Puppy
play biting: How to teach a teething puppy not to bite
It is a painful problem that every puppy owner faces:
play biting. Puppy owners are far too familiar with the feeling of an adorable
fuzzy puppy clamping on to their sensitive skin with those tiny, deadly and
razor-sharp puppy teeth. But play biting is a natural thing for a puppy- she is
trying to use her mouth to learn about the world around her. It starts with the
other pups in her litter. They bite when they play fight but when one pup bites
too hard the other pup will yelp loudly and stop playing. From the beginning puppies
are learning the boundaries of biting and it is a lesson that needs to continue
when they leave the litter to join their human family.
Biting too hard is a behavior that needs to be corrected
right from the beginning if the puppy is going to be able to have good
relationships with other people and dogs. Founder of The Academy For Dog Trainers Jean
Donaldson published an article in 2007 for the Calgary Humane Society about aggressive behavior in canines. She educates about acquired bite inhibition (ABI) which “is
the degree of pressure a dog exerts with his jaws when he bites, and likely the
most significant prognostic indicator in aggression.” Puppies must be taught
not to put force behind their bite because according to Donaldson “ABI has
proven virtually impossible to modify in an adult dog.”
Guest blog: The King of Goosebumps shares his top 5 Goosebumps books to get you in the Halloween spirit
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This post contains affiliate links. Guest blog by Matt Vickers Copley. So excited to welcome him to the Paws For Reaction extended family!
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My passion for Goosebumps books started in 1999 at the age of 7 when I got my first book called The Haunted Car. It was a big thing for mum and me growing up. My primary school didn't have the books in the library at the time I was there as they were too scary... pffft. So it became a weekly thing for mum and I, to go to our local store and buy each book until I had them all. My bedroom became every 90s' kid's dream Goosebumps themed room.
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Photo by Liv & Phileas IWoman CC BY-NC-ND |
The 10 best cold weather dog breeds
for a family with children
Active families in cold weather regions who are interested
in adopting a dog will be looking for a breed that can tolerate the frigid
climate and play in the snow with the children. The list of Nordic dogs is a long
one but not all of those dog breeds will fit into a family with children. Small
children and even older kids need a pet that can tolerate playing and activity
just as much as it can tolerate four seasons. Kids need a dog breed that is
patient and loving to ensure that all play is safe play.
These 10 cold weather dogs are the best breeds to
introduce to a family with children. Although many are larger breeds it is
important to remember that when the dog has an even temperament it is easy to
train so the size tends to matter less. With the proper training a giant breed
dog can be just as easy to manage as a small dog. Many large and giant breed
owners swear by their family friendly dogs as being great companions for
children. Check out the 10 best cold weather dogs for a family.
Happy Earth Day: Environmental stories for dog owners, animal lovers, and climate activists
It's the greenest day of the year- Earth Day! This is the second Earth Day, April 22nd, we've celebrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. It saddens me that a year later Ontario is in worse shape. I hope you find a safe way to do something positive for the planet today. Interested in learning more about living sustainably and fighting climate change? Check out the green headlines on Paws For Reaction! These are the best posts about climate change, pollution, wildlife, the outdoors, and environmental action.
Snowdogs: 10 best cold-weather dog breeds for a family
Active families in cold-weather regions who are
interested in adopting a dog will be looking for a breed that can tolerate the
frigid climate and play in the snow with the children. The list of Nordic dogs
is a long one but not all of those dog breeds will fit into a family with
children. Small children and even older kids need a pet that can tolerate
playing and activity just as much as it can tolerate four seasons. Kids need a
dog breed that is patient and loving to ensure that all play is safe play.
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Photo by San Diego Shooter Foter CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 |
The 14 best dog costumes for Halloween 2014
Halloween is drawing near and pet parents are starting to get their
pets costumes together.
Spider Dog- created by YouTube prank group SA Wardega- terrified citizens and
respectively raised the bar for creative dog costumes. Whether the costume is
scary, clever or just plain adorable the bar is set high for 2014. Check out
these spooky pups model 14 of the best Halloween costumes for fall 2014. We added a few more photos of adorable dogs in Halloween costumes at the bottom of the page- just for fun!
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This post contains affiliate links to all of these spooky books! |
Summer nostalgia reads: 5 best Fear Street books to read on a hot summer day
I grew up in the 90s’ during a time when crimped hair was cool, bracelets slapped on and RL Stine was the king of teen horror. While I have read many books by many different authors, RL Stine will always remain my favorite author of all time. His books sent shivers down my spine and kept me turning page after page until I got to the bitter and bone-chilling end.
As a child I loved the plot-twisting, comical Goosebumpsseries, but as I got older I graduated to the scarier, sexier Fear Street novels. Every summer I crack open a dusty Fear Street book and consume the yellowed pages while lying in the sunshine. It reminds me of a simpler time when I would get lost in a book instead of one of my many devices, and murder was more often on the page than in the news. To this day I still collect and read RL Stine’s books.
