“Does your dog bite?”

“Umm, no, she just carries that mouthful of choppers around for show.”

That has got to be one of the most inane questions anyone can ask about a dog.

EVERY dog, barring crippling injury or birth defect, has the potential to bite if provoked,
whether it’s a three and a half pound Yorkie or a 200 pound English Mastiff, the potential
is there and it is irresponsible and unrealistic to ever forget that, no matter how placid or
forgiving your dog is.

So many factors can contribute to the commission of a bite, and most dogs will give
ample warning, up to and including the “air snap,” even attempting to remove
themselves from situation before biting a human.

If your previously gregarious dog suddenly takes a snap for no seeming reason, it’s
imperative that the first thing you check for is a medical problem. It can be anything from
a painful injury you were unaware of, like a thorn stuck in a pad that gets inadvertently
squeezed when he shakes paws with you or someone else or a disease that’s causing
him to feel vulnerable and/or in pain.

It’s your responsibility to protect your dog, to learn what stresses are too much and how
to read his signals before a situation escalates to the point he feels pushed past his
limits and either remove him from that situation or intervene and defuse the tension.
Then it’s up to you to work with your dog to see if his confidence and comfort level in
those types of situations can be boosted to achieve a higher level of tolerance, if the
stressor is something that should be tolerated.

There are some stressors that should never be allowed, such as provocation with the
intent to physically harm you or your dog. Those are the times it will be all on you to get
out of the situation or make sure your dog doesn’t get the blame. Other provocations,
particularly those that might be regular occurrences, need to have the threat removed.
Your dog needs to be acclimated to them, to learn that they just aren’t that big a deal.
One of the best ways to achieve this is simple desensitization. It sometimes takes time
and dedication, but it’s not complicated and is well worth your efforts. You will need
patience, a comfy dog bed, a source for the stress, a pocket full of treats, and a calm demeanor.

Take your dog, in a dog crate, to a place where he is exposed, at a distance, to the source of the stress.
Don’t take him close enough to start displaying signs of discomfort, though. It may take
you a few tries to find out just where his comfort zone ends, but bear with it. When
you’ve got him at the edge of his comfort zone, where he’s aware of what he’s normally
reactive to, but isn’t yet reacting you can start. Get his attention; talk to him in his
favorite happy voice, give him some of the treats. Keep doing this in short sessions,
working your way closer and closer to the problem, not pushing faster than your dog is
ready to go, though. You won’t always get one hundred percent non-reactivity, but
unless there’s a deep seated phobia there, maybe something that happened in your
dog’s past, you should eventually get to the stage where the two of you can walk on by
without it turning into a brouhaha of you hanging onto the other end of a shivering or
snarling beast.

Another important facet of desensitizing your dog is to build his self-confidence. A
confident dog is a safe dog. Fear is most often the goad to a bite. Think about what
kicks your own self-confidence up a notch (other than looking smokin’ hawt). It all
revolves around being good at what you do, realizing it and being recognized for it.
Easy to convey to the canine! Training isn’t just to make your life easier or to teach your
dog to make you look good after you’ve bragged on him; it allows him to learn to be
confident, in himself and in you.

While you’re working on those desensitization exercises, run through a couple of
lessons he’s very good at and be lavish with your praise. You will not only be
underwriting and improving that confidence factor by the simple fact of reminding your
dog of how good he is at being The Dog, but you’ll be teaching him that The Scary
Thing has no power to take him off his game; he’s still The Dog and together the two of
you are still in control of the situation and everything is just fine.

Of the 70 million US households owning dogs or cats as pets around 10% of the population are allergic to them. That is, approximately 7 million pet lovers who suffer from allergies at the paws of their canine companions and feline friends.

Pet allergies are an immune system reaction to animal proteins that trigger inflammation in the lining of the nasal passages. These allergies cause sneezing, runny nose and a stuffy head for some sufferers; however, others experience more serious symptoms including contraction of the airways resulting in hives, wheezing, shortness of breath and other breathing problems.

Any household animal with fur can cause allergies; however, cats and dogs are the most likely culprits with cats causing more allergic instances than dogs.

Typically speaking humans pick up these allergens through the animals’ dander. While saliva and urine can cause allergic reactions it is the dander that bothers most people the most. When cats and dogs shed they expel small skin cells known as dander. These can remain airborne for some time and can also accumulate on upholstered furniture, carpets and pet beds. Saliva also causes reactions and can be transmitted via clothing or after it has dried and become airborne. While there are several hairless or hypoallergenic breeds available it is important to remember that no dog or cat can be free of allergens to a pet allergy sufferer. There are; however, several steps you can take to alleviate the severity of your reaction:

1. Create a pet free zone. If you are allergic to your pet try making your bedroom a pet free zone. Let him sleep elsewhere and keep him out of your room with products like indoor dog fences. By keeping your pet out of this room and running a high powered HEPA air filter you can cut down dramatically on the amount of allergens in the air.

2. Keep other living areas clean. Dust and vacuum frequently and avoid using dust and dander-catching fabrics such as drapes and carpet. Also, cover couches and pillows with washable covers for easy cleaning. If wood floors are not an option, invest in a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner or use microfiber anti-allergen bags in your current vacuum cleaner. All of this combined with running additional HEPA air filters throughout the house will keep dander to a minimum.

3. Protect yourself. When cleaning, make sure to wear rubber gloves and a surgical mask. These items are available for purchase at your local drug store and will keep you from breathing or coming into physical contact with animal dander and saliva particles when cleaning. Cleaning stirs up these particles and can cause a particularly acute allergic reaction.

4. Keep your pet clean and groomed. If you perform grooming at home make sure to wear your gloves and mask when doing so. If your allergies are severe then take your pet for professional grooming frequently. Regular grooming keeps shedding to a minimum and will dramatically reduce allergic reactions.

