Basic Guidelines
The guidelines are similar to those to bear in mind with costumes for children. Masks are always best avoided when possible. If anything could cause a tripping or falling hazard or impair vision, it should be removed from the costume. Many costumes can be altered to suit your dog’s needs. Costumes often involve some sort of hat that goes over their ears. Many are fine with this. If there is anything that wraps around their chest or stomach, be sure that it’s not too tight. You want to be sure their breathing is not restricted, which could cause them to panic.

Homemade Costumes
If there’s nothing at your local pet store that really suits your dog’s personality, or you can’t find something to properly fit your large dog, you might try making them a costume. When making your own costume, you can use velcro, which is a lot easier than buttons, snaps or zippers and definitely safer for your pooch should they decide to remove the costume. If they do, you can always pop on a festive bandana. Most dogs are OK with this, as it feels similar to their collar.

Trick or Treating
If you decide to take your dog along and make trick or treating a family affair, be aware of your dog’s behavior. There will be lots of stimulating activity, noise and sights they aren’t used to. Even the most well behaved dog can act out when they are frightened or over stimulated. There will be lots of children tempted to pet your dog. If you have any doubts at all about whether your dog will be OK with this, you should leave them at home, which is the safest option. If your dog has been in such situations before, be sure that they have reflective tape on their collar and part of their costume so that they can easily be seen.

If you have a dog that is particularly shy or skittish, you might find them a safe place to stay while trick or treaters are visiting your house. All of the commotion with door knocking and doorbell ringing might be too much for them. Create a safe haven for them with some food, water, a bed or blanket and a favorite toy. Be sure to check on them every hour or so to be sure they don’t have to go out.

Halloween Treats
Pet stores often have special treats for different holidays so that your furry family members can be included as well. It is especially important to keep candy away from your dog or even anywhere they can even potentially reach it. Chocolate is especially dangerous, as it contains not only caffeine, but also theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and cats. If you see any nausea or vomiting in your dog, and suspect they may have eaten some chocolate, get them to the vet immediately.

Another danger that might not come to mind as quickly are the shiny wrappers candy comes in. They are crinkly, shiny and make fun sounds when they’re chewed on. Unfortunately, they can wreak havoc on your dog’s digestive tract, especially if they’re made of foil. Plastic wrappers can make their way through and out without incident, but can also cause problems. Best to be sure all wrappers are disposed of properly.

Halloween can really be as fun for your dog as it is for you and the family. By following these simple guidelines, your dog may even look forward to next year.

Why Do Dogs Engage in Such a Disgusting Ritual?
There are actually several theories behind this question. Theories of course suggest that animal behaviorists are split on why canines love feline feces. One theory suggests that dogs are supplementing their diet with something – mainly protein – they are deficient in, which evidently exists in Ezra’s excrement. Indeed it is true that a cat’s diet consists of much higher levels of protein than does a dog’s; you need only read the ingredients in their respective kibble bags to confirm this. However, with many dog owners supplementing their pups’ dry food with extra chicken, beef or lamb (whether raw or cooked), suggests this theory is lacking some validity – or perhaps it’s outdated.

Another theory lies in the “Monkey see, monkey do” adage. Winston sees you cleaning out Ezra’s litter box and carting the goodies off to either your toilet, garbage or in baggie. Winston, the oh so practical, helpful and obedient observer that you have raised him to be, figures he’ll cut out the middle man – the toilet or the baggie – and give mom or dad a little helping paw. “I’ll take care of that for you!” Mouth wide open, tail wagging and lips are smacking! In this author’s eyes, this might seem the plausible.

One other even less plausible theory suggests that both Winston and Gigi are begging you for attention. Not sure about you, but if you have ever observed your dog’s urge to vacuum up the “goodies,” this isn’t around your dog’s schedule but rather when Ezra does her business – which is usually not on a timer. Whether it’s during dinner, at 3:00 in the morning or just after a long hike you’ve just been on with your dog, the moment their feline sister or brother does the business, it’s as though there’s a bell ringing and off they go to the litter box. Often they’ll return, not only with the evidence still clearly caked in their teeth, but oh so happy to give you a big doggy kiss, tongue and all. Does this sound like an-attention seeking dog?

