Oh the Weather Outside is Frightful ... For Pets, Too! Cold Weather Dangers for Pets

A timely reminder from M. Kathleen Shaw, DVM of the VT Veterinary Medical Association:

"Temperatures are dropping, and with the colder weather, it's time to think about the dangers this presents for our pets, both indoors and outdoors only ones.  By taking a few common sense precautions, you can help reduce the cold weather dangers to your pets.

"Although some pets are conditioned to cold weather, veterinary experts agree that you should bring outdoor pets indoors if the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit.  Puppies, kittens, and short haired pets should not be left outside for extended periods of time anytime the temperature goes below 40 degrees.  For pets with long hair, proper grooming is essential to help them maintain a layer of warming air within their coat.  Pets who are heavily matted cannot keep themselves warm.

"If your pet must stay outdoors, be sure to provide shelter for your pet:  they can suffer from frostbite and hypothermia just like we do.  A pet's outdoor house must have at least three enclosed sides, be elevated off the ground, and contain generous amounts of bedding such as straw or hay.  In colder weather, bigger is not always better.  A house just big enough for your pet will warm up faster and retain heat better than something that is too big.  Your outdoor pet will need access to fresh water that isn't frozen.  Use heated water bowls and replenish them frequently.

"Cats love to warm up underneath car hoods.  If cats have access to your car outdoors or in your garage, be sure to pound on the hood of the car prior to starting it.  Many cats are killed or grievously injured by fan belts and moving engine parts.  Another danger that cars present to pets in cold weather is antifreeze poisoning.  If you suspect your pet has consumed any antifreeze at all, call your veterinarian immediately.

"Consider keeping dogs on a leash when they go outside.  Each winter we see cases of dogs that have gone off exploring "frozen" lakes or streams and fall through the ice into the frigid water.

"Inside the house, monitor all pets around wood-burning stoves, fireplaces and space heaters.  These can cause severe burns.  Younger pets romping through the house can knock objects onto these heat sources and cause a fire, so make sure to "pet-proof" the areas around them.  Wit the colder darker months, many people like to use candles in the home.  Make sure to place them where pets (especially cats) do not have access.  The can not only tip over the candle, they can set their fur on fire leading to serious burns.

"Our pets can suffer from arthritis in cold weather, just like humans do and it is just as painful for them.  If you are unsure if your pet has arthritis, want to know ways to keep our older pets comfortable during the cold weather, or if you have questions about cold weather issues with your pets, talk to your veterinarian."

Obedience Training for Your Dog - it's a Good Thing

"A dog is man's best friend."  I don't know many people who'd disagree with that statement.  The companionship, love, loyalty and enjoyment they bring are indeed gifts, and many people look at their dogs as members of their family.  And as with other family members, dogs need to know how to be polite and behave themselves, how to listen to whomever's in charge and how to deal with humans and other animals outside their immediate family ... and that's where obedience classes come in.

What will you and your dog learn in obedience classes?  Of course, you'll learn basic commands like "come", "sit", and "heel", but you'll also learn much, much more.  The first thing you'll learn is how to make your dog focus on you.  Obviously, you can't teach your dog to obey even the most basic of commands unless s/he's paying attention.  Getting your dog's attention - and keeping it - builds a very strong bond between the two of you, and reinforces your position as "pack leader"; it will ensure that your dog looks to your for direction rather than taking its own initiative.  This means they'll check with you for an "ok" before going to investigate that trash can or chasing that squirrel, and you can redirect their attention in a positive way.

Socialization is another thing your dog will gain in class.  This is especially important for pups - they need to understand at a young age that other dogs and people are okay, and learn how to behave around them.  Lack of socialization can make a dog suspicious or fearful of critters and people s/he doesn't know; that can make going to the vet, the groomer, the dog park or even on a walk around the neighborhood a stressful and potentially hazardous situation.

Classes are also a lot of fun.  You and your dog will have quality time together, you'll get to meet other like-minded dogs and people, and gain the satisfaction of knowing you're laying the base for your dog to become a good canine citizen.  And who knows, you might become inspired to pursue further training with your dog, like rally, agility or dock diving.  If your dog shows an aptitude, you could go for the Canine Good Citizen certification, Therapy Dog certification, or even Search and Rescue training.  The possibilities are amazing!

Here at Whitman's, David Stacco offers obedience classes every Monday and Tuesday nights (except during December).  The classes run for 9 weeks, and each class is about 45 minutes long.  Beginner classes are on Monday nights, with intermediate/advanced classes on Tuesday. The next session begins on Jan. 5, 2015, and dogs and pups over 12 weeks of age are encouraged to attend. Cost is $95 for the beginner classes (includes training collar and lead) and $85 for the intermediate/advanced classes.  Give David a call at (802) 442-2851 or email dave@whitmansfeed.com for further info.