YOU SAVED MY DOG’S LIFE
That is what the woman said to me as we were on the padded therapy tables on Tuesday at Nova Care. (I am still going because of my knee replacement surgery at the end of December.) I do not recall her name, but she proceeded to tell me the story of her rescue Miniature Pincher. Apparently, the dog was a nuisance barker which is a dog that literally does not shut up. You may have a similar situation in your neighborhood or in your own home. It is (actually) against the law to allow a dog to continuously bark. It is like Chinese water torture. I had a neighbor who would put her dog outside and he would plea-bark to be let back in the house and she would just ignore him. I work many hours (as in writing these articles) in my home office, and my windows allowed for the penetration of his vocal complaining to the point that I had to go to see her and explain why she needed to bring him in the house if she were home, and certainly not to leave the property with him barking non-stop outside. “How come no one else complains?” she asked with annoyance. Perhaps, I responded, because their house is presently vacant, as in the owner died, they are away working for the day, or their house if too far away to find it annoying. I, on the other hand, am working in my office in my house and I don’t want to have to listen to his sad yapping. I finally had to call animal control to talk to her.
The woman in therapy had rescued this min pin and the barking was something with which they had not had to contend with before, having had another min pin. The family were at their wits end when she asked me for help. I don’t recollect the situation as it was some time ago, but her gratitude was as if I had helped her recently. She told me that I had suggested that she use a product we sell called Pet Corrector. This product and another one called Stop That, releases a loud burst of air which startles and sometimes scares the pet, and stops the bad behavior. Pet Corrector comes in two sizes and controls BARKING, JUMPING, STEALING, AND POOR HOUSE MANNERS. Stop That! comes in one size (small) and there is a can for cats (for SCRATCHING, MEOWING, AND AGGRESSION) and for dogs (for JUMPING, BARKING, AGGRESSION, AND PULLING ON THE LEASH.) She told me it worked perfectly, and they were able to keep the dog.
“Funny that you should be talking about Pet Corrector,” I replied, “because I had brought home a can to use on Ebby.” Originally it was to curb her jumping on my legs. Then I used it to distract her from the cats. And most recently, I thought I would try it to see if she would obey me when I call her to come back in the house, especially if she is barking or it is time for bed. I tried it once at full blast, and then one or two time more gently, and now she obeys immediately 90 percent of the time. But I have not ever thought to try it when she acts aggressive as when I want to put on her harness for a car ride. I only managed to get a jacket on her once and now let her go naked (her winter hair gives some protection.) If you have kept up with my articles, you would know that I am a firm proponent of putting coats on house dogs to protect them from the elements. However, with Ebby, I would rather not get bitten.
General Comments follow:
Come see our shelter cats. We have some lovely adoptable ones to keep you or your lonely cat company. Or just come to pet them.
Pet Dental Month was February. I did not write anything. I have a great tip (Reader’s Digest?) for pet parents. After you floss, before you brush, swish water in your mouth until you don’t see any particles in the sink. This will save your teeth from the harmful abrasion of those particles when you brush.