How you can help #NOMV: Veterinary community and animal lovers raise awareness after three vet med professionals die by suicide
If you follow animal or veterinary groups on social media or are friends with someone working in veterinary medicine, you may have seen profile pictures change to support #NOMV. This stands for Not One More Vet, and it's trending for the worst reason. In the past two weeks, three veterinarians (Josh Smith) and one veterinary technician died by suicide. I extend my most sincere sympathies to their family, friends, and colleagues. Sadly, it's a story we in the veterinary profession have heard before. According to the most recent data available in the United States, depending on gender, veterinarians are 1.6 to 2.4 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population and veterinary technicians are 2.3 to 5 times more likely. The veterinary profession has the highest rate of deaths by suicide of any profession.
Ditch the itch: Allergies and allergy medications for dogs
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Allergies and allergy medication for dogs
Photo by Thomas Hawk
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It’s time to ditch the itch! Allergy season is in full swing and many dogs are suffering. Pet’s allergy symptoms can present in many different ways. Most commonly dogs will become very itchy and scratch, chew and lick at different areas of their body- usually their paws- until they become red and raw. Allergies can also cause chronic ear and eye infections, rashes, hotspots and sometimes even vomiting and diarrhea. They can be hard to manage and treatment is the only way to provide your dog with some relief.
60 ways to support small businesses during the pandemic: What to do to support local stores during Covid-19, and what not to do
There's a lot of things about the pandemic and lockdown we can't seem to agree on, except that we're ready for this to be over. Another thing everyone seems to agree on is that small businesses need support. Every time a small business makes a sale, the employees do a happy dance! That's because your purchase directly impacts their family and livelihood. Our community needs support. Please remember this important fact: Most small businesses are not closed, they just aren't letting folks in. Curbside service and online shopping and delivery are available for many small businesses and many offer debit or e-transfer options for those without credit cards. There are many ways to support small businesses. I tried to create the ULTIMATE list of ways to support small businesses during the Covid-19 pandemic, taking into account businesses of all types and different ways we can offer help. There are many ways you can support small businesses without spending money too, which I included because I know many are struggling financially but still want to support their community. I've also included what not to do to try to support a small business.
Hurricane Hazel blew into town: This puppy yells her own story with sass-mouth
Hurricane Hazel blew into our lives one year ago and
things have never been the same. I remember reading books and articles to
prepare. How to Raise the Perfect Dog:
Through Puppyhood and Beyond by Cesar Millan was a good one. Some things
you just can’t plan for. Regardless Hazel has been such a vibrant and curious
puppy. She is so different if you compare her to Keira. From day one Hazel has had
a real sassy attitude- Little Miss Sass-Mouth. She is big. She is bold. She isn’t
afraid of anything! She is pure comedy.
Guest blog: Living with my one-eyed, three-legged cat
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Guest blog by Kathy M. Finley. So excited to welcome her to the Paws For Reaction extended family! |
While in the midst of a bitter divorce and a stressful job, I received an unusual birthday gift- a gray and white kitten. That gift, whom I named Clio, was a blessing, and besides having a slight heart murmur, she was a healthy cat. I had no idea that seven years later, I would be caring for a disabled pet.
Happy Halloween: My favourite past Halloween DIY projects
Happy Halloween everyone! This is my favorite holiday and usually go all out decorating and celebrating. This year will be a little different due to Covid-19, and due to the fact that I don't live in a house anymore, so I can't do my haunted walkway. I'll admit I'm a little sad about that. BUT I will still be watching Hocus Pocus and Trick R' Treat! Since the celebration this year won't be as spooky, here are some ghostly DIY Halloween projects, decor, and crafts I've done in the past. I hope I inspire you! Have a safe and happy Halloween!
July is Wild About Wildlife Month: Wild Wednesday celebrates local wildlife conservation
We are living in truly wild times. I'm excited to get wild for all the right reasons because July is Wild About Wildlife Month! This month Paws For Reaction will show appreciation for local wildlife rescue workers and conservation centres. Veterinary professionals, scientists, nature conservationists, and countless invaluable volunteers in the Ottawa region are working hard to protect biodiversity and save and support wildlife in need. They are launching stewardship programs, repopulating endangered species, educating the public, fighting for protected lands, and rehabilitating wildlife at sanctuaries. They are working long hours, throughout the pandemic, and making sacrifices because they care deeply for animals. They are committed to rewilding as many animals as possible. Their dedication to nature and the survival of local wildlife should be seen as a dedication to our community and the future of the planet- because it is. I sometimes wonder if these incredible folks know how far their kindness reaches and the impact they make? The difference they make in their conservation centres makes a positive impact on our nation and the planet. Thank you. You are changing the world.