Pet First Aid Kit

First, know what is normal. It is important that you be able to assess your pet's physical condition in order to evaluate his needs, especially since many animals are stoic and will not show pain or discomfort. One of the MOST important factors in evaluating your pet's condition is to know what is normal for him or her. Take time BEFORE an emergency to check your pet's normal temperature, pulse, color and respiration.

To take your pet's temperature, use a rectal thermometer. Put a dab of lubricant on the tip (Vaseline, oil, etc.). Carefully insert the thermometer about 1 inch into the rectum. Keep the thermometer in place for 60 seconds, then remove it and read the temperature. Most dogs and cats have temperatures between 101 and 102 degrees F.

To check pulse, you can often feel the heartbeat by placing your hand on the chest behind the front legs, or by feeling for a pulse along the inside of the back upper leg. The animal's color can be assessed by looking at the gums or tongue, and the respiration rate can usually be observed by watching the chest.

Hemostat or tweezers -- (use to pull out thorns or as a clamp). Hemostats are like fine locking pliers or clamps. They are great for grabbing onto things like sticks, thorns, ticks, or anything else that may be caught in your pet's mouth or skin.

Thermometer -- (normal temp in dogs and cats is 101 to 102 degrees F). A low temperature can indicate a very sick animal or hypothermia. In either case it is very important to warm the animal. A high temperature can indicate infection or hyperthermia. Temperatures above 106 or 107 degrees can cause brain damage to your pet.

Styptic powder -- This is most useful for stopping bleeding caused by torn toenails.

Bandage material -- A variety of bandage materials can be used to cover wounds to keep them clean, to provide pressure to help stop bleeding, to cover an injured area so your pet doesn't lick or scratch at it, to act as a temporary tourniquet or muzzle (even docile animals will snap hard if in pain), or to stabilize or protect a body part.

* 1 roll cast padding or soft bandage
* 1 roll adhesive tape or "sticky" bandage
* 1 roll "Vet Wrap"
* Gauze Squares
* 1 roll gauze (can be used for tourniquet, muzzle)

Syrup of Ipecac Use 1 teaspoon per 10 lb. dog to induce vomiting. If your dog does swallow something poisonous, the best treatment is to get it out of the stomach, UNLESS it is something irritating or caustic. Two of the most common poisons seen by veterinarians are rat poison and antifreeze. Ingestion of either of these is an emergency.

Artificial Tears (To soothe or flush eyes). You can carefully use your hemostats to remove sticks or other foreign objects that may get into your pet's eyes.

Buffered Aspirin (325mg) Use 1 tablet per 50 lbs for sore muscles and pain. This is very effective for reducing inflammation from sore muscles or joints. It can help alleviate your pet's discomfort if injured. Not all dogs should take aspirin. Dogs may usually have aspirin every 8-12 hours. Cats are very sensitive to aspirin and should never be given aspirin more than once every 72 hours. Tylenol is poisonous to cats. Check with your veterinarian before giving any medications.

Diphenhydramine HCI (25mg) This works well in reducing allergic reactions to insect bites. These reactions can be serious if a pet is stung in the mouth, since swelling could block the windpipe. Check with your veterinarian before using this medication.

Whistle to signal for help if hiking. If you or your pet are injured, you may find this helpful to attract help.

Triple Antibiotic Ointment (for cuts and scrapes). This helps our pet avoid infection, as does bandaging.

Rescue Remedy Give 2 drops on tongue every 5-15 minutes in case of shock or trauma. This is a human homeopathic remedy used to treat stress or shock. This can be used any time an animal is stressed or injured.

Arnica (give 2 drops on tongue every 15 minutes for muscle injury and other trauma). A homeopathic remedy that is very safe for your pet.

Antiseptic Solution for flushing wounds (hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine. Use this to clean out wounds before applying antibiotic ointment and bandaging.

Scissors: Use to cut bandages. A knife is also very useful.

Blanket: Animals often go into into shock when injured. A blanket will help keep them warm. It can also double as a stretcher.