5. Take your medication. Try visiting your doctor for weekly immunotherapy. These shots will expose the skin to animal proteins and will gradually desensitize the immune system to pet allergens. Injections are given weekly at first and then tapered down to one per month when the body begins to produce adequate antibodies. If your allergies are more easily controlled then you can try an over-the counter antihistamine or a prescription steroidal nose spray. Inhalers are also available for pet allergy sufferers.

If all of these tips fail, don’t get rid of the family pet just yet. Some people suffer from allergies that have nothing to do with their pets. Common culprits include pollen, mold or cigarette smoke allergies. Don’t assume that your allergies are attributed to your pet. Visit your doctor and have a skin test of a variety of common irritants to confirm what your particular triggers are. Even the most sensitive to animal allergies can achieve a happy balance in the home with proper medical treatment, a regular house cleaning regimen and frequent pet grooming.

When a couple moves in together or gets married they are busy combining two households into one, picking out new dishes or arguing over what color to paint the living room. Chances are the last thing on their mind is outlining an ownership agreement of their dog; however, it can be very important to outline who’s dog the dog will be in the event of a split.

If there are two dogs belonging to two different people then the situation is more clear cut; however, if one member of the couple owns the dog prior to the relationship they need to protect their rights as the dog’s owner. Another situation to consider is if the couple gets a dog together during the course of the cohabitating relationship.

Couples must agree on who owns the dog, who will take responsibility for daily walks and feedings and perhaps most importantly, who bears the financial responsibility for caretaking. These situations are not always clearly defined between partners in attempts to avoid awkward conversations, but they should be to make things easier in the event of a split. If possible the couple should consider drawing up a contract to outline these details to avoid hurt feelings later.

The person owning the dog, caring for the dog and providing financial support for the dog are not always the same person. Responsibilities are often shared and this is where the dispute can sometimes arise. People often feel like they put effort into raising the dog and are left in the cold when the split arises. If you already have a dog when you go into a relationship you need to make it clear that the dog will be yours when the relationship ends. This often means that you will need to provide the financial support in addition to being the primary caregiver. If you expect that this will be the case you need to make sure that your name is on the Veterinary records and you will need to take responsibility for registering your dog in your name with the County Animal Control office.

If you elect to get a dog while in the relationship you will need to make sure to specify who will take ownership and responsibility. If the dog belongs to both and other responsibilities are split then there will likely be a custody dispute at the end of the relationship. The cost of owning a dog can also become a burden and splitting the expense of the dog bed, hidden fence and other pet supplies is highly recommended to keep things fair. This is fine if you are prepared to set aside your differences to create an amicable custody arrangement if necessary. Dog custody arrangements are on the rise in a society in love with their dogs and have become common place amongst divorcing or separating couples. This arrangement can have benefits and drawbacks; however, it should be discussed upon getting the dog rather than waiting for the separation to occur.

Regardless of your situation an agreement can and should be discussed sooner rather than later to avoid inaccurate assumptions on the part of either member of the couple. One member of the couple could feel that because they buy the dog food and pay for the Veterinary visits they are the entitled owner. On the other hand, the other partner could feel that because they do the daily walking, and feeding that they are the entitled owner. Both sides have a good argument so it is best to discuss before hand to prevent unnecessary hard feelings during a difficult time. In the end your dog could be lucky enough to have two caring parents and the best of both worlds, but this will likely not be the case when resentments are involved.

The reality of the situation is this; puppies are going to make messes and chew on stuff. They are going to get into things they shouldn’t and explore areas they have no business in. This is what puppies do until they are taught right from wrong. While puppies can not rationalize as humans can, they can recognize what is acceptable and non-acceptable behavior from your responses. Puppies will be conditioned to stay off the furniture, chew on the correct objects and go to the bathroom in the same spot when consistently praised for doing so. It is up to you to shape your puppies behavior over time. Here are 10 tips for puppy proofing your home to set your dog up for success:

1. Put up your shoes. Puppies need to chew to ease teething pain as well as maintain their dental health over their lifetime. Proper chew toys are essential for any dog owner. Until your puppy has learned that shoes are not appropriate chew toys you should always keep them put away. While this might sound obvious, many people leave them lying about the house and are surprised and angry when their pup destroys their favorite pair of kicks. Thankfully, closets have doors that will keep your curious puppy at paws length from this seasons’ must have peep toe pumps.

2. Cover up your cords and wires. If you have excessive audio and visual equipment with speaker wires and cords strewn about, your puppy is likely to chew on them. Tuck those wires away whenever possible. Tie them up with inexpensive plastic zip ties or feed them through special tubes designed to house wires of this type. This will help you avoid the expense of replacing your expensive components.

3. Put up hazardous chemicals in your garage or basement. Puppies will get into things they are not supposed to if they are within his reach. Purchase a shelving unit from your local hardware store and put up those jugs of oil, antifreeze and gasoline as they can cause unnecessary illnesses and death in some cases.

4. Store medications in upper cabinets. Make sure that even the most harmless of medications are stored in upper cabinets out of your pups’ reach. Your puppy can chew through those plastic prescription bottles and ingest harmful quantities of medication in the process.

5. Tie up the cords of your blinds. When mini-blinds are open their cords dangle temptingly in front of your pup. He may just want to play, but these dangling strings can hang him up, literally. Your pup could become injured or strangled in blind cords so make sure to tie a knot in the string keeping the cords high out of his reach.

6. Lock up the cleaning products. If you keep cleaning products below the kitchen or bathroom sinks like most people then you should always put baby locks on your cabinets to keep nosey puppies from sniffing out your cleaning products. Bleach, ammonia, comet, drain cleaner and many others can be deadly to your pooch if ingested. Curious puppies can open cabinet doors when not locked properly.

7. Store dog food in airtight plastic containers. Do not leave a bag of dog food sitting out for your puppy to get into. Some dogs will eat until they become sick if given the opportunity. Solve this problem by storing dog food in large plastic containers. You can purchase a $5 plastic bin from a hardware store of opt for a fancier version from a pet superstore.

