gainesville florida blog

Puppy safety

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I have been caring for your pets for more than twenty five years as a Zoo Keeper, an Animal Services Officer, Veterinary Technician and a professional pet sitter with an Associate of Science degree in Animal Science. I have seen well intentioned people bring home a beautiful new puppy only to mourn his or her death from ingesting toxic plants or objects.

Puppies are very orally oriented. That means they like to mouth EVERYTHING including things that are not safe for them. Before you bring them home you should look around both your home and yard and remove as many hazards as possible including toxic plants, you can find a list of toxic plants here http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/ Even after removing toxic plants you should not allow your puppy to chew on any plants. Also make sure any containers of chemicals or hazardous objects are removed or out of your puppy’s reach.Coco bark mulch has become the subject of concern recently, but you should not only keep your puppy from mouthing coco bark mulch, but all mulch and anything else that is not intended for a puppy. You need to be hyper-vigilant when bringing home your new family member. You absolutely must supervise them at all times when they are not crated or in a puppy-proof room. Even when your puppy is on a leash they are going to try to mouth anything they can. Keep them on a short non-retractable leash that will not allow them to wander. You should be prepared if your puppy or any dog for that matter should put something in their mouth that may be harmful to them. DO NOT try to remove the object from their mouth immediately. First make an abrupt sound like AH AH! To distract them then offer them a treat which you have previously determined they like better than any other. This will let you trade the hazard for the treat. Be sure to pick up and remove the object after they drop it. You should also keep the ASPCA Poison Control Center telephone number 888-426-4435, your veterinarians phone number and your veterinary emergency clinic’s phone number immediately available, you can do this by putting the numbers on your refrigerator. Ask each of the clinics and the poison control center if they have their information on a magnet.
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Other pet parents never thought it would happen to them. Whether your puppy is in Florida or somewhere else you can take steps to insure your puppies safety.

I encourage you to post comments that are relevant to the discussion, but please, only leave comments that are pertinent to the topic.

If you have any suggestions as to how the process can be improved I’m all ears. Please let me know your suggestions.

Please don’t buy a family member. ADOPT! Prefer a particular breed? Contact a rescue group. like these

Florida Pit Bull Rescue http://pitbull.rescueme.org/Florida

The American Kennel Club

The Bulldog club of America

The American German Shepherd Rescue Association or contact me , and I will be happy to help you.
I wish you and your dog many happy years together. Contact me I will be happy to help you.

Stop dog bans and BSL

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I have been caring for your pets for more than twenty five years as a Zoo Keeper, an Animal Services Officer, Veterinary Technician and a professional pet sitter with an Associate of Science degree in Animal Science.

There are two indisputable facts when it comes to banning pit bulls or any other breed of domesticated dog.
1. There is NO science based data that supports that any breed of dog is more predisposed to attack humans than any other breed.
2. Pit bulls pit bull dogs pit bull terriers regardless of the name you choose can only be properly identified through complicated genetic testing and hundreds of dogs are improperly identified as pit bulls.

What can we do to combat this misguided legislation?

1. Talk to your veterinarian and encourage them to take a stand against breed specific legislation and to make their position known by posting an announcement  in their office and on their website.

2. Adopt a pit bull

3. If you own a pit bull make it your promise to train your dog and be an ambassador for the breed

4.Volunteer to take a pit bull out in your community and provide public education

What other subjects would you like to see?

I encourage you to post comments that are relevant to the discussion, but please, only leave relevant comments.

Please don’t buy a family member. ADOPT! Prefer a particular breed? Contact a  rescue group like these

Florida Pit Bull Rescue http://pitbull.rescueme.org/Florida

The American Kennel Club http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm

The Bulldog club of America http://www.rescuebulldogs.org/
The American German Shepherd Rescue Association http://www.agsra.com/ or contact me at https://bobspetsitting.com/ and I will be happy to help you.
I wish you and your dog many happy years together. Contact me I will be happy to help you.

HOW TO SAVE YOUR DOG’S LIFE

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I have been caring for your pets for more than twenty five years as a Zoo Keeper, an Animal Services Officer and as a Veterinary Technician.
I have seen dozens of dogs needlessly hit by cars and attacked and killed by other dogs whose owners never thought it would happen to them. I have seen the suffering that the dogs experience and the heartbreak their owners go through. Please do not let this happen to you. Whether your dog is in Florida or somewhere else
You can save your dog’s life by following a few simple steps:

1. NEVER let your dog outside without you attached to one end of a leash and your dog secured to the other end in a harness. (Except in a fenced yard).

