Road Trip With Rover

Is a trip to the vet your dog’s idea of a car ride? Broaden your friend's horizons, and lessen his neurosis, with mini-road trips.

If your dog only travels in the car to go to the vet or other angst ridden locations, start slowly, beginning with short trips to the dog park or to a friend’s house. Once your dog begins to associate the car with pleasant outings, increase the length of the ride.

Try not to feed your dog a few hours before you travel. A full stomach may intensify upset if your pet is prone to motion sickness. If your dog does exhibit signs of motion sickness, such as excessive drooling, park the car and go for a brief stroll.

Never leave your dog in your car unattended. This is especially true during the hot months when temperatures rise rapidly in a closed car. Even opening the window slightly does not allow sufficient air to circulate. Dogs left in hot cars can suffer heat stroke or even death.

Keep a few treats with you for the ride and give your pet a reward. Stopping for lunch at the drive through? Enjoy your meal while your pet enjoys her treat.

For warm days and longer trips, take along water for your dog to drink and a spray bottle filled with water for a quick pooch pick-me-up. Remember to pull over every few hours for a bathroom break and leg stretch.

If your dog insists on sticking his head out the window for the aux natural feel, make certain he is wearing goggles or secure eye protection.

Put your dog on his leash before exiting the car to help avoid quick uncontrolled escapes.

Buckle up. Invest in a dog harness, seat belt restraint, car seat or crate for your dog.

The doggie car booster seat from www.dogclothes-apparel.com is the perfect solution to safely satisfy your pet's natural urge to look out the window. The seat easily attaches to your car's passenger seat and includes an adjustable safety harness for for added protection.

Making Arrangements For Your Dog After You're Gone

No one likes to ponder their own demise, but making arrangements for your dog's care if you are no longer present is a point all dog parents should consider.

The Internet is a great source of information regarding providing for your dog and/or forming a pet trust. The ASPCA (http://www.aspca.org/ ) has a thorough and concise section specifically related to the legal aspects of your dog’s care as does the Humane Society of the United States (http://www.hsus.org/). Enter pet trust in the search box to locate the information.

Other sources include consulting with a pet trust attorney regarding a pet trust for your dog or consulting your state or local Bar Association's web site for information regarding your particular state. Some sites also provide sample wills and documents which may be used as templates for your specific needs. Pet trusts are currently permitted under law in 28 states.

When planning, consider the following points:

Who Will Care for Your Pet
Designating Funds for the Care and Feeding of Your Dog
Establish a Pet Trust
Emergency Instructions
Designating Short Term Care For Your Dog if You are Ill
How Unused Trust Monies be Used

By establishing a Pet Trust, you designate someone (both primary and secondary) to care for your dog and note how the finances will be handled to provide for his or her life-long care. Monies can be given in a lump sum, apportioned monthly, annually or left to the discretion of the executor. You will also need to provide funds to administer the trust.

Make certain care instructions are clearly designated and make note of any health issues or special circumstances which should be taken into consideration.

Another site worth consulting is the Doris Day Animal League (http://www.ddal.org/). Their resource page provides a list of additional resources for further information (www.ddal.org/pettrust/resources/).

If you prefer, you may also contact these organizations in writing or by telephone.

Doris Day Animal League or the Humane Society of the United States
2100 L Street NW
Washington, DC 20037
202.452.1100

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (also the ASPCA contact info.)
424 E. 92nd St
New York, NY 10128-6804
212.876.7700

Insuring Your Dog

All told, only 5% of American pet owners have pet insurance, with the average life time cost totaling between $2,000 to $7,000 for the life of your pet. Here are a few points to consider before purchasing pet insurance.

Consider your finances before jumping in. Take a moment to consider your approach to dog care costs. If you would drop everything and spend your last penny to save your dog, health insurance is a good consideration. If on the other hand, you have the money on hand to take care of costly pet health issues, you may consider paying on an as needed basis versus a monthly insurance payment.

Before purchasing pet insurance, talk to you vet. Ask if he/she accepts insurance and which companies seem to be the most reputable.

Premiums vary by company, type of dog and lifestyle (outdoor dogs vs. indoor dogs). Premiums are generally less expensive for puppies and younger, healthier adult dogs than for those with pre-existing conditions or dogs advanced in age. Some companies will not cover animals older than 8 years unless they were covered prior to that age.

Many companies offer a variety of policies. Check and compare what each policy covers and the associated costs such as premiums, co-pays and deductibles before enrolling. Also, look for any fine print which may exclude your pet for any previous illness or condition.

Investigate if the insurance has a list of pre-approved veterinarians/hospitals to which you may take your dog or are you free to visit any licensed practitioner you choose?

What is the payment policy? Does the insurance require the bill be paid in full first and then provide reimbursement? If so, what methods are available to file a claim and how long after filing should you receive a check ?

Make certain the pet insurance company is registered with your state department.

Inquire if the insurance company has a cap on the amount paid on an annual or per incident basis. Some insurance companies will also place a limit on the amount paid over the course of your pet’s life. Do they offer discounts for multiple pets?

Decide if you want a full service plan which covers routine care or a plan which covers emergencies and major procedures.

If you can’t afford pet insurance, consider contacting a humane organization for financial aid for some of your larger dog related bills or look for a program which offers discounts on pet care. Consult your vet or pet vendor for programs which may offer additional cost savings.

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Playing With Your Dog

We all need time to play and your pet is no exception. Your dog will sleep better and experience fewer behavioral problems with frequent exercise. Here are a few tips to help you and your dog on your way to better health.

