Moving Up and Out

Woah. How is it 2013? I swear, I can’t even tell you where time has gone.

Well a new year means new starts and we’ve had quite a few. In September, we moved. It was an awesome process and Shami and I made Mom and Dad proud by handling everything really well. We were really fortunate that we had time on our side with our move, but everyone had patience and we all worked together. Here are our tips for a smooth and easy move!

1. Visit the new neighborhood before moving, if possible. Luckily, we were not moving out of state and we were able to use the time that the banks were processing things to drive over to the new neighborhood and go for long walks. Getting to explore the neighborhood, smell the new smells (and leave some of ours behind), and get used to these surroundings was really beneficial.

2. Packing. Moving is stressful for humans. Things must be sorted, packed, donated, or trashed, and this can be emotional. Dogs don’t think of things this way. We aren’t watching you clean out the closet thinking “but that is a lovely sweater you were wearing when we went to the park!” We pick up on your emotions. Try to stay calm and organized, and if you feel stressed, take a break (we are great at helping with breaks). Our biggest tip here is that you pack up our toys/bed/crate last so that we have some place to go hang out while you are busy.

3. The big day. Dogs do not need to be underfoot while movers (or friends) are hauling furniture. If possible, send us to another friends’ house or a dog daycare. We will be less stressed to be out of the way than if we were getting hollered at. Plus, with doors being left open, you don’t want to risk us making a break for it. Keep us securely away until the furniture and boxes are in the new place (if possible).

4. Arriving at our destination. When we first come to the new home, take us for a walk. If we have been lucky enough to come to the neighborhood in advance, we won’t think it is weird to be in this new place. If this is the first time, be patient as we sniff and mark and get our bearings. The longer we get to walk, the more relaxed our brains become and he more likely we will be to come into the new house calm and ready for a nap.

5. Moving in. This is like packing in reverse. Give us our crate/bed/toys first so we have a place to go that smells like us. Then you can work on your stuff. Again, stay calm, take breaks.

6. Patience. Over the first week, we may or may not react to the new house with behaviors we never showed before. If you won’t be home with us, know that you have options. There is nothing wrong with crating a dog. If you are really worried about accidents in the house or you know your dog has a destructive streak, you can crate them until you feel they are used to the new surroundings. Be sure that your crate is large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around comfortably. Be sure they have access to water (food is based on your feeding schedule). If you don’t plan to crate your dog and you want to give them free reign of the new house, consider starting slow by blocking off some rooms. We never have access to bedrooms when we are home alone. Be prepared to find an accident or something chewed up. Even the best behaved dogs need adjustment time. If you prepare yourself that your dog may stumble, you will be very happy if they don’t!

Following these tips, you will hopefully have as smooth of a transition as we did! We love our new neighborhood, they are even having a Bark in the Park event on January 26th where they will turn the main park into a dog park for the day! How fun.

We moved into our new house!

I love watching out the front window.

Shami loves the new parks where she can play fetch.

Our other big news, we’re going to have a little brother!

Adventure Dogs

We went hiking this weekend.

It was a lot of fun to break out of our standard routine and go explore a new world, but it is important that we were prepared and alert during the whole outing. Your dogs, no matter their breed or size, will enjoy adventures as long as you take the time to do it right. Follow some simple adventure rules to ensure success!

Rule 1: Know your destination. No matter if you are planning to go on a walk through a new park or a hike that will challenge you and your dog, do a little research before you go. Be sure to check that parks and trails are dog friendly, but also know the terrain. If your dog is not used to activity, they might not be up to a four mile hike up a steep mountain; you must make the judgment call for what your dog can handle.

Within the confines of knowing your destination, I want to include knowing the weather. This weekend, temperatures were supposed to break the 100 mark- an afternoon adventure was absolutely out of the question. When we were leaving our trail, we saw people trying to take dogs and small children onto it. Many returned before we had even left the park because it was too hot by 9AM. Take the two minutes to check the weather the day before to be prepared. Heat is dangerous (as is freezing cold). Rain isn’t going to hurt, but if you don’t want a muddy wet dog, don’t go out. A simple check avoids any mishaps.

Rule 2: Always be prepared. My mama said this is the Boy Scout motto, but I think I everyone should adopt it! For us, preparedness includes ample amounts of water, cookies for a snack, map, cell phone, and camera. Luckily I have a backpack that holds most of this and mom or dad carries the water.

Rule 3: Pay attention. Every day is different. You can plan and prep, but you must be paying attention to be sure that your adventure is a success. I’ve stepped on burrs, and thankfully, my mama always notices if I limp or hold my foot up for even a short moment. Shami is smaller than I am so dad will lift her over a large rock to be sure that she doesn’t hurt herself trying to jump. Their vigilance ensures that we don’t suffer a serious injury. This holds true for even walks in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Being alert and paying attention means that you are never surprised by an off-leash dog, plants with thorns, or a car whipping around a turn.

Follow these basic rules and you will be able to enjoy your adventures and build up to being a weekend warrior!

Enjoy some pictures from our hike!

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Safety First

There are a lot of holidays that require Mom and Dad to go away out instead of being home with us. We don’t mind though because they always take care of our needs before they leave.

First, Mom believes that tired pups will most likely sleep and relax while alone in the house. On days like today (New Year’s Eve) we go on a big adventure. This involves more than just walking around the neighborhood like we do every day. Today we went to a hiking trail and spent an hour and a half climbing 412′ in elevation. This doesn’t just tire us out, we are wiped. Feed us our dinner and we will sleep through anything. This strategy of Mom’s works for them too because when they come home, we are ready to go to bed and not ramped up wanting another walk. You know your pooch’s activity level; so you are the best judge of how much extra activity to push for.

