Dogs can help your children avoid developing allergies

Having a dog when your children are young will cause them to develop fewer allergies as adults.

Dog ownership leads to less allergies in children

Did you know that owning a dog can help your children avoid developing allergies?  Seems illogical, but studies have proven that owning a dog when you children are young can help them develop less allergies over their lives and enter adulthood with less allergies that the average adult.  In fact, Dr. James E. Gem of the University of Wisconsin-Madison has found that keeping a pet in the home can lower a child's likelihood of developing related allergies by as much as 33%.

Dogs can keep your children asthma free

Asthma is something that no one wants their children to develop.  Did you know that owning a dog can help your children live asthma free?  Scientists at the University of California-San Francisco have found that microbes that are present in homes with dogs may colonize the GI (gastro-intestinal tract), modulate immune responses and protect the host against the asthmagenic pathogen, RSV.  In short: dogs in the house when your children are young leads to their bodies developing protection against asthma.

Adopting a dog will help your children grow up asthmas and allergy free.  Contact your local rescue and adopt a dog (other other pet) today.  Remember, spay and neuter your pets!

by Gemma Torcivia
October 21, 2012

Whose dog is it? When your child asks for a dog

Most kids love dogs.  Which is great because most dogs love kids!  The challenge that many parents face is that kids beg and beg for a dog, and then once the parents finally give in and get them the dog... don't take care of it.  The parents are shocked:  "How could my offspring not take care of this little animal that they spent years begging me for!"  But the reality is that a dog that comes into a family is the adult's dog.  So if you are not ready for a dog for 10-15 years, do NOT get one.

But my kids really want one....

The reality is that if you - the parent - are not willing to commit to taking care of (which means: feeding, walking, cleaning up after and paying for) a dog for 10-15 years, then you should not get one.  I bet that your children often ask for things that they can't have or that they shouldn't have.   If your child just wanted to eat candy bars and drink Coke for every meal, you would say no, right?

If you are not ready to make the big commitment to a dog, then you need to stick to your guns and not get the dog.  Dogs are not for everyone.

How do I know if we are ready for a dog?  We have never had one/I haven't had one since I was a kid.

You can always foster a dog with a local rescue for a couple weeks or a month to see if you are ready for the commitment.  Petfinder is a great resource to find a local rescue.  Not every rescue fosters dogs out to families, but if you keep looking, you will find one in your region that will let you "try before you buy".  Plus, you will be helping a dog that needs a temporary home before he or she goes to his forever home.  If you foster the dog in your home then the rescue can usually save another dog's life since you have freed up some space for them to house another dog.   The South Florida based rescue that I volunteer with, This is the Dog!, has a great foster care network and is always looking for foster families to provide temporary homes for the dogs in their care.

You could also pet sit a friend's dog while they travel to see if you and your family are ready for a dog.  I recommend that you keep the dog in your home for at least a week to really get a sense of dog ownership.

I think it will teach my kids responsibility.... 

It might.  But it might not.  It might just make you mad because they are not meeting your expectations.  And there are a ton of other great ways to teach your kids responsibility.  I think the best way is to have your child do chores.  Even little ones as young as 3 and 4 can help by folding socks or picking up their toys.  And as kids get older, they can have more complicated chores.

If you REALLY want to get a pet to teach your children to be responsible, get a fish.  Not to be cruel, but having a fish die is much less tragic than having a dog run away, starve, get sick or be given to the pound only to be put to sleep after you (the parent) is "tired" of your kid not taking care of the dog.  The ASPCA has a great guide with pet recommendations for different ages of kids.  

OK.  I (the parent) will commit to the dog for 10-15 years.  Now what?

Do your homework and make sure that you adopt a dog that has the right kind of personality for your family and lifestyle.  If you like to chill and watch TV after work, do not get a Husky or a Jake Russell, no matter how cute you think they are!

Be sure to research how much it costs to own a dog.  Make sure you can afford the annual outlay... it is typically around $2,000 - $4,000 a year to feed and care for a dog (assuming no major accidents or surgeries).

Be sure to think about which ADULT will be ultimately responsible for taking care of the dog.  You can assign your kids dog related chores, but at the end of the day, it is on you.  So make sure that you and your spouse or partner have a plan for who will do what with your new dog.