8. Keep toxic plants out of reach. Aloe Vera, Lilies, Baby’s Breath, Daffodils and many others can be toxic to your pet. While it depends on the size of the dog, puppies should not be around plants like this because their immune systems are still developing they are more susceptible to illness.

9. Put the chocolate away. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate, is toxic to dogs. Dogs are drawn to chocolate as people are and will eat it wrappers and all in some cases. If you have candy dishes out on coffee tables or in bowls on the kitchen table or counters, put them away. When properly motivated by these open bowls he will find a way to get to the tempting treats.

10. Purchase covered trash containers for every room in your house. Puppies can be quite the little scavengers when tempted by items left in trash cans. Make sure that all trash cans in the house are covered to avoid unnecessary messes. Do not overlook the bathroom trash bins. Small bathroom trash cans with domed lids keep nosey puppies from dragging your used tissues and other sanitary items about your house. Covered trash cans will eliminate this messy and potentially embarrassing situation.

While some owners avoid indoor problems by keeping their pets outside with dog fences others stay are secured indoors with a dog crate, but remember both require consistency to be effective. If you use either of these methods, you should always look for ways to keep your valuables safely out of reach.

Most of us can relate to the warm fuzzy feelings associated with the relationship between children and dogs. Movies and television have shown classic relationships of this sort for decades because of the popularity of dogs among children. Every time a dog walks by most toddlers and young children point and exclaim, “Look Mommy, puppies”!

While we love the idea of our children growing up with their special canine friend, the reality of its practice is not as perfect as it sounds. We have all seen the stories on the news. Every year in America dog bites are among the top 10 reasons for injuries to children. In fact, dog bites account for more emergency room visits per year than roller skating, skateboarding, all-terrain vehicles and horseback riding accidents combined. While there can never be a guarantee that your child will not be bitten by a dog; there are steps that you can take to dramatically reduce the risks.

First it is important to understand why dogs bite children in the first place. Most dogs are safe and loyal companions, but even the friendliest of dogs can bite if they feel threatened, afraid or hurt. Dogs can be protective over the things they care about including their dog bed and toys or spaces such as their yard, their owner’s parked car or their puppies. Children often make the mistake of inserting their arm into a fence to pet a dog who might be concerned about protecting his space and bite the unsuspecting child. Children need to understand that it is in a dog’s nature to be protectors. Another reason dogs bite children is because children have a tendency to crowd, chase, corner or stand too closely over a dog. These behaviors are all considered threats in the dog’s world. Children must be taught that they need to respect the dog’s space and avoid threatening behavior.

Now that we have a better understanding of why dogs bite children we can begin a step by step education program for our children. The American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and an national non-profit called Prevent the Bite have worked together to come up with a list of safety tips for children to avoid being bitten by dogs. Here is a basic list of the tips included in this guide:

1. Always remember that no owner means no petting. Your children should know that if there is no one with the dog or closely supervising the dog then it is never acceptable to pet the dog.

2. Always practice the WAIT theory when meeting new dogs
W – Wait to see if the dog is with its owner and the dog and owner appear friendly
A – Ask the owner for permission to pet the dog
I – Invite the dog to sniff or greet you first
T – Touch the dog gently to pet and never pet the face or head of strange dogs

3. Remember that hugs are for people and not for dogs. Children should not drape themselves around the dogs neck as the dog may consider this a threat. Hugs also place the children face to near the dog’s mouth and can result in serious injury.

4. Do not scream or run around dogs, this will agitate them. Dogs also have a tendency to chase running objects so this behavior can be dangerous.

5. Never go near a dog who is eating, sleeping, chewing on a toy or not feeling well. Children sometimes want to innocently play with the dog, but the dog might be protective of its food, toy or bed and choose to bite.

6. Do not go near a dog when he is in a car, behind a fence or tied up even if your child knows the dog as he will want to protect his space.

7. Teach your children what to do when being chased by a strange dog. They should stop running and stand completely still like a tree. If they have a bike or a skateboard they should put it between them and the dog and stand still while looking directly at the ground. Eye contact can sometimes antagonize an angry dog. If they have been knocked over by the dog teach them to lie on the ground with their knees to their chest, hands over their ears and arms covering their face.

This might sound scary to you, but most bite cases can be prevented by teaching your children about how dogs think and making sure they follow these tips.

A friend of mine called me a few months ago on the verge of tears. She called to ask if I could help her find a home for her two miniature poodles. My friend had had these dogs for over 7 years and was in a desperate position. While she loved them very much, she simply could not manage their behavior towards her 18 month old baby any longer. She had tried everything since she realized that her dogs did not like her daughter, but nothing seemed to work.

This is a difficult position to be in. On one hand, you love your pet and made a commitment to care for her. On the other hand you have a child whom you must protect and care for as well. You are exhausted, overwhelmed and have little time to deal with any additional stressors. This is not the time to start introducing your newest addition to your best friend. While there are no guarantees, with proper preparations this could be the start of a beautiful relationship between your human child and your furry one.

1. Start training as soon as you get the happy news that you are expecting. If your dog is not well trained or is a little rusty on basic commands then get her signed up for training classes as soon as possible. If you can not trust your dog to stay in a sit or a down without a baby in the house then chances are you will have no control over her when your baby comes home. You should be able to place your dog in a sit or down-stay or tell her to go lie down and receive a favorable response consistently.

2. Use a crate to create a safe place for your dog. If your dog is not crate trained then this is the time to get her acclimated to one. Crates should never be in your bedroom or the baby’s bedroom and should contain comfortable bedding. Think of a crate as an indoor dog house or a place where your dog can go to rest and relax. Dog crates are not designed as a punishment and you should use treats, toys and praise with your dog in the beginning to get her used to her new den. When the baby comes home you should be able to tell your dog to go to her crate whenever you and the baby need time and space without having to worry about doggie interference. Your dog might also appreciate a toy and a soft bed in her crate far, far away from the crying baby!

