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.

Eliminate Odors From Rugs and Carpets

Get rid of odors in your rug without having to get them professionally cleaned.

Do you have a rug you love that has a foul odor but it is too large to fit in your washer machine and you don’t want to pay the hefty price to have it professionally cleaned?

Clear the Air can eliminate any odors from your rug or carpets. It is easy to use and 100% non toxic, even if ingested by humans or pets.

Most products on the market are wet and must come into contact with the urine to remove the odor.  This means if you have an odor that has soaked into the carpet you must pull up the carpet and pad and soak the carpet, pad and floorboards. What a mess!

With Clear The Air’s Odor Eliminator just sprinkle the granules on top of the rug or carpet leave on overnight and vacuum in the morning and the odor is completely eliminated. Works well on all surfaces pulling the odors out of tile and concrete.

Clear the Air does not have to come into contact with the odor producer; it will pull the odors from the carpet pad, and sub-floor. Clear The Air draws in odors like a powerful magnet. The odors are adsorbed, and neutralized without any fragrances. Clear The Air does not cover up odors; it literally “clears the air” leaving the air fresh and clean. Clear The Air is made from an all natural mineral, is non toxic and biodegradable and safe for Planet Earth.

Follow these directions to eliminate odors in your rugs and carpets with Clear The Air:

• Remove feces and excess urine.
• Sprinkle granules over area until dry granules are present on top. Also works well on old dry urine odors.
• Leave overnight, then sweep or vacuum.
• Clear The Air pulls odors from carpet, padding, and subfloor.
• Typically one application will eliminate all odors; occasionally a second application is necessary.
• One canister covers 100 square feet.

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!

7 Ways To Keep Your Pets Safe On The Fourth Of July

Pet safety for the Fourth of July.

The Fourth of July is a lot of fun but to your pets it can be a very scary time. This is the biggest time of the year that pets go missing and it is usually because of the loud noise of fireworks that scares them off.

Please keep these helpful tips in mind to keep your pets safe this holiday:

1. Keep your pets indoors at all times. Even if your pet is used to being outside, the loud noises from fireworks may make them break free from their restraint or jump the fence if they are trying to find safety from the noise.
2. Don’t let your pet drink alcohol. Pets can become dangerously intoxicated, go into a coma or even die from respiratory failure.
3. Leave your pet at home if going to watch fireworks. The combination of too many people and loud fireworks will cause your pet to freak out and do anything they can to seek shelter. Do not lock them in the car either!
4. Ensure your pet is properly identified. If your pet does manage to get loose, an ID tag with your name and phone number on it will help your dog find his way back home. You also want to make sure your pet is micro-chipped.
5. Never use fireworks around your pet. Lit fireworks will not only scare your pet but they can cause severe burns, trauma to the face or paws and even death. They also contain toxic substances even when unused.
6. Avoid giving your pet table food while you are barbequing or enjoying a backyard party. Onions, coffee, avocado, grapes, raisins, salt and more are all hazardous to your pets.
7. Oils, citronella candles, insect coils and other insect repellant products are toxic to your pet. Inhaling these toxins can result in respiratory illness such as pneumonia and indigestion which can harm your pet’s nervous system.

Do you have any tips to keeping your pets safe on the Fourth of July? Please comment on our blog!

Reptiles – How To Properly Care For Them

Cage maintenance for your reptile should receive proper attention.

Reptiles are susceptible to bacterial infections of the skin and digestive tract so cages and housing  must be thoroughly and regularly cleaned.

In order to a safe and healthy home for your reptile, routine cage maintenance is necessary by keeping the cage odor-free.  It is ideal to place an Odor Remover Bag in the cage to help keep away any foul odors.  Clear the Air is completely non-toxic and 100% safe around all types of animals.

Tessa The Blind Dog

Such a great story from Adopt A Pet about a dog names Tessa who couldn’t find a home. We hope this touches your heart the way it did ours:

While it’s no surprise that we believe every pet deserves to be safe and cared for, sometimes we’re touched by a story that is especially inspiring and serves to reminds the world of exactly how amazing animal rescue is.  Tessa’s story does just that. You remember Tessa. She was a blind and without the ability to walk. But with a little tender love and the support of this wonderful community of animal lovers, Tessa is starting a new chapter in her life.  And this chapter is one that is destined to be filled with happiness, as Tessa has officially been adopted into an awesome family that is just as thrilled to be a part of her life as she is to be saved.

Here’s a note we received from Annie Hart, Executive Director of Bill Foundation who spearheaded the effort to save this angel:

On January 10^th of this year, I posted on Facebook and asked for our village’s help rescuing a blind dog named Tessa from the shelter. Little did I know that this rescue would not only change the life of a dog, but an entire community.

The moment I rescued Tessa I knew there was more going on with her than just being blind. She was a shell of a dog; confused, painfully scared and she wouldn’t stand up or take even one step. We discovered that Tessa had hydrocephalus (fluid in her brain) and vertical nystagmus, which caused her to feel dizzy. Her prognosis was quite poor and her doctors didn’t think she would ever walk again, let alone regain her vision.

With the support of our village, we took a leap of faith, began medical treatment and physical therapy, hoping to help Tessa find a way to live.

Every progressive “step” Tessa took, our village cheered her on. They prayed for her to health and the celebrated each milestone.  When her video came out, they helped us by sharing it far and wide for more than three months hoping that one share would lead to that perfect family.

