Christmas Ideas from Wildlife Warriors

Visit www.wildlifewarriors.org.au for more information !

Crikey! Christmas is nearly upon us and what a year it has been. We have been very busy saving wildlife and wild places around the world and would like to thank each and everyone of you for your contribution to our conservation efforts. Without you, none of it would have been possible.

To read more about what's happened this year, why not take a look at some of the fundraising and events that have taken place by clicking here or read some of the incredible stories about our Wildlife Warriors around the world by clicking here.

Wildlife Warriors also has your Christmas gift list sorted. Please support us by giving a gift that gives hope to our precious wildlife.

Christmas Ideas

• Purchase your special Wildlife Warrior Christmas cards that are sure to melt the hearts of your friends and family. Purchase singly or in packs of ten by visiting our online store by clicking here

• Why not give a Koala Crusader donation as a gift and your chosen recipient will receive a limited edition keyring and a certificate, all in aid of funding vital research into koala diseases. To find out moreclick here

• Visit Karma Currency and choose from one of the various Wildlife Warrior gifts you can give to your loved one. All proceeds support our global wildlife conservation efforts

• Steve Irwin Day might be over but you can still help our Joey Ambassadors by giving them a christmas donation by clicking here

Thanks again for all your support throughout the year. It's been truly wonderful having you onboard with us and the team look forward to another successful year of wildlife conservation in 2010 with you.

Yours in conservation,

The Wildlife Warriors Crew

Visit www.wildlifewarriors.org.au for more information !

Training & Behaviour Workshop with Steve Courtney

Information Sheet (PDF)

I'm excited to attend the workshop! Whilst it is designed for actual dog owners than someone in my position (where I am dealing with a myriad of dogs). I am planning to attend with one or both dogs of a client of mine (with her permission). In the end, I don't have to attend with a dog though it would be beneficial.

I'm planning to bring along my camera + taking as much video as possible.

Naturally, I will blog about the experience and everything I learnt.

Stay tuned !

Worldwide Internet Puppy Scams

Please contact me asap if you are aware of someone

fraudulently using Gold Coast Pet Sitting name and/or logo.

From Dogmovers

… the world wide web .. i.e., the internet .. provides potential pet owners with a wide variety of information as well as the chance to purchase a pet and/or adopt a pet.

… we recently have been made aware of off-shore based companies purporting to be affiliated with various Pet transport businesses including our own as either agents, or partners.

Dogmovers is based on the Gold Coast in Australia, We have only one office in Australia and are not involved with international transport of pets of any kind. We transport pets only within the states of NSW & QLD in Australia and we only transport pets by Road. Never by Air.

We have no partners or affiliates anywhere. We do work closely with several local pet transport businesses however it is normal for us to contact all parties directly by phone to finalise any arrangements concerning bookings with us. We do not usually finalise any details via email.

Additionally in most cases payment for our services is made directly to our driver at the point where he picks up or drops off your pet, In the event that a client chooses to pay via credit card or internet Banking the details are relayed directly from us by phone. We do not hold bank accounts outside of Australia.

At this point we are aware of instances of our name and logo being used in relation to scams in North America as well as the names ANIMAL MOVERS CO LTD & Animal movers pet carriers & Air animal pet movers being used in Australia. In all of the instances we are aware of the pets concerned were British bulldog pups, being given away. All monies requested were for transport or vet services prior to travel.

… the common business profile of the off-shore based company is to have you transfer several hundred dollars to their off-shore locations …. Once they “set the hook” into you with your initial deposit .. .. they come back with a sense of urgency …. indicating there are additional funds required to have veterinarians conduct “tests” before the pet is released to you … and then request generally an additional USD$150.00 …. As you review their e mails to you …always with a sense of urgency directed towards you .. the unsuspecting consumer … you will observe frequent errors in spelling and significant errors in sentence structure.

… another identifier of the off-shore based company is their reluctance to provide you with flight details, airline schedules, and air cargo air way bill tracking numbers … the off-shore based company will only provide you with information after you have wired them additional funds.

If you have any doubts check out the companies website. If they are using the name Dogmovers and after reading the above you are still not sure, call us on (07) 5530 2710 and don't pay the money.

The following is a copy from an email distributed recently which i believe is linked to the current scam (we received this twice)...

