catbird's world » woof

Dogipot Pet Litter Bags and BioBags

catbird — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 01:39:55 +0000

I found these degradable dog poop bags while doing research into a pet waste composter. about $100 for 2000 bags. That’s $.05/bag and 200 bags will last almost three years.

Even better are BioBags. Made from corn starch polymer, they are 100% biodegradable and 100% compostable. And a little more expensive: 600 bags cost $70.00. That’s $.12/bag — more than double the Dogipots. The other option is 3000 bags for $300 ($.10/bag). Is it worth it for a biodegradable bag vs. a degradable bag?

According to Vincenze’s Pit,Â biodegradable materials “are broken down by microorganisms that use the plastic as a food/energy source.” Degradable materials “are broken down by the elements, heat, moisture, sunlight etc and donâ€™t require life as such to help the process.” He also points out that while biodegradable materials are better for composting, most landfills are designed to suppress the kind of microorganisms needed to break biodegradables down. Since we aren’t currently composting, it seems like the Dogipots might be the better option for us (and our bank account).

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Sweetener XYLITOL is toxic to pets

catbird — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 18:12:14 +0000

The sweetener xylitol, which is found in many sugar-free foods, is toxic to pets. Check your labels and keep foods containing this additive away from your pets. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has been handling more and more cases each year. According to that agency, symptoms, which include depression, loss of coordination and seizures, can develop quickly and from relatively small amounts of exposure. More at the ASPCA web site.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

retractable leashes should be banned

catbird — Sat, 15 Jan 2005 19:33:11 +0000

(For every dog over 15 lbs, anyway.)

They are just plain dangerous. You have no control and they can break. If you have a dog that pulls, you’ll just be dragged around. Forget using a gentle leader – it just doesn’t work. Just get a good strong leash and let your dog sniff the area around you. If he pulls, get a gentle leader. If your dog needs a wider sniff range, go to an enclosed dog park, or go hiking. Or invest in a 30 foot lead, take a blanket, and go to the park.

Why do people use them? I’ll never know.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Breed specific legislation in NJ

catbird — Tue, 17 Aug 2004 17:29:06 +0000

Senator Sharpe James, who is also Mayor of Newark, introduced the “Responsible Pit Bull Ownership Act” (S1718) late last week. This ridiculous piece of legislation would apply to breeds including “American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Terriers and any dog determined to be a pit bull type.”

require anyone who owns a dog to prove that it ISN’T a pit bull (municipality will visually inspect the dog to determine whether it is a pit bull)
require all pit bulls (as defined above) to be muzzled when off owner’s property and leashed (3-feet long or less)
require confinement in a permanent enclosure (including a secure pen AND a 6-ft. fence)

Breed-specific legislation doesn’t work. It punishes responsible owners and is difficult (impossible?) to enforce where it is needed. NJ already has a law that prohibits determining a dog dangerous based on breed alone. S1718 would violate that law. Judge the deed not the breed.

Read more at AKC.org, then contact these members of the Senate committee to tell them you oppose S1718 and ask them to do the same:

Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D) [Chair] (609/292-5339, SenLesniak@njleg.org)
Sen. Joseph Doria (D) [Vice Chair] (609/292-5388, no e-mail)
Sen. Martha Bark (R) (609/292-7065, senbark@njleg.org)
Sen. Joseph M. Kyrillos (R) (609/292-7065, no e-mail)
Sen. Joseph Vitale (D) (609/292-5339, senvitale@njleg.org)

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Doggie door bell

catbird — Thu, 30 Oct 2003 00:35:08 +0000

In her DogBlog, Sandra talks about a doggie door bell that she purchased at HomeDepot. Her dogs use it to signal when they want to go out (or come in). A great idea.

And for the more budget conscious people with less regard to the aesthetics of their door knobs, there is a simpler solution which has an even shorter installation time – jingle bells.

Soon after we got Pinto, we were given the great advice (from where? Who knows.) to hang some jingle bells on the door handle and jingle them every time we took him out (we only use our back door to take him outside). After two days, he was ringing them with his nose whenever he needed to go.

Recently, I gave this same advice to my friend Ellen for her new Labradoodle, JJ. After two days of practice, JJ had it down pat. And here I just thought my dog was ultra smart!

The official doggie door bell has an outside component so the dog can ring to come in. We don’t need that since Pinto is always out with us or on leash, but I guess it could be a downside to jingle bells if you need that functionality.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Great news for owners of “dangerous breeds” in MI

catbird — Thu, 23 Oct 2003 16:53:20 +0000

The ASPCA reports that insurance companies in Michigan can no longer discriminate against certain dog breeds when writing homeowners insurance policies. Great news! Hopefully other states will soon follow suit.

