Television shows and movies would have us believe that it’s fashionable to rag on our in-laws. In my experience, my mother-in-law and father-in-law are quality people who deserve to be treated with respect. I actually look forward to their visits as they don’t put us out in any way. The only special accommodation we have to make involves our dog, Bruno. Both in-laws have violent allergic reactions to dog hair, so the cleaning process commences a day or two in advance of their visit.
Unfortunately for Bruno, each parental visit means he’ll be spending his nights in the garage. Most of the day can be spent outside running free in the backyard, but at night we set up the heated dog bed, replenish his food and water and leave him to his own devices. At first it took some getting used to; Bruno would howl well into the night, alerting the whole neighborhood about his displeasure. By now he’s used to it, though, and we always give him a squeaky new toy when the parents leave.
If you own a small dog such as a terrier or miniature poodle, you know better than anybody that those dogs love to be the center of attention. Full of energy, the dogs practically demand that they be spoiled. It’s little surprise, then, that these owners become so well trained and carry them around in handbags and lavish these animals with treats and gifts.
One of the most common ways that people express their love for their animals is by purchasing their little dogs the equivalent of an entire wardrobe. From a dog dress to dog booties, some of these animals are better dressed than their owners! With so many different varieties, there’s sure to be something that’s right for your dog. For example, if your dog has a princess type personality, there’s a frilly, lacy dress to match. If your dog has a bit more attitude, though, there are also costumes and clothing items to match.
Some people put bandanas on their dogs to distinguish them from other dogs in a group. Many people just think it looks cool, especially with all the dog bandanas available these days. Personally, I think that the dog enjoys donning this accessory as much as I like putting it on him
There are lots of doggy print bandanas depicting bones and paw prints, or your dog can proudly wear the Harley-Davidson logo. He can also be dressed for the season in a patriotic or Santa bandana. A dog bandana is a good way to show off Fido’s style without trying to put clothes on him.
Dogs love to chew. Dog toys give them things they are allowed to chew, keeping them from getting bored and trying the taste of furniture, walls, rugs, clothes, shoes…you get the idea. Dogs should have a variety of toys and bones to keep busy-rotated occasionally for continued interest–and they need to be within reach as well. Toys end up under the furniture, appliances, out in the yard, or just plain lost as time goes on, and as dog chew toys mysteriously disappear, there will be less for Rover to do, and once again, the threat of destructive canine mode looms over your home.
Some dog owners have had great success with a dog toy box-a large rubber container works (and has the added benefit of being easy to clean). All the dog toys will occupy a specific space, and the dog has the added fun of digging through and choosing her toy for the moment. Having dog toys in a centralized location also makes training easier, because if your dog has taken something she is not supposed to have, it is easier to distract her with an appropriate toy when they are all found in one location. The dog will learn to go his toy box when he wants to chew, which will keep him occupied and out of mischief.
When you go to the doctor’s office for a routine checkup or head to the dentist’s for a cleaning, chances are you don’t think much about payment methods. You certainly aren’t paying cash on the spot the way you would for a bundle of groceries. That’s because health and dental insurance benefits often cover these basic services. Such benefits are generally covered by an employer or in the case of children by a parent’s insurance.
Traditionally, trips to the veterinarian have been viewed in a much different light. Only recently have we seen the rise of pet health insurance policies. Much like human policies, dog insurance typically includes routine care, checkups, vaccinations and minor surgery. Depending on the plan, various levels of coverage might be offered. The premium costs will vary depending on quantity and quality of care.
I’ve never been the type to dress my dog up in human clothing, although I know plenty of people who get their kicks that way. My own mother started dressing up our family terrier Bertrand shortly after my youngest sister left home for college. It seemed to be a therapeutic response to “empty nest syndrome.” In any event, there’s no harm in outfitting a canine in a full human wardrobe, especially if it brings the pet owner some joy.
For my part, I’ve always stuck with practical canine clothes. My Siberian husky, Sasha – whom I’ve talked about in previous posts – is already ideally suited for long, cold winters. Her layer of thick fur is evolved to handle Arctic temperatures, so Denver must feel like a cakewalk. Still, the rash of rain we’ve gotten lately has made our regular walks less pleasant. I went online and bought a few dog jackets that stand up to the weather and repel the rain.
Like most golden retrievers, my dog has no problem plowing through the waves of a nearby lake if it means tracking down a precious tennis ball. At least once a week, I take the dog down near the shore where she’ll pad happily along the sand in pursuit of the ball. When she started bounding through the water with reckless abandon, I was struck with an idea.
I raised the sail on my Hobie Cat and called the dog to see if she would jump onboard. Much to my surprise, she took to the boat like a fish to water, sitting patiently on the bow with her tongue lolling to one side. Before taking her out in deep water, I purchased a dog life jacket online. These days she starts wagging her tail the moment she sees me picking up the jacket. That’s a clear indication that it’s time for a sail.
When I brought my golden Labrador Olivia home from the humane society, I looked past her rambunctiousness and didn’t mind that she chewed up every object within reach. The fact is, puppies are prone to making mischief and the only way to rid them of the habit is through scrupulous training. Chewing is a perfectly natural behavior in dogs; the trick is to convince the dog to chomp on dog chew toys rather than tennis shoes and electrical cords.
It didn’t take long to find out that Olivia was crazy about peanut butter. In order to distract her attention away from household valuables, I started smearing some peanut butter on her dog toys. I only did this if she stayed away from sneakers and books for the entire day. Eventually she pieced together that this was a form of positive reinforcement. Good behavior led to peanut butter, at least in her mind, and from there the training process was simple.
I moved to Denver a few months ago with my Siberian husky Sasha. Knowing that I would be driving my old, beat-up compact car through the Rocky Mountains, I decided to go easy on the engine and pack light. Armed with little more than a full complement of clothes, an antique record player, some LPs, an air mattress and the promise of a new career, I pulled into the Mile High City.
The job turned out even better than I had imagined, but a few things went awry within the first few nights. My air mattress popped about three days in, so I was left sleeping on a pile of blankets until I could track down a bed. Every morning I would head off to work, jealous of Sasha and her orthopedic dog bed. It’s pretty sad when a canine is sleeping in comfort and luxury while her master settles for the floor.
Experienced dog owners know that brushing their canine companion can provide mutual therapeutic benefits. Dogs with long, curly hair are prone to matting and tangles, so they require even more grooming. As such, brushes, combs and gloves are among the most useful dog grooming supplies. A wide-toothed comb is meant to handle undercoat of dogs with dense fur. Huskies, malamutes and chows could all benefit from a good combing.
To begin, have your dog lay down on the floor – or on top of a grooming table if you have that luxury. Start at the front and continue brushing all the way to the dog’s tail, going against the direction of growth. You should switch directions halfway through, brushing with the direction of growth. Most dogs should be brushed every few days.