If exercise is new to your dog or if you are exposing him to a new sport, begin slowly and gradually increase the duration and level of activity.

Make certain to keep your dog hydrated. Take along a supply of water and give some to your dog during rest periods. Always be aware of the temperature and the climate so your pet does not suffer from heat exhaustion.

Pay attention to signs of fatigue. If your dog sits down while you are playing she may be fatigued and need a break.

Walking and running with your dog are always good forms of exercise. The intensity level can be increases for dogs in good health or lessened for older, sickly or physically impaired pets. Try to keep walks between 20 to 40 minutes; enough time for your pet to derive the benefit of the exercise, but not too much to create fatigue.

Vary the games you play with your dog such as fetch, ball retrieval, Frisbee, agility training exercises and flyball.

When training your dog to play Frisbee, begin with a small fabric covered disk. If your dog takes to the sport and shows an aptitude, switch to a regular Frisbee for your play time.

Some dogs love agility training and even progress to competitions. Agility training exercises include jumping through tires, climbing steep inclines, running through dog tunnels, walking beams, and weaving through poles. The rapid pace of these events make dogs think and use their skills to navigate the course successfully. For more information on agility exercises and competitions contact the United State Dog Agility Association at http://www.usdaa.com/ or call them at 972.487.2200.

Before you take your dog for a jog, check with your vet to make certain your pet is in good health and capable of such strenuous activity. Avoid running during midday when the temperature is hottest. Running on grass, sand or softer surfaces help protect your dog’s pads and provide some cushion. If you run in the evening or at night, make certain you and your dog wear garments with reflective tape to make you more visible.

On inclement days, it is still important for your dog to get exercise. A good game of hide and seek may do the trick.

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Dogs and Obesity

Obesity in dogs is becoming increasingly prevalent and can cause serious medical problems. Every extra ounce or pound increases the stress on your dog’s internal organs (heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys), over works the joints, and makes your pet more prone to injury. Removing the extra weight will increase your dog’s mobility and improve his general health.

To check if your dog is overweight, examine your dog’s ribs and waist area. Overweight dogs tend to accumulate fat over the rib cage, along the spine, and around the tail. To check for fat around the rib cage, place your thumbs on your pet’s backbone, sliding your fingers along the ribs. If you have difficulty finding the rib cage, it’s time to institute an exercise and diet plan.

Dog food companies do sell low calorie meals for dogs, but beware. Dogs can lose weight on these diets, but prolonged use of “diet” products may lead to dry flaky skin and diminished coat health. Consult your vet to see taylor a weight loss plan for your pet’s age and general wellbeing
Establish a starting point. Before you make any changes to your dog’s diet and/or exercise program have a dog weigh-in. Record your pet’s initial weight and repeat this process weekly using the same scale. Two extra pounds on your pet is equal to 10 to 20 pounds on a person.

Mind the snacks. If your dog is prone to eating or snacking every time you do, curb this behavior or substitute a healthy food such as bananas, carrots, green beans, other low calorie vegetables. Adding more fiber to your dog's diet will help improve digestion and reduce the risk of constipation. If you see signs of intestinal upset, reduce the amount of fiber.

Be aware of the supplements you feed your dog as well as the fat content of the food he eats. Your dog needs fat to stay healthy and for a source of energy. But too much fat, left unburned, will put pounds on your pet. The fat content of dry food should be in the range of 11 to 15 per cent for active dogs and slightly less for older or more sedentary dogs. Also look for foods which contain Omega fatty acids.

Last but not least, don’t let those big soulful eyes suck you in. Feeding your dog a healthy well regulated diet will help shed pounds and gain longevity.

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Your Dog’s House

Whether indoors or out, your dog will enjoy having his own space. Here are points to consider as you go in search of a dog house.

Make certain the doghouse has nontoxic paint, especially if your dog likes to chew.

If the dog house is located outdoors, consider purchasing a house with a hinged roof or side to allow for easy access and cleaning. For indoor houses, a removable, washable floor pad .

If you choose to line the floor, avoid products which may become moldy or items such as newsprint which can run, discolor your pet’s fur, or cause an allergic reaction. Remember to clean the dog house regularly.

Consider ventilation. Look for windows and doors which allow good air flow.

Measure the dog house to make certain it is large enough for you pet to fit comfortably. Dogs depend on their body heat to warm confined spaces. If the house is too large, your dog will be unable to heat the space and may become cold. For a proper fit, your dog should be able to stand and turn around without touching the sides.

Point the front opening away from oncoming winds. For additional protection, attach strips of overlapping plastic over the front door to keep out the elements and unwanted insects.

Purchase a dog house with a slanted or pitched roof so rain and snow slide off.

During flea and tick season, lightly spray the inside of the house with weekly with repellant. Make certain to let fumes clear before your dog enters.

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Taking Your Pet to the Dog Park

As the number of dog parks increase, it is important for your pet to put his best paw forward when out romping.

Before going to the dog park make certain your dog’s vaccinations are current and your pet is familiar with commands such as sit, stay and come. Even when he is off the leash, make certain you have control over your pet to keep her out of harms way.

Make certain your pet is wearing an ID tag and that the information is current.

Leave little pups at home until their immune systems have developed fully and they are able to listen to and heed your commands fully.

Know your dog’s temperament. Some aggressive dogs will not do well at a dog park or more timid dogs may be overwhelmed by the number of dogs and general chaos. Plan ahead and have an exit trategy should events go awry. For his safety, watch your dog at all times.

Bring water in case your dog gets thirsty.

For a listing of dog parks in the United States and Canada go to http://www.dogpark.com/

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