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 Halloween Safety for Your Pet
Soon enough the season of costumes and Jack-O'-Lanterns will fill our neighborhoods with an endless parade of trick-or-treaters heading for our doorsteps. This year, be prepared to make the season a safe one for all members of the family. Here are some important tips our veterinarians recommend:
Halloween season is a time of mischief and pranks, and too often dogs and cats become unwilling participants. Keep your outdoor pets well supervised in the yard or, better yet, keep them indoors and safe from neighborhood hooligans at night.
If your dog has the personality and temperament to accompany the kids trick-or-treating, there are a variety of costumes available in pet-friendly sizes. Just make sure the costume doesn't interfere with his ability to breathe, see, hear, move, or bark. Always make sure the fit isn't constricting, and keep an eye out for signs your dog may be getting stressed out.
Like any other night you take your dog for a stroll, make sure he's wearing his collar & name-tag/ID. And with so many other people on the street, it's important to keep him on a lead or leash.
Just as you'd make sure your kids aren't eating unsafe candy, never let your dog get a hold of any bite-size sweets. Candy and wrappers are potential choking hazards, and chocolate is particularly dangerous for dogs - a toxin. Instead, pick up a container of baked cookies for Dogs to share or any other of your pooch's favorite biscuits and treats.
No other time of year will so many strange kids in even stranger costumes be knocking on your door. This can be especially nerve-wracking for the territorial dog. With the door opening and closing all night, be careful of them darting out. You may even want to put up a temporary gate in the entranceway, or keep your pup in a separate room.
For especially nervous animals, the haunting screams of kids and endless chiming doorbells can get to be too much for comfort. There are a variety of calming products designed for storm- and travel-shy pets, which are also useful on Halloween.
Finally, decorations and Jack-O'-Lanterns are tempting for pets to get their noses into. Needless to say, it's too easy for them to get hurt if left unsupervised, whether it's in a tangle of crepe paper or a singed coat from an open flame. Always keep these Halloween favors out of your pet's reach! |
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Homemade Halloween Costumes
Halloween is coming . There is still enough time to shop for your favorite dog costume. But what if you decide to make one instead? It's definitely feasible given a little creative and patience, I don't see why not.
This is one Halloween dog costume on a budget to try. I like to point out one obvious thing is that I'm not a fashion designer nor am I a craftsman by profession, so my steps and materials used may not seem like wise options in the eyes of the professionals. I'm just a hobby crafter. :-) My objective here is to use recycle materials as much as possible (as in my title - on a budget). You are free to use whatever materials you deem fit. Of course, you are always welcome to share your ideas here so others will benefit.
 Halloween Dog Costume - Black Widow
Materials:
- Six wire hangers
- Cardboard (semi thin) or shoebox (for small dogs)
- ½ to ¾ meter of felt
- 1 meter of ribbons
- Newspaper
- Fabric Glue
- Pliers Masking Tape
Preparation:
- Cardboard length - Measure the length of the back torso from withers (lower end of the neck) to the rump (couple inches before the rear)
- Cardboard width - Covers until the shoulders line.
- Ribbons or yarn - each length of the ribbon should not be any shorter than your dog's waistline.
- Newspaper - Cut them into strips of 4 inches wide.
Method:
- Straighten out the wire hangers then cut them into equal length of 10 to 18 inches (depending the size of your dog).
Cut the newspapers into strips of 4 inches wide.
- Wet the newspapers strips then coil them around the wire hangers from end to end (leave 1½ one inch unwrap) until it's about 1 cm diameter thick.
- Cut six small circles of felt to be glued to the tip of the black widow legs.
- Cut six pieces of felt of the same length of the wire hanger and add 1 cm more to the circumference of the newspaper wrapped wire hanger.
- Glue the felt onto the six wrapped wire hanger leaving one end of 1½ inches unglued (opposite end of the tip).
- Puncture six holes (three on each side) on the cardboard towards the upper end of the torso with an inch between them.
- Cut the felt to the size of the cardboard with at least one inch border, then glue onto it.
- Use a pair of scissors to make openings through the six punctured holes on the cardboard.
- Insert the six legs through the holes leaving 1½ inches, bend and tape them to the cardboard.
- Run the tape across the six wires a couple more times as you don't want your dog to get hurt while wearing it.
- Glue those six loosely felt on the felt. You may have to snip a little around the edge to make it glue nicely.