2.When taking your dog outside always use a harness  and not a collar. You should avoid step in and expandable mesh harnesses. The expandable material in the mesh harnesses can  not hold your dog securely and the step in harnesses are difficult to fit properly. An H style harness is your best choice. Remember it needs to fit tightly to work properly.  Your dog can slip out of a collar in a few seconds and be gone forever

3. Do not rely solely on electric “Invisible fence” type fencing. It is not effective for all dogs and is not as reliable as a physical fence.

4. Inspect your fence regularly for any damage or gaps that would allow your dog to escape.

5. Always have your dog’s identification attached to their harness or collar at all times (yes even inside).

6. Use a collar only for the purpose of attaching your dog’s identification or a fashion statement, but never for attaching a leash.

7. Have your pet micro chipped. Make sure you choose a chip that is recognized by your local shelter.

8. Please keep your dog on a leash. Remember you can control your actions, but you can not control the actions of those who may harm your pet, like speeding cars,other dogs,coyotes, etc. Use a harness and leash.

I encourage you to post comments.

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Please don’t buy a family member. ADOPT! Prefer a particular breed? Contact a rescue group like these

Florida Pit Bull Rescue http://pitbull.rescueme.org/Florida

The American Kennel Club http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm
The Bulldog club of America http://www.rescuebulldogs.org/
The American German Shepherd Rescue Association http://www.agsra.com/ or contact me at https://bobspetsitting.com/ and I will be happy to help you.
I wish you and your dog many happy years together. Contact me I will be happy to help you.

Pure breed dog and cat adoption

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I have been caring for your pets for more than twenty five years as a Zoo Keeper, an Animal Services Officer, Veterinary Technician and a professional pet sitter with an Associate of Science degree in Animal Science.

Many people believe that they can not adopt a purebreed dog or cat. you can. In fact if you are patient you can adopt the breed of your choice from a shelter. If you prefer you can work with a purebreed rescue group such as these: The American Kennel Club http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm
The Bulldog club of America http://www.rescuebulldogs.org/
The American German Shepherd Rescue Association http://www.agsra.com/
or contact me at https://bobspetsitting.com/ and I will be happy to help you find your next family member.

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Pet Crate Safety

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I have been caring for your pets for more than twenty five years as a Zoo Keeper, an Animal Services Officer, Veterinary Technician and a professional pet sitter with an Associate of Science degree in Animal Science.

If you confine your pet to a crate at any time always remove their collar before putting them in their crate to avoid entanglement.

I encourage you to post comments that are relevant to the discussion, but please, only leave relevant comments.

This would be an example:  What type of crate do you recommend?

Please don’t buy a family member. ADOPT! Prefer a particular breed? Contact a purebreed rescue group. like these The American Kennel Club http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm
The Bulldog club of America http://www.rescuebulldogs.org/
The American German Shepherd Rescue Association http://www.agsra.com/ or contact me at https://bobspetsitting.com/ and I will be happy to help you.

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I wish you and your dog many happy years together. Contact me I will be happy to help you.

Spend time with your pet daily and you will be rewarded ten fold!

How to choose a dog collar or harness

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I have been caring for your pets for more than twenty five years as a Zoo Keeper, an Animal Services Officer, Veterinary Technician and a professional pet sitter with an Associate of Science degree in Animal Science.

Pet owners often use a collar for the purpose of restraining their dog or cat such as when walking. Collars should not be used for restraint. Your dog or cat can easily escape from a standard collar and martingale and pinch collars can cause injury. Pinch and Martingale Collars  should be used only by trained professionals and standard collars should only be used for the purpose of  attaching your pet’s identification. A harness is the proper tool for restraining your dog or cat and attaching a leash. You should avoid step in and expandable mesh harnesses. The expandable material in the mesh harnesses can  not hold your dog securely and the step in harnesses are difficult to fit properly. An H style harness is usually the best option. Remember it needs to fit tightly to work properly. Think your dog is so well trained you don’t need to keep them on a leash?

If you desire a harness with greater control look for one with the leash attachment in the front rather than on the top. An excellent example is the Freedom no pull harness from Wiggles Wags and Whiskers.  I am not affiliated with the company and have never received any compensation from them.

