7 Disaster Preparation Tips for Dogs

As we watch natural disasters unfold in different areas around the world it reminds us that we should always be prepared here at home.  That means that we need to have things prepared for our dogs in case of emergencies, too.  Here are some tips on disaster preparation for dogs.

1.  Plan your disaster response for both yourself and your dog.  Design two scenarios:  one for being caught at home for several days without help; and one for having to evacuate with your dog.  Both plans should include supplies (food and medications), knowing where the safest parts of your home are, and knowing your escape routes if you have to leave.

2.  Do your research.  Have multiple destinations and escape routes planned in case you need to use them.  You never know when one route may be cut off.  It’s a good idea to practice a drive through your various routes in case you need to improvise.

3.  Equip your home and your vehicle with emergency supplies and provisions.  You should do this ahead of time and try to keep them stocked.  Supplies should include a readable map with your routes highlighted; waterproof containers for food and medications; plenty of water; bowls; leashes; collapsible carriers or crates.  Remember that you should also have identification for your pet (permanent ID is especially good in case of an emergency), veterinary and/or insurance records for your pet, and a photo and description of your pet in case you are separated.  You should also carry proof of ownership or registration.  You will also need a first aid kid.  The contents of a good first aid kit can generally be used for either people or pets.

4.  Practice emergency situations and include your pet.  It’s good to drill for emergencies that could occur in your area.  Try to work on doing things quickly.  You can also practice home drills such as taking cover in your basement.

5.  Add, subtract and check on your supplies regularly.  Remember that some of your medications may become ineffective or toxic after their expiration date.  Food can go bad.  Even your stored water may need to be replaced.  Check all of your supplies and replace anything that needs to be replaced.

6.  Review your plans and preparations regularly.  Your destinations may change and your routes may need to be altered. Your maps may need to be changed.  Always try to keep your vehicle in good repair with gas in the tank.

7.  Establish a good relationship with the local authorities in your area.  These authorities include the offices of emergency management and local dog clubs.  During times of emergency jurisdiction falls to local authorities.  They make decisions about emergency plans and keep people informed.  It’s also helpful to be in touch with local dog clubs since they may have information that you need in case of emergency.

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS) was passed by congress in 2006 and signed into law.  PETS requires states seeking assistance from FEMA to accommodate pets and service animals in their plans for evacuating residents facing disasters.

5 Tips for Traveling with Your Dog

Traveling with your dog can be a lot of fun.  You can enjoy seeing new things and doing things together.  Many dogs enjoy traveling.  These days many hotels welcome dogs as guests.  But if you’re going to be traveling with your dog there are some things you can do to make your trip a success.  Here are some tips:

1.  Make sure that your dog is up-to-date on his vaccinations before setting out on your trip.  Some areas can require you to show proof of your dog’s vaccinations if they ask so take your dog’s rabies certificate as well as having him wear his tags.  Rabies shots are required throughout the United States, so be sure that your dog is current on his rabies vaccination.  Besides the requirement, you never know what diseases may be present in the areas where you’ll be traveling.  It’s best to have your dog protected in case you encounter something unhealthy for your dog.

2.  When you travel your dog should wear a good collar with identification tags.  Even if your dog has a microchip, your dog should wear tags when he’s on vacation.  If your dog were to become lost (Heaven forbid!), and someone found him, it’s possible that they wouldn’t know to check for a microchip.  However, tags are always immediately recognizable.  Tags should have your name and current address and phone numbers on them.  You can also include your vet’s phone number or another number where people will know how to contact you.

Microchips are still good.  Collars can come off or be removed.  In that case, a shelter or vet scanning your dog can find the microchip and be able to contact you.

3.  When you travel with your dog take some water from home or buy bottled water on your trip.  A dog’s stomach can be easily upset when traveling.  Drinking strange water on the trip can cause diarrhea or other stomach upsets.  Taking your own water or buying bottled water can keep your dog feeling good and prevent you from having to do some clean up.

4.  Take your dog’s food with him on the trip.  Even if your dog eats a national brand of pet food there are variations in batches and lots.  It’s best to continue to feed your dog from the same bag or cans you bought at home to avoid stomach upset.  If your dog eats a food that’s hard to find then you can’t count on finding it when you travel.

5.  Crate your dog while he rides in the vehicle.  Whether you have a car, van, truck or any other kind of vehicle, you should crate your dog when he’s traveling with you.  Allowing your dog to ride lose in the car is not very safe for him.  Riding in a crate is the safest way for your dog to travel.  A hard-sided airline crate is usually the safest kind of crate for travel.  If you are in an accident you dog won’t go flying through the vehicle.  If he’s in the crate he will be as protected as possible.

Don’t choose a crate that’s too large.  If the crate is too big then your dog will be slung around in the crate if there is an impact.  Instead, choose a crate that is big enough for your dog to stand and lie down.  This will protect him in case of an accident.

There are many other things to remember when you travel with your dog:  remember to bring a can opener if you feed canned food.  Remember to bring your dog’s dinner dishes.  Remember to bring paper towels for any clean up.  Remember to bring your dog’s bed if he has a favorite dog bed.  The list is endless!  It’s like traveling with a baby.