If It’s Normal, Does that Mean It’s Okay?
Unfortunately, for all its normalcy, it’s not healthy – that is physically. Unfortunately, there are a few thousand reasons you should do your best to persuade Gigi from eating cat poop. Cats, although slightly more discriminating eaters than dogs – after all they are too dignified to eat another animal’s poop – can have parasites. Some are visible, like those white ones you may see from time to time, those are whipworms. Sometimes they aren’t always because the colors might blend with the feces making them difficult to detect. Gigi eats up the goodies and bang! She too has parasites, which means a costly trip to the vet for a 3-day dose of antiparasite medicine.

Now That You Know That Your Dog is Normal, How Do You Get Him or Her to Stop?
This might be a much easier said than done. As with anything when you are training your dog, there is the 3-second rule. You have literally three seconds to catch Winston in the act if your admonishment is going to be effective. First of all, remembering that he very well might be mimicking your behavior, chastising him and then returning to clean it out another day or hour later will only confuse him. What you could do is the following:

• As soon as you see Ezra on her way to the litter box, waiting around the corner, because you know she’s got shy about pooping in public, wait till she’s done and for the one-dog parade to follow in behind her. Before he even gets his jaws clamped on the goody, say loudly, “No, Winston! Leave it!” Of course this will take a few times before it sinks in. This habit didn’t start overnight, and it surely will take some repetition to break it.

• When you go into whatever room you keep Ezra’s litter in, don’t allow Gigi or Winston to follow and watch you scoop it. Keep a little trash bin next to the litter box and dispose of the “yummy treats” and remove them at another time, after his or her mind is no longer fixated on them.

• Another solution, although this will require both time and a financial investment on your part is to create a hole in the wall or door and install a cat door for Ezra – large enough for her, too small for her canine sister or brother.

Breaking your dog of this habit won’t be easy, but with a little patience and perseverance, you can stop him or her from feasting on your cat’s feces.

Everything she does is perfect, funny and touching. She looks amazing in every photo and sounds like she’s singing Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance when she barks. Therefore, the responsibility falls on you, her owner, to share the wonder that is Fussy with the entire world. That’s right, you need to make your pooch a Facebook page. After all, she can’t create one herself!

How To Get Started
As with any Facebook page, you will need to start with an email address. You cannot use your own if it is the email for your Facebook. The easiest thing would be to go to a free email service site, for example: hotmail, gmail or yahoo mail and set up a completely separate account just for Fussy. Once you have successfully created an email account for you pet, like FussyWiggles@gmail.com, you will be able to get her a Facebook page of her very own.

Use your pet’s email to make him or her a facebook page. If you can, use the same password from the email and Facebook account to make it easier for yourself to remember.

You will have to give your pet a full name. This is typically the pet’s name, which becomes his or her first name, and then your own last name. However, sometimes your pets have their own full name. If this is the case, give Fussy her own full name for her profile. You will be able to customize all of her likes, interests, activities and birthday.

Pictures and Videos
The pictures you post of your pet should be clear and of high quality. People who look at your pet’s page don’t want to see grainy cell phone pictures where your dog’s eyes are green from the flash. No one wants to see blurry pictures of paws or tails. Make sure you only post good pictures of Fussy for the world to enjoy. Pictures of your dog and you also always make for good Facebook content.

Fussy wants to put her best foot forward for the world to see. You should also be discerning about what videos you post. A 3-minute video of Fussy barking is probably interesting only to you. A video posted on your dog’s Facebook page should be relevant and serve a purpose. A video chronicling some of your dog’s activities are great. Playing a few good games of fetch, running after your cats, your initial efforts to train Fussy, eating and playing with you would be much better.

Fussy’s Furry Friends
Now that she has a great new profile, who will be Fussy’s friends? If your friend’s pets have pages, add them as your pet’s friends. Otherwise, if Fussy’s as great as you know that she is, your friends would probably love to add her as a friend of theirs. Fussy already has many built in friends in your family members. You can also “like” pages for Fussy of activities and things she likes. Her favorite dog food, cats, dog biscuits, along with activities she loves are great for starters.

Don’ts
Surprisingly, there are plenty of don’ts for having a Facebook profile for your dog. Be classy guy about your dog’s page.
• Don’t list your pet as your child. As much as your dog may be part of your family, typically, this will turn people off because instead of your pup’s Facebook page making her seem cool, it will just make you seem lonely.
o The exception to this is if you are married and already have a pack established.
• Don’t update your dog’s Facebook statuses in “doggie” language. This will usually come across as cheesy and annoying.

Remember, Fussy’s Facebook profile should say something about her personality. Otherwise, what is the point of her having one? Also, to keep from giving the wrong impression to people reading Fussy’s Facebook profile, be subtle. Subtlety is key in keeping your pet’s Facebook fun and not lame. For example, try making Fussy’s smiley faces with their tongues hanging out, like this:

Putting up a fence is the obvious answer. This way Nathan can enjoy the scenery while cavorting in the safety of your (hopefully spacious) front or back yard. However, fences made from metal, wire or wood can be expensive and unattractive, and they often require a lot of work to clean, repair and maintain. Because of this, many people in this situation turn to invisible fencing, which has been advertised as a cheaper, more convenient alternative to the traditional fence.

Invisible fencing, for those who don’t know, is a wire buried underground that connects via radio signal to a special collar worn by your dog. When Nathan comes close to the invisible fence line, an audio warning signal is sent out. If Nathan is feeling adventurous and continues to move forward, when he passes over the wire he will receive a sudden electrical shock, letting him know that it is time to retreat. The manufacturers of invisible fencing are quick to claim that this shock causes the dog no pain; but it is a shock, how can it possibly work if it does not cause some kind of unpleasant sensation? So there is certainly pain, albeit temporary and not physically disabling. But for many dog owners, invisible fencing can seem like the perfect alternative because it is hidden from sight and relatively inexpensive.

However, you should never lose sight of the fact that invisible fencing works through the use of pain. Nathan is supposedly a beloved member of your family; and yet you are planning to use a method of behavioral training that involves the intentional infliction of suffering. It may in fact be relatively mild, but even that assumption is somewhat questionable because we really do not know for sure how other species experience pain.

Even beyond this unpleasant fact, there are other problems with the invisible fencing concept. It is well known by dog trainers that a dog will always associate punishment or pain with whatever he was doing or whatever was happening immediately before receiving the shock. So if a dog moves to the fence in response to friendly calls from a neighbor, for example, he may come to associate the shock with that particular person, or with being called by humans generally. There are even some dog aficionados who claim to have encountered canines with grass phobias based on their experiences at home with invisible fencing. Needless to say, if Nathan develops of fear of walking on your lawn the outdoor experience you crave for him is going to turn into a nightmare.

In addition to this, there are some dogs who develop a tolerance for invisible fencing over time, learning to move past it despite the shocks. And if something causes Nathan to get so excited he runs across the fence some day despite the shock, he will then be trapped outside the fence line without any way to get back into your yard.

Is There an Alternative?
So what is the answer to your dilemma, if you are determined to keep your outdoor dog safe and secure from the threats of the outside world? Behavioral training is the best answer – dogs are very intelligent, and they can be effectively trained to do just about anything you want them to do as long as it does not cause them too much difficulty or hardship. A method recommended by experts to eliminate outdoor wandering involves walking the dog around the perimeter of your property on a leash. When he steps outside your pre-determined safety line, you can then use clearly communicated correcting signals to make sure he knows he has stepped into a no-dog zone. Eventually, you can walk him without a leash, using verbal commands to reinforce the desired behavior, which he will have already learned from your previous training.

Your determination to help Nathan enjoy the wonders of nature is admirable. But if you need to keep him safe, let your love and affection for him guide you to the best training methods available – those based on clear communication and positive reinforcement, not on the intentional infliction of pain.

To truly set Bitsy in a class all her own, she’s going to need the most incredible dog collar money can buy – provided you do have the money to spend on it. This season’s hot item comes from I Love Dogs Diamonds, and is an Amour, Amour diamond dog collar in a chandelier design. This dog collar contains 1,600 diamonds of the finest quality with a breathtaking 7-carat centerpiece. 18-karat white gold and crocodile leather collar complete this sumptuous piece. This fabulous collar is available to you for a cool $3,200,000. Oh, sorry, is this too pricey? I Love Dogs Diamonds offers other options that will still make your dog look less like a Queen a wee bit more like a Princess. The gorgeous Amour de la Mer dog collar with a stunning sapphire that will make you sit up and wonder if dog collar necklaces might come into style is available for $899,000. Is this still too much? Come on, it’s under a million! Bitsy can still be beautiful for $150,000 in the lovely La Jeune Tulipe collar. That’s more like it, right?

If a simple (and perhaps more reasonably priced) collar will do for Bitsy, you can still glam it up with luxury dog tags from Wags and Tags. These dog tags are designed to be as unique as your pet, and range from $199-$599. Plus, if you and Bitsy want to match, you can get a ‘people pendent’ that is an exact duplicate of your dog’s tag. Speaking of matching, if Bitsy and you want to take a stroll and turn heads, you can both wear clothes designed by Charlotte Taranotla. These doggie duds range from $38-42, and they will put Bitsy on the top of the fashion heap.

If your goal this holiday season is to preserve your pet or someone else’s beloved pooch, there is a luxury gift for that as well. Hop over to Perpetua Life Jewels, and buy a silver, gold plated, or 14K gold pendant with Bitsy’s DNA helix. Available in 12 jewel-toned colors, this one-of-a-kind pendant keeps Bitsy’s very essence close to your heart. Founded by a renowned animal DNA scientist, Perpetua Life Jewels uses a technique that combines your pet’s DNA with botanical DNA, wire and dye to make the colored double helix visible to the naked eye. And Bitsy doesn’t have to be hurt in any way for you to get a DNA sample. If your beloved pet’s blood is being drawn at the veterinarian for testing, ask for a little bit to take home. Alternatively, you can swab Bitsy’s cheek or submit some hair samples. The Life Jewel can also be created using a deceased pet’s ashes, perhaps also combined with your DNA to make an everlasting memorial. Prices range from $75-$225.

If you want to give Bitsy a vacation from her hectic life, send her to the luxury pet resort Paradise Ranch. Here Bitsy can play in the dog water park with geysers, waterfalls and ponds. Following all this exercise, she can relax in a doggy sized cabana on Bora Bora beach. And that’s not all, folks! There’s also a certified massage therapist ready to massage your pet into blissful relaxation while they lie by a koi pond in a peaceful tropical environment. Plus, staff will take your pet on plenty of walks to keep him or her in good condition, and even cuddle up with Bitsy at night if you ask. And what if you want the resort to feed your pet a special diet? All you have to do is ask – and pay for the service – and the resort staff will see to it that your dog gets exactly what you ask for.

If you or someone you know is a discerning pet lover, has a pet that demands the finer things in life, or you just have an incredible sense of humor, there are plenty of gift options available. While those of us with more modest funds might be shaking our heads at these luxury gifts, some people feel it shows love and devotion to their pet and that beloved Bitsy is being cared for to the highest possible standard. Whether or not Bitsy would rather have a $3.2 million collar over a new squeaky toy is up to pet owners to decide for themselves.

Just picture it: the clock has just struck 3 and your dog – let’s call her Phoenix – is champing at the bit to get outside and do her thing. Half asleep and dragging around with cobwebs for brains, you put her outside and wait, blinking in the darkness. There’s a cry and, concerned, you run toward her, only to have your olfactory system inundated by one of the most pungent, horrid animal smells known to anyone who hasn’t spent their life in a cave. Must be a skunk.

Most people would freak out and run around the house, rummaging through their pantry, medicine cabinet and who knows where else, wracking their still-fuzzy brain for some helpful tidbit. You must have the presence of mind to not be ‘most people’. Animals can sense fear, and in this unpleasant situation, your poor dog would freak out as badly as you. This would in turn only make the whole affair into a bigger mess than it needs to be. She would probably run into the house for safety, which is the last thing you want her to do. Keep calm; this will help sooth her, so that what comes next won’t be as traumatic, and you can get her clean all the sooner.