3. Practice by getting your dog used to a doll. As you get further along in the pregnancy begin to carry a toy doll wrapped in a blanket around the house. Cuddle with it, stroke it and act like it is a real baby. When doing this teach your dog not to jump on you or crowd you when you are holding it. Ignore her when she exhibits bad behavior and reward her if she stays away. Work on setting boundaries between your dog and the fake baby. With practice you should get to the point where you can place the doll on the floor and tell your dog no and she will not go over to investigate.

4. When the baby is born bring home an article of clothing or a blanket with his scent and place it on the practice doll baby. Make sure that the dog is close enough to smell it (in the room should suffice) and try placing the fake baby on the floor again to test the boundaries and allow your dog to have a preview of the new baby’s smell.

In addition to these tips, be patient with your dog. Remember that she was accustomed to receiving all of your love and attention and now she has to share you with the new baby. If you start early and commit to consistently working with her your chances of a happy homecoming will increase dramatically.

Every parent knows that it is just a matter of time before their child comes home with a stray dog asking, “Can we keep him Mom, huh, can we?” If it isn’t a stray then we will inevitably come across a box of puppies somewhere with the words, “Free to a Good Home” plastered across it in big bold letters. Let’s face it, children love dogs and America has gone to the dogs. According to the United States Humane society 40% of all households in the US own a dog. So in a country where dogs are more popular than ever, how can we be sure that we are selecting the right dog for our family?

Perhaps we should begin by looking at the factors we should not use to make our selection. Parents often make the mistake of choosing a small breed dog as their family pet because they assume that a small dog is a safe choice for their children. This is often not the case. Just because a dog is small does not mean that it has the proper temperament to mesh well with an active child. Breeds such as Chihuahuas, Miniature Pinchers and Rat Terriers are small and easy to care for; however, they need lots of attention and can be possessive of their owners and jealous when children receive more attention than they do. They are great dogs for single people, but probably not the best choice for the family pet.

Another factor to avoid when selecting the family pet is current trends. When Paris Hilton began sporting her Chihuahua Tinkerbell as a fashion accessory the popularity of the breed skyrocketed and before long they were seen on the arms of celebrities across the country. This can also be said for the increase in popularity of the Dalmatian after Glenn Close reprised the role of Cruella de Vil in the 1996 release of 101 Dalmatians. Shortly thereafter shelters were full of abandoned Dalmatians because people did not do their homework and selected a breed based on popularity alone.

With size and popularity nixed as a criterion, what can we use to select our family dog? Temperament, disposition and energy level are all excellent traits to use when selecting the best dog for your family. Temperaments are best described as personality traits for dogs. Some dogs are good natured and even tempered while others are dominant and high strung just like some people. Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Beagles and Pugs are all known for their even tempers. Thankfully there are other factors to consider for those of us who are not ready for committing to owning a dog as big as a Great Dane.

Disposition is also an important criteria. Disposition is the prevailing tendency or mood of the pooch in question. There are two major dispositions to consider, aggressive and submissive. A good way to tell which of the two you are dealing with is to roll the dog on its back and gently hold it there for a few seconds. If the dog bites or tries to wriggle out of your grasp then you are dealing with a dog with dominant tendencies. If the dog lies there willingly and fails to make eye contact then you have a submissive dog on your hands. The best choice for a family with children is the dog who is somewhere in between the two and seems only mildly uncomfortable and whines rather than nips.

Perhaps one of the most important characteristics to consider is energy level! Some of us do not have the time to provide the proper amount of exercise for certain dog breeds despite the fact that they meet all of our other requirements. If you have younger children who are not able to help with the exercise routine then Bull Dogs, Great Danes and Greyhounds are perfect choices. If you have older and more active children you might consider the Labrador, Golden Retriever or Irish Setter. All of these are great with kids and will enjoy participating in a variety of outdoor activities.

While these tips may be helpful it is important to remember that no amount of research is a substitute for the proper training and socializing of a dog. Remember that certain breeds do have stereotypical characteristics, but there are no guarantees in dog ownership and often times pound puppies of mixed breeds can be just as good or better family dogs than their purebred counterparts.

If you have children, than you are fully aware of the spell-bound gaze fixed to the television and permanent couch imprints left by our kids day in and day out. With the 500 channels on television, interactive online video gaming and the cold outdoor air – it’s no wonder our kids aren’t motivated to go outside. Most of the time we find them indoors and it feels as though they aren’t even there. As a parent, this is another one of your many jobs. You can motivate them to get out, ’see the world’ (as our parents used to tell us) and enjoy time outdoors. The summer months are slowly approaching, winter holidays coming to an end and spring breaks just around the corner – you have the perfect opportunity to arrange some quality family time. That is, until you try to un-glue your kid from couch and hit the kill-switch on the tube. Their complaints of boredom are peppered with your futile attempts to entertain them. If you have the feeling ‘all hope is lost’ and are looking for a solution, then this article is for you. Following are some great ideas to encourage your children to get moving…and all them involve a little strategic negotiating.

If you have active children, there are endless amounts of sports equipment that can be purchased to keep them moving. Soccer balls and goals might inspire a neighborhood soccer match. The new Nerf balls enable our kids to throw like Eli Manning and are perfectly safe in the event their Superbowl catch is thwarted. These can also give parents some fun exercise and prove to our kids we still have “it”. Erect a tether ball pole in your backyard and bring back the old days on the elementary school playground. Another option is to get your kids rolling; watch them roll through the streets on new bikes, skateboards, scooters, or roller blades. Or, watch them bounce around the yard on an outdoor trampoline (the only thing to note is that trampolines do have some impact on certain insurances so it’s smart to look into this before purchasing).

