A-1 PET CARE FROM SLEEP-EAS-ZZ…

You love your pet. They provide you with companionship, humor and, in many cases, security and protection. Your pet is a member of the family; you care about them and want them to be happy and healthy. So, just as you have provided health insurance for yourself and your children, you may want insurance for your pet(s). Believe it or not, veterinary pet insurance is a lot less expensive than you might think. In fact, many satisfactory plans are around $10 a month or $100 a year. In addition, you may find that your employer offers pet vet insurance at a nominal cost.

Benefits of Having Pet Insurance

If you are not convinced that pet insurance is worthwhile, consider this: An emergency procedure like treating parvo without insurance can cost $457; however, with insurance for the same quality of treatment, after reimbursement will cost $237. While the savings alone is enough reason for many pet owners, there are several other benefits to having pet insurance. These benefits of pet insurance are:

• Proper pet insurance coverage protects one from having to make life and death decisions, based primarily on cost. Consequently, one can have peace of mind, security and less stress when it comes to their pet receiving veterinary attention.
• Financially, pet insurance is a small price to pay when one looks at what long term or emergency vet pet services can cost.
• Some policies will cover everything from preventative treatments and checkups to covering the cost of boarding or kenneling related to illness or treatment. Some policies even provide for kenneling while the family is traveling or will refund the cancellation fee in the even that you have to cancel your trip due to your pet’s illness or medical emergency.
• The large majority of vets accept pet insurance, providing you bring along the client card or policy documentation information.

What to Look for When Selecting a Pet Insurance Provider

If you are now thinking that having pet insurance would be a wise thing to do, you may be wondering what to look for in a pet insurance provider. After all, you want a policy that meets your pet’s needs, your needs and your budget. So, to help you select a pet insurance provider, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• The age of your pet-Some policies cease coverage past a specific age.
• Percentage coverage-Be sure to compare the amounts covered for specific aspects of your pet’s life. You will also want to be sure that the policy will cover enough of your pet’s needs to be useful. Check the per-incident limit and lifetime limits allowed.
• Waiting periods—Is there a waiting period before you can file your first claim?
• Accident coverage versus an accident and combined illness coverage- This varies from provider to provider be sure you understand what is covered before signing the policy rather than learning later on.
• Is there a discount for insuring more than one pet and if so, what is it?
• Does the plan limit your choices for what type of treatment is covered? You and your vet should be able to choose the best plan of action for your pet…not the insurance policy.
• Find out if they allow you to choose any vet you wish or do you have to use their particular network of vets. You will likely want to be able to use your current vet versus having to transition to a new one.
• Call their customer service center and see if they can answer any questions you may have in a friendly, prompt manner. After all, in the event of an emergency, you want someone who is helpful, knowledgeable and cares about your pet’s best interest.
• Find out if the pet insurance provider is licensed in your state as that means that the government regulates the company.
• Some breeds of dogs have specific medical conditions that may be excluded from the policy, be sure that the policy you are considering clearly states if this is the case.
• Reputation is everything! In addition to talking to your vet, talk to other pet owners to get their impressions/experiences regarding pet insurance. Look for online reviews on customer services, coverage, etc.

Pet ownership is fulfilling and rewarding for both you and your pet. Be sure to take the time to have the pet insurance you need so you can take care of your pet’s health. If you would like to learn more about pet insurance providers, give SleepEas…Zz a call. We will be happy to share our experiences with you.

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“Love the animals; God has given them the rudiments of thought and joy untroubled.” Fyodor Dostoyevsky

“Animals are such agreeable friends; they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” George Elliot

“Dogs have owners; cats have staff.” Anonymous

Pet ownership is many things-some wonderful, others, not so much. However, as a pet owner it is vital that you give your furry friend(s) the best care possible. So, as 2011 draws to a close, why not make some New Year’s resolutions that have your pet in mind? (Of course, if the resolutions benefit you as well, then even better!) To help you create a pet owner’s New Year’s Resolutions list of your own, here are 10 things to get you started:

1. Get healthier – Decide to provide your pet with the best care possible. Don’t just buy whatever food is on sale, take some time to research what type(s) of food are best for your pet(s). This will also add quality of life for your pet. In addition to healthier food, make sure that your pet has regular veterinary check-ups. It is important that pets are up to date on their vaccinations, flea and heartworm treatments.
2. Slim down – Just as many people resolve to lose weight each year, it is important that you help your pet slim down as well. Sadly, many pet owners do not realize that an overweight animal is not only detrimental to their pet’s quality of life but their quantity of life as well. Helping your pet slim down by getting some exercise through walking around the block each day will not only benefit one’s pet, but helps the owner stay active as well.
3. Play around – Exercise doesn’t have to feel like “work”. Take time each day to play with your pet. Whether it is  a rousing game of fetch, tug-a-war, dangling a string throughout the house or playing chase in the backyard or park will not only strengthen the bond between you and your pet, but will bring smiles to your face and that happy tail wagging to your pet.
4. Train your pet – Whether you do this yourself or hire a professional to do this for you, a well-trained pet has much more freedom, which means you as the owner does too!
5. Determine not to get mad at your pet because of your management failures. If you don’t want Fido chewing on your slippers, then put them away in your room and close the door. Don’t fuss because your pet found the slippers in the living room and behaved true to form.
6. Pay attention – Always be aware of what your pet enjoys, doesn’t like or perhaps stresses them out and do your part to help your pet be happy. The more you understand your pet, the better your relationship.
7. Be responsible – Keep identification tags on your pets, renew your license, clean up behind them (don’t forget the litter box!) obey leash laws, etc…
8. Pet proofed – Take time to check fences for holes or loose boards; make sure your gates latch properly, and, if necessary, that pools or ponds are pet-proofed. Inside the home, make sure that toxic substances are put up, electrical cords are placed out of harm’s way and that “large” items that could fall on your pet are located where they will not be safety hazards.
9. Keeping clean- Make sure that your pet gets regular grooming. From nail trimming and teeth brushing to brushing their coat, these actions will help not only build camaraderie between you and your pet, but will also help you be aware of any lumps, bumps or growths that could be dangerous; if you find any abnormalities get it check out by your vet.

