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The Pet Friendly Canada Newsletter
For Pets and The People Who Love Them!
www.petfriendly.ca (Accommodations in Canada)
www.petfriendly.travel (Hotels in the USA)
www.pawfriendly.com (Pet care directory)
September 2009
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PET QUOTES
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"If your dog doesn't like someone, you probably shouldn't
either." (Unknown)
"Its easy to understand why the cat has eclipsed the dog
as modern America's favorite pet. People like pets to
possess the same qualities they do. Cats are irresponsible
and recognize no authority, yet are completely dependent
on others for their material needs. Cats cannot be made
to do anything useful. Cats are mean for the fun of it."
(P. J. O'Rourke)
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Featured Story: SELF-PRESERVATION INSTINCT?!
- By Patricia Hall and Thor and the pug patrol
Source: PawFriendly.com - Pet Stories
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"I truly believe my Thor is not quite 'working with a
full deck' and I have to wonder if he has ANY survival
instincts at all!
Incident #1:
While viewing the breathtaking scenery at Point
Waronsoff - David and Thor were standing on the edge
of a cliff overlooking the ocean. Thor looks down at the
sheer drop-off and decides to jump off! (thank DoG he was
wearing a harness). Poor David is left standing there
looking incredulously at Thor who is now dangling off
the cliff wagging his tail and giving a small woof of
triumph! The only thing keeping him from falling to his
horrible fate is his harness (how many brain cells did
he use for this?).
Incident #2:
Thor will run with his tail tucked from a pug but will
challenge any moose in the near vicinity (the bigger the
better) (come on mom - I just wanta taste the thing!).
We have had to completely block the view from our living room
window because a moose comes and visits every other day or so
- this drives Thor into a wild frenzy in which he hucklebuts
around the house to pick up speed and then launches himself
at the picture window. I have put decals and stickers on
the window so that he will realize there is a wall there -
but he just gets so worked up. I even put a couch in front
of the window.
Incident #3:
Thor thinks he is small enough to sleep on the back of the
couch (you know - the one sitting in front of the window?).
He will be OK until he starts to dream then he always falls
off! Then he gets stuck on his back behind the couch until
we rescue him. We look around the room - "Honey? have you
seen Thor?" We both look at each other then slowly we look
behind the couch - Yep! there is Thor! On his back wedged
between the couch and the wall just waiting for us to find
him! (tail wagging and everything!)
Incident #4:
While driving down the highway at unDoGly speeds we discover
that Thor knows how to use the electric window opener - WAIT!
He is also trying to jump out of the moving vehicle!
(swerve, swear, swerve again...)
Incident #5:
We have discovered that Thor doesn't like to climb up the
mountain but he loves to run down! Imagine this: it's a
peaceful afternoon - you have just carried your 50-pound
bull terrier up a steep mountainside trail because he
refused to go up of his own will. You are looking down
the other side of this rather tall, wet and very muddy
mountain enjoying the breathtaking view when your dog
sees some small insect maybe? or maybe he has just
decided that he'll exact payback for dragging him up
there - he takes off at full speed with you attached
to his lead!
Forget trying to hold your ground - the ground is wet
and muddy from the previous night's rain storm - your
only hope is to stay upright and keep up! The dog who
wouldn't climb to save his own life has suddenly developed
agility beyond measure as he drags you down this huge
mountainside (was that a bear that you just slid past?!).
Your spouse yells Duck! (in between gales of laughter)
just at the time you get whacked in the face with a tree
branch and you spend the rest of this descent on your
back hoping your nose isn't broken. When you get to the
end, does your dog appologize? Absolutely not! Does he
make sure you are not crippled for life? NOPE! He
immediately decides to aggravate some burrowing creature
by digging up its home and kicking the dirt right at you
as you lay there helplessly waiting for an airvac to rescue you.
Now after I have told you all of this you have to wonder...
where was my survival instinct when I said Honey... lets get a bull-terrier!"
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PHOTOS FROM PROUD PET PARENTS
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"I have attached a picture of our babies: Abigail is 6 months old and Bobby McGee
is 1 year old."
