First Coast Pet

Posts Tagged ‘pet steps’

While the thought of becoming a dog owner is a very exciting notion, it is also one that requires commitment and responsibility. Choosing a dog is an important decision, and there are questions you should ask yourself before you commit to caring for a dog. Read on to learn a few tips that will help you choose the best dog to compliment your family, as well as ways you can help your furry addition make a smooth settlement in your home.

You must bear in mind that when you take in a dog, you are taking upon yourself the responsibility of caring for a real creature—one that thinks, feels, and loves. Make sure that you or other family members are willing to take the time to train your dog (if he isn’t already trained) and offer attention/companionship and discipline. If you’ve sorted out the particulars on that front, then the next question you should ask yourself is this: what traits do I want my dog to have? Dogs vary depending on the way they were raised and the quality of life they have had, but there are particular traits that show up in certain breeds of dog. Do you want an intelligent dog (ie: easy to train)? Do you want a dog that is good with children? Are you looking for a low-energy lap dog or a beefy high-energy dog that can keep up with your active lifestyle? These are all questions you should ask yourself to help you search for the best breed of dog.

Your lifestyle will have a huge impact upon what kind of dog is best for you, so you should really give this a lot of thought. If you have kids, research the breeds that are best known for making good family pets. German Shepherds, most any breed of Spaniel, Golden and Labrador Retrievers, and Beagles are a few breeds that are famous for their way with children. I’ve always had the best results by doing research based on a breed’s temperament. Some of the best dogs I’ve ever had were of breeds I had done thorough research of prior to bringing home. This is a great way to prepare yourself for anything that might crop up, including stubbornness (harder to train!), proneness to certain medical issues, and exercise requirements. So remember, do lots of research among different breeds of dog  before making your decision.

Once you’ve decided on a dog, try letting every member of the family meet him before you bring him home. This is a great way for your new dog to get comfortable with you while he is still in the comfort of familiar surroundings. When it’s time to bring the dog home, ask his breeder or the shelter if they have a blanket, toy, or other familiar item that your dog can bring with him. If it’s a puppy, try to obtain an item that smells like his mother or the rest of his litter. This can be a HUGE help when you’re trying to settle the little guy in his new home. Let your dog roam around the house on his own for a bit (but keep an eye on him if he isn’t potty trained!). It’s perfectly natural for a dog to want to explore new territory and scents, and it will be less stressful for him if you aren’t hovering over his back all the time.

A great way to get your dog to settle a little quicker is to entertain him with activities. Playing with him and letting him accompany you around the house while you do chores are excellent ways to involve him in family life. Also, you might consider getting a set of pet stairs and train him to use them. It doesn’t take long to teach a dog to use the steps, but the time you spend training him will encourage a bond of trust and companionship between the two of you, and this is crucial to turning your new dog into a good pet.

If you’d like to read more about caring for dogs or purchasing dog stairs, visit HelpYourPets.com.

Have you noticed that your dog struggles from time to time when it comes to jumping up onto the couch, chair, or bed? This could point to physical issues that need to be addressed.

When you allow your dog to jump to and from any surface that is greater than 12 inches from the ground, he can sustain serious injury. A foot of height doesn’t really seem like a lot, but it’s enough to cause a broken limb if your dog falls, or longer-lasting problems over time.

While small and large dogs are at a particular risk of sustaining bone or joint injury, any size or breed of dog is susceptible to harm through a fall or as a result of prolonged impact over time. Large dogs, like Great Danes, Golden Retrievers, and Labradors, are inclined to developing arthritis later in life, and condoning a large dog to jump onto and off of furniture everyday could cause arthritis to crop up earlier in the dog’s life. As for small dogs, they are more likely to break a bone in a fall or by attempting to leap down from too great a height.

While you could prohibit your pet from getting onto the furniture, this is a drastic measure. It’s natural for a dog to want to be near his owner, and if you don’t mind having him on the furniture, it’s best not to change his routine. The best way to preserve your dog’s health is to obtain a set of pet stairs that will allow him to safety navigate onto and off of furniture.

Carpeted pet steps are very popular as they not only provide cushioning for impact, but they also offer a non-slip surface. Most pet stairs can be categorized into three sizes: small, medium, and large. There are two things that you must consider when purchasing pet steps. The first is the height of the object you want your dog to get onto. For instance, if your primary use for the steps will be to allow your dog to get onto the couch, you will need to make sure that the set of stairs you purchase is tall enough to reach your couch. The second item to consider is the size of your dog. You can follow the guide below to determine what size of steps would be appropriate for your pet.

