Pets Best Blog

By: Steve Anderson, Editor
Health Insurance Resource Center
For Pets Best Insurance

Americans love their pets in a big way, but is it possible they love their pets even more than themselves? It appears true in many cases and oddly enough, it can have a tragic outcome for pets.

In 2011, pet owners were projected to spend more than $50 billion on their pets, according to the American Pet Products Association’s annual review. Pet owners are buying everything from pet toys and food to veterinary care pet health insurance.

But for as much as human companions do to care for their pets, they often neglect to care adequately for themselves – and that can end up dramatically affecting a pet’s future.

Each month, the Washington Humane Society in the nation’s capital sees a dozen or so pets relinquished to its open-access shelter by their owners or the owners’ families. The pets are usually healthy, but the owners were not.

“The majority of animals that come to us are in excellent condition. They’ve obviously had happy lives and have been well cared for,” says Stephanie Shain, COO of the Washington, DC, Humane Society. “So [the pet relinquishment] has nothing to do with the animal’s health, but instead with the health of the owner,” Shain said.

It’s heartbreaking, Shain says. “We’ll see an owner go into the hospital and there’s no plan in place for the pet.” Often, if the owner is unable to make provisions for his or her pet, family members will resort to dropping off the pet at the shelter.

Having to relinquish a pet to the Humane Society or animal control agency is not only heartbreaking; it’s often deadly. A recent study by the National Council on Pet Populations Study & Policy showed that 57 percent of dogs and 71 percent of cats relinquished to surveyed shelters were not adopted – and ultimately euthanized.

So even the most caring of pet owners need to take better care of themselves to ensure their pets’ survival, says Charles Smith-Dewey, founder of the Health Insurance Resource Center and the owner of two dogs and a pair of cats.

“It’s great that the number of pet owners purchasing pet policies is on the rise,” says Smith-Dewey, “it’s our duty as pet owners to do everything to ensure that our pets are well cared for. And we, as the people who love them most, need to ensure our own health.”

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That includes not only staying physically fit and avoiding unhealthy behaviors, but maintaining some level of health insurance coverage. “A health insurance policy doesn’t have to be expensive,” says Smith-Dewey, “but it has to be sufficient to minimize a hospital stay and stave off catastrophic medical costs that could leave a pet neglected … or worse.”

Fortunately, even for those who don’t have coverage through an employer, finding a policy that covers big-ticket medical expenses is not impossible. In fact, it’s now faster and more convenient than ever to find an affordable plan by seeking an online health insurance quote from a reputable site.

“Definitely insure your pets,” says Smith-Dewey, “but at the same time, do everything you can to ensure that you’ll be there for them as long as possible.”

For more information about how to get pet insurance for your best friend, visit Pets Best Insurance.

By: Chryssa Rich
For Pets Best Insurance

For many dog owners, dog parks are a necessary part of life. They’re a great way to let your dog burn energy, socialize and get a change of scenery. But what happens when your favorite park starts to go south? We recently asked pet insurance enthusiasts to share their biggest dog park pet peeves on the Pets Best Insurance Facebook page. Read and take heed, so you can avoid being “that guy”, so to speak.

1. Follow Park Rules
Most parks have posted rules that cover the basics – no smoking, clean up after your dog, use a leash when coming and going, etc. But some have additional requirements that your dog be current on vaccinations or even spayed or neutered. Respect these rules for the comfort of all dog owners, and to prevent yourself and your pup from getting the boot.

Oh, and clean up after your dog! It was the #1 complaint we heard from fellow dog owners. Many parks even provide plastic bag dispensers for your convenience.

2. Check Park Safety
When you first arrive, make sure the fences are fully intact so your dog can’t leave the premises. If there are playground or agility toys, make sure they’re not too hot in the summer, or covered with ice in the winter. Check any community Frisbees or tennis balls to ensure they’re not breaking into pieces that could get lodged in a dog’s throat. Because accidents can happen no matter what, it’s always a good idea to have dog insurance for your four-legged friend.

