There’s a Reason Adoption is the Best Option When it Comes to Pets
How to Find the Right Trainer for You and Your Dog
Puzzles and Games Help Pets Break Free from Boredom or Anxiety

There’s a Reason Adoption is the Best Option When it Comes to Pets
You’re ready to get a new pet and bring him into your home. You can adopt a pet from a shelter or local animal rescue, or buy one from a store or breeder. So, what’s best?

There’s many reasons to adopt instead of buy. Here are some to make you think and help you make the right decision.

When you adopt a pet, you actually save a life, according to the article, “Top Reasons to Adopt a Pet” at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) website. “Each year, 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States, simply because too many pets come into shelters and too few people consider adoption when looking for a pet,” the article said. Adoption helps reduce the number of those having to be euthanized.

According to the HSUS article, other reasons include:

• Numerous happy and healthy pets are waiting for a great home.
• Adoption costs typically include spay/neuter, vaccinations and sometimes a microchip.
• Many shelter pets come housetrained.
• You can “feel proud about helping an animal in need!” the HSUS article said.

The cost of buying a pet from a breeder or pet store can be pretty high, from “$500 to $1,000 or more,” according to the article, “Reasons to Adopt a Pet” at BestFriends.org. Other reasons include:

• Rescue groups often know some history of the pet, according to the Best Friends article, and can “help you through the familiarization period because they are invested in providing a good home for that animal.”
• Adoption means you’re saving an actual life.
• When you adopt, you can choose from puppies to seniors or kittens to older cats. There’s an adoptable pet for everyone.

You will get back tenfold when you adopt a rescue animal who will be forever grateful to you.

How to Find the Right Trainer for You and Your Dog
You have a new puppy who needs some training, or maybe your older dog needs some extra help. You need a professional dog trainer, but how do you find the right one?

According to the article, “8 Tips For Choosing A Good Dog Trainer” at iheartdogs.com, “dog training isn’t cheap and you don’t want to waste your money or your time.” The article offers the following tips:

• Check for a trainer’s certification. Although it’s not actually necessary, “it’s best to look for those that have taken the time and money to become a true professional through schooling and/or certification,” the article said.
• Ensure your chosen trainer is up on the latest techniques.
• Ask about methods used and make sure the trainer explains things clearly.
• Ensure that you feel comfortable with the methods.
• Do your own research about the latest in training techniques.
• Ask the trainer if you can watch a class to assess the work.
• You and your dog should be comfortable with the trainer.

Additionally, make sure the dogs in a training class are having fun, according to the article, “How to Find a Good Dog Trainer,” at Petfinder.com. A good training class will welcome family members to attend. Location is important as well. “Gates and doors should be latched and closed,” the article said. “The floors should be free of debris, and supplies should be provided for clean-up.”

Make sure the tools being used include head halters, toys, harnesses, and that the trainer uses lots of praising. “Tools you don’t want to see include electronic collars, prong collars, choke collars and flexi-leads,” the Petfinder article said. Also make sure there is no physical punishment whatsoever.

Remember that the right trainer will always make sure your pet is safe and that your pet’s health comes first.

Puzzles and Games Help Pets Break Free from Boredom or Anxiety
All dogs are not created equal. Just like people, each dog is different with a distinct personality. There also are pets who get bored easily while others suffer from separation anxiety. For these dogs you can help … with puzzles!

Some dogs who are bored “invent their own entertainment,” according to the article, “10 of the Best Interactive Puzzles and Games for Your Bored Dog” at This Dog’s Life. That can sometimes mean dogs chewing things, such as shoes or clothes or getting into the garbage.

Games and puzzles can help keep your dog out of the garbage and into something stimulating.

“Different personalities and breeds may dictate the most successful puzzle or game choice,” the article said. “While some of these are safe for home-alone activity, most toys require supervision while your dog is using them.” The following can help:

• Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball is durable but soft with no sharp openings. “Your dog rolls the ball around, and the treats fall out,” the article said. It’s great for “tough chewers” and is quiet.
• Trixie Activity Flip Board Interactive Dog Toy is two treats in one. It is a treat puzzle and real puzzle. “Your dog has to slide open compartments, flip levers, and lift out cones (they can’t be knocked over) to get at the treats,” the article said.

“The ubiquitous Classic Kong is a great beginner puzzle toy to ease your dog into using their problem-solving skills,” according to the article, “6 Best Puzzle Toys For Dogs: Keep Spot Engaged!” at K9 of Mine. Fill up the Kong with kibble or peanut butter, and be sure to watch over your dog as he plays and gets to the treat inside.

Remember, it’s always best to supervise your dog with puzzles that might pose a choking hazard.

When holidays come around there are people who like to decorate with a theme or color. Take St. Patrick’s Day, which is a great day to wear green. You can dress your dog in a green sweater, if he likes to wear clothes. However, some people may have taken things too far by dyeing their pet’s fur, and it is causing a lot of uproar.

In a news story posted this past January, a 5-pound Maltese mix named Violet in Florida suffered horrific burns after her hair was dyed, according to the article, “Dog nearly dies from severe burns caused by human hair dye,” at WNEM.com.

A Pinellas County animal services team said the dog “was dyed with a purple hair dye that was intended for humans,” according to the article. “As a result, Violet’s eyes were swollen shut, she was limp and listless and she had obvious burns to her skin.” She was given fluids and pain medication. The team “gently washed as much of the chemical dye off as they could before bandaging her up.”

It was not until the team shaved off the dog’s hair that the full extent of the damage was known. The dog’s skin was coming off, and animal services was not sure if she would make it. However, after much hard work, medicine, antibiotics, IV fluids, scab removal and bandage changes “veterinarians say Violet is making a miracle recovery,” the article said, and has since been adopted into a new home.

