Hounds on the Highway

  The First 72 Hours With a Rescue Dog (Hour-by-Hour Guide) We have handed a lot of dogs over to new families at the end of a transport run. And we have seen the look on those families' faces: pure joy, mixed with a little panic. Now what? Here is the honest answer. The first three days are not about training, bonding, or showing your new dog off to the neighbors. They are about one thing: helping a scared, confused animal feel safe. Many rescues talk about the 3-3-3 rule : three days to decompress, three weeks to learn the routine, three months to feel at home. Every dog is different, but it is a good reminder that the dog you meet on day one is not the dog you will know by spring. This guide covers the first stretch, the 72 hours that set the tone for everything after. Before they arrive Get these done before pickup day, so you are not running to the pet store with a frightened dog in the car. A quiet home base. A crate with the door open, or a gated-off corner of a low-traffic ...

  Halloween Is the Scariest Night for Dogs: How to Keep Yours Safe For kids, Halloween is the best night of the year. For a lot of dogs, it is the worst. Think about it from their side. The doorbell rings fifty times in three hours. Strangers in masks and capes crowd the porch. The house fills with candy that smells amazing and could land them in the emergency vet. And every time the door opens, the outside world is right there, wide open. Every year, rescues and shelters brace for the same thing: a wave of lost, scared, and sick dogs in the days after Halloween. Almost all of it is preventable. Here is how to keep your dog safe, calm, and home where they belong. 1. Keep the candy bowl out of reach Chocolate is the one everyone knows about, and the darker it is, the more dangerous. But it is not the only threat in that bowl. Xylitol (sometimes listed as birch sugar). This sweetener shows up in sugar-free gum, mints, and some candies. Even a small amount can crash a dog's blood sug...

Moving with Pets: Tips to Make the Transition Less Stressful

    1.     They don’t rush their dog. Ever. a.     Most people walk at human pace. Fast. Efficient. Get it done. But Dogs aren’t on your schedule. b.     They need time. To sniff. To process. To just exist. Rushing creates stress. Stress shortens life. c.     Owners of old dogs walk slowly. Match the dog’s pace. Not theirs. Even if it takes twice as long. d.     The walk is for the dog. Not for your step count. 2.     They change the route and let the dog choose direction sometimes. a.     Same path every day? Your dog’s brain goes numb. New smells stimulate the mind. Keep it sharp. Keep it young. b.     And when the dog pulls left instead of right? Let them lead sometimes. Giving them control builds confidence. Reduces anxiety. c.     A confident dog is a healthier dog. Mix it up. New streets. New parks. Let them explore. 3. ...