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Markham Living: Mr. Pet Pal |
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Animal / Pet Lincensing
March 2008 – It is a bylaw requirement that all domestic animals be licensed with the Town of Markham. Licenses can also be purchased at the following participating off-site locations:
 Bridle Trail Vet Clinic | 33 The Bridle Trail
Doncaster Animal Clinic | 99 Henderson Avenue
Global Pet Foods | 5990 16th Avenue
Paws and Claws | 7700 Markham Road
Pet Value | 8601 Warden Avenue
Rouge River Animal Hospital | 4261 Highway 7 East
For Animal Tag rates, please visit the Town of Markham website >>
Licences expire December 31st of each year. Bylaw No. 205-254 (148k) as amended, requires that every cat and dog shall be licensed annually. Owners of unlicensed pets are subject to a $100 fine. For more information call the Town of Markham at 905.477.5530. |
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Don't be too pooped to stoop
A MESSAGE FROM SAYITCORNELL.COM
From SayItCornell.com – This is just a friendly reminder about the art of stooping to those of you who walk your cute, furry companion(s) through the streets of our Town (and beyond). This has been a very heated topic over the years but we feel we must say it as we have noticed quite a few 'prizes' left behind... already. We don't know who has a dog and who doesn't – this is not a message targetting any one individual. Here's the nicest way we could think of to communicate our thoughts:
If you don't have a dog, 'this' you may disregard.
If after your dog you pick up, thank you very much!
But if you are too pooped to stoop...
please think how quickly our smiles turn to droops, every time you leave us to scoop your dog's poop.
Spread the word! Please help us keep our neighbourhoods friendly and clean during these spring/summer months. Thank you!
Article and poem by SWilson
©2007 All rights reserved. |
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October 2007 – There’s been a lot of talk lately in the media about increasing the number of off leash parks for dogs in Toronto. I am sure many of you who do not have a dog are wondering why tax dollars should be spent on a place for dogs to play. It’s a good question, especially since there seems to be a perpetual shortage of tax dollars.
The short answer to the question is that it’s for safety’s sake. Let me explain. Every dog needs exercise to maintain good physical health as well as good mental health – a dog that is not receiving the appropriate amount of exercise is a dog that will be unhappy and is more likely to be destructive. They will chew more, bark more, and become more hyperactive.
So, what’s the problem? Just take them for a walk, right? Sadly, that will work for a warm-up, while some dog breeds need to run to burn off their energy. Unless you are a world class sprinter, there is little chance you will be able to keep up with your dog on a leash.
So, just take off their leash. In Toronto, it ’s become a little easier as they now have various parks that have been designated for off-leash dog use. Unfortunately in Markham, there is only one such area for dogs and it is against the bylaws to take your dog off leash. Talk about adding to the greenhouse effect to get to this park every night! Besides, who can afford the gas?
The result is that Markham has dogs that need exercise and resident owners who want to exercise them but there isn't sufficient space within a reasonable distance to exercise them. Of course, it’s not an easy issue. Whatever happens, there will be those who criticize. However, I ask you to look around – there is vast open land available that would be suitable to be used for off leash parks, even temporarily.
The Town of Markham has been discussing this issue for many years. I think it’s time they allowed dog owners more space where they can safely exercise and socialize their dogs.
The Markham Park is located near Hwy 407 and Woodbine.
Article by Rob Goddard for SayItCornell.com
Helping Homeless Pets
©2007 All rights reserved. |
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June 2007 – The best time to start training your dog is the moment you bring them home. It’s very common for your dog to change as they grow and as they experience new things, so training is something that you really should do every day. Now, you are probably thinking, "Where will I find the time?" And it’s true – you will need time to learn proper training techniques. However, once you learn them, it becomes second nature with little time spent.
Learning from a professional trainer that utilizes a positive structure is the best route to take. When I brought my puppy home, I thought I could train him and I did really try. I got a few things right, but I also missed out on a great opportunity to properly train him. I had no idea that dog training had advanced so much in the last 30 years!
Expose your puppy to as many different noises, people and different situations as you can. This is called Socializing Your Puppy and it’s very important. Attending a training class with your dog is a great way to get them used to being around other dogs in a controlled environment.
Above: Rob Goddard throws a frisbee during his dog show Performance at the 3rd Annual Cornell Garden Festival
Recall: Without a doubt, Recall is the most important behaviour you need to teach your dog. A proper recall works like this. Say “Come!” and your dog stops what it is doing to sit in front of you. As in all training, the word you use is not important. What is important is to be consistent. A good Recall can mean the difference between life and death for your dog.