3. Know What’s Fair Play
Normal play between dogs of all sizes includes parallel running, pouncing, chasing, nipping, tug-of-war and even light growling. Unless one dog is yelping or trying to escape or hide, there’s generally no reason for concern and no need to scold another dog or pet owner.

If a situation does escalate, use a leash to remove your dog and ask the other dog’s owner to do the same. NEVER pick up a dog that’s agitated or in a fight, no matter how small he or she might be.

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4. Expect from Your Dog What You Expect from Others
Snarling, aggressive growling, lunging and biting are inappropriate behaviors, whether your dog is a 3-pound Chihuahua or a 70-pound Rottie. If your dog exhibits these behaviors, remove him or her from the park (on-leash) and opt for a less stimulating setting.

5. Be in the Moment
When the dog is occupied and there’s a nice shady bench nearby, it can be tempting to reach for your smartphone to answer emails and check your Facebook page. But distracted pet owners are a big no-no in dog parks. You need to be alert in case your dog tries to escape, harasses another dog, or makes a mess that requires attention. Besides, disconnecting for a few minutes can make the experience a relaxing break for you as well.

Check back next week for Dog Part Etiquette Part II – our Facebook friends were full of advice!

For more information about pet health insurance and pet health, visit Pets Best Insurance.

By: Dr. Fiona Caldwell
Veterinarian at Idaho Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

Dogs and cats are increasingly becoming part of the family, and are being treated as such. Dogs are no longer just outside animals, and are now sharing the bed and the couch with us. About two thirds of US homes have a dog or a cat, and the majority of people seem to agree that their animals are members of the family. However, despite the increase in the roles pets are playing in our family lives, there has been a disturbing negative trend in pet health. Veterinarians are reporting in the past several years fewer pets are coming into veterinary clinics and preventable disease seem to be on the rise.

There seem to be several reasons veterinary visits are declining in the US:

1. The economic impact of the recession and the cost of veterinary care
Money is tighter for a lot of families and the cost of veterinary medicine is on the rise. Most people have health insurance for themselves but may not have considered their pets ought to have pet health insurance too. It is well documented that people with dog and cat insurance tend to visit the vet’s office more frequently, and sooner when a problem occurs. This is likely due to the fact that the cost associated with veterinary care is defrayed with pet health insurance. Most veterinarians agree that pet health insurance is extremely beneficial to the owners, and subsequently the patients benefit as well.

2. Fragmentation of veterinary services
Low cost vaccine clinics and spay/neutering clinics have their place in the community, but they are not substitutes for a routine wellness exam. Vaccinations clinics are just that, only for vaccines. Most of the time the doctor at the low-cost clinic is not able to take the time to fully examine the insides of the ears, palpate the abdomen, or carefully auscultate the heart to screen for other problems. The doctor will often not have the time to ask and answer important pet health questions, such as changes in water consumption or limping, which can indicate an underlying problem.

3. Consumers substituting internet research for office visits and the perception that regular medical check-ups are unnecessary
A recent study by Bayer showed 15 percent of owners said that by using the Internet, they believe they have less need to visit veterinarians. While it is true some websites are credible sources of background information, an alarming number of pet owners take online blogs written by non-experts as infallible.

A wellness exam is an important time for a veterinarian to examine all parts of your pet so that disease, such as obesity, periodontal disease and even diabetes can be prevented. Animals can be skillful at disguising their illness, and veterinarians are trained to recognize early signs of some preventable or manageable diseases. An ounce of prevention really is worth a pound of cure in veterinary medicine, which can be expensive. As we take on the responsibility of adding pets into the family, we take on the responsibility of keeping them healthy as well.

