Many pet owners are unaware of the dangers posed by indoor and outdoor plants. Some garden and house plants can be lethal to your pet even in very small amounts. If you own pets you should take some time to familiarize yourself with potentially deadly plants that are highly toxic to animals.
Many plants are toxic during certain stages in the growth cycle, while in the case of others only the leaves, bark, roots, fruit or stems may contain harmful toxins. The vet or local plant nursery should be able to provide you with important information about various plants. The internet and many gardening books also provide valuable resources.
Indoor Plants: Many plants including philodendron, ivy, pothos, dieffenbachia, ferns and poinsettias can be highly toxic to dogs. Tobacco plants, peace lilies and corn plants are also very harmful to dogs as well.
Common Garden Plants: Many common plants found in gardens can be very dangerous to dogs. Tomato plants are highly poisonous to dogs as is St. John’s Wort, a plant used in many herbal remedies. Other common garden plants that can cause serious problems in your pet include:
Dangerous Outdoor Plants: Most people take a lot of pride in their yards but they may be unaware of the dangers posed by certain ornamental plants. Some of the most attractive plants can be lethal to your dog such as Oleander and many other flowering shrubs. Here is a list of dangerous ornamental and flowering plants commonly planted in yards:
· Amaryllis
. African Daisy
· Baby’s Breath
· Bird of Paradise
If you suspect your dog has ingested a poisonous plant get him to the veterinarian immediately. Take a piece of the plant such as the leaf, flower and stem with you to allow the vet to identify the plant.
Here at Pet-Super-Store, we know that finding the right trainer for your dog is no easy task and it will require a considerable amount of research and effort on your part. Your choice of trainer will have an impact on your relationship with your dog and how your dog’s behavior develops as well. Many owners hire a trainer without doing proper research only to find out that they don’t agree with the trainer’s methods.
Here are some questions you should ask yourself before hiring a professional dog trainer:
Does the trainer have any qualifications?
There are a number of credentials and certifications that trainers may have. These credentials can differ depending on locations but you can easily research the relevant credentials on the internet. Groomers, breeders and veterinarians can also offer valuable advice on which certifications you should look out for when choosing a trainer for your dog. The organizations that issue credentials can also offer you invaluable insight as well.
Does the trainer have any references?
Many reputable and experienced trainers are given recognition and awards for their training methods or facilities. You should ask around to find out if a particular trainer is endorsed by any organizations or kennel clubs. A reputable trainer should have no problem providing you with references that you can verify or contact.
What type of training methods does the trainer use?
The majority of trainers use positive training methods. Punishment based methods are luckily becoming a thing of the past. Be cautious of trainers who yell or physically punish dogs. Trainers who use shock collars, choke collars and other such cruel devices should also raise a red flag. Look for trainers who use clicker training methods and behavior modification training with positive enforcement, these trainers will help strengthen the bond between you and your dog and build his trust and self confidence.
Does the trainer offer classes or private sessions?
Some trainers offer one on one training sessions while others take large classes. Observe the trainer in a class environment to see how he or she reacts with the owners and dogs. If the trainer seems to lose their patience with the participants, move on.
Does the trainer have flexible training schedules and what is their cancellation policy?
The majority of trainers have a 48 hour cancellation policy. Some trainers will refund you if you don’t attend while others enforce a no show no refund policy. Find out if the trainer’s hours are suited to your schedule.
Before making a final decision on a trainer make sure you meet with them and feel comfortable with them before making a booking. Don’t be afraid to discuss your dog’s various issues and find out if your dog needs to be housed at their facility during training or not. You should make every effort to attend and participate in your dog’s training sessions as this will strengthen the bond between you.
Good Morning and Happy Wednesday! After a long holiday weekend, I figured a little cute video pick-me-up would be good for everyone. So I have complied some of our favorite animal videos, hope you enjoy! Also, if you haven’t had the opportunity, check out our new, expanded line of dog collars, I think they will make you smile too!
Whoa!!! It is getting hot out there! Summer is a great time of year for to get out and have some fun with your dog. The nice weather and promise of adventure seems to bring out the natural playful instincts in both dogs and their owners. It’s a great time to take your dog to the park, playground, or beach. The possibilities of summer are endless, but it’s also important to remember to take certain precautions with your pooch in the summer. Higher temperatures can lead to overheating, and summer adventures can expose your dog to pests like fleas and ticks. Here are some hidden dangers of summer; avoid them, and you and your dog are sure to have a memorable summer of fun.
