New Puppy 101 – 5 Tips To Socializing Your New Family Member

New puppy tips.

Congratulations, you’ve brought home your new puppy!  Now it is time to help him learn how to live in his new world and make him comfortable around new things such as the mailman, the vacuum cleaner and the occasional guest.

1. First of all, you want your puppy to meet new people. This means both inside your home and out and about at new places.  When your puppy engages successfully with new people reward him for demonstrating a good behavior.  Initially, it is a good idea to introduce your puppy to new people on his own turf – at home.  When new people come over, suggest they crouch down low and let the puppy approach them on his/her own time.
2. Once your puppy enjoys new adults, introduce him to kids for a short amount of time.  Sometimes children might accidentally play too rough with your pup so make sure you supervise them constantly in the beginning.  As an alternative, if you bring your dog to a park your puppy will likely draw kids to him on his own.
3. Next you will want to socialize your puppy around other dogs.  A great way to do this is to bring your dog to a dog park.  This way you can let your pup decide who to meet and for how long.  It is also helpful to host doggie playdates.  Invite friends to bring their dogs to your garden or backyard for a game of Frisbee or ball chase.
4. If you have other pets, introduce them slowly to the new puppy.  By keeping the new puppy in a kennel, this allows the new pet to visit it through the safety of the bars.  Gradually extend the length of these visits until you allow them to meet face to face.
5. Lastly, you should introduce new experiences to your puppy such as vacuums and other types of loud things around the house.  First let your puppy check out the quieted item, then place your puppy a safe distance away before turning on the object for a second or two.  After you turn it off, stand the object up and call your pup to you.  Reward him with affection.  Lastly, after the noise has been turned on try calling your pup.  After a while loud noises will not bother him.

Putting in extra time when you first get your puppy to socialize him is a labor of love that will pay off later – for both you and your pup.

Why We Love Our Dogs (Sometimes More Than People!)

Dogs bring us so much joy.

We all love our dogs and sometimes it’s a lot easier to get along with them than other people!

Our two dogs bring us so much joy every day. From the goofy acts of our young Rhodesian Ridgeback to the tom-boy performances of our “should be proper” standard poodle, we love our dogs and they are part of our family.

Here are some reasons why dogs are such a special part of peoples’ lives:

• Dogs are great listeners. They look right at you with a look of concern when you tell them about your bad day and the guy that cut you off.
• Dogs never talk back to you. Kids do. So does your husband. 😉
• Dogs always think you look good, no matter what you wear. They never think you look fat in anything and think you look perfect even when you roll out of bed.
• Dogs are fun. They give you something to do and will not ever allow you to be depressed or bored.
• Dogs are always happy to see you. You can leave dogs home alone. You can’t do this with your kids. When you get home they are always happy and excited to see you no matter how you look or feel!
• Dogs need exercise. Lots of it. You end up getting exercise too when you take your dog for a walk or run.

Why do you love dogs? Please comment on our blog.

Summer Vacation – Tips For Traveling With Your Dog

Traveling with your dog.

Dogs are a part of our everyday life.  When we go on vacation, it is nice to be able to bring our faithful companion on our travels with us.

However, there are some things to keep in mind when traveling with your dog to make sure he/she is safe and has an enjoyable trip.

It is important to make sure to bring your dog to the vet’s for a checkup before going on an extended trip. Make sure all his vaccinations are up to date and his shot records are with you. To keep your dog healthy as you travel, bring along a supply of his regular food and some local, or bottled, water. Also be sure to bring any medications he needs.

If you are traveling by car, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Get your dog used to the car by letting him sit in it with you without leaving the driveway, and then going for short rides.
• Avoid car sickness by letting your dog travel on an empty stomach. However, make sure he has plenty of water at all times.
• Keep the car well-ventilated. If the dog is in a crate, make sure that fresh air can flow into the crate.
• Do not let your dog ride with his head sticking out of an open window. This can lead to eye injuries.
• Never let your dog ride in the back of an open truck! This is extremely dangerous and can lead to severe injuries or death.
• Stop frequently for exercise and potty breaks. Be sure to clean up after your dog.
• Car rides are boring for everyone, so instruct your children not to tease or annoy the dog in the car.
• Never, ever leave your dog unattended in a closed vehicle, particularly in the summer. If you must leave the car, designate a member of the family to stay with the dog.

5 Tips You Need To Know When Walking Your Dog In The Heat

Summer is here and the weather is warm.

Your dog still needs exercise but it is important to be cautious when taking your dog out for a walk or run.

