Clean Water For All Pets

Posted on January 24, 2012 by mmjpaymar

Do you ever ask yourself how much water your pet should be drinking a day? Probably not!  We generally fill their bowl up in the morning and go about the day. Your pet may not be getting enough hydration, especially if  the bowl is empty two hours later, but no ones home the rest of the day!  Here’s some factors to think about to make sure your pet is getting properly hydrated and ways to easily achieve it.

The size of your pet is important.   A 90 pound dog will need far more water during the day than a 20 pound one.  The food your pet is eating will affect the amount of water they need. Is the food wet or dry, what is the sodium content, are some ingredients going to make them more thirsty than others.  All good questions to ask yourself!

How about your pets age.  Younger dogs and cats need more water than senior dogs. More active breeds will drink more than lap dogs.   Climate plays an important role in how much a dog or cat needs hydrating.  The temperatures inside your home can also be an important factor.   Also, is your cat or dog on medications that make them loose more of their bodies water weight.

It’s so important for your pet to stay hydrated all day long. Like humans, they will easily dehydrate if left without water for too long.  Here’s some tips to remember.

If you’re crate training or leave your pet shut off from the rest of the house while at work or out for long periods, make sure to leave them with clean fresh water at all times.  Make sure the bowl is large enough to last throughout the day.  Or use an automatic water dispensing bowl.

Change the water bowl frequently and clean the bowls out daily.  Find out what material the pets bowl is made of to determine how clean it stays.  Our pets will stay healthier with clean fresh water in their bowls!

Remember when hiking with your dog to take along enough water for them to drink. A package of ice cubes work great to make sure the water is fresh throughout the day. You can even drop a few in their bowl during the day to keep the water full and clean.

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Being a Responsible Pet Owner

Posted on November 20, 2011 by mmjpaymar

I was going to write a Thanksgiving blog all about the pros and cons of feeding our pets table scraps but something happened on my morning walk that’s irritated me so much, I decided to voice my very opinionated opinion on what it means to be a responsible pet owner instead!

I’ve owned pets all my life and now run a successful pet sitting company. I consider myself a loving, caring, responsible pet owner.  I believe in keeping pets safe, feeding them healthy food, making sure they’re physically healthy, exercised, socialized and loved.  But, apparently nowadays, it means something entirely different.  When was this new rule book written because I must have missed the issue!  And, who wrote it? Since when, in this politically correct world we live in, do we have to follow someone else’s rules because they think it’s the politically correct thing to do in order to be a responsible pet owner.

What happened to the days where you could walk your dog without a leash, go to a school yard and have the dogs play with the kids, go to a park and have the dogs running and playing alongside the people, letting them swim in the ocean and sun themselves on the sand.  What happened to having your neighbor call and say your dog was visiting them at their house and they just gave them a sandwich. What happened to letting your dog pee and poo on a walk and not panic because you forgot a bag for cleanup and it might cost you a hefty fine.

I was at a park with my dog a few weeks ago playing catch with a ball  when a police car came blazing across the park and stopped in front of me and my dog.  The two officers proceeded to tell me I was breaking a law!  Yes, breaking a law playing fetch with my dog in a park!  They then proceeded to tell me they were going to write a ticket and if I resisted giving them my name and information, they would tasser me and my dog with their tasser guns!  Yes, this is all true, as unbelievable as it may sound.  This can’t be what it means to be a responsible pet owner, because quite honestly, it scares me to death if that’s what it means.

What I love about dogs, is they have no agenda’s and they live by their instincts. They don’t stop and think, can I, should I, could I, dare I, what if I….. But people nowadays seem to think they should.

I’m really tired of people going out of their way to stop their car or come out of their home to take the time to lecture and scream about your dog walking on their grass, peeing in their yard, pooping and making sure you have a bag to clean it up.   Really? Really??  When did we make everyone a dog deputy!!

And, those signs people buy and stick in their lawns, warning you about the code violation your dog is committing if he poops on their grass. Really? Really???  I walk around stressed and full of panic if I forgot a bag.  Are they going to call the cops, have me arrested?  It’s become so coo coo crazy.  And, we just seem to let it continue.

I miss the good old days. I really do. When dogs could be dogs. People were kind and everyone lived in harmony, not fear because you forgot your poop bags on the morning walk or you took your dog off  leash to fetch a ball.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Lets give thanks for the pets and focus on the joy that they can bring if you let them!!  And, give serious thought to how far we’re letting this politically correct world take over what we already know.  How to be a responsible pet owner!

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Take Time For Training!