Stay: One of the behaviours I did manage to get right from the start was a good Stay. When we return home from a walk, my dogs sit on the carpet at the door and wait for my signal. Of course, just before I release them, I give them a treat reward. This re-enforcement for their good behaviour means they automatically sit on the carpet when we come in from our walks.
Sit & Stay: Another easy way to work on a good Stay is to have them Sit and Stay while you put their food dish down. Always use the same release word – for me, that release word is “Okay.” – and their reward is dinner.
Don’t postpone training. Bad behaviour is harder to correct the longer it is tolerated. Taking the time to train your dog results in a good canine citizen – the type of dog other people are happy to have around. It's about rewarding the behaviour you want for your dog, but be careful. Quite often we give a reward and we don’t even realize it. Seeking help from a professional trainer will get you started on the right paw … er…. I mean foot.
Article by Rob Goddard for SayItCornell.com
Helping Homeless Pets
©2007 All rights reserved. |
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FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ROB GODDARD >>
May 2007 – What are some of the issues to plan for when bringing home your new family member? In this article, I will touch on a few of the major issues but remember there are a lot more that will come up.
First and most important, you should already have located a vet and made your first appointment to have your new puppy examined. The vet will help you to keep your puppy healthy and regular vet check-ups are important.
A healthy puppy is not your only goal, you likely also want a happy puppy – and this means regular exercise, playtime, and training. When I brought home my first puppy, I thought I knew the proper way to train him. After all, my family had many dogs when I was a kid. As it turns out, training methods have changed considerably over the last 20 years and I really didn’t know the proper new training techniques.
Find yourself a good trainer. A dog can be trained at any stage in their life, but it’s much easier to train them before they develop bad behaviours. And, yes, there is a cost but most often one or two sets of classes is all you will need – unless you get bit by the competition bug, as I did, and want to progress further into dog sports!
Puppies don’t come home house-trained, so this will be the first thing they will need to learn. This can be difficult and frustrating for you at times, but you need to be patient. Your best tool is what we call crate training:
Get yourself a hard plastic or wire crate, depending on your dog.
It’s important to get the correct size, so ask the staff at the pet store to help you. Many people’s first reaction, myself included, is that it’s cruel to put your dog in a cage. Of course, if you leave your dog in too long, it is very cruel, but if used properly, your dog’s crate will help you house train your pet. A crate will also provide a safe, secure, quiet place for them.
A few hours in the crate at a time is the maximum at this stage. Give them a Kong (special dog toy stuffed with a treat) to occupy them while you run errands and so that they learn that the crate is a fun place too.
The main theory is to get them outside for their 'business'. When they do, you reward them with lots of praise and a treat. If they have an accident while you weren't watching, give them your naughty puppy look (and watch them more closely next time). Never, never, NEVER yell or physically discipline your dog if an accident occurs in the house – this will backfire and make house-training much more difficult for both of you. Never put them in their crate to punish them.
  
The first several days and possibly a week, watch your doglike a hawk! If it looks like they are going to go:
get them outside.
After you feed them, put their leash on and take them out for a walk. Walking can help move things along. Puppies spend a lot of time sleeping and when they are, they can sleep in their crate. Or crate them if there is something you need to do and can’t watch them.
When the puppy has learned to tell you they need to go out, you can wean out the crate. It’s always a good idea to keep it around, even with the door open so they can go in when they want some quiet time. Also, should your dog every become injured and recovery depends on them keeping still for a few days, you will be very glad that their crate has become their own private and safe place.
Article by Rob Goddard for SayItCornell.com
Helping Homeless Pets
©2007 All rights reserved. |
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FROM THE TOWN OF MARKHAM WEBSITE
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2007
Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm
Location: Markham Museum, 9350 Highway #48 (16th Ave / Hwy #48)
Drop by the display for animal fun:
Colouring contest for all ages
Face painting
Advice from Animal Care Professionals
"Animal Adoption Wall" for adoptable pets
Animal Control vehicle and staff
Pet-related vendors and much, much more!!!!
There will be a collection of any pet related items such as blankets, towels, toys, etc., for donations to local animal shelters.
The Town of Markham Animal Care Services Committee is committed to:
Educating residents on the importance of animal care, including spaying and neutering, and appropriate veterinary services for their pets
Providing for animal adoptions
Fundraising for animal care programs
For more information, or if you wish to participate, please contact Christy Brailey at 905.477.7000 ext. 2131 or cbrailey@markham.ca. |
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FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ROB GODDARD >>
April 2007 – You have done your research and you are prepared to make the commitment for the entire life of your new pet. So where do you find that perfect pet? For the purpose of keeping it simple, let's focus on dogs.