And spay and neuter your pet... we do not need any new dogs when over 3,000,000 (that's 3 million folks) are euthanized EVERY year in the United States.  And remember: adopt, don't shop!

by Gemma Torcivia
October 19, 2012

When to take your dog immediately to the vet

It can be hard to know when to take your dog immediately to the vet.  Often, the expense is higher than normal since some vets charge an emergency fee in addition to their regular fees.  Or you have to go at night or on the weekend and those vets ALWAYS seem to charge a very high emergency fee.  However, you love your dog and want them to be healthy (and live).  There are times when you just need to bite the bullet and spend the extra money to get your dog the help you need.  But it is hard to know what needs to be addressed ASAP and what can wait until morning or Monday. 

Any of the following symptoms as enumerated by the ASPCA indicate the need for an immediate trip to the vet:

• Pale gums
• Rapid breathing
• Weak or rapid pulse
• Change in body temperature
• Difficulty standing
• Apparent paralysis
• Loss of consciousness
• Seizures
• Excessive bleeding

For more detailed descriptions of what accidents and injuries require a trip to the vet, please see the post "If this happens, take your dog to the vet ASAP" or vist PetMD

Do not hesitate to call your vet if you are not sure if you should take your dog there.  This is Gemma Torcivia signing off... and remember: spay and neuter your pets!

Essential Items for Your New Puppy or Dog

Items You Absolutely Should Have BEFORE You Pick Up Your New Puppy or Dog

If you plan to adopt a new dog or puppy (adopt, don't shop!), there are some essential items that you should have on hand before you pick up your new dog or puppy.  Oftentimes people will pick up their new dog or puppy and immediately take them to pet store to shop for them.  Unless you have no other options, do NOT do this.  For information on why it is important to vaccinate your dog or puppy and ensure that they are acclimated to you before taking them to the pet store, please visit this post.

1) A leash: A nylon leash that is 4 to 6 feet long is best.  Remember, in many places it is illegal to tie your dog outside, and very dangerous even if it isn't illegal (your dog can strangle himself, chew through the tie and run away or be stolen).  Your dog should always be on a leash when you are walking him to ensure he does not run away or get hit by a car.

A Martingale training collar is a good option for dogs.

2) A collar: I recommend a Martingale training collar like the one shown here.  Do not ever use a prong collar, and a Martingale eliminates the need for a chain collar (does the same job, but does not hurt your dog).  Puppies can wear harnesses, but they should graduate to collars by 6-8 months of age.   I like the all fabric Martingale for puppies and the ones that are half fabric and half metal for adults.  These are two brands that we use:






3) Two bowls that are metal or ceramic:  One for food, one for water.  The food bowl should be washed after every meal and the water bowl washed at least once daily with fresh water always available.  Plastic bowls are not recommended because they allow bacteria to breed and are easily scratched and chewed up.  I use metal bowls and typically am able to get over ten years of use out of them.

This American Bulldog puppy is 5 months old and loves her crate.

4) A crate that fits your dog:  I recommend getting a metal crate with a puppy panel that your dog can grow into; this means a crate that will fit your dog when they are full grown.  A puppy panel will allow you to move the puppy panel as she grows and remove it entirely when she is full grown.  Crates are available at any pet store, as well as at Walmart and on Amazon.  Amazon actually has very reasonable prices and free shipping so I often buy new crates from there.   For some good information on crate training (which we recommend for all dogs of any age), the ASPCA website is an excellent resource.  I have multiple crates at my home and use one crate for puppies and then "graduate" them into a larger crate.  I crate my dogs until they are 2 to 3 years old and fully over the "I-love-to-chew-random-stuff" phase.  When I am home, my dogs are out, but when I am at work or it is night-night time, they are in their crates.  A good rule of thumb for the proper size is that you dog should be able to: stand completely up, turn around and lie down in their crate.  If they can not do those things, the crate is too small.

These are crates that I own, love and thoroughly recommend:



An important note about crating your dog: You should NOT leave your adult dog in a crate for more than eight (8) hours and your puppy in a crate for more than four (4) hours.  

