Hap the Pup Dog Blog

You have a great relationship with your dog, right? When you got your puppy, you promised to love, protect, and train it, true? But you have a newborn in the house!

SUPERVISE! Be Super Wise!

Do you still have time for Fido! Will your dog be jealous, act out inappropriately, or can you integrate activities with the dog into this brand new world? The pooch must now share his beloved Guardian with a new baby?

Bottom line is you must stay conscientious of your baby’s safety around the family dog. Be sure to give the dog what it requires to feel loved & safe with an ongoing sense that it is not being replaced! Eventually, you’ll teach your kid to train the dog, too, OK? But first begin with the dog & help it understand this new situation.

There is no need to choose between the pet or the baby. Heaven forbid the dog is sent to a new home just because your family dynamic changes! You CAN have the best of both worlds & your dog CAN learn to love your child as a member of the pack, even though you might be extremely sleep deprived!

Expert Dog Trainer, Jeff Milman at www.watchandtrain.com has wonderful tips to help you integrate a harmonious plan into your household so everyone wins! Here’s what he suggests in a nutshell:

”

• Feed out of Kongs or other toys. These provide mental stimulation and activity instead of a few minutes of eating followed by boredom.
• Use a “nothing for free” strategy. This is not to be strict, but to remind the person to train more often. Simple exercises such as sitting before going outside, waiting 30 seconds before release to eat dinner, having to look at you before going to say hello to their dog friend outside are all simple ways to increase the amount of training time each day.
• Put training times on the calendar. I know that baby times are not always consistent, but everyone can find 15 minutes of time per day to train. Everyone.
• Train for dinner. Put the dinner bowl on the counter and do short training sessions while feeding your dog his dinner. If you run out of time, put the rest in a Kong for him to finish.
• Work on “Stay”. Stay is a great mental exercise that can really calm a dog down.
• Take your dog with you when you take your baby. One person can push the stroller, the other person can hold the leash.
• Hide treats around the house. Teach your dog to stay or tether the leash to a doorknob and put 20-30 dried chicken or other treat around the house and then send your dog off to find them. This is a great activity.
• Get dog walkers. If you don’t have as much time for your dog, hire dog walkers a few times a week.
• Find a responsible kid in the neighborhood to play fetch with your dog. There is probably someone that would love to play with your dog if you just keep an eye out.
• Turn the tv off. Everyone needs downtime, yes, but your dog needs you. You can find 15 minutes of time for your dog. You really can.
• Get up 15 minutes earlier and go to bed 15 minutes later. I understand sleep deprivation, believe me. We have a collicky baby that used to cry for hours every evening. But, we are talking about a dog that you took in and promised to take care of. You can do it.”

Suzanne Pierson, creator of “Hap the Pup”, is currently painting original Dog Art!

For a portrait of your family dog or as a gift to another dog lover, contact the Artist at

thepuppysong@yahoo.com

http://www.hapthepup.com

Chesapeake Retriever

Here’s an example of a recent pastel painting of “Bailey” Chesapeake Retriever.

Suzanne knew this beautiful dog but she painted the Dog’s portrait from a photo.

Email today to discuss your DOG ART!

Photo of Bailey

It’s the “Giving Season”! I WANT TO THANK YOU!

for your time and interest in Kids and Dogs,

for ordering and reading

“The Puppy Training Plan” free e-Book

I want to give you a FREE hardcopy of my *CD

“Happy Puppy: a Dog’s Guide for Kids CD”

Here’s how to get your FREE *CD:

Be one of the kind, dog-lovin’ folks who purchase a copy of

my Activity Book online BEFORE DEC 1, 2009. GOTO www.hapthepup.com

I will receive notice of your purchase from my Publisher.

Then I, Hap the Pup, will personally make contact with you through email

and send your FREE COPY of Hap’s CD wherever you say in the good ‘ol USA!

AND… I pay Ship & Handling charges for the CD (USA only)

- Absolutely NO COST to YOU!

Your Activity Book will arrive from the Publisher. And I will ship your FREE CD from my Doghouse. They will arrive to your Lucky Kid before the Winter Holidays!

WHY WAIT till the last minute?

ORDER a copy NOW of “Hap the Pup: a Dog’z Guide 4 Kidz Activity Book”

www.hapthepup.com

Let me send you a hardcopy of Hap’s original CD for NO additional charge!

(not a download but a REAL professionally recorded and manufactured CD you can hold in your paws! It has ME, Hap the Pup, on the cover - WOWZER Bowzer!)

*CD “Happy Puppy: a Dog’s Guide for Kids CD” is a 23 minute delight for kids ages 4 and up.

Hear this FUN audio recording on 13 tracks, packed with information for your child about HOW-TO love, understand and begin basic training for your new dog family member.

Narration is done by Hap the Pup in person speaking directly to listeners in a language your kids will love. This kid-tested, adorable CD includes 2 highly requested songs for children to sing-a-long: “The Puppy Song” and “The Puppy School Yap”. (“The Puppy Song” is scored for EZ Play Piano in Hap’s Activity Book!)

More information about Hap’s CD and Activity Book is available at

www.dogsandkidsguide.com

This GRRrrrrreat CD plus Hap’s Activity Book are a VALUE of $29.95 retail

BUT… you can GET YOUR CD NOW 4 FREE!