Hi,

I am looking to place a litter of 5 adorable bulldog puppies and also the parents, they belong to my late mother in law who I was really close to and she passed away unexpectedly, she is so much in love with the bulldog breed, that she breeds only once a year for the love of the breed. My husband and I recently moved to a new apartment where pets are not allowed. I want to find these lovely puppies and the adults a permanent loving and caring homes, if you are interested in having them, please contact me immediately.

Have a nice day.

Jessica

If you wish to report a scam you can contact the following Queensland links or locate similar organisations in your own state.

Queensland Police Computer Crime Investigation Unit

External email - cciu@bigpond.com.au
Telephone - 61 7 3364 6943 or 61 7 3364 4113
Facsimile - 61 7 3364 6549

Brisbane Office of Fair Trading
Email: BrisbaneOFT@dtftwid.qld.gov.au
Level 21, State Law Building, 50 Ann Street, Brisbane
GPO Box 3111, Brisbane, QLD, 4001
Facsimile: (07) 3246 1589

Nationally, Scamwatch is part of the ACCC

http://www.scamwatch.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/694011

If you have any other info that you think I should ad to the above let me know. I can be contacted by email at info@dogmovers.com.au

David Gallagher,

Dogmovers { SOURCE }

Recommended Pet First-Aid Kit

SOURCE

(Download as PDF)

This is for a basic pet first-aid kit. For convenience, you may want to make one for your home and another for your car. It is also a suitable Disaster Preparedness kit.

• Sterile gauze pads (77mm x 77mm and 51mm x 51mm) and gauze bandage rolls (26mm and 51mm)
• First-aid adhesive tape, 26mm roll
• Cotton swabs (Q-tips®)
• Tweezers
• Scissors
• Plastic freezer/sandwich bags
• Small bottle of 3% hydrogen peroxide
• Styptic pencil or cornstarch (stems blood flow from minor cuts)
• Antibacterial ointment
• Antiseptic cleansing wipes
• Kaopectate® or Pepto-Bismol®
• A current pet first-aid book
• Eyewash
• Eyedropper
• Mineral oil (a lubricant and laxative when given by mouth)
• Digital or rectal thermometer in a plastic case
• Leather work gloves (to protect you from being bitten)
• Latex gloves
• Leash
• Thin rope
• Splint materials (tongue depressor, 305mm wooden ruler or thick magazine)

Place the contents in a plastic storage box, tackle box or coffee can with lid.

In a future blog, I will be visiting Pet Supplies Direct at Harbour Town Shopping Centre to source prices of all of the above as unfortunately they do not have pet first aid kits able to be bought already "put together".

If you would like to purchase a full 44 piece First Aid Kit (great for cats and/or dogs), please contact me for further information.

With the Christmas holiday season upon us, this would be a great time to update your supplies !

What are the advantages of having a house sitter rather than leaving my house empty?

Leaving your property empty for any length of time is tantamount to asking for trouble. A vacant house is far more likely to be vandalized and burgled.

It may seem easier to lock your house up and simply walk (or drive) away rather than go through the process of finding a house sitter but your home is probably your most valuable asset and as such, deserves the protection that a house sitter can offer.

Gold Coast Pet Sitting's Day Stay, Overnight + House Sitting Service

Your house sitter is working for you
It is a house sitter's job to ensure that the needs of your animals and property are met in all the ways that you specify. The relationship between home owner and house sitter is most often a mutually agreeable and productive one with good lines of communication established early on. Your house sitter will expect to be asked to perform a whole range of tasks to maintain your land and house in the same condition as when you left it. When negotiating the terms of the house sitting assignment, your house sitter will also agree to care for your pets to maintain their good health and happiness.

Your pets will thank you for it
The single most compelling reason for engaging the services of a live-in house sitter rather than letting your house fend for itself (and your pets pine for you from their cages) is the enormous cost of outside care for your animals. Animal psychologists and vets agree that boarding your animals for any length of time can place a huge strain on their physical and emotional health. Even taking your pets on holiday with you can be a far less pleasant experience for them than it is for you (think of cargo holds, vaccinations and sedatives, time spent in quarantine, time spent in a travel container, motion sickness, unfamiliar surroundings, hostile strange animals, unfamiliar food, heatstroke, having to sleep outside - the list goes on). A house sitter can go a long way toward meeting your pet's needs, providing companionship and love as well as keeping them fed, exercised, safe and healthy. If your animals are used to sleeping with you, you can even ask your house sitter if they would mind letting Fluffy in bed for a cuddle.