Choose the appropriate size harness for your dog or cat by measuring the circumference from around the belly to the top of the shoulder and adding five percent. You can do this easily with a flexible tape measure. NEVER leave your pet on a tie out without being supervised.

What’s your favorite harness!?

Holiday Pet Safety

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I have been caring for your pets for more than twenty five years as a Zoo Keeper, an Animal Services Officer, Veterinary Technician and a professional pet sitter with an Associate of Science degree in Animal Science.

HOLIDAY PET SAFETY

FOR CATS

  • Do not use tinsel on your tree tinsel is not a cat toy-cats are prone to ingest it
  • Keep string type garlands out of your cat’s reach- your cat is prone to being entangled in them
  • Do not leave chocolate and candy out where cats may get it-It is toxic to them
  • After cooking holiday foods move them to a safe place where your cat can not get to them
  • Do not allow cats around tree- They may be injured by lights falling, hot bulbs or being entangled.
  • Poinsettias are toxic to cats do not allow your cats access to them
  • Do buy your cat appropriate cat toys designed for cats and to avoid toxic contaminants look for toys made in the U.S.A.

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FOR DOGS

  • Do not allow them to drink the tree water
  • Make sure toys are large enough that your dog can not ingest them.
  • Buy your dog toys that are designed for their size and to avoid toxic contaminants look for dog toys made in the U.S.A.
  • Do not allow dogs around the tree-they are too prone to knocking bulbs off, becoming entangled in lights or even knocking the tree itself over
  • Do not leave edible gifts around the tree-Too much temptation for pooches
  • Do not use popcorn garland on tree-See above
  • Keep string type garlands out of your dog’s reach- your dog is prone to being entangled in them
  • Do not allow them to have candy or chocolate- It’s toxic to them
  • After cooking holiday foods move them to a safe place where your dog can not get to them
  • Poinsettias are toxic to dogs do not allow your dogs access to them
  • Spend time with your pet/family member daily and you will be rewarded ten fold!

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Please don’t buy a family member. ADOPT! Prefer a particular breed? Contact a purebreed rescue group. like these The American Kennel Club http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm
The Bulldog club of America http://www.rescuebulldogs.org/
The American German Shepherd Rescue Association http://www.agsra.com/ or contact me at https://bobspetsitting.com/ and I will be happy to help you.
I wish you and your dog many happy years together. Contact me I will be happy to help you.

General Pet safety for Dogs Cats and Birds

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I have been caring for your pets for more than twenty five years as a Zoo Keeper, an Animal Services Officer, Veterinary Technician and a professional pet sitter with an Associate of Science degree in Animal Science.

TIPS TO KEEP YOUR PETS OUT OF HARMS WAY

  • Never let your pet outside without you holding  one end of a leash with your pet secure in a harness on  the other end, except in a fenced yard. This  rule should be followed regardless of your pets level of training. A harness is  a more secure option than a collar.  Remember you can control your actions, but you can not control the actions of others that may harm your pet. Think about the cars speeding and dogs running loose.
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  • Always have your pets identification tags attached to their collar or harness
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  • Never let your cats run free. There are too many hazards they can not defend themselves against; e.g. raccoons , cars, coyotes and other cats to name just a few.
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  • If you have a puppy never leave them unattended except in their crate. They are too prone to eating things that would harm them. When you put your puppy in their crate always remove their collar first so their is no risk of entanglement. When you have your puppy out of the crate watch them carefully to make sure they do not eat things they shouldn’t. Provide them with appropriate size toys designed for them and made in the U.S.A. that they can not ingest.
  • Check back for more tips
    What do you like about this post?
    What other subjects would you like to see?
  • If you want your comment posted write something about this topic.
  • This would be an example: Why should I not let my dog run outside as long as I am there supervising?
  • I encourage you to post comments that are relevant to the discussion, but please, only leave relevant comments. Please don’t buy a family member. ADOPT! Prefer a particular breed? Contact a purebreed rescue group. like these The American Kennel Club http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm
    The Bulldog club of America http://www.rescuebulldogs.org/
    The American German Shepherd Rescue Association http://www.agsra.com/ or contact me at https://bobspetsitting.com/ and I will be happy to help you.     I wish you and your dog many happy years together. Contact me I will be happy to help you.Spend time with your pet/family member daily and you will be rewarded ten fold!