5) A soft blanket, towel or dog bed for the crate:  I recommend old towels for the first few weeks because your new dog may chew them up with the nervousness all dogs feel in a new environment.  Once your dog is settled in and/or a little older (6-8 months), I would purchase a dog bed that can become their permanent bed.  My dogs get nice thick blankets and towels from Goodwill until they are 6 to 8 months, when they get a big dog bed.    

I love this brand for it's durability - these suckers LAST!

6) A few dog toys: Good dog toys include Kongs, rope toys, toys made with fire hose; they tend to last a long time under the abuses of a dog's teeth.  Soft toys are fun for dogs, but they MUST be supervised while playing with them.  It is a dog's instinct to try to "gut" the toy, and if they eat the stuffing or squeaker inside, they can get sick or die.  Make sure you monitor them while playing with soft toys and throw out all stuffing and squeakers as soon as your dog removes them.  The same is true for rubber toys (including Kongs).  If your dog rips up the rubber, it is time to throw away the toy.  I like Kongs and the fire hose toys because they are pretty close to indestructible and typically last a year or two.  No dog toy will last forever, but I think it is worth a little extra to get more than 5 minutes out of a toy (the typical amount of time it takes one of my dogs to disembowel a stuffed toy or shred a rubber toy).  

My dogs' favorite fire hose toys:



7) Dry dog food: We feed all of our dogs dry food; it is better for their teeth and their breath and we recommend you do the same.  The brands that we strongly recommend are (for quality and freshness): Solid Gold, Wellness, Innova, Natural Balance Ultra Premium, Blue Wilderness and Orijen.  While other dog foods are okay for your dog, make sure that meat (not chicken meal or lamb meal) is the first ingredient listed.  Dog foods show ingredients just like people food and your dog will be healthier with a high quality food that lists meat as the first ingredient.  Your dog may not eat very much their first 1-3 days at home - this is normal as it is scary for a dog to be in a new place - if your dog has not eaten in more than 3 days, call your vet or the shelter or rescue where you adopted your dog from for advice.  

8) Bully sticks: Yeah, so these are bull penises.  I know that sounds gross, but they are the best treat/chewy for your dogs.  I don't trust Greenies or rawhides because there are countless stories of them causing obstructions and leading to sickness or death in dogs.  Bully sticks are natural, digestible and your dog will love them.  Seriously, they will go nuts for these things so just pretend they are a stick or something and feel free to give your dog one every day or two.  They last longer than most chewies, too - especially for a puppy.  All pet stores have them, but you can get them in bulk online for much cheaper.  I like Best Bully Sticks online for value and quality, but Amazon has a bunch of different vendors that sell them.  Some smell less bad than others which is partly why I like Best Bully Sticks - they seem to smell less than some of the other random brands I have tried.  The 12 inch ones are best for larger dogs (60 lbs and up), while the 6 inchers are good for smaller dogs and puppies.

Why You Should Not Take Your New Dog or Puppy to the Pet Store

Wait a month to take your new dog or puppy to the pet store.  For real.

Getting a new dog or puppy is exciting.  But be safe!  Make sure your dog is vaccinated and acclimated to you before taking him or her to the pet store.

You just adopted your new dog or puppy and are so excited to shop for your cute little fuzzball.  You can't wait to take him or her to the pet store and buy a new collar and leash, some toys and treats - and show him off to the world!  Temper your excitement and wait a month.  For real.  Here's why:

A Pet Store is Stressful for Your Dog or Puppy

Your new dog is already undergoing a lot of stress transitioning from wherever they were housed (shelter or foster home) to their new life with you.  They do not know you that well and putting them immediately in a stressful situation is unnecessary and can lead to them freaking out, trying to run away, vomiting or getting diarrhea from stress.  

While a pet shop is not stressful to us, it is the total opposite for a puppy or dog.  It is full of new smells, new sights and other animals that are unfamiliar to him or her.  This is a lot to take in at the best of times for a dog.  Which is why you should wait a month to visit your local pet store - this will give your dog or puppy time to bond to you and get settled into your life together.  

Exposure to other Dogs in a Pet Store Can Infect Your Dog or Puppy with a Dangerous and Possibly Life Threatening Illness

Another important consideration is the immune system of your dog or puppy.  When you adopt a new dog or puppy, they typically have just been given their vaccinations.  Most rescues vaccinate dogs or puppies within just a few days of you picking them up.  Since it takes at least 2 weeks for a vaccine to work (i.e., for your pet to develop antibodies so they can fight off the illness), exposure to other dogs in a pet store can mean that you dog or puppy can get sick and possibly die.  

