Tips for taking your dog on a roadtrip vacation !

By: Laurie Brzostowski

I really do envy people who can take their dogs on vacation with them.  I wish I knew then what I know now.

I decided to take my dog Sebastian to Leech Lake Minnesota a few years ago.  This was an 11 hour drive.  Unfortunately, my dog had never been on a really long drive before so I wasn't sure how he was going to handle it.  His only major trips have been to the vet or to the nearest State Park for some hiking.

Well, I found out.  My dog is not fond of 11 hour drives, AT ALL !  He paced in the backseat the whole time, he whined, he panted, he was so not happy.  After many potty breaks along the way we finally arrived at our destination.  The resort we went to is owned by my best friend from high school.  We got the car unloaded and put everything in the cabin, including Sebastian, and decided to head to town for lunch.  When we got back, my dog had eaten the curtains, the comforter and tried to chew his way out of the cabin.

I ended up having to board him in Walker Minnesota.  Not a fun trip !

So with Memorial Day weekend now upon us and summer vacations right around the corner I decided to give you some pointers and tips about taking your dog on a roadtrip vacation with you !

Below are the Top 10 Tips for Safe Car Travel With Your Pet.  You can also find these tips and more from the ASPCA website.

1. Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. There are a variety of wire mesh, hard plastic and soft-sided carriers available. Whatever you choose, make sure it's large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. And P.S., it's smart to get your pet used to the carrier in the comfort of your home before your trip.


2. Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. And please be sure to always secure the crate so it won't slide or shift in the event of a quick stop. 


3. Your pet's travel-feeding schedule should start with a light meal three to four hours prior to departure. Don't feed your furry friend in a moving vehicle—even if it is a long drive.


4. Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become a furnace in no time, and heatstroke can develop. In cold weather, a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.


5. What is in your pet's traveling kit? In addition to travel papers, food, bowl, leash, a waste scoop, plastic bags, grooming supplies, medication and a pet first-aid kit, pack a favorite toy or pillow to give your pet a sense of familiarity. 


6. Make sure your pet has a microchip for identification and wears a collar with a tag imprinted with your home address, as well as a temporary travel tag with your cell phone, destination phone number and any other relevant contact information. Canines should wear flat (never choke!) collars, please.


7. Don't allow your pet to ride with his head outside the window. He could be injured by flying objects. And please keep him in the back seat in his crate or with a harness attached to a seat buckle.


8. Traveling across state lines? Bring along your pet's rabies vaccination record, as some states requires this proof at certain interstate crossings. While this generally isn't a problem, it's always smart to be on the safe side.


9. When it comes to H2O, we say BYO. Opt for bottled water or tap water stored in plastic jugs. Drinking water from an area he's not used to could result in tummy upset for your pet.


10. If you travel frequently with your pet, you may want to invest in rubberized floor liners and waterproof seat covers, available at auto product retailers.

I hope these tips will help you when deciding to take your dog on vacation with you.  Like I said in the beginning of this blog.. if I knew then what I know now, Sebastian and I would have had a better time in Minnesota.

Have a wonderful and safe Memorial Day Weekend !!

Pet Insurance - is it right for you?

This is a very interesting question. I personally do not have pet insurance for my dog but thankfully my doggie has been pretty healthy his whole life.  This is not to say that everyone can say that.

In order to answer the above question I did a little research to help you decide or at least think about, whether pet insurance is right for you.

A recent survey by the Associated Press found that a significant number of pet owners (41 percent) are extremely or somewhat worried they could not afford the medical bills for a sick cat or dog.

“If you get the right policy, it can be an asset to the health care of that pet and have a significant impact on the bill that results from a visit in an emergency situation” says veterinarian Jean Maixner, co-owner of Animal Critical Care & Emergency Services in Seattle.

“Some people can’t afford the treatment so they ask us to euthanize their pet. It’s absolutely horrible,” Dr. Maixner says. “If people had acquired pet insurance before the emergency occurred, they might have been able to move forward with some reasonable treatment to help their pet.”

Consumer groups have a different take on pet insurance. Robert Krughoff, president of Checkbook.org, says “it doesn’t make sense” in most cases.