What happened to Violet is not so out of the ordinary. Apparently dyeing dog fur has become somewhat of a fashion trend, according to the article, “Purple colored dog Fluffy & Manish Arora have outraged the Animal Activists in India I Pet News,” at Petsworld.in. A model has been walking the catwalk with her dog whose hair is dyed, and the model is catching some flak.

“Sadly social media trends are being blindly followed as the new role model in today’s day and age,” the Petsworld.in article said. “Poor dogs are being succumbed to hair dying by the not so discerning pet owners all across the globe.”

In the article, “Dyeing your dog’s hair is a bad idea,” at Cesarsway.com, here are reasons not to dye your dog’s hair:

• Hair dyes are for people, not for pets. “There are no hair dyes specifically made for dogs,” the article said. “Officially, there are no completely safe dyes for animals, period, as there have been no studies to show if there are any long terms effects.”
• The health risks are not worth it as the dye gets all over the dog’s body and can get into eyes, ears, the mouth and can be extremely harmful.
• “Psychologically, a dog cannot process what has been done because it is an extreme and unnatural process that is out of their control,” the article said.

Dogs, and other pets, are beautiful with their fur as is. Love them just the way they are.

Tips on What to Do if You Find a Stray Dog or Cat
Make Sure to Find a Good Vet When You Bring Home a Pet
Disabled Pets Need Love and a Great Home

Tips on What to Do if You Find a Stray Dog or Cat
You’re driving down the road and you spot something out of the corner of your eye. It’s a stray dog or cat. Your stomach is in knots, you are not sure what to do, but you want to help.

It’s not always easy to catch a stray who is scared, hungry and possibly hurt, according to the article, “What To Do When You Find a Stray Dog,” at petMD.com. “Loose dogs who appear to be healthy and willingly approach their rescuers can be leashed and taken to a safe location, but if approaching the dog could put you at risk, it’s best to call your local animal control agency,” the article said.

According to the article, “How to Help a Stray Pet” at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), it’s best to be safe and ensure the stray animal is safe, too. HSUS offers the following tips:

• Be careful and “Don’t cause an accident.” If you see an animal in the rear-view mirror, brake, signal and pull off the road, and then use your hazards.
• Most strays are frightened, so don’t do anything to scare them. Prevent them from darting into traffic.
• Be careful and cautious when approaching.
• Try to “lure them into your car.”
• Call a local animal control agency or the local police for help.
• Check local laws about homeless animals if you decide to bring the animal home.
• Search for an owner first and then think clearly about next steps.

According to the HSUS article, “If you’re uncertain about whether or not to help or keep an animal you see alongside the road, here’s a final word of advice: First, think of what you would want the finder of your animal to do if they happened to find them injured without their collar.”

Make Sure to Find a Good Vet When You Bring Home a Pet
You have a new pet, and one of the most important things you can do is find a veterinarian. What do you look for in a vet and how do you find one?

A good vet “ensures better health for your pet and peace of mind for you,” according to the article, “How to Choose a Veterinarian,” at WebMD.com. Secure a vet early on because “The worst time to look for a vet is when you really need one,” the article said. Don’t wait until an emergency happens.

The article advises to research vets if you need one for a new pet, if you are changing vets, or if you are moving to a new area. The article also offers the following:

• Ask friends or neighbors, and get a reference from someone who cares as much about pets as you do.
• Check credentials by going to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) website, and check the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners website.

According to the article, “How to choose the right veterinarian,” at the AAHA website, animal hospitals that are accredited by the AAHA, “show they are committed to meeting — or exceeding — standards in a variety of different areas (approximately 900 standards, to be exact).”

Those hospitals are ranked very highly and “must prove to a third-party (AAHA) that they consistently provide the safest, highest quality care,” the article said. High standards of care include:

• emergency services
• pain management
• contagious diseases
• surgery and anesthesia

The AAHA article suggests a “get acquainted” meeting. You can ask questions and get a feel for the vet, the facility and staff, and see if it’s a good fit. It’s important to have a good vet and a good relationship to ensure your pet’s good health.

Disabled Pets Need Love and a Great Home
Just like any other pet, there are many animals who have disabilities. You may have seen them in person or on television: the dog with three legs, the kitty with one eye, and the list goes on. These animals also need loving homes.

Oftentimes you would never know that a disabled dog or cat has a disability, as it “detracts little from a pet’s ability to live a normal happy life,” according to the article, “Disabled Dogs & Cats” at Petcentric.com. Puppies and kittens born with a disability don’t know they differ from the others. “The most common pet disabilities are blindness, deafness or loss of one limb,” the article said.

• For blind cats and dogs, there’s not much to do. “Dogs and cats use their senses of smell, hearing and touch to get around,” the article said. Leave things in the same place, and don’t place pets unattended high up on a chair or bed.
• Although dogs and cats typically have great hearing, they can adapt well to deafness, the article said, as they “become more sensitive to vibrations they feel. And like all dogs and cats, they are excellent readers of body language, so communicating with them is not as difficult as you may imagine.”
• Dogs and cats on three legs can do well. It’s important that they are at a “healthy weight.”

There are many products on the market for animals with certain disabilities. According to the article, “10 Ways Handicapped Pets Get Around” at petMD.com, the following products can help:

• Dog and cat wheelchairs
• Body wheels
• Prosthetics
• Hip harnesses
• Body harnesses
• Pet stairs
• Dog ramps

All pets need homes, and the ones that may be slightly “imperfect” tend to make perfectly great family members. They don’t know there’s a problem and neither should you.