Training your blind dog will give her confidence and help alleviate depression, dependency and fear. Proper training will also make it easier, and safer, for your blind dog to participate in everyday activities with you.

Training the “Sit” Cue

1. Give the cue “Sit.”
2. Place a tasty-smelling food treat right next to your dog’s nose and mouth at the same time.
3. Keep the food treat close to your dog’s nose and slowly take the treat up and over its head. Doing this will lead your dog into a sit.
4. Say “Yes” the instant your dog sits, and give him a food treat and praise.

Training the “Down” Cue

1. Start your “Down” cue by first giving your dog the “Sit “cue.
2. Hold a food treat close to your pet’s nose, and then give the cue “Down.”
3. Take the treat slowly down to the ground between your dog’s legs. This should lead your dog into the down position.
4. Say “Yes” when the trick is accomplished, and give your dog treats and praise.

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According to the Canada Safety Council, studies show that the in 71 percent of dog bite cases the victim knew the dog and 25 percent lived with the dog. Out of those, 64 percent of dog bite injuries were children under the age of 10. Parents can take a large “bite” out of these high incidence rates simply by learning some basic guidelines that will help their children avoid getting bitten by their own dogs as well as educating their children to be safe around other dogs.

Tips for parents:

• Never leave a child or baby alone with a dog.
• When visiting friends or relatives, who have a dog, don’t allow your child to play in the yard unsupervised.
• Do not allow your child to feed a dog unsupervised, as some dogs can be very protective of food and never allow your dog to snatch food from your child.
• Do not allow your child to pull on the dog’s collar to lead it outside the house – it could bite them.
• Children without adult supervision should not be allowed to walk a dog. A child could unwittingly be dragged into a fight with another dog.
• Never let children discipline a dog.
• Your child should always precede your dog through a door or gate.
• Never buy a dog as a toy substitute. Dogs are living, breathing creatures with feelings.

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If you are planning on bringing your dog along with you on your road trip this holiday season, here are some helpful tips that might make your trip more enjoyable for the whole family.

First, Make sure that the hotel, motel or campsite allows dogs on the premises and ask for any rules they may have.

Second, restrain your dog in the car at all times either by using a chest harness or a secured crate.

• Seatbelts save lives!
• Reduces driver distraction
• Unsecured pets become projectiles

Another thing to consider is what to bring on your trip:

• First aid kit, poop and scoop bags
• Dog food and water (don’t forget the bowls)
• Chew toys
• Collar with ID tags
• Leash
• Crate and bedding
• Vaccination records.
• You might also need cleaning supplies in case of any accidents.

Be aware that there are other people staying in the hotel, ensure that your dog is not left barking in your room.
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Canadians spend millions of dollars on food, toys and entertainment for their pets each year, surprisingly we have a blind spot when it comes to pet safety in the car. To ensure the safety of both you and your pets in the car it is essential to make sure your animals are restrained properly. This means using a chest harness in conjunction with the car seat belt.

There are several reasons why we must use proper restraint systems for our animals.

Seatbelts save lives: We know this is true for humans. The force of a collision, even at speeds as low as 30km an hour can fatally injure any unsecured pet that hits the dashboard or windshield.

Driver distraction: It is dangerous to have your pet unrestrained in the car. They can cause a distraction by jumping onto your lap or even interfering with the pedals.

Unsecured pets become projectiles in an accident: At speeds of approximately 60km/hour an unrestrained pet can become a projectile flying through your car with the force of 20 times its weight. Obviously this is not good for your pet, but it is also extremely unsafe for all the human occupants of the car.

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Halloween is almost upon us and I am sure that though a lot of our pooches will get dressed up for the fun evening, there are a few things you should keep in mind to make sure your dog is safe this Hallow’s Eve.

• Make sure to keep your dog secure – put a leash on him or her just in case and make sure they are wearing their collars with clear identification just in case they slip out the front door.
• If at all possible, try to expose your dog to various Halloween costumes beforehand so they know that it’s not something bad, but something fun!
• One of the most important things is to make sure you keep ALL candy (especially chocolate and gum) away from your dog. The last thing you need is an emergency trip to the vet on Halloween.
• Keep candles (and pumpkins with candles) up high out of reach of your dog. Accidentally knocking them over could cause a fire and curiosity could cause your dog to get burned.

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Cycling with your canine friend(s) can be one of the most fun, relaxing and rewarding experiences for both of you.

There is a new Canadian company based right here in Ottawa that is dedicated to helping all dog owners understand the how’s and why’s of biking with their dogs and to bringing you tested, approved and SAFE products that will make your outings even more enjoyable. With some very simple, basic background knowledge, almost anyone with almost any dog can enjoy this fun form of recreation and exercise.

Did you know that just walking your dog doesn’t come close to the level of exercise most dogs need for a long and happy life? Some people have acquired dogs just so they can take-up this exciting way of exercising!

If your dog is able to jog or run and if you can ride a bicycle then, this fabulous form of recreation is for BOTH of you!

Things to Consider

Preparing Your Dog

Make sure your dog is ready for roadwork. Cautions when starting out. 
It would be wise to have your veterinarian give you an “all clear” to start. Some dogs don’t have the structure for this kind of roadwork. Your dog should be able to at least sustain an easy trot at about 11 Kmh (7 MPH) without tiring or getting winded. Your first half to full kilometre runs should seem effortless for your dog. If he/she has trouble keeping an easy gait or appears really winded you might want to consider a different form of exercise. I wouldn’t roadwork a bulldog, for example.

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