- Fasten the four ribbons onto the underside of the cardboard (two ribbons on each side - one pair around the chest and another pair around the abdomen) with masking tape. You may choose to cut off the ribbon to desirable length after your dog had the costume on. Special note:
Avoid those heavy duty wire hangers as they can be quite a "burden" for small dogs.
If it's a male dog, do not tie the ribbon across his penis.
Do not tie them too tied either. Make sure you're able to run one finger around it.
It will be best to get your dog to model every step of the way, ie. His six legs won't be too near to his rear.
A second costume that takes a little more sewing is The "m & m" costume.
"m & m " Doggie Costume
You will need any color felt that is the same color as an "m & m". I picked red. You will also need white felt for the "m."
First measure your dog from the neck to the top of the tail bone. This is how long your pattern should be. Next measure how wide you want the costume to be around your dogs back. This is how wide the costume will be. Make your self a round or oval pattern using these measurements, (cut a round piece if you want your dog to be a regular m & m, and oval if you want your dog to be a peanut m & m.)
Cut out 2 of this pattern piece out of the color felt you picked.
On your computer make a small letter "m" using Times New Roman font. Enlarge is to about 6-9" big. Print. This is your pattern for your "m." Pin and cut one "m" on white felt.
Pin the white "m" on ONE of the candy pieces and sew around the "m" using a zigzag stitch.
Pin the two pieces of red felt PRETTY SIDES together all around the outer edge of the circle. Leave and opening for stuffing. Sew all around the edge of the piece of candy, don't forget to leave an opening.
Turn piece of candy pretty side out. Stuff the candy very loosely. You don't want a fat ball m & m candy, you want a flat stuffed piece of candy.
Any type of coat, costume, or cover for a dog must have a ribbon around it that ties at the belly. This is what holds the costume on.
At the bottom of the piece of candy stitch a piece of ribbon that can be tied around your dogs belly. Make sure it is long enough to be tied all the way around the belly.
Add a piece of ribbon on the bottom near the neck line, so that it can be tied around your dogs neck. These 2 pieces of ribbon will hold on the costume. Do not tie them too tight, you want your dog to be comfortable.
If you want to, you can make little hands of white felt and add elastic to them to go around the front of your dogs feet as shown in the photo. I cut out 4, sewed 2 together and then added the elastic to make it more of a 3D effect.
Your dog costume is done.
You could do the same type of costume in orange felt, and add black eyes, nose, and mouth to make it a pumpkin costume |
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 The Classic Toilet-Drinking Dog Issue
To people, a dog who drinks from the toilet is just gross. But to a dog, the toilet is a constantly freshened source of good water. This is completely understandable. Just think back before dogs had people laying out their food and water every day - they had to provide their own refreshments. They developed a knack for choosing the cleanest, freshest water from the sources they had available. Those who didn't were sure to get parasites or other water-borne diseases. With no veterinarians or medications in sight, these dogs passed away. Those who learned the ropes, on the other hand, lived to reproduce, and their puppies instinctively knew what they should and shouldn't drink.
While their judgment certainly isn't perfect, dogs have good reasons for choosing the toilet bowl over their water dishes. Consider how people like their water: cool, freshly poured, and out of a clean glass. The toilet is probably in the coolest room in the house. The water in the toilet gets changed more often than the water in their bowls. And porcelain make a nice goblet that doesn't alter the taste of water like metal or plastic bowls may.
Dogs Love Bathrooms
People tend to be squeamish about bathrooms. We worry about germs. We scour and scrub to eliminate every last scent. We shut and lock the doors and demand total privacy. We do everything we can, in short, to keep our bathrooms separate from the rest of our lives.
Dogs, on the other hand, aren't squeamish at all. Consider their usual habits. These are animals who will eagerly sniff, roll on, and devour month-old roadkill, who view cat boxes as convenient sources of takeout, and who greet each other (and people) by sniffing backsides. From their point of view, the bathroom is just an extension of their naturally earthy tastes. They don't think about off-putting odors when they drink from the toilet. If anything, they probably like the smell.
There's no question that toilets environments that do contain germs, but so does most everything else around us. Even an immaculate, freshly scrubbed bowl contains thousands, if not millions, of bacteria. But dogs don't care. After all, they didn't evolve in the dining room at the Plaza Hotel. For most of their evolutionary history, they lived in pretty rough surroundings. As a result, their immune systems are remarkably sturdy. Toilets may not be clean by our standards, but for dogs they're almost as hygienic as Perrier.
