.  Bring the children along so that you can watch the interaction between the children and the dog.  Find out as much information about the breed as you can.  In this way, you can make an informed decision.

If you find a dog that totally fits your lifestyle either in a single household or family unit, then you will feel comfortable to either adopt or purchase the dog without having any future concerns.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 16:53:19. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Weight Management in Dogs

Has your dog been particularly interested in “Larry the Cable Guy” and the Nutri System ads lately? If so, he may be worried about his weight, and perhaps you should be too. Although any dog can become obese if overfed, the breeds most prone to being overweight include Labradors, Dachshunds, Beagles, Cairn Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Collies and Shelties.

Health Risks Associated with Obesity – Your dog’s weight can have a significant impact on his quality of life and on his longevity. Like their human friends, obesity in dogs is related to the development of diabetes and other health problems including liver, orthopedic and respiratory conditions.

Observation and Assessment – To determine if your dog is overweight, take a look at your dog from above. He should have a definite waistline behind the ribs. You should also be able to feel the dog’s ribs with a small layer of fat over them. Your veterinarian will have a chart showing the view of dogs from above ranging from too thin to too fat.

Dietary Changes – Be honest about how much you feed your dog. Your vet may recommend a reduction in the amount of food by 20-40% depending upon the dog’s ideal weight and his maintenance energy requirements. In some cases, you may need to change the type of food to one specially formulated for weight management.

Healthy Treats – Table scraps are definitely out for the dog with a weight problem. Also, compare the caloric content of common dog treats. For example, at medium sized Milk Bone is 40 calories and a large one is 115. Healthy alternatives to traditional treats are cooked green beans, carrots, and small slices of frozen canned dog food.

Exercise – Provide your dog with plenty of exercise. Daily walks, group play in a doggie daycare environment, herding classes and agility training can all increase your dogs caloric expenditure. If you dog is already experiencing health problems such as orthopedic or respiratory problems, start out slowly and gradually increase the dog’s level of activity. Keep moving – both you and your dog may be a little slimmer by the end of the summer!

Contributed by Michele Alexander, owner of Camp Bow Wow in Carmel IN.

Originally posted 2008-12-07 05:55:15. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

5 Tips for Grooming Your Dog at Home

It is important to keep your dog well groomed to keep him healthy and happy. Many people use groomers for this purpose, however, taking your dog to the groomer can costly over time. There is a way to save money and keep your dog well groomed as well. Groom your dog at home! It is easier then you may think. With a few tips to help get you started, you will be well on your way to a well-groomed dog and saving money too.

Tip One

You need to have a comfortable place set up in advance to groom your dog. Grooming can be a traumatic experience for a dog if they are not used to it. It is important that you do all that you can to help alleviate any stress that your dog may feel. It is important to have the grooming station set up in a well lit area. Make sure that you have set aside your grooming instruments. It is best to pay a few extra dollars for well made dog grooming items to make the process easier on you and the dog.

 Tip Two

Grooming your dog on a consistent basis can help their health. Many dogs shed with the change of season. This is a process that they go through to help keep them healthy through the warmer months. By grooming your dog on a regular basis, you can speed along the shedding process, as well as help keep your dog socialized with the grooming process.

 Tip Three

When grooming your dog make sure that you get every inch of their coat. It is often tempting to forget about the hair legs, eyes, and ears. These are very important areas to make sure the hair is trimmed around. One reason for this is that hair can get into the eyes of your dog and cause them not to be able to see. They can also getting a discharge from their eyes because of excess hair around them.

Tip Four

You should only need to clip your dog’s nails about once a month. This will be enough to keep them at a healthy length for you and your dog. With a quality pair of dog nail clippers, you want to cut off the tip of your dog’s nails. A good idea is to not go past where the nail begins to curve to make sure that you do not hurt him. 

Tip Five

Grooming of your dog should also include dental care. You dog needs to have his teeth brushed just like you do. You can use an old human toothbrush and dog toothpaste. It is important that you use dog toothpaste because most dogs will not like the taste of the toothpaste that you use.

