There's More...

There's more to this site! Scroll down and click "View Web Version" to see the whole site. Go to bottom of the page for a list of posts or look in sidebar >> Please excuse the ads that keep this site free !

Find More Lessons and Articles

To see all the dog training posts (Over 260 pages)
Scroll down the page for the most popular titles and look in the right sidebar for links to all the posts .

SEARCH Family Disaster Dogs 260+ pages

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Debunking Common Dog Myths: What's Fact and What's Fiction?

 Dogs have long been our faithful companions, yet myths about our canine friends still run around. Some misconceptions can be harmless while others could compromise your pet's health or happiness. In this blog, we will untangle some of these misconceptions by debunking common dog myths:























Photo by Gabriella Clare Marino on Unsplash Copy to clipboard


A Wagging Tail Always Means a Happy Dog

At first, wagging tails might seem to signify happiness, but that isn't always the case. Dogs use their tails to express a range of emotions through body language. For instance a slow, stiff wag may indicate unease or aggression while fast and high wags could indicate excitement. Or on the other hand a low wag may indicate submission. Always be mindful of their body language in order to understand exactly what your furry pal may be trying to convey.


Dogs See in Black and White

One of the more pernicious myths out there is the notion that dogs are completely colorblind. While it is true they don't see the full range of hues as humans do, their world isn't entirely black-and-white either. Canines tend to see shades of blue and yellow better while reds and greens seem dull and muted compared to what humans experience.Knowing this, consider providing your pup with toys in these colors to keep playtime exciting.


You Can't Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

Although the phrase may be catchy, this statement does no one a favor. All dogs of every age can learn and adapt. While puppies tend to learn new commands more quickly due to their high energy and curiosity levels, older dogs still benefit from patience. Training with positive reinforcement from professionals like All Dogs Unleashed Dog Training in successfully teaching new tricks or routines to them. Its never too late to teach them something new.


Garlic Is Good for Dogs

This myth may have its source in garlic's health benefits for humans. However, this does not carry over to their canine companions. Garlic (and related allium plants like onions) are toxic to dogs and can even lead to anemia by damaging red blood cells. Even small quantities can be toxic so make sure pizza and garlic bread stay away from your furry companion.


Dogs Eat Grass When They're Sick

Perhaps you have witnessed your pup munching away on grass and wondered what's up. While some people might interpret this behavior as an indicator of illness or attempts at self-medication, in reality this could simply be out of boredom, to assist digestion or simply for pleasure. An occasional grass snack usually won't lead to vomiting, but it should remain harmless.


All Dogs Hate Cats

Pop culture portrayals of dogs relentlessly chasing cats are widespread, yet in reality dogs and cats can coexist peacefully together and even form unexpected friendships. Socialization and proper introduction are important in creating this dynamic between them. With proper training in place they could end up as inseparable companions, thus disprove this age-old stereotype.


Conclusion 

Dog myths might make for great conversation at the dog park, but they can cause lasting confusion about our furry companions. By dispelling some of these popular misconceptions about our furry pals and providing them with proper care, we can gain more understanding and create stronger bonds between ourselves and them. After all, a healthy pup starts with well-informed owners.


Saturday, April 5, 2025

5 Reasons to Prepare Pets for Natural Disasters, Tornados, Hurricanes, Floods

Here are six reasons you should prepare for disasters with pets, along with some tips on how to do so:


My Bloodhound Daisy who was the inspiration for this site and books. 



Preparedness with pets is not only good for them, but also for you. By following these tips, you can reduce the risk of losing or injuring your pet and yourself, plus have peace of mind in case of an emergency.


1. Pets are part of your family and you don't want to lose them in a crisis. Make sure you have a collar and a tag with your contact information for each pet, as well as a microchip if possible. Keep a recent photo of your pet in case you get separated.

2. Pets can provide comfort and support during stressful times. They can help you cope with anxiety, loneliness, and depression. Keep your pets close to you and try to maintain their normal routine as much as possible. 

3. Pets may need special care and supplies that are not readily available in an emergency situation. Prepare a pet emergency kit that includes food, water, bowls, leash, harness, carrier, litter, toys, medications, and veterinary records. Store it in a safe and accessible place.

 4. Pets may not be allowed in some shelters or evacuation centers, so you need to have a plan for them. Research pet-friendly hotels or motels in advance and keep a list of their phone numbers and locations. Ask your friends or relatives if they can take care of your pets in case of an emergency. You can also contact local animal shelters or rescue groups for assistance. 

5. Pets may get injured, sick, or lost during a disaster, so you need to have a first aid kit and identification for them. Learn how to perform basic first aid on your pets and keep a manual or a guide handy. Check your pets for signs of injury or illness and seek veterinary help if needed. If your pets go missing, contact local animal control agencies and post flyers with their photo and description.


