Who Gets Custody of The Dog? Think PupNups!

The Baltimore Sun has an interesting article on what occurs when couples who own a dog(s) breaks up. Who gets the dog? The issues that have to be considered are very similar to the issues for a child. Does the dog have medical problems, up in age, how do they react to stress and being left alone, activity level? Most dogs don't go to school so that is not a worry but if both people are very attached to the dog(s) there may be trouble.

Legally, dogs are considered to be your property and not family members. Nobody wants to think about divorce but unfortunately it happens very often and the issue of who gets the dog is similar to who gets the kids. People are starting to think about "PupNups", a prenuptial agreement to settle the custody issue of the furry kids.

Couples are now deciding to divide their time with their dogs like they would their children. Pet parents now will take primary custody and the other former spouse will pick up the dogs for the weekend or for vacations and so forth.

It's a sad issue to consider but one that seems based in reality and common sense-what's best for Fido?

Soap Opera Writer Remodels Kitchen For Her Dogs

Soap opera writer Megan McTavish (All My Children) remodeled her kitchen to include an area where she could bathe and groom her five Bernese Mountain dogs. She considers her dogs to be her family and with that in mind she made sure the remodel included a bathing tub and folding grooming table as well as floors and tub wall tiled in such a way as to accomodate the shaking of wet fur.

The designer chose "distressed" antique oak for the wood floors condering the army of dog nails hitting everyday. She wanted an old fashioned look for the overall remodel. The kichen makeover took approximately a year and she's very happy with the new look and practicallity of the design.

Read the rest of the story here at the Courant online

10 Questions I'm Most Asked about Dogs in Heat

10 Questions I'm Most Asked about Dogs in Heat
By Louise Louis ( Certified Canine Specialist)

1. What is heat?

Heat is more properly called the estrous cycle. During this cycle, female dogs may get pregnant. It’s equivalent to human menstruation.

2. What are the symptoms?

Females bleed from the vagina sometimes with swelling of the vulva and increased urination. Don’t expect bleeding comparable to a human female.

For small dogs, it’s usually not much and you may need to pay close attention to your puppy to identify her first cycle. Other than the bleeding, the most noticeable symptom may be
male dogs hanging around your house.

3. When does a dog come into heat?

The average female dog has her first cycle about six months of age. A few dogs start earlier and few dogs later, even as late as 14-months.

If you have a new female puppy, you should watch her and note when she has her first cycle. If she’s 14-months old and still hasn't’t been in heat, you should take her to a veterinarian.

4. How long does the heat cycle last?

The average is three weeks or 21-days. In some dogs, it lasts only two weeks while others go four weeks.

5. How often will she be in heat?

Most female dogs have regular cycles usually every six to eight months. It’s quite typical to be in heat twice a year.

6. When can she get pregnant?

She can get pregnant only when in heat. Some breeders
test for progesterone levels to identify the most fertile days but the rule-of-thumb is that the most fertile days are 11-15 of her cycle.

Note – when she’s in heat, the average dog will permit any male
dog to mount her. Few females, however, will accept a male when
they’re not in heat.

7. Can she get pregnant her first cycle?

Yes. However, responsible breeders generally would not breed a dog that early. For one thing, you need to do genetic testing and some serious problems such as hip conditions do not show up until a dog is approximately 2-years of age.

8. Can I take her on walks during this cycle?

Yes with care. She has no problem with the exercise but she’s a walking magnet for male dogs.

Even the best trained and behaved female dog will succumb to hormones. You can’t trust her off a leash or out of your control. Never let her outside by herself even in a fenced yard if there is any possibility of male dogs nearby.

For walks, if there are male dogs in your neighborhood, it’s a good idea to take your dog in your car and drive to a remote area. Take her for the walk there and drive back home. Otherwise, the scent of her urine and vaginal discharge will blaze a trail to your home.

9. When I can have her spayed?

The answer to that one has changed continually over the
25-years I’ve been in the dog business. People used to be told to let their dog go through at least one cycle or let them have one litter.

Today, veterinarians are doing it much earlier. Some vets spay as early as 6-weeks of age! Talk to your veterinarian about your dog and the vet’s preferences. The state of veterinary medicine also is much improved over the past 25-years.

10. If I don’t have her spayed, will she go through menopause.

No. Her fertility may decline but she will not go through menopause comparable to a human’s. She won’t lose her ability to become pregnant even as a senior so if you don’t want to her to have any (or more) litters, she must be spayed.