Second, Dad leaves music on. I know it sounds silly and cliche, but on a holiday like New Year’s Eve in a state where fireworks are legal, there is bound to be some ruckus in the street. If there is some music on, it creates a bit of a white noise effect and we aren’t so startled when the fireworks go off. We don’t have a dog door in our home, but if you do, consider closing it for the night. When you hear of dogs running away on holidays like this, the problem is that the dog could get out not that the dog was skiddish. If your dog tends to be more nervous to sounds like firecrackers, they are more apt to look for safety when things start popping.

Have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve and we will see you all in 2012!

Travelin’ Dog

In Arizona, it’s just too hot to do anything in August. Apparently even blogging is too hard when it is that hot. Think of it as summer hibernation. However, it is now September! There is the promise of Fall on the horizon and I am ready to get back into it.

This weekend was Labor Day weekend. A great time for relaxing and vacationing. Because my parents wanted to get away, but decided to do so at the last minute, it also became a vacation for pups! Traveling with your pets does take a little extra planning though.

The best place to start is DogFriendly.com. This website lists by state and by city businesses that are dog friendly- from hotels to attractions to restaurants. It isn’t 100% complete, but you can get a good starting point for your trip. If there is nothing listed, my guess is that the town isn’t too dog friendly. From there, always call first. Never just show up and expect that there will be a room waiting for you and your pups. Also, be prepared to put a pet deposit down. The amount can vary, but most businesses require the deposit (and use it as a gauge to see who believes their dog is well behaved).

The first step to traveling with your dog is much like human traveling, make sure you have all proper forms of identification. For a dog, this means having all proper tags and vaccinations on hand. Some establishments might ask for a rabies certificate, so make a copy to bring with you. Make sure the tags on your dog’s collar are up to date, and having your dog microchipped is a great idea.

Next up, it’s time to hit the road. I happen to be an excellent traveling dog. I sit in the back seat and don’t move around or whine or fuss at all. I love the car and will happily sit and look out the window. Some dogs cannot handle this, however. The movement can cause them some stress or the unfamiliarity of the situation can increase their anxiety. If you don’t take your dog in the car often, don’t expect it will be perfect. There are some great tips available on the American Kennel Club’s website for car travel with your dog. If your dog does fuss in the car, you might consider bringing them in their crate (assuming your car is large enough to fit one) or using a dog seat belt. Also, bringing familiar smells (toys, a blanket, their normal food) will help dogs adapt.

One big question is about sedating your dog for travel. This is a decision you should make based on the fact that you know your dog and you have talked to your vet. If your dog has extreme anxiety in a car, your vet can prescribe a sedative for them and they will review all of the side effects or possible complications. If you haven’t talked to your vet, don’t just assume. Flat faced breeds and some giant breeds can suffer serious side effects from being sedated. Giving your dog a Benadryl just to make her sleep is not the best choice.

Once you arrive at your destination, take a walk. Do not dump your dog into a hotel room and leave. Walk for at least 30 minutes around the area to let your dog stretch, smell and do his business. If possible, let your dog meet the owner of the establishment so that, if needed, the owners can get into the room with your dog inside. Help your dog settle into the new room by hanging out with them for a little while. Your pets pick up on your ques really quickly, the more relaxed you are, the faster they will adapt.

Finally, on your trip, always ask about your dog on the patio of a restaurant or on a walking tour, never assume. Also keep in mind that not everyone is a dog lover. Don’t let your pups rush up to other people or pull at their leashes. A well trained dog will sit under your table or at your feet on a patio while you eat and stay by your side while walking through town. Be mindful of the terrain and weather for your dog as well and let them rest if they need it.

Being an attentive and rational pet owner will make family vacations all the more fun!

Travel Partners

Some times Mom and Dad travel and puppies aren’t allowed to go, but it’s ok, this is when we get to go on puppy vacation. Whether it is a kennel that fits your every need or another family who shares you pet-raising philosophy, having a safe place for the pooches to go is extremely important.

A boarding kennel can be an awesome option, but keep some things in mind. You have to follow their rules. Even the most friendly and accommodating kennel will require all vaccinations be up to date and they might require a screening. This is to ensure the health and safety of all the dogs staying there, be respectful. Similarly, when boarding, it’s important to explain any special needs a dog has, but we don’t need to tell everyone that I like belly rubs at exactly 6:45 p.m. These are busy people who (if you do your homework and pick a great kennel) are doing a great job for you, don’t make it too difficult.

Some tips for kenneling:

• Tour the place well in advance. You need to see how they operate and get to know some employees. Is it clean? Do you have concerns?
• Ask a lot of questions. How many dogs do they have at a time? How do they identify the dogs? What is included in the per day cost- don’t assume it covers everything.
• Don’t be a helicopter. When it is time to bring your pups in, make it quick. Being nervous or sad transfers to us. Calling to check in on your pooch once or twice is ok too, but don’t make daily phone calls; the kennel has your number if they need it. When it is time to pick us up, we’re going to be tired, don’t freak out.
• Be grateful. Say thank you, tip the worker who took time to give your pup a bath, write a thank you note for them to display, etc.

For us, we go to our Aunt Lisa and Uncle Eric’s house. When they travel, their pup comes to stay with us. This situation works out so well because we all know each other and we all get along. Mom and Dad can go on vacation with any stress (or guilt) while we enjoy a few days with our friend.

That being said, see you in a few days. I’m on vacation!