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Most manufacturers of vaccines have altered the vaccination recommendations, and veterinarians have adopted these new regulations, which tend to require fewer vaccines and more years in between vaccines. This may equate to less vet visits, but vaccines are only a very small part of keeping your pet healthy. A regular yearly wellness exam is crucial to maintaining health, even if vaccines aren’t due, and even if the pet is primarily indoors.

4. Pet resistance, especially cats
Veterinarians understand it is hard to get your pets into our offices. Especially cats, which tend to vocalize, hide, and become aggressive or scared. It is thought that this may contribute to the falling numbers of vet visits, especially in cats. If you have issues getting your cat to the vet, you might consider a house-call veterinarian who will come to the house to perform wellness exams there. There are products, such as Feli-way, a pheromone spray that can also help calm cats and dogs for stressful trips to the vet.

By taking in a pet as a member of your family, you are making a commitment to a lifetime responsibility for their care. They are completely dependent on us and offer so much in return. Always follow your veterinarian’s recommendations for frequency of visits and consider pet health insurance as a way to help in case of an emergency or unforeseen illness.

By: Dr. Jane Matheys
Associate Veterinarian
The Cat Doctor Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

Contrary to its name, the pet health condition known as ringworm is not actually caused by a worm at all, but by a fungus that can infect the hair, skin or nails. It is the most common contagious skin infection in cats. Also known as dermatophytosis, ringworm often spreads to other pets in the household, and can spread to humans too.

Cats may become infected with ringworm either by direct contact with fungal spores of an infected animal, or by exposure to a contaminated environment or contaminated objects such as grooming tools, clippers or bedding. Ringworm spores are notoriously hardy and can survive in the environment up to 2 years. Ringworm seems to be more common in young cats less than a year old, and in long-haired cats, particularly Persians.

Ringworm lesions are oftentimes very similar to other feline skin diseases like flea allergy dermatitis, inhalant allergies or even feline chin acne. Some loss of hair is usually involved, but the amount of inflammation, scaling and itchiness can be highly variable. It’s even possible for a cat to carry ringworm spores and not show any symptoms at all. Classic ringworm symptoms are discrete, roughly circular, scaly areas of hair loss, especially on the face, head, ears or paws.

Since some cats show few or no symptoms, a diagnosis of ringworm is rarely made just by looking at the skin. A veterinarian may use a specialized ultra violet light to help diagnose ringworm, or may examine a fungal culture taken from a cat’s hair or skin cells. Skin biopsy and microscopic exam are sometimes also performed. A fungal culture is the most reliable method.

Treatment of ringworm depends upon the severity of the infection. Healthy, short-haired kittens and cats with small, isolated lesions are often treated with topical therapy only. Topical therapy plays a vey important role in reducing environmental contamination. The recommended topical treatment is lime sulfur dips. These dips have a bad odor and can temporarily turn the coat a yellowish color, but they are extremely effective and should be used as directed by your veterinarian.

In more severe cases, a combination of oral and topical treatments is generally used. Several oral antifungal agents are available. Itraconazole had been the antifungal of choice, but recently more veterinary dermatologists are using fluconazole instead. It is available as a generic and is, therefore, considerably less expensive. It is also excreted from the body via the kidneys so it has far less side effects on the liver.

Treatment should be continued until all of the affected animals have recovered and are negative on fungal cultures. In most cases cats will need treatment for a minimum of 6 weeks and in some cases much longer. Minimizing exposure to other cats or dogs and to your family members during this period is recommended.

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Decontamination of the environment is essential to help eliminate and control fungal spores. Confine animals with this pet health condition to one room of the house if possible to avoid spreading spores. Use bleach mixed at 1:10 dilution on any surface you can. Vacuum the entire house thoroughly and dispose of vacuum bags which will contain spores. Wash all bedding, brushes and collars. Change the furnace filters as spores can become airborne. Repeat this cleaning process weekly.

Always be aware that ringworm can be spread between cats and people. Direct contact with affected cats should be minimized. Persons should wear gloves when handling affected animals and wash hands well afterwards. Ringworm lesions on human skin often have the characteristic red “ring”. If any skin lesions develop the family doctor should be consulted. Fortunately, ringworm in humans usually responds well to topical treatment.

