HELP! I AM LOST
How to (Successfully) Introduce a New Dog Into Your Home
By Shandell Van Hell on October 10, 2013
Exercising Fido
- Fetch. The most obvious suggestion. Toss a ball across the room or yard. Let you dog, wait for it, fetch it! Remember, a 10 foot throw means 20 feet of running for Fido. Excellent. If Fido doesn’t drop it when he comes back, use a second, equally interesting toy and throw that for him. At the beginning it is not necessary for your dog to drop the first toy. What is more important is that your dog does not learn to run away or not drop it for you.
- Up & Downs. Stand at the top of the stairs or a hill in a safe dog friendly area and toss a ball down. Encourage Fido to retrieve it. Consider this Fetch 2.0.
- High Jump. All you need is a carton or overturned chair and some encouragement for your dog to jump over. Raise the height as your dog becomes more limber.
- Use doors and gates. Have your dog sit every time you open a door. Think of the number of times you open and shut a door during the day. Fido will be tired and good at sit. That’s a win-win.
- “FIDO!” Coming when called is great exercise, especially if you have your dog running back and forth between two people.
- Name toys. Name your dog’s different toys. No need to get creative – a stuffed critter can be called ‘critter’ and a ball can be called ‘ball’. Tell Fido to get ‘critter’ while pointing at critter. When Fido seems to understand the game tell him to ‘Go get critter’. If he gets ‘critter’, praise and play with your dog using the toy. If he gets the wrong toy, ignore him and go get the right toy with him. Once Fido is skilled at this game, you can start hiding the toys to make the hunting experience more difficult and stimulating.
- Tricks. Dog tricks are fun for people and dogs. They’re also good to impress your friends with at parties.
Dealing with Puppy Nipping & Rough Behaviour
- Completely ignore him. Turn your back to Fido without making eye contact.
- Continue to ignore Fido until all four paws are on the ground, quietly praise her and then give him a treat.
- If Fido begins to jump while you’re praising him, simply turn away and repeat the above steps. It may take a couple times to get your point across. Keep your praise low key and consistent.
- Ensure you don’t ignore her when she comes and sits politely waiting for your attention.
- Become hand shy and cringe or cower whenever your hand comes towards his head.
- Become afraid of you and refuse to come up to you or approach you at all.
- Respond in a defensive manner and attempt to bite you to defend himself.
- Interpret a mild slap as an invitation to play, causing her to become more excited and more likely to nip.
DNA My Dog Canine Genetic Testing
Your dog’s unique DNA – Only $10
DNA My Dog’s simple cheek swab DNA test lets you learn every breed in your dog and gain insight into the unique genetic background of your dog including the history of their breed, personality traits, exercise levels, and so much more!
Every dog has its own unique DNA. DNA My Dog provides you with a kit and very simple instructions for swabbing the cheeks of your dog and collecting your dog’s DNA samples. The test is easy, painless and takes under a minute.
Impawsible – Possible
www.impawsiblepossible.com
Urban Freedom Calgary: ***For dog & human friendly dogs only*** Class limited to 6 dogs!!!
Pre-requisite: None except dog must be human & dog friendly
Class Description: Are you embarrassed by your dog’s behaviours and bad manners? Does he run in the opposite direction when you call him? Does he pull you down the street on your walks, leaving you in puddles of spilt lattes? Does she struggle to find focus in the urban environment amidst the myriad of distractions. If you answered “yes” to any (or all) of these questions then Urban Freedom is for you. Transform your dog into an ideal urban citizen, this fun and educational program
Number of Classes: Urban Freedom Calgary consists of 14 Classes over the course of 7 weeks at 14 unique outdoor locations in Calgary (each class is 1 hour)
Tuition: Regular: $289 + GST DINO Rescue: $231.20 + GST (Save 20%)
Feisty Fido: ***For dogs with fears, aggression, reactivity and/or anxiety *** Class limited to 5 dogs!!!
Pre-requisite: None
Class Description: Does your dog make embarrassing displays at the end of her leash? Does she lunge, bark, snarl and growl at dogs, strangers, skateboards, cars, bikes or even snowmen? If you dread leaving your house with Fido for fear of what, or whom, you may run into then this class is for you. In this 6 week class dedicated to Feisty Fidos, you will learn everything you need to know to manage and permanently modify these undesirable behaviors so that you can leave your house with confidence – looking forward to whatever “challenges” are lurking around the next corner.
Number of Classes: 6 Classes (First Class is Human only orientation)
Tuition: Regular: $289 + GST DINO Rescue: $231.20 + GST (Save 20%)
Recipe of the Month 
Ingredients
6 cups water
Directions
- Place the water, ground turkey, rice, and rosemary into a large Dutch oven. Stir until the ground turkey is broken up and evenly distributed throughout the mixture; bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the frozen vegetables, and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Refrigerate until using.
8 Foods You Should Never Give Your Pets Cont’d
7. Avocados
The avocado tree leaves, pits, fruit and plant bark are likely all toxic. Clinical signs in dogs and cats include vomiting and diarrhea.
Dog Nutrition Cont’d
How Much and Often to Feed
Most dogs love to eat and eat. Even though it’s tempting to show your love with extra helpings, or by making food available all day, overfeeding does no dog any favors. Overweight dogs can suffer from the same ailments as overweight humans do. There is no precise answer as far as how much to feed a dog-because caloric needs vary with size, age, and activity level. How often should you feed your dog? Morning and evening meals are recommended for adult dogs. (Puppies are different-follow your vet’s advice.) Twice daily feedings make it easy to monitor your dog’s intake, and thus his health, since dogs who are not feeling well tend to drop their routines. Also, regular feedings keep a dog…regular.
NEEDED
Dogs of the Month
Do I Go Home Today?
By Sandi Thompson ~
My family brought me home cradled in their arms. They cuddled me and smiled at me, and said I was full of charm.
They played with me and laughed with me, they showered me with toys. I sure do love my family especially the girls and boys.
The children loved to feed me, they gave me special treats. They even let me sleep with them all snuggled in the sheets.
I used to go for walks, often several times a day. They even fought to hold my leash, I’m very proud to say.
These are things I’ll never forget a cherished memory. I now live in a shelter without my family.
They used to laugh and praise me when I played with that old shoe. But I didn’t know the difference between the old ones and the new.
The kids and I would grab a rag for hours we would tug. So I thought I did the right thing when I chewed the bathroom rug.
They said that I was out of control, and would have to live outside. This I did not understand although I tried and tried.
The walks stopped, one by one; they said they hadn’t time. I wish that I could change things, I wish I knew my crime.
My life became so lonely, in the back yard on a chain. I barked and barked all day long to keep from going insane.
So they brought me to the shelter but were embarrassed to say why. They said I caused an allergy, and then, kissed me goodbye.
If I’d only had some classes, as a little pup I wouldn’t have been so hard to handle when I was all grown up.
“You only have one day left,” I heard the worker say. Does this mean a second chance? Do I go home today?