I don't want to fear monger, but taking an unvaccinated/recently vaccinated dog or puppy into a place with other dogs or puppies that you do not know, is a huge risk and could lead to sickness and possible death of your new canine buddy.  

At 8 weeks old, this puppy is much to young to be at the pet store or around other dogs.  Make sure to get all 3 parvo vaccines (8, 12 and 16 weeks of age) before exposing your sweet puppy to strange (and possibly unvaccinated) dogs. 

Puppies and Parvo

Puppies in particular are vulnerable to parvo which is a life threatening illness.  If a puppy is infected with parvo, they will likely die or need to be humanely put to sleep due to the ravaging effects of the parvo virus.  Or, if they live, they will be severely paralyzed for the rest of their life.  Parvo is no joke.  Puppies should not be exposed to other dogs until they have received at least the entire parvo vaccination series (that is a total of 3 vaccines).  Your puppy should be at least 16 weeks old and have received his or her third and final parvo vaccine before you go to the pet store (or dog park or any other place that dogs and puppies might be).  The recommended series for parvo vaccines is as follows:

1) First parvovirus vaccine administered between 6-8 weeks of age

2) Second parvovirus vaccine administered between 12-14 weeks of age

3) Third and final parvovirus vaccine administered between 16-18 weeks of age

Core Vaccines

It is important that you dog be given all of their core vaccines AND that at least two weeks go by after they are administered before you expose them to other dogs OR to places where other dogs go (i.e., pet stores, dog parks, etc.) .  Make sure that your new dog or puppy receives vaccinations for: 

- Parvo

- Bordatella (some people think this is optional but if you dog or puppy will be around other dogs outside of your home - including at the pet store, it is essential)

- Distemper

- DHPP (which includes the Infectious Hepatitis vaccine)

- Rabies (once they are old enough, usually 6 months is the minimum age)

When You Finally Do Go to the Pet Store with Your Bonded and Vaccinated Dog or Puppy

Make sure that the experience from start to finish is positive and short.  Make sure that they are secured in the car in a crate, with a seat belt or held by a passenger.  Talk to them in a calm voice while you drive.  Make sure their leash is on them in the car so when you arrive you are ready to go.  

When you arrive at the store, give them a chance to smell their surroundings, but do not let them pee on anything you don't want them peeing on for the rest of their life!  Most pet stores have a patch of grass or mulch outside the store - it is a good idea for you to take them their to sniff and pee before you go in the store.

When you are in the store, watch them closely.  Make sure you are vigilant around other dogs and new people. Little kids especially should be watched because they may try to grab your dog or puppy's face.  Remember: your dog or puppy is high stress right now because this is all new for them.  Also, make sure they don't pee on aisles in the store - male dogs LOVE to do this, so watch them closely and say "No" if they try.  If they try to pee inside, take them outside to the mulch/grass and encourage them to pee there.  Then go back inside with them.  

Make sure your shopping trip is short.  Just pick up a toy or a treat or two and then head out.  The more positive experiences that you dog has in the car and in the store, the more relaxed and well behaved they will be on future trips.

And remember: spay and neuter your pets!

Tax Deductions for your Puppy or Dog

A guide dog for someone with a visual, hearing or physical impairment is a tax-deductible expenses.  Labrador Retrievers often work as guide dogs.

Can I get a Tax Deduction for my Dog or Puppy?

As we start thinking about the upcoming tax season, dog owners often wonder: Can I claim the expenses for my dog like food, vaccines, medical expenses as a deduction on my taxes?  The answer is: sometimes.  Sorry that I can't give you a resounding yes but the reality is that the IRS only permits deductions that are related to some specific business, health or charity related areas.  Here are some of the permitted deductions that you may be eligible to claim on your taxes:

Business Related Expenses for Your Puppy or Dog

1) Moving Your Dog or other Pet: In general, if you are changing jobs and moving, you can deduct the cost of moving - including the cost of moving your pet - from your taxes.  The IRS views your dog or other pet as one of your personal effects.  