For more information about pet health or to learn more about pet health insurance, visit Pets Best Insurance.

By: Chryssa Rich
For Pets Best Insurance

Even though I work in the pet insurance industry, on occasion, I still forget one of my pet’s birthdays. And boy, do I feel guilty about it! Not that they know any different, but it makes me happy to show up after work with a new bed or special treat.

If you want a sure-fire way to remember your pet’s birthday, plan a birthday party! Pet parties have grown in popularity over the years, so you won’t get nearly as many funny looks today as you would have in the 80s.

Let’s be honest – parties are for the dogs. Inviting cats will only result in the fur flying, so this pet insurance blog goes over the basics of throwing a doggie birthday party.

Step 1: Make the guest list
This is one time you definitely want an A-list of guests. Invite only pooches you know to be good with other dogs and strangers. And consider the time of year. If you have a large yard for a July party, invite the neighborhood. If you have a small living room for a December party, trim the guest list to a best bud or two. And unless you want to dogsit and poop-scoop by yourself all afternoon, make sure the pet parents know they’re invited (expected) to stay for the fun.

Step 2: Safety counts
Doggy-proof all areas of your home. Don’t leave shoes, food or other temptations around, and make sure your fenced yard doesn’t have any loose or missing boards. Close doors to off-limit rooms, and if you have young children, make other arrangements for them during the party. Even if they’re used to being around dogs, not all dogs will know how to play with small children.

Step 3: Prep for playtime
Dogs don’t need much help playing! Have plenty of Frisbees and other fetch toys on hand so there’s no squabbling and everyone gets lots of turns. Keep large bowls of fresh water available for rehydration.

Step 4: Plan the menu
If you want to offer a doggy birthday cake, make sure it’s specifically made for dogs and comes from a reputable pet food bakery. Or, you may want to skip it considering how sensitive some dogs’ digestive systems can be. In that case, offer a little pouch of kibble or a simple treat or toy for each pup to take home. Treat your human guests to light hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

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Step 5: Know What to Skip
For many, our pets are our children and we want to treat them accordingly. But party goods like plastic favors and candles have no place at a dog’s party. The favors aren’t designed to withstand doggy chewing, and we’ve heard of pets singeing their whiskers (or swallowing lit candles altogether) when they get too close to decorated treats.

Step 6: Take Great Photos
Dog eyes can appear white, gray and even aqua in photos taken with a flash. Your computer’s red eye removal tool can’t help, since it’s only designed to remove red. To get great photos, turn your camera flash off and make sure there’s plenty of natural light in front of your pet. Then you can capture her beautiful face the way it looks in real life.

Step 7: Give a Gift
Top off your pup’s big day with dog insurance from the best pet insurance company, if he doesn’t already have it. While it can’t really be wrapped, you could always print “pet insurance” on a slip of paper and wrap it up with a rawhide or another treat – we’re sure he’ll tear right into it.

Have fun, and be sure to share your pet’s birthday pictures on our Facebook wall!

Thanks to Rayna for sharing this picture of her dogs, Sookie and Roxy, celebrating their first birthday!

By: Dr. Fiona Caldwell
Veterinarian at Idaho Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

January 14th is National Dress Up Your Pet day! This fun day is for animal lovers and pet insurance enthusiasts everywhere! This day allows pets and theit owners to have fun and show off their fashion sense! Of course, you will want to be sure to do this in a responsible way, as not every pet likes to be dressed up.

Since they can’t verbally express to you their humiliation, if your pet doesn’t seem to like wearing clothes, or if she hides or cowers, don’t force the cutesy clothing issue. If your pet is a little shy about showing off, try something a little more reserved, like a colorful bandana or fancy collar instead.