If your neighborhood sees snow, you can always purchase sleds, snow shoes, or a snowman kit complete with carrot nose. If you have some sunny days ahead, roll out a slip ‘n slide and lather up the sunscreen. Or, purchase a few mini pools and soak your feet while your kids splash around you. However, if you really want to liven things up, water guns make the perfect addition to your playful pools. Sidewalk chalk is a great gift that definitely gets kids outdoors. The fresh air seems to get their imaginations flowing and all sorts of art begins to take place in your driveway. Or, draw out a hopscotch game with the chalk and teach your kids what we used to do “in the old days” with only a rock to keep the game going. Bubbles are another fun and inexpensive way to get kids outdoors. Kids love to blow bubbles and chase them as they cut a path through the sky.

A truly ingenious way to get your kids out of the house is to put them to work in the yard. (I am sure there are many laughs carrying on about this one.) Haven’t figured out to do this yet? You know when you are walking through the toy section and your kid just can’t live without something…Well tell them they can have, but they will have to work for it. The kicker is that you cannot give it to them early, you need to get the work first and you will take them back as soon as they are done. A little incentive could by to have them pick out a set of “cool” gardening gloves and shovel if its yard work (or whatever tool is relevant to the task). It is important to understand that they have to pick their tools out. Make it a competition if you have to and see what happens.

If your kids are relegated to the indoors due to weather or some other circumstance, there are still some ways to get them off the couch. Purchase a “gift” or item that will require some movement, like good old Twister. And believe it or not, there is a modern day video system that will get them off the couch: The wii system, while somewhat expensive, it does encourage movement and you’ll be surprised when your kids break out in a sweat with the exercise games.

You can always get a family membership to a nearby gym. Yes this can be expensive also, but if you make a family thing out of it than it is money well spent. Dads and sons can work on getting buff, while moms and daughters can motivate each other to stay fit. Parents may even start to see that side of their spouse the first fell in love with…If you really try to make the time for this, than it will take around a month before you lose that feeling of having to “drag” yourselves there. You will hit a point that you hate missing a work out and not going is not an option.

In the end, involving your kids takes a lot of effort on the parents part. Whether you are tempting them with rewards and gifts, or you make a family effort out of it – you can do this! Involve yourself and you will see your child’s involvement start to…mature on its own. Hopefully this article has provided you with ideas. Leave comments to let me know what works and what didn’t work for you. Maybe you’ll find that what you have done can benefit others that are in the same position.

We’ve all heard of the terrible twos and we’ve all seen a toddler flail themselves on the ground in the midst of a temper tantrum. What we usually don’t notice is the look of embarrassment and frustration that flashes across the face of the mother of that toddler. If we do manage to lock eyes with the mother of the toddler committing the tantrum, we quickly look away, lest she see the pity in our eyes. Some might look at that mother and feel quick to judge, wondering how she is raising a child who would flail as such…those people are not parents. For the mother of a toddler, a simple trip to the grocery store might exhaust more energy than a marathon. It’s about time we thought of some unique gifts for the mother of the toddler.

Mothers of toddlers deserve to be pampered, no question. If you can afford a spa gift certificate, the toddler’s mom would surely appreciate the opportunity to have a few hours wrapped in a plush robe and surrounded by soft lighting. The only problem is she’ll need a few hours of babysitting service to be included with this gift. Don’t give the spa certificate if you’re not willing to watch the toddler. There is nothing worse than looking longingly towards that mani/pedi or massage gift certificate and knowing you can’t steal away a few hours to enjoy it.

Mothers of toddlers are often so busy throughout the day that by the time dinner rolls around, they feel just unmotivated and just uncreative enough to throw some mac n cheese on the stove. Again. That parent would love a gift certificate to a family friendly restaurant where her family can be served quality food while her toddler colors and is entertained by the sights around him. If you’re willing to watch your friend’s toddler for an evening, purchase a gift certificate to a restaurant that is anything but family friendly. Chances are your friend would love a night out with the father of her toddler. Chances are she’d love a glass of wine with dinner.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on the mother of the toddler but you want her to know you appreciate her and admire her, there are many services you can provide for her. Have you ever seen a toddler inside the four doors of a car? It can be a mess! Offer to wash your friend’s car for her and top off the job by putting some lovely smelling scents in the car. Another great service that the mother of a toddler could use is a housecleaning service. Again, if you can’t afford to pay for a housecleaning service, send your friend to the park to enjoy the afternoon with her toddler while you put the rubber gloves on and set to work cleaning her house. Same goes for laundry; toddlers might be small but they create a lot of laundry. Spend a few hours at your friends house and help her sort through all of those piles of laundry.

The final gift ideas for your friend are ideas that might make her life as a toddler’s mom a bit easier. Purchase some toys for the road, as the car can be a battleground for toddlers and moms. A travel size Aqua Doodle makes an entertaining gift, as does a travel size DVD player. A clever idea for traveling is to create a “Road Bag” that has all of the essentials in it. The toddler’s mom could use an already assembled canvas bag filled with toys, books, snacks, etc. This bag can be left in the car and can be conveniently retrieved whenever mom needs it!

When friends and family members welcome a 7 or 8 pound bundle of joy into their lives, we rush out to the retail baby mega stores for that “perfect gift.” We fill our carts with clothes, toys, books and products that claim to make baby eat, sleep and poop better. We’ll drive all over town searching for miracle blankets and twirling mobiles. Maybe we should stop and consider that sometimes the most “unique gifts” are acts of kindness. When I look back at our first days at home with our 7 pound bundle of joy, I have a hard time recalling who brought our son the lion and who sung lullabies, but I can remember clearly the faces that appeared above a steaming plate of spaghetti.

When your friends bring home a baby, they are not bringing home the bacon. (Literal translation= no one in the home has time to cook!) It’s actually very ironic: At a time when parents need the energy from a good meal, they simply don’t have the energy to prepare one. If you make a meal that can be frozen and prepared quickly and easily with little effort from the parents, you are giving a thoughtful gift in the form of an act of kindness. Show up with lasagna and a note to freeze until ready, bake at 350, you have friends for life. If you think to bring paper plates and napkins so as to avoid making dirty dishes, your friends would probably take a bullet for you.

