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Dr. Pawz: Welcoming an adopted pet in your home

By WTOP Staff

Katy Nelson, special to wtop.com

WASHINGTON – You’ve gone to the shelters or you’ve looked at all the pictures, and after reading last week’s Ask Dr. Pawz post, you’ve asked all the right questions. You’ve chosen the pet for you, and you’ve decided to make that little creature a part of your household. What now? What can you do to help smooth the transition from the shelter into your home?

First things are first: You’ve got to have the right gear.

If you’re adopting a kitty, make sure you have plenty of toys, scratchers, bedding, food and water bowls (try to avoid plastic for cats) and the proper number of litter boxes. A simple equation for the number of litter boxes you’ll need is to take the number of levels of your house and multiply that by the number of cats in the home. For example, if you live in a three-level home with two kitties, you’ll require a minimum of six litter boxes — one for each cat for each level of the home, plus an extra never hurts.

If you’re adopting a dog, make sure you have a good leash (stay away from retractable leashes because they give you zero control), a proper harness or collar, chew toys, a bed, a crate and a feeding station.

You should have already found out about what diet the new pet has been eating and if there are any specific dietary requirements that you need to address. If you plan to keep feeding that food when the pet arrives home, then go ahead and buy the big bag. However, if you plan to transition the pet to a new diet, buy enough of the old diet to gradually make the transition over a two-week period.

Now comes the fun part and the most challenging part — bringing the pet home. When the new pet is the only pet in the household, things are much simpler. You bring it home, you walk it through the house and you start establishing house rules and boundaries. However, when the new pet is coming into an already pet-occupied home, it gets a little more difficult.

The initial greeting must be tightly controlled, as should the interactions for the first few days or weeks, depending on the personalities you are working with. The more dominant the personalities are, the more time must be given and the more patience will need to be exercised. For dogs, I recommend introducing them outside the home first, each on a leash, so that the “sniff-fest” can commence on neutral ground. Doing this first introduction in the home can cause territory issues, and this could lead to a squabble.

For cats, it is often recommended to do the first introductions through a barrier. Whether you choose to keep the new kitty in the carrier for the first introductions, or use the old tried and true technique of putting them each in separate rooms with connecting doors, give them a few days to get used to each other’s scent before you allow them free roam of the home with each other.

Trainer Jenn Guerriero, owner of dog training company Big City Dogs advises that no matter the pet’s history, instituting training immediately upon entering the household is the best way to establish house rules.

Jenn’s motto is “bad dogs need training, good dogs deserve training.” Especially with rescue dogs, she says it’s important to “change your dog’s thinking patterns to be mindful of you and your space, and teach him to control his impulses.” By doing this promptly, you are better able to integrate the new pet into the household, rather than allowing the new pet to dictate how everyone around him or her behaves.

Finally, remember to give yourself and your new addition a little room for error. Many rescued pets come with dramatic histories, and they will require some time to adjust. Don’t expect perfection out of them or out of yourself. Frustration can be a big part of any adoption, but don’t lose hope, and you can truly be a match made in heaven.

Tune in to “The Pet Show” with Dr. Katy every Saturday at 11 a.m. on Washington D.C.’s News Channel 8, and listen on WTOP for her Dr. Pawz segments every two weeks. Have questions for Dr. Katy? You can follow her on Twitter @drkatynelson, on Facebook or email her at askdrkaty@wtop.com. Follow @WTOPLiving on Twitter.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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