It’s official! As announced last month by Michigan’s Office of Insurance and Financial Services, homeowners’ insurance companies may not deny, cancel or non-renew a policy based on the insured’s possession of a particular breed of dog. Comments Jill A. Buckley, Esq., ASPCA Western Regional Government Affairs Associate, “We believe that the recent Michigan Insurance Department Bulletin may set a precedent and cause departments in other states to take a closer look at this issue than they have in the past. Insurance companies should make decisions regarding nonrenewal or denial of coverage based upon the specific claim history, and not based solely on the breed of dog owned.”

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Happy dogs are socialized dogs.

catbird — Tue, 17 Jun 2003 23:13:57 +0000

Yesterday, I took Pinto for a stroll up the block. Coming back, we passed a neighbor’s house and heard the jingle-jangle of license against rabies tag against collar buckle. A little Beagle was trotting up the driveway.

Pinto was thrilled, whining and straining to say hello. The Beagle approached hesitantly, turned, tucked his tail, and ran back. Then approached again. Just as he and Pinto were started the sniff ritual, an arm scooped the Beagle up. The neighbor said her dog “has never seen another dog.”

I assured her that Pinto was friendly, thinking this was a great socialization opportunity, but alas, the neighbor clearly thought that Pinto, in all his 85 lb tail-wagging goofiness, was a threat.

I left feeling quite sad for the Beagle. He is not being socialized – that is, he isn’t being exposed to all different people, animals, and experiences so that he will grow up well-adjusted.

Dogs that aren’t well socialized are fearful, which can lead to timidity or aggression. Dogs that are well socialized are happier and more adaptable to new situations. They can go places with you, handle any visitors you may have, and get along with most anyone.

While it’s best to socialize a puppy under five months – puppies are more receptive to new situations and easier to control – older dogs can be socialized as well, with some patience. Next to neutering and spaying, socialization is the most important thing you can do for your dog.

Poor Beagle. He is happy-go-lucky now, but without some socialization, he could become a fear biter, leash aggressive, or territorial. In short, he will live a fairly miserable life in fear of anything new. Hopefully, his guardian will realize the benefits of socialization before it’s too late.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Bouvier blog

catbird — Mon, 19 May 2003 18:19:34 +0000

As an avid lover of the Bouvier breed, I am thrilled about DogBlog, a weblog with pictures and stories about Sandra’s life with her Bouviers. I have heard and read about Bouviers not being great with other dogs or with kids, so this weblog gives me hope that some day I will convince my hubby that we should rescue one.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Top 15 things my dog has taught me

catbird — Wed, 14 May 2003 01:31:59 +0000

… or led me to learn.

15. Good human-dog communication, good training, and a good game of fetch.

14. The power of distraction – especially with a manipulative dog.

13. How to communicate in “dog” and read dog body language.

12. Almost any toy can be destroyed if you put your mind to it, even those black Kongs.

13. How dogs are wired to behave, especially with regard to the pack.

10. The best dogs sometimes act bad.

9. How to read a dog food label and what foods are bad for him (oh, and to keep the dog food in a very, very secure place).

8. How to break up a dog fight.

7. That I can never know too much about dog breeds and behavior.

6. To have a thick skin when people make judgments based on the way he looks.

5. Dog first aid.

4. That every dog has his own challenges.

3. That a tired dog is a good dog.

2. I have a lot more to learn.

And the number one thing my dog has taught me…

1. I’m not as clean as I think I am.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Ten questions to ask when adopting a dog

catbird — Tue, 29 Apr 2003 00:16:37 +0000

[Read the expanded text of this story.]

No dog is perfect (even if he is your perfect match). Ask these questions when you are adopting to help reveal the challenges your new best friend might offer.

Have you seen the dog interact with other dogs?
Have you seen the dog interact with or be around young kids?
What is the breed and age of the dog?
Is the dog neutered (male) or spayed (female)? Will he/she be?
How did the dog come to the shelter?
Has the dog ever bitten a person?
Does the dog seem to know any commands or seem to be house trained?
May I walk the dog?
Does the dog seem possessive of toys or food or does he mind being touched?
Can I arrange a second meeting? Can I foster before adoption?

Most importantly, do a reality check when you hear each answer. Does it sound right? Does the person sound knowledgeable? Sometimes, shelter volunteers become attached and have a hard time giving an objective opinion about the dog’s behavior. Try to see the dog’s reactions in person, keeping in mind that a dog may behave differently at an adoption day or in a shelter environment then when he is secure in his new home.

Remember, every challenge is a learning opportunity – and a chance for you to develop a better relationship with your dog.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. The reader retains responsibility for any actions take or resulting outcomes.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.