Small dogs = steps no wider than 12 inches

Medium dogs = 14 inch-wide steps

Large dogs = steps at least 16 inches wide

For more information about choosing and purchasing a set of pet steps, please visit Help Your Pets – Here.

If you haven’t bought your dog a sturdy set of pet stairs, you should seriously consider doing so. Dog stairs not only help your pooch get where he needs to go (be it the sofa or the bed), but it also helps to save his joints and the tissues around them from becoming damaged from the daily impact of leaps and descends. Dog steps come in a variety of heights and sizes, but you must make sure that the steps you choose aren’t too tall or too short as this could cause him to trip.

Some dogs may not take to using pet stairs straight away. This is not uncommon an uncommon occurrence, especially if the dog is older. All it takes is a little effort on your part to show your dog (in a way that he can understand) that using the stairs is worthwhile to him.

We’ve always had the best results when using our dog’s favourite treat as encouragement to use the stairs. For our bedside pet steps, I would sit on the bed in front of the steps dangling our pup’s favourite biscuit. At first he would try to go around the stairs to jump on the bed. When this happened, I hid the treat behind my back and gave my dog a firm “No!” After a few attempts (and many acts of re-positioning my dog in front of the steps), my dog finally understood that he would receive praise and a treat when he used the stairs. It didn’t take him long to learn to use the stairs on a regular basis.

We’ve also heard of dog owners who have denied their dog access to the bed unless the dog steps were used. This was done by either verbally dismissing the dog from the bed or bodily removing him from the bed onto the floor in front of the steps. This tactic is quite successful, as is high praise. Anytime your dog uses the stairs to get onto the furniture, make a big deal about it. Give him a cheery “good boy!” or any other phrase of praise you commonly use. This not only lets him know that you prefer for him to use the stairs, but also that it pleases you—and that’s what dogs want to do!

For information about getting your dog a set of pet stairs, visit Help Your Pets.

Have you begun to notice that your dog is looking a little overweight, or simply less lean than he should be? It might be time to start considering what your options are to help him get into shape. We’re going to talk about a few ways you can discover where your pet’s health is suffering and how to get it back up.

As sad as it is to admit, our dogs do not have free reign over their lifestyle as we humans do. Because dogs are dependent upon their owner for everything from food to trips outdoors, they have to adjust their daily life to accommodate ours. This is where canine obesity can come in. If a dog’s owner is a veritable couch potato and rarely gets out for exercise, the dog is also going to have to adapt to a lifestyle of laziness. It’s natural for dog’s to crave a little activity—heck, it’s natural for humans, too! All creatures need to perform some regular activity to remain in good health, so the first thing you can do to determine how your dog is keeping on those extra pounds is to map out a chart of his day-to-day activities. Does he go outside for an hour in the morning and again in the afternoon? What does he spend the majority of his day doing? Does he sleep more often than he’s awake? All of these questions are things you need to ask yourself when assessing your dog’s level of activity.

That brings us to our next topic: the great outdoors. Have you ever stepped outside on a nice crisp morning, taken a deep breath of cool air and revelled in how good it feels to connect with nature? Maybe you don’t do this all the time, but for a dog, this is a common comparison of how natural it is for them to crave the outdoors—because dogs are natively the “outdoorsy type.” Being outdoors can cause inspiration, not just ideas, but for activity—and this is what your dog needs. If your dog doesn’t get to go outside often enough, this could be an answer for why his spirit for activity has shrunk. Try taking him outside at least twice a day, and not just for a bathroom break. Encourage him to run about and play with toys. It might help to remember that your dog is more likely to want to play if he has someone to play with. If you don’t have a private yard, try taking him on pet-friendly walking trails or to do a dog park where he can socialize and spend some alone time with you. Walking is a great way to improve your owner-dog bond as well as lose weight. Going outside isn’t the only activity you can do. Dog steps are a great tool to use to give your dog a bit of exercise while staying in the comfort of your home (especially on rainy or snowy days!). Make a game of running him up and down the steps, such as pushing the stairs against your bed and hiding treats in your covers. This is a favourite of mine as I love watching my dog go crazy as he paws through the covers!

If your dog seems to be getting enough exercise but still seems to be overweight, it may be time to reconsider what you’re feeding him. Does he get a lot of table scraps? Most of the food humans eat simply doesn’t offer any health benefits to dogs. The canine diet is supposed to consist primarily of lean meat, supplemented with raw vegetables and specific types of grain. Feeding your dog leftover pizza crusts or the leftover casserole that no one else would eat is a sure-fire way to cause health decline. So cut out the human food! You can also try putting your pooch on a name brand diet kibble for a month or two to see if that helps.