If you do choose to try a costume, here are some common sense rules to keep your pet safe and happy:

1. Avoid any costume with parts that can be ingested easily. Strings and ribbons pose a particular risk for causing potentially serious side effects if ingested.

2. Never leave the costume on your pet while unattended, or for long periods of time.

3. Use an outfit that has velcro enclosures so if need be, the outfit can be quickly removed.

4. Consider your pet’s comfort and body temperature. Anything tight or constricting will not be comfortable for long periods of time. Pets can also easily overheat if they become too warm in the clothing, especially indooors.

5. Keep the celebration fun by pairing outfits with praise, attention and treats!

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6. Seeing that January is one of the coldest months of the year, try using this day as an excuse to bundle your pet up before a long walk in the park or a hike.

Let’s admit it, there are some really cute ways to make your dog (or cat) catwalk ready, but just be sure everyone is having fun, not just the two legged ones!

For more information about pet health, behavior and dog or cat insurance, visit Pets Best Insurance.

By: Dr. Jane Matheys
Associate Veterinarian
The Cat Doctor Veterinary Hospital
For Pets Best Insurance

Now that we’re a few weeks into the new year, in addition to making some healthy resolutions for yourself, you should consider making some for your cats! Aside from investing in pet health insurance for your kitty, here are some other ways you can help keep your cats happy and healthy through 2012 and beyond.

1. Examination/Wellness Visit
The importance of a yearly physical examination and preventative care for your cat cannot be overemphasized. Semiannual exams, especially for older cats, are even better. This is analogous to recommending an examination every two to three years for an adult human. Sensible, right? Cats age much more quickly than people do, and changes in pet health status may occur rapidly. Cats are also very good at hiding signs of their illness until it has greatly progressed. More frequent evaluation allows earlier identification of illness, improved quality of life, and reduces long-term costs related to your cat’s healthcare.

2. Dental Care
Dental disease is very common in cats, although owners are often not aware of it until their cat’s breath smells so bad that they can’t ignore it any longer. Dental disease can be very painful, and can threaten your cat’s health and welfare. Tooth brushing is extremely valuable in cats, and is best started during kittenhood when cats are most receptive. Tooth brushing can be encouraged with older cats, too, using positive interactions, rewards and patience! In addition to tooth brushing, a variety of dental products for homecare are available, including diets, treats, and chews.

3. Nutrition and Weight Management
Obesity is on the rise in our pet cats along with diabetes. It is far better and easier to prevent weight gain than it is to get an overweight cat to lose weight. Each cat’s food intake and feeding regimen needs to be individualized to sustain proper body and muscle condition scores. Your veterinarian can give you guidelines to help your flabby tabby drops pounds.

4. Behavior and Environmental Enrichment
Appropriate resources should be available throughout your home: food, water, litterboxes, scratching posts, hiding places, and elevated resting spots. The more cats in the household, the more resources that are needed. This will help eliminate undesirable behaviors like urine marking. Environmental enrichment is especially important for indoor cats. Physical and mental stimulation is necessary to prevent stress and illness associated with boredom and inactivity. See The Indoor Pet Initiative at indoorpet.osu.edu/cats for additional information.

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5. Retrovirus Testing
Retroviruses include Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV). It is important to know the status of these two fatal immunosuppressive diseases in your cats. FIV is primarily spread through cat bites, so it is especially important to have your cat tested about 2 months after receiving a bite in a cat fight.

6. Parasite Control
All cats, including indoor cats, are at risk for both internal parasites(roundworms, hookworms, heartworm) and external parasites (fleas) and should receive preventatives against these. Check with your veterinarian as to which parasites are prevalent in your area.

7. Vaccination
Keep your cats updated on their vaccinations to prevent illness. Vaccinations are no longer given as frequently as they were in the past due to increased knowledge about their duration of immunity. However, even if your cat is not due for vaccinations in a particular year, it is still necessary that he/she receives a physical examination. The exam is the most important part of the veterinary visit! Some pet insurance companies even offer an additional wellness plan to help with the cost of routine care, like vaccinations.

