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Cats

Dogs

Think Globally, Act Locally

Dogs

Bringing a New Dog into Your Home
• Before you decide whether to adopt a puppy, or an adult dog….
• Now that you have chosen your new best friend ….
• To find a dog, try one of these sites ….
• Here’s a New Dog Checklist of items to have on hand before you bring your dog home ….
• Use this Pet Health Care Log to keep records ….

Joys and Frustrations of a New Dog in Your Home
• One of the first things you should consider doing with your puppy or dog ….
• Find a qualifed trainer ….

What Type of Diet to Feed Your Dog?
• This area is so controversial, you could spend years learning the pros and cons …
• Our advice …
• Here are some links to help you work through all the hype.
• Food Sampling
• And, last, but not least, especially in a dog ’s mind, are the treats!

Now for the Fun From A to Z!
Let’s look at ways you can have fun with your dog!
• Agility
• Canine Good Citizen Test
• Carting
• Conformation
• Dog Clubs
• Earthdog
• Field Trials
• Flyball
• Freestyle Dancing
• Gun Dog Trials
• Herding
• Jr. Showmanship
• Lure Coursing
• Obedience
• Pet Assisted Therapy
• Rally Obedience
• Search and Rescue
• Simple Tricks
• Tracking

When you Can’t Be There, But Someone Needs To Be …
• Pet Sitting
• Professional Dog Walkers
• Doggie Day Care
• Pet Care Instructions Checklist

Health Topics – Common Concerns
(Be sure to contact your veterinarian if you suspect your dog is showing signs
of illness.)
• To Breed or Not To Breed Your Dog
• One Step Further Spay or Neuter, Why Bother?
• Pet First Aid/CPR
• Poisoning
• First Aid Kit
• CPR for Dogs
• Disaster Preparedness
• Grooming
• Mind/Body Connection
• Separation Anxiety
• Soiling in the House
• Urinary Incontinence
• Canine Allergies
• Flea Season Solutions
• Blood Donors
• Aging Gracefully - the Older Pet
• Alternative Options for Better Health
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic
• Herbalists
• pet massage
• T-Touch
• Wellness experts

Kids and Dogs
• What can we say? Kids ‘n Dogs go together like P ‘n J!

Traveling With A Dog
• Places to go, things to do … all with your dog!

Dogs

Bringing a New Dog into Your Home
Before you decide whether to adopt a puppy, or an adult dog, please consider that you are making a commitment of 10 – 20 years; the overall costs, level of effort, and from whom, that will be required.

You own a dog for his/her whole life. Check out these articles before you choose your dog:
http://www.akc.org/public_education/responsible_dog_owner.cfm
http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/petselection/consider.asp

Once you decide adopting a dog is right for you and your family here’s a link to a great site where you can find many articles on choosing the right dog.
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/tchoose.html

And don’t forget the one most dear to our hearts, the senior dog:
http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/adopt.html

To find a dog, try one of these sites:
http://www.akc.org/breederinfo/breeder_search.cfm
http://www.petfinder.com/

Now that you have chosen your new best friend, you want to assure a smooth transition from their previous environment to your home. Get these needs taken care of ahead of time, so you can focus on the dog
when you bring him/her home.

Checklist for New Dogs - Getting Off To A Good Start

Use this Pet Health Care Log to keep records of immunizations, vaccinations, and medications.

Joys and Frustrations of New Pets
One of the first things you should consider doing with your pup is obedience training.
Training strengthens the bond between you and your new friend, helps establish the hierarchy in the household, and enables you to break the communication barrier into their world.