If you have any worries that your dog’s health might be in jeopardy, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian. There could be underlying health issues causing a shift in your dog’s weight, or numerous other possibilities.

For more great information about caring properly for a dog, or to buy a durable set of dog stairs, please visit Help Your Pets.

Dog steps are extremely useful when a dog is constantly going up or down on something. The steps are just like our own in the sense that they provide us to go up and downstairs. The steps eliminate dogs having to over exert themselves by jumping off of things that may seem too high or to dangerous to make it down from.

The dog steps were first made to help adult dogs that suffer from bad backs, or hip malformations. Now, the dog steps have become so popular that people are beginning to purchase them for animals of all ages. The dog steps are now being used as a prevention mechanism to stop anything from hurting the dog. Constant jumping up and down is bad for dog’s backs and can cause them to lose feeling in their backs at a very young age. These steps are a god-send to animal lovers who want their animals to be comfortable wherever they may be.

You can purchase the steps in any kind of style that you want. There are traditional wooden steps, steps that have carpets, or even steep steps. The choice is yours in what you believe would be more beneficial to your dog. My personal agenda on the matter, I would choose the regular steps. My reason behind that is because my dogs are still young and they really don’t require much help climbing anything.

With everything good, there is always a downside. These steps are known to cost a pretty decent penny. Your basic dog steps can cost anywhere around $150.00-$200.00 depending of course upon where you purchase them. If you simply do not have the funds to purchase the step and your good with your hands. One thing you may consider is making the steps for your good pet. To make the steps the materials would end up running you around $35.00 which is a lot cheaper and more heartfelt then just simply buying the steps.

So, you have decided to build your own dog steps. That is a great alternative! Not only does making your steps save you money but it allows you to put more pride in what you’re doing for your best friend. You’re going to need someone who is a well renowned carpenter to help you. Make sure you pick up about 3 2×4 pieces of wood, some cushion to line on the stairs and some carpet or material to cover over everything. The best part is the material; these are going to be your dog’s best friend so get creative if you want to. Remember a dog is like your child you want them to be happy to receive the gift.

Make sure that you let any small children know that the dog stairs are not a toy for them. They are for the dog to use to climb so they don’t hurt themselves. Remember the stairs are made from wood and could injure a little child. So, please keep an eye on your children when you have dog stairs in the home.

The concept of the pet stairs may be difficult for older dogs to grasp. They may need to be trained on how to use the stairs. So, if you find your dog still jumping up and down on your bed or couch, do not get mad at them. They have naturally developed a habit to do so. You need to train them that the new stairs do belong to them and how they need to use them.

Dog transport are a great invention. They ensure your animal is safe and prevent accidents from happening. Every dog lover should have dog stairs!

Decorative pet stairs have become increasingly more popular in the past few years. Pet steps assist small and/or aging pets in reaching places hard from them to jump onto, such as a bed. Many models are now made with soft materials for low impact effect on the pet’s joints and bones. Types of decorative pet steps will be evaluated in this article.

The price of pet steps tends to vary from one extreme to the other, depending upon the material and aesthetic appeal you prefer. Pet steps come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including large pet stairs, stairs with storage compartments built-in to the base, and even some which are accented with decorative moldings. There is a set of steps available for every person’s taste, whether you want extreme durability, easy-to-store functionality, or a stylish set of stairs to match your interior decorations.

Some decorative pet steps are able to be broken or folded down while others are solid in structure. Collapsible pet steps are often constructed of a plastic material, such a polyurethane. However, some collapsible models are made of canvas or carpet stretched over a frame. Sturdy structure pet steps may be constructed of plastic or wood.

Pet stairs also vary depending upon the amount of steps they consist of. Some models have two steps, some three, and some have up to even six steps. Pet steps also vary with regards to the amount of weight they are able to support. Solid wood construction would support more weight than pet steps made of a plastic frame, of course. Some pet steps offer more surface area on the stairs for larger animals. A few models are also made for use with an automobile. You may also find designs of pet steps for bed climbing assistance.

Colors range can be anywhere from white to mahogany. However, most models and choices are neutral colors. Decorative pet steps come in many shapes and sizes. Find one that is right for you and your furry friend.

Many of us don’t mind snoozing with our pet snuggled on our bed next to us. In fact, it can be a huge comfort to have your guard dog curled up at your feet while you rest. But have you ever wondered about the toll that jumping up and down from the bed must have on your dog’s joints? Dog steps for beds are the perfect solution to keep your dog from hurting himself.