8. Identification/Microchip
It is a sad fact that many of the pet cats that get lost each year never make it back home because they are not wearing any form of identification. A microchip is a permanent identification that is easily placed under your cat’s skin near the shoulder blades. In addition, have your cat wear a collar and tags with current identification and contact information.

9. Recognize Signs of Illness
Cats are masters at hiding their illnesses, and early signs of sickness, stress and pain can be subtle and difficult to detect. Watch for vomiting, bad breath, lethargic behavior, difficulty urinating, changes in grooming habits, or changes in food consumption.

10. Pet Insurance and Financial Planning
Pet ownership requires responsibility! Budget in the cost of your cat’s daily care, and consider purchasing cat insurance for even greater peace of mind. Companies like Pets Best Insurance reimburse a flat percentage of the actual vet bill!

For more information about cat health and cat insurance, visit Pets Best Insurance.

By: Liam Crowe
Bark Busters CEO
Guest Blogger
For Pets Best Insurance

If the weather outside is still frightful and chilly where you are, you might be looking for ways to keep your dog or cat entertained inside. For those days that you miss your morning walk or just don’t feel like going outside, the following indoor games will help work out your pet both mentally and physically, which is good for overall pet health. And just like training him, playing games with your dog enhances your bond and helps keep him focused on you.

Change these games to reward your dog in the way he is best motivated: praise, belly rubs, favorite toys, balls to fetch, or treats. To keep your dog from gaining weight from too many snacks, use some of his mealtime kibble for the games. Make sure each session is short and fun! It’s better to stop any game before your dog gets overly excited or bored.

Name that Toy
Get a group of your dog’s toys that are noticeably different (for example, a stuffed goose, rabbit and bear). Hold a toy up for your dog to sniff and see, get him excited, and toss it, saying “Where’s your bear?” When he comes back with it, give him lots of praise, then do the same with the rabbit, then with the goose, etc. Repeat over and over, and be consistent with the names you choose. Once he has mastered a few, spread out multiple toys and tell him which to get.

Find it!
Put your dog in a sit/stay position and show him a toy or treat. Put it on the floor where he can see it, and say “Find it!” Make the next prize a bit more difficult to find by placing it under a table or behind a chair. For a bigger challenge, set up a whole room of hidden rewards. Watch as your dog searches, and tap your foot and give an “Oh” or gasp to help him find the ones he’s missed.

Where’s the Treat?
Start with 3 or 4 plastic cups or old, cleaned out butter tubs. Show your dog a treat or a favorite small toy. Put your dog in a sit/stay or down/stay position about 10 feet away, and make sure he can see you as you place his reward under one of the makeshift buckets. Then say “Where’s the treat?” and encourage him to come smell the buckets. Praise him when he paws, sits beside, or barks next to the right bucket, and then lift it up so he can get to his prize! Make it harder for him by changing the order of the buckets after you place the reward, or pretending to put them under multiple buckets.

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Clean Up!
Teach your dog to clean up his toys after playtime. First, have your dog pick up a toy while you hold a box for the toys up to him. Tell him “drop it.” When he does, give him lots of praise. Repeat with the next toy. Once he starts to figure it out, put the toy box on the floor, guide your dog over to it, and repeat “drop it.” Be sure to use the same words each time for every command.

Work for your Dinner
Dogs use about the same amount of energy when they are challenged mentally as physically! Treat-rewarding puzzles, such as the Buster® Food Cube or the Wobbler by KONG®, make your dog work for his treats— you can even use kibble (instead of treats) and feed your dog his entire meal this way.

Remember that basic obedience is the foundation for having fun with your dog—games should be a fun and rewarding bonding experience, not a stressful time, for you and your dog.

For more information about pet health, behavior or pet insurance, visit Pets Best Insurance.