Find a qualified trainer by clicking the link below.
These trainers use positive training methods.
If you can’t find a trainer in your area on this list, please read the article located
on the same site about choosing a trainer that uses positive training methods.
http://www.apdt.com/trainers-and-owners/trainer-search/choosing-a-trainer.htm

Once you have found a suitable training facility, you will need training tools!
Collars, Harnesses, and Leashes

These links provide helpful training information for many behavioral issues.
http://www.perfectpaws.com/mmd.html
http://www.wonderpuppy.net/canwehelp/behaveD.htm

What Type of Diet to Feed Your Dog?
This area is so controversial, you could spend years learning the pros and cons of all the various feeding theories.
http://dels.nas.edu/banr/dogs.html

"Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, a 400-page report by an international team of experts, is the most comprehensive assessment of the daily nutrient and calorie requirements for dogs and cats. Updating recommendations last made by the Research Council in the mid-1980s, the report provides nutrient recommendations based on physical activity and stage in life, major factors that influence nutrient needs. It also looks at how nutrients are metabolized in the bodies of dogs and cats, indications of nutrient deficiency, and diseases related to poor nutrition." Nutrient Requirements of Cats and Dogs, by Donald C. Beitz, Ph.D, John E. Bauer, Ph.D., D.V.M., Keith Behnke, Ph.D., David A. Dzanis, D.V.M., Ph.D, George C. Fahey, Jr., Ph.D, Richard C. Hill, VetMB, Ph.D., MRCVS , Francis A. Kallfelz, D.V.M., Ph.D, Ellen Kienzle, Dr. med. vet., Dr. med. vet. habil, James Morris, Ph.D, and Quinton R. Rogers, Ph.D.

http://dels.nas.edu/banr/petdoor.html

Our advice is to consider the following:
1) What’s in the food? Read an analysis of what components are in the food.
http://www.doberdogs.com/menu.html
2) How much time do you have to prepare your dog’s food each day?
3) Does your dog like the food you have chosen? Try Food Sampling! (link)
4) How much exercise does your dog get?
5) http://www.planet-pets.com/dogfeeding.htm
6) Is your dog in a special needs category? (puppy, motherhood, senior, other …)

Here’s a link to a monthly periodical that will help you work through all the hype and figure out what direction you want to take with your dog’s food. This periodical always has outstanding articles on everything you could ask about your dog. It has no paid advertising, and is totally nonbiased.
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/

Food Sampling
Once you have narrowed down all the alternatives and selected the type of food that you want to feed your dog (dry canned, raw, home cooked, etc.), we suggest that you perform food sampling tests. Even though you have selected the best alternative, your dog may not like the taste, texture smell, etc.! Most dog food manufacturers offer small sample sized packets of food. We suggest you get a number of different brands that meet your criteria. You can get them at your favorite dog supply store. Write a list of all the foods you have chosen to sample ahead of time. Identify each brand on a slip of paper as well. Keep your dog our of the area while you prepare the stest. Put about 6 dog-bitefuls of each food in each bowl. Make sure you also include the dog’s normal brand of food as a control. Line the bowls up across the floor, with the slip identifying the brand under the bowl. Let the dog into the area, and watch the results. Most dogs show a preference for one above all the others. If your dog loves them all, then the final choice is yours!

And, last, but not least, especially in a dog’s mind, are the treats!
What strikes his/her fancy?

Now for the Fun From A to Z!
Let’s look at just a few of the ways you can have fun and bond with your dog! Get up and get moving! It will do you both good. Ever heard that? It’s good advice, and applies to you and your dog.

Agility – “Dog agility is a sport in which a handler is given a set amount of time in which to direct a dog off-leash through an obstacle course.”
http://www.dogpatch.org/agility/agpage1.cfm

Canine Good Citizen Test – “The Canine Good Citizen Test is a certification program that tests dogs in simulated everyday situations in a relaxed atmosphere.”
http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cgc.html

Carting – “From carts to heavily laden sleds, dogs have proven invaluable in the transportation of man and his cargo.”
http://www.doginfomat.com/dog09a.htm#carting

Conformation - “Dog shows, or "conformation" events, … concentrate on the distinctive features of purebred dogs and help to
preserve these characteristics by providing a forum at which to evaluate breeding stock.”
http://www.akc.org/events/conformation/index.cfm

Dog Clubs – For every action there is a reaction. For every dog related activity, there is a club, for purebreds and mixed breeds!
http://www.workingdogweb.com/wdclubs.htm
http://www.akc.org/clubs/about.cfm
http://www.dogpatch.org/agility/agpage4.cfm
http://members.tripod.com/mbdca/

