If you would like a copy of The Ebook of  “An Inspired Tale-Adventures and Healing with Man’s Best Friend”, please send me your email: grier@petfriendlysites.com and I will email you a complementary copy because you are a Facebook Friend of the Book, https://www.facebook.com/aninspiredtale and me, or https://www.facebook.com/petfriendlysites , twitter.com/petfriendlysite etc.  Thank you.

Thank you for liking and sharing, commenting, etc. It helps us grow. I need to add staff to put out more resources for pet lovers and start and manage a few programs I plan to implement this year.

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How Can You Tell If Your Dog or Cat Is Bored?

By Dr. Wailani Sung | September 24, 2014

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We don’t know if cats and dogs truly perceive boredom like humans do. Instead, when talking about pets, I like to use the phrase “insufficient mental stimulation.” Have you ever seen your cat literally try to climb a wall, repeatedly jump on your shelves to knock items off or leap onto the chandelier? Or has your dog ever tried to dig up your wall-to-wall carpeting or decided that it’s fun to play tug-of-war with the curtains? These could all be signs that your pet is not getting enough mental stimulation.

The Work/School Dilemma

Often pets are left at home when owners go to work or spend a great deal of time outside of the home due to other demands, such as school or family commitments. Many times, these pets suffer from insufficient physical and mental stimulation. In the absence of adequate outlets, our pets may engage in activities of their own making. These activities can include appropriate behaviors, such as playing with toys, or inappropriate behaviors, such as chewing on furniture or knocking items off a table. Additional inappropriate or undesirable behaviors include excessive attention seeking, unruliness, vocalizations, playing keep away with an owner’s items or self-directed behavior, such as a pet chasing his own tail. Dogs may engage in normal “dog” behavior, such as digging in dirt, but to a greater extent than is tolerable — so instead of one hole in the lawn, your backyard may look as if it is being excavated. For cats, normal “cat” behavior includes chasing moving objects — but that could include your ankles as you walk around the house. If your pet exhibits any of these behaviors excessively, ask yourself how much physical and mental stimulation you are offering him.

Busy Pets Are Happier Pets

Much like humans, dogs and cats appear to enjoy regular mental stimulation and physical activity. Domesticated cats and dogs typically still engage in certain species-specific activities, such as hunting for food, which can take up a large portion of their waking hours. Even though pets have been domesticated, they still have a drive to engage in these instinctive behaviors. To help satisfy these compulsions, owners can have their pets “work” for their food. Here are a few ideas.

Food Puzzles and Perches

How to Tell if Your Pet is Bored

At each meal, divide a portion of your dog’s meal into two or three food puzzle toys. These toys are designed to release food items gradually as the pet interacts with toys. So, for example, instead of inhaling a meal in two minutes flat, your dog will spend 10 to 15 minutes engaged in a good physical and mental activity trying to access his food.

When it comes to cats, felines in the wild can spend up to 40 percent of their day hunting for food, and domestic kitties still have that impulse. For that reason, I like to provide my cats with three to five meals throughout the day. I use a variety of puzzle toys and offer two to three toys in the morning before I leave for work, a few more at dinnertime and then again right before bedtime. This way, my cats will sleep through the night and (hopefully!) not wake me up early for their breakfast.

Phasing in the Fun

Cats in particular may need to have their food gradually added to the puzzle toys. For example, at first I put a portion of their meals in their bowls and a portion into two toys. I move the toys around and show them how to use them. Sometimes I may smear a bit of canned food onto the toys to encourage them to explore them. This technique also works for dogs.

Another way I encourage my cats to “hunt” for their meals is by hiding their food bowls around the house. I start by placing one bowl in the cat’s normal feeding area, then place additional bowls in other areas that I know the cat will walk by or rest close to. Once a cat starts to consistently eat from the bowls, you can move them a few feet away from the original locations. This will encourage the cat to explore the house and search for his food. In multiple-pet households, scatter several toys in different rooms or levels of the house. In the beginning, always closely monitor pets to make sure they know how to work a toy and ensure that there is no fighting over food treasure. You can always close a door or use a pet gate to ensure that one pet does not eat all the food meant for two or more.

Movement, Companionship Are Key

Another way to fight boredom is to make sure your pets are getting enough physical exercise. Taking a dog on at least a daily walk is a good way to provide exercise and enhance mental enrichment. Engaging your cat in a daily game of chase using an item dangling from a fishing pole or tossing an object she can retrieve can also fulfill her physical and mental stimulation needs. Offer various cat trees or ledges for your cat to climb up or jump onto.

