.

So, I have to at least explore some of the pet costumes out there. Also, I want you to be able to identify the expressions of pets who like their costumes and those who don’t.

Take the first photo above, this dog is content in his Pimp Dog Costume. His mouth is open and he looks fine with the photo shoot.

In a recent post with pictures of 2008 pet costumes–most of the dogs do not look happy. However in the 2007 collection of pet costumes the pooches are happier or at least tolerant.

While I have you looking at other collections you’ll get a kick out of the Good Housekeeping collection of pet Halloween costumes and the new Halloween pet costume contest.

The dog in the Uncle Sam Patriotic Dog Pet Halloween Costume is alert and attentive–which is not how the dog in the Lobster Dog Halloween Pet Costume looks.

In general, a happy dog will pant and have a good posture–or an alert one.

My hiking partner, Shadow actually prances when she has her jingle bell collar on. She loves it and the attention she gets by wearing it around the holidays but she hates dressing up.

Below you can see the difference between the dogs wearing the Bumble Bee Halloween Dog Costume. The one on the right is happy about it while the one on the left isn’t.

A large number of people will dress their pets up for Halloween but before you do so, remember that the important thing is to make sure your pet likes wearing a costume before you outfit your pet for Halloween.

I’d like to know what your favorite pet Halloween costume is. Just leave your comment below.

Above: My hiking partner Shadow.

Although I’ve written about hiking with dogs before, the fall weather is perfect for hiking. There are even classes that teach people how to go hiking with their dogs.

Just like people, dogs need to acclimate to the high altitude and so it is important to gauge your canine companions fitness and also closely monitor your pup when out on the trail.

There are other hazards but the reason I like the fall and early spring is because the risks are somewhat reduced in my area during these times.

For instance, snakes are less prominent when the weather cools down but it is always a good idea to keep pets out of the bushes and from investigating under boulders to avoid snake bites.

Hazards such as foxtails and other spiky seeds that can lodge in paws, into the skin, or pet orifices are greatly reduced this time of year.

Other annoyances such as ticks, mosquitoes, and other pests can pose hazards to a pet’s health but the good news is that when the cold weather hits most of the other bugs disappear.

Since more people are hitting the trail with their canine companions there is an increasing need for pet products to help pet parents prepare to hike, fish, or camp with their animals.

I thought I’d discuss a few items you should have in your outdoor trip kit for your pet but you might want to also check out the book, Best Hikes With Dogs: Southern California or some of the other books for places to hike with dogs. If you are looking for tips, try this publication called Hiking With Your Dog: What You Really Need to Know When Taking Your Dog Hiking or Backpacking.

Leash & ID Tags
One of the most important is a leash. This helps keep them from being lured off the trail by predators and for venturing too close to the edge of cliffs. You can get this nifty Dog Leash & Waist Pack which is also great for walking or jogging.

Make sure your dog’s ID tags are current and use a temporary one when hiking with the numbers of friends or the accommodations where you are staying.

Also carry a current photo of your dog just in case.

Dog Saddle Packs
Dogs can carry their own supplies in a backpack. As a general rule, dog packs should be no heavier than 20 percent of the dog’s body weight. There are a of variety of Dog Back Packs to chose from.

Poop Bags
You should still pack out pet poop or bury feces. Because people often are ignorant of this rule, many wild animals suffer from diseases because they were passed to the population by dogs or cats.

Water Containers (& Water)
The atmosphere at high altitude is drier and so it is important to keep your animal hydrated. Collapsible bowls are light but there are also new water bottles with drop down drinking cups. You can also get a special top for your pet’s water bottle so the dog can drink water directly from it. Check out some of the other travel dog water dispensers.

Dogs do not have sweat glands so frequent rest stops are a good idea to allow the dog’s paw pads to cool and to let the dog pant to bring down it’s body temperature and prevent heat stroke.

It is best to carry water for your pet since streams and ponds can have harmful bacteria such as giradia.

Dog Boots
Clipping toenails and the fur between the toes is one preparation but dog boots help prevent paw injury and tears when traversing over rough terrain. In the winter they help prevent the accumulation of ice balls and keep the paws warmer.

First Aid Kits & First Aid Books
I wrote about first aid kits and they are a good idea on the trail. Make sure you also have the manual to go with it.

Pet Insect Repellent is specially made for pets and helps to keep black flies, mosquitoes, and other pests away from your critter. Don’t use human products on your pet because the ingredients can be toxic.

Accessories
Reflective Vests are a great idea when you are in hunting areas. Bandanas or cooling collars can help keep dogs cool in the summer while sweaters or dog jackets help during colder weather.

Bear Safety Hiking Bells
If you are hiking in bear country bells are a good idea. It lets you know where the dog is and help to deter predators.

I hope you found this series useful. If you have any tips or products to add please leave a comment below.

Puppy class photo by Ambie Bambi

In my career I’ve often tested new ideas long before they have become the norm. The challenge has always been to get others on board.

My local community lags behind the rest of the nation when it comes to animal care and training.

Personally, I like to get pups into training and socialization as soon as they arrive in the new household.

Granted, puppy training is a lot more difficult because puppies have the attention span of knats.

In some ways it is easier but in some ways it seems more difficult. However early puppy parenting pays off in the long run.

Unfortunately, most people still follow the pop culture trends of harsher training methods (which I find archaic) and waiting until an animal is an adolescent before they set down any ground rules.

Bad idea.

Who in their right mind waits to teach manners to adolescents?

Some of my colleagues and I conduct in-home private sessions with young pups and then do socializing in areas that pose less risk avoiding dog parks and high traffic areas where exposure to disease is higher.

We’ve used towels as stationing devices, devised covered or fenced areas in public venues, and met in disinfected clinics or pet stores.

My puppy socials always attracted a wide variety of breeds and ages. It is also a good way to teach owners how to manage their animals in a public setting and how to avoid the “dog park gone wild” situations that are becoming more and more prevalent in locations where there is no supervision.

Anyway, my point of this post is to let you know that I was happy to hear that the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior has taken a position on early socialization BEFORE the puppy vaccination series is complete.

The group agrees that early socialization should start as early as seven or eight weeks of age after they have a least one set of vaccines and a deworming.

To participate in a puppy social these procedures should be done a least a week (seven days) before the first class participation.

As most behaviorists and trainers know, there are critical developmental stages that take place from early puppyhood until about four months of age.

Not having early socialization can escalate phobias that include fear of people, other animals, objects, and different environments and substrates.

I am hoping that more veterinarians adopt to this “new thought” process. It can help prevent issues on the table and in the exam room if done right.

Many of my clients are assigned to go visit the veterinarian to get a pat and a cookie so that they have a better association with the clinic.

One of my clients proudly reported that her dog is the only well behaved animal in the waiting room. He also cooperates for every procedure.

Hopefully, those pups who present problems at an early age (growling and nipping for instance) can also get the schooling to prevent those problems from escalating.

Many of us believe that early pet parenting will help clients become more compliant and motivate them to continue those efforts that are benefit their pet.

If you are interested you can read the puppy socialization statement at the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.