Dog and Cat Licenses may be obtained at the City Clerk’s Office, from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Wednesday; 10:00 am – 7:00 pm. Thursdays. Municipal offices are closed on Fridays. No license can be issued for an animal whose rabies vaccination expires before Sept. 30. Licenses purchased after March 31 will be assessed late charges. For further information please contact the Clerk’s Office at 456-0205 ext. 203.
Game day is exciting for everyone — including our four-legged friends! With guests, food, and noise, it’s important to take a few extra steps to keep your pets safe and comfortable.
Keep pets away from chicken bones and party foods
Avoid sharing garlic, onions, chocolate, pizza, or alcohol
Make sure ID tags and microchips are up to date
Provide a quiet space if your pet gets anxious
Crate or separate pets if needed
Let’s make it a winning day for everyone — people and pets alike! 
Cold Weather Tips
Cold weather increases the risk of pets getting lost—especially during winter storms.
Help keep your furry family members safe by:
Keeping microchip information up to date
Making sure collars and ID tags are secure
Reporting lost pets immediately
Preparing for storm-related panic escapes
Preparation saves lives.
A growing number of people are looking for natural, whole-body approaches to their health. At the same time, they’re growing ever more interested in finding the same types of solutions for their pets. Many people want to do everything they can to help their pets live longer, healthier, and more comfortable lives without relying solely on synthetic drugs and traditional treatments.
Holistic care focuses on supporting the mind, body, and spirit of your pet for a more balanced approach to their health. This type of care for your pets is a safe, natural, and effective way to keep them healthy and happy. Whether your fur baby is young and energetic or aging and needing extra support, exploring these options can be incredibly beneficial.
Continue reading “Holistic Care Options for Pets You Should Know About”Training a dog can be one of the most rewarding parts of pet ownership. It can help you keep your dog safe and ultimately improve your relationship with them. Of course, it tends to comes with a fair share of challenges. One of the biggest hurdles many people face is keeping their dog focused long enough to learn a new command or routine. A distracted dog isn’t being stubborn. In most cases, they’re overwhelmed, under-stimulated, or simply unsure of what you want from them. The good news is that improving your dog’s focus is entirely possible with the right approach and a bit of patience.
Read more: How to Improve Your Dog’s Focus During Training SessionsTake Baby Steps
When you start getting your dog trained, it’s important to understand that a dog’s ability to pay attention is something that develops over time. Dogs don’t automatically know how to tune out distractions or follow a structured session. Just like people, they need guidance, practice, and consistent support. Training is much more effective when you break it down into small, manageable steps and celebrate progress along the way, no matter how slow it may feel.
Create a Calm Space
A great first step in improving focus is creating the right environment for training. Your dog will find it much easier to concentrate if you begin in a quiet area where they feel safe and that’s free of distractions. This could be a corner of your living room, your backyard, or any space that isn’t filled with competing noises or movement. Once your dog shows they can pay attention in a calm setting, you can slowly increase the challenge by adding small distractions. This gradual approach helps your dog build confidence over time instead of feeling overwhelmed right from the start.
Aim for Short Sessions
Next, consider the length of your training sessions. Dogs tend to have short attention spans, especially puppies or high-energy breeds. Instead of long sessions that lead to frustration, aim for short, engaging bursts. Five to ten minutes at a time is plenty for most dogs. Frequent, bite-sized lessons keep training enjoyable and help your dog stay mentally fresh. Ending on a positive note, such as after a successful command, also encourages your dog to look forward to the next session.
Positive Reinforcement
Reward-based training can make a tremendous difference in focus as well. Dogs naturally repeat behaviors that lead to something good, so using treats, praise, or play as rewards helps them understand what you’re looking for. Treats they really love, like small pieces of chicken, cheese, or a favorite snack, can be especially helpful during early training or in environments with more distractions. Over time, you can gradually reduce treat frequency as your dog learns to respond consistently.
Focus Commands
Another effective technique is teaching your dog a focus commands. Some of the most common are “look,” “here,” “wait,” and “watch me.” These simple cues encourage your dog to look at you, which grounds their attention when distractions arise. Start by holding a treat near your face while saying your focus command and rewarding your dog the moment they look at you. Repeat this until they understand that heeding that word and looking at you brings good things. This foundational skill can be extremely helpful during walks, at the park, and when you’re introducing new commands.
Stimulation
Physical and mental exercise also play a huge role in improving focus. A dog with pent-up energy is much more likely to struggle during training. Regular walks, playtimes, and puzzle toys can help them burn off excess energy and stimulate their brain. When your dog’s physical and mental needs are met, they’re naturally more receptive to learning.
Effective Training for a Better Relationship With Your Dog
Above all else, be patient and consistent when you’re training your dog. Every dog learns at their own pace, and some need more repetition than others. The key is sticking to a routine, keeping sessions positive, and acknowledging improvement along the way. The more frustration you feel, the more your dog will pick up on it, which can hamper your training sessions. With practice and supportive guidance, your dog’s focus will grow, and so will your training success and your relationship with them.
(NAPSI)—A puppy named Mulligan has big paws to fill, but the mixed breed rescue dog is up to the challenge of becoming the new voice for the TurfMutt Foundation, says his new owner and guardian, Kris Kiser, President of the organization.