Check out our helpful tips to walking your dog during the hot months of the summer:

1. Water – Always have water available for your dog on a walk. Keep in mind your dog’s fur coat leads to heat exhaustion and extreme thirst. You can find foldable dog bowls and bring a water bottle along to provide water for your dog frequently.
2. Overheating – Watch for signs your dog may be overheating. Excessive panting, difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, drooling, or weakness are all signs your pet is overheating. Bring your dog to a cool environment as soon as possible and stop any exercise.
3. Grass – Keep your dog in a grassy area or anywhere the ground won’t heat up. Pavement can rise to extreme temperatures and will burn the bottoms of your dog’s feet.
4. Hottest Hours – Avoid any extended walks during the hot heat hours of the day; primarily between 1-4pm. Take walks in the mornings or evenings, before or after you are at work.
5. Clean Up – It is important to make sure you are cleaning up after your pet. Bring a plastic bag to pick up any waste your dog makes along your walk. You wouldn’t want someone else letting their pet use your yard as a bathroom, so be courteous and clean up after your dog.

How do you keep your dog cool on walks? Comment on our blog to let us know!

Don’t Let Your Pets Become Overweight!

Did you know a very large number of pets are overweight?

You may think your cat or dog looks cute with a few extra pounds on him but this can truly affect your pet’s health and happiness.

It is important to keep your pets healthy and avoid medical risks. One important and extremely effective way you can do this is by monitoring what your pet eats. Here are some helpful tips for maintaining your pets’ diet:

• Provide more smaller meals for your pet rather than one or two large meals.
• Take away the self-feeders. Having food set out for your pets all the time is just asking for your pet to overeat and gain weight. Feed your pet at appropriate meal times.
• If your dog is begging for food, pet him instead. All your dog really wants is attention. Avoid the connection between begging and receiving food. Especially from the dinner table!
• Get some exercise! Providing routine exercise for your dog is a great way to keep his health up and stay in shape.
• If your dog acts hungry, provide a small snack for him. For example, instead of filling a cup of his kibbles and pouring it into his bowl, just give him 10-15 kibbles instead.
• Provide your pet with veggies as a treat. If your dog is like ours, he’ll eat anything! Try giving him some baby carrots, broccoli, celery or asparagus.
• Always provide fresh water for your pets. We suggest having multiple bowls and dishes of water throughout the house. If you have cats and dogs, make sure you provide your cats with small bowls on counters or high up places your dogs cannot reach.

Do you have any tips for feeding your pets? Please comment and share with us at our blog!

Diet Tricks For Your Pet’s Health

Just like a large percent of American humans, American’s pets are overweight or obese.

While a cat or dog might look cute with some extra pounds on him, it is not healthy for him.

Clear The Air knows it is important to keep your pets healthy and avoid and medical risks. One major way you can do this is by monitoring what your pet eats. Here are some helpful tips for maintaining your pets’ diet:

• Provide more smaller meals for your pet rather than one or two large meals.
• Take away the self-feeders. Having food set out for your pets all the time is just asking for your pet to overeat and gain weight. Feed your pet at appropriate meal times.
• If your dog is begging for food, pet him instead. All your dog really wants is attention. Avoid the connection between begging and receiving food. Especially from the dinner table!
• Get some exercise! Providing routine exercise for your dog is a great way to keep his health up and stay in shape.
• If your dog acts hungry, provide a small snack for him. For example, instead of filling a cup of his kibbles and pouring it into his bowl, just give him 10-15 kibbles instead.
• Provide your pet with veggies as a treat. If your dog is like ours, he’ll eat anything! Try giving him some baby carrots, broccoli, celery or asparagus.
• Always provide fresh water for your pets. We suggest having multiple bowls and dishes of water throughout the house. If you have cats and dogs, make sure you provide your cats with small bowls on counters or high up places your dogs cannot reach.

Do you have any tips for feeding your pets? Please comment and share with us at our blog!

Avoid Doggy Destruction – 5 Ways To Keep Your Dog Happy While You’re Away

We all have to work and sometimes our dogs have to get left at home while we are away.

Check out these great ways to keep your dog entertained while you are away and he is home alone from Clear the Air:

1. Lots of walks – It is a great idea to take your dog for a walk before you go off to work. Not only will he be able to go potty to reduce the chance of an accident but you two will get to spend some quality time together. You might want to throw the ball and include some playtime in your walk to tire him out so he can relax while you are at work.
2. Toys – Introducing a new toy while you he is home alone can add some excitement to your dog’s life. A chew toy that your dog has to work out while you’re gone is the best. Try hiding toys for a few days and reintroducing it to him as well. Toys such as a Kong or food cube will encourage your dog to stay active while trying to work at getting the treat out of the toy. Even the laziest of dogs may not be able to resist a toy that gives them yummy treats when they play with it.
3. Water – Making sure your dog has enough water while you are gone is extremely important. A dog fountain provides a constant supply of clean fresh water and many dogs love the diversion that a fountain can create.
4. Sound – When you are out, leave on a CD or tune the radio to a clear station and let it play while you are out. This will not only feel like he isn’t alone but the noise will keep him company as well.
5. Comfortable Bed – Create a comfortable place for your dog to relax. He will most likely want to snooze while you are away and making his spot inviting and comfortable will help keep him a good boy while he’s along.

