So you want to go on vacation but don’t want to leave poor Fido in doggie-daycare and poor Fluffy at the kitty-inn… And who could blame you? Pets are part of the family so why shouldn’t they get to come on vacation, too?Whether you’re looking to take your pet on “vacay” or you’re moving and need to travel with pets, there are plenty of options out there for pet-friendly travel, transportation and pet-friendly hotels.

** First and foremost, before you leave make sure your pet is healthy enough to travel. Sometimes your vet may recommend he/she is not fit for travel based on age, temperament, health conditions, etc. Also be sure your pet has been properly vaccinated and is up-to-date on all other shots.**

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Running or jogging with your dog is an excellent form of exercise. If you do wish to run with your dog, the most important thing you want to be aware of is your dog’s safety. Here are a few safety tips that also apply to other forms of exercise, especially the more vigorous kinds:

Don’t run when it’s hot or humid out. A dog with a thick fur coat, such as a Siberian Husky, can get overheated rapidly in hot or even warm weather under exercise conditions. Wait for cooler times of day such as early morning or later in the evening.Watch out for extremely cold weather. Northern breed dogs can handle extremely cold temperatures but dogs bred for milder conditions may have trouble.Make sure your dog gets plenty of water. Dogs lose a lot of water through panting. Proper hydration is essential to maintaining an optimum body temperature. A good trick to use if your dog is reluctant to drink is to pour some beef or chicken broth into the water. This is a technique Iditarod racers use to get their dogs to drink enough water.Always be aware of your surroundings. This includes other people, other dogs, small animals (important to be aware of if your dog has a high prey drive), and especially vehicles. If you are running alongside a road and your dog spots another dog on the other side and a car is coming, you need to be able to foresee any potential problems and be able to control your dog.

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You love your dog, but sometimes he can be a real pain! If you know what might be causing his annoying behavior, though, you might be able to do something about it.

Digging

Some dogs just love to dig holes! Their reasons for doing so, however, will vary depending on the breed and the situation. Your dog might be digging holes out of sheer boredom. If you suspect this might be the case, simply exercise your dog more frequently. He’ll be too tired to dig. Maybe your male dog is digging in order to get to the female dog that is in heat next door. In this case, having your dog neutered will solve the problem. If your dog is digging holes to bury items or just for the sake of digging, then set aside one area in which he can engage in that behavior. Protect the rest of your yard by spraying a non-toxic dog repellant in and around the off-limit areas.

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For the sake of keeping us all together and makin g new friends in the pet blogosphere I have started talking about my favorite pet blogs once a week.

This week’s winner is Rusty! His dog blog, Chasing Squirrels with Rusty is all about his adventures in life, namely trying to keep the yard a “squirrel-free zone!”

Rusty is a 20-pound Yorkshire Terrier. He says his Mom refers to him as a Great Yorkie because of his size. Here is his bio:

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Most dogs will display a tendency to jump on people at times. How often will vary with breed and by individual. One theory suggests that dogs are trying to get close to the person’s face - not to attack, but to interact. Other dogs, especially of the same breed, have faces close to their level and the dog will use its nose and eyes to explore.

So, one way to deal with jumping is to give them no need to reach. Kneel down and interact with the dog at its level. Let it explore your face in a safe way, while keeping an eye out for excessive assertiveness. Very rarely will a dog bite its owner this way, especially if the human has taken the trouble to become the ‘alpha’ (leader of the pack).

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Many traffic accidents involving dogs, both minor and severe, could have been prevented with proper obedience training. Be sure that your dog is well trained and always under the control of a reasonable person when he is being walked outside, especially when being walked near a busy road.

If for some reason an accident does occur and your dog gets hit by a car, do not panic. Keep your emotions in check and use common sense. Your dog is still very much at risk for further injury, so be extremely careful when moving him out of further danger.

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Dogs are considered man’s best friend. But did you know that having a dog gives you several heath benefits?

In studies done by medical professionals, dog owners benefit from their pet’s presence in several ways:

1) Improved cardiovascular health:

Dog owners have been proven to have blood pressure and cholesterol lower than ordinary people. These factors reduce the chance for cardiovascular diseases. Stroking a pet has long been known to reduce blood pressure. A study from the New York State University found that these benefits continue even without the pet available. The study tested a group of stockbrokers with hypertension. They concluded that just being a pet-owner can lower blood pressure.

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Therapy dog training, while important, is something with which many people are not familiar. A therapy dog is one that is used to do animal assisted therapy and activities. Organizations train the dog to help people in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and virtually anywhere people need some sort of therapy. So, then, how do dogs become therapy dogs? It is a fairly simple process.

A Good Citizen

Though the requirements for therapy dog training vary from state to state, it is almost universal that the dog must be certified as a canine good citizen. In order to receive that, you have to train your dog to be focused and well behaved around distractions. Generally your local animal shelter or even a therapy dog training center will have classes available for you to learn how to turn your dog into a canine good citizen.

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A lot of dogs like go on adventures, which makes travel attractive for them. This is their natural hunting instincts making them want to meet new people and explore new places. However, it may pose as a problem since taking a dog along during your travels may be inconvenient. Quite a few people are frightened of dogs and the mess that dogs make while you’re traveling can be very troublesome. It should also be noted that many lodgings and transportation services don’t cater to pets such as dogs and cats.

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Dog treats and mixers are a fast growing segment globally. Sometimes I get the idea every day a new dog treat is launched. There are many categories of new dog treats such as functional dog treats, life stage specific dog treats, gourmet dog treats and home made dog treats.

Especially treats that combine great taste with nutritional support for specific health needs, draw attention.

Continue reading for a few example products in this exploding niche market.

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