A dog who drinks from a stagnant puddle, a lake, or a pond is exposed to more potentially hazardous germs than one who drinks from a toilet. This doesn't mean that dogs can't get sick from drinking toilet water. A toilet that's stopped up or hasn't been cleaned in a long time will contain enough germs to trigger a day or two of diarrhea or vomiting. More worrisome than germs are chemicals. In our perpetual battle to keep bathrooms clean, we pour all sorts of chemicals into toilet bowls and tanks. Some of these products taste perfectly fine to dogs, but can make them ill if they drink enough.
Even though toilets are sanitary enough for quenching canine thirst, most people prefer to keep the lids closed. Mainly, it's about etiquette. No one wants to listen to their dog noisily lapping up a toilet-water cocktail. And no one wants to clean up the trail of spittle and water that invariably follows.
Get A New Water Bowl
Some dogs drink out of the toilet because they like the taste. Others do it because they dislike the water in their regular dishes. It's not the water itself that's usually the problem, but what the water is served in. Plastic dishes, for example, absorb odors and may give water an off taste. Switching to a metal or ceramic dish - and washing it regularly - can make your dog's usual water supply a little more palatable - and make him less interested in finding alternatives.
Try Placing The Water Bowl Where It Will Be Cooler
Dogs definitely like their water cool. Water that sits in a sunny kitchen may be 10 F warmer than water that's kept in a cool, tiled bathroom. If you don't have a different place to keep the bowl, put in a few ice cubes every time you change the water. Dogs will appreciate the extra coolness as well as the crunchy ice.
Final Tip
The easiest way to keep dogs out of the toilet is to lower the lid. Unless, that is, you happen to live with a very smart and determined dog who learns to uncap the toilet on his own. If that happens - and some dogs like toilet water so much that wedging their noses under the lid is hardly an insurmountable obstacle - you'll either have to keep the bathroom door closed or secure the toilet lid by putting something heavy on top. | |
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Choosing a Halloween  Costume for Your Dog
Halloween can be a stressful time for pets. Although Halloween night is a time to keep your dogs at home, safe and sound, that doesn't mean they must be completely left out of Halloween fun.
If you have a friendly, sociable dog who likes children, gets along well with other dogs, and is comfortable wearing a costume, there are many pet parades and costume contests to enjoy this season. Many are part of Octoberfests or community Pumpkin Festivals celebrated annually in towns across America. You'll find links to information about some of these fall events near the end of this article.
Not all dogs will stay cool, calm and collected about being dressed up for Halloween. Many will only cooperate if a costume is not terribly annoying to them. For others, a costume might be fine, but anything that resembles a hat will have to go. There are also dogs who really do enjoy being dressed up. They love the attention that goes along with it and they seem to think it's a perfectly natural thing to do.
Here's a few pet costume tips....
When wearing a costume, can the dog see and breathe easily? A costume should not interfere with the dogs vision, hearing or breathing - NO masks.
Check the fit around the costume neckline to make sure it's not too tight. Watch for chewing, pawing, or signs of discomfort while wearing a costume.
If you're making a pet costume, use a lightweight fabric that won't cause a dog to become over-heated.
Don't put any beads, loose dangling accessories and other small objects on a costume.... nothing that can be chewed and swallowed or be a choking hazard.
A costume should not drag on the floor so that your dog can't walk without stepping on it. Never leave a dog wearing any kind of costume alone and unatteneded.
If your dog gets nervous and upset, and just doesn't like the idea of being dressed, forget the costume idea. A simple doggy size cotton t-shirt would be more comfortable. Or... just get a colorful Halloween print collar or bandana instead.
Halloween can be a stressful time for pets. Although Halloween night is a time to keep your dogs at home, safe and sound, that doesn't mean they must be completely left out of Halloween fun.
If you have a friendly, sociable dog who likes children, gets along well with other dogs, and is comfortable wearing a costume, there are many pet parades and costume contests to enjoy this season. Many are part of Octoberfests or community Pumpkin Festivals celebrated annually in towns across America. You'll find links to information about some of these fall events near the end of this article.
