Paris Cloutier Magazine Project

Paws & Claws Spring

2018

Tips For New Owners Introducing a New Pet Secrets that make pet owning easier

Spring Season Trendy Styles Decorations Treat Recipes

Sales Inside

Light-weight Flowered Collar $11.99

New Spring Sales

Keep Your Pup Grommed and In Style with Products by WoofSmart Products can be found at your local WoofSmart (free shipping at our website www.woofsmart.com)

Anti Shedding Brush for all coat types $8.99

All Products By WoofSmart Introducing New Selection of Items for Cats Cat Tower $24.99

Cat Toy with Spring $6.99

Basic Cat and Dog Quiz 1. Most Calico Cats are Female True or False 2. Dogs are Just as Smart as a 2-year old True or False 3. Over 50 breeds of dogs have webbed feet True or False 4. Most Cats are Lactose Intolerant True or False 5. Cats can be Vegan True or False

Answer Key 1. True 1. True 3. False 4. True 5. False

Contents 6. “Cats on The Rise”

Article featuring the astonishing benefits of owning a cat

7. Spring Deals 8-9. “A Dog With Separation Anxiety” An article every new dog owner should read

10. Homemade Dog Treats Healthy and easy to make snacks for your pooch

11. Homemade Cat Toy Craft Turn a common household item into a new toy for your cat

12. Spring Deals

Cats On The Rise Cats are finally being recognized as man’s best friend

too

For centuries, the human race has valued the companionship and loyalty of dogs. After all, our canine friends are used in the workforce, and are must widely known for being the best pet. While all this may be true, people are beginning to recognize a new pet that is equally great.

Many others see cats as mischievous and always up to no good.

Others also tend to perceive them as less protective and caring compared to dogs. However, Studies prove that cats are more than capable of sensing human emotion, and bonding with their owners. While it still remains fact that cats tend to give less attention, that is not necessarily a bad thing. Some owners with a more busy lifestyle prefer this independent nature.

The biggest pro of owning a cat, is that they tend to be easier to take care of since they mostly keep to themselves. Owners also save a bit of money on the feline friend due to their size and needs. Dogs still have many charms, there will always be bickering on who the best pet is, but in truth, that subjective argument all depends on the personality of the owner.

Cats are very underappreciated for their loyalty and love that they offer. With all that being said, it’s time for others to view cats as equal companions to dogs.

More Deals

Products can be found at your local WoofSmart (free shipping at our website www.woofsmart.com)

Dragonfly Print Dog Bowl $24.99

Toy Basket Set $19.99

A Dog With

We all have stressful moments with our pets, but never giving up on your companion is worth the hassle.

By: Paris Cloutier

As pet owners, we’ve all had our frustrating moments when trying to introduce a dog or cat to it’s new home. Most of us are familiar with the demanding amount of patience and determination that is needed for owning an animal. However no struggle compares to Jane Cloutier’s up-hill journey in 2009 to train her new dog with separation anxiety.

Jane Cloutier was a stay at home Mom at the time, so the silent days at home made her consider adopting a new member of the family. “When my son was in middle school, I thought it would be a good idea to get him and my daughter a dog. We drove up to a shelter on a Saturday and then that’s where we got him. I personally wanted the black lab, but the kids were drawn to the one with two different colored eyes.” States Cloutier. The dog she was referring to, is Saddler Cloutier. He was a beautiful catahoula mix with a brindle coat that had one blue, and one brown eye.

“He was very cute I admit, but I wasn’t so impressed when one of the employees said that he had been returned 3 times already at only 9 months old.” According to Cloutier, she didn’t think about the negative aspects of owning Saddler, and just said “yes” to the overwhelmingly excited kids that clearly had their minds set on Saddler. Although this was a joyous day for the family, she had no idea what she’d be getting herself into for the next three months.

It’s common for new animals to not be perfectly well-behaved when first adopted, however this case was truly something different. The shelter noted that Saddler had separation anxiety from being left by his mother as a puppy, and then being returned to the shelter so many times. Over time, he had developed the habit of thinking when he was alone, he was being abandoned again. This of course resulted in the destructive behavior.

“Separation anxiety is triggered when dogs become upset because of separation from their guardians, the people they’re attached to. Escape attempts by dogs with separation anxiety are often extreme and can result in self-injury and household destruction, especially around exit points like windows and doors.” States experts on pets.webmd.com

Separation Anxiety After confirming Saddler’s serious issue, Cloutier donated hours of her time to training him to be better-adapted when staying home alone. “We were forced to keep him in a crate when we left the house, but I hated seeing him in that small space. So I started researching and did some training.” Cloutier would use painstaking tricks such as going in a different room for 30 seconds and then rewarding treats, to make him feel less terrified of isolation. She also bought the puppy comfort toys to scatter around the house, and a few beds. By empathizing safe zones and repetitive returns after a period of time, Saddler soon learned that every time his owner would leave, she would come back.

Separation anxiety in dogs can range from mild to severe. However there are ample resources to help new owners cope with a more needful dog. The Humane Society noted, “Use the techniques outlined above along with desensitization training. Teach your dog the sit-stay and down-stay commands using positive reinforcement. This training will help them learn that they can remain calmly and happily in one place while you go to another room.”

An owner that is willing to help a dog with separation anxiety must have patience and determination.

Cloutier was exhausted, but overtime progress was starting to be made. After overcoming Saddler’s separation anxiety, a whole new dog was revealed. Cloutier also noted that he can now be left alone for hours without showing sypmtoms of anxiety. Owners should never give up on their dog because even the overwhelming amount of effort it may take to train them, is worth the result. “Training him while the kids were at school and my husband was at work, was hard. There were frustrating times when I felt like returning him, but I never gave up. I’m glad I didn’t, because he’s such an angel. The family and I absolutely love him. When guests come over they always say how lucky we are.” The bond between a human and its companion is breathtaking. Cloutier’s story was undoubtedly a touching example of how even the most difficult of dogs, turn out to be the sweetest.

Homemade Peanut Butter and Bacon Dog Treat You would suprised about the ingredients in your pup’s treats...

Making your own nutritious treats with love is the right way to go!

What You’ll Need 1. One cup of Creamy Peanut Butter 2. 3/4 Cup of Nonfat Milk 3. 1 Large Egg 4. 2 cups of Whole Wheat Flour 5. One Tablespoon Baking Powder 6. 1/3 Cup of Oats 7. 3 Strips of Cooked Chopped Bacon

Steps 1. Preheat Oven to 325 F 2. Mix peanut butter, egg, and milk in a large bowl, then add the baking soda 3. Gradually mix in the flour until the dough becomes thick 4. Mix in the oats and bacon 5. Roll out the dough with flour and cut each treat with into a desired shape 6. Bake for 17-20 minutes until the treat is light brown on the bottom 7. Flip treats over and bake for another 8-10 minutes 8. Cool and serve!

Homemade Cat Toy A fun and easy craft that turns a common item into something your cat will love! Besides, we all know how much cats prefer to play with household items rather than their actual toys.

What You’ll Need 1. One sock 2. Tissue paper 3. Needle and thread 4. Small bell

Steps 1. Stuff one sock with ample tissue paper 2. With needle and thread, sow sock closed 3. Add a small bell on the sock with needle and thread 4. Decorate with pipe cleaners, googly eyes, etc., but avoid using toxic glue

By WoofSmart’s Finest Products Orthopedic Bed for all Dog Sizes

Believe it or not, Dogs have bone troubles too!

Having an orthopedic bed ensures a happy and healthy pooch.

$39.99 (free shipping at www.woofsmart.com)