“It’s common to pay $300 a year or more for pet insurance. Over the life of a dog or cat that might be $5,000 or more. Most people are not going to have a big expense like that,” he says.

Consumer Reports compared the cost vs. payout of nine pet policies for Roxy, a healthy 10-year-old beagle who lives near the magazine’s office in Yonkers, N.Y. Roxy’s lifetime vet bills have totaled $7,026 (in current dollars). In every case, the total premiums that would have been paid to those insurance companies were higher than Roxy’s medical bills.

When the editors gave Roxy a few hypothetical medical problems to boost her vet bills to $12,685, five of the nine policies would have paid out more than they cost. A Seattle company called Trupanion did the best in this scenario.

“Our conclusion is that for a generally healthy animal this insurance is probably not worth the cost,” says senior editor Tobie Stanger.

Consumer Reports believes it makes more sense to put a couple of hundred dollars into a household emergency fund each year for serious pet health issues.

Both Consumer Reports and Checkbook advise against buying insurance to cover routine wellness care. They say this is an expense you should be able to cover on your own. And I agree.

“It’s just crazy to pay an insurance company to just turn around and pay the vet,” says Checkbook’s Robert Krughoff. “Why not pay the vet directly and avoid all the overhead and sales costs from the insurance company.”

Pet insurance companies argue that it’s impossible to tell if your furry friend will be healthy or have a serious illness or accident during its lifetime.

“If you’re independently wealthy, you can roll the dice,” says Darryl Rawlings, Trupanion’s CEO.

Rawlings points out that 1 in 10 people who are insured by his company make a claim for their pet every month. He says some customers get back 500 to 700 percent more than they’ll pay for premiums during the life of their pet.

At VPI, the oldest pet insurance company in the country, spokesman Grant Biniasz points out that pet insurance is not a savings account.

“It’s a way to manage risk,” Biniasz says. “If you look at any form of insurance and try to run the numbers, you’re going to find that most people are not going to get back what they pay in premiums. But the people who do are happy they made the investment.”

If you do decide to get insurance, it is best to shop around.  Pet insurance policies vary greatly from company to company. The only way to know what you’re buying is to get a copy of the policy and see what’s covered – and more importantly, what’ not.

“Look very carefully at the fine print so that you’re not surprised when you file a claim and find that it’s denied,” advises Consumer Reports editor Tobie Stanger.

You need to know:
Is there a physical exam required to get coverage?
Is there a waiting period?
What percentage of the bill do they pay — after the deductible?
Are payments capped in any way?
Are there co-pays?
Does the plan cover pre-existing conditions?
What about chronic or recurring medical problems?
Can you choose any vet or animal hospital?
Are prescription drugs covered?
Are you covered if you travel with your pet?
Does the policy pay if your pet is being treated and dies?

Most policies do not cover congenital or hereditary conditions. Trupanion covers both (with some limitations). That’s a big plus.

Whatever your decision may be it is a personal decision and one that you and your family must make together.  If you do buy insurance and never use it, you are very lucky, but remember pets are living longer now so the longer your pet lives the more likely you will end up using that insurance at one point in your pets life.

Keeping Cool Tips For Your Dog In Summer

Dogs love to play, go for walks and bounce around during the heat of the summer no matter how high the temperature seems to get. If you don't have an air conditioner or your dog spends a lot of time in the great outdoors during the warmer months, here are some fantastic cooling tips that you can use to keep your dog healthy and avoid heat stress during the summer.

* Bring out the popsicles!
You know what it's like when you're feeling overheated - it's not only the outside that's hot but the inside is burning up as well. When you reach for a popsicle you can actually feel the coolness sliding down your throat and it feels great!

You can make doggy-sicles that your canine will love! Any soup stock that is low in sodium or even baby food can be frozen to provide a dog-sicle during the heat of the day.

* Pull out a kiddie-pool
You can purchase a cheap kid's pool at any department store and fill it up with water for your dog to enjoy. Even if he isn’t a big fan of taking baths he may absolutely love the pool. Try introducing him to the new pool without forcing him to get in. Use treats to lure him into the water step by step. Place a few of his favorite plastic or rubber toys in the pool and see if he'll go in on his own. Otherwise, if he seems reluctant, you may want to crawl into the pool yourself and then invite him to come on in and play it with you!