Social interaction is vital as well. Make sure you spend quality one-on-one time with your pet. It could be engaging in games, training desirable behaviors using positive reinforcement, or just petting or snuggle time. Remember, no matter what the activity is, spending time with your pet is one surefire way to combat his boredom. And if you’ve tried all these recommendations but still feel like your pet is “acting bored,” don’t hesitate to seek professional help.

Credit Link

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Got a ball-crazy dog who’s smart and fast? Looking for a way to burn some of his energy and meet some people? Then we’ve got a sport for you!

Flyball is a canine relay race in which teams of dogs take turns jumping hurdles and retrieving a tennis ball. But there’s a twist: To get the tennis ball, each dog must pounce on a spring-loaded box that ejects the ball — and once he has the ball, he has to return to his team before the next dog can start the course.

Sound like fun? We think so!

Flyball teams consist of a minimum of four dogs, with a handler for each dog, plus a box loader. Teams may also have line coaches who help bring out the best in the dogs as they navigate the course.

The best thing about flyball is that any dog can play (as long as his veterinarian finds him healthy enough to run and leap). Herding breeds and retrievers tend to excel at the sport, but Bulldogs, Basset Hounds and Chihuahuas may also enjoy participating. In fact, little dogs are often MVPs because a team’s jump height — which ranges from 7 to 14 inches — is determined by the height of that team’s smallest dog, known as the height dog. A short dog is an asset to a team because the larger dogs benefit from the lower hurdles.
How It Works
Dog Sports 101: Flyball

Two teams race each other over a 51-foot course lined with four jumps. Each dog navigates the jumps, hits the box to eject the ball, catches it in his mouth and races back to the start. The dog with the ball must cross the starting line before the next dog on his team can go. Each dog on the team must successfully complete the course, and the first team to finish without any errors wins.

Judging is done electronically; lights and infrared timing sensors track starts, passes, finishes and individual dogs’ times to the thousandth of a second. Dogs earn points toward flyball titles based on a team’s time. Dogs whose teams complete a heat in less than 24 seconds receive 25 points toward a flyball title; less than 28 seconds, 5 points; and less than 32 seconds, 1 point.

A dog must earn 20 points to achieve the title Flyball Dog (FD), 100 points for Flyball Dog Excellent (FDX) and 500 points for Flyball Dog Champion (FDCh). Flyball Dog Champions can progress to Silver (1,000 points) and Gold (2,500 points) levels. From there, dogs can move up to Flyball Master (FM, 5,000 points), Flyball Master Excellent (FMX, 10,000 points) and Flyball Master Champion (FMCh, 15,000 points). The Onyx Award, named for the Doberman Pinscher who was its first recipient, is achieved with 20,000 points. A dog with 30,000 points is named a Flyball Grand Champion (FDGCh). Above that level, there are commemorative pins, plaques and plates — and plenty of treats — to mark the dog’s success.

Who Can Play — And How to Get Started

If your dog can retrieve a tennis ball and learn to jump a hurdle, he can play flyball. It helps if he’s fast and accurate — top performers tend to be Border Collies, American Staffordshire Terriers, Jack Russell Terriers and Whippets — but there are different classes for different teams, including a veteran’s class for dogs older than 7 and a combination breed class in which each dog on the team must be a different breed, with a mix counting as a single breed.

What’s most important, though, is attitude. Spectators cheer on the Bassets, the Bulldogs and the little dogs because they admire their effort and heart.

Flyball is different from agility and obedience because the team consists of multiple dogs and humans. To be successful, they must all work well together. It’s complex, challenging and fun. One player describes it as “a three-dimensional chess game going at 25 mph.”

Flyball is perfect for dogs of all sizes and abilities — and for humans of all ages and experience as well, from kids to seniors. Each team needs handlers who can win while still playing safely and box loaders and line coaches who can maximize the performance of dogs and handlers, but those aren’t the only jobs. Every team needs people who can pick up balls, record statistics, film tournaments and manage the dogs who aren’t racing. Besides simply doing something fun with their dogs, the camaraderie of other dog owners is often appealing for the human team members.

Want to give flyball a try? To get started, ask your veterinarian to examine your dog to make sure he doesn’t have any underlying conditions that might prevent him from competing. Then, all you really need is a dog who will chase a tennis ball and bring it back to you. Flyball training builds off that simple desire and ability to retrieve. If you and your dog want to do more, you can easily find a club near you with compatible people and dogs where you can both build your skills.

The most important secrets to flyball success? Let your dog set the pace — and have fun!

Content Credit Link Here

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Summer is winding down, but it looks like Diesel the dog has learned a lot this season.

In a YouTube video, the Lab shows how he can blow bubbles under water, just like a person!