The chemical composition of a skunk’s spray is alkaline in nature. This means it has a high pH. Therefore, simply applying soap and water won’t work. The same goes for perfumes and other heavily scented cover-ups. To be truly effective, you need something with as low a pH as the skunk’s spray is high. Water, which has a pH of 7, is considered neutral. You ‘could’ pick up some overpriced stuff from a store – with ingredients you don’t recognize and probably can’t pronounce. Or, you can save money and use things from around the home. They’re cheaper, and just as effective.

First thing’s first, though. Do not let your pet back inside. Skunk spray is pervasive and it will get in/on everything, which means your carpet, furniture, clothes, you name it.

Barring the aforementioned expensive store bought stuff, home remedies are easily had. If you have fresh tomatoes on hand, tomato paste/sauce or any one in conjunction with another will work. Tomatoes are acidic, and this counters the spray. Some also advocate the use of vinegar. Don’t think of it as trading one stink for another. If not, try this recipe:

• 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
• ¼ baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of shampoo or other mild detergent (like those for washing wool. These do not have the synthetic perfumes of most cleaners).

Whatever you have, and decide to use, cover your pet to a fare-thee-well (being certain to avoid getting it in her eyes!) and rub liberally and vigorously. You have to leave it on for a bit. Some say to leave on for five minutes, some say more. A little research in this area goes a long way. Rinse/repeat as necessary.

With this simple solution (no pun intended) in hand, when (not if – because it will happen eventually) your outdoors-loving pet gets sprayed, you can help the poor girl out, and soon enough, she’ll be as good as new.

Yet for most people, owning a horse is not very practical. Horses are extremely large animals that require a lot of feeding, a lot of exercise, and space for all of the droppings that horses tend to leave behind.

Enter Miniature Horses

Around the world, various organizations have begun to breed miniature horses. Miniature horses stand about as tall as a medium to large size dog, and are equally as intelligent. They are strong and powerful for their size (like horses), but are small enough to take indoors.

Benefits of a Miniature Horse

Miniature horses are extremely unique animals that may someday have a lot of benefits for future pet owners. Some of the benefits of miniature horses include:
• Long Lifespan – Miniature horses live an average of 20 to 30 years or more, and a few have lived as long as 50. This lifespan is greater than almost every common type of pet besides birds.
• Strong Animals – Miniature horses are powerful animals that can handle some of the physical stresses that they may undertake. They can be trained to do light labor without any health repercussions.
• Calm (in general) – Miniature horses are not as excitable as other pets, and won’t suffer from the same regular tantrums. They are prone to being frightened by predators. They also tend to jump at loud noises. But with a lot of time with your pet you can train them out of those behaviors.
Miniature horses are intelligent and easily trainable. As far as intelligence, lifespan and temperament, miniature horses make fantastic pets.

The Future Most Popular Pet?

Still, if you are looking for a new pet, miniature horses are not yet a viable option for most families. They are most often used as “Guide Horses” (like guide dogs) for the blind. They require a great deal of care and must sleep outdoors. They also make a big mess, need more exercise than dogs, and need to be trained out of scaring easily by a trained professional. This training takes a lot of time and effort.

They are also difficult to legally own, since they are still classified as livestock by most countries. With the exception of those that live on or around ranches, or have enormous yards, it is difficult to own and care for a miniature horse as a pet. It is not impossible, but it is an uphill battle that most families cannot win.

How the Future Will Change Pet Ownership

Despite these difficulties, do not be surprised if miniature pets become more popular with pet owners in the future. It wasn’t until 1999 that organizations began to look out for miniature horses and began to use them as guide pets. With such a short history, it is no wonder they are not commonly seen in big cities.

Society is always changing, and it would not be a surprise to see miniature horses become a popular pet with homeowners in big cities in the next several years. They will take a lot of work, and are going to need a great deal of care over the course of their life, but with long lifespans and an intelligence that rivals that of dogs, miniature horses may quickly become one of the most popular pets in the near future.