Drop a Little About Your Pet

Posts Tagged ‘House Pets’

If you have decided to own a Rat Terrier you need to start from day one on training. First you will need a crate or cage. This will become their place of safe refuge and their bed. You will need a dog bed to fit the cage you purchase. You will need a water and feed bowl and a retractable leash along with a choke collar. I promise it’s not as bad as it sounds. The choke collar can only cause harm if you do not release the pressure. It is designed to get your dogs attention once you have it then release the pressure.

Place the cage where you will be able to hear your puppy when it cries. At first you will have to let the puppy out every two hours to relieve itself. You may even have to do it every hour with some puppies. Never allow your puppy to have access to it’s water or feed except on a schedule. This will also be about every two hours at first. They must learn what their routine is. Do not think it is cruel even it’s own mother kept it on a routine schedule. Slowly you will lengthen the schedule to three hours this can be accomplished usually after about a month from day one. Each month you can increase by one hour if the puppy is responding well and not soiling it’s bed. If it is you may have to increase by a half hour increments instead of an hour. Your puppy will let you know if you are paying attention exactly how long it can hold it’s bowels. When you take your puppy out at first always use your leash even if your yard is fenced. Why? Because you are teaching it more than just when it is potty time. You are teaching it to respond to you and your commands. With Rat Terriers you will find that it does not take them long to realize that they must pay attention to you. In fact you notice they will constantly look to you for guidance and direction. Talk to your puppy as you would a child. For instance when it is time to go potty say let’s go potty. When they actually do potty praise them for having done so. Talking to them teaches them to listen to you and what you are saying. It may sound silly but they actually learn what certain words mean. Like bedtime when it’s time to go to bed tell them it’s bed time don’t just put them in the bed. When it’s time to eat do the same every time you do you are teaching them to respond to certain words that you say to them. You may say things in a whole sentence but they will cue in on certain words like eat, food, bed time, potty, etc., etc.

Most Rat Terriers will be fully trained in less than three months if you follow the schedule. If not it may take longer you must be consistent. I have had people I know tell me that they were totally amazed at how quick their puppy caught on to training. One lady I gave a puppy to said the dog trained her more than she trained it. Rat Terriers are very smart and eager to please as you will see if you ever own one. My dogs always let me know if I forget or fail to take them out when it is time to go out. They actually know what time it is better than we do. I never knew or met anyone that owned a Rat Terrier that said they were difficult to train in fact they always brag about how quick their little guys catch on to new things. Rat Terriers love to please you and anything you show them they seem to home in on it as if they know that you want them to learn something new.

With other breeds you won’t find this to be true. For most other breeds it takes repeated repetition before they actually begin to catch on to what you are trying to teach them. However with Rat Terriers it is if they are reading your mind and actually understand that you want them to learn something new and they just do it willingly without constant repetition. I know some will say I’m biased but I promise you I am not. If you ever own one and you find yours to be different than what I have written about here please let me know because maybe someone sold you something other than a Rat Terrier. Now there are Rat Terrier owners who are biased and they will tell you that they have a right to be. Why? Well most of them I have met will tell you straight out that once you have owned the perfect pet nothing else even compares. So then that being said why then are there not more Rat Terrier owners? Well I don’t really know how to answer that. I guess it is because Rat Terrier owners are very possessive about their little guys and it is and can be very difficult to get one from them. Unless they know you very well and they like you a whole lot chances are you can not get one from them. Some won’t even breed their guys until they are well aged and they only do it then just to get another one. Don’t even think about asking them to breed your dog to theirs unless you have a real close relationship with them it just won’t happen. However there are Rat Terrier Breeders who do sell puppies but I would not recommend one that is if you want a really good one. I’m not sure how these people breed their dogs but, the individual you can bet is very selective about who’s dog they will breed to and that is why these little guys have maintained their heritage for as long as they have their owners are very picky about their choice of mates.

