June 25th is Take Your Dog To Work Day!

June 20, 2010

Did you know that the fourth Friday of every June is "Take Your Dog to Work Day"? In 1988, Pet Sitters International began designating this day to help increase awareness for homeless pets. The rationale is that when businesses open their doors to employees' pets, non-pet owning co-workers will be inspired to adopt a best friend of their very own after witnessing the joys of the human-canine bond firsthand (according to Petcentric.com).

Not-so-surprisingly, employees are not the only ones to benefit from having pets at work. The employers benefit, as well. Studies have shown that allowing pets in the work place decreases absenteeism and smoking, while simultaneously increasing productivity, creativity, and amicable relationships between employees, their co-workers, and their supervisors.

If you plan to participate in this event, TakeYourDog.com provides 7 tips to ensure a safe and fun day:

1) DO AN OFFICE CHECK. Check with management and co-workers to see if anyone is allergic, afraid, or opposed to you bringing your dog to work for this one special day.

2) PUPPY-PROOF YOUR WORK SPACE. Remove poisonous plants, hide electrical cords and wires and secure toxic items such as correction fluid, permanent markers, etc. Any office items in question should be placed out of your dog's reach.

3) BATHE AND GROOM YOUR DOG BEFORE HIS OFFICE DEBUT. Be sure his shots are up-to-date. If your dog appears sick, don't bring him to the office. Dogs who are aggressive or overly shy should not accompany you to work. Instead, consider bringing a favorite picture of your pooch.

4) PREPARE A DOGGIE BAG. Include food, treats, bowls, toys, leash, paper towels, clean-up bags and pet-safe disinfectant (just in case). If you are routinely in and out of your work space, consider bringing a portable kennel for your dog's comfort and your peace of mind.

5) PLAN YOUR PET'S FEEDING TIMES CAREFULLY. Be sure to choose an appropriate area for your dog to relieve himself afterward.

6) AVOID FORCING CO-WORKERS TO INTERACT WITH YOUR DOG. Dog lovers will make themselves known. To avoid pet accidents, monitor the amount of treats your pet is being given. Remember that chocolate, candy, and other people food should not be shared with dogs.

7) HAVE AN EXIT STRATEGY. Although most dogs enjoy Take Your Dog To Work Day, your pet may not. Should your dog become overly boisterous, agitated, or withdrawn, consider taking him home. Most companies allow for this on this special day. Never, under any circumstances, leave your pet alone in a vehicle while you work. Consider enlisting the help of a professional pet sitter from www.petsit.com/locate.

For more information on how to make Take Your Dog to Work Day as successful as possible, visit www.TakeYourDog.com.

Buckle Up for Safety!

June 17, 2010

According to the American Pet Products Association's 2009-2010 National Pet Owner survey, 56% of respondents said they do not restrain their dogs while driving. Another poll cited 62% as the number of unrestrained pets.

This is simply baffling to me. In an age where seat belt laws are the norm for humans, why do we, as pet parents, not realize that our four-legged friends need just as much protection? Maybe its because there are simply not enough affordable canine auto restraining devices. Maybe its a lack of education. Maybe a little bit of both, or a little of some other reason.

PetAutoSafety.com gives us something to think about - Seven reasons why you should restrain your pet in a vehicle:

1) The dog won't be able to distract the person driving the car. Distractions can be very dangerous to the driver. Some dogs are naturally well-behaved in the vehicle, but many dogs have to be trained in car-riding decorum. Why not train them in the pet auto seat belt instead?

2) Sudden unexpected stops won't cause the dog to fly forward into the dash, the back seat, or onto the floor, causing injury. A dog's nose is very sensitive. Hitting their nose on the dash or back of the seat can be a very painful experience.

3) The dog won't be able to put his/her head out of the window. Did you know that even a tiny spec of flying debris can do serious damage to the dog's eye or nose? Many dogs love to put their heads out of the window, but it can be an equally pleasant experience if they are sitting in a pet auto seat belt by an open window. He won't be able to put his head out, but he can still get a whiff of the multiple odors zipping by.

4) Not only will the dog not be able to put his head out of the window, he won't be able to get his body out either. Dogs are instinctive creatures and if something catches their attention, such as another dog, a squirrel, or other animal, they may go after it without a thought. Perhaps your dog is too smart to do this, but why take the chance?

5) Many dogs will run or even bite if frightened. What if you and your pet happen to be in a serious auto accident? Your dog is going to be terrified. If there is a means of escape, the dog may get out of the car and run. And where is he most likely to run? It would be a terrible thing to survive an auto accident only to get hit by a car. Even if there is no way for the dog to escape, he may need medical attention. An injured dog may react defensively by trying to bite someone who is actually there trying to help. A dog that is already restrained, however, is easier to muzzle and therefore, easier to attend to.

6) A pet auto seat belt can actually be quite comfortable once the dog gets used to it. Dogs can have a difficult time laying down in a seat because of the turning, speeding up, slowing down, and stopping movements of the car. Many dogs can brace themselves better by standing or sitting. With a pet auto seat belt, a dog can stand, sit or lay down comfortably and not have to worry about bracing themselves against car maneuvers.