Not all dogs will stay cool, calm and collected about being dressed up for Halloween. Many will only cooperate if a costume is not terribly annoying to them. For others, a costume might be fine, but anything that resembles a hat will have to go. There are also dogs who really do enjoy being dressed up. They love the attention that goes along with it and they seem to think it's a perfectly natural thing to do.
Here's a few pet costume tips....
When wearing a costume, can the dog see and breathe easily? A costume should not interfere with the dogs vision, hearing or breathing - NO masks.
Check the fit around the costume neckline to make sure it's not too tight. Watch for chewing, pawing, or signs of discomfort while wearing a costume.If you're making a pet costume, use a lightweight fabric that won't cause a dog to become over-heated.
Don't put any beads, loose dangling accessories and other small objects on a costume.... nothing that can be chewed and swallowed or be a choking hazard.
A costume should not drag on the floor so that your dog can't walk without stepping on it. Never leave a dog wearing any kind of costume alone and unatteneded.
If your dog gets nervous and upset, and just doesn't like the idea of being dressed, forget the costume idea. A simple doggy size cotton t-shirt would be more comfortable. Or... just get a colorful Halloween print collar or bandana instead.
Pant or jumpsuit type costumes fit over a dog's front legs. Many styles have little arms and legs attached to give the illusion that the dog is standing upright. They're available as super heroes, pirates, cheerleaders, biker dogs, rag dolls, firemen and and other cute characters. Many of these costumes include a head piece to complete the look
Pet costumes that fit like a jacket or vest can transform a dog into a hot dog, a pumpkin, or a Hawaiian party animal. |
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 Get Your Shih Tzu to Love his Halloween Costume
With a properly trained dog, and dog-loving neighbors, you can take your dog trick-or-treating with his new Halloween pet costume.
Some dogs love getting the attention that a Halloween costume brings, but other dogs just don't like being laughed at. How do you get these dogs to like the costume? Here are some tips:
Don't put the costume on right away and expect your dog to go along with it. A few weeks before you expect him to wear the costume, use treat training to get him motivated.
Drape the costume over his back for a few seconds, and then give him a little treat. Do this for a few seconds several times, then daily, longer each time, treating and praising all the while.
Put the costume on loosely, and follow the above instructions, for a few seconds, then a few minutes, with praise
and treats galore.
Enlist the help of a friend. Let the friend give treats when the dog is in costume and when the costume comes off, the friend (and treats) go away.
Soon your dog will be glad when he sees the costume being taken out for him.
Now your dog should be ready to cooperate whether at a party, getting pictures taken, or "Woof-or-Treating"! |
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 The Best Puppy for You Test
Finding the Best Puppy is easy. When you've narrowed down which breed, or litter you'll choose a puppy from, it's time to choose which is the best puppy for you. It's time to put each pup through a puppy test. This test can also be done with full grown dogs to a lesser extent.
Start by observing the puppies at play with their litter mates. Do they seem confident? Are they the aggressor or constantly on their backs with their tails between their legs?
Be objective; don't fall in love with a pup because he looks up at you in a cute way. You're out to choose the best puppy, not the cutest.
WHAT KIND OF PUPPY ARE YOU?
When you lean down to pet the pup does he shy away, or greet your hand with licks? Does he jump on your hand, or nip your hand? A lot can be learned by watching them play and interact with the world.
By the time a puppy is 7 weeks old their brain function is at the same level as an adult dog. This doesn't mean they act like an adult. It does mean however, that you can gain insight into what kind of dog the puppy will evolve into. The best puppy for you will hopefully turn into the best dog for you.
Remember, whatever the results of these tests, you are trying to choose the best puppy for you. It may be in your best interest to have a submissive dog, or a highly confident dog. Beware of the overly dominant types though. These dogs need lots of training from an experienced trainer. First time dog owners should avoid this personality type.
Extremely independent types, dogs that don't respond to the tests at all, should also be avoided unless you are looking for a dog without any bonding capacity. A puppy that tests as independent will never be a loveable companion. They're independent and don't need your love.
PUPPY TEST
Gently pull one of the puppies out of the pen for testing. Find a room with few distractions. You don't need much room for the tests, but you want as few distractions as possible.