Buying a new home is an exciting time. However, it may be stressful on your pets when the time comes to leave an environment that they have been familiar with for, perhaps, their whole lives. Here are some tips you can use to help your pet adjust quickly and happily to a new home.1. Prepare for moving when you get your petPets should be socialized and accustomed to life outside their homes. Many people are aware of the importance of socializing dogs, but don’t recognize the benefits of socializing other pets. Cats can be trained to harness and brought out into the neighborhood and in the car. This has the added benefit of helping to prevent scenes of a terrified cat at the vet’s. The more a pet is socialized to normal neighborhood and car sights and sounds, the less traumatic a move will be.2. Crate train your petA crate is your dog’s and cat’s home away from home. By introducing a crate at an early age and using it properly, it can become your pet’s anchor in unfamiliar environments. Even after housebreaking is accomplished, a crate remains a refuge for when parties happen, during trips to the vet and for strange environments, like friend’s homes, hotels and campgrounds. When you and your pet arrive at your new home, the crate continues to be the same and has familiar and comforting smells that can help a pet get over the shock of newness.3. Make a room where your pet can stay a priorityIf at all possible, arrange in advance for a bedroom or other space to be set up for your pet, containing food, water, bedding, toys and perhaps some articles of furniture that the pet shows preference for. Make a sign warning people that pet(s) are within and stick it on the door so your pet doesn’t get inadvertentlyreleased or forgotten. Check periodically to make sure that your pet is okay and that the temperature is not too hot or cold.4. Take your pet on a tourAllow your pet to thoroughly inspect its new home. Go with it if possible, if it is too young or behaviorally challenged at this point to be trusted alone. Once your pet has made the rounds in the house and outside (especially for dogs), it will feel better about this new property as its home.5. Re-establish a routine ASAPYour pet’s regular schedule of walks, feeding, grooming, etc. should be instituted as soon as possible. A regular schedule will make your pet feel more secure in its new home. 6. Keep your pet under control While it is wise to always keep all kinds of pets confined when you can’t supervise them, if you are in the habit of allowing your cats outdoors, hold off for a week at least so that they have the chance to bond with their new home. Never let your pets roam far afield; it is not only dangerous for them, it is also inconsiderate of your neighbors to allow your dog or cat to run hither and yon over their property.

Staging your home can sometimes be a lot of work but one of the worst issues encountered when you’re planning to sell your house when you have pets, particularly cats and dogs is when they bring fleas to live in your house. The first thing that you should do is to help prevent your pet from being appealing to fleas in the first place. Even if you already have fleas in your home, this will help them from finding your pet so tasty and as a result, miserable. If you’re concerned about giving your pets chemicals, feed them a clove of garlic a day or a brewers yeast tablet once a day to make the fleas not attracted to them. These both will make your pets’ skin smell bad to fleas and keep them away from them. If you’re alright with drug-type remedies, then ask your vet about using Advantage or other such products. To get rid of fleas in your home there are a number of things that you can do. Sprinkle borax on your carpets and then vacuum it up to help kill fleas. Mop up uncarpeted areas with hot soapy water. Put any textiles that you can into the washing machine on hot. Take care to take your vacuum cleaner bag outside right away when you’re done as well. Do this regularly to keep the fleas out. The more extreme method of flea extermination is using a professional. You can hire an exterminator to use a flea fogger in your house but that is a lot of chemical residue to leave in your living space. It is recommended that foggers only be used in extreme cases for that reason. To get rid of fleas on your pet once they’ve already got them take the time to give them a bath, though they might not be happy about it. Use a pet-friendly soap which won’t irritate their skin. You may be able to find a teatree oil soap to use on them which will keep the fleas away with its distinctive smell. A few cups of fresh rosemary steeped in hot water, like tea, for a half hour or so makes a good rinse as fleas apparently hate the smell of that too. Remember that the last thing that anyone wants to have to deal with in a new home purchase is a pre-existing condition like a flea infestation so be sure to be thorough when you take care of it. Also, the quicker that you can solve the problem, the less of a job that it’ll be.

Before bringing your pet into the new space of your new home, take several steps to ensure your safe haven is indeed safe enough. Pets will naturally investigate the world they find themselves in. Of course, this cannot and should not be discouraged. But consider the hazards your pets may encounter in your new home. Take the following measures to minimize any potential danger encountered in your pet’s daily travels about the new house.

- Barriers should be put up to keep pets out of areas where they are not welcome.