By: McKensee Shakespeare-Thomas
For Pets Best Insurance

Before I began working for a pet health insurance company, just over a year ago, my sister became one of the many unfortunate victims of the economy. Her husband lost his job and her child ended up with some very expensive medical issues; subsequently, they lost their home.

Although they were fortunate to find a family member to move in with, my sister was unable to take her two Shih Tzus to their new living situation.

Heartbroken, she posted them on Craigslist, hoping to find a new loving home. Shortly after, a “very nice” family came to visit the dogs and it seemed like a perfect fit. Feeling reassured by this familiy’s expressed commitment to the two dogs, my sister gave them away at no cost to the new owners.

Two weeks later as I was perusing Craigslist, I found a listing for two Shih Tzus with an asking price of $500. Upon further investigation, I realized the dogs were actually my sister’s and the “nice family” was actually making a profit by selling dogs they got for free. When I told her, my sister contacted the family and requested her dogs back so she could re-home them. They told her if she wanted them back, it would cost her $500.

Because the Nampa authorities wouldn’t intervene, my sister was unable to get them back and had no way of knowing what happened to her former dogs. Additionally, through outreach on Craigslist, we found out this was a habitual scam operated by the “nice family.” Eight other people contacted my sister indicating this very same family had done this to their pets as well– they were basically flipping the animals for cash.

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About two months later a stranger found the male Shih Tzu, Chester, in field emaciated and with multiple leg fractures. Thankfully they called the Humane Society. Because Chester had a microchip, my sister was contacted and ended up paying for the fracture repair and was able to re-homed him to an awesome family. But unfortunately, Bailey – the female was nowhere to be found, that is, until just recently (almost 12 months later!) Both animals were returned to my sister only because they had microchips.

Bailey is doing great, although sadly, my sister is still not in a position where she can keep her. But we’re just happy she’s safe and with a new family who loves her. I cannot reiterate the importance of having identification on your pets– whether it’s in the form of an ID tag or a microchip.

For more information of pet health and safety, or to learn more about pet insurance, visit Pets Best Insurance.

*Pets Best Insurance does not cover the cost of microchips.

By: Judy Luther
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
For Pets Best Insurance

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) has named January “National Train Your Dog” month. This is not only a great time to look into pet insurance for your best friend, but also to learn more about dog behavior and get started on a good positive training program for your pet. Trained pets are more enjoyable to live with and are a true asset to any family.

Training is a very important aspect of living with your dog. Like humans, dogs continually learn throughout their lives. Yes, even old dogs can learn new tricks, and need to have their minds challenged with learning new things. Older dogs love to learn new behaviors and learning keeps them healthy, by challenging them mentally and physically.

When you first bring home a puppy, even before you start researching pet health insurance, you will need to consider training. House training is one of the first things most people teach their dogs, but do you know a puppy can even learn basic behaviors such as, “come,” “sit” and “down” at a very young age? Puppies are little knowledge sponges that soak up information quickly– which is why you should start training as soon as possible. I have personally consulted with several breeders regarding how they train their puppies before they go to live with their new families. Breeders should get puppies started on crate training, house training and even behaviors like sit, down, come and learning their names as soon as possible.

The key to any good training program is to keep it fun and reinforcing for the dog. Make training a game and your dog so they will enjoy the training and learn faster. Don’t make training a chore, but rather a fun-filled, happy activity for you and your dog. Remember, through positive training programs, you will build a great relationship and a strong bond with your dog.

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The APDT has set up a special website www.trainyourdogmonth.com to help pet owners gain a better understanding of how to train their pets using training methods that are kind, gentle and force free. Throughout the month there are free webinars, and training discussions, to help with your training questions. In addition, many trainers offer specials during the month of January to celebrate National Train Your Dog Month.

So whether you decide to take a class, hire a trainer for private training instruction or just train your dog independently, National Train Your Dog Month, is a great time to get started.

For more information about dog health and behavior, or pet insurance, visit Pets Best Insurance.