Posted on November 5, 2011 by mmjpaymar

It’s amazing to me how those four words are avoided like the plague by most dog owners.  They wonder why the dog is chewing the sofa, peeing on the bed, pulling on the walk, barking at strangers or digging in the yard.  Maybe, just maybe, because they didn’t take time for training!

Seriously, if you don’t know how you want your dog to behave, how does your dog!

Pet owners are so afraid of how their dog will feel if they set limits and boundries.  They don’t want their dog to not like them, so they avoid any training and hope by some miracle the dog will just figure out on it’s own what to do.

Training is a great way to bond with your dog and see him in a compassionate light. You can watch your dog grow and learn and take pride in teaching him. And you’ll also be learning from your dog!  Communication is how we develop relationships with other people. It’s no different with our dogs — it’s just how we communicate.

Train your dog with positive reinforcement, which is a giving and taking of information — your dog sits when asked; you give feedback with a toy or treat, confirming that he did the desired thing — to make your journey easier and non confrontational.

Your dog shouldn’t make you feel bad about yourself, nor should it come with warning labels!  Training will build a bond with you and your dog, as well as allowing your dog to learn new skills and build confidence.

Training helps you redirect behavior you don’t like with new positive behaviors.  Take on one behavior at a time, so as not to confuse or stress your dog.  Be consistent and reinforce the new behavior over and over each day.  Offer praise and love when the dog gets it right.

Don’t be afraid to take time for training.  In the long run, it will strengthen your relationship with your dog and make your life so much easier.  Your dog will feel more comfortable with the boundaries and limits you’ve set and happy to see you pleased.

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Does your dog have the dreaded “dog breath?”

Posted on October 25, 2011 by mmjpaymar

You want to let your dog give you one of it’s slobbery loving kisses but, ohhhh no, it’s the breath of the beast heading towards you instead!

Signs of periodontal gum disease include the yellow and brown buildup of tarter around the gum line, inflammation and bad breath.  Your dogs and cats don’t have to be seniors for this to start happening. Infact, it can start as early as 3 years of age.

You’ve tried giving them bones to chew on, breath drops in their water, even tried brushing their teeth with pet toothbrushes! Ya, like your dog likes a big hard plastic toothbrush in it’s mouth! Not my dog. Ugh! Nothing is working, now what?

If your dog doesn’t like plastic pet toothbrushes and if “finger brushes” make them gag, you might have more luck using a simple, thin cotton glove. Place toothpaste on your gloved index finger and gently massage your pet’s teeth and gums. Most dogs find this sensation pleasurable and relaxing.

The glove is analogous to your finger, which your dog presumably trusts, and not hard, inflexible, or rubbery. Wash your hand in the glove and hang the glove to dry for next time. (So simple!)

Eighty percent of humans brush their teeth at least twice a day, but very few pet owners brush their pet’s teeth at all. Yes, guilty as charged! But, with this glove idea, it’s made it easy and a positive experience for both myself and my dog.

Now, I’m working up the courage to try it on my cat!  Meowrrrrrrr!!!!

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How Old Is My Dog, For Real!

Posted on October 4, 2011 by mmjpaymar

Many pet owners have adopted or rescued their dog and may wonder, how old is this dog, really? Others pet owners may think they know it’s age by applying the old 7 to 1 ratio. For every year of a dogs life add 7 years. Which, by the way, is not exactly accurate either.

Dogs age much more rapidly in the first two years of their lives but then it slows down to a 5 to 1, 6 to 1 or a 7 to 1 ratio, depending on the size of your dog.

Small little Chihuahua’s will be in the 5 to 1 ratio after the first two years while Labs and Chow’s may be a 6 to 1 ratio. If you have a St Bernard lounging around the house, then bump that up to an 8 to 1 ratio.  Yes, 8!

So, just how old is your dog?   Here’s some other signs that may help you figure it out.

Your dogs teeth will be a good give away for signs of aging. Dogs usually have a set of permanent teeth by their seventh month, so if you’ve come across a dog with clean pearly whites, he is likely a year old or thereabouts. Yellowing on a dog’s back teeth may put the dog between one to three years of age, while tartar build-up at a minimal level could mean you have a dog between 4 and 6. Missing teeth or severe wear usually means the dog is settling into senior aging.

Your dogs muscle tone is another clue. Younger dogs are more likely to have some muscle definition from their higher activity level. Older dogs are usually either a tad bonier or a little fatter from decreased activity.

Does your dog have a shiny coat of fur? A younger dog usually has a soft, fine coat, whereas an older dog tends to have thicker, coarser (and sometimes oilier) fur. A senior dog may display grays or patches of white, particularly around the snout.

Look into your dogs eyes. Bright, clear eyes without tearing or discharge are common in younger dogs. Cloudy or opaque eyes may can mean your dog is starting to age.