* Keep him hydrated
Your dog must have access to clean, fresh water at all times. Water will prevent dehydration, which can happen quickly during extreme heat.

* Provide shelter
A dog can get sunburn if it is left out in the sun too long, particularly if they have a thin coat or like to lie on their back exposing their belly. There must be some shade around to prevent any overheating or burning. Every dog deserves a shady cool place to relax outside that's protected from the direct rays of the sun.

* Have some hose time
What could be better than pulling out the hose and having some old-fashioned splashing fun with your dog? Most dogs love this type of play and you'll end up getting drenched in the process as well. Sometimes the best kind of fun is something unplanned and as simple as making a game with the garden hose.

* Last but not least…
Of course, it goes without saying that you must never leave any type of animal alone in a vehicle during the summer months. Even if the weather feels somewhat cool outside, it doesn't take long for the heat of the sun to turn your car into an oven. Instead, leave your dog at home if you need to do some errands and then spend some time with him when you get home.

Lots of pet owners get creative with keeping their beloved pets cool in the heat of the summer. When we're not blessed with a pool or lakeside cottage, we tend to improvise on how to keep ourselves cool, so why not our pets? What are some creative ways you've kept your dog chilling during the hot dog days of summer?

Susan Wright is an experienced veterinarian, dog fence expert, and freelance writer. To learn more about Susan’s work and the products Susan represents visit www.dogfencediy.com

Dog Parks: The "Good", The "Bad", The "Ugly"

Have you ever driven past a dog park and thought "wow, that looks like fun for my dog".  Dog parks can be fun but they can also be dangerous and unhealthy for your beloved furbabies.

I personally do not take my dog to the dog park.  I worry about the other dogs, but I also worry about the pet parents.  Some pet parents are oblivious to what their pets are doing so in the case of fights and bites they seem quite shocked and unprepared when something like that happens.  Most pet parents I have seen there treat their dog park like their local cafe and just let their kids "run" wild while they sit at the tables and sip their coffee.  This scares me !

I also do not take my clients dogs to the dog park.  Since they are under my care I would hate for something bad to happen.

This does not mean you shouldn't take your dog to a dog park.  If everyone follows the rules and pays attention, a dog park can be a fun experience for both you and your dog.

Below I have listed some great tips to follow before you decide to venture out to your nearest dog park:

Check out the dog park before your dog's first trip.
Are the dog park’s rules posted in a prominent spot? Do visitors follow them (pick up poop promptly, watch their dogs closely, don’t allow young children in the park, etc.)? Do the grounds look well-tended? Are there separate enclosures for small and large dogs?

Keep your dog current on all vaccinations.
No pet should be allowed to interact with other canines at the dog park without up-to-date immunizations and vaccinations. Worming, flea, and tick treatments are also prudent. A sick or parasite-infested dog can easily spread his condition to others during play.  Also, don't forget to get your dog vaccinated for Kennel Cough.  Your dog does not have to be in a kennel to get Kennel Cough.  This can be passed between dogs anywhere.  Most dog parks require proof of vaccination before being allowed a "sticker" and inside the dog park.

Train your dog first.
Basic training in voice commands and simple hand signals must precede the first trip to the dog park. A dog should come when called before he is turned loose among others of his kind.  Many pet owners use remote-controlled collars as added insurance for dog park excursions.

Leave toys, treats, and children out.
Balls, flying disks, and other dog biscuits can incite fighting.  Little kids may not be strong or savvy enough to steer clear of rough dog play. It's safer to reserve dog park trips for pets only, rather than trying to babysit at the same time.

Avoid peak dog park times.
Dogs grow rowdiest in herds. Visit dog parks during less crowded times, at least for your first trips. Weekdays are ideal, as dog parks are popular on weekends, holidays, and evenings.

Observe the dogs at the park as you arrive.
Are the dogs playing nicely? Is there a comfortable ratio of about two dogs for everyone one person? If even one dog appears to be acting aggressively or the park feels crowded, come back later.

Watch your dog vigilantly.
Although dog lovers tend to socialize at the park, you must keep an eye on your pet at all times for his and your safety.
 