Can A Dog Improve Your Health?

There's nothing that relieves stress and makes us laugh like watching a new puppy chasing a ball on wobbly legs. And what fun to play 'tug of war' with a favorite toy! Just having your dog in your lap to pet and cuddle brings soothing relaxation.

Maybe there's more to the phrase "man's best friend" that we realize.

For years care givers have been inviting pets into nursing homes. Not only does this promote social interaction for the residents as they pet and talk to their furry friend, but they also become less withdrawn and begin talking to the other residents even after their pet's visit is over. This seems to help break the cycle of loneliness and depression that many of them feel. And stroking a dog or cat can actually reduce a person's blood pressure! Petting a dog encourages the use of hands and arms and encourages stretching and turning movements, especially if your visiting dog is a bit active. What a wonderful gift a dog can offer, but the dog benefits, too, by receiving loving affection in return.

For those who would like to work with such a program, either with your own dog or with dogs provided by a service, the first rule is that visiting dogs must be social. The whole idea is to facilitate positive interaction between the dog and the people who are visited by them. If the dog doesn't seem eager to participate, the interaction will be less than ideal, and the rejection felt by the person could be more harmful than no visit at all. They truly need to feel that the dog accepts them and likes them. When selecting a dog for one of these programs, look for one that is calm, friendly and tolerant. The visit shouldn't be forced on the person or the dog. Successful visits should be pleasurable for both.

Because of the successful results with nursing home residents, this concept has expanded to hospitals, where many studies are now exploring the health benefits of association with companion animals. Pet-facilitated therapy (PFT) is now being used often as a treatment method for patients with physical and emotional problems.

The Red Cross has begun using dogs and other animals following traumatic events to help people feel better and have something to help divert their attention from their suffering. Children especially can benefit from having a puppy to play with. It temporarily takes the place of a pet that may have been left behind until they can be reunited. Playing with volunteer animals gives people a break from their mental and physical stress and makes them more able to cope with what they are going through.

Children love animals of all kinds - particularly dogs. One amazing study is finding that dogs play a big part in helping children who are learning to use prosthetic arms and legs. They can use their new arm to brush and groom a dog, which helps them learn to grasp objects and become more confident with their ability to use their new limb. For those with a new leg, playing ball with a dog helps them to improve their balance and maneuverability. The emotional therapy is priceless, too. The children begin to gain self-confidence again and learn to focus on their abilities rather than their limitations. In return, the dog learns to interact with children and receives some TLC, too.

For autistic and mentally disabled children, health workers and teachers are discovering that playing with dogs motivates them to learn and develop new skills and try new things. They find ways to interact with the world around them that didn't exist before.

But what if someone is feeling a bit down and depressed, and they aren't in a situation where a companion dog is part of their therapy. There are lots of options. A visit to the local animal shelter may find them adopting a dog who has that irresistible 'please take me home with you' look. What a joy for both the dog and the new owner.

If having a dog isn't the best solution, the animal shelters and local veterinarians love to have volunteers to walk the dogs and pet them. Maybe a neighbor travels a lot or works long hours. They would love to have someone take their dog for a walk. Visit a local dog park and laugh as the dogs execute their playful antics. Find a doggie frisbee contest to watch the amazing skills of these highly trained dogs. Or just visit a friend who has a dog that's cute and friendly. The possibilities are endless.

Pet therapy works because dogs and other animals create joy in people's lives, and they help them to enjoy that life more. Dogs are non-judgmental and willingly provide exercise, play and laughter. So get healthy - play with your dog and pet them often. They truly are "man's best friend."

About the Author
Janet Winter is a web designer, owner of three e-commerce sites, and writer on many topics including dogs, babies, wild birds, the Internet and travel. Her e-commerce sites are: APamperedDog.com , WildBirdGoodies.com and WelcomeBabyGifts.com

Tips for Successful Dog Training

Training your dog isn't rocket science. However, it requires discipline and perseverance on the part of you AND your dog. Here are some key training tips for success for both you and your dog: 1. Partnership. You are your dog are a partnership, not a competition. Naturally, you are the teacher and he is the student, but you are both working toward the same goal. You need to continually and frequently interact and practice with your dog in order for the lessons to be reinforced and remembered.

