D. Williams
Part 2… Rover’s Rest Stop & Ranch is all about the Kids! We want to support our extended families and assist in creating a smooth transition for everyone involved. There are several items that need to be considered when obtaining a new family member and how to constructively prepare you for success. This is the second part of highlighting some points to think about and watch for. We covered selection of the breed, source of obtaining the dog, the why of socialization, along with the importance of positive rewarded training.
Employment. Most people think a dog is fine to sit around all day and greet them when they return from work, eat dinner and watch a little television and go to bed. BORING! Most dogs have a work mentality and need a job. You have friends – they only have you. They need fun, engaging, active jobs to do, or they will invent some annoying or destructive behaviors.
The best thing you can do for your dog is to exercise by walking or other activities including hiking, jogging, swimming, frisbee, obedience training, nose work, interactive educational toys, therapy or agility training – keep your dog challenged and mentally sharp.
Enhance and strengthen your bond by taking advantage of daily trainable moments which allow you to praise or reward good behavior. When answering the door, have them sit. Do a sit-stay while out walking when someone approaches. Have them lie down and stay on a rug or spot while you work in the kitchen. Generously praise them, and you will have more fun and bonding with the teachable moments.
Health. The single most important thing you can do for your dog is to offer a homemade or commercially available nutritionally-balanced, species-appropriate fresh food diet. Be wary of kibble, canned food (unless it is human-grade), artificial ingredients, preservatives, grains, starches, carbohydrates and cheap filler ingredients such as meals, corn, wheat, soy, etc. Along with the right nutrition should be exercise to keep them (and you) fit and trim – healthy from the inside out. Obesity is a killer.
Be mindful of their teeth and nails. Most pets over the age of three have some degree of gum disease which is painful and triggers other health problems. Brush their teeth regularly. Keep the nails trimmed regularly to prevent serious paw and toe problems. Issues with joints are painful.
Dogs Naturally Magazine re finding the right dog: https://www.facebook.com/DogsNaturallyMagazine/videos/270716790475585/?comment_id=270801857133745&reply_comment_id=270804387133492¬if_id=1551981278485520¬if_t=video_reply
For additional information: Dr. Karen Shaw Becker – https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2019/02/11/common-mistakes-dog-parents-make.aspx?utm_source=petsnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20190211Z1&et_cid=DM271804&et_rid=541914920.
And Cesar Millan at https://www.cesarsway.com/ – has a section “Help My Dog.”
Thank you for stopping by to visit in March! We want to see you in the greenbelt area April 13 for Doga–Yoga with the Dogs – join us! Watch Facebook or our webpage for more events coming up. If you would like to volunteer, donate, adopt or need pet-sitting, call 480-600-2828. Hug those necks!