Dog steps for beds are important for small breeds, which can easily break a leg bone jumping down from a bed. They’re also helpful for older dogs with health conditions such as arthritis, blindness or hip displacement. Some owners start their dogs using steps at a fairly young age to reduce repetitive stress on the joints that could lead to arthritis later in life.

When you choose pet steps, your main concern should be durability, but it’s an added bonus if the stairs are also aesthetically pleasant.

The fun part of choosing dog stairs is getting to browse through all the different styles. You wouldn’t’ believe the different colors and materials you can find! If your dog stairs are going to remain by the bed, you might choose a nice wooden set that matches your headboard, dresser, and night stand. Or, if you want the steps to remain in the family room near the sofa, you could find a carpeted set that matches your furniture suite or flooring. There are so many possibilities!

Pet stairs specially intended for beside use are going to need to match up to the height of your bed. Having steps higher than your bed could result in your dog tripping and hurting himself, yet steps which are too small will end up in him still needing to jump onto the bed, which defeats the purpose of the steps altogether.

When you choose your dog steps, you must be sure that the steps are right for your dog. Not only must the steps be suitable in both width and height, but they must also be able to hold your pet’s weight. You can easily find out this information on the site you want to order from, or if you’re browsing in a local store, you can find details on the packaging of the steps.

Whether you love a tiny dog to cuddle in your lap and carry around with you, a large dog you can gambol around with, or the dependability of the wagging tail of your older dog, finding the right dog ramps and steps is an important part of pet maintenance.

Many dog owners face the dilemma of finding the right device that will enable a furry friend to come along with them. Factors such as breed size, or health conditions like hip dysplasia, arthritis or obesity can impede their mobility. Dog steps are one good solution.

The first factor to consider when choosing a set of dog steps is the dimensions your dog requires. There really isn’t a set of dimensions that work as “one-size-for-all.” As pets come in all different sizes and weights, you must choose a set of steps that conforms to the size of your dog. Many sites sell both small dog steps and large dog steps. Dogs weighing less than 20 lbs should use steps measuring about 12 inches wide and dogs weighing more than 35 lbs should use steps that are 16 inches wide. If you have a medium-sized dog, or one who weights under 35 lbs, but more than 20 lbs, 14 inch-wide steps should do well.

Next, check the height of the steps. The height of dog steps works in inverse proportion to the size of the dog. In other words, bigger dogs can make it up to the couch, chair or window seat with large dog steps as short as 10 inches in height. Smaller dogs that take shorter steps will need dog stairs up to 14 inches in height. These heights will get your dog up to the level of most furniture and vehicles.

Dog steps particularly intended to bedside use should range between 17 to 29 inches high, again depending upon the height of your pet and the length of his legs.

Finally, choose pet stairs made of good quality material. Steps for small and large dogs should be washable and made of lightweight, portable material. Some styles can be taken apart and carried along, while others have compartments in the treads to store doggie dishes and toys.

Investing in a good set of pet stairs will give both you and your pet a new lease on mobility!

It’s safe to say that most animal owners are cautious about their pet’s health, be it physical activity, what they eat, their teeth and ears, etc. This article is going to address the role that bed pet steps can play in your cat or dog’s health.

Have you ever stopped to think of the toll that jumping on and off of beds can have on your pet’s joints? While older and sick pets should most definitely use pet steps, this piece of furniture is not limited to that criteria of pet. When a younger pet is constantly forcing impact onto his joints, he can become hindered far too early in his life.

It is quite common for injuries to pets as well as owners to happen when a pet has to jump up and down from a high bed. To avoid broken bones or collisions with your pet, you will need steps so they can walk up in a more orderly fashion.

Pet steps are also a necessity if you want to get a good night of sleep. Especially if you own larger sized dogs that can really make a lot of noise and shake the bed when they jump up, you will not be able to sleep undisturbed with a pet climbing up and down the mattress during the night.

You could compare the jostle of a pet on your bed to the same situation involving another human. If your partner tosses and turns throughout the night, you are more apt to take precaution by purchasing a mattress that minimizes motion transfer. In the case of your pet, you can easily minimize his excess movement by keeping pet stairs nearby.

You can understand the amount of stress your pet’s joints go through to absorb the shock from jumping. Pet steps are a healthier, safer alternative to jumping on a bed. When searching for pet steps, you can choose from a variety of designs and styles, such as wooden pet steps and carpeted pet steps.