Traveling Safely with your Dog- Part 3

Car and boat are not the only ways to travel with your dog these days.  Sometimes life takes you to faraway places which you have to fly by plane to get to.  If you can avoid flying with your dog, it is the overall best option.  Traveling in a plane, whether the dog is in the passenger cabin or in the cargo section, is stressful for dogs.  In addition, shipping your dog can be incredibly expensive, dangerous for your dog, and a big headache dealing with airlines that are not pet friendly.  

Traveling by plane

There are three ways in which you can transport a dog by plane; in the passenger cabin, as excess baggage, or as cargo.

Passenger Cabin- Your dog can fly with you on the plane IF she is small enough to fit in a carrier that will stow under the seat in front of you (usually under 20 lbs, except for service dogs) and she stays in her carrier during the entire flight.  That isn’t bad, and if you have a small dog (or cat) this is the best way to go.

Excess Baggage- Your dog may be able to fly below you, in the cargo area as passenger excess baggage.  Of course, each airline has certain restrictions and regulations, and many airlines no longer allow animals to be carried as baggage, especially during the hotter months of May to September.

Former Corona Resident, JP Pineda, had a challenging experience flying her Shepherd mix, Duke, to Spain.  “I flew internationally with Delta, because they were one of the only airlines that would allow animals,” she said.  But she does not recommend Delta to anyone transporting an animal since “it was awful; they have really bad customer service.  I called several times trying to get everything I needed in place for Duke to fly and still they failed to mention their summer pet embargo where they do not take animals as cargo during the summer months.” So even though she had gone through the trouble of getting his flight in order ahead of time, she ended up having to make last minute arrangements to have him by fly air freight (cargo) instead.  

 Cargo- Sending your dog by air freight can be and should be a last resort.  If you can’t fly with your dog, if the dog exceeds the excess baggage limit, or if it is the summer months in which most airlines will not fly with live animals, you may be stuck with sending your dog by cargo plane.

 After JP had to change her plans to ensure Duke made it to her in Spain she had to arrange for a friend to take Duke to the airport while she waited for him on the other side. “It was ridiculously expensive.  Plus the vet bills and changing everything last minute, the costs can add up quickly.”

Sending a dog by plane can be a very scary experience for the human and a traumatizing experience for the dog.  So many things can and do go wrong, and many animals die during transport each month.  There are certain requirements and basic necessities any dog should have while traveling by air and the first thing should be a sturdy kennel that will hold up during all of the transportation.  Dogs can escape from their kennel, get tossed around in their kennel, and possibly even run over in their kennel.  Try to book a straight flight, with little to no connections.  This will lower the chance of your dog being misplaced, not transferred in time, or forgotten on a baggage cart.  And be sure your dog has access to water through a feeder that won’t spill.  A dog can get lost and left in baggage claim for days without staff even knowing a living thing is there.

You can use pet movers or relocation companies to take care of everything for you, but it will cost you a pretty penny.  These companies generally do all of the foot work for you as well as pick-up and delivery.  Many would say it is worth it to avoid the hassle of dealing with the airlines and customs.  But whatever   path you choose to take, do your homework.  Research the airline you are planning to fly with, their pet baggage restrictions and requirements and any seasonal embargos they might have.  Airlines are required to report any incidents with animals to the Secretary of Transportation.  The Department of Transportation then produces  Air Travel Consumer Reports each month, listing the number of animals injured, lost, or killed specifically by airline.  Be sure to make these reports apart of your research when choosing an airline.  In addition, petflight.com gives monthly pet travel reports, tips, airline incidents and more through their website.  Some of the top pet-friendly airlines include Continental, United (Continental and United have recently merged) Jet Blue, Air Canada, and a new one you may want to check out a pet only airline called Pet Airways.  Once you’ve decided what airline you are going to use, contact the airline and let them know you are planning to transport a live animal to be sure they can accommodate you on your chosen flight date. 

Again, flying with your dog can be very stressful for everyone involved.  If you don’t have to fly, then don’t.  But of you do have to fly then please do your homework (months in advance)!  JP flew with Air Canada on the way home and though she had a much better experience, it was not without hiccups.  When JP was asked if she would do it all again she said, “It depends on the circumstance.  It would depend on how long I was going to be gone for and if it would be more stressful for my dog to be away from me for that long or more stressful for him to fly.  It’s a personal question every dog owner has to ask themselves.”