Earthdog – “For generations small terriers and Dachshunds were bred as hunting dogs to track game above and below ground;
to bark at their quarry in the den and to bolt or draw it for the hunter.”
http://www.akc.org/events/earthdog/index.cfm

Field Trials – in “the interests of game conservation, prevention of cruelty to animals, and the gun dog hunter by helping him train his dog to work before and after the shot, on land and in water."
http://www.doginfomat.com/dog09a.htm#hunt

Flyball – “Flyball is a relay race with 4 dogs on a team.”
http://www.flyballdogs.com/

Freestyle Dancing – “Freestyle involves a series of rapid and complex maneuvers by the dog and owner in a routine as original as the individual owners and dogs competing.”
http://www.doggroups.com/dog-training/item/12/catid/5

Gun Dog Trials – “Gundogs are so called as they have been developed - through breeding - to find live game and then to retrieve game that has been shot.”
http://www.gundog.org/

Herding – “Herding preserves and develops the herding skills inherent in the herding breeds and to demonstrate that they can perform the useful functions for which they were originally bred.”
http://www.akc.org/events/herding/getting_started.cfm

Hunting Tests – “The … concept is based solely on simulating real hunting situations, both upland hunting and waterfowling. Tests are designed to simulate a day's hunting afield.”
http://www.nahra.org/

Jr. Showmanship – “Juniors who learn about good sportsmanship, dogs, handling and dog shows will be valuable to the sport in the future.”
http://www.akc.org/rules/juniors.cfm?page=4

Lure Coursing – “ … a safer, more controlled sport for sighthounds that would recreate the physical requirements of open field coursing, allowing them to continue testing the functional abilities of their sighthounds. The hounds chase plastic bags on a course laid out to simulate escaping game.”
http://www.asfa.org/coursing.htm

Obedience – “Obedience Trials test a dog's ability to perform a prescribed set of exercises on which it is scored.”
http://www.akc.org/events/obedience/index.cfm

Pet Partners – Volunteers and their pets participate in visiting animal programs in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and schools.
http://www.deltasociety.org/petpart/ppfaqs.htm

Rally Obedience – “In Rally, the dog and handler team heel continuously and perform the exercises indicated by the sign at each location.”
http://www.rallyobedience.com/

Search and Rescue – “Search Dogs are trained to find missing people by following scent which is carried on the air.”
http://www.nsarda.org.uk/

Simple Tricks – “The best way to teach your dog tricks is to make it fun and rewarding for him.”
http://www.kidsanddogs.bravepages.com/tricks.html

Tracking – “Scent work is a partnership in which you are asking the dog to do for you what you cannot do for yourself.”
http://www.dog-play.com/tracking.html

When you Can’t Be There, But Someone Needs To Be …
Pet Sitting
“ Caring pet owners know that most pets adjust better to their owner’s absence and experience less anxiety and stress when they can remain their home environments. Pet sitters make this possible with daily visits to your home. In addition to meals,
exercise, playtime and cleaning litter boxes or cages, professional pet sitters may also administer medications, walk dogs and perform other pet-care duties. That’s why in-home pet care is the choice of pet owners and the “pet-preferred” method of vacation and travel care. Pet sitters may also provide vital home-care services while you are away, including mail or newspaper pick up, plant care and watering, placing trash outside for pickup or rotating the lights and opening or
closing the blinds to make your house look lived in. A professional pet sitter provides peace of mind for everyone.”
http://www.petsit.com/

Professional Dog Walkers
“ Walking your dog is more than just a relief trip for your dog. . .it is exercise, adventure, and a chance to socialize!”
http://www.prodogwalker.com/

Doggie Day Care
“ … a safe and healthy atmosphere with lots of interaction, both with other dogs and with people. Dogs can participate in group play, gnaw on a favorite toy, hang out with humans in the office, or just lounge on a couch and watch television. The point is that they’re not at home by themselves.”
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/daycare.html

Pet Care Instruction Checklist

Health Topics – Common Concerns
(Be sure to contact your veterinarian if you suspect your dog is showing signs of illness.)
To Breed or Not To Breed Your Dog – It’s not always what you think!
http://www.dogstuff.info/to_breed_or_not.html
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/hvpup1.html

