{"id":357,"date":"2019-04-03T19:53:06","date_gmt":"2019-04-03T19:53:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/?p=357"},"modified":"2019-04-03T19:53:06","modified_gmt":"2019-04-03T19:53:06","slug":"april-2019-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/april-2019-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"April 2019 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Warmer Weather, Thicker Coats: How to Groom Your Pets<\/a>
\nWhy Some Dogs are Leash Reactive and What to Do?<\/a>
\nIntroducing Baby to Your Fur Baby: The Dos and Don\u2019ts<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>Warmer Weather, Thicker Coats: How to Groom Your Pets<\/strong>
\nSome people are not sure of how to groom their thick-coated pets in warmer weather. There are many things to take into consideration, including ensuring that your pet is comfortable because the heat is on its way.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Shave!<\/p>\n

Some pet parents resort to shaving their dog or cat during the hotter months, but hold on!<\/p>\n

\u201cOur pets\u2019 coats have several layers that are essential to their comfort in the heat,\u201d according to the article, \u201cHeat Wave Approaching! Should You Shave Your Pet?\u201d at ASPCA.org. \u201cRobbing your dog or cat of this natural cooling system can lead to discomfort, overheating and other serious dangers like sunburn or skin cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stick to a shorter \u201csummer cut\u201d or let them shed naturally. Also remember to provide shade and water when your pet is outside with you.<\/p>\n

\u201cExtreme heat can pose a real threat to cats and dogs, just as it can to humans,\u201d according to the article, \u201cGrooming Tips for Warm Weather\u201d at PetAssure.com. \u201cCats and dogs simply cannot tolerate extreme temperatures. As a responsible pet owner, it\u2019s up to you to make sure your pet is safe during warm weather conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ensure your pet is groomed properly when it\u2019s warmer. The PetAssure article advises to keep your dog\u2019s coat free of mats and dirt. Other tips include:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Regular brushing to remove undercoat
\n\u2022 Frequently brush to prevent matted fur
\n\u2022 Clip long hair on dogs and cats
\n\u2022 Don\u2019t cut hair too short; pets can get sunburn plus you don\u2019t want to damage the coat for the winter
\n\u2022 Trim hair around paws and hindquarters
\n\u2022 Check your pet\u2019s coat for insects
\n\u2022 Bathe your pet especially if he likes to play in dirt<\/p>\n

Groom accordingly for the hotter weather, but keep it up all year long as well. Your pets will thank you.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Why Some Dogs are Leash Reactive and What to Do?<\/strong>
\nIt can be very frustrating and sometimes a little scary if you have a leash-reactive dog.<\/p>\n

According to the article, \u201cThese Dog Training Tips Can Help Your Pup Overcome Leash Reactivity,\u201d at petMD.com, \u201cLeash-reactive dogs are triggered by stimuli in the environment, responding with over-the-top behaviors that increase stress levels for the pet parent, the dog and everyone within barking distance.\u201d<\/p>\n

You may think that a leashed dog who barks, growls or lunges wants to start something with the \u201ctrigger.\u201d However, \u201cmany dogs exhibit those types of reactions in an effort to increase their distance from the triggering stimulus,\u201d the article said.<\/p>\n

What may seem aggressive could be anxiety or fear \u2013 it\u2019s defensive.<\/p>\n

Causes of leash reactivity can include:<\/p>\n

\u2022 No socialization as a puppy
\n\u2022 Bad experiences on a walk<\/p>\n

Gentle training methods can help. The purpose is \u201cchanging your dog\u2019s perception of the stressor.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 Use high-value treats and a \u201cmarker\u201d (clicker or verbal word).
\n\u2022 Determine your dog\u2019s \u201cbuffer zone\u201d and don\u2019t get too close to the trigger.
\n\u2022 When your dog sees the trigger, mark that moment with a click or the verbal word then give the treat.
\n\u2022 Continue by marking and rewarding until trigger can\u2019t be seen.<\/p>\n

Your dog should start to realize the \u201ctrigger\u201d means something good will occur. If all goes well, you can start decreasing \u201cthe distance between your dog and the trigger during walks, always making sure that your dog is relaxed and still able to eat treats as you get closer,\u201d the article said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn an emergency, if your dog becomes overwhelmingly worked up at the sight of an approaching dog, you can distract him by tossing treats on the ground for him to pick up until the other dog is past,\u201d according to the article, \u201cHelp! My Dog Lunges at Other Dogs,\u201d at Vetstreet.com.<\/p>\n

<\/a>Introducing Baby to Your Fur Baby: The Dos and Don\u2019ts<\/strong>
\nIf you\u2019re getting ready to bring home a newborn baby, be sure you do the right things if you have existing fur babies at home.<\/p>\n

Start preparing your family pet months in advance for the new arrival.<\/p>\n

For dogs<\/p>\n

If your dog hasn\u2019t been around children, she may find things upsetting. Her schedule will change as will yours. Prepare and teach her skills to interact with baby and help adjust to the new changes, according to the article, \u201cDogs and Babies\u201d at ASPCA.org.<\/p>\n

\u201cTeaching your dog some basic obedience skills will help you manage her behavior when the baby comes,\u201d the article said.<\/p>\n

The article offers some tips, including:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Four months before baby, slowly introduce your dog to new sights, sounds, smells of the baby, and associate with rewards.
\n\u2022 One to two months before baby arrives, start making the changes that will affect your dog\u2019s routine.
\n\u2022 Be calm during the introduction. Speak to your dog calmly and in a positive manner.
\n\u2022 \u201cNever force your dog to interact with your baby,\u201d the article said.
\n\u2022 Seek professional advice if you see any aggressive behavior.<\/p>\n

For cats<\/p>\n

There are stories that cats and babies don\u2019t mix, but they are mainly tales. However, toxoplasmosis is real, so while you are pregnant, make sure your cat is kept indoors at all times.<\/p>\n

Prepare your cat for the newborn throughout your pregnancy, according to the article, \u201cPrepare Your Cat for Your New Baby,\u201d at WebMD.com:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Play tapes of baby noises.
\n\u2022 Set up nursery furniture early but set limits to where your cat can go.
\n\u2022 Make surfaces unwelcoming using double-sided adhesive tape.
\n\u2022 Place a piece of the baby\u2019s blanket or clothing in a quiet area for your cat to investigate.<\/p>\n

Never leave your infant alone with any companion animal. Prepare ahead for a positive transition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Warmer Weather, Thicker Coats: How to Groom Your Pets Why Some Dogs are Leash Reactive and What to Do? Introducing Baby to Your Fur Baby: The Dos and Don\u2019ts Warmer Weather, Thicker Coats: How to Groom Your Pets Some people are not sure of how to groom their thick-coated pets in warmer weather. There are… Read more »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=357"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":358,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/357\/revisions\/358"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=357"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=357"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=357"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}