One of the best ways to prolong the life and improve the functions of your dog as it ages is to carefully regulate its fuel intake. Older dogs exercise less and thus need fewer calories. No matter what your dogs age, a healthy dog is a happy dog and needs lots of love from it’s owner at any age!

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Common Triggers For Dog Aggression

Posted on September 26, 2011 by mmjpaymar

Dogs are a lot like humans. They all possess unique personality traits, emotions and behaviors.  No two dogs will react the same in any given situation or when around other dogs.  Here are some common triggers to watch for aggressive behavior in dogs.

Many dogs take guarding their home and owners very seriously! Territoriality is an extension of resource guarding, when the entire home and property become a valuable resource which the dog wants to guard from intruders at any cost. Resource guarding is natural behavior. Dogs that resource guard will view approach by other dogs or humans as a threat to what they perceive to be valuable. This may be it’s home property, the owner, a meal or a toy, or a preferred sleeping space.

Other dogs can trigger aggression in your dog for a variety of causes. Inter-sex aggression is aggression toward dogs of the same sex. This tends to be most common in dogs that are sexually intact and are generally resource guarding for reproductive advantage.

Type-specific aggression can occur when a dog has a socialization deficit with dogs of a particular body type (large, black dogs for instance) or a history of negative experiences with a dog of particular body type. Or, behavior-specific aggression. Dogs, like people, cannot be expected to indefinitely tolerate even the rudest behavior of other dogs. Many dogs will not hesitate to use their voices, body or teeth to tell a rude dog to “back off!”

Movement can trigger aggression in dogs. Because dogs are predators, they are hard-wired to chase after and bite at things that move quickly and unpredictably. Animals which move quickly (squirrels, birds, cats, etc.) are frequent triggers. Human triggers for motion reactivity include biking, jogging, skateboarding, or moving automobiles.

Frustration is another common cause of dog aggression. Frustration creates stress, which contributes to aggression. Frustration aggression often shows in relation to barriers including leashes or fences. The dog may want to check out a person or dog on the other side of the fence but becomes frustrated because he cannot. He may redirect his aggression toward a familiar human or animal as a result. If barking always worked to get attention but suddenly the owner begins ignoring the barking, the dog may experiment to find out if nipping is a more effective way of getting attention.

Dogs can be aggressive to specific groups of people with certain common characteristics such as men with beards, small children, people in walkers or wheelchairs, individuals with altered mobility, even individuals wearing a certain cologne or perfume.

The predictors of dog aggression vary widely. The most important thing to remember is a dog’s response to a stimulus will be effected positively (create a positive, happy response) by the number of positive experiences the dog has in the presence of that trigger, particularly during critical periods of development such as when they’re a new puppy!

Aggressive behavior is always a good opportunity for teaching a dog new tricks!  Positive ones!

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Reducing Your Cat’s Carbon Pawprint

Posted on September 20, 2011 by mmjpaymar

Yes, even our pets can go green with a little help from their owners! Here’s a few easy tips that will make a big impact on the planet.

Cat Food.  It can be more eco-friendly by favoring certain cat food flavors over others. According to John Robbins, author of The Food Revolution, it takes significantly more resources in terms of land and water to produce one pound of beef as compared to a pound of chicken. So, when you’re at the store staring at the shelf and trying to decide which of the 15 flavors to pick, consider the ones that are lower down in the food chain. Choose chicken over beef. Look for seafood that is sustainably harvested such as sardines or mackerel instead of tuna.  Go organic with your cat food. Certified organic foods are produced without synthetic pesticides or genetically modified ingredients and the organic farming process helps to preserve the integrity of the land and water.

Cat Litter. Forget those disposable plastic liners. You can keep your cat’s box fresh with daily scooping and washing it regularly with a mild soap and some water. When you do need to replace the litter box, look for one made from recycled plastic. Go with litter made from recycled paper products, corn or wheat.

Cat Toys. They can be eco friendly too. To reduce waste, choose quality over quantity and choose toys that you’re sure Kitty will enjoy. Cats are notoriously finicky, so if you buy something that you’re not sure your cat will like, chances are they wont. Get creative and look around the house for articles you already have. A pen top or bottle top can keep a cat intrigued for hours. Try hair rubber bands and cut up toilet paper rolls.  A roll of string or yarn or an old cardboard box and cover can become your cats next favorite toy.

Share the Green. Once your cat has settled into her new earth-friendly routine, share your green knowledge and experience with fellow cat lovers. Greening the entire planet can start with just one cat and owner, so take the first step today toward reducing your cat’s carbon pawprint today!