One Step Further, Spay or Neuter - Why Bother? – “… There are many reasons to consider spay and neuter alternatives. Spay and neuter surgery to sterilize dogs and cats has been hailed as an expedient method of pet population control. … The truth is that male dogs are usually better pets if they are neutered. They have less desire to roam, to mark territory (including furniture), or to exert dominance over family members. They are also healthier pets: no testicles means no testicular cancer, which is not uncommon among aging intact male dogs.… Females also tend to be better pets if they do not experience oestrus every six-to-nine months. Heat cycles bring hormonal changes that can lead to personality changes. Repeated heat cycles subject the reproductive system to uterine and mammary cancers and uterine infections. Some bitches experience false pregnancies that can be a bother to deal with and uterine infections that can be fatal. Dogs and bitches do not get fat simply
as a result of sterilization surgery. Like other mammals, they gain weight if they eat too much and exercise too little or are genetically programmed to be hefty. Weight gain that seems to follow spay or neuter surgery is most likely a result of
continuing to feed a high energy diet to a dog that is reducing his need for energy as he reaches his adult size. Excess energy in the food becomes excess fat on the body. As far as we know, dogs do not lament their lost capability to reproduce. This is a different species than ours; they reproduce to ensure survival of their kind …. Bitches nurse their pups for a few weeks, teach them to behave like dogs, and go on. Males know nothing of fatherhood; they do not recognize pups as their own.”
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/spayneut.html
http://www.raims.com/animals/neuter.html

Pet First Aid/CPR- “ …before an emergency ever arises, it's a good idea to learn all you can about first aid techniques and pet health care. And be well aware of your pet's normal behavior, so you can recognize what's not normal. Remember that the objective is to relieve suffering . . . perhaps even to save a life. Emergency first aid is most effective when rendered quickly, but calmly.”
http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/livingwithpets/firstaid.asp
• Poisoning – Keep this number handy! (888) 426-4435 A $50 consultation fee may apply.
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=apcc_whattodo
• First Aid Kit – “Having a first-aid kit ready will help to reduce anxiety if an emergency does happen.”
http://petplace.netscape.com/articles/artshow.asp?artID=2417
• CPR – “The proper way to give CPR to dogs …”
http://www.petcaretips.net/cpr_to_dogs.html
• Disaster Preparedness – “It is best to be overly cautious during a disaster warning. Preparing ahead of time and acting quickly is the best way to keep you and your family, including your animals, out of danger.”
• http://www.avma.org/disaster/saving_family.asp

Grooming – A health concern? While grooming your dog, take a close look at the dog from head to toe. You or your groomer may be able to prevent eliminate a health issue, that otherwise, you might not know was there.
http://www.petgroomer.com/Grooming101/Articles/benefits_of_grooming-revised.htm
http://www.petgroomer.com/groomingbasics101.htm

Mind/Body Connections – What may seem to be a sudden behavior change could be a health related concern. Sudden changes in behavior, such as frequent “accidents”, grouchiness, soiling, destructive behavior, apathy or lethargy can be indicators that there is a physical problem.
http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/pethealth/pethealth.asp
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&C=106&A=1737&S=1
• Separation Anxiety – “There are many problem behaviors associated with separation anxiety including: defecation and urination in inappropriate locations, destructive behavior, excessive barking and whining, depression, and hyperactivity. These behaviors may also be the symptoms of other problems. However, if undesired behaviors are clearly related to the absence of the owner, occur shortly after departure and a prolonged greeting response occurs upon the owner's return, separation anxiety is the probable cause.”
http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/herdmed/applied-ethology/behaviourproblems/anxiety.html
• Soiling in the House – “There are many reasons why a dog may go to the toilet in the house.”
http://www.dogbehaviour.com/articles/dogs/housesoiling.htm
• Urinary Incontinence – “Urinary incontinence is the involuntary passing of urine. Pets can be incontinent for many different reasons.”
http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/ClientED/incont.asp

