Pets

Homemade Dog Toys – 7 Toys You Can Make Yourself For Under $5 – Your Dog Will Love Them

vibrating screen

This toy will take you about 5 minutes to make. Take the paper towel roll when it’s empty (or the toilet paper roll for small dogs) and fill it with a couple of small dog treats. Seal both ends with some duct tape. Shake it in front of your dog and watch him go crazy when you give it to him. They will be able to smell the treats with their keen sense of smell. You may want to do two or three of them at a time if you have a destructive dog. They will have a lot of fun with it. You can use your imagination with what you want to put in the toy. Your dog will love it! Free

frisbee rope

I’m sure you’ve noticed how the hard plastic on a Frisbee is very hard on your dog’s mouth, so you should make a Frisbee out of a softer but still strong material. Pet stores will charge you upwards of $10 for a good piece of cotton rope, but you can get one for less than $2. Take a trip to the hardware store and buy a foot (or so) of thick, braided cotton rope. When you get it home, sew the two ends together with some thick stitches. You can do it by hand…yes you can. Now you have a Frisbee String and your dog will love it. Cost: about $2

tug of war

Another way you can use the rope you bought at the hardware store is to tie both ends of the rope together and play “Tug of War.” What dog doesn’t love to do that? Again, the pet store charges way too much money for something so simple. Your dog certainly doesn’t care where he came from. This rope is great for strengthening jaw muscles not to mention how much fun they will have playing with you. Cost: about $2

mr sock

There are a few variations of using this toