Tips

Dog Politics: Understanding Dog-Dog Tolerance Levels from BADRAP.org on Vimeo.

Check out this link http://www.homeadviceguide.com/pet-safety/  and keep your furry friends safe!

How do you spell love…T-I-M-E.  Relationships are not built overnight.  They take time.  So why do we always want to rush the relationship with a new dog?  Yet, it never ceases to amaze me how many people decide to adopt a dog and within the first week have to take it out and show it off before the dog even trusts them!   Then when the dog does not react well to an unfamiliar situation with unfamiliar people, the potential adopters return the dog rather then regroup and start over.

It takes at least two weeks for a dog to get comfortable in a new environment and to begin to trust his new human(s).  If we take the time to lay the foundation of the relationship we are rewarded with a lifetime of love, dedication, and obedience.  But just like any other relationship in our lives we cannot expect that to develop overnight.  It takes time, patience, and trust. read more

I have a dog with severe crate anxiety.  I tried everything I could think of to help ease his anxiety.  We tried exercise, melatonin, and he already ate and slept in his crate without an issue.  However, when we left and had to put him in the crate he’d have a melt down.  Leaving him out of the crate when we aren’t home wasn’t an option so having exhausted what I thought were all other options I tried drugs.

We tried a moderate dose of Prozac since the anxiety was so intense.  It did seem to take the edge off but I hated medicating him.  About that time I started learning more about essential oils and their uses.   I discovered the Dog Oiler http://www.thedogoiler.com/.  After spending some time reading the site and joining the Facebook Page I purchased a diffuser and started diffusing a calming blend of oils next to my dog’s crate in the morning before I left for work.  Within a week he was off the meds and the oils had the same if not better effect than the meds did! read more

We always welcome a new rescue effort, as it is impossible for just one organization to combat all the challenges of overpopulation, lack of spay and neuter, uneducated and misguided citizens, along with the shelters bursting at the seams. I encourage you to start slow, too many groups try and “save them all” become overwhelmed and shut down or worse turn into hoarders themselves. First, educate yourself, know the laws of Virginia, all animal law can be found by searching Virginia State Code, 3.2-6500 is the code section that starts with definitions (including animal shelter public and private) 4 viagra. You will need to apply for a non-profit status with federal and state government, you will also need to apply to the State Corporation Commission, follow all governing rules of Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to include filling a state vet report each year and a form 102 (which allows you to accept donations). Get all of these things going before you jump in. In the meantime come with a name, stay away for things that have derogatory terms like “bully” with the bullying issue in schools you want to not be associated. You will need to write out your mission statement, get a board of directors, write bylaws, a foster, adoption and volunteer application, an adoption contract, website, figure out your accounting and know that you need to file taxes every year and make public your profits and loss, adoption, euthanasia, etc. numbers. Start slow, do it right and it will not only last, but make a lasting impact on animals in your community. read more