I’ve had the bldg fire alarm go off 4 times accidentally this weekend. Tried to get the animals all ready to go as quickly as possible just in case. Found it very difficult to catch them when they are scared. Any tips would be great. Also any tips for their rescue if they are alone and a fire breaks out. Thanks.
Have the cats go to a cage that you can carry. The dog should go to a cage too, but close the door so the dog can’t go in, because he or she might not come out willingly if they see the cage as the safe place. He or she should stand by the cage, then you leash him or her. The turtle depends on if it’s aquatic or land. If it’s land, have a critter keeper (plastic container with slots for water bottle and holes for air) handy, put turtle in, throw it in cage with cats. If it’s aquatic, have a plastic tub just big enough for the turtle that you can cover tightly, put turtle in it, and use a pitcher to add water from aquarium to tub. Carry the cat cage in one arm and hook dog leash around other elbow. You then have a hand free to open doors, etc.
If you haven’t already gotten the dog and cats used to going to the cage when you order it, that is the place to start. Use treats and do it at least four times a day until they get the idea. Believe it or not, even our cat will go in the cage on command. My husband and I are volunteer firefighters, so our four dogs and the cat have to be put in their cages quickly too. We always cage them when we’re out of the house. Hubby did a great job teaching them to go in their cages, and since he has been deployed, I’ve been teaching them the importance of "Cage!" when the fire siren sounds or our tones go off on the radio. They are used to the sound now, and "Cage!" while the siren sounds, paired with jumping up (using body language) makes them scoot with more energy and speed than a normal "Cage!" command.
The next step is to have your own "fire drill". I put a link below to the sound of a fire alarm. You could play it loud on your computer to get the animals used to the noise, so they won’t be scared. Once they will go to the cage reliably, use the sound of the alarm, then your command to go to the cage.
This is the hardest part. You have to stay calm yourself. Try to not communicate anxiety through your body language or the sound of your voice. Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, stresses the importance of communicating with energy. I posted a link also to where you should start on his website. Be really calm while teaching them to go to the cage, then once they get used to that, stay calm while using the alarm sound with cage, then once that is mastered, communicate excitement without fear to encourage a quicker response.
You can get stickers that notify firefighters that there are pets in the apartment. This link is also below.
Do you have a neighbor who could help you carry or lead the animals? It’s so great that you’re thinking this out in advance. It may save your life in addition to your pets’ lives.
December 25th, 2009 at 5:42 am
Just don’t let the turtle lead the way
References :
joker
December 25th, 2009 at 6:16 am
Have the cats go to a cage that you can carry. The dog should go to a cage too, but close the door so the dog can’t go in, because he or she might not come out willingly if they see the cage as the safe place. He or she should stand by the cage, then you leash him or her. The turtle depends on if it’s aquatic or land. If it’s land, have a critter keeper (plastic container with slots for water bottle and holes for air) handy, put turtle in, throw it in cage with cats. If it’s aquatic, have a plastic tub just big enough for the turtle that you can cover tightly, put turtle in it, and use a pitcher to add water from aquarium to tub. Carry the cat cage in one arm and hook dog leash around other elbow. You then have a hand free to open doors, etc.
If you haven’t already gotten the dog and cats used to going to the cage when you order it, that is the place to start. Use treats and do it at least four times a day until they get the idea. Believe it or not, even our cat will go in the cage on command. My husband and I are volunteer firefighters, so our four dogs and the cat have to be put in their cages quickly too. We always cage them when we’re out of the house. Hubby did a great job teaching them to go in their cages, and since he has been deployed, I’ve been teaching them the importance of "Cage!" when the fire siren sounds or our tones go off on the radio. They are used to the sound now, and "Cage!" while the siren sounds, paired with jumping up (using body language) makes them scoot with more energy and speed than a normal "Cage!" command.
The next step is to have your own "fire drill". I put a link below to the sound of a fire alarm. You could play it loud on your computer to get the animals used to the noise, so they won’t be scared. Once they will go to the cage reliably, use the sound of the alarm, then your command to go to the cage.
This is the hardest part. You have to stay calm yourself. Try to not communicate anxiety through your body language or the sound of your voice. Cesar Millan, the Dog Whisperer, stresses the importance of communicating with energy. I posted a link also to where you should start on his website. Be really calm while teaching them to go to the cage, then once they get used to that, stay calm while using the alarm sound with cage, then once that is mastered, communicate excitement without fear to encourage a quicker response.
You can get stickers that notify firefighters that there are pets in the apartment. This link is also below.
Do you have a neighbor who could help you carry or lead the animals? It’s so great that you’re thinking this out in advance. It may save your life in addition to your pets’ lives.
References :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6qa54mzRb0 (fire alarm sound)
http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/basics/energy-as-communication (using your energy)
http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q=pet+emergency+sticker&revid=2113948937&resnum=0&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=hVguS9rqA8ffnAe41NnyCA&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCIQrQQwAg (pet stickers)