Keeping your life 'connected' while you're away
One of the less obvious benefits of having a house sitter is that they can keep your life back home 'connected' while you're away. By answering your door to any visitors and (if needed) forwarding your mail and messages to you, your house sitter provides the link between your old (usual) life and the life you're living while away. You can ask your house sitter to stay in regular contact with you to keep to you informed of any issues that may affect your animals or property. Of course, if you'd rather not know what's going on back home you can nominate someone else to be a contact person for your house sitter.

Insurance
Don't think that your insurance company will take up the slack and provide a safety net for your poor neglected home and its contents while you're away. It won't. Every home and contents policy contains a 'vacancy clause' which kicks in after your home has been empty for 30 (or sometimes 60) days and nullifies all of your cover. It is possible to buy cover for an empty house but the cost of the premium rapidly rises the longer your house is empty and quickly becomes sky-high.

Repairs and maintenance
Your house sitter is always on hand to organise repairs in the event of a minor or major emergency in your home during your absence. If there's a power outage you won't be smelling the contents of your freezer two blocks before you arrive home. A house sitter can keep the frog spawn and algae out of your pool and arrange to have a broken roof tile replaced before the situation deteriorates so far that you've got a damp wall and soggy ceiling to replace upon your return. One broken window can make your house enormously attractive to those who would take pleasure from breaking the rest, but not if your house sitter is on the job and quickly arranges for a replacement.

You won't have to prepare your house for vacancy
The amount of work required to prepare your home for your absence can be a daunting prospect. Concerns about how to find your sump pump and exterior hose bibs, how to properly seal drains and keep the ants out of your dishwasher while you're away are voiced on bulletin boards by anxious home owners the world over. If you don't want to have to drain or seal anything or install random-light-switch machines into your living spaces then consider engaging the services of a nice human being to keep your property humming along in its usual smooth way while you're away.

'Keeping an eye out' is never enough
Many home owners rely on neighbours, friends or relatives to 'keep an eye out' for them or 'pop in' to their empty property. Unfortunately this kind of piecemeal solution never quite works out as the power outage defrosts your freezer (unnoticed by Aunty Dot) and your lonely dog howls all day and night (annoying the neighbour but not enough to do anything about it). And without a resident house sitter happily going about their business in your house, the un-mown lawn and collection of rain-soaked junk mail is only going to encourage the wrong kind of visitor to your home. You have been warned.

As a professional house sitter, I also have references and a current police check available for inspection if required.

Gold Coast In Home Pet Sitting/Minding | Dog Walking Adventures | House Sitting Service

How Much Exercise Does My Dog Need?

Not all dogs require the same amount of exercise. In considering this question, we also must expand our “human” concept of exercise. Dog exercise comes in a variety of forms not regularly practiced by people.

Gold Coast Dog Walking and Doggie Day Out Adventures

Exercise needs have very little to do with size. Instead the breed of your dog tends to count the most. For example Jack Russell Terriers and Shelties often begin to misbehave when given too few dog exercise opportunities. On the other hand, a mastiff, and many other large dogs may be happy with a couple of daily walks in the park or a 15 minute game of catch the ball.

Little dogs quite frequently require more exercise than larger dogs. Many exercise needs for small dogs can be satisfied in an apartment or back yard. If the small dog has adequate toys, or a dog or cat companion, the dog can generally meet all its exercise needs. However, don’t miss walking the dog on a daily basis too; a walk proves healthy exercise for both the dog and its owner.

Mid-size breeds also vary in their need for exercise. Expect dogs that are natural hunters or herders to require more exercise. Beagles, hounds, border collies, Alaskan sled dogs, and Australian shepherds are naturally going to be restless if cooped up. They need time to run around, catch things, chase things, and to walk or jog.

Many of the working dogs benefit from having another dog companion. They also will benefit from visits to dog parks. A thirty minute to one hour visit to a dog park each day frequently gives the dog as much exercise as he needs because playing with other dogs requires exertion. Also expect to walk or jog with these dogs daily.