One responsibility that falls off the new parents’ radar is the maintenance of the lawn. If you spent one Saturday afternoon at the new parents’ house mowing the lawn, trimming the edges and raking the leaves, you would be giving the whole neighborhood a gift. If you’re the organizing type, you could even arrange to have a few friends rotate this responsibility so that it was off the minds of the parents for a month or so.

Although a baby is a tiny creature, he can create a lot of laundry. Offer to pick up the new family’s laundry one week and return it washed, dried and ironed the next day. Just be sure to wash the baby’s items in a dye free scent free laundry detergent as their new skin is very sensitive.

It’s difficult for women to ignore the mess that is created in their home. New moms battle between letting the mess pile up and leaving it for another day. The exhaustion that comes with a new baby makes it difficult to keep the house clean and the love that comes with a new baby makes you want to spend your time cuddling and cooing the new one. Give the new mom a break by spending a few hours cleaning up her house. Mop or vacuum the floors, do the dishes and some light dusting and you’ll see the weight lifted right off the new mom’s shoulders.

Nothing can be more difficult on new parents than the sleep deprivation. The best thing you can do for a new parent is to provide them with a long nap. The way you can do this is to insist on coming over and holding the baby so mom and dad can go lie down. If the baby is being breast fed you can wake mom for feedings; if the baby is bottle fed, you can offer to feed the baby and allow the parents to take a longer nap. Who knew that sleep would be the biggest act of kindness you could offer to someone?

Christmas falls on December 25th every year. Every single year. It never changes. Then why is it that as the date rapidly approaches dads all around the world find themselves with nary a gift? If you’re a dad and you’ve found yourself in this predicament (once again), follow this guide to getting your shopping done quickly.

First, fuel up. Put gas in the car and food in your belly. You might be in for a long day and it’s possible that you might be driving all over town today. Make sure your family knows you’ll be away from the home all day. (Be prepared for your wife’s disappointed look when you tell her it’s because you’ve waited this long to get your portion of the list crossed off.)

Second, try to hit as many shops at once. Malls can be a dangerous place as the 25th approaches, but it’s also a place with many stores and many sales. Be systematic about your shopping while all the mall. Start at one department store and make your way around the entire mall, one floor at a time, returning to the original department store you began at. Outdoor malls are a gamble at this time of year; if you live in a cold and snowy place you might find yourself wet and miserable as you trudge from place to place. While outlet malls might be a place to get great deals, they are often not as organized as traditional indoor malls, and right now you just don’t have the time to be getting in and out of your car to go from store to store.
Thirdly, as you’re shopping, think about purchasing gifts that the whole family can enjoy. Have you ever heard the expression, “Kill two birds with one stone”? At the very least, purchase gifts that 2 or more of your family members can use together. Some examples include board games, sporting equipment or electronic devices.

Next, if you’re unable to make all of your purchases at the mall location, think about a store that carries a large variety of items. Many retail mega stores carry toys, games, clothes, and electronics all in one location. Most of these stores even sell gift cards to other retail stores; you just have to ask the cashier to activate them for the amount you desire. Retail mega stores are also great for finding stocking stuffers such as accessories, candy and CDs or DVDs.

Finally, don’t forget that you need to have all of these items wrapped before Santa’s impending arrival. Some stores along the way might have offered to gift wrap them for you. This is a fantastic option, as long as there isn’t a long line of dads in front of you. Make a list of the gifts that still need to be wrapped. Think about their sizes of the objects and visit a dollar store. Purchase as many gift bags as you need for the items in your car. Purchase festive colored tissue to stuff in and around the bags. Gift bags are the quickest way to wrap last minute gifts! They’re also great because they can be used again and again. The tie your teenage daughter buys you next year might come in the same bag that held the perfume you bought her this year- now that’s recycling!

If you follow these guidelines, you might find yourself pulling back into your driveway before the sun sets on Christmas Eve. You better hope so anyway!

Santa must have an unlimited supply of money. How else would he be able to afford gifts for all the children of the world when we struggle to purchase gifts for the dozen or so people on our list? At a time of the year when goodwill should be abounding, our debts are the only thing mounting. Below are some suggestions for how you can reduce the cost of buying Christmas years this year.

Step 1: Start shopping early in the year. Make your Christmas list during the summer and decide on your budget at that time. There may be some additional people to add as you get closer to the holidays, but chances are you already know who needs to be on your list. Now that you’ve created your list early, begin making gift purchases at least 6 months before the holiday season. If you commit yourself to purchasing at least 2 gifts a month until Christmas you won’t feel the money crunch that other shoppers feel come December.

Step 2: Pick up the Sunday newspaper. The Sunday newspaper is full of ads and coupons. Some stores publish a 40%-50% off coupon on one item each week. Because you have begun your shopping early, it should not be necessary to pay full price for any of your gifts. There will come a time that the items you have your eye on will go on sale. Be patient.

Step 3: You’ve begun your Christmas shopping during the summer. That means there are many holidays that happen between summertime and Christmastime. Large retail stores will have sales at the 4th of July, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, etc. Take advantage of these sales to mark some items off your list. If you’re courageous enough to brave the Thanksgiving weekend sales, there are deep discounts during this time.

Step 4: Don’t be afraid to explore venues other than retail stores. You can find new items at garage sales, Goodwill or the websites www.Craigslist.com or www.ebay.com. If you go this route, make sure the item is in fact new and comes in its original packaging.

Step 5: Consider removing some of the “items” from your list and replacing them with opportunities to spend time together. For instance, does your husband really need that new watch, or would he appreciate concert tickets instead? The tickets might be something he would have purchased for himself, so you’ve effectively cut that future cost from your family budget while still giving him what he wants. And, it’s an event that you will be able to attend together!