You won’t pay any shipping or handling costs for this neato CD if you ORDER YOUR COPY of Hap’s ACTVITY BOOK BEFORE DEC. 1, 2009!  www.hapthepup.com

and hey, THANKS!

Thank you for helping kids become better Dog Guardians and THANKS from all those canines who will never be sent back to shelters or abandoned because YOU are helping to

TEACH KIDZ 2 TRAIN DOGZ!

Here’s waggin’ atcha, HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Hap the Pup

PS-Thanks for visiting my BLOG! www.hapthepupdogblog.com

Groom me!

Here’s my pal Fonzi the Cockapoo when he was just a wee pup!

“Please groom me. It feels soooo gooood!”

Does your dog communicate? Why YES, all the time! Can you decipher “Dog Talk”?

What does it mean when your dog’s tail is wagging? Sometimes it is a friendly gesture but not always.

What does it mean when your dog licks its paws or shakes its head?

Maybe a foxtail weed seed found its way into your dog’s ear?

That can be dangerous.

Maybe the dog is developing some allergies or its paw was stung by a bee.

Whatever your dog is doing, it is showing you its state of mind and wellbeing in the moment. Those sad eyes, wet kisses, waggly rear ends are all signs of communication. Dogs are just about the most truthful creatures you can find!

Check out this great little article written by Virginia Wells for more skills on how to “Read” your Dog!

http://www.petplace.com/article-printer-friendly.aspx?id=5014

BEWARE the big commercial “push” to buy that new Puppy for your kids this Christmas! I know, it’s not even Columbus Day or Halloweenie yet and I’m talking tinsel. Oh, come on, you’ve been chatting it up behind closed doors about that new doggy your kids have been begging for, be honest:) but, hold off till next year - here’s why:

1. Dogs are healthier in the Spring

2. Spring is the natural Birthing Season for animals

Isn’t this when our hearts stir with primal warmth over the new calves in the pastures, baby lambs and kittens and … puppies?

3. Dogs and kittens are hugeously abandoned and ignored by families with bored children if the animal was given as a Winter Holiday present. Kids are still digging out from under the wrappings up through the hooplah and dad’s hangover as he watches the football games on Jan. 1st!

4. Shelters overflow with unwanted pets from the holidays.

5. It’s WINTER! It’s COLD! It’s NOT a time when puppies can ultimately thrive at their best!

No, I’m not trying to cheat the breeders from some good sales. Yet, I’ve found that the most responsible Breeders will tell you this same thing. Pick up your pups in the Springtime.

Hey! I’ve got a solution:

• Do your research for a great breed, mutt or mix that is terrific with kids.
• Find a great breeder or shelter and reserve a dog that will be “ready” in say April or March..
• Buy a Gift Certificate for a New Puppy to put into a fabulous card and wrap this up in a big box for your kids to tear through under the tree or wherever.
• Wrap up presents for the new puppy that the kids can open - dog toys, dog bed, collar, leash, dog bowl and
• Don’t forget to give a copy of “Hap the Pup: a Dog’z Guide 4 Kidz” CD and Activity Book to your children this Winter Holiday!

My book and singing “The Puppy Song” are GREAT ways for children to learn how to be the BEST DOG Guardians on the planet!

• Then, in the Spring, when the puppy is 10 weeks old, take a trip to pick up your new family member. WOW!

Just hold your horses or cows or hamsters, Whoa!

WAIT until Spring to get your New Puppy - NOT Christmas!

… Hap the Pup

Labor Day Dangers to Avoid

Labor Day weekend marks summer’s unofficial end, and many families are heading out—with their companion animals—for end-of-season getaways. The ASPCA hopes you enjoy the last days of summer and reminds you to make sure your four-legged friends enjoy a safe holiday, too. By following these simple safety tips, you can rest assured your pet will remain happy and healthy during his last summer blast!

Do not apply any sunscreen or insect repellent product to your pet that is not labeled specifically for use on animals.Ingestion of sunscreen products can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy. The misuse of insect repellent that contains DEET can lead to neurological problems.

Always assign a dog guardian. No matter where you’re celebrating, be sure to assign a friend or member of the family to keep an eye on your pooch—especially if you’re not in a fenced-in yard or other secure area. With all the festivities, it’s easy to overlook a dog on the run!

Made in the shade. Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water, and make sure they have a shady place to escape the sun. Be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.

Always keep matches and lighter fluid out of paws’ reach. Certain types of matches contain chlorates, which could potentially damage blood cells and result in difficulty breathing—or even kidney disease in severe cases. Lighter fluid can be irritating to skin, and if ingested, can produce gastrointestinal irritation and central nervous system depression. If lighter fluid is inhaled, pneumonia and breathing problems could develop.

Keep your pet on his normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pet severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep in mind that people foodssuch as onions, chocolate, coffee, avocado, salt, yeast dough, grapes and raisins can all be potentially toxic to companion animals.

Keep citronella candles, insect coils and oil products out of reach. Ingesting any of these items can produce stomach irritation and possibly even central nervous system depression in your pets, and if inhaled, the oils could cause aspiration pneumonia.

Never leave your dog alone in the car. Traveling with your dog means occasionally you’ll make stops in places where he’s not permitted. Be sure to rotate dog walking duties between family members, and never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time, even with the windows open—not to mention it’s illegal in several states!

Make a safe splash. Don’t leave pets unsupervised around a pool—not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals that could cause stomach upset.