Holiday Care Tips
The holidays can be filled with joy so lets make the right choices to keep your pets safe, happy and healthy by learning about the do's and don'ts for the most popular holidays and also summer.
Click on the tabs above for some tips and links I highly recommend you to read and forward to your friends and family before the holidays and summers to provide fun and safety for everyone.
Very Important Links
*Disaster Preparedness
*Poison Control
*Ask the Vet by Cesar
*Pets MD
Numbers to keep on you - Will Save Your Pets Life
*Your pets veterinarian
*Your local emergency pet clinic/hospital
*ASPCA Poison Control Center
888-426-4435
Dee's Pet Care - Pet Sitting &
Medium/Small Dog Grooming
Want to go out of town for the holidays but worried about leaving your pet(s) alone or at a kennel? You don'’t have to worry anymore, I visit your pet(s) 1 to 4 times a day or stay overnight. Not only do I keep your pet happy and stress free but I also provide security for your home.
If you have questions or would like to meet, please call, text or e-mailme today! Making your reservations with me early will guarantee your booking for the holidays.
For holidays like Thanksgiving and X-Mas
1.) Increase your dog's exercise before visiting or receiving holiday guests, take your dog out for a long walk. If you drain your dog's excess energy, they will be more likely to behave.
2.) No food from the table! Follow this rule year round, and it is even more important during the excitement of the holidays. Set a distance your dog is allowed to be from the table, and stick to it!
3.) Be aware of harmful human food! Many foods, such as turkey bones and skin, grapes, raisins, chocolate, and onions, can be dangerous for your dog. If you want your dog to be a part of the feasting, consider buying special dog treats or share a small piece of white turkey meat.
4.) Secure the garbage! The scents coming from the trash are just as tempting as those from the dinner table, but dangerous objects, such as roasting bags, string, and pop-up timers, are often attached to those tasty scraps.
5.) Inform your visitors before they arrive. Remind your guests to practice no touch, no talk, and no eye contact when meeting your dogs. Let them know the rules, boundaries, and limitations of the household, so they can help you enforce them.
6.) Use dog tags! With the anxiety of the holidays, it is very important to make sure that your dog is wearing identification. If you and your dog are going out of town, you may want to add a temporary tag listing your new location's contact information.
7.) Know Your Dog! If your dog is overwhelmed by large crowds and new people, it may be better to leave him at home when you go out to partys, parades or family reunions. Or find a pet sitter while your out, like Dee's Pet Care!
8.) Keep a keen eye out! Don't forget your dog when the festivities begin. If your dog is experiencing diarrhea, vomiting, or displaying other unusual behaviors, your dog may have ingested something harmful. Seek medical assistance immediately if you become concerned.
9.) Have emergency contact information ready! Just in case, keep the number of your veterinarian, the nearest emergency clinic, and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center National Hotline (888-426-4435) handy. Being prepared can save your dog's life.
10.) Live in the moment! Thanksgiving is about family. Don't forget to share the joy and laughter of this wonderful day with your all your pet!
Presents for your pets are joyful and loving but stick with pet safe toys, chews, treats, bed... etc. Shop for your pet at stores like PetSmart or locally at Bend Pet Express. Don't buy knock off brands because they can be poorly made causing injury or toxic causing illness or even death. Don't buy items that are not suitable for your particular pet or anything made for humans.
Giving Pets as Gifts This Holiday Season?
The bond between humans and dogs is a beautiful thing, and watching it develop can be almost as satisfying as forging it yourself. So it’s not surprising that dogs are such a popular gift idea.
The person who gives a dog as a gift gets a front row seat to watch those first wonderful moments. But think about the scene in which you present your loved one with their furry gift, and look at it from the other side: the excitement of the holidays can produce a frenzied, almost manic atmosphere, and excited energy like that can be an unhealthy way to begin a new canine relationship.
Dogs need structure and leadership, and shrill cries and cheers from a new pack leader in training don’t fit the bill. Those first key moments should be met with a calm, assertive energy so that puppy can get acclimated to the new family hierarchy – affection should be saved until the dog’s fresh energy has been burned off and he is ready for sleep. Sometimes it is even a good idea to hold that affection until several days into your new relationship; as much as a week is recommended.
Another speed bump along the road to a responsible pet ownership is making sure that you choose a dog that fits with the energy of the person who will be receiving it and with the rest of the family as well. Following through on this may mean involving the gift recipient in the selection process. For this kind of gift, a carefully wrapped IOU can be given in place of the animal itself, to let the person know that their gift is coming (many shelters offer packaged gift certificates for exactly that purpose!) Their face may not be covered with puppy kisses after the big reveal, but you can be sure there will be a broad smile in it for you!
Remember: dogs can make wonderful gifts, but unlike sweaters or socks, they aren’t as easily returnable if the fit isn’t just right. The new owner must be ready to make a commitment for the animal's entire lifetime and be prepared to accept the responsibilities that come with their new family member. The relationship between human and dog must be approached with care and respect – only then will you have a gift truly worth giving!
1.) Prepare. Don't make it a last minute "pack-and-let's-go." Your dog will sense your anxiety and tension. Be ready days in advance, so that your dog has a normal experience before your pet has to get in the car or on the plane.