Some dogs also require mental exercise. Dogs, like people, can get bored. Certain dogs get bored enough to engage in undesirable behaviors like destroying potted plants or eating your shoes and furniture. New toys that require some work to get reward are fantastic for dogs that need a mental challenge. Also, daily interaction with your dog will help satisfy some mental exercise needs.

Since many dogs are mixed breeds, it may be hard to know what type of exercise requirements a dog has. Once you get a mixed breed dog observe its behavior. If the dog enjoys basking in the sun most of the day, it probably does not need as much exercise. Conversely, if the dog appears restless and wanders around the house or yard relentlessly, its needs may be better met by more exercise. Also, older dogs tend to have less daily exercise needs than do younger dogs.

As with people, be wary of providing too much exercise in hot temperatures. During hot months, allow your dog to take breaks and bring along water. Also choose exercise periods from the coolest parts of the day, like right before sunrise or right after sunset.

Written by Tricia Ellis-Christensen

Potty Training a New Puppy

Written by: Sheena Diane

You just got a puppy and you are so excited, but now what? If you start training your puppy from the moment it comes home, then you can bypass a lot of bad behaviors. I feel the main problem dog owners face is when the puppy gets in the habit of going in the house. Once the habit is started, it makes house breaking more difficult. It is important to not let your puppy get into that habit. Below are nine ways that you can potty train your puppy.

Consistency – It’s essential to take your puppy out routinely. Keep it on a schedule so it can learn to hold it until the next potty break. If you can stay consistent with your routine then that is the first step. Puppies younger than four months may need at least twelve or fourteen potty breaks a day. Make a schedule and stick to it. Best times are first thing in the morning, after you puppy gets up from a nap, about five minutes after eating or drinking, and anytime you see the puppy sniffing the floor.

Words – Once the puppy is outside doing its business, repeat the same words each time. For example you can say “Go Potty” or “Potty time”. Saying this every time will teach them what those words mean, so later you can say “Go Potty” and they will know it’s time to go. You must remember to use the same words each time so the puppy will not get confused.

Play time – Remember that potty time is not play time, so once the puppy goes potty; you must bring it back inside right away. There is a time to play, and during bathroom breaks is not it. The puppy needs to learn the purpose of going outside, and that is to use the bathroom only.

Crate training – Everyone has a different opinion on crate training. However I have found that crate training has worked the best. Crates create a safe haven for dogs, and it taps into the natural instincts of keeping its den clean. Dogs do not like using the bathroom in there crate, so this is why crate training has proved to work. A crate is also seen as a safe, comforting place for your dog to come and relax. Once you take your dog outside, and it does not do its business, put it in the crate for thirty minutes, and try it again. Repeat until the puppy has gone potty outside.

Scents – Dogs rely on their scents of smell, so the best way to continue to have your dog go potty outside is by taking it to the same spot each time. Once it smells it’s urine from the last potty break, it will most likely go there again and again. This is why it’s so important to clean the accident areas in your house very good, or this could cause an issue with the puppy wanting to use the potty in the house instead of outside.

Make a schedule – First potty break should always be in the morning when the puppy wakes up. Having a new puppy is a round the clock reasonability and the puppy will need to learn your schedule. It is not reasonable to expect a puppy to hold its urine or feces until you get home from work, so you will have to work out a schedule that will work for you and your puppy both. Once you get a schedule that works, stick to it. Remember consistency is the key!

Signs – Learning what signs to look for, will help you know when your puppy needs to go out. Keep an eye on it at all times, and look for cues. Sniffing the carpet, circling, wiggling, or squatting are all sure signs that your puppy needs to be taken outside NOW!

Have patients – Every dog is different, just because your best friend potty trained her dog in a month, does not mean it will be the same for you. It could take you longer, or less time to house break your puppy. You cannot housebreak any dog over night, and you must be prepared to clean up some accidents. If you just stay persistent, then you can try to eliminate those accidents all together. Once your puppy does not have an accident in the house for one month, you can proudly say your pup is now potty trained.

Potty time – Once your puppy is potty trained, and learns to associate outside with potty, they will begin to show you when it’s time to go. Some dogs may stand by the door, waiting to be taken out. Others may bark at the door or leash. Some may even beg or whine. It’s your job to learn the signs that your dog needs to go out. Once you do, accidents should be few and far between.

REFERENCE: DOG FANCY MAGAZINE

Secrets To Dog Training

Know Your Pet's Health

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