7 Ways To Keep Your Pet Cool This Summer

The dog days of summer – what you can do to ensure your pet is safe from the heat.

We all love spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with our furry companions, but the ASPCA warns being overeager in hot weather can spell danger.

Take these simple precautions, provided by ASPCA experts, to help prevent your pet from overheating. And if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke, get help from your veterinarian immediately.

1. Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it’s hot outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.
2. Symptoms of  overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees. Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
3. Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. “On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time-even with the windows open-which could lead to fatal heat stroke,” says Dr. Louise Murray, Vice President of ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. Also, leaving pets unattended in cars in extreme weather is illegal in several states.
4. Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool-not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset.
5. “During warmer months, the ASPCA sees an increase in injured animals as a result of High-Rise Syndrome, which occurs when pets-mostly cats-fall out of windows or doors and are seriously or fatally injured,” says Dr. Murray. “Pet owners need to know that this is completely preventable if they take simple precautions.” Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed and make sure adjustable screens are tightly secured.
6. Feel free to trim longer hair on your dog, but never shave your dog: The layers of dogs’ coats protect them from overheating and sunburn. Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat. And be sure that any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on animals.
7. When the temperature is very high, don’t let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Being so close the ground, your pooch’s body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.

7 Must Know Tips When Walking Your Dog

Dog walking tips for all dog owners.

Tired of your dog always pulling on his leash? Maybe you just got a puppy and want to teach him how to properly walk on the leash. Check out these helpful tips from the ASPCA.

1. If your dog won’t stop pulling on his leash, try using a head halter. They give the walker more control and dogs are less likely to pull.
2. Using an extendable leash is nice for walks in the park however it isn’t always safe to let your dog explore out of your reach in a high traffic area.
3. If your dog likes to tug or bite on the leash a chain leash might be a good idea. Metal won’t feel as nice between their teeth as a nylon or leather leash would.
4. Make sure your dog stays out of lawns and flower beds where insecticides and other chemicals may have been used. Bulb plants like tulips and daffodils can cause stomach problems for your canine companion. Make sure your dog doesn’t stop to smell or nibble the flowers!
5. If another walker crosses your path, it is polite to teach your dog to have manners and sit while the walker passes by or pets your dog. Teach your dog not to jump on people.
6. If you are taking a long walk make sure to bring water for your dog. Also bring treats for your dog to reward him for good behavior on your walk.
7. Keep your eyes and ears open for dangerous critters such as snakes, bees and coyotes.

Do you have some suggestions for walking with your dog? We’d love to hear them! Please comment on our blog.

Danger: Garden Plants Toxic To Pets

Planning a garden for the spring? Make sure you stay away from planting these plants if you have pets!

Clear the Air would like to share some toxic plants you should avoid planting in your garden if you have pets. Check them out below:

Flowers

• Lilies: Any member of the lily family, from onions and leeks to Easter lilies are toxic to cats. Dogs may also be victim to this plant family.
• Oleander: This beautiful flowering bush is a danger to pets and to humans. A dog may think it’s great for a quick game of fetch, but that might be the last game the dog will ever play.
• Foxglove: Pharmaceutical companies use this biennial to make drugs for the digoxin family. It acts on the heart and can kill quickly.

Fruits

• Grapes: It doesn’t take many grapes or raisins to kill a dog, and the faster the animal gets to a vet, the greater the chance it won’t die. If your grape vine is like mine, it might be easier to keep the dog away from the vine as they fall off faster than they can be picked.
• Apple Family: Cats probably won’t be bothered by this because they don’t have a desire/need to chew on things. Dogs, on the other hand, are far more likely to have problems. Like oleander, the sticks are toxic. The cyanide content from the inedible parts of this family can kill. This family includes apricots, plums, cherries, apples and peaches.

Herbs

• Comfrey: Eating this plant can cause liver problems, no matter the species. It’s not a common herb garden plant, but it is beautiful, so it could be found in a flower bed.
• Chrysanthemum Family: Like the onion family, there are a lot of plants and they don’t look like they are related. Pyrethrum is used as fly spray on horses, and there are those who feel that it is dangerous. Stronger versions include wormwood, mugwort and southernwood. The latter is very aromatic.

Vegetables

• Tomato Family: Many vegetables in a veggie patch are related to tomatoes. This includes potatoes, eggplant and peppers. They are all members of the nightshade family. The edible parts are just that; edible. However, the rest of the plant, including leaves, is not safe.

When you are planning a garden, it’s a good idea to look up each plant. You can also talk to someone at the local nursery to make sure your pets are kept safe.