Since 2009, Kiser’s rescue dog, Lucky, “pawed it forward” by leading the Foundation’s environmental education and stewardship program for students in grades K to 8. Sadly, Lucky passed away recently, but his superhero cape is being picked up by perky Mulligan, who was found by Kiser last month during Lucky’s Mutt Madness, a national pet adoption event organized by the Foundation during GIE+EXPO, the nation’s leading trade show for outdoor power, landscaping and hardscaping industry professionals, held each October in Louisville, Ky.
Mulligan was not the only rescue pup to find a new home. Fifteen other dogs from the Kentucky Humane Society also went home with new owners.
Carl Bennett and his family brought home a beagle mix puppy, named Jovial. “She is completely living up to her name. She’s happy and sweet and loves everyone. She’s very smart and is already learning tricks,” said Bennett.
Bennett admits they weren’t planning to bring a puppy home but added, “When we saw her sweet little face and floppy ears we all fell in love. We never expected to adopt but something told us she needed to be a part of our family.
A ten-year-old dog named Mama went home with Mark Potocki. He was concerned she wouldn’t get the love she deserved because she was older. “Once I had the chance to hold her, she curled up in my arms and my decision was made,” said Potocki.
He said Lucky’s Mutt Madness was a wonderful experience. “What a great event. The vibe of the afternoon was fun and drew attention to the need for pet adoption,” said Potocki.
Kiser is deep into puppy training for Mulligan. “As a spokesdog, TurfMutt has to visit schools, and sometimes goes with me for public appearances and on TV sets, so Mulligan needs to be well-socialized and know how to behave.”
“Mutt Mulligan” marks a new page in the TurfMutt platform, which grew from a youth education program launched in 2009 in a handful of Sacramento and Washington, D.C. schools to reaching 70 million students, teachers, and families with its message that everyone can help save the planet, starting with their backyard.
Kiser added, “People can understand the value of a living landscape, when they see it through the eyes of a dog. You suddenly realize that soft grass is kinder to paws than hard concrete and that you need shade and a variety of plants in your yard.”
The TurfMutt program has become a national platform, appearing on every major television network, The Hub, Animal Planet and more, including the award-winning show, “Lucky Dog,” for three seasons; being featured in Parade magazine’s Earth Day issue; and winning awards. TurfMutt is an official USGBC Education Partner and part of its global LEARNING LAB, and has been an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
More information on Lucky’s Mutt Madness event and the program is at
www.TurfMutt.com
.
(NAPSI)—Most people would agree, the best gift during the holidays—and all year round—is the gift of love. For thousands of families, that means welcoming a puppy into their home. For those considering getting a new best friend for themselves or someone else, remember that choosing a puppy is a big decision. It’s also one you should think about carefully—for both your sake and the dog’s.
Consumer groups report receiving nearly 10,000 complaints about puppy/dog businesses in just the last three years, with 60 percent of consumers indicating they never got the pets they purchased, received pets that had health or genetic problems, or got no documentation for their pet. Just as concerning, most people don’t know how to make sure they are getting their pet from a reputable breeder and not an inhumane and substandard puppy mill. While everyone is encouraged to look to their local shelters and rescues, roughly a quarter of new pet parents obtain their puppies from breeders, whether because of allergies, size or temperament, or just because they have their hearts set on a particular breed of dog.
Whatever your motivation, you should make sure you know that the organization you use to find your new best friend is legitimate and will secure you a happy, healthy and responsibly bred pet.
To help you avoid scams and find properly raised puppies, here are some important tips from the experts at American Humane—the country’s first national humane organization and the largest certifier of animal welfare in the world—and PuppySpot, a placement service committed to helping responsible breeders place healthy, happy puppies with caring individuals and families:
• INTEGRITY:
Find a source you can trust.
• SUSPICIOUS PHOTOS:
Don’t be swayed by a fancy website or puppy photos that look like stock photos that are perfectly posed, don’t look real, or are found on multiple websites.
• PRICING:
If the price looks too good to be true, it generally is. People should avoid buying from a company that says it will transport a dog by air if the full purchase price seems to be less than or similar to the price of a flight.
• WIRING MONEY:
Never wire money to anyone you have met only online and avoid major money wiring companies and mobile payment service apps.
• BAD GRAMMAR OR MISSPELLINGS:
Be sensitive to strange language choices in puppy listings or communications. The vast majority of scammers are from foreign countries.
• BOGUS STORIES/EXCUSES:
Scammers often come up with complicated reasons they need immediate wire transfers or can’t deliver the puppy to you based on current events. Be on alert for bogus stories or excuses for why more money is requested after initial payment.
• REFUSAL TO SUPPLY DOCUMENTATION:
A responsible breeder, shelter or rescue organization will provide registration, vaccination and veterinary health records on request. Refusal to supply medical records or pedigree documentation is a red flag.
Bringing a new best friend into your home should be a positive and joyous experience. By following these guidelines and using diligence and common sense, you and your family may avoid unnecessary heartache and find the healthy, happy puppy of your dreams.
Learn More
For further information, please visit
www.AmericanHumane.org
and
www.PuppySpot.com
.