- Children in your family should also understand the importance of locking or closing these gates and barriers.

-Keep in mind that most intentional destruction by pets stems from a lack of exercise or mental stimulation. Have a plethora of play/chew toys available for dogs and consider a scratching post for the energetic cats.

-Establish routine with consistency in your new home. You may be busy setting up, but there will be long term payoff for consistent walks with the dog.

- Chemical Substances should be kept in a safe location .This includes all chemical substances. Although some are lethal, most can cause serious upset or intestinal complications.

- Know what plants are poisonous to pets and ensure they are out of reach.

- Put away pill bottles and pill organizers. A dog can easily chew open these containers- childproof or not!

- Check fences and hedges to see if your pet might be able to escape. Never underestimate a dogs ability to dig and a cat’s capacity to slide through anything.

- Dogs like to be able to look out and see what is going on. Try to keep items, especially fragile ones, away from windows.

- Tame cord clutter by hiding cords under baseboards and carpet seams whenever possible. A pet can suffer burns or electrocution from chewing on live cords. You can also use cords covers to mitigate possible danger.

-All things “stringy”, including string, yarn, dental floss and rubber bands can cause intestinal blockages or strangulation. Keep these items out of reach. Do a vacuum or floor scan of your new home before welcoming your pet/s.

A rule of thumb to follow: treat pet proofing much the same as you would approach baby proofing your home. No detail is too small to be overlooked. Take all the care in the world setting up pet safety in your new home, and you will have safe, happy and healthy pets as a result.

Almost everyone has pets, and they are often much loved members of the family. Unfortunately, pets can inadvertently damage your home’s value. But that doesn’t have to be the case, if you follow a few tips when it comes time to sell.

I looked at a home recently that had terrible scratching on the back door from a pet, presumably a dog, scratching to get in. While this is a natural response for dogs, this damage is preventable. If you have a dog, or even a cat, and you know they tend to scratch on the door to get in or out, consider installing a piece of plywood over the area most likely to be affected, or perhaps even the entire bottom half of the door. This can be painted to match the rest of the door, so it isn’t making your home ugly. Then, when it’s time to sell, remove the wood panel and the only damage done is a couple of tiny screw holes. These can be easily patched and touched up to match the door.

This house I looked at also had scratch and chew marks on the inside and outside of the bathroom door. I have no idea how this happened. I can only presume that the owner left a dog, perhaps a puppy, locked in the bathroom while they were away from the house. But then how to explain the chewing on the outside of the door? Perhaps they had another dog, and the two needed to be separated but fought through the door? I really don’t know, but I do know that this home needs the door and door frame replaced. Instead of locking your pets in a room, consider buying a large plastic pet crate. This will keep them, and your house, safe and sound while you are at work. Please don’t leave them locked up for too long, and remember to provide dogs with a toy or treat to chew on.

If a crate won’t work, consider looking for a “doggy day-care” in your area. Many professional kennels have day programs for dogs, and some trainers I have heard of have opened up day-care for dogs, complete with a group trip to the nearest off-leash park. This can be a better option for high-energy dogs, or those that need some socializing.

If you have carpets, the chances of a dog peeing or cat spraying on it eventually is high. Luckily there are plenty of products on the market now to dissolve pet odors. Some tend to mask odors while others have enzymes that are supposed to actually dissolve the cause of the odor.

When it is home showing time, consider your pets impact on a potential buyers impression of your home. Clean carpets and drapes to have a fresher smell. Empty and wash out litter boxes. Pick up any toys or “dog bombs” in the yard. Since dogs tend to find just about anything to take outside and chew, be sure their garbage has been picked up. Also, think about where your pet’s feeding dishes are located. It is best to wash these and store them out of site on days when your home is being shown.

Finally, consider where your pet will be on showing days. It is not a good idea to have a dog home when a Realtor® comes by, especially if you aren’t home. This could turn into a safety issue if the dog gets protective, or at the least, highly unpleasant for anyone who doesn’t really like dogs.

Although outdoor cats might be fine hanging about on a showing day, if they are indoor pets only, having strange people come and go could give them too much opportunity to run outside and get lost. It is probably best to rent a kennel for any open-house or showing days.