Do you want a puppy or would you rather skip the puppy phase and get a dog that’s older? There’s no right answer that fits everyone. We'll start with where to find a puppy. It goes without saying that you are going to want to bring home a puppy that is healthy and has a good temperament. The best way to make sure this happens, it is ideal to meet the puppy’s mom. If she and the other puppies are healthy and she is well-mannered, then there is a very good chance your puppy will be too. The old saying, “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree,” really does apply.
Meeting the mom, the young pups, and the breeder also allows you to see their living conditions and their general environment. Ask yourself:
• is it clean or is it rundown?
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is the breeder knowledgeable?
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are they only motivated by the sales profit?
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are they asking you questions to be sure you know what you are getting into and that you know the breed?
• will the breeder take the dog back, if the unforeseen happens and you cannot keep the dog? Personally, I have yet to meet a good breeder that doesn’t truly care about where their puppies end up. You want a healthy puppy and they want their puppy to find a good home – a perfect match.
How about adopting a dog? We all know there are pets out there looking for homes. I have met many people that have adopted a dog and are so happy with their new family member. Adopting a dog means you can skip the puppy phase and bring home a dog that is older – by a little or a lot. Adoption is not for everyone but the one great advantage is you are able to immediately experience the dog's more developed character. Puppies can grow and develop temperament issues, just like a dog that you adopt may have issues – in both cases, proper training can help to eliminate or minimize them.
Don't believe for one minute, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” This is simply not true. Puppies, just like an adopted dog can develop and/or have health issues. However, adopting dogs also saving their lives, and many times they know you have saved them.
To find a dog, cat, rabbit, or any other pet for adoption, check your local animal shelter or visit Helping Homeless Pets and PetFinder.com online. Whether you choose to bring home a puppy from a breeder, adopt a dog, cat, or another animal, please remember it’s a lifetime commitment – be prepared to accept your choice.
Train, love, and care for your pet and you will end up with a new best friend and family member.
Article by Rob Goddard for SayItCornell.com
Helping Homeless Pets
©2007 All rights reserved. |
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FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ROB GODDARD >>
February 25, 2007 – At some point in our lives, some of us have that desire to bring home a dog. Are you at that point? Here are just a few points you should consider before taking that plunge:
Do you have carpets in your home that you don’t want a dog to poop on? If you do, then you can be fairly confident that sooner or later that carpet will be the perfect spot for your dog's use to pee, poop and throw up. Oh sure, you can house-train them, but accidents happen and you can be sure some of it will happen in your house. And if you aren’t meticulous about picking up after your dog in your yard, you will probably step on a doggie landmine some day too.
Do you just hate having dog fur all over your clothes? If this is a real turn off for you, make sure you get a dog that sheds very little. Even then, you will get some.
Do you have the time it takes to properly look after a dog? The dog must be fed, given water, exercised, trained, groomed, have its teeth brushed, and nails trimmed. Who will take care of your dog when you go on holidays or away for the weekend?
Are you getting the dog for the kids? If so, then stop right now! Go to the nearest mirror and look in – the person staring back at you is the person that must be responsible for taking care of the dog. No matter how mature your child may be, they can’t ever fully understand the scope of responsibility. Be prepared to walk this dog, feed this dog, and clean up this dog’s poop for its entire life. Oh, and just when they are revealing the latest secret on Lost, you can bet the dog is going to want to go out. Having a dog is like having a two-year-old and you are bound to this relationship for the next fifteen years.
Affordability is another major factor. Expect to spend an average $1,500 per year for food, toys, treats, and veterinarian bills and that’s if your dog stays healthy. One serious medical problem or accident and you could be faced with a bill of over $4,000. Also remember, in the Town of Markham, pets need to be registered every year.
Lastly, and this is a very important consideration, make sure the dog fits your lifestyle. If you like to jog a few kilometres every day and you want a buddy, then get a dog that likes exercise – a Labrador or a Golden Retriever (right) might be a good choice for you. If you are a couch potato though, make sure you get a dog that requires less exercise, such as a Pug (left) or maybe a Silky Terrier. But remember, all dogs need to be walked and given exercise every day.
There are many rewarding aspects of having a dog, but those rewards come with a lot of responsibilities. Please, for the sake of the dog, make your choices wisely. Next article, we will look at where to find the dog for you. Stay tuned!
Article by Rob Goddard for SayItCornell.com
Helping Homeless Pets
©2007 All rights reserved. |
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