Are You Prepared for An Emergency?
With tornado season upon us, please don't forget to have an emergency plan that includes your pets. Put together a disaster supply kit that contains items you may need for your pet in case of emergency.
- Crate - one for each pet
- Food (include a manual can opener if you use canned food)
- Water
- Vaccination Records
- A collar with the ID & Rabies tags attached -Consider micro-chipping for added safety should your pet's collar be lost.
- Leash
- Pet First Aid Kit
- Veterinarian Contact Information
- Blankets
- Toys
- Towels and Grooming Supplies
- Medications
- A current photo of you and your pet(s) together
Getting A New Family Dog This Year? Be Prepared!
Choosing a new dog
is a very important decision that you want to consider carefully. You want a pet that everyone in your family
will like as well as a dog that likes everyone in your family.
When choosing a dog, you have lots of options and things to consider:
Will you get a puppy or an adult dog?
If you choose a puppy, are you prepared for training? There will be potty training, obedience training, and training the puppy not to nip, bite, or chew on unacceptable things.
Who will let the puppy out to go potty during the day?
Will you get your dog from a shelter or rescue group, or will you research different breeds and then find a reputable breeder to purchase from?
- If you choose to purchase your dog from a breeder, do your homework and be prepared to ask a lot of questions, and always ask to meet the parents of the puppies. Don’t be afraid to ask your questions. A good breeder will be very choosy about who they let purchase the puppies and will ask you a lot of questions too.What size dog is right for your living situation? (For example, a Labrador Retriever is not a good choice if you live in a small apartment without a yard for the dog to run and play).
These are just of the few of the things you should consider and research prior to bringing home your new family dog.
In addition to doing your homework on the logistics of getting a new dog, below are some pointers when actually picking out a new puppy to bring home:
1.Look for puppies that are excited and happy to be around people. You want a puppy that enjoys being held and handled. If you are selecting a puppy from a breeder, look for a breeder who raises the puppies around people in an indoor environment where they get a lot of attention and who focus on early education and training.
2. Ask if the puppy is used to various household noises such as the clanging of pots and pans, vacuum cleaners, cars, closing doors, etc. Early exposure to these noises will help minimize the development of noise phobias as the puppy gets older.3.Research the breed you are considering before going to look at the puppies. It’s too easy to fall in love with those cute faces and you want to make an educated decision about the type of dog you are purchasing.
4.Consider contacting a professional dog trainer to help you prepare for basic training and the ongoing socialization needs of your puppy. A good dog trainer will offer puppy classes to help you begin the training of your new puppy from the very beginning.
For more information on choosing a new dog for your family, contact Laura Clawson at 770-871-8656 or via email at laura.clawson@unleashthepawsitive.com.
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For more information about these tips, please call Laura Clawson at 770-871-8656 or e-mail laura.clawson@unleashthepawsitive.com.