Step 6: Don’t use credit cards to make Christmas purchases. This is the biggest mistake consumers make during the holidays. Not only are you responsible for the cost of the purchase itself, but you are also responsible for the interest that your credit card will charge you.

Step 7: Keep track of your purchases and the amounts that you spend over the course of the several months of shopping. Once you see your expenditures written down, you will be able to evaluate and re-evaluate your purchases for the next holiday season. If the total costs scare you, don’t be afraid to start looking at where you can make cuts to your list for next year.

Many owners choose to leave their pets outdoors most of the year, bringing them indoors when it gets cold. The pet probably doesn’t understand the need to go indoors, but the owner knows how cold the temperatures can get in the winter. Bringing an outside pet inside without a proper introduction can cause problems for the pet, the family, and the home. It may not be cold yet, but you can start getting your pet accustomed to indoor life now.

This article isn’t necessarily intended for the owner who wants to make the drastic change: bringing an outside dog to live inside the home permanently. Instead, this article addresses bringing a dog indoors during certain days or nights when the weather outdoors is too cold to bear. No, it’s not cold yet, but it soon will be. Starting training in the fall can prepare your pooch for the winter. At first, you can practice by bringing him in one night and maybe half a day during the week. Once you are sure your pet is comfortable indoors, you can rest assured knowing that, when the time comes, your home and sanity won’t be at risk.

First of all, remember that an outdoor pooch has different experiences than an indoor one. More than likely, you have not taught him the difference between a piece of fine china and a Frisbee; basically, anything is game for your pet. It’s up to you to keep things away from him that you don’t want him to have. If he does get a hold of something, then you can’t get mad. Instead, you must train him by teaching him what is off-limits. If your pet has no experience with obedience training, then it’s a good idea to start immediately. Even simple commands such as “sit,” “stay,” “no,” and “come” can make a huge difference in the way your pet behaves indoors. You need to be able to control your pooch, whether he is inside or out.

You may want to keep your pet on a leash the first few times he gets to experience the great indoors. A leash gives you greater control over him, while teaching him what is on and off limits. Always reward and praise your pet when he does something good. It’s amazing what a handful of treats can accomplish! Also, watch and listen to your pooch. If he’s never been indoors, then he may act like a puppy. You will have to let him go outside when he needs to urinate. But, remember, he may not understand that he can’t do his business inside; a little housetraining may be in order.

You need to designate an area for him to stay. If you give him free reign over your home before he is trained in the ways of the home, then you are giving him permission to do whatever he wants to do. Instead, you should choose a room or an area where it is okay for him to be. Block off the area with pet gates, so that a solid boundary is set. Don’t place him in the back of the home where nobody visits. Remember that dogs are social animals; he needs to be placed in an area where the family likes to stay. So, consider blocking off a section of your den or family room. Once you have the boundaries set, dog-proof the area. You should remove anything that is valuable or that can be easily broken. You should also make the area dog friendly. Throw in his favorite toys, and make him a comfortable spot to sleep. Confining your pet to a crate at night is a good idea to start.

If your pet must stay indoors for a fairly long period of time (remember, he’s probably not used to being inside at all), then make sure he is occupied. A bored dog can resort to destructive behaviors, making you one unhappy owner. A dog that spends most of his time outdoors is probably used to running and playing. When he’s indoors, he may not be able to do so. It’s up to you to keep him happy and give him ways to release his energy!

Winter is not yet upon us, but it will be soon. If you plan on bringing your pooch indoors on those unbearably cold days and nights, then you need to start training him now. Designate an area of your home for your pooch and teach him how to behave. Once he learns the ins and outs of your home, he’ll be less likely to get into mischief on the cold, wintry days.

This article was written by Collin Walker and sponsored by Pet Super Store, which is an online pet site featuring information and great deals on pet carriers, dog beds and pet doors.

Whether times are tough or you are just looking for additional ways to be frugal, the best ways to save money is by shopping. This doesn’t mean spending money every place you go, but price hunting for one that fits your budget. Where many people go wrong is by accepting the recommendations from veterinarians as an End All solution. However, these offices are businesses and as we know all to well – businesses revolve around making money. Another great way to keep your wallet fat and bills lows is to find out best bargain and even to DIY (do-it-yourself). It may take a little while to develop a savings plan, but once you have it in place, you’ll be glad you took the time and made a little effort. Here are a few ways to save a little money without cutting corners with your pet’s health.

Veterinary care: Never sacrifice veterinary care to save money! But also don’t think that just because one office prices an item (including mediation) at a certain prices that it is set. As you will hear from every dog in the park “a healthy lifestyle prevents health issues.” But it is not always the case that you pet falls ill and you weren’t taking care of them. Many times they get sick even with a healthy lifestyle. How do you save money then without sacrificing their health? There are numerous ways you can save on that dreaded trip to the vet. More than likely, you have a few veterinarians in your area. For whatever reason, you have probably chosen one specific vet that you are faithful to. The way this should be approached is that if you are loyal to a vet, then shouldn’t they be loyal to you? Many people are turning to online stores to get their pet’s medication for a lower price, which has spiked offices price matching avenues. If you think about it, a price match is the best way to keep a steady stream of income in an economy that is presently unpredictable and their earning constituents trust. If anyone knows that medications and other procedures can be expensive it is the one in the White Coat that see’s everything.

An untapped practice for saving money is to purchase the necessary vaccinations from your vet, but to give them to your pet at home. Vet’s charge a set fee for administering a vaccination just like an auto shop charges for changing your oil for you. But if you were to change your own oil (Save $100.00) giving your pet can see that same savings at a minimum. Don’t expect every vaccination to be handed to you, since some are controlled. But, also do not trap yourself in the mindset that there is no other solution for saving money and your pet’s health. On that same note, don’t assume that you have to go to a vet’s office for your pet to receive the attention. Throughout the year, animal shelters and similar organizations will offer discounted vaccination days. You can even find discounted spay and neutering procedures through these organizations, which can keep your savings in the high hundreds.