First of all, never leave your dog unattended in a hot car. It might be tempting to run a quick errand with Fido in the back seat, but remember that the temperature inside a car can heat up to nearly 120 degrees within minutes! Even with the window cracked, it can be an uncomfortable or even dangerous experience for your pet. Essentially you are intentionally putting your dog in a super hot oven. Recently, stores and restaurants in some cities are becoming more aware of this problem. Some establishments now allow you to tie your dog outside while you shop or offer patio seating, where your pooch can relax with a cold bowl of water while you eat. If you can’t bring your dog into the store with you or tie him up outside, consider leaving him at home while you run your errands.
Another hidden danger of summer is the high level of lawn fertilizer. Be careful when walking your dog around the neighborhood, and be vigilant for signs on grass stating that the area has recently been fertilized. Those fertilizer pellets often look like little morsels of goodness to dogs, but if they’re ingested, they can cause your pup to get violently ill. Smaller breeds are especially susceptible to serious complications. Keep a close watch as you walk your dog this summer and keep him away from the fertilizer. It is also a good idea to do some research on which plants are blooming during the summer months and make sure that your dog is not tempted to sample some of the summer blooms, as some of the flowering plants in different neighborhoods may be toxic as well.
A year-round problem that becomes especially problematic in the summer is the scourge of fleas and ticks. This problem is usually easy to handle, however. Make sure that your dog has the latest preventative medicine for fleas and ticks and they should be able to avoid a serious problem. Certain topical medications against fleas and ticks are waterproof, but it’s a good idea to double-check to see if you’ll need to reapply after a bath or swim.
Pools can be great fun for a dog during the summer. The pool water can feel refreshing for your dog and the allure of the water can be irresistible. Pool areas can be dangerous for dogs, however, as the pool deck can get to dangerously high temperatures. If you are going to bring your dog to the pool, make sure that there is a shaded area where your dog can get out of the sun and do your job by providing plenty of easily accessible drinking water.
Finally, it is important to give your dog plenty of exercise during the warmer months. Just be smart about it and walk your dog during the cool of the morning or evening. This will ensure cooler temperatures and help avoid exhaustion and overheating. Consider giving your pooch a trim in the summer if he’s got a big fluffy coat to help him stay cool.
Summer is a great time of year for pets and their owners. The sunny weather and pleasant temperatures provide plenty of opportunities for recreation for you and your dogs. Do your part as a responsible pet owner and take the necessary precautions that will keep your dog safe and happy this summer.
Found this short and sweet "How-To" on Baltimore’s ABC.com (thank you, google reader) and thought I would share some tips on how to take the best pictures of your super cute furry friend. We’d love to see some shots of your dog lounging in his new dog bed or prancing around in his new dog collar. One thing is for sure, expect higher quality and more frequent pictures of the puggle soon!
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Your pets are a part of your family.
They watch TV with the family, go on long walks and sometimes even go on family vacations.
Now you can take their picture just like you do the rest of the family.
Photographer Kay Eskridge offers these five tips for helping you capture your furry friend in a photo.
Where should pet portraits be taken and what time is best? If they are outside, the best time would be early morning or late afternoon as the sun is setting so the bright sunshine is not too harsh on your pet’s eyes.
Or covered shade if they are going to be ‘portrait style’.
If they are going to be action or candid, then any time of day will work.
Inside portraits would need additional light either by a window or with a strobe.
Is it better to capture candid or posed images of my pets? Both are great for different reasons – a candid image can represent your pet’s personality but a posed image can be a beautiful calm representation of who they are as well.
What is the best way to photograph multiple pets? Patience and wear them out first, especially if they are young.
Using noise makers is especially important with several pets to get all of their attention.
Is it a good idea to include my pet in family photos? Absolutely – they are part of the family.
What are some good tools to help get my pets attention for photos? Any type of noise maker for dogs (especially high pitched) but cats are more visually stimulated.
A ball can be a great tool unless the dog just wants to play – then you’re sunk.
By Jennifer Harrington, original article posted here.