2.) Don't feed your dog for at least 6-8 hours before plane travel. However, make sure your dog has access to water enough to keep hydrated but not full.
3.) Bring your dog's blankie. Or his favorite stuffed animal, toy, bone. Any item which is familiar to your dog and will comfort and relax them.
4.) Use a soothing scent. Instead of using drugs, try reaching your dog through his nose! Lavender is a great scent that can relax the brain. Drugs can make a dog drowsy and may leave him feeling disoriented and uncertain how to establish himself in a new environment.
5.) Go on a long walk. A recently exercised dog will be in a more relaxed state during any long trip.
6.) Take a break. On a long car ride, stop every 3-4 hours during the day for your dogs to relieve themselves, move their organs, and learn that they’'re going to another environment. It is important for a dog to experience the different temperatures, smells, and feelings that come with a new environment. This will help make them feel that they are part of the process of moving to a new area. Once the sun goes down, you can go eight hours non-stop.
7.) Don't leave your dog in the car. Summer temperatures can make a car heat up fast. An over-excited dog and dehydration could result in death.
8.) Go on another walk. Once you arrive at the hotel, ask the staff where there is a nice, safe place to walk around. Then take your dog there for a walk to relax him. Or if your arriving at a family members house, take your dog on a walk before entering the house.
9.) Claim your new space. Now you are ready to go to your hotel room or family's house. Enter first. Get the dog to stay where he is. Don’t let him wander around. While you are unpacking, showering, or making phone calls, he is waiting. The only one who should move in the environment is you, until you are ready, then you initiate activity. It’s important that your scent is everywhere before the dog settles in.
10.) Balanced dogs make better travel companions. There is no specific breed or size of dog that naturally travels better than another, but an unstable dog will not make a good travel companion. Always nurture a balanced state of mind in your dog, and you will create a more pleasant traveling experience for both of you!
Can't bring your pets along? Call or e-mail Dee's Pet Care and I will be able to get your dog focused on what is there for him and not leave him mourning over the fact that you left. It is a big deal for a dog to detach himself from a pack. The new pack should equal or better the pack he just left.
Taking your pet with you? Book your travel plans on MillanFoundationTravel.com! A portion of the sale will be donated to the Millan Foundation in support of the rescue, rehabilitation, and placement of abused and abandoned dogs.
1.)Fireworks and noisemakers, confetti and champagne –- these are the makings of a successful New Year's bash, and potential hazards for your pets.
2.)Make sure the party favors are pet-safe. If your dog decided to chow down on some confetti, it can cause problems in her digestive track. It is best to forgo confetti altogether if your pup likes to munch on everything and anything, but paper-based confetti is generally safer than plastic or metallic-based varieties.
3.)Don't share the champagne with your dog. And be sure to clean up any glasses that are within your dog's reach. Every year, hundreds of dogs die from alcohol poisoning. Sharing that bubbly beverage with your dog isn't cute, it's dangerous. If you're not sure if your dog has ingested alcohol, knowing the signs can help you realize there is a problem: vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, difficulty breathing, and tremors.
4.)Prepare for your dog's reaction to fireworks and noisemakers. The best plan is prevention. If you're not sure how your dog will react, make sure he is in a safe area and wearing proper id. If you already know your dog has a problem, the best plan is to work on desensitizing your dog throughout the year to the loud noises that may startle him. If you haven't already done that, there are many other ways to help him cope with the stress like soft calm music with canine-safe ear plugs if you choose..
5.)Give your dog a quiet place to retreat from the party with fresh water. If you're going to have people over to the wee hours of the morning, be aware that it's not just the kids that will get cranky because they stayed up past their bedtimes. Dogs that are not used to the late night schedule or the comings and goings of so many strangers, they can become stressed. Make sure your dog has an area away from the festivities to escape it all if need be.
6.)Keep emergency contact information handy! During any party where your dog might slip into the trash can unnoticed, it's a good idea to keep contact information for a 24-hour clinic handy, as well as the number for the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center National Hotline: 888-426-4435.
I encourage owners to make a commitment to their dogs a priority in the New Year! Here are a few New Year's Resolutions recommend by Cesar Millan and supported by Dee's Pet Care.
Walk your dog every day for at 45 minutes to an hour. Walking with your dog twice a day for 30 minutes is the first step toward improving your relationship with your dog. The walk is the foundation of your relationship. It is a powerful tool that will help you connect with all aspects of your dog's mind.
Set rules, boundaries and limitations every day. As a pack leader, you need to set the rules both inside and outside the house. What you allow and don't allow is up to you, but be consistent, use calm-assertive energy, and never, ever correct out of anger.
Live in the moment. Start the New Year with a clean slate for you and your dog. Let go of the past. Don't worry about the future. With your dog and in your day-to-day life, you will find many benefits.
Schedule playtime with your dog once a week. Play fetch. Go for a swim. Play Frisbee. Run an obstacle course. Just make sure your dog has had a long walk beforehand, and only play for the time you have decided in advance to allot.
