Have you ever felt guilt about your dog? Have you figured out why? Guilt is an interesting thing in that once you’ve alleviated it, you feel relief.

A second dog, Blue (an older puppy), came into my life a couple years ago, and I expected him to maintain the same schedule as my older dog, mainly because I didn’t want my first dog to feel jealousy. It has taken me this couple of years to realize that Blue needs different treatment than my trusty older dog. “Fair” isn’t treating them both identically.

Blue so far is untrained, though very trainable; doesn’t get to walk far enough, even though he’d like to keep going; and hasn’t been played with according to his needs. Basically since he wouldn’t fetch, I figured he didn’t much want to play. He wasn’t very interested in toys, so I didn’t bother him with them. Lately I’ve noticed him running in the house with my other dog’s toys, throwing them up in the air, chasing after them, etc. Maybe he’s not a fetcher, maybe we need to play differently—he’s definitely trying to get my attention. Just last week when I was training my other dog to use a pet ramp to get in the SUV, Blue immediately took the ramp over, racing up and down it, hoping for that treat even though he can comfortably jump in and out. Does my dog need a job?? A different form of play?? Training??

Having multiple dogs is it’s own challenge. There are tricks to training and living with multiple dogs.

Now don’t shed any tears for Blue, he has been loved, kissed, fed, and on the furniture since day one. But starting today, I’m going to attempt to meet his needs on a daily basis—recognize that he is his own dog—and improve his quality of life. I plan to use Online Dog Coach training tips, teach him new dog tricks, and take him walking (just Blue and me) until he is ready to turn back. Ahhhhh, I’m already feeling better!

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Check out our new Library article on Healing Touch for Animals® (HTA) by Shelley Wallen.

Shelley uses Healing Touch for Animals

Shelley describes the process of HTA and how it helps your pet with stess and the healing process. She shares the different uses of HTA, and where you can go to learn this method.

When my horse was recovering from an eye injury, his accupunturist used HTA as part of the healing techniques. At the time, I didn’t know or understand what she was doing, but the week we started was a turning point. The opthamologist had just told me, “the eye is getting worse and we need to schedule surgery to remove it” at the appointment prior to starting accupuncture and HTA.  A week later at the pre-op appointment, the doctor observed the eye injury had no change and postponed the surgery. A week after that, he started noting improvement.

Read Shelley’s article to learn more about Healing Touch for Animals and how you can attend a workshop with her.

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Knowing that your pets are being properly cared for while you are traveling will help you to enjoy your vacation or business trip.  There are three basic pet care options: leaving them with a trusted friend or family member, boarding kennel, or an in-home pet sitter.  Depending on your situation the first two options may not be feasible.  For example, I have multiple dogs, making it difficult to find a friend willing to take them all and, at $20 to $50 per dog per night, boarding them becomes cost prohibitive.  I therefore opt for an in-home pet sitter.

There are two basic types of in-home pet sitters, one that comes over several times a day to care for your pet and, one that actually spends the night at your house.  What works best for you will depend on your situation.  A home with a large fenced yard and doggy door may work well with multiple visits by a pet sitter.  However, if you have a pet that requires being let out in the middle of the night you should consider a sitter that spends the night.  In either case, you should provide some basic guidance to any pet sitter to ensure your pets are properly cared for.  The following is a list of basic information that should be provided: DogCareInstructionSample, BlankDogCareInstructionForm

• Schedule – Walks, excerise, feeding, open/close doggy door, medication, bed time, etc.
• Feeding Instructions – How much, how often, where, other special requirements
• Medical Needs – Provide details on any medication, including what it’s intended to treat
• Contact Information – Provide a phone number at which you can be reached during your travels
• Emergency Information – Provide the name, phone number, and location of your vetrinary office.  Include a signed note saying your pet sitter is authorized to obtain treatment for your pet and that you will pay for all charges
• Other Expectations – Water the plants, feed the fish, set the trash / recycling out

The most important thing is your peace of mind, so always select a pet sitter that you feel is responsible and trustworthy.

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