- Gail and Gary White from Long Sault, Ontario
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"Recently we took Maxi on a trip to Rhode Island (Providence and Newport) and we took
his stroller along too. We were able to visit department stores and ate at outdoor restaurants. We even
received comment from the Manager from the Providence Place that this is the latest trend and they have
been seeing a lot of doggy strollers in the store."
- Medina and Kent M.
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Want to see your pet here? Send us your photos!
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HOUSEBREAKING AN ADULT DOG
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It might seem like housebreaking adult dogs is more
difficult than housetraining a puppy, however, adult
dogs have a longer attention span and can focus better.
Even older dogs that have been adopted from an animal
shelter or humane society may never have been taught to
go outdoors - but they can be. Housebreaking adult dogs
is not a complicated process, but it does require
consistency, patience, and plenty of praise.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN:
- If your dog was reliably housetained previously and
has now begun to have accidents, it's best to take
him to the vet to check for any underlying medical
conditions that may be causing him to eliminate
inappropriately.
- Accidents will happen. Don't lose your temper or
punish your dog. Clean the area very well, as dogs
are always tempted to go where they can smell other
urine or feces.
LET THE HOUSETRAINING BEGIN...
- Designate an area that you want your dog to eliminate.
This is where you will always take her. Eventually,
the goal is to give her a vocal command and have her
go there on her own to do her "business".
- Choose a vocal command. "Go pee!" or "Go poop!" is
simple, but if you find that embarassing, choose
something else (remember, you can use any words or
combination of words you want -- even ones that don't
make sense! -- so long as you use them consistently).
- Take your dog out on a schedule, several times a day.
For instance, you might decide to take her out first
thing in the morning, after breakfast, in the afternoon,
after dinner, and before bedtime. Keep a consistent
feeding schedule since it will make it easier to
housetrain her.
- Immediately bring your dog to the elimination area. Don't
allow her to sniff this or that, or get side-tracked in
any way. Take her straight to the spot, give her the vocal
command, and wait. After she goes, praise her immediately
- you want her to associate going outdoors with happy
things. Let her know that you're pleased that she's
eliminated outdoors.
- Supervise your pooch. Don't give her a chance to eliminate
indoors if at all possible. You can confine her to the
same room that you're in, and watch her for signs that
she needs to go (ie. sniffing or circling).
If you have to leave her alone for a while, consider a
crate or kennel. Don't make it too big, as you don't
want your dog to divide the kennel into a "bedroom" and
a "bathroom" area! It should be just large enough for
her to stand, lie down, and turn around comfortably.
When you return home, immediately take her outdoors to
her elimination area, say the word, and praise her when
she's done.
- If you catch her in the act of eliminating inside, do
something to interrupt her. Then take her outside to
the same spot, give the vocal command, and praise her
if she finishes going there.
With time and consistency, housebreaking adult dogs (just
as with puppies) can be done successfully.
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For more articles on dog training tips and dog behavior ,
visit www.scamperingpaws.com.
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UPCOMING PET EVENTS
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- Saturday, September 12, 2009: Burnaby, BC - SAINTS is
having its 3rd Annual Wishes for Whiskers Silent Auction
Fundraiser, featuring a live auction and a full course
meal. SAINTS is an end-of-life sanctuary for senior and
special needs animals that have nowhere else to go.
More info
- Sunday, September 13, 2009: Victoria, BC - the BC SPCA and Wild ARC are
jointly running the 2009 Paws for a Cause event to raise awareness and
funds for the animals in their care.
More info
- Sunday, September 13, 2009: Ottawa, Ontario - the Ottawa Humane society
is holding their 21st annual Wiggle Waggle Walkathon.
More info
- September 19 & 20, 2009: Charlottetown, PEI - the PEI Humane Society
is holding the first-ever PEI Pet Expo at the Crapaud Actiplex.
More info
- Saturday, October 10, 2009: Langley, BC -- German
Shepherd Rescue of British Columbia is having its
2nd Annual Dogtoberfest, a fundraising pub night
to be held at Jimmy Mac's Pub.
More info
If your non-profit pet organization is holding an event,
please send us the details!
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