Learn how to prepare your dog for evacuation and disasters with my book

 Evacuate with Your Dog's Help

From that link you can find the Family Disaster Dogs book with over 60 easy do at home lessons to help you be prepared.






All photos are copyrighted and my own.

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Fire Danger Spring Cleanup Can Start a Wildfire

 

Fire Warning Mowing and Weed Whacking Can Start a Wildfire


As a former volunteer fire fighter and K9 search and rescue team leader, I would like to let all of my readers know that in the windy dry weather conditions we are experiencing across the United States there is a danger to doing spring yard cleanup.



I want to ask everyone to Please try to do your best to prevent a fire so that you and neighbors do not have to evacuate or lose everything.  
 

As I write this article, we are experiencing an extremely windy low humidity day with very dry conditions due to less rain this spring season.  It’s perfect wildfire weather and there are many out of control fires burning in several states. 


Our county is under a Red Flag Fire Alert - meaning the possibility of a wild fire starting is much more likely due to the weather.  We are also under a Burn Ban - meaning Do Not Burn anything until further notice. 


We were going to do yard work today, rake or blow leaves, weed whack and mow for spring cleanup but I decided to follow my own instinct and experience to wait for a better day. 


I came inside to write this article instead.  Here are a few facts that may help you prevent a fire from starting.  


Please be careful outside. 


Yes, it is spring cleanup time of the year but mowing dry grass can potentially start a fire, especially during hot dry and extremely windy conditions like we have in many parts of the country.  


Fire Hazard:


Dry grass, especially when tall and "cured" (brown and brittle), is a significant fire hazard. 


Ignition:


These sparks can easily ignite dry grass, especially if the grass is very dry and the conditions are hot and windy. 


Sparks:


Lawn mowers and weed whackers, yard tractors and 4 wheelers can generate sparks from the engine, exhaust system, or when the blade or a metal part strikes rocks or other hard objects. 


Other Fire Hazards:


Besides yard equipment like weed eaters, even chainsaws, and vehicles parked in dry grass can also pose a fire risk. 


Additionally, camp fires and recreational fire pits should not be used. 


Prevention:

  • To reduce the risk of fire, it's important to: 


Mow during cooler hours: Early morning is generally the safest time to mow. 


Avoid windy or dry conditions: Do not mow when the weather is excessively dry or windy. 


Keep grass short: Trim grass and weeds to a height of 3" or less, especially within 100 feet of buildings or fences. 


Be cautious with yard equipment: Follow manufacturer's safety guidelines and be aware of potential fire hazards. 


Check for fire restrictions: Be aware of any fire restrictions or bans in your area.


Stay safe everyone and keep your dogs close! 


To prepare for evacuation please read my short but very helpful book here.   It’s free on kindle unlimited and audible. A paperback is available for a small fee to cover publishing on paper. 


Featured Lesson

Tips and How to Evacuate with Your Dogs Help

 How to Evacuate with Your Dog's Help click above to see my book! If you live in an area that is prone to natural disasters, such as hur...

Author Amber Higgins

Author Amber Higgins
Click Pic to Visit my author page

Advertising Disclosure

Disclosure: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links that I have reviewed and approved. Additionally links to products such as at Amazon are products I have personally used. Affiliate links means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase. The proceeds earned are not much and used to keep this Family Disaster Dogs website free to the public. Thank you for your support.

Welcome UK and Worldwide Visitors

Welcome UK and worldwide visitors and friends to Family Disaster Dogs online! Although I'm an American author and dog professional the worldwide web has given me the opportunity to connect with some wonderful folks who have contributed pictures for my books. The "Start Mantrailing" book features RRI K9 North Scotland trained Search and Rescue Dog "Amber" on the cover and her teammates training in the book, plus American dogs using my training methods. A portion of sales of the Start Mantrailing book or copies were donated to RRI North Scotland. The children's picture book "My Puppy Can Find Me" has my daughter and bloodhound as illustrations by UK cartoonist Scotty King. You can find the books on Amazon UK or use the contact page to order from me. When you click the links will take you to your own county pages of this site.

Popular Posts

Past Posts and Lessons

To see all the lessons and dog care articles on this site:

Look at the dates listed in the sidebar to the right and below, click one date to bring up all the articles and lessons published at this site in one page for each date.

There are well over 250 pages that have been published here at Family Disaster Dogs since 2011.

New lessons or dog care articles continue to be posted weekly.

The list is the easiest way to find all the information here.

Enjoy the search and follow that dog!

Help Keep Free Books Free for everyone-Donate Today!

Read and Review my books on Goodreads

Family Disaster Dogs

Purchases from affiliate links help Keep Family Disaster Dogs Site Free!

Check this deal out and support us! These products on amazon sell fast!

https://amzn.to/3U4siv6