This article barely scratches the surface of traveling with your dog by air.  For more in depth explanations of what to expect when shipping your dog by air, check out doglaw.hugpug.com

Traveling Safely with your Dog- Part 2

Are you planning on taking a trip out to the river or lake this summer and you want to take the dog?  You are not alone since 2.5 million people visit Lake Havasu, 3 million people visit Lake Tahoe, and 9 million people visit Lake Mead each year.  And while not all people (pet owners even) visit these destinations with their dogs, a good amount of them do.  So what can you do to make sure your dog has a fun and safe time while visiting the water with you?     

Traveling by boat

There are three basic things that your dog will need while on a boat or splashing around the water with you; a life jacket, sun block, and plenty of fresh water.

Life Jacket:  Many people are in the dark about the importance of life jackets not only for their dog but for themselves as well.  One Riverside resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, said “I take my dog with me to Havasu all the time.  She loves jumping in the water and catching her toys while the rest of us just chill in the boat. I never even thought about getting her a life jacket ‘cause I never thought she would need one.”  Famous last words of a fool?   

According to the U.S. Coast Guards Boating and Safety annual accident statistic report for 2009, the Coast Guard counted 4,730 accidents that involved 736 deaths and 3,358 injuries. The report also noted that “Almost three-fourths of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, and of course, eighty-four (84) percent were not reported as wearing a life jacket.”

The triton message board on Yahoo! is a “Communication network for Pearson Triton Sailboat owners, sailors and fans.  In 2001, an article called Boat Smart was posted with boating accident statistics from a report and observations made by Senior Chief Tom Rau, Coast Guard Group Grand Haven in Michigan. At the very end of his report he added a local note saying, “…During a patrol on Lake Michigan, off Holland, they observed nearly 350 boaters….one in forty-two boaters wearing a life jacket, dogs one in three.” Only 1 in 3 dogs was wearing a life jacket.

NRS (Northwest River Supplies) in a renowned online supply store, from camping to canoeing and all things river.  This website is not just a store, but a resource center as well, with experts writing articles about being on the river.  One more recent article was about bringing the dog along and the importance of putting them in a life jacket.  “Many think all dogs are natural swimmers. While they probably all will naturally “dog paddle,” many dogs are not good swimmers. Even those that are can get tired in a long swim, get injured in an upset and be overwhelmed by current or rapids.”  The article goes on to say, “Even a champion swimmer like U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps could be overmatched in those conditions, without the assistance of a life jacket.”

 Notice any patterns? Most boating accidents result in death by drowning, 84% of which could be avoided by wearing a life jacket. Its true for humans as it is dogs. 

            Sunblock: Dogs can and do get sun burned, especially on the water. Of course, white dogs and dogs with short hair are more susceptible to getting burned, but almost any dog can get burned on their nose and burn the pads of their feet on hot asphalt. If your dog is white and short haired, be sure to cover him in sunblock.  And if he is getting in and out of the water, be sure to reapply throughout the day.  For all other dogs, you might want to consider giving your pup a dog hat.

Riverside resident, Paul Vasquez, has a white American Bulldog named Diesel.  When asked about sunblock for his dog he said, “In the summer, Diesel needs sunblock every day otherwise he gets all pink and burnt.  My kids don’t even use sunblock every day.”  And while Paul has a point that most humans don’t put on sun block every day, they might think twice if they weren’t always wearing clothes.  Dogs don’t have the luxury of throwing on a shirt and hat, so just 30 minutes in the backyard is enough to result in a burn.  

Fresh Water: Dogs lose a lot of body fluids when panting.  Always bring plenty of fresh water for the dog on the boat and ensure your dog drinks plenty of it during the day. You may not be able to use a water bowl so you should bring a water bottle with a sports top or a dog water bottle designed specifically for dog drinking on the go.

It’s a good idea to keep your dog in the shade as much as possible to further avoid sun burns and dehydration.  As always, please keep your dogs safety in mind during any water activity and happy splashing!

Traveling Safely with your Dog- Part 1

While we officially still have 21 days until summer begins, the Memorial weekend gives us a taste of fun vacation plans soon to come.  This means cross country flights, weekends at the river, camping, and road trips.  Bella Dog Magazine published a survey from PetRelocation.com on summer pet travel that found “61% of pet owners travel more than 50 miles with their pets at least once a year. Over half of the owners travel with their dogs.  38% travel as often as once a month with their pets.” 

