It’s the time of year when we are making plans to get out of town to celebrate with friends and family but what about our furry family members that can’t always come along for the ride?  The main thing to remember is that you have options.

If taking  your pets with you is not an option you can find a reputable in-home caregiver to come and feed and walk your  pets while you are away. Make sure they are bonded and insured and most of all make sure you feel comfortable with having someone come into your home and that your pets will get the care they need.

Another option is leaving your pet with a professional caregiver.  Boarding facilities can be a reliable choice when you are away.  Most places are reasonably priced and well equipped to give the necessary care your pet needs.  It is always a good idea  to check out a few different options  and find one that is the best fit for you and your pet.  Places are popping up all over the country that are not your standard “kennels”.  There are all inclusive pet resorts that can offer training and grooming while they are boarding so you can go on your vacation and when you pick up your furry friend they will be well mannered and looking great!

If you are home for the holidays you may still want to board your pets for a day or two or drop them off for some doggie daycare.  With the hustle and bustle of the season people may be coming and going more than usual which increases the chances of having a lost pet.  Also, there are many poisonous things for your pet to get into such as poinsettia plants, christmas tree water or turkey bones.  When our schedules get hectic our animals sometimes suffer so why not drop them off for some doggie playtime while you’re doing your shopping or entertaining.  Make the holidays fun for everyone including your furry family members!

There is almost nothing worse than having an uneasy feeling when another dog comes to meet your dog. If you have a dog that has displayed aggression towards other dogs or even people when it’s on a leash it’s important to know what you can do to manage the situation.

There are many reasons that dogs become aggressive and they should be individually assessed by an experienced trainer before starting any “treatment”.  Once a dog displays this behavior it usually means something has already happened to cause them to react this way.  It could be something as simple as the dynamics changing within your household, a dog or human moving in or out, or a traumatic event like being attacked by another dog. The key is how we react to the behavior and understanding  that we may not be able to completely resolve the issue but we can manage it and not make it worse.

One of the most important things is to know your dog’s body language and how to respond to signals.  They need to feel that you are in complete control at all times.  If you are nervous, tense or fearful they will pick up on that and be much more prone to react adversely.  Putting them in situations where they succeed and using positive reinforcement as much as possible can help break bad behaviors.  Be careful using harsh corrections with your dog as they can back-fire, making matters worse.  Try to avoid using prong collars or choke chains because they may associate the pain and this may cause more aggression.  Gentle leaders or martingale collars are more effective.  It takes a lot of effort on your part to recondition your dog and still you must never assume that your dog will not have setbacks.

One thing you can try is finding a spot about 25 feet from where other dogs will be walking by and sit with your dog with some very tasty treats like pieces of hot dog or tasty meat.  Every time another dog comes into view make eye contact with your dog and start feeding the treats and praising. When the other dog is far enough away or out of sight, stop the feeding and praise. You should do this for about 30 minutes several times a week until you notice a change in the behavior.  Eventually you can start to  walk your dog at a distance and repeating the same rewards. The goal is to have your dog completely focused on you and what you want them to do whenever they see another dog.  You want to create a new response. Once you start seeing the desired results you should keep up with this exercise as often as possible. You can give treats a little less every time but keep up with the praise.  If you are consistent you should see results in as little as a few weeks.

Leash aggression can usually be controlled through proper techniques. It is important to be consistant with training remaining in control at all times. Remember, your dog picks up on how you are feeling so try not to get nervous or overreact when you see other dogs coming. Be calm and give praise whenever possible. If you need help, seek advice from a reputable animal behaviorist. The goal is to enjoy your pet and the time you have together.

There are hundreds of animals that reside at local shelters on any given day.  There are many ways individuals and families can help support the Humane Society & SPCA  and ensure the continuation of  many programs and services for people and animals in the community. Whether you donate, volunteer, use  services or help in other ways, your contribution is critical to help  rescue and rehabilitate more animals each year and continue  education and outreach programs to children, seniors and  families.

The Humane Society & SPCA of Sonoma County is a private, non-profit organization that is solely funded and supported by individuals in the community. They do not receive any funding from government sources or national organizations, and  are not affiliated with other Humane Societies or the HSUS. The Petaluma Animal Shelter relies on donations to provide all the extras for animals  such as bedding, veterinary care, toys and shelter improvements.These organizations provide they necessary care for animals until they are, hopefully,  placed in a good home. The animals rely on the gifts from private individuals to survive. 

Do you have any slightly used toys, leashes, harnesses, collars, crates, clothes, beds, seasonal items, or anything else pet-related that you would like to donate to a good cause? The “No Flea’s Flea market” is an event benefiting the Sonoma County Humane Society and the Petaluma Animal Shelter. Fit’n'Furry will be hosting the “No Flea’s  Flea Market” on Saturday, October 24th from 9am to 3pm. Please drop off your items between now and October 17th. We only ask that your donations be clean and next to new. If you need something for your furry friend please come and see if you can find it here! There will be many great items for your pets and the proceeds go to support these very important organizations.

www.FitnFurry.com – dog boarding (cats too!), doggie daycare, dog grooming, and dog training. Your pets won’t want to come home because they are having too much fun at Fit n Furry! Agility Training.

www.FitnFurry.com – dog boarding (cats too!), doggie daycare, dog grooming, and dog training. With us, your pet’s day is all about furry fun playtime and comfort as a guest in our state of the art pet care facility.