Louise Louis is a certified canine specialist
and the creator of http://www.ToyBreeds.com, your
online resource for Toy breed dogs.

Cost of Having A Dog

This site "How To Love Your Dog" shows the basic costs involved in taking care of a dog. It's geared toward children but adults who are thinking of buying a dog should pay attention not only to the actual costs but the time and care needed. A lot of time needs to be invested in taking care of a dog. They are emotional animals that want to be with their owners as much as possible.

Check out the cost of owning a dog HERE!

Famous Dogs: Matisse From Film Down and Out in Beverly Hills

If you've seen the film "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" you won't easily forget the family dog "Matisse". Matisse was chronically depressed and often had to have therapy. In real life his name was "Mike". Hopefully he didn't take his character's problems home with him off the set!

Taking the Stress Out of Vet Visits

Taking the Stress Out of Vet Visits



(ARA) - Spring is here and for many pet parents that means taking their family cats and dogs for their annual veterinary check-up to ensure they are in good health and prepared for the upcoming flea and tick season. As most people with pets have experienced, leaving home and going to the veterinarian can be stressful for both pets and pet parents due to many new sights, smells, sounds and sensations. By preparing your pet for their annual visit in advance and keeping them calm during the process, the experience can be made less stressful for all.


“It is important to help your pet adjust to traveling and the new environment of a veterinary clinic,” says Debra Nickelson, D.V.M. at Central Life Sciences. “Using pheromone-based products such as Comfort Zone can be a tremendous aid in helping dogs and cats remain calm in stressful situations.”


To make the trip to the veterinarian as easy as a walk in the park, try these simple solutions:


Crate comfort:

Many pets, especially cats, should be placed into a crate when traveling in the car. Pet parents can make the crated car ride to the veterinarian less stressful by allowing their pet to become familiar and comfortable around the crate a week prior to the scheduled vet visit. Keep the crate out for your pet to investigate or place him in the crate for short periods of time. This will condition them to feel more at ease and will reduce his reluctance to enter and exit it on their own. Pets that are apprehensive toward riding in cars will also benefit from taking a few short rides around the neighborhood prior to a vet visit.


Preparation for the car ride:

Preparing in advance is the best way to ensure the ride to the veterinarian office goes smoothly. Pets may become carsick as a result of motion sickness or stress caused by being removed from their home environment. To decrease the likelihood of your pet becoming anxious or ill while traveling, pet parents should be sure their pet has recently gone to the bathroom before entering the car and has been fed at least five hours prior to the car ride. Dogs and cats should be restrained in either a travel crate or approved harness to keep pet and driver safe. Pheromone based products, such as Comfort Zone will help to calm and soothe pets having trouble coping with the stress of the car ride.


“Usually my dog is a nightmare when she goes for a car ride,” says Paul Peterson, pet parent to golden retriever Bella. “I used Comfort Zone with D.A.P. spray on her collar before we left for the vet and sprayed it in my car 30 minutes before we left and I found it helped reduce her stress significantly during the car ride.”


In the waiting room:

Upon entering most veterinary offices, pet and pet parents must wait in an area filled with not only other pets, but a plethora of unfamiliar smells and noises. Some pets may find this situation stressful which is why it’s a good idea to keep them crated if that is how they traveled. Provide plenty of attention and praise to help them remain calm and distract them from their surroundings. To keep pets safe from other animals in the waiting room, pet parents should always make sure their dog is on a leash.


During the exam:

Once in the exam room, pets will likely be placed on a table to be assessed by the veterinarian. The combination of being in a foreign environment, isolated up on a table and touched by an unknown person can cause extreme levels of stress in dogs and cats. It is important to comfort your pet with petting and verbal praise to help alleviate any stress. Having a few treats on hand will also help your pet remain calm and forget about his current surroundings.


Follow-up:

Despite returning your pet to the comfort of their home and normal environment, many pets may continue to show signs of stress in the hours after a vet visit. If they seem anxious and whine excessively, be sure to act normal and do not to provide excessive attention as this will only reinforce their stress. If your pet is having a difficult time calming down several hours after the vet visit, provide them with plenty of exercise such as a trip to the dog park, their favorite special treat or a new fun toy. It is also important to stay home with your pet for several hours following a vet visit to help reassure him that life has returned to normal.


Pet parents looking for additional tips and advice can visit www.petcomfortzone.com/behave for more information.


Courtesy of ARAcontent