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Puppies Like Babies don’t come with a Training Manual!

Posted on September 15, 2011 by mmjpaymar

You just brought your puppy home and it’s cute, sweet, adorable…wait, it just peed on your sofa and you have to go back to work in an hour!!  Now what!!??  We get these calls for help more times a day than you can imagine.  People want a puppy for all the right reasons but don’t have the slightest clue as to how much time, effort and patience goes into training it.

Remember, puppies need to learn everything, from potty training to obedience behaviors to socializing in the world around them.

When you bring a puppy home, try to have time in your day for training without you or the puppy feeling rushed.  Keeping a puppy on a schedule is good for both you and your dog.  Creating boundries for the puppy will make them feel safe and learn at a faster pace. Your puppy will start to learn what to expect when he uses a certain behavior or does a task.

Try to always use positive reinforcement.  Dogs want to please and the likelihood of them doing the right thing is far greater when they’re getting praise.  Concentrate on what you want your dog to do instead of what you want your dog to stop.

Focus on one or two behaviors at a time.  Trying to teach your puppy too much too soon can be overwhelming for the puppy and stressful for you.  Remember, puppies have a learning curve based on their age.  Learn at what age your puppy can assimilate these behaviors and be successful.

You may want to find a trainer or training classes for your puppy.  These are a great way for you and your puppy to bond!  And, always keep in mind, training a puppy is a process!!    But, well worth the time and effort.  When your puppy will become an adult someday!

At Manymutts our sitters “are trained” to reinforce your training techniques with your puppy.  We want both you and your puppy to succeed! 

 

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Trying To Sleep But Your Cat Wants To Play?

Posted on September 7, 2011 by mmjpaymar

It’s 4am, your deep into REM sleep, when your 12 pound tabby jumps on your head and decides it’s time to play!  Or meows incessantly until your eyelids are forced open and your wide awake. Sound familiar?   This is a deciding moment for cat owners to seize the moment and do some training.

However, remember it’s 4am and most of us are not thinking clearly and just react instead! Ah, just what the cat was hoping would happen.  Whether it’s positive or negative reactions at that point, doesn’t faze the cat at all.  They have you up and paying attention to them. Mission accomplished!

Ok, cats are nocturnal by nature. I get it.  When we’re at work, they spend the day sleeping. When we get home, they’re ready to roll.  You feed them, play with them and then just when you turn out the lights for bed at night, they’ve hit their stride.  But wait, there is hope.  Here’s some ideas on how to get your cat to sleep at night.

Try increasing their activity during the day. Indoor cats, especially, need stimulation. Leave window blinds open and places for your cat to sit by a window to watch the outdoors.  Put a birdfeeder by a window.   Cats can entertain themselves for hours watching the action.  Think about adding another pet companion to the house.   Someone to play with during the day.  Keep some music or tv going while your out.  Cats will watch and listen.  It’s great stimulation.  Keep the house light and bright.  If it’s dark all day, cats will sleep.  And feed your cats closer to bedtime.  When their bellies are full they tend to sleep for longer periods of time.

Most important, at 4am when the cat is sailing across your bed, nibbling at your feet and pouncing on your face, ignore them. Don’t react and they might just learn to sleep through the night!

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What Would Your Dog Say?

Posted on August 31, 2011 by mmjpaymar

These are the answers from dogs when asked “How many dogs does it take to put in a light bulb?”

Look at how the temperament of a dog affects how it might tackle a specific task.

Golden Retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we’ve got our whole lives ahead of us, and you’re inside worrying about a stupid burned-out light bulb?

Border Collie: Just one. And I’ll replace any wiring that’s not up to code.

Dachshund: I can’t reach the stupid lamp!

Toy Poodle: I’ll just blow in the Border collie’s ear and he’ll do it. By the time he finishes rewiring the house, my nails will be dry.

Rottweiler: Go Ahead! Make me!

Shi-tzu: Puh-leeze, dah-ling. Let the servants. . . .

Labrador: Oh, me, me!!! Pleeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Can I?

Malamute: Let the Border collie do it. You can feed me while he’s busy.

Cocker Spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.

Doberman Pinscher: While it’s dark, I’m going to sleep on the couch.

Mastiff: Mastiffs are NOT afraid of the dark.

Hound Dog: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Chihuahua: Yo quiero Taco Bulb.

Irish Wolfhound: Can somebody else do it? I’ve got a hangover.

Pointer: I see it, there it is, right there…

Greyhound: It isn’t moving. Who cares?

Australian Shepherd: Put all the light bulbs in a little circle…

Old English Sheep Dog: Light bulb? Light bulb? That thing I just ate was a light bulb?

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