Taking care of your dog entails more then just feeding and playing with him. You need to make sure that you take care of his outward appearance. By following these tips and grooming your dog at home, you will always be sure that your dog is putting his best paw forward.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 21:07:45. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Many Health Benefits of Pet Massage

Massage techniques are frequently performed on animals, including dogs, cats, and horses for therapeutic benefits after injury or as a preventive wellness program. The specific techniques used will depend upon the goal of the massage and the receptiveness of the animal. Any indications of pain in your pet must be assessed by a vet before performing massage techniques.

The benefits of massage include reduced pain, increased joint mobility, improved circulation of oxygen-rich blood for tissue in healing and improved lymphatic flow to filter out waste products and destroy them via the action of white blood cells.

Certain massage techniques activate the parasympathetic nervous system resulting in a “rest and digest” response in contrast to the “fight or flight” response of the sympathetic nervous systems. By allowing your pet to relax under your guided touch, you can strengthen the emotional bond ass well as maximize the use of touch as a an assessment tool to note any changes in your pets, such as lumps, pain or areas of warmth. Early detection on your part can lead to prompt veterinarian care for any potential problems.

Pet massage can also desensitize your pet to the fear response when they go to the vet.

The common strokes used for pet massage are the same as those used for humans, for example:

Compression – Direct pressure from the thumb, fingers or palm used to compress soft tissues against underlying bone. This technique releases muscle spasms, triggers points or adhesions.

Effleurage – long strokes applied superficially along the muscle, used for relaxation and improved circulation.

Joint Movement – Passively moving the joints through their available range of motion to improve and maintain flexibility and reducing pain.

Skin Rolling – Lifting the coat and skin away from the muscles and fat with the thumb and fingers, used to treat chronic pain and restore movement of the connective tissue.

Vibration – A rhythmic back and forth movement of the hands used to for relaxation and joint mobilization.

I have found several guides that can help you learn some of these techniques.

 

Camp Bow Wow in Carmel IN.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 21:10:37. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Advantages of Getting an Adult Dog

The obvious advantages of getting an adult dog eliminates the amount of time and attention it takes to housetrain, although depending on the breed and age of the adult dog, the benefits are multiple.  Let’s take a look at the reasons why.

* One of the most advantageous benefits of getting an adult dog is that they have an established personality. 
* They will not require as much time and attention as a puppy.
* You can choose an adult dog whose personality is suitable to your own.
* Adopting an adult dog from a shelter ensures they have been spayed or neutered.
* You won’t have to worry about an adult dog creating havoc in your home.
* Most adult dogs will adapt more easily to a schedule.
* An adult dog will not need to be taken out as frequently as a puppy.
* Choosing an adult dog is choosing a companion.
* You can train adult dogs more easily than puppies.
* There are more adult dogs available for adoption than puppies.
* Depending upon the breed you choose, an adult dog may be more appropriate for children.
* You can leave the dog alone, especially if you work outside the home.
* Most adult dogs have been trained in some form or another, making it easier for them to adapt to new surroundings.
* Since adult dogs are fully checked by a vet, they are more apt to be healthier than puppies.
* An adult dog will bond more quickly with its owner.
* They may also understand certain commands from the outset.

With the adult dog population on the upsurge, adopting one from a shelter is literally saving a life.  While first time pet owners may wish to acquire a puppy, you may not find as many in shelters as you would find adult dogs.

If you can take a moment to look at it from a dog’s perspective, they may have been neglected by their owners, or perhaps the owners can no longer take care of them.  This can leave them depressed and lethargic.  Living in a shelter is neither pleasant nor conducive to a dog’s emotional state of mind.

If you’ve ever gone to a shelter, you may have noticed when you walk by cage after cage that some dogs become excited, often press their noses up against the cage or try to reach out with their paws.  Others may just sit in a corner and look up with sad eyes.

Adopting an adult dog, taking him home and caring for him is all he requires, and the rewards are immeasurable.   There are so many breeds whose personalities are unique.
The advantages of getting an adult dog are many, but the bottom line is that you are not only offering them a permanent home, but giving them the opportunity to live out their life in a safe and loving environment.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 15:21:01. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Choosing a Name for Puppy

What will you call your new companion?  He may be brown with long ears, short, with a coat like a snowball, or tall and muscular.  Choosing a name is a big decision.  It will belong to your puppy for the rest of his life.