Share affection...at the right times only. After your dog has exercised or eaten. After your dog has changed an unwanted behavior into a behavior that you asked for. After your dog has responded to a rule or command. Share affection only when the dog is in a calm-submissive state!
More pets are lost on Independence Day than any other day. Here are some tips for keeping your pets safe!
1.) Go for a long walk before celebrating. If you normally take your dog out for thirty minutes, take a two-hour hike instead! You want your dog to be completely exhausted. This way his brain will be so tired that he won't be able to concentrate on the fireworks.
2.) Use canine-safe ear plugs and/or turn on soft calm music. It is natural for dogs to be afraid of loud noises. The sounds trigger their nervous system, and they may become nervous, afraid, unsure, or shy. Running away from the noise is a survival mechanism. If you can block the noise, it may curb the "flight" response.
3.) Distract your dog. Once the fireworks go off, ask him to do obedience behavior, put him on the treadmill, or strap on his backpack. This helps your focus on something other than the noise.
4.) Involve your dog's nose. Scents such as lavender or pine can help encourage your dog to relax.
5.) Maintain calm and assertive energy. Don't feel sorry or frustrated. Don't blame the fireworks or the people setting them off. These negative emotions will just feed your dog's anxiety, it won't help the situation!
6.) Keep your dog on a leash. This will give you more control and help you prevent your dog from running off.
7.) Make sure your pets have plenty of fresh water. Anxiety and dehydration can result in serious illness or even death.
7.) Make sure your dog has I.D. If your dog does become lost, tags (with your name and phone number) and microchips can get him back to you safely. You may also want to consider investing in a device that allows you to locate your dog immediately, like Global Pet Finder.
8.) Be proactive! If you learn that your dog is nervous around fireworks, start preparing now for next year. I recommend that you begin conditioning your dog to be comfortable with these loud sounds at least three months in advance. Don't wait until Independence Day to introduce your dog to the loud sounds associated with fireworks. Download the sounds of firecrackers, pistols, and other loud noises, and allow your dog to hear them at a low volume while he's eating, walking, sleeping, and watching TV with you. Gradually increase the volume each day until your dog is comfortable with the sounds. I also recommend that you introduce the scent of fireworks to your dog, so he becomes comfortable with that. It's a simple process, but it takes time. Don't wait until the last minute to do something about it, and next year it will be a walk in the park!
Top Summer Tips (by Cesar Millan)
1.) Exercise your dog early in the morning or late at night. Since these are the cooler parts of the day, this will make the walk more comfortable for both you and your dog. I'm a believer in vigorous exercise for healthy dogs, but this is the time of year to back off on exercise intensity.
2.) Use doggie boots. You can find these at your local pet supply store. If you can't walk your dog during the early and later hours of the day, this is a good way of protecting him. Heat rises from the ground, especially on surfaces like cement and asphalt, and dogs absorb and release heat through their feet. Just like boots prevent the dog from absorbing the cold in the winter, they also isolate heat.
3.) Watch for signs of dehydration. Dogs can't sweat. They cool off by panting, so an overheated dog will drool excessively. It will become lethargic, its eyes will be bloodshot, and it may appear a little pale. If you lift its skin, it will take longer than usual for the skin to fall back into place.
4.) Keep your dog hydrated! Different dogs have different needs when battling the heat. Keep in mind that darker coats absorb more heat than lighter coats. Also, overweight dogs are at higher risk for dehydration. Carry a bottle of water when going on a walk with your dog. Better yet have your dog carry it for you in a backpack or a vest! The water in the bottles will keep the dog cooler and also give the dog a sense of purpose.
5.) Find innovative ways to cool your dog. Don't have air conditioning? No problem! Find a spot in the shade and set up a kiddie pool. Lay down a wet towel for your dog to lie on. Or simply set up a fan in front of a pan of ice. At the Dog Psychology Center, we have sprinklers that spray the dogs with a gentle mist of water.
6.) Dogs cool from the bottom up.. Make sure to spray the paws and stomach, not just the top of the dog, when spraying it with water. A wet towel does more good on the bottom of your dog than when laid on the top of its coat.
7.) Let your dog dig! Your dog may resort to finding his own way to avoid the heat. Dog in nature dig their dens not out of frustration but to find food, hide, give birth--or keep cool! If it's possible, locate a shady area where it's okay for your dog to dig.
8.) Let your dog check the weather. Dogs don't have the Weather Channel, so they don't know why they are being denied a long walk for the day. Allow your dog to step outside and feel for itself that it is too hot, too wet, or too cold to go on a long walk. Instinctually, the dog will understand that it has to shorten its walk, or simply come back inside where it's safe.
9.) Never leave your dog in a parked car. The car retains more heat than an open area, even if it is in the shade. Plus, a dog may get overexcited in the car due to passersby or panic from claustrophobia, making dehydration more likely. On longer trips, make sure you have water for the dog and keep the AC running.
10.) Use hot weather as an excuse to swim more often! The best activity you can do in summertime or hot weather is swimming. Instead of walking the dog, take the dog on a swim! If you hold on and allow your dog to take you around the pool, it becomes a powerful bonding experience for the two of you, similar to the walk