Crate Training for Your Four-Legged Friend

By properly training your furry family member to use a crate, you're encouraging him to think of it as his safe place and he will be happy to spend time there when needed. Understanding your dog's instincts will help make the transition into a new home easier for both of you. Read on for some helpful tips for successful crating:

• The Gang's All Here! Put the crate in an area of the house where you and your family spend lots of time, such as the living room or kitchen.
• Cozy Den. When it comes to choosing the crate, be sure you choose one in which your pup can stand up and turn around. Take time to make the crate comfy — put a soft towel or blanket and make sure the door does not slam shut as that could frighten your dog. Placing treats or safe toys in the crate will also encourage Fido to enter it.
• Baby Steps. Keep in mind that all things are gradual when it comes to training your pet. Give your best friend plenty of time to get used to the crate by keeping her in it for increasing lengths of time. Stay with your dog while she is in the crate the first several times, leaving for increased periods of time as she grows accustomed to her "den." As with any training, be sure to use lots of encouraging words and sounds accompanied with treating for a job well done. After your dog is spending about 30 minutes in the crate without becoming anxious or afraid, you can begin leaving him crated for short periods when you leave the house.

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Whatever exercise you choose, it is important to start slowly if your cat is very overweight. A cat that has done little more than walk to her litter box, walk to her food dish, or sleep in the sun, is out of shape or old or both. Even twenty year old cats will attempt play just to prove to you that you can't retire yet.

Here are some exercises to try:

Take a Walk

• Your cat will need a leash and harness, and you may have to stop frequently for some exploring, but the benefit is that both of you get some exercise!

The Laser-Light Dance

• Using a laser light, try a little teasing that does not require much more than moving the front paws and the head.
• This might last for just a few minutes, but can be repeated two to three times during the day.
• Increase the distance the cat needs to reach in increments until your cat is moving her entire body.

The Attacker

• Progress from laser lights to a toy attached to a string or elastic on the end of a pole.
• Dangle the toy just off the floor so that the cat can attack her prey.
• Allow her to catch the toy periodically and then substitute a toy she can attack on her own.

The Treasure Hunt

• This activity requires a cat condo.
• Place a quarter teaspoon of food on several different levels of the condo.
• Help him discover the first treasure, and then encourage more hunting.

As your cat grows into a more active mode, vary the game and the location. Keep the time of the activity on a schedule to she is ready to play.

It may take time to work up to it, but a twenty minute play period where she interacts with you and spends some time playing on her own will improve her fitness and her appearance.

We all know working out with a friend can make exercise more enjoyable. So why not make your four-legged friend your work out buddy? Working out with your dog not only keeps you both fit and trim, it builds a stronger emotional bond between you and your pet. And if you look at that 30-minute work out as quality time with a best friend, rather than a chore on your long to-do list, you're more likely to stay motivated and inspired.

Here are some pointers to keep in mind before you begin an exercise program with Fido:

• Vet check. Before beginning any rigorous exercise program, check in with your dog's veterinarian.
  
• More than walking. Of course, the most common dog and parent work out is the daily walk. Walking is certainly great exercise, but don't forget about swimming, hiking, or playing Frisbee or catch in the yard or at the park.
• Look for cues. Stay in tune with how your friend is feeling while exercising with you. If your dog wants to stop or slow down, let him or her. If he or she is drooling, stumbling or having trouble breathing, he needs a break and possibly a less intense workout the next time around.
• Water water everywhere. You wouldn't take off on a bike ride without a full water bottle, so don't forget to pack some H20 for your furry friend. The longer your workout, the more water he or she will need. Bring a collapsible water bowl and share your water.
• Safe surfaces. Asphalt and concrete can be hard on your dog's paw, especially on hot summer days. Go for dirt and grass paths instead, if possible.
• Baby steps. Vigorous exercise is not for puppies. Skip strenuous work outs with your best friend until he or she is full grown, which for most dogs is after nine to twelve months.

Exercising with your pet can be a great way to stick to your work out routine! Just remember — safety is key when beginning any activity with a pet at any time of the year and moderation is important. You and your four-legged friend will both benefit from a slow start and a well-planned workout.
  
* Frisbee is a trademark of WHAM-O-MFG. CO.

With all the benefits a family pet offers you, you should also ensure your pet is in the best health.

Spring Health Check for Your Furry Friends

Spring is in the air! As the flowers bloom and the days last longer, your four-legged friends feel as frolicsome as you do!

But be prepared, May means insects, as well as flowers. Beware of flea infestations, heartworm spread and even bee stings.

Here are some helpful tips to keep the whole family healthy this Spring:

• Allergic reactions. Keep liquid children's Benadryl on hand for kids and pets for any allergic condition — bee sting reactions, flea bites, etc. Talk with your vet about the appropriate dosage for your pet.
• Treat your pet. Use monthly flea preventative. Try to do this at the same time of the month — mark your calendar! Be sure to use a product that destroys or render the eggs ineffective. Give a flea shampoo first then apply the preventative medicine and wait two days before giving any other medicated baths or shampoos. Beware that certain flea products wash off. If you frequently bathe your pet use a flea preventative that does not wash off with shampoos.
• Treat the house. Boric acid dry fine powder is the safest flea killer and acts as a desiccant, meaning it dries the flea's environment. It will remain effective in your home — working to dry fleas — for up to a year. Place the boric acid in carpets, under mattresses, sofa cushions, window sills, floor ends and corners, and more.
• Spring cleaning. Steam clean your carpets at the onset of flea season, which will kill eggs. At least once a week, thoroughly vacuum and clean floors and furniture to pick up flea eggs, larvae, and pupae. Concentrate on the areas where your pet sleeps and use an attachment to reach into crevices and corners and under heavy furniture. Be sure to dispose the bag or its contents because it can provide a warm, moist, food-felled environment fro developing eggs and larvae.
• More is not always best. A mistake seen all too often among pet parents is the "more is better" approach to protecting their pets. When it comes to chemicals or medications, more is not better! Following package directions is essential when using over-the-counter products and medications. Cats in particular are very sensitive to drugs and chemicals — read all labels carefully.
• Call in the experts. Even when labels are read and instructions are followed, adverse reactions to flea products can happen. Call your vet immediately.
• Heartworms. Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes when they bite. Certain flea products help to keep mosquitoes away and if you live in a high-risk area, using these is helpful. Giving your pet a once-a-month heart worm preventative, can also kill round and hookworms and even mites, depending on what product you use.
• Tapeworms. Tapeworms are carried by fleas and can be evidence of fleas in the environment when you don't see them directly on your pet. Tapeworms look like dried rice granules attached to the rear, or you can find them in the stool. Routine de-worming does not kill tapeworms; your vet can give your pet an injection or special pill for this.

• Obesity is on the rise for children AND the family pooch — 40% of dogs are obese. Encourage the entire family to exercise together and you'll have a dog that is better behaved, more relaxed and less prone to snoring. And a fit dog lives an average of two years longer than its overweight counterpart.
• By the age of three, 80% of dogs show some symptoms of oral disease. Regular visits to the veterinarian — combined with dental — friendly pet food and snacks like Milk-Bone^® Original Biscuits and Meaty Bone^® Denta-Delicious^TM Dog Snacks or Kibbles 'n Bits Brushing Bits^TM Dog Food which are especially designed to reduce tartar — are an important part of caring for your dog's oral health.
• When you travel with your dog, make sure you stop frequently to let him stretch his legs and have access to water. It is also best to travel with him in a kennel or safely buckled in with a traveling harness. This will keep both you and your pooch stress-free and ready for your vacation.