Newsletter

August 2006 Newletter 801-581-0725 www.kandyskritterkare.com Hi Everyone, We are pleased to announce that we now have a monthly newsletter from Kandy's Kritter Kare & Consulting.  The newsletter will contain information pertaining to pet training, behavior issues, overall pet care, and just some plain ordinary fun stuff.  We would also like to share with you information regarding wildlife issues. Please enjoy and let us know if you have anything you would like to see in our newsletter. August 2006 Don't Let Your Dog be a Hot Dog!   -  Remember not to leave dogs or any animals for that matter enclosed in cars during the hot summer.  It only takes a few minutes for heat stroke to set in and IT CAN BE FATAL!  It is possible to bake cookies or cook eggs in hot car!  Think about this......would you like to be left locked in a car with temperatures in the 100 degree range wearing a fur coat with only a cracked window? Both cats and dogs need a fresh supply of water, clean, cool 24 hours a day! Stress can cause animals to overheat in the hot weather also!  You might want to keep traveling with down to a minimum is they tend to get stressed during travel. Animals left outside need a cool and shady place along with their fresh water. Signs of Heat Stroke:  Uncontrollable panting, temperature above 104 degrees F. should be an alarm, vomiting, lethargy, excess salivation, increased heart rate, tongue/gums/lips will be bright red in color as condition worsens they turn blue/gray, dry mouth.  Get your companion to a veterinarian immediately! Training Tips for Dogs - Dogs love to go for controlled leash walks.   Controlled leash walks will many times help with behavior issues.  20-30 minutes daily makes a big difference, and besides it's great for you too!  A tired and exercised dog is more likely to be a well behaved dog.  The controlled leash walk also helps establish exactly who the leader is.  Who's the leader in your household?  If your dog pulls and fusses then it's not you!  Did you know that 95% of successful dog training is associated with the confidence level of the handler?  Standing tall and being calm and assertive are traits of a confident handler.   Also never thinking that the dog won't perform the task or command that you request is applying a positive attitude which has a lot to do with successful training. Get the entire family involved in training the family dog! It makes all the difference in the world if everyone is giving commands and corrections in the same way, and it also helps establish in the dog's mind that all the humans in the family are the leaders.  Make up games to help train the dog and get the whole family involved. For Our Feline Friends -  You can teach cats to do tricks with a little time and patience.  Just like dogs they learn at a different pace and have there own special talents which as the cat will remind are not in the same category.  Here is one to try.  Teach your cat to sit pretty for a treat.  While the cat is standing on all fours hold a yummy little treat above it's head.  Slowly pull the treat up and outward (away from you) until the cat stands on it's two hind feet, then gently lower the treat downward but still above it's head to work the cat into a sit position on it's two hind feet.  Takes some practice but can be done.  Remember, just like with dogs short sessions are best! Life on the Wildside!    -  It has been a very busy year with wildlife!  For those who don't know what I am talking about let me explain.  I do wildlife rehabilitation as a sub-permittee  through Utah Wildlife Rehabilitation - A Non-Profit Organization.  We work in association with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resource. This year has actually been what I consider a successful one with some great releases.  I currently have two ground squirrels.  One was brought in as a baby and I hand fed him until he was ready to go to an outdoor cage.  He will be released in a couple of weeks.  The other one was older and appeared to have some type of neurological problem but he is doing better and better as time goes on.  I almost lost him three times.  He is very funny and loves to play.  Unfortunately, that does not make him a good candidate for release.  I will just have to wait and see how he does. I also have a tree squirrel recuperating that was injured by a cat.  One leg is paralized but it may recover given some time.  She is eating well from the syringe and on her own.  She loves sunflower seeds. I have had several successful cottontail bunny releases, 1 chipmunk, 4 baby sparrows, 1 robin that looked like this to start with!    I started with two but the one just didn't develop his leg muscles properly and he eventually died.  He hung in there, a real fighter, but just couldn't do it.  Those types of cases make me sad because I spend so much time working with and caring for them. I currently have 8 baby ducks that were recently moved outdoors.  They are all doing great!  I also have four baby mourning doves that are getting bigger by the day and two adults that are recuperating from wing injuries. Here are two wonderful pictures of a kestrel that was brought in as a nestling by Ugo Perego.  He did exactly the right thing.  He put the kestrel in a safe container then did a little research to find out what to feed it until he could get in touch with me!  This picture was taken by Ugo the night we released it from my backyard!                                                          Thanks for reading! Have a safe and happy summer! Kandy Thomas Kandy's Kritter Kare & Consulting

Kandy's Kritter Kare & Consulting
Salt Lake City Pet Sitting & Training Services
(801) 581-0725  |  kandy@kandyskritterkare.com