As humans, we select names for our children based on heritage and meaning.  You can do this with your puppy, but it is not necessary.  Puppy doesn’t care that “Lily” is a beautiful flower or that “Jack” has English origins.  He just wants to know what you want him to respond to when you call.

One rule of thumb for puppy naming is to keep it simple.  It may be cute and unusual to name a dog “Crouching Tiger”, but it isn’t practical.  If names are too long, puppy won’t remember it and others might not either.  One simple rule to make choosing a name for your puppy easier is to keep it to three or less syllables.

Also, think about what your puppy’s name may sound like to him or her.  If it sounds like a command, he may take off running or jump at the mailman instead of sitting down.  Puppy names that are similar to the commands you give can be confusing to your pup.  If you use these commands:  sit, run, stop, quiet, stay, heel, roll over, and fetch, don’t use puppy names like Fletch, Kit, Sun, Bill, and Cole.

Pets are not people but they do deserve respect as another member of the family.  You are supposed to be welcoming them into your home and your life.  Names like Butt, Loser, Dummy, and Nitwit are demeaning.  They encourage teasing from others who come in contact with your puppy.  Most animals don’t like to be teased, especially dogs.  They can respond by biting or pouncing on the unfortunate teaser.  Not to mention, would you want someone calling you a demeaning name?  Your puppy won’t like it either.

Dog experts recommend short names that end in vowel sounds.  Most commands don’t end in vowel sounds, so puppy won’t get confused when he’s called.  If you own a Dachshund, you can name him “Hero” like a hero sandwich.  These dogs always remind me of a sausage without the bun.  The name is short, easy to remember, and not disrespectful to puppy.

Below is a list of the more popular names for dogs.  Choose a name from this list or come up with your own.

• Max
• Lady
• Lucy
• Princess
• Rusty
• Rocky
• Buster
• Shelby
• Jake
• Ginger
• Sandy
• Sophie
• Sparky
• Buddy
• Missy

Take your time when naming puppy.  Consider his behavior and personality, but above all, treat him with dignity when it comes to naming him.  He’ll thank you for taking the time to consider a good name for many years to come.

Originally posted 2008-12-08 21:09:15. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

How to Train a Dog to Fetch

Having a dog can be a fun and rewarding experience. There are many fun activities you can do with your dog to grow upon the enjoyment that you both have. One of the most popular games to play with a dog is fetch. This simple game of retrieving a ball or some other item can lead to hours of fun. There is one catch to this simple game, you have to train your dog to be able to fetch. Do not worry; this is not as hard as it may seem at first glance. With a little persistence and work on your part, your dog will be playing fetch before you know it.

The Ground Work

Your dog will naturally be drawn to running after a ball that is thrown. This is a natural instinct that you have probably seen many times in your dog. This is one of the most elemental things that your dog needs to be able to do to play fetch. If you have never seen your dog do this, grab a ball and throw it to see if he runs after it. Most dogs will run after the ball, grab it, and then start towards you. The reason that this is not fetching a ball is that they usually stop and start playing with the ball. Once your comfortable with this, you can move onto the training aspect of getting your dog to fetch.

Training

You will need to have two balls to make this training work. It is important that your dog is interested in these balls. There are dogs that will chase any ball that you throw. There are other dogs that are picky in what they chase. Know which group that your dog falls into.

Throw one of the balls and let your dog chase after it. Keep the other ball that you have hidden. It is important that your dog is focused on the ball that you have throw.

As your dog runs toward you, choose a point near you to tell your dog to drop the ball. You will want to give this command in a stern but friendly voice. Make sure that the point that you choose to do this with your dog is close enough to be your dog giving you the ball. Odds are that your dog will not do this on the first try.

If your dog does not drop the ball, take out the second ball. Ignore your dog and start playing with it. Act like the ball that you have is the most interesting thing that you have ever played with. This will cause your dog to drop the ball that he brought to you and want the one that you have.

Throw the second ball so that your dog has to run and get it. Place the first ball into your pocket so that your dog does not see it. Repeat the command to drop when your dog comes to you with the second ball. If your dog does not drop, repeat this process over and over again until your dog brings you and drops the ball on your command.

It will take some time for your dog to get comfortable with playing fetch with you. It may even take a few training sessions. In the end, your dog will enjoy playing fetch with you and be happy that you spent so much time with him.

Originally posted 2009-02-01 17:15:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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