Although Diesel’s trick is cute, we want to note that not all dogs can do this — and it could be unsafe for some, including brachycephalic dogs.

Original VetStreet Article Here

I’ve been working on another website, too.

Check it out FunEasyCool.com or like us on facebook.com/funeasycool

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Some of you might have seen these videos already, but they are pretty amazing. Norman, the bike riding and scooter riding dog, was on David Letterman’s the Late Show and the Guinness Book of World Records. Funny thing is, I’ve been to the Guinness brewery at St James Gate in Dublin, Ireland and didn’t see any contests going on.. Anyway, you will also see dogs driving cars and some monkeys water skiing, driving fast motor boats and more.
All credit to the video makers/presenters as shown on the playlist.
They have links for more from the original video posters on youtube. Have fun!

I’ve been working on another website at the moment, too.

Check it out FunEasyCool.com or on facebook.com/funeasycool

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“No! Bad dog!”

How many times have you scolded your misbehaving canine with those words? Probably too many. But before you fly off the handle, one of the most important things to understand about correcting bad behavior is that punishment doesn’t work. Many times, dogs don’t understand what they’re being punished for, and will respond by learning to hide the behavior.

To help you get a handle on your dog’s conduct, we’ve listed common bad habits. We offer tips here and we also link to longer articles on each subject as well. But remember, it is always important to discuss behavior issues with your veterinarian who can determine if they are caused by a medical problem. If he gives you the all clear, consider enlisting the help of a trainer or behaviorist to teach your dog appropriate go-to behaviors.

1. Chewing Inappropriate Objects

Chewing is a natural behavior for dogs, since they explore their environment with their mouth. It also relieves stress and boredom, and helps keep their teeth clean.

When you catch your dog chewing inappropriate objects (like shoes, as many dogs do), redirect the chewing to an appropriate item, like a chew toy or stuffed Kong. Then praise your pup for selecting an acceptable outlet for his chewing behavior. Talk with your veterinarian about which chews are safe for your dog.

2. Barking at the Doorbell

Dogs bark at the doorbell for any number of reasons. They could be excited or anxious about visitors, or they might bark as a watchdog tendency. Some dogs even equate their barking with you opening the door, so they think they’re training you to open the door when they bark. One of the best ways to stop barking at the doorbell is to teach and reward an alternative behavior, like sitting on a nearby mat and waiting for the door to be opened.

3. Digging in the Yard

Digging is an extremely rewarding activity for dogs, whether they’re digging to reach a scent or simply to release pent-up energy. Help your dog practice this behavior appropriately by giving him a sandbox or section of the yard where he’s allowed to dig.

Make sure this area has clearly marked visual boundaries, and use treats and toys to make this new digging place more exciting than the old one.

4. Barking in the Car

Those shrill yaps from the backseat can be your dog expressing many emotions, from fear and frustration to exuberant joy. The best way to address barking in the car is to employ restraint equipment, like a harness or a crate to help your pet feel more secure. Other options include using a pheromone spray to help relax your dog, or giving him a chew toy to focus on during the car ride.

5. Begging at the Table

No matter how cute or desperate for food your dog looks, consistency is the key to curbing dinner-table begging. Make sure no one in your family feeds the dog from the table.

Even if his begging only works once in a blue moon, he’ll repeat and escalate the behavior until all his barking and whining pays off with a rare food reward. Instead of giving in, provide your dog with an appropriate dinnertime activity, like enjoying his own toys or food puzzles.

6. Urine Marking Inside the House

This is one of the most “eww”-worthy bad behaviors. Dogs pee on things to mark territory or leave messages for canine friends, which is generally acceptable outdoors. If you catch your dog urine marking (or even preparing to mark) inside the house, quickly interrupt him with a “no” or an “oops” and take him outside. Then reward and praise him for choosing to urinate outdoors.

To prevent frequent urination in the same household spot, remove the scent of previous urine marks with a good enzymatic cleaner.

7. Stealing Food Off Counters

Trainers call this bad behavior “counter-surfing.” It’s one of the more difficult habits to break, since Fido experiences a huge reward for stealing the food: He gets to eat it! The easiest way to solve this problem is to eliminate the opportunity. Don’t leave food around, and use baby gates or fencing to restrict your dog’s access to the kitchen when you’re not there to supervise him. Teaching the “leave it” command is useful for when you catch him in the act of stealing snacks.

Link to Original Article

Thank you for reading. Please like and share on facebook and the various social media platforms you like to use.

All the best,

Grier Holliday

www.petfriendlysites.com

Your Pet Friendly Resource Destination™

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