Special to the Aroostook Republican
Halloween is coming and it is our job as good “pet parents” to keep our animals safe during this time of “tricks and treats.” Here are some tips to help you do so: • NEVER leave your pet out in the yard on Halloween. There are plenty of stories of vicious pranksters who have teased, injured, stolen and even killed pets on this night;
• Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets. Chocolate is poisonous to a lot of animals, and tinfoil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed;
• Be careful of pets around a lit pumpkin. Pets may knock it over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned;
• Don’t dress the dog in costume unless you know he loves it. Otherwise, it puts a lot of stress on the animal;
• If you do dress up your dog, make sure the costume isn’t constricting, annoying or unsafe. Be careful not to obstruct his/her vision, even the sweetest dogs can get snappy when they can’t see what’s going on around them;
• All but the most social dogs should be kept in a separate room during trick-or-treat visiting hours; too many strangers in strange garb can be scary for a dog; and
•Be careful your cat or dog doesn’t dart out through the open door.
Keeping our animals safe is a huge responsibility. I say “It is my job to keep people safe from my dogs and my dogs safe from people.” I work very hard on being sure my dogs are safe and that they have manners when they meet people. A well-socialized dog is one you can take with you anywhere. Also, a tired dog is a good dog. If you are noticing behavior issues with your dog, try getting more exercise. It is difficult when you work all day to have the energy to come home and face a dog who has been alone all day, but that is part of the responsibility. If you just can’t take it, hire someone to walk your dog or look into doggie daycare for your dog. A dog needs mental stimulation as well as physical, and exercise and play groups do that for dogs.
Dogs are not furry little children, although some people would like to believe them to be. They need a confident leader who is willing to explain the rules and teach with patience and kindness. Dogs also learn from their leader, so be consistent and fair. Asking your dog to jump up on you one minute, yet finding it unacceptable the next time is not being fair. You also need to consider size; if you get a puppy, it will grow and you need to decide what behaviors you are willing to accept, not from a 10-lb puppy but from a 50-lb dog, because what you teach that pup at a young age will follow it through life as one of life’s rules. One rule I always follow is that my dog’s teeth should never touch me for any reason. It is unacceptable to mouth me, even as a puppy. Encouraging or accepting mouthing behavior may be setting your dog up to bite someone later as an adult.
The Central Aroostook Humane Society is full to the brim with wonderful cats, kittens and dogs. Why? Most cats come to us as strays, some come to us as pregnant strays and most are unaltered. Dogs unfortunately come to us more often than not from owners who for one reason or another can no longer keep them. Unfortunately, some of those also come to us unaltered and pregnant. I cannot stress enough the importance of having your pet altered. The burden on the shelters is incredible and there is only so much room to put them and a limited number of responsible homes to take them. I cannot imagine why anyone would have an unaltered mixed-breed animal; it makes no sense. Did you know that for every person born there are 15 dogs born and 45 cats born? Please do not be part of the problem; instead, be part of the solution and have your pets spayed or neutered.
The Central Aroostook Humane Society is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday, or give us a call at 764-3441.
At the Animal Rescue Site, the $100,000 Shelter Challenge is still going strong! Since 2008, they have given away more than $200,000 and more than 100 grants to shelters and rescue organizations involved in this event. Don’t forget to click and vote today! Visit: www.TheAnimalRescueSite.com and vote for the Central Aroostook Humane Society.
