The Basic Needs For Your Dog in the Event of a Hurricane By Tami Grant

It is very important to make sure that you have all of the necessary items for your dog when you are getting ready for a Hurricane. Everyone is so worried about so many things that some of your dog's basic necessities can be forgotten.

I live in an area that is hurricane prone and yes you guessed it, Florida. We are on the alert during Hurricane season and we watch the weather like a hawk. We are also accustomed to tracking several storms at once unfortunately. Due to the past Hurricanes in the United States, Disaster preparedness is being revamped and legislation is now being hashed out to provide for pets as well as people in an emergency. It is reassuring to know that projects are in the works but make sure that you have your own plan first and foremost. Read on for a few tips learned over the years by this hurricane veteran.

- If it's not safe for you to stay in your home, it's not safe for your pets. Take them with you to a friend's home or call ahead for a pet friendly hotel or arrange boarding for them somewhere out of the Hurricane area. During emergencies when boarding facilities are full, veterinarian clinics, shelters, or friends may take in animals. Give them a call as people open their hearts and homes in desperate situations.

- Have appropriate restraints for all pets, such as crates, leashes, harnesses, cages, stake-out lines.

- Pack 5 to 7 days worth of food, water, bowls, and all medications and a favorite toy or two.

- Piddle pads, paper towels, plastic bags, and pet-safe disinfectants will come in handy as you might not have regular access for your dog to use the bathroom.

- Make sure all pets are wearing identification, medical information, and contact information.

- Carry a picture of your dog to help identify them should they get lost, along with vaccination proof.

- Ask your veterinarian if a couple of day's worth of tranquilizers are appropriate for your pet. The pressure drop will cause your pets to understand that something is going on and if you have a pet that stresses easily then you would definitely want to discuss tranquilizers with your vet.

- Keep a first aid kit on hand and make sure that you have some Benadryl in case your dog gets bitten by anything. Ask your vet how much dosage that your pet needs as weight will dictate how much medication you will need to give.

- If you decide to stay home, keep your pets with you in an interior room, and remember that they are just as scared as you and your family so reassure them to help keep them calm.

- If you are in a flood zone, you might want to invest in a life jacket for your dog. I have one for my dog as we do some boating. Some of the places we to does not have an area for my dog to get off the boat and walk around. Get your dog used to the life vest in advance as you do not want to introduce a foreign object to your dog when he is under duress.

- After the storm, check the yard for anything that may harm your dog. There could be a lot of debris and things in the grass or on the ground that you might not see. Please take a good look around as you do not want your dog to be harmed in any way by debris or snakes etc.

You should get prepared for your dog just as you get prepared for the Hurricane in advance. Make the call to your vet and get all necessary supplies before the season starts or at least the first you hear that a Hurricane or bad storm may be heading your way.

Let's keep our dogs safe and as calm as possible during the storms. My dog Boo Boo does not like the thunder. She stays right by my side the whole time. I pet her and talk to her to let her know that things will be just fine. Just having your pet right with you during the storms will calm them down. Try not to leave them alone as they will be scared.

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Tips on How to Train Your Dog to Walk on a Leash - Part 2

Training your dog to walk on a leash is an essential part of dog ownership. I want to do just a brief review of part one to just go over the points.

• Put your puppy or dog on the leash before you open the door for the walk.
• Walk out of your home in front of your dog and never let your dog exit before you
• If your dog is pulling on the leash just pull straight up to stop the forward motion and get his attention
• Make sure your dog walks behind you; keep your dog on a short leash if necessary
• Make sure that you are relaxed and in control during the walk as your dog will know if you are not.

Once you have mastered these techniques you can start addressing other aspects of the walk. Most dogs, especially puppies, will have a tendency to try and go after other animals during the walk. If your dog tries to chase after other dogs, squirrels, etc., give him a nudge with you foot to get his attention while still walking in a forward motion. It is important to keep moving as you do not want your dog to get fixed on any one thing. This must be done quickly and at the very start of the chase.

My dog Boo Boo is two years old now and can walk off leash with me anywhere. There are tons of squirrels, other dogs and lizards that were getting her attention during our walks. She does not go after anything anymore as she knows what I expect of her and she knows that is not what I want her to do. During the training she would pull and try and go after her target. I would make the correction with her and would give her a little tap with my foot to get her attention. I would then tell her NO at the same time of the correction all done while continuing our forward motion. I would also pull her head forward during this whole process. It is important to keep moving.
Once you have accomplished walking with distractions, you can start to introduce other commands such as "Heal". During the walk stop and say "Heal" and stop your dog's forward motion. Use a short leash for this training. Take a couple of steps and repeat the word "Heal", and stop again. It is important to get your dog's attention during this activity as you want your dog to look at you so he knows that you are giving him a command. If you keep repeating this every ten steps or so, your dog will start to understand what you want him to do.

I suggest that you walk your dog every day and repeat these functions. Your dog will be healthy and happy and it is a great stress reliever for you. It is also a wonderful way for you to bond with your dog. I will be adding some video's of Boo Boo to my website in the very near future. Boo Boo has been trained since she was 8 weeks old and can do amazing tricks. She is truly a wonder dog and I would love to share her accomplishments with everyone.

All of the above techniques were done with the use of a regular collar and leash. There were no choker or pincher collars used.

If you have found this article helpful and would like additional Free tips and information please visit my website at http://basicsofdogownership.com/