Lean down and gently clap your hands getting the puppy to come to you. If the pup comes with his tail held high and wagging, he is confident and comfortable with people. If he comes with his tail between his legs or down, he is more submissive. Most pups will do a combination of both. Praise the puppy and speak gently to him then release him and walk away. Does the puppy follow you? If he follows very close to your feet making you worry about stepping on him, he is showing some dominance traits. He may grow into a dog that needs some convincing that you're the pack leader.
If the pup doesn't follow at all, this is a sign of indifference, or extreme independence. It may be harder to get this dogs attention during training.
EVALUATING TEMPERAMENT
Turn the puppy onto his back and gently pin him for 30 seconds. The longer a puppy squirms the more dominant his character. If the dog cowers and doesn't resist at all this is a submissive pup.
When you release the pup observe how he reacts. Does he look up at you and lick your hand? The more attention he gives you the more forgiving his nature and the easier the training will progress. If the puppy flees as soon as you release him he is submissive and easily spooked.
If he aggressively attacks your hand he is very dominant and will take some professional help.
Next, use a round object like a balled up piece of paper and throw it about 4 feet from the pup. What does the puppy do? If he picks it up and brings it back this is a sign the pup will be willing to take obedience instruction. Generally, the less action they take the more you 'll have to work in your obedience training. If the puppy picks up the ball and starts tossing it around trying to rip it, you have a dominant pup.
NOISE TEST
The noise test is simple. Drop your keys or something that makes sudden noise behind the pup. If the pup runs away with his tail between his legs, he is submissive. If he turns to investigate and sniff, he is of medium temperament. If he grabs the keys and shakes them he is dominant.
For the most part the best puppy will fall somewhere in the middle of the dominance and submissive extremes.
Keep in mind that all these tests are useful but not failsafe. Use them all and they will give you a good idea of what type of puppy you are dealing with. Go through each puppy, male and female to find the best puppy for you.
Choosing a puppy is an extremely important process, one that will affect you for as long as your dog lives. However, if you follow the above steps you will know your are getting the best puppy for your situation. |
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 Avoiding "Flying Shih Tzu" Injuries
Many Shih Tzu seem to believe that they have wings attached to each side of their bodies. They think they can take flying leaps through the air from high places with the greatest of ease and safely land as if there is an invisible net below. Jumping from one piece of furniture to another or to the ground may become a favorite activity.
Amusing though these antics may be, please don't laugh at or otherwise encourage your canine high flier. Shih Tzu simply don't land on all four paws as cats do. Instead, they all too often land on their heads and faces. Because Shih Tzu are heavier in the front than in the rear and have a lower jaw that extends beyond the upper one, the fragile lower jaw is all too often the first point of impact.
All too often Shih Tzu attempt to leap to destinations well beyond a safe distance. Depending upon the height from the point of take off and the composition of the lower landing surface, your Shih Tzu may sustain a concussion or broken bones, particularly fractures of the lower palate. Such injuries may well be severe enough to require immediate veterinary attention and/or repair.
Awareness of the potential for such accidents is the first step towards prevention. There are many things that can be done to preclude injury. Be sure to always keep a firm yet comfortable grip on your Shih Tzu when carrying him or her. (Young children should NEVER be allowed to carry your Shih Tzu about.) When you put him down, place him gently very close to if not on the floor; do not let him struggle, slip out of your grasp, and fall to the ground. Try to refrain from placing your Shih Tzu atop high furniture, counters, or tabletops. If you absolutely need to, as when grooming (or waiting to enter the ring at a dog show), please DO NOT leave him unattended. When your Shih Tzu is well above ground level, particularly if your floors are made of tile, wood, or other hard surfaces, it is best to keep a hand on him at all times to provide the necessary restraint should he get the urge to take a flying leap. If your bed, couch, or vehicle is higher than would be safe for your Shih Tzu to negotiate unassisted, there are pet steps that you can buy. You can also make a ramp with a skid-free surface to make it easier for your Shih Tzu to go up and down. In your vehicle, a crate or special car seats or seat belts designed for pets can prevent injuries if you are in an accident or must stop suddenly. If you are teaching your Shih Tzu to go up and down stairs (or to use the teeter-totter or A-frame in agility training) remember that he may panic (or simply be in a hurry) and try to skip the last few steps or jump off the side of a piece of equipment when he is halfway down. Be prepared to catch him.
Broken jaws and concussions are no fun. The next time your Shih Tzu tries to become a flying ace, you now know how to keep him safe.
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From Our Kitchen