Know the difference between dog play and fighting.
Not all growling, tumbling and nipping are outright aggression. Dogs may play rough. Still, you need to be able to spot trouble before it escalates into danger.  For safety's sake, young puppies don't belong at dog parks, they are vulnerable to larger, aggressive dogs. It's better to wait until puppies are several months old and have completed their series of shots before taking them to the dog park.

Don't jump into a dog fight.
The most affectionate dog can become fierce when instincts kick in during a fight. Many well-meaning dog lovers have suffered critical injuries, simply trying to break up dog fights.  Experienced dog trainers work in pairs, grabbing the hind legs of fighting dogs to separate them. A safer method for most is to blow bike horns or spray battling dogs with water misters.  If injuries occur, dog handlers must exchange names and phone numbers, in case follow-up is needed after medical attention is sought. Bite-and-run injuries should be reported.

And the most important tip, if you are not comfortable at the dog park, leave and go home.  It is not worth jeopardizing you or your dogs safety. 

Your dog is happy playing with you no matter where you are at ! 

Coyotes and your pets

It is getting wild out there... and I mean wild ! I live in Northern Illinois and the coyote population here seems to have grown considerably. I hear awful stories almost every day from areas in Northern Illinois all the way into downtown Chicago of coyotes grabbing up someone's pet.

It also happened very close to home to me. My parents lost their miniature dachshund last year to a coyote and my mom is still heartbroken over it. They seem to be getting bolder and less afraid of us "humans".

It can be difficult to accept, but pets can be seen as a food source to coyotes and large dogs can be seen as a threat or possible mate.  Coyotes have taken pets from backyards, open spaces and even right off the leash.  Keep your pet current on vaccinations.  Reduce the risk to your pet by following these guidelines:

Cat Owners:

The only way to guarantee your cat's safety is to keep it indoors.  Outdoor cats also face potential death from cars, diseases, foxes, parasites, raccoons, dogs and birds of prey such as owls.
 




Dog Owners:

• Keep your dog on a short leash - avoid retractable leashes.
• Do not allow your dog to play or interact with a coyote.
• If possible, pick up your dog when coyotes are visible. 
• Avoid known or potential den sites and thick vegetation. 
• Like domestic dogs, coyotes will defend their territory and their young. 
• If you must leave your dog outside, secure it in a fully enclosed kennel.

Be Prepared:
If you have concerns about encountering a coyote, you may want to keep a deterrent handy.  Deterrents can include rocks, pots and pans, vinegar in a water gun, paintballs, air horns or a repellent spray.  Contact local authorities to ensure that you are using a legal method.

Do what you can to discourage a coyote's approach:

• Be as big and loud as possible. 
• Wave your arms, clap and throw objects at the coyote. 
• Shout in a loud and authoritative voice. 
• Do not run or turn your back on the coyote. 
• Face the coyote and back away slowly.

When are Coyotes most active?
Coyotes can be active at any time, day or night, but are especially active at dawn and dusk.  Conflicts with pets occur year-round and are more likely to occur during the breeding season (February and March).  Because young are born in the spring, food requirements of the nursing females and growing young remain high until late summer.  As people and their pets spend more time outdoors during this time, the possibility of a coyote encounter increases.

Just please be aware that coyotes have grown in population and are now moving into the suburban and city areas. 

The Age Old Question - Why does my dog freak out during Thunderstorms and Fireworks?

Memorial weekend and 4th of July coming up.. how fun... right?  Well, I definitely love the warm weather, all the flowers, maybe some planting, and being outside.

However, these are also the weekends for those "dreaded" fireworks.  I don't mean that I don't like fireworks...I love them, however, my dog freaks out whenever there are fireworks around so I really can't enjoy them if I am all stressed out about him being stressed out.

If you have a dog that experiences this behavior then you know what I am talking about.  I wanted to understand what causes this behavior?  Why does he go through all this agony?

So, I did some reading and I do have some answers for you and some great tips on how to keep dog calm during these times.

First, we need to call it what it is.  It is a "Sound or Noise Phobia" experienced by up to 20% of all dogs. This phobia can be experienced by all types of sounds, not just thunderstorms and fireworks.  Some dogs have a fear of anything loud, microwave beeping, rustling bags, car horns, etc.   Some experience this so severely that pet parents often seek professional help.