10.  Carrier training- If your pet is a cat or small dog, teaching them to ride in a carrier will make trips- especially those to the vet- easier for you both.

Like these resolutions? Perhaps there are other things that you think should be included? If so, please share them with us—we would love to hear from you!

Have a safe and merry Christmas from all of us here at Sleep Eas..Zzz!

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A friend stops by to visit and your dog races to the door, barking exuberantly. When you tell your dog to stay, what happens? Will your dog obey? What about a week later with a similar scenario, will he obey then as well? If you answered “no” to either of the latter 2 questions, then your dog is a likely candidate for obedience training. Of course, this is not the only reason for a dog to have obedience training. Other reasons include:

• To develop a well-respected canine citizen
• To build a strong owner-dog relationship that is based on trust, cooperation and understanding of the pet owner relationship
• To promote confidence in and control of your dog, regardless of a situation
• To learn to  work with your pet’s strengths and weaknesses
• To build a bond between you and your dog that can last a lifetime.

Different Obedience Training Commands

So, what types of commands are taught in obedience training? Here is a list of the common commands used in obedience training:

Stay – The dog must remain in the requested position (sit, stand, down) until the command is revoked.

Sit – Dog should sit down

Down – Dog will have its elbows and rear legs touching the floor/ground

Here/Come – Calling your dog results in his coming to where you are

These common commands will make pet ownership, and your pet’s interactions with other people or animals, more successful and pleasant. Of course, if you want to give your pet an even greater sense of accomplishment, there are more than a dozen advanced commands an obedience trainer (or you) can teach them. Some of these include:

Stop/Platz – Teaches the dog to stop (platz is German for “stop”) what they are doing and lie down; a dog who masters this command can be taken anywhere.

Steady- Tells the dog to stay nearby; they can walk around but not wander away.

Back up – Perfect for large, in particular, aggressive breeds to help make people more comfortable. The dogs are taught to back up on command.

Leave it/drop it – Directs the dog not to touch something.

Take it – Tells the dog to pick up an item and hold on to it.

Give – Tells the dog to place an item in the command givers hand.

Tips for Training your Dog

If you would like for your dog to follow your commands, then you have a couple of options- train Fido yourself or pay an obedience trainer to do it for you. If you opt for the former, here are a few things to keep in mind.

• Positive reinforcement- This will result in repeatable, predictable results. When your pet is rewarded for doing well, they are more likely to do the “action” again. If you opt to have someone train your dog for you, be sure to find out if they use positive or negative reinforcement. Negative reinforcement may include speaking harshly, hitting or shaming the dog and will result in unpredictable and even aggressive behavior.
• Scheduled training- Having a specific time each day for training will make it easier for you and your pet to know what to expect. Consider doing your training before mealtime doing your training before mealtime, or another daily routine your pet enjoys, as your pet will associate training time to be followed with something “more fun”.
• Keep it short- Most dogs have a short attention span, so limit training to less than 10 minutes daily.
• Have a plan- Determine what commands and signals you want to use, before you begin.
• Be consistent- Don’t keep changing commands/signals each time you train as that will confuse and frustrate your dog. Also, determine how long/where you want your dog to sit, stay, stand, etc.
• Use a clicker- This is a great teaching too but can take practice on your part to be consistent and effective.

Local Obedience Trainers

If you are interested in your dog receiving obedience training, but want someone else to do it, then check out these local obedience trainers:

·K9 Solutions LLC

www.nck9solutions.com
(919) 779-3813

·Dog Training In Your Home

betterdog.com
(919) 872-2221

·PetSmart

stores.petsmart.com
(919) 544-9902

·Teamworks Dog Training

www.dogtrainingraleighnc.net
(919) 855-0422

·CareFirst Animal Hospital at Oberlin

www.carefirstanimalhospital.com
(919) 832-3107

·Canine Country Club & Pet Hotel

www.canineclubandpet.com

(919) 876-9538

·Dog Dynamics LLC

www.dogdynamicsnc.com

(919) 349-2267

Of course, here at Sleep Eas…Zz, we know the importance of having a well-trained dog. If you have any questions regarding dog obedience training, please let us know. We will be happy to help.

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