2) If your Dog Guards your Business or Home: If you have a dog guarding your business, you should be able to deduct the expenses for food and medical expenses for the dog.  Although the IRS does not permit deductions for the cost of purchase or adoption of the dog, they may permit a deduction for depreciation of value as determined by a local breeder,   If the dog guards your home, it is a little harder to claim, but if you have property of value (i.e., car, boat, motorcycle, etc.) and your property is fenced and your dog is inside that fence, you should be able to claim a deduction.  Although if your pup is inside the house, it is likely that you could not claim that he or she is a "guard dog" - as ferocious as their bark might be!  Additionally, the IRS is much more likely to allow this deduction if your dog is a guarding breed such as a German Shepherd, Belgian Malinois, American Bulldog, Mastiff; if you have a small dog like a terrier or a Dachshund, odds are good that the IRS will not let it fly!

If your business uses a guard dog, such as this America Bulldog, to guard your business or valuable property, you can claim related costs like food and medical expenses.

- Note that the deduction is only for the percentage of time that the dog spends guarding your property!

3) Working Dogs: If you have a dog that does a specific job for your business, you can likely deduct the expenses related to his or her food and medical care.  These types of dogs would be: sheep herders if you have a farm; ratters (like terriers) if you have a farm or property that has pest control needs and that is what the dog does there; hunting dogs if your business is as a hunting guide; or, dogs that pull a cart for your business.  It is important that your business is dog-dependent so that these deductions will be permitted.

Health Related Expenses for Your Puppy or Dog

1) Guide Dog or Service Animal: The tax code is pretty specific on this one, but if you have a guide dog or service animal (including service animals that are not dogs like monkeys, pigs, etc.) you are permitted to deduct the expenses related to the buying, training and maintenance of the dog or other animal.  These are considered Medical Expenses are are deductible.  This would include expenses for food, grooming and medical care, but it is limited to guide dogs or service animals for people with visual impairments, hearing impairments or a person with another physical disability. 

Charity Related Expenses for Your Puppy or Dog

1) Donations to Dog Rescue Groups that are registered Non-Profits: If you make a donation of cash, dog food, Heartguard or other heartworm medicine, bedding, dog houses, crates, flea medicine, medical services or medical supplies to a Rescue Group that is a registered Non-Profit with 501 (c) 3 status, you can deduct that value of your donation although it is best to keep your receipts or donation acknowledgement just in case you are audited. The Rescue Group that I work with, This is the Dog!, will provide letters acknowledging the amount of your cash donation at the donor's request, as will most other reputable groups.  Be sure to get a donation acknowledgement letter or other form of receipt proving that no goods or services were provided in exchange for your donation.

- You can search for charities (non-profits) that are registered with the IRS to make sure the group is all squared away legally so your donation is deductible. 

2) Fostering a Rescue Dog or Puppy (or many dogs or puppies!):  The IRS is now subject to a June 2011 ruling that expenses related to fostering or rescuing stray or abandoned animals are deductible IF you are working with a registered Non-Profit with 501 (c) 3 status.  It is important to keep good records of all of the expenses related to rescue in order to itemize your deduction and as back up in case of an audit.  If you are working to further the mission of a registered non-profit and are not reimbursed, you can deduct the cost of the following items related to foster and rescue:
- food
- vaccines
- bedding and towels
- crates or other housing (dog house, kennel, etc.)
- cleaning supplies used for the foster or rescue animal (think: Bitter Apple spray or cleaners specifically for urine)
- veterinary bills
- Note that you can NOT deduct the cost of your time as volunteer work (time-wise) is not a deductible expense. 

Non-Deductible Expenses

1) Dog tags or licenses: You can not take a deduction for any dog tag or license that you are required to purchase by your city, county or state.

2) Cost of Adoption: The base cost of adoption is not a deductible expense even if you adopt from a registered non-profit with 501 (c) 3 status.  However, if you donate above the adoption cost, then you can deduct that amount. 

3) Veterinary Expenses for a Pet or Companion Animal: I know it can be expensive, but it is a cost you just have to eat because the IRS only allows deductions for medical costs for humans.  The exceptions are above (i.e., guide dog, guard dog, working dog).

I am not a tax professional or a CPA, so please consult with your tax preparer or CPA before claiming any of the above deductions.  Gemma Torcivia signing off, and by the way: spay and neuter your pets!