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Take Your Dog or Pet To Work

Dogs have been going to work with their masters since the beginning of time.  The sheep herder, the farmer and the dairyman have been pictured with a dog by their side.  It is not surprise that we are reverting back to ancient times and making it possible to have our canine companion along side us in the workplace.  “A 2006 survey from The American Pet Product Manufacturers Association (APPMA) reports that nearly one in five American companies allows pets in the workplace. (Melissa Hincha-Ownby”) The following ten companies have a policy in place where their employees are allowed to bring their pet to work: (see http://www.freekibble.com/)

1. Ben & Jerry's 
2. Google 
3. Cliff Bar
4. Replacements, Ltd.
5. FrameSniper
6. P & G Pet Care
7. Autodesk
8. Build-A-Bear Workshop
9. Klutz
10. Wonderlane 

Why they have done this is simple.  It increases that almighty bottom line!  Employees are always wanting more benefits and having their pet at work is a plus that allows them to be happier in the workplace.  Employers have recognized and known for a long time that a happy employee is more productive and has a lower absenteeism rate.  Dogs in the workplace tend to increase morale and improve relationships between co-workers creating more trust.  What better way to begin a conversation than to pet your dog behind the ears and let others notice his happily wagging tail.  Not many people can resist the loving nature and the natural antics of a dog without making a comment.  The wet touch of a bulldogs nose on your fellow employees arm is also a conversation startle.

A study conducted by Central Michigan University revealed that dogs in the workplace can lead to more trust between co-workers and likewise that leads to more collaboration among team members.  

Heather's Canine Cooler® Dog Bed

Here's my Black Lab, Heather, enjoying a nice day on her Canine Cooler® Dog Bed.  Granted, it is on top of a picnic table on our patio, but hey, she began enjoying the extra sun it received during the winter, and now she enjoys the shade now that it is warming up.  I love these beds.  Whether you have a pet with arthritis, or other similar conditions, an aging pet, or just a happy healthy dog like Heather, I recommend one of these beds.  They are easy to use, use no electricity, are non-toxic, and will keep your pet cool during the warmer months to come.

Zinger Aluminum Dog Crates

When purchasing a crate for your dog, you want one that will last and that will hold up under rough and tumble circumstances. Zinger Deluxe Aluminum Dog Crates are lightweight and offer the strength of steel at one third the weight. These crates are built sturdy and will not crack or bend when exposed to the elements or stress. Zinger crates have been built to last a lifetime.

Whether you need a crate to accommodate a small dog or an extra large dog, we have a crate that will fulfill your need. Zinger crates come in small (Deluxe 3000), medium (Deluxe 400) or large (Deluxe 5000). They weight from 29 pounds to 49 pounds and can easily be handled by one person with little effort. A tough finish has been put on the crates as has been purposely manufactured this way so it will not rub off onto the coat of your dog.

One feature of this crate that I really like is the lockable slam latch. The doors are flush mounted and for added security can be keyed so they can be locked if you need to leave the area. This safety feature prevents someone from unlocking the crate and letting your dog loose or picking him up and walking off with him. The unique design of these crates allow for plenty of ventilation so there is no worry about him suffocating while enclosed.

When traveling with your dog by air you can rest assured that he will be safe and have plenty of space for air flow by installing “Airline Rails” to the crate. Because they are constructed of strong aluminum they will not bust or break during rough handling or the shifting of cargo loads during flight. Zinger crates have a modular design that allows them to be placed side by side or stacked one atop another. This feature is great when you have several animals to care for. They work well in dog shelters, kennels and zoo’s where many animals are kept in a designated area.

Have a stubborn dog that can escape from just about any crate?  No need to worry.  The Zinger Professional Dog Crates are even stronger.  With a reinforced door and more extras than the Deluxe model, they are designed for the craftiest of dogs. 

In the few months that I have carried Zinger products, they have become my top seller.  That alone speaks for itself.  Yes, they cost more, but they are definitely worth it!

Dog Crate Training Starts When You Get Your Pet

Our hearts are touched by a small, soft, cuddly ball of fur, and we want to take him home. When we hold a small puppy, our emotions run high and we don’t stop to think about all the work and expense that is involved in taking the proper care of him into adulthood. For some unknown reason; we cannot see beyond the cute antics and the love that we feel for him when we press him up to our cheek. We have the mental picture in our mind that he will be easy to train and will walk beside us on leash without any effort on our part. Boy, are we in for a surprise!

It takes lots of effort on our part to obtain a well-behaved pet. Crate training needs to begin immediately, and it doesn’t matter if it is a puppy or an adult dog that you have chosen. Dog crate training starts the moment you pick him up and head home with him. Purchase the crate in advance and have it ready for immediate use.

Crate training is a place for you to confine your dog that will keep you in control and limit his boundaries to keep him out of trouble. Your pet needs to know his limits and boundaries from day one. You don’t want to wait to potty train him after he has decided that the living room rug will do just fine.

Dog crates are NOT places to put your dog to keep him locked up until you decided that you would like to once again enjoy some companionship. Dog crates are to be used to allow your pet his own private space and to keep you in control. We want our canine friend to be a companion and to enjoy spending time with him inside the house. They are most helpful in potty training your pet. Limiting their freedom in the house is one way to break bad habits. If he begs for food at the table, place him in the crate away from the dining area prior to your meal and release him after the dishes have been cleared from the table – this way there will be no food to smell and he will have nothing to beg for.

The idea behind using a crate to potty train your dog is to completely eliminate any bathroom accident in the home. A small puppy can squat and go in less than five seconds, so if you cannot have your eye on him at all times, let him rest in his crate. This is assuming that you have been watchful and taken him outside to his bathroom area at regular intervals. Small puppies as well as adult dogs will associate leaving the crate with being allowed to go outside to the bathroom area and will hold their urge to urinate until in the designated area. It will take some time on your part to learn effective crate training techniques, but for the enjoyment you will experience later on it will be well worth the effort. Your goal is to have a pet that you can leave in the house without worrying about an accidental urination on expensive furniture or carpet. Proper crate training your dog will give you many hours of pleasure and enjoyment free from the stress of wondering, “What will he do next?” You will be able to leave him and go about your daily chores or outside activities without the worry.