On May 3^rd, Tessa and I attended a “Specially Abled Pets Day” event held by our friends at Two Hands Four Paws. There we met a couple, who had seen Tessa’s video through a newsletter someone had sent them. There was an instant connection between Tessa and the woman, and not just because they had matching hair.

As they left, I turned to my friends and said, “Gosh, I really hope they fill out an application”. My friend agreed, they were amazing and might be exactly what we had been waiting for.

They did fill out the application and it was perfect for Tessa. A retired couple with 2 dogs and a cat of their own, plenty of time to dedicate to caring for Tessa, along with past experience caring for a special needs dog. So, Tessa and I began “dating” this new family and for the past few weeks we have slowly been integrating her into their home. Baby steps so that the transition is easier on Tessa.

Well, Today is the big day! Tessa will officially begin her new life with her adoptive family!

Thank you to everyone who has shared Tessa’s story and all those who donate to Bill Foundation. It is because of you that our rescues are possible. And a very special thank you to Adopt-a-Pet.com for their partnership in finding homes for abandoned animals and for helping us share Tessa’s story with the world.

While it took a village to find Tessa a home, it took a very special blind dog to bring this village together.

We are so happy for Tessa and her new family!  Thank you to everyone who helped Tessa by watching her video, sharing her story, or donating to an animal welfare organization that helps animals like Tessa be given the chance they deserve. And of course, thank you to Annie Hart for turning Tessa’s life around and for sharing a story that will inspire others!

This story is from Adopt A Pet – You can read the entire article here: http://blog.adoptapet.com/tessa-the-blind-dog-who-couldn%E2%80%99t-walk-finds-happily-ever-after/

9 RV Safety Tips For Your Family Vacation

Summer is here, the kids are out of school and it is time to get the RV out to set out on your family summer vacation.

Clear The Air would like to share some RV safety tips everyone should know when they set out on their trip this summer.

Remember to always use Clear The Air’s Odor Eliminators in your RV to eliminate any odor you may have. Our product works great with refrigerator odors, pet urine or feces odor and any type of musty mildew odor.

1. Batteries – Summer heat can wreak havoc on your RV system. Having backup batteries is extremely important so you don’t get stranded somewhere.
2. Generator – Use your coach air conditioners when driving rather than your engine (dash) air. Using your coach air conditioner or heat pump will provide good climate control and it will force you to exercise the generator under load.
3. Keep Doors Closed – Cabinet doors can pop open when you are traveling and especially if you cross over bumpy terrain. Make sure your cabinet doors are closed and in the locked position.
4. Trash – Minimize the use of disposables. Mix your own cold drinks from powders, and assign a mug to each family member rather than using paper cups. Discard excess packaging at home.
5. Nature – In hot weather, use natural shade, awnings and canvas covers. In cold weather, park where the RV will be protected from north and west winds.
6. Driving – Allow more time to brake, change lanes, and merge onto a busy highway because big vehicles take more time to accelerate and slow down than small ones.
7. First Aid – Make sure to have a first aid kit packed and easily accessible. It is also a good idea to have extra phone chargers, flash lights, paper and pens, and bug repellant.
8. Campsite – Survey your assigned site. Be sure there are no low-hanging branches or other obstacles that will interfere with the RV. If you have a slideout or awning, be sure there is room on either side for those to fully extend.
9. Hookups – If you are hooked to a sewer connection, you can open the gray water tank valve to allow sink and shower water to drain directly into the sewer. It is the smaller of the two valves. Never leave the black water tank valve open.

How To Sell Your Home Faster

Clear The Air’s line of products can be used for pretty much any odor you come across.

We have helped many home owners and realtors sell homes much faster by eliminating pesky pet and cigarette smoke odors in homes.

We would like to share some tips to selling your home faster. Remember to use Clear The Air’s line of products to clear out any odors lingering in your home.

• Empty out your closets when selling. You can never have too much storage. Take half your stuff out of your closets and neatly organize what is left. Buyers will snoop so make sure all your closets and cabinets are clean and tidy.
• Maximize lighting in your home when selling. Take down the drapes, wash the windows and change the lampshades all to create more light in your home. Making your home more bright and cheery will increases the chances of it selling.
• Find a great real estate agent when selling. Having an agent who knows what properties are going on the market and knows the comps in your neighborhood will be key to making sure your home gets sold fast.
• Keep your pets away while showing your home. Not everyone is an animal lover and they don’t want to walk in your home smelling the kitty litter box or seeing pet fur on everything. This gives buyers the impression your home is not clean. If planning an open house, make arrangements to keep your pets somewhere else. Make sure to use Clear The Air on your litter box!
• Make quick fixes before selling, not major upgrades. If you do a huge improvement project before your put your home on the market, you may not get your money back. Small things like new door handles and clean grout are good to do before listing your home.
• De-personalize your home when selling. The more personal stuff in your home the less likely a potential buyer can imagine themselves living there. You may want to hire a home stager to maximize the full potential of your home.
• Sell your kitchen. Fixing up your kitchen will help increase your value tremendously. Anything from new cabinet hardware to new counter tops will make your potential buyer’s eyes light up.
• Be available to show any time when selling. Make sure your home is show ready at all times. You never know when a buyer will walk through the door. Keep dishes in the dishwasher, bathrooms sparkling and eliminate your dust bunnies.
• Make a good first impression when selling. Make a few improvements to your home’s exterior with shrubs and brightly colored flowers. Make the entryway clean and enticing. Stand in front of your house and ask yourself what could be improved so a first time visitor falls in love with the way your house looks.