7) Last but not least, a pet auto safety belt shows you to be a responsible and caring pet owner, as well as a responsible driver. Friends and strangers will be impressed with your thoughtfulness and foresight. They in turn may consider getting a pet auto seat belt for their dogs. You can be indirectly responsible for saving another dog's life.

We found wonderful little seat belts that hook directly to our dogs' harnesses. We found them on E-bay for approx. $3 each. It is necessary to note that these should NOT be hooked to your dog's collar - only a harness will do.

For more pet travel safety tips, visit: www.petautosafety.com or www.pawstoclick.com.

Cool Down With Dogsicles (Blueberry Flavored)

June 14, 2010

As avid readers of my blog know, I am a big fan of Dog Fancy magazine. And the latest issue contains a couple of tasty treat recipes that you furry friend is sure to love. June promises to be a hot month for Tennessee residents. I wouldn't be surprised if your state's forecast is the same. So, why not help your four-legged family member cool down the tasty way - with dogsicles!

You Will Need:
- 12 paper cups (like Dixie cups) in 3 oz size for small dogs / or 8 paper cups in 5 oz size for large dogs
- Saucepan
- Blender

Blueberry-sicles Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed
- 1 teaspoon anise or fennel seed
- 24 ounces organic, greek or goat milk yogurt
- 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tablespoon honey

Directions:
Put the flaxseed and anise or fennel seed into a blender. Blend until the seeds are ground. Add yogurt, blueberries, water, and honey to the blender. Blend to combine.

Assembly:
1) Arrange paper cups in a shallow pan that will fit in your freezer. Carefully spoon or pour the chicken-sicle mix into the cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Fill just half full for very small dogs. Carefully place the tray in the freezer and allow to freeze completely overnight.
2) To serve, remove from the freezer and offer it to your dog, preferably outside, to minimize any mess. Peel off the paper cup and put the popsicle in your dog's bowl.

The Science of The Growl

June 11, 2010

Austrian and Hungarian researchers offered an interesting theory regarding a dog's growl in the April issue of Animal Behaviour (Vol. 79, Issue 4). The Question: Do dogs use context-specific agonistic vocalization when communicating? The Answer: It seems so.

According to a publication of the scientists' findings, they recorded several sequences of growls from various dogs in three different contexts: during play, guarding a bone from another dog, and reacting to a threatening stranger. The researchers discovered that play growls differ acoustically from the other two agonistic growls. Additionally, when a recording of a food-guarding growl was played in front of another dog that was tempted by an unattended meaty bone, the dog steered clear. This was not the case when the recording of the stranger-alert growl was played.

In summary, dogs understand the nuances of growls. Additionally, the researchers and scientists suggest that acoustic modulation of growls, which most human ears cannot register, may very well convey both honesty and deception in dogs. How intelligent our four-legged friends are!

So, pay close attention next time your pooch uses her voice. Can you figure out what she is trying to say to you?

Cool Down With Dogsicles (Chicken Flavored)

June 7, 2010

As avid readers of my blog know, I am a big fan of Dog Fancy magazine. And the latest issue contains a couple of tasty treat recipes that you furry friend is sure to love. June promises to be a hot month for Tennessee residents. I wouldn't be surprised if your state's forecast is the same. So, why not help your four-legged family member cool down the tasty way - with dogsicles!

You Will Need:
- 12 paper cups (like Dixie cups) in 3 oz size for small dogs / or 8 paper cups in 5 oz size for large dogs
- Saucepan
- Blender

Chicken-sicles Ingredients:
- 1 quart chicken broth (low sodium) or water
- 1/2 pound boneless/skinless chicken breast (thawed)
- 1 garlic clove, peeled & minced (optional*)

Directions:
Put the chicken broth (or water), chicken breast and garlic in a large saucepan. Boil until the chicken is cooked through and soft (about 20 minutes). Remove the pan from heat. Carefully remove the chicken breast and cut it into very small pieces, or shred it using either two forks or a food processor. Return the chicken and juices to the pot. Allow to cool completely.

Assembly:
1) Arrange paper cups in a shallow pan that will fit in your freezer. Carefully spoon or pour the chicken-sicle mix into the cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Fill just half full for very small dogs. Carefully place the tray in the freezer and allow to freeze completely overnight.
2) To serve, remove from the freezer and offer it to your dog, preferably outside, to minimize any mess. Peel off the paper cup and put the popsicle in your dog's bowl.

If your dog likes this dogsicle, try inventing more flavors on your own. Yogurt with chopped apples with a dash of cinnamon? Cooked skinless turkey in broth with shredded carrots? Over-ripe bananas with a spoonful of peanut butter blended with apple juice? You can even freeze your dog-friendly leftovers such as lean meats and chopped vegetables in broth (no onions). Just spoon your creation into paper cups and freeze. How cool is that?