2. Attitude is everything. It costs nothing to praise your dog, so praise him frequently. Not just when he does something spectacular, but even for something as simple as just paying attention to you, or sitting quietly when asked. Just think how you'd feel if all you ever heard was correction and a stern voice from a teacher or boss. Well-timed praise will go a long way in your dog's training process.

3. Fairness. If you don't understand what's expected of you, imagine how frustrated you would become. The same goes for your dog. Make sure he understands what you expect of him, and be sure any punishment fits the crime. Don't release your anger on your dog. A correction can be as simple as withholding praise. Before punishing your dog, be sure to ask yourself if you are being fair.

4. Consistency is key. Imagine learning a foreign language. If today your teacher tells you the word for "blue" is "azure" but the next day he tells you the word for "blue" is "rock" and then the next day the word for "blue" is "orange" --- well, let's just say you're never going to learn the language this teacher is teaching you. Remember, keep your training consistent, always use the same language when training your dog. If you mean "sit" don't say "down." If you mean "down" don't say "No!" It's especially important that "sit" ALWAYS means "sit" and not just when you're in a training session, but every single time. And always the FIRST time you say it, not when you've repeated it several times.a
5. Slow and steady wins the race. It's important to take it slowly, but you should always try to build on his learning. Teaching him to sit is an important first step, but next teach him to sit until you tell him he can move.....gradually building until you can actually leave the room and he will remain seated until you have released him from his sit.

6. Never ending story. Dog training is about more than completing a training class. Dog training is never over. It is a constant, ongoing process of teaching, practicing, reinforcing, and correcting. As a dog owner, you must constantly be training. The lessons you and your dog have learned in training class or at home must be used over and over in your dog's everyday life so that they are never forgotten.Just like humans, your dog's training must constantly be refreshed, or he will forget it. Do you remember learning Algebra? If your 7th grade son asked you to help him with an Algebra problem today, and you haven't done an Algebra problem since you received your high school diploma, chances are, you're going to have forgotten most of the Algebra basics. If you don't use it, you lose it. The same with dog training.

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About the Author
Lisa Pallardy is the owner of http://www.BarkTalk.com, specializing in New Puppy Announcements, and gifts for dogs and dog lovers.

Dog Birth Control

Who would have thought that there is dog birth control? Before becoming interested in the topic, I too was clueless that such a thing even existed! Being a dog lover, it breaks my heart to go to local pounds and animal shelters and see hundreds of dogs locked up in cages without a loving family. Every dog and puppy needs a loving, caring family to take care of it and play with it, giving it the attention it deserves. This is where dog birth control comes to into play.

If you're like me, you consider your dog to be part of the family, especially if he has been around for a few years. Most dog lovers (myself included) see their pooch as another son or daughter. And just like homeless children and overpopulation is a problem troubling the world today, an overpopulation of dogs is an issue just as serious.

Every hour in the United States, 2000 dogs are born. A majority of these dogs end up abandoned or dead because of uncontrolled breeding and overpopulation. The price is adding up too: American taxpayers are paying around $230 million for animal control agencies to cope with this problem. The solution? Killing all unwanted, homeless dogs!

Breeding dogs is serious business, and if you are considering it, you should know the facts. Research your dogs breed and learn the proper breeding methods. However, if you are NOT considering breeding your dogs and would like to prevent your beloved puppy from having a bunch of cute puppies, then you should look into dog birth control. Just like human birth control methods, there are actually dog birth control pills, dog condoms and other methods to prevent female dogs from going into heat! There are also birth control options for male dogs. Dog condoms are increasing in popularity and are in most tests, are about as effective as human counterparts. They come in sizes designed to fit small, medium, and large breed dogs. The condoms are available in meat scented and lubricated to increase pleasure for both dogs. The first dog condoms were to set to appear in most major pet stores in fall of 2005. Currently there is a female condom being designed as well which is set to hit the shelves sometime in 2007. As always, consult your veterinarian first so that they can examine your dog and determine the proper and most effective method of birth control! Remember to put the healthy and safety of your pet first before using birth control! Another great option for controlling unwanted dog births is to spay or neauter your pet.

Although many will disagree, spaying and neutering your dog has many benefits and will make for a happier, calmer, family friendly dog. Not to mention the fact that by spaying and neutering you dog you are preventing the birth of unwanted puppies. By doing this, the main focus of the dog's life will be his/her human family. A lot of people out there against this for the reason that it is "cruel" or "inhumane". Well, it is just as cruel and inhumane to let dogs roam endlessly, producing millions of unwanted puppies whose only fate will be death because of overpopulation. It is just like failing to educate our teenagers about proper birth control safety methods. There are millions of babies born each year to mothers who aren't ready to have a child, and so they end up put up for adoption, in shelters or foster homes. I honestly see no difference in these two scenarios. Dogs are living, breathing beings and should be treated with respect. Spaying and neutering may seem cruel, but for the fact alone that prevents many health problems should be enough to convince any dog lover. No one actually enjoys seeing their dog suffer, spaying and neutering can put an end to that. Animal shelters do what they can to connect homeless dogs with a home, but there are far too many dogs and far too few homes for all of them. It's a tragedy that we're allowing these dogs to be born only to turn our heads when they are put to death. Be responsible! Have your dog spayed or neutered, and invest in dog birth control if necessary. It is truly the only way to control the dog population, and have a happy, healthy, family oriented dog for life!

www.dog-birth-control.com

Advice To Using Positive Reinforcement And Rewards To Train Your Dog

Training dogs using positive reinforcement and reward training has long been recognized as both highly effective for the owner and a positive experience for the dog..


Raining dogs using positive reinforcement and reward training has long been recognized as both highly effective for the owner and a positive experience for the dog. Positive reinforcement training is so important that it is the only method used to train dangerous animals like lions and tigers for work in circuses and in the movie and television industry. Proponents of positive reinforcement swear by the effectiveness of their techniques, and it is true that the vast majority of dogs respond well to these training methods.

One reason that positive reinforcement training is so effective is that is uses rewards to teach the dog what is expected of it. When the dog performs the desired behavior, it is provided with a reward, most often in the form of a food treat, but it could be a scratch behind the ears, a rub under the chin or a pat on the head as well. The important thing is that the dog is rewarded consistently for doing the right thing. Reward training has become increasingly popular in recent years, but chances are some sort of reward training between humans and dogs has been going on for hundreds if not thousands of years.

When understanding what makes reward training so effective, some knowledge of the history of humans and dogs is very helpful. The earliest dogs were probably wolf pups that were tamed and used by early humans for protection from predators, as alarm systems and later for guarding and herding livestock. It is possible that the wolf pups that made the best companions were the most easily trained, or it is possible that these early dogs were orphaned or abandoned wolf pups. Whatever their origin, there is little doubt today that the vast variety of dogs we see today have their origin in the humble wolf. Wolf packs, like packs of wild dogs, operate on a strict pack hierarchy. Since wolf and dog packs hunt as a group, this type of hierarchy, and the cooperation it brings, is essential to the survival of the species.

Every dog in the pack knows his or her place in the pack, and except in the event of death or injury, the hierarchy, once established, rarely changes. Every dog, therefore, is hard wired by nature to look to the pack leader for guidance. The basis of all good dog training, including reward based training, is for the handler to set him or herself up as the pack leader. The pack leader is more than just the dominant dog, or the one who tells all the subordinates what to do. (To Be Continued...)

Please Visit http://www.absolute-dog-training.com/positive-reinforcement-and-reward-training.html To Read The Full Article... Discover The Techniques That Professional Trainers Are Using To Train Dogs In Less Than 1 Week - And How You Can Do It Too With Proven Simple Steps! Learn This For FREE by visiting http://www.absolute-dog-training.com