And why not? Besides the high cost of boarding your dog and the dreaded thought of leaving them behind, dogs make great traveling companions and they would love to go on an adventure with you.  But how do you ensure they are safe whether you are traveling by car, boat, or plane?

Traveling by Car

No one wants to think about getting in a car accident but the reality is that over 10.2 million motor vehicle accidents happen each year (as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau).  That’s why cars come with more and more airbags and children are strapped in to their car seats with a six point harness.  We think of our safety and our children’s safety automatically when we drive, but for some reason we don’t think about strapping the dog in.  First off, dogs should never ride in the front seat with the airbag on.  Just like a small child, the impact of an airbag could kill your dog.  Your dog should always be riding in a back seat and you can be sure they stay there by using one of the methods to travel safely with your dog; by harness (dog seat belt), by barrier, or by crate.

            Harness (dog seat belt):   There are several different dog seat belts on the market.  Some hook onto the seat belt strap while others buckle into the seat belt buckle end. These harnesses wrap around the dog’s chest, still giving the dog freedom to sit, stand, and lay down, but keep the dog from roaming around the car, distracting you while driving, or flying through the windshield in the event of an accident.

Corona resident, Katie Chapman, travels with her dachshund, Doc, between Temecula and Corona on a weekly basis. “When Doc was a puppy, I drove with her in her crate.  Now that she is a little bigger, she has her own seat in the back where she wears her little doggy seat belt harness.”  Katie continues, “I also keep her blanket and a toy back there for her. I think creating a special place for your dog inside your car as well as your home helps ease travel anxiety and keeps them occupied so you can keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”

            Barrier:  A dog barrier is usually made of metal tubing in a grid fashion, meant to keep the dog from climbing to the front seats. You will most often see these used in SUV’s, station wagons, or any type of vehicle where the trunk is not separated from the rest of the car.  These types of vehicles have a lot of cargo room to tow things which makes it the perfect place for a large dog to spread out during the drive.  What a lot of people don’t know is that you can use the barrier in sedans and compact cars as well (placed behind the driver’s and front passenger’s seat) for the same purpose.  Not only does this protect your dog from flying forward during an accident, but it protects you and your children as well from being hit and injured by the dog as they are thrown forward.

Crates:  Crates can be the safest place for a dog while traveling in a car.  Your dog is in their own space (or den), and secured in one part of the vehicle without the chance of moving around, distracting you while driving, or getting thrown out of the car in the event of an accident.  If a dog is traveling in the bed of a pickup truck, they should always be in a crate for their safety.  Additionally, in the event of an accident, a stranger is more likely to help a dog that is confined in a crate than one that is running free and can potentially bite; especially if they are upset from the accident and acting irrationally.  

                                                   

Your dog is a member of the family, so he or she deserves to be treated as such in the car as well as in the home.  This minimal change in your life can save your dog’s life, so why put it off any longer.  Go checkout a local dog store near you or go online to find tons of great deals on travel items for the pets in your family.

And please remember: Whenever going on a long road trip don’t forget to bring dog food, lots of water, and an extra leash from home.  And be sure to make frequent stops for potty breaks and stretching to avoid cabin fever.  Happy trails!

Pet adoption event this memorial weekend

Are you thinking about adding a new four-legged addition to the family? While there are legitimate breeders who care about the dogs they breed and sell, there are several puppy mills that do no favors to the dogs they breed or the people who buy their puppies.  Besides the cruel treatment of their breeding dogs and the overpriced and often unhealthy puppies they produce, these puppy mills are only adding to the dog overpopulation problem in the U.S.  There are thousands of dogs that end up in the shelter, hoping for a second chance but are often over looked because they are “used” or not “pure bred”. 

As the proud owner of three mutts, I can say that pound puppies are the best dogs to have.  Most mutts do not fall victim to pure bred health issues that arise from years of inbreeding.  If the adopted dog comes with baggage, it’s nothing you can’t fix with consistent training, patience, and lots of love.  There is nothing wrong with buying a pure bred dog from a respectable breeder; after all, those dogs need a home too.  Just remember, there are no guarantees with any dog you get.  So why not take a chance on a rescue dog?

This memorial weekend, Floor & Décor Outlets, in Norco, will be hosting a pet adoption event on Sunday, May 29^th, and Monday, May 30^th, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. each day.  There will adoptable pets from three different rescues, one of which will be the Corona Animal Shelter.  Dogs from the Corona Animal Shelter will be available from $25 - $95 and most dogs are ready to go home with you that day. 