Canine Allergies – “ … the dog's immune system "overreacts" to foreign substances (allergens or antigens) to which it is exposed. These overreactions are manifested in three ways. The most common is itching of the skin, either localized (one area) or generalized (all over the dog). Another manifestation involves the respiratory system and may result in coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing. Sometimes, there may be an associated nasal or ocular (eye) discharge. The third manifestation involves the digestive system, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea.”
http://www.pethealthcare.net/html/body_canine_allergy.html
http://www.gdhfa.org/GDHFANewsletterAMJ00UnderstandingCanineAllergies.htm

Flea Season Solutions – “ …every year when flea season begins, the suffering sets in.”
http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/livingwithpets/seasonal.asp

Blood Donors – “Your dog could save a life! It's true that even our pets sometimes need blood transfusions and as a blood donor, your dog could save the life of someone else's furry friend.”
http://www.dovelewis.org/html/dogblooddonors.html

Aging Gracefully; the Older Dog – Providing the best care for our old friends …. “Although your veterinarian is the expert, you are the one who cares for your pet every day and you are more likely to notice subtle changes in your pet's behavior or physical abilities.
If your pet is experiencing one or more of the signs on this checklist, be sure to bring it to your veterinarian's attention. What may look like normal aging could be a manageable condition thanks to advances in animal medicine, nutrition and health care.
The best results are achieved when problems are caught and treated early.”
http://www.petvets.com/petcare/senior_care.html

Alternative Options for Better Health … coming soon!
• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic
• Herbalists
• Pet massage
• T-Touch
• Wellness experts

Kids and Dogs
What can we say? Kids ‘n Dogs go together like P ‘n J!
The link below is the best link we have found that was designed specifically for kids!
http://loveyourdog.com
If you are having behavior problems between your dog and children, here are some helpful tips from a veterinarian.
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=C &C=160&S=1

Traveling with a Dog
• Places to go, things to do … all with your dog!
http://www.dogfriendly.com/
http://www.traveldog.com/
• Here are some basic tips for airline travel with your dog:
http://www.pethealthcare.net/html/body_airline_travel_with_your_dog.html

Cats

The latest information on feeding Cats!

"Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats, a 400-page report by an international team of experts, is the most comprehensive assessment of the daily nutrient and calorie requirements for dogs and cats. Updating recommendations last made by the Research Council in the mid-1980s, the report provides nutrient recommendations based on physical activity and stage in life, major factors that influence nutrient needs. It also looks at how nutrients are metabolized in the bodies of dogs and cats, indications of nutrient deficiency, and diseases related to poor nutrition." Nutrient Requirements of Cats and Dogs, by Donald C. Beitz, Ph.D, John E. Bauer, Ph.D., D.V.M., Keith Behnke, Ph.D., David A. Dzanis, D.V.M., Ph.D, George C. Fahey, Jr., Ph.D, Richard C. Hill, VetMB, Ph.D., MRCVS , Francis A. Kallfelz, D.V.M., Ph.D, Ellen Kienzle, Dr. med. vet., Dr. med. vet. habil, James Morris, Ph.D, and Quinton R. Rogers, Ph.D.

http://dels.nas.edu/banr/petdoor.html

Think Globally, Act Locally

PetUtopia wants to help you
• Strengthen your bond with your pets
• Give back the joy that your animals give to you
• Give back to your community in supporting adoption agencies and
shelters.

In the near future, we will be posting information regarding ideas that you could
consider to contribute to your community and pay back some of that joy you
receive from your companion pet.

For starters, though ……
The links below lists the various organizations by state, for shelters, rescues, and adoption agencies.

http://www.planet-pets.com/free.htm

http://www.hsus.org/pets/animal_shelters/how_to_volunteer_at_your_local_animal_shelter.html

http://www.pets911.com/pets911/aboutus/index.php

The content of this website is intended to be informational only. The reader should not rely on this information for any purpose as varying breeds of dogs can be unpredictable. Animal behavior is also unpredictable, and, therefore, PetUtopia shall not be liable for the results that follow from the reader’s use of the information contained in this website.