There are some things that you can pick up on the way if you forget them at home, but if you remember to have your dog up-to-date on his shots, wear a good collar with current ID, bring water from home (or bottled water), bring his food, and crate him while he rides, you should have a great -- and safe -- trip.

5 Tips For Taking Good Dog Photos

If you have a dog then you probably have some photos of your favorite pooch.  You may also know how difficult it can be to get a good picture of your dog.  As soon as you haul out the camera it seems like some dogs start turning their backsides to you. Other dogs start walking toward the camera to investigate which means all of your pictures are close-ups of their noses.  And some owners only seem to get pictures of their dogs sprinting through the background.  Don’t despair!  Here are some tips for getting good photos of your dog.

1.  Plan ahead.  In order to get some good pictures of your dog you need to do a little strategic planning.  That means letting your dog get used to the camera.  If you only bring out your camera a minute before you want to take a picture your dog is going to walk straight to the camera to investigate it.  Instead, take your camera out and let your dog get used to it.  Take the camera out often.  Wear it a while.  That way your dog will be used to it and will act naturally.  You should also consider some other factors before you take pictures.  Is your dog wound up and zooming around?  Then be in position for his action shots.  Is he being lazy and mellow?  Get in the best spots to take those shots.

2.  Take lots of pictures.  If you take just a few pictures of your dog you may get lucky and get a great picture but you’re much more likely to get good pictures if you set aside some time and take lots of photos.  You can catch your dog doing all kinds of cool things and his personality will really come out in the pictures.

3.  Consider the angle.  Some of the best dog pictures are usually taken at your dog’s level.  Many people take pictures standing up, looking down at their dogs but if you really want to get good pictures of your dog then get right down on the floor with him.

4.  Look at your surroundings.  You can take great pictures anywhere but it certainly helps to have good surroundings, free of clutter.  Simple surroundings can help focus attention on your dog.  A clean, sandy beach or green trees will make your dog look great.  Watch for things growing out of your dog’s head like telephone poles.  And try to keep some contrast in the background.  If you have a black dog stay away from black backgrounds; stay away from light backgrounds for light-colored dogs, and so on.

5.  Have fun.  Don’t be afraid to have fun with your dog.  Remember that you don’t have to make every photo look the same.  Mix them up a little!  Have some close-ups.  Do some body shots.  Take a head shot.  Use different angles.  And ask a friend to help.  Sometimes having a friend playing with your dog can help, especially if your friend has a squeaky toy.  Professional photographers often use squeaky toys to get a great facial expression from a dog.

Follow these tips and you should be able to get some great pictures of your dog.  It’s all for fun so go out and have a great time with your dog and your camera.

5 Tips for Driving with Your Dog

 Dogs are on the go with us these days.  Wherever we go, our dogs go with us, too.  Whether we’re traveling across the country or just going to the vet, dogs spend a lot of time in our vehicles.  Here are some tips for safe driving with your dog.

1.  Use a crate or harness for your dog when he’s traveling with you.  Whether you have a large dog or a small dog, it’s much safer for your dog to be in a crate or safely harnessed in your car.  Just as you are safer wearing a seatbelt when you ride in your car, your dog is safer when he is protected by a crate or harness. If you have an accident a dog in a crate will not be thrown through the window.  If the crate is thrown around the vehicle your dog will have more protection.  If the crate is thrown from the car, your dog won’t be loose on the road.  Pet harnesses also provide some degree of protection in case of an accident.

2.  Don’t let a small dog ride in your lap.  If your dog slides down he can interfere with your use of the gas pedal and brakes.  A dog in your lap can interfere with you when you’re steering. Driving with a dog in your lap is very dangerous.

3.  When you travel with your dog in your vehicle make sure that he is wearing a collar with up to date contact identification.  Your contact information should also include your vet’s address or someone who can take care of your dog in case of an accident.  If you are in an accident you want people to be able to identify your dog immediately.

If you are taken to the hospital your dog would be separated from you.  Anyone responding to the scene would need to be able to contact your dog’s ID information and speak to someone who could take care of your dog while you are being treated.  Most veterinarians can take care of a dog for a few days while an owner is laid up.  If you’re in the hospital longer than that other arrangements can be made, such as having a friend take your dog.  So, make sure that your dog’s ID and contact information is up to date.

4.  When you’re driving with your dog you should take along a water bowl and some water from home or bottled water.  You never know when your dog may get thirsty when you’re out together.  It’s good to have a water bowl for your dog that stays in the car at all times so it’s always there when you travel.

If you are going to be gone for more than just a few hours you should plan accordingly.  Take your dog’s food, feed dish, bedding, favorite toys and other indispensable items for overnight trips.

5.  Keep a copy of your dog’s vaccination records in your glove box.  Your dog should be wearing his rabies tag and other local tags on his collar when you travel.  It’s always possible that law enforcement or some other organization could ask to see proof that your dog is up-to-date on his shots.  Most states require that your dog be current on his vaccinations when entering their state.  This information is rarely asked for, but it can be requested if you are stopped by the police, for instance.

If you keep these tips in mind then driving with your dog you can have many safe and happy driving experiences on the road together.