Food: There’s no doubt that high-quality food is better for your pet and easier on your wallet in the long run. However you should look for money-saving coupons to purchase the food and find ways to save money on an expense that can take its toll. Often, you can find such coupons by visiting the manufacturer’s website or contacting a competing manufacturer for incentives to “switch”. Grocery stores may run sales on foods, but it is not practical to sit around and wait. There are great ways to start saving now. Buying pet food in bulk can also save money in the long run. Not only does buying in bulk reduce the number of trips you need to make to the store (saving time and gas), it also gives you more for your money. Be careful though, and do your math at the store. Not all bulk items are cheaper than their smaller counterparts! Also use common sense: how much can you save by making your pet’s food at home? Homemade dog food recipes are on the rise and a popular avenue for dog trainers and professionals. This enables you to know exactly what is going into your pets meal (for health reasons) and to save bundles on your monthly credit cards bills.

Toys: Instead of going out and buying expensive dog toys, rotate the toys that you already have. If you leave out all the toys all the time, then your pooch will get bored. Rotating two or so every week will keep the toys fresh and interesting. How many times have you bought a cute toy at the store and found that your house items pique your pet’s interest more? For cats, many household items can make great toys. Just roll up a piece of aluminum foil and watch your cat entertain herself! Grab that ragged sheet in the closet or old shoe box in the basement and let them transform it into whatever retreat they wish.

There are many ways you can cut back your pet’s expenses. However, you should never sacrifice their health of your pet just to save a few dollars. You can shop around for veterinary care; negotiate for offices to keep your business; search for coupons and even put in some elbow grease. By administering your pet’s vaccinations on simple medications, making their food and using old items for toys can keep you saving thousands of dollars. Shop around and save your hard earned cash in an economy that is anything but predictable.

This article was provided by Pet Super Store and written by Collin Walker. Visit his website for all of your pet’s supplies. Featured items include: pet car seats and pet carriers. Please share your ideas with me by leaving a comment about how you are saving money in these troubling times.

It’s no secret that secondhand smoke can have harmful effects. However, you probably overlooked the fact that smoking around your pets is just as dangerous as lighting up around your children. For whatever reason, we often overlook simply health matters when it comes to our beloved companions. Besides, aren’t pets supposed to adapt to the owners’ lifestyles? As an owner, you have a responsibility to maintain the health and well-being of your pet. So for your dog or cat’s sake, you should come up with ways to keep the secondhand smoke out of your pet’s life.

This article is not intended to preach at the smokers or to overload them with reasons to quit. Instead, it is intended to show what effects secondhand smoke can have on your family members, including the animals inside your home. It also provides a couple of suggestions for smokers with pets, such as alternatives areas in the home to have a cigarette. So, don’t take this as a sermon or an educational seminar; take it with a grain of salt!

The dangers of secondhand smoke are not recent news. Studies conducted in the 1990s showed how the health of household animals was negatively affected by owners who smoked. If you have ever known or been around a bird owner, then you have probably realized how sensitive birds are to any toxins in their environment. It is commonly known that birds are quite often used to “test” the quality of the air in a certain area. This test typically leads to a late warning resulting in a deceased bird and very ill human. But who really keeps in the front of their long list things that family members and pets are twice as likely to develop cancer living in a smokers household!

Dogs exposed to secondhand smoke showed a high rate of nasal and lung cancer. Dogs with long noses were more likely to develop nasal cancer, while dogs with shorter snouts were more likely to develop lung cancer. As the cancer-causing carcinogens are inhaled by a long-nosed dog, they spend more time going through the filtration system of the nose; thus, there is more damage done to this region. Dogs with shorter noses (i.e. less surface area) experience carcinogen buildup in the lungs rather than the nose, because the carcinogens have less space to remain in the nose.

Cats that live with smokers are more likely to develop mouth cancer and lymphoma. The researchers pointed to cats’ grooming habits to explain oral cancer. As a cat comes in contact with secondhand smoke, the cancer-causing carcinogens attach to the cat’s fur. When the cat licks her fur during a grooming ritual, the carcinogens enter her mouth, eventually leading to mouth cancer. Cats that live in smoking households are twice as likely to develop lymphoma as cats that live in non-smoking homes.

The Alternatives

So, now that you have a basic understanding on how secondhand smoke affects pets in the home, it’s time to come up with ways to protect those we love. The first alternative is probably the most obvious but not necessarily the most feasible in the beginning: take the cigarette outside. Remember, outside the home can include a carport, garage, or porch. Keeping the smoke out of the home is a benefit for all (both animals and humans) who lives there. You should also be extremely cognoscente of your articles of clothing that can easily result in damaging health issues when one comes in direct contact with them. So, take the clothes and put them strait into the wash machine. This is a simple solution that will keep those around you safe.

Now, if going outside in freezing temperatures does not sound probable, then look for other ways around the dilemma. For instance, consider smoking in only one room of your home. Make sure the room has good air flow. If possible keep the door closed, open a window, turn on a fan, or consider using an air filtration system. Let the fan or filtration system continue running for a few minutes after you stop smoking. Do not allow your pets, family or children in the room at anytime, whether you are smoking or not. No, smoking in a designated area of your home won’t keep your animals completely away from the smoke, but it will greatly reduce their exposure.

The dangers of secondhand smoke have been known for years. Children and family members are always considered but its all too often that pets not considered when it comes to this controversial topic. The fact is secondhand smoke is damaging to others health. If you smoke, work to find ways to limit your pets’ exposure to the smoke. As a responsible and caring owner, it is up to you to look out for the health and wellbeing of your pets. I share this from experiences with training and seeing the worst of situations. Smokers are not bad people, most of the time they can be nicer than people that don’t smoke. If you have any other experiences or thoughts on how to limit exposure please leave a comment and I will be sure to include them in a follow up article.

This article was provided by Collin Walker. Visit his website to find pet supplies for your four legged friends including dog houses and dog carriers.