Even if you are not ready to add another member to your pack, pass the word along to a friend so these animals have a better chance of finding a new forever home.  

Floor & Décor Outlets is located at 200 Hidden Valley Pkwy in Norco, across the parking lot from the 76 gas station and McDonalds, adjacent to the Albertsons and Target shopping center.   

Teach your dog to walk alongside your bike

Have you ever been exhausted from work only to come home to a dog that’s full of energy or a dog that has destroyed your house?  Your dog has been doing little, if anything, all day and that pent up energy usually gets released in a negative way.  Dogs that don’t get regular or adequate exercise can become destructive, anxious, ill-mannered, impertinent, depressed and/or overweight - which can lead to further health issues.  After a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is go for a long walk, especially if your dog is not properly leash trained.  But ensuring your dog gets the proper exercise will not only benefit him, but it will make your life easier as well.

An easy way to make sure your dog gets a lot of exercise, with minimal work on your part, is to teach them to ride alongside your bike.

Step 1: Introduction to the bike

Get your dog comfortable around the bike by walking him next to it as you walk the bike.  This will let him see the bike is not something to fear.  You can give him treats during this exercise or simply praise him while you walk.

It’s important to keep your dog toward the back of the bike, at least next to the seat. He needs to learn to follow the bike and stay to one side of it so he doesn’t cross back and forth in front of the bike.

Step 2: Start with a short walk

Like human hands, the pads on a dog’s feet can blister and tear from physical labor.  If your dog does not go for walks very often you want to start your bike rides off slow and keep them short.  This will give your dog’s feet pads a chance to slowly toughen before long or running bike rides.

This is also the time to start using commands for left and right turning. You can use any command you want, just be consistent.     

If you feel more confident with two hands on the handle bars there are a couple of dog bike leashes on the market.  Check out these videos to find out more about WalkyDog Leash, Bike Tow Leash, and K9 Cruiser.

Step 3: Kick it up a notch

Once your dog is use to walking alongside your bike, you can increase your speed (but only if your dog can handle it).  Your dog doesn’t have to be running to get a good work out, so you may consider topping out with your dog in a nice trot.

Don’t be afraid to change the scenery.  You don’t have to stay on your street or even in your neighborhood.  There are tons of great bike trails and parks to explore with your dog on your day off.  One great bike trail you can enjoy with your dog is the Riverside Santa Ana River trail.  This trail starts at the base of the San Bernardino Mountains and connects several local parks as it follows the river through Riverside.  Two of the parks along this trail are Fairmont Park and Carlson Dog Park, which are great starting and stopping points for your bike trip.  It’s a great way to get the family out of the house and enjoying the outdoors together.  For more information on the Santa Ana River trail, and Riverside’s plans to connect the trails leading to the Pacific Ocean, check out Riverside’s Parks & Recreation webpage.

Step 4: Safety First

Enjoy this new activity with your dog, but always do so with great attention and caution while around cars, pedestrians, and other bikers.  Always do your best to avoid heavy traffic areas anytime you practice riding your bike with your dog.

While bike riding can be great for most dogs it isn’t ideal for all dogs, like dachshunds or senior dogs.  Make sure your dog is physically healthy for an extensive work out like walking alongside a bike.  

Be safe and happy riding!

Teach your dog to walk on a treadmill

Have you ever been exhausted from work only to come home to a dog that’s full of energy?  Your dog either begs for your attention by pawing at you or he demands attention by chewing your shoes, the carpet, the couch and possibly even the dry wall.  After a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is go for a long walk.  But your dog has been doing very little if anything at all while he waits for you to come home.  So naturally, dogs, in this situation, get a lot of pent up energy that they don’t know what to do with and that energy usually gets released in a negative way.

Have you ever felt it is just too hot to walk your dog?  While some states have weather that gets too cold to walk the dog, in Riverside County the weather can get too hot to walk the dog. 

For these reasons and more, people have turned to the treadmill.  The treadmill has been helping humans get in shape for years, and if used properly it can be a powerful tool in making sure your dog gets his much needed daily exercise as well.

Step 1: Introduction to the treadmill

Introduce your dog to the treadmill by letting him sniff the machine, walk around it, walk on it, stand on it, etc.  You can encourage him by standing on the machine and calling him, reward him with treats, or let him explore on his own. The idea is to get him comfortable with the treadmill as if it is just another piece of furniture.

