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Lifestyle, Tips

How to Help a Pet Settle in

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When you welcome a new pet into your home you need to make sure that you and your family get off to a good start. It takes some time to get used to a new pet in the house, and the time that you take can be make or break. You want to know that your cat or your dog is going to settle in very well, and if you have a dog, you have to ensure that you have the time to help it to settle in. The good news is that you can take the time to help your new dog to settle into their new home – you just have to give yourself space!

Not only will you need to find out what your dog is going to need to eat, you need to give them a space to sleep, start Googling around for a dog trainer near me and figure out how much investment you are going to need into training. There are many things that are involved in getting a dog to settle into their new home, and we’ve put together a list of things that you have to consider before you sign on the dotted line and adopt your first pet.

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Image source: Pexels

  • Be prepared. You want to ensure that your new dog feels comfortable and content living with you and your family. This means you have to be prepared! You don’t want to have to make any last minute dashes to the pet shop for leashes, beds, or feeding bowls, nor should you want to run out of anything that you will need in the early days. Whoever you are adopting the dog from should be able to tell you the kind of food the dog eats, and they should be able to tell you whether they’ve had any training. This will help you to know whether to buy puppy pads, such as these Premium Pet Training Pads with Adhesive Tabs | Bulldogology, or whether you should not worry at all and simply make sure you have a space for them to do their business outside.
  • Make sure everybody is patient. It does take time for a pet to settle in when they first come home. It’s a new and unfamiliar set of surroundings that they do need to get used to. This is an adjustment., and it does vary from animal to animal, so you need to have patience when it comes to getting your dog to settle in. The family, from you to the children, have to be patient with this because the dog will take some time to be able to sleep during the night, or feel comfortable in the house.
  • Take it all very slowly. It’s super tempting to go out and about and show off your new pet to all of your friends and family. You have to put yourself in your pets paws; They are brand new to all of this and you are still a new face. They need to get used to you first. Important thing to consider here is that the pet and you both have a lot of adjustment to make. There is no rush to introduce your new pet to everybody because you are providing a forever home for them. If you take it slowly and don’t run out to bring your dog to your friends, you’ll be able to help them to settle in better.
  • Establish a good routine early on. When you bring the new dog home you have to establish a good routine because they will be used to doing things a little differently. Every single pet has its own set of needs, so establishing a good routine makes things easy for everybody. Their routine isn’t just about the time you take, but it affects how they feed, what they eat and where they sleep. Making sure these remain the same will help them to get used to your home much quicker and it will help them to stay calm. Nobody wants a dog who barks all hours of the night, but you have to be proactive and ensure that the routine is good enough that they don’t feel the need to bark.
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Image source: Pexels

  • Provide your dog with their own space. It’s not just about whether the bed goes, but where you plan to put the crate. don’t need somewhere that they can feel safe and secure, especially when they are feeling overwhelmed, anxious or stressed. Some dogs simply just get tired. They may want to lay their head somewhere that is away from everybody petting them for 5 minutes. Ensuring you have the space sorted and lined up before you bring the dog home is important to their development and growth.
  • Make sure everybody knows how to behave around the new dog. Everybody is going to be very excited meeting a new pet, so you need to have a conversation with the children in the house before the dog comes home. The dog is going to feel heightened when they first come in and if the children are aware to keep the noise low and disperse big groups, they won’t overwhelm the new dog. Everybody should feel comfortable, including the new pup that’s coming into your house to live with you forever. Make sure that all of the introductions that you have planned are quiet and without interruption.
  • Have a list of family rules established. Rules are super important to make sure that everybody is aware exactly what to do when there is a new dog coming into the house. Establishing these rules can help everybody to know where they should and what they shouldn’t do. If you aren’t allowed to talk in specific rooms, everybody should know about that. Make sure everybody sticks to the same rules that your pet doesn’t get confused, and it also helps everybody to adjust to having a pet in the house.

A new pet is always going to be a welcome addition to a family so make sure that you are all on board with making their settling in as easy as possible.

Going Healthy, Health, Life

Anxiety Disorders: What Are the 5 Major Types?

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There are five main types of anxiety disorders, and what may be even more surprising is that over 19% of the American population suffer from one or more of them. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., but luckily they are highly treatable. Let’s take a look at how the five major types of anxiety disorders are distinguished.

1. Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Generalized Anxiety Disorder is quite common and it often presents as excessive worry and tension and chronic anxiety in patients. There doesn’t have to be anything particularly foreboding to cause the feelings of anxiousness. It’s normal to feel anxious from time to time, but when benign things occur, going into an anxiety ridden spiral that prevents you from enjoying life, there may be something deeper going on.

2. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

Due to reality television, obsessive compulsive disorder has gotten a lot of attention. What most people think of is OCD sufferers doing repetitive tasks for no apparent reason. But OCD is more than that. Patients have patterns of unwanted thoughts and fears that grow into obsessions. The fears and thoughts are usually unreasonable and excessive, taking over and preventing patients from living their lives comfortably. The repetitive tasks are an attempt at controlling the anxiety caused by the obsessions.

3. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

We often hear about PTSD and veterans, but it affects a diverse group of people. Post-traumatic stress disorder is usually triggered by a traumatic event, either witnessed or experienced. Some of the more common PTSD triggers include violent personal assaults, natural disasters, accidents and military combat, however, triggers could be any terrifying ordeal. Those who suffer often have trouble maintaining personal relationships, difficulty experiencing positive emotions, trouble sleeping, and more.

4. Panic Disorder

Panic disorder sufferers will often be plagued by sudden and unexpected episodes of intense terror or fear. The fear will usually be coupled with physical responses like chest pain, shortness of breath, racing heartbeat and excessive sweating. It’s very alarming to the patient and those who witness the panic attack that seems to come out of nowhere. Although these symptoms can mimic a heart attack, these episodes aren’t typically life threatening.

5. Social Anxiety Disorder

Humans are social by nature, but for some of us engaging in social ways causes severe discomfort, fear and anxiety. Social anxiety disorder can look like an excessive fear of speaking in front of people or eating in public spaces. It can also be so severe that any type of social interaction brings on an overwhelming sense of panic and fear. Social phobias can cause sufferers to avoid doing things and experiencing a full life. They often feel so self-conscious that they’re unable to maintain relationships, employment and more.

Coping with an anxiety disorder is very difficult to do alone. If you or someone you know are suffering from an anxiety order, please reach out to a licensed therapist for treatment. Learning how to incorporate the skills necessary to live life more comfortably and fully is going to greatly improve your quality of life.

Going Healthy, Going Strong, Health, Life, Parenting, Tips

8 Annual Checkups That You And Your Family Should Never Miss

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Most people know that they should get an annual checkup, but it is important to make sure that your entire family gets their regular physicals as well. An annual checkup offers the opportunity for a physician to detect and diagnose any potential health concerns before they become more serious.

It also helps you stay on top of any existing conditions or changes in your health status. Annual checkups should not be overlooked – they are a vital part of staying healthy.

Here Are The Annual Checkups That You And Your Family Should Never Miss:

1. Physical examinations:

At least once a year, it is important for all members of your family to get a physical examination from their doctor or healthcare provider. During this exam, the doctor will take vitals like temperature and pulse rate, conduct an overall physical assessment, and review your loved one’s medical history and current medications.

2. Eye examinations:

It is recommended that adults receive eye exams every two years, and those under 18 should receive exams annually. Eye exams can detect conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts before they become serious enough to cause permanent vision loss.

3. Dental checkups:

Dentists recommend that adults have a dental checkup at least twice a year in order to maintain good oral health. In addition, children should visit Loop Dentist every six months for a thorough cleaning and examination.

4. Women’s health screenings:

Women of all ages should go for regular breast exams, Pap tests, pelvic exams, and mammograms when appropriate. Additionally, women over 40 should qualify for an annual bone density scan which will assess the risk of developing osteoporosis later in life.

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5. Vaccinations:

Annual vaccinations are a very important part of preventive healthcare for all family members. Vaccines can help protect against various diseases, including the flu and common infectious illnesses such as measles or mumps.

6. Mental health checkups:

Mental health is just as important as physical health. Regular mental health checkups can help identify signs of depression, anxiety, or stress that may be affecting your daily life.

7. Cholesterol checkups:

High cholesterol levels can lead to serious health conditions and should be monitored regularly. Adults should have their cholesterol checked every four to six years, and those with high-risk factors (such as a family history of heart disease) should ask their doctor about more frequent screenings.

8. Blood pressure checkups:

High blood pressure can put you at risk for stroke, heart attack and other serious health conditions. Therefore, it is recommended that adults have their blood pressure checked yearly in order to keep an eye on any changes or irregularities.

Regular checkups are essential to maintaining good health – they catch medical problems early before they become serious enough to require more intensive treatment. Make sure you and your family don’t miss any annual appointments – it could be the difference between staying healthy and catching a potentially life-threatening illness before it’s too late. So schedule your checkups today, and stay healthy!