Learn
BUB is committed to collecting and writing articles and other resources dedicated to responsible dog ownership. Browse here and Learn!
Note: BUB is only responsible for content contained within BUB dog copyrighted publications. Views expressed here other than BUB endorsed do not reflect the exact views of BUB, nor does BUB take any responsibility for action taken on any suggestion that appears in this section.
Promoting Your Responsible Dog Ownership Day (RDOD)
One way to promote your RDOD to local area residents is to obtain a list of current dog owners from your county courthouse. Most counties require dog licences and they keep records of everyone who has registered for a license. In Montgomery County, PA, we were able to obtain a list on cd broken down by zip code for the current year. The cost was approximately $200.00. We understand that some courthouses may provide a hardcopy of the list as a courtesy, but that would mean typing in addresses. More manual labor!
After getting the list, we arranged for a postcard to be sent to all recipients on the list. A sample of the postcard can be viewed below. For printing the postcards in color, we highly recommend Vistaprint.com the quality is amazing and the price is always right. Of course, you can always purchase postcard material from a local office supply store, or cut an 8 1/2 x 11 in fours. We found, however, that the price was agreeable when compared to man hours. Vistaprint.com will also address your postcards for you if you provide an electronic list.
Flyers on telephone poles in town generate a lot of buzz! Putting the flyer inside a plastic sleeve (the kind they sell at office supply stores) helps the flyer keep it's appeal. Color or flourescent colors are always better. Maybe your committee has access to a couple of color printers - this would be much more cost effective than going to a print shop. Below is a sample of a flyer.
Posters in local stores and gathering areas. We created our own posters to match our theme, but AKC provides generic posters that are very sharp, where all you need to do is put your date, time, and location in with marker. Post these at dog grooming places, dog supply stores, bulletin boards at supermarkets, the local WaWa or 7Eleven (or equivalent small food mart). There are many other places to hang your posters, just get the approval of the store owner first, and make sure it is a high traffic area.
Fun with your Bud
These websites allow you to post photos of your bud, write journals, look up products, browse other dogs in your area/breed, post photos, look up info on dog parks, and more...
Beyond Sit, Down, Stay
Sure, you went to puppy class with you bud, learned all of the basic commands.
Do you know there's more that you can do?
Similar to graduating to high school after middle school, there is a possibility for you to continue to bond with your dog and have great fun while showing others his skills.
Not competitive by nature?
Not to fear, most sanctioned Clubs offer classes in Rally Obedience (like regular obedience, but you can use more natural encouragement), agility, obedience, freestyle (dancing with your dog - seriously), and more. This stuff is great for the entire family. Many children learn confidence while working with their bud. To learn more, follow the links below.
Getting Started in Rally
http://www.akc.org/events/rally/getting_started.cfm
Getting Started in Agility
http://www.akc.org/pdfs/events/agility/Agility_Brochure.pdf
Getting Started in Tracking
http://www.akc.org/events/tracking/getting_started.cfm
Getting Started in Obedience
http://www.akc.org/events/obedience/getting_started.cfm
First Aid Tips for Pet Owners
from the American Veterinary Medical Association
Includes first aid supplies, how to handle an injured pet, basic first aid procedures, first aid when traveling with your pet, and pets and disasters. This page also comes with other valuable links. Visit the tips page >
Nutrition Links
http://longliveyourdog.com/
Sometimes it can be hard to get a dog to eat his complete and balanced food. This can be a problem, especially if it means your dog is not getting enough nutrition or is getting the wrong nutrition from somewhere else. Read more about Finicky Eaters >
www.MonicaSegal.com
Breed-specific diet information from a well-respected professional. The focus is on raw and cooked, home-prepared diets. They also do laboratory testing and provide results on their site.
Quick list of grainless foods:
Innova Evo (poultry or red meat varieties)
www.naturapet.com/brands/evo.asp
Origen (poultry or fish varieties)
www.championpetfoods.com/orijen/products/
Natures Variety Instinct (chicken, rabbit, and turkey/duck)
www.naturesvariety.com/instinct_dog
Taste of the Wild (bison/venison, fish, duck/chicken)
www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/products/
Merrick Pet Foods - Before Grain varieties (salmon, chicken, or buffalo)
www.merrickpetcare.com/store/bg_canned_dog_food_132.php
Responsible Dog Ownership Day
Responsible Dog Ownership Day is a fantastic program created by the American Kennel Club. Basically put, the AKC encourages all dog and pet-relatd organizations to join the AKC in September to commemorate AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day by holding a community event that publicly promotes responsible dog ownership. This event can be held anytime during the month of September.
BUB proudly supports RDOD, and has been privileged to be a part of this Day in a planning capacity as well as participants. We've gathered the following links to encourage Clubs and organizations to get on the bandwagon and host a day of their own this September. Please join us by reading the following articles and tidbits and leaving comments of your own.
This is the page where you can create your account and gain access to all the prep and planning materials the AKC has to offer. http://www.akc.org/clubs/rdod/
The AKC page provides some suggestions to help commemorate AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Day:
- ID clinic - Hold an AKC/CAR microchip clinic
- Rescue information booth
- Health clinic/health screen testing/First Aid for Dogs
- Meet the breeds/Find the right dog for you
- Obedience /Agility / Rally/ Performance demonstrations
- Therapy/ SAR Dog or Police K9 Unit demonstrations
- "AKC Safety around Dogs" for kids presentations (in-school or for childrens' groups)
- A kids contest with awards for best drawings, photos, or essays about dogs
- AKC Canine Good Citizen test (requires additional kit purchase)
- Seek sponsorships or donated items from local businesses to be raffled or for contest prizes
- Raise money to donate/dedicate needed items to local dog park/runs (pooper scoopers, bulletin boards, water fountains, etc.)
- Fundraising events for AKC Canine Health Foundation
- Write a letter to the editor of your local newspapers
- Obtain a proclamation from your Governor, or Mayor, etc.
Remedies for Insect Stings and Bites, Hot Spots and other Skin Conditions
by Robin Tierney
Contents include; insect stings and bites, remedies for various skin ailments, immunity, dietary apporaches for healthy skin, and related webpages.
A Summer Hazard: Heatstroke in Dogs
This article offers good advice, including ten rules for dogs in hot weather. read more >
Summer Care for Canines
Did you know that a common cause of sunburn for dogs is the sun reflecting up from the sidewalk to a dogs underbelly?
Protect Your Pets From Sunburn
Ah, the sunny days of summer are here--time for dogs to take long walks and play Frisbee at the park or beach and for cats to sunbathe on the windowsill. Before stepping out to enjoy the summer weather, you should protect your pet as well as yourself from the harmful effects of too much sun.
Sunlight is healthy for pets as it is for people; sunlight helps the skin produce vitamin D, which protects the skin and helps balance the body's calcium levels and metabolism. However, too much of anything can be harmful, and too much ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause sunburn, or solar dermatitis, in cats and dogs.
According to Dr. Karen Campbell, veterinary dermatologist at the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana, sunburn starts as redness and hair loss on the ear tips, bridge of the nose, or abdomen and can lead to skin ulceration, infection, and carcinoma. Excessive sun exposure can also exacerbate existing skin problems. Read more >
Winter Care for Canines
General Concerns and Health Tips from the American Kennel Club
Winter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Keep the following precautions in mind:
Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors. Read more >