Step 2: Give it a go

This is the most critical step and where most treadmill training goes wrong.

Have the dog walk onto the treadmill and stay on this time. Make sure he is facing the proper direction.  You can stand on the sides of the treadmill with the dog between your legs, or on the front of the treadmill encouraging the dog to walk toward you. Where you stand depends on the size of your dog and your ability to correct him if he tries to jump off.

Turn the treadmill on a low speed. Most dogs will panic when the treadmill turns on, but you are there to keep him focused on walking and to reassure him that he is fine (using a confident demeanor and touch, not using baby talk).  Keep him on the machine but don’t put continual pressure on his collar, as that will stress him out and make him panic more.  This step may take a while but it’s very important to not stop the session until your dog has started walking without trying to get off.  He needs to end with a positive experience on the treadmill or he will not want to get on again.

If your dog does catch on quickly, try doing the exercise for about 15 minutes at time while he is getting use to the idea.  

Step 3: Add some speed

Once your dog has gotten the hang of walking on a treadmill you can slowly increase the speed.  Just one or two speed increases will do since he will be using a lot of concentration to adjust his own speed accordingly.

Once he has mastered the art of walking on a treadmill, you can increase length and speed of the walks to whatever duration is appropriate for your dog’s size and energy level.  Please remember, your dogs should not be running on the treadmill, they should top their speed at a nice trot.  And never leave your dog unattended on a treadmill, especially if they are attached with a leash.

If you can successfully train your dog to walk on the treadmill he will get the daily exercise he needs and become better behaved, making your life easier.  So, good luck and happy treadmilling.

Still need some visual aid? Check out his video for a more hands on demonstration: http://youtu.be/W1AIdeSEo5w

Paws for the ‘Bark for Life’ Event

Looking for something to do with your dog tomorrow?  Well you are in luck because the 2^nd annual Corona Bark for Life walk will take place tomorrow, May 21^st, at The Shops at Dos Lagos in Corona.  

What is Bark for Life?

“The American Cancer Society Bark For Life^TM is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society's fight against cancer.” –RelayforLife.org/barkcoronaca

The Corona Bark for Life is a fundraiser event for the annual Corona Relay for Life (which will be held June 11^th at Santana Park).  Hosted and organized by mother and daughter team, Colleen Cain and Stephanie Hoy, to honor the memory of many family members who have passed away from cancer, including father and husband, Bill Cain.  Bark for Life also honors the many service dogs who assist cancer patients and those who have passed away from cancer. 

Why should I help?

·         Approximately 1 out of every 3 women in the U.S. will develop cancer in their lifetime.

·         Almost 1 of every 2 men in the U.S. will develop cancer in their lifetime.

·         1 out of every 9 dogs in the U.S. dies of cancer each year.

·         Cancer is the 2^nd leading cause of death in the U.S., exceeded only by heart disease.

By supporting or participating in Bark for Life, you help the American Cancer Society raise much-needed funds and awareness to help save lives and reach their ultimate goal, which is to “create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.”

How can I get involved?

You can support the American Cancer Society Bark for Life by donating, participating, and spreading the word.  

By donating to the American Cancer Society you can provide support to cancer patients and their families in the community.  And with the proper funding, the American Cancer Society will be able to offer a broad range of essential programs and services at no cost to the recipient. To donate, log on to www.relayforlife.org/barkcoronaca

To participate simply come with your dog(s) to The Shops at Dos Lagos, located at 2780 Cabot Drive in Corona.  This year’s Grand Marshall will be Shorty Rossi and Hercules (as seen on Animal Planet’s “Pit Boss”) and the Animal Planet will be filming their participation in the event. In addition, Mayor Stan Skipworth will be assisting with the opening ceremonies.   

                                                           

The event doesn’t stop after the walk so be sure to check out the agility course, doggy contests, vendors, food, adoptions, demonstrations and more.  The event is from 9a.m. – 2p.m. and the entry fee is $20 for the first dog, and $10 for every immediate family dog after that. For more information, or to pre-register your dog, log on to www.relayforlife.org/barkcoronaca or call (951) 283-9128.

   

If you can’t donate and you can’t participate you can still make a difference by passing this on

and encouraging your friends and family to support the cause in whatever way they can.  Every little bit helps and together we can make a difference and save lives.