Archive for February, 2009

According to a recent press release, Sitters International, the world’s largest association for professional pet sitters, asks communities and pet owners to help recognize professional pet sitters and the value of in-home pet care during Professional Pet Sitters Week, running from March 1 to March 7.

Introduced by Pet Sitters International (PSI) in 1995, the Professional Pet Sitters Week campaign seeks to educate pet owners about the advantages of in-home pet care, and encourages the public to explore professional pet sitting as a viable and rewarding career opportunity.

“Professional pet sitting has become a significant part of the pet care service industry in the past 15 years,” said Patti Moran, PSI’s president in the release. “Many professional pet sitters put in long hours, seven days a week, 365 days a year, so they can provide personal in-home care for pets of all kinds.”

To locate a PSI member pet sitter in your area or for more information about pet sitting as a profession, visit PSI’s Web site at www.petsit.com or call (336) 983-9222, ext. 1.

If you have a pet sitter in your neighborhood, or just want to thank someone who has helped take care of your furry friend recently, take some time during the first week of March to send something special to your favorite pet sitter!

A dog will stay by your side for the entirety of his or her life, and they make one of the most loyal, trusted companions. WhatWouldADogDo.Blogspot.com highlights the need to ensure our best friends are protected and kept healthy for life. The blog calls for action on several vital issues, such as Sign the Petition to ensure dogs are no longer used as shark bite by the French government, as horrifying as that sounds.

The blog honors dog rescuers, such as in the post “Two Great Dog Rescues” and brings devastating issues to light, such as in the post, “BBC Puppy Trade Documentary”.

WhatWouldADogDo.Blogspot.com is full of care and compassion for our canine friends. It’s important to help rescue dogs in need and those less fortunate dogs around us. Take action with the help of WhatWouldADogDo!

In recent University of Pennsylvania survey of dog owners who use confrontational or aggressive methods to train aggressive pets, veterinary researchers have found that most of these animals will continue to be aggressive unless training techniques are modified.

The study, published in the current issue of Applied Animal Behavior Science, also showed that using non-aversive or neutral training methods such as additional exercise or rewards elicited very few aggressive responses.

“Nationwide, the No. 1 reason why dog owners take their pet to a veterinary behaviorist is to manage aggressive behavior,” Meghan E. Herron, lead author of the study, said. “Our study demonstrated that many confrontational training methods, whether staring down dogs, striking them or intimidating them with physical manipulation does little to correct improper behavior and can elicit aggressive responses.”

If you’re training an aggressive pet, it’s time to start modifying your understanding of good dog behavior and supplementary training. Try using positive reinforcement techniques or alternative obedience classes to try to improve your dog’s chances of avoiding aggression. After all, your furry friend is watching. Shouldn’t you be setting a positive example in terms of aggression?

Valentines Day is just around the corner – are you prepared? While most people tend to celebrate this fun and festive holiday with people they love, it’s often better to show everyone you care about how much they mean to you. This year, don’t let your furry best friend get lost in the shuffle. Be sure to treat to your dog for Valentines Day with some of these fantastic doggie gifts. Order from K9HealthSolutions.com today and you can be sure that your pup will have a Valentines celebration that’s something to bark about!

Dog Treats
Yum! There’s nothing better than some delicious dog treats on Valentines Day. K9HealthSolutions.com has a great selection of natural treats that are simply the best. Choose from favorites like Zukes Z Filets, Greenies Dental Chews, or Beefeater’s Jerky Strips.

Dog Toys
Dogs just wanna have fun! To indulge their playful natures this February, be sure to gift them with one of the great Dog Toys from K9HealthSolutions.com. From Kongs to tugs, we’ve got you covered!

Dog Chews
Dogs everywhere give our Dog Chews two paws up – especially when they get them on Valentines Day as a special treat. Pick a rawhide, bone, or chew that’s perfect for your dog.

February is Dog Dental Health month, but dental care for dogs is an often overlooked part of pet care, especially for busy pet owners. In fact, recent studies show that approximately two-thirds of pet owners do not provide the recommended dental care for their animals. However, not caring properly for your dog can be dangerous to his overall well being.

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 85 percent of dogs and cats show signs of oral disease by the age of four. Problems begin when food particles and bacteria build up in the mouth to form plaque and tartar, which leads to gingivitis (an inflammation of the gums). If untreated, gingivitis progresses to periodontal disease which, in turn, leads to tooth decay, bad breath, bleeding gums, and even tooth loss. In severe cases, bacteria from periodontal disease can make its way into a pet’s bloodstream, where it can cause organ damage and even death.

Stop the damage before it starts by regularly scheduling veterinary dental check ups and instituting smart dental health practices in your home. K9HealthSolutions.com offers several great Toothpastes, Dental Chews, and other Dog Dental Supplies that can keep your pup’s chops in tip top shape. Do your pet a favor and check up on his mouth often. By paying a little extra attention and care to his dental health, you can help to extend the health and happiness of your pet!

It’s always refreshing to find a person who really cares about what they do and the world around them – just as Tamandra Michaels at Heart Dog Studios does about her assistant dog, Borias, and her beautiful photography and oil paintings. Tamandra was born and raised in San Diego with a birth defect that caused paralysis. She notes that ever since she was young, she felt a firm connection with animals as well as art.

Tamandra is now intensely focusing on her art, typically depicting dogs. Check out her great work at HeartDogStudios/Blog, her main photography blog.

“The love that dogs share with us in such abundance is a gift. It’s a gift that heals. It truly is medicine for the soul,” says Tamandra in her “About Me” page where she shares her inspirational story.

Tamandra’s blog about Borias, My Heart Dog, shares her always always interesting stories about her and Borias’s daily travels. It’s a great, very engaging read, and we highly recommend it. Rakker, our resident dog at K9Health, just can’t get enough of the Borias stories!