This has to do with what is called "crossed signals".  Fears of loud or unexpected noises are triggered by what’s called the orienting response, the brain’s mechanism for being aware. When we or our dogs hear certain sounds, the brain instantly processes them to determine whether they might signal danger.

“We have to be able to process sensory input to stay alive and function in our world,” says veterinary neurologist Susan Wagner, who teaches at Ohio State University Veterinary College and is the co-author of “Through a Dog’s Ear: Using Sound to Improve the Health & Behavior of Your Canine Companion.” Wagner says that sensitivity to sound is instinctive to all dogs, but dogs that tend to be anxious are more likely to develop noise phobias.

Sometimes fear of certain sounds can be linked to a specific event: a particularly bad storm, a smoke detector going off or a fireworks display. In other dogs, the fear progresses over time, so a dog who’s afraid of storms gets worse each storm season.

Thunderstorm phobia is a complex fear encompassing sound, changes in barometric pressure, ionization and light, and the presence of wind and rain — making it one of the most difficult noise phobias to manage. With thunderstorm season in full swing going on right now in Illinois and other midwest states and of course Memorial Weekend and Independence Day rapidly approaching, dog owners, like me and you, that are looking for answers to their pets’ fears can try a number of ways to desensitize and counter-condition dogs to sounds that frighten them: sound and music CDs, aromatherapy, tight wraps, and in severe cases, medication.

Wagner has studied the calming effects of music on dogs with noise phobias. In one study, she and her partner, psychoacoustic expert Joshua Leeds of San Francisco, found that when classical music was simplified to have less instrumentation and tones were lowered and the tempo was dropped, dogs relaxed.

“All of that was done to get the brain waves and heart rate to drop,” Wagner says. “Dogs that listened to it became substantially calmer and even fell asleep.”

Music appears to affect behavior because sound is made of waves. When sound waves travel through the hearing nerve to the cerebral cortex, they influence brain waves.

“When brain waves, heart rate and breathing slow, we become calmer, and I believe that’s what’s happening with the dogs as well when they listen to the psychoacoustically produced calming music.”

Now that we all know what we are talking about, here are some other things you can do and what you should not do to keep your dog calm.

The "To Do" List:

1. Exercise your dog earlier in the day.  If he is tired, he will not be so anxious.  Take him on a long walk.  This will make both of you feel good !
2. If your dog is prone to panic, find a "safe place" for your dog inside your home.  Some dogs prefer their crate, allowing them to snuggle in and feel confined and safe, cover it to mute sounds and darken the area.  Close all doors to the bathroom where they could jump into the tub and possibly hurt themselves or get stuck behind the toilet.
3. Thundershirt - I use this on my dog Sebastian all the time.  It calms him down allowing him to relax. This item is also used for other types of anxiety as well, like separation anxiety.  Personally, my dog wears it all summer long.
4. Stay inside, close your windows and turn on the air conditioning, this keeps the fireworks at a mute level and when the air conditioning is on usually masks any fireworks sounds on top of the windows being closed.  If you are concerned about him like me I usually stay home also.
5. Play some music - music calms the savage soul.  As mentioned above... music comes to us in waves to the brain so put on your favorite CD and hang out out with your dog (with the windows closed, of course)
6. If worse comes to worse, contact your veterinarian, there are medications that your dog can take for  these anxiety attacks.

The "What NOT To Do List"

1. Do not take your dog to see the fireworks with you.  Leave them at home.  Most shelters and animal control facilities get over capacity due to dogs running away from you in fear.  If they get away from you, they could be lost forever.  PLEASE leave your dog at home.
2. Do not give your dog an "over abundance" of love and attention, baby talk, or treats, etc. during fireworks and thunderstorms.. treat it naturally.  If you change your behavior during this time and give him extra love, attention, treats etc., he will process that as "something is wrong".  You will be training him to expect this every single time.  Go about your business.. do the laundry, empty the dishwasher, etc., just do what you do.  If you are calm and natural then he will think of it as only another day.

Remember, your pet is part of your family.. if he is scared and anxious it is up to you to keep him safe! Enjoy the Holidays !