Tag Archives: pets

Should My Dog Wear a Collar at Home?

Collar pros and cons were mentioned in our previous article, “Harness vs. Collar: What’s Best for Your Dog”. The below article is for pet parents who have decided that a collar is right for them, however, they are unsure if it is appropriate to leave the collar on at all times.

One of the most hotly debated topics among dog lovers is the safety of collars. The disagreement centers on the safety of dogs wearing collars in the home or whenever left without human supervision.

The Arguments For and Against the Collar

To collar or not to collar? Keep reading to hear common arguments from both sides of the issue.

Identification

  • Dogs, even those well-trained, get lost: they dart out open doors and gates, dig under or jump over fences. If your dog gets out without a collar and identification tag, the chances of being reunited with him drastically drop.
  • However, if your dog is micro-chipped, he can be identified without a collar and ID tag.
  • Although, not everyone who finds stray dogs takes them to a shelter or veterinarian with a microchip scanner.

Control

  • You can grab a collar to redirect a dog about to jump on a counter, run out a door or go after something he shouldn’t.
  • Behavior modification can help eliminate counter surfing and other issues.

Safety

  • Normal collars can get caught on furniture, crates and other dogs during play. The buckle release won’t open when the collar is taut and the dog could potentially choke.
  • However, the instances of dogs accidentally choking on their collars are far lower than the instances of dogs getting lost.
  • Yet, one instance is too much for the owner of a dog it happens to.
  • Keeping a sharp, sturdy cutting instrument, like a seat belt cutter, handy lets you remove the collar that’s caught.

How to Decide

It’s up to you to determine if your dog will wear a collar even when he’s inside the home. It’s a personal decision.

The arguments for and against may leave you unsure of what to do, but if you examine your situation and the various options, you can come to an informed decision.

If your dog remains crated while you’re out of the house, remove his collar before you close the gate. Keep it nearby so you can put it back on him before you let him out of the crate. If you’re home with your dog all day, able to keep an eye on him, wearing a collar shouldn’t be a problem.

Use a breakaway or quick-release collar in place of a flat one. If the thought of coming home to find your dog hurt or worse is too much, remove his collar when you leave the house. Just make sure he has some form of identification, and take extra precautions to keep him from getting loose.

No matter your feelings on the this hot topic debate, a healthy dog is every owners’ responsibility. Visit NuVet Plus on Facebook for more pet health topics. You can also see what pet parents have to say about adding NuVet Plus or NuJoint Plus to their pet’s diet.

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Pets Welcome: “Pet”iquette for Pet Friendly Hotels

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Your dog is part of your family, and as such, she deserves to be part of family vacations and trips. It is important to find a pet friendly hotel that will accept your fur-baby like they accept you.

It is equally important for you and your dog to practice good pet-iquette while you are out and about in the world. The following tips will help you make the most of every trip with your canine companion.

Pet Deposits

If a pet friendly hotel or bed and breakfast charges a pet deposit, don’t try to hide your dog from the staff to get out of paying the fee. This can give dog owners a bad reputation and can cast aspersions on your dog.

It also leaves you open to liability if there is a problem during your stay. Plus, you don’t need the stress of trying to keep your dog under wraps so no one finds him.

Potty Breaks

Frequent potty breaks are important when your dog is in a new and unfamiliar location. Frequent potty breaks will protect the pet deposit that you paid to the pet friendly hotel. It will also give Fido some exercise, which is much needed when staying in a small hotel room.

Exercise

Like previously mentioned, exercise is also a must when traveling. No dog wants to be cramped up in a vehicle or plane, and then crammed into a hotel room with nowhere to go and nothing to do. Even a brisk walk around the hotel will allow your dog to stretch his legs and clear his head.

Personal Belongings

Just like you need your favorite technology items, a book or a special pillow on a trip, your dog also needs their favorite things. A squeaky toy, a stuffed animal or a favorite blanket should be packed along with your dogs food and NuVet Plus supplement.

If your dog enjoys her crate or kennel at home, bring it with you. You want your dog to feel at home so he or she can relax and be a good canine citizen while traveling.

Quiet Time

Dogs don’t understand the concept of “quiet time.” Your dog may want to bark at people passing outside the windows or in the hallway. Fido may also get wild around bedtime, and want to race around the room or bark to blow off steam.

As stated above, exercise is the key to keeping your canine companion calm and helping them wind down when it’s time to sleep. Some snuggles from you or their favorite stuffed animal can also help relax them so they can sleep.

Clean Up

Cleaning up after your pet is also very important. Keep plastic baggies on hand for potty breaks.

Clean up the hotel room before you leave, and make sure you pick up any remnants of toys and treats. Being courteous of others will help keep hotels and other public places pet friendly.

Pet Friendly Products

There are several helpful products that can help your dog relax and put forth her best puppy manners on every trip. Rescue Remedy is a calming spray that will help eliminate anxiety in the car, and after you get to your hotel room. Your vet may also have other recommendations along these lines.

A high-quality dietary supplement will also help keep your pet happy and healthy. NuVet Plus is formulated to meet the dietary needs of nearly every dog. For more information on how NuVet Plus can help your dog, visit NuVet reviews today.

Jealousy: Dealing with a Jealous Pet

jealousy, jealous pet, dog

Just like you, your pet will experience different emotions on different days. After a long walk to the park, your dog might feel exhausted and happy. If you scolded your dog for being disobedient, it might tuck its tail under and sulk in the corner. One emotion that animals can experience is jealousy. Jealousy can be directed toward a new pet in the house or a new family member, such as a newborn infant.

While jealousy is normal in most circumstances, pet parents should know how to address this issue before it becomes a larger problem.

Tips for Dealing with a Jealous Pet

If you are introducing a new family member into the home, furry or otherwise, follow the below steps to help ease potential jealousy.

Equal Affection

If you’ve recently brought a new pet into the home, be sure to split up your time evenly between pets. Although it’s tempting to focus on your new family member, your established pet needs equal time.

If you spend 30 minutes training a new puppy, be sure to spend 30 minutes playing exclusively with your cat. Likewise, if you reward your new puppy with a tasty treat, like a NuVet Plus wafer, make sure you treat your other pet as well.

When your cat knows that you will still spend time with them, their feelings of jealousy will likely subside quicker.

Boundaries

Establish boundaries for the new addition in your home. For instance, if you have brought home a new puppy and your first dog is feeling jealous, be sure to keep their toys separate.

Do not allow the new puppy to gnaw on the first dog’s toys. The same goes for when a new baby arrives — be sure that the dog and the baby have their own play things, and try to establish proper social boundaries.

Stick to Routine

Try to avoid disrupting your original pet’s routine. Pets can become quite accustomed to their routine, and it helps them to feel safe and secure.

If you bring home a new pet or baby, try to make sure that your first pet stays on the same schedule. Abiding by the same schedule will help your original pet maintain a sense of normalcy. The less change to your first pet’s everyday life, the less it will feel like its life has been disrupted.

Quality Time

Be sure to spend some alone time each day with your original pet. In many cases, a jealous pet simply wants more attention from its owner. By giving your first pet special time with just you, it won’t be as apt to jealousy of another pet or baby in the house.

Take your dog for a walk, or spend time scratching your cat’s belly. Make it a priority to fit in a few minutes of uninterrupted time with your pet each day.

A Healthy Pet

Of course, it’s important to keep your pet’s mind, body and spirit healthy at all times. The best way to do this is to add a pet nutritional supplement, such as NuVet Plus, to their diet.

This specialized formula is created with the highest-quality ingredients, and will ensure that all your pet’s nutritional needs are met. To find out more about the benefits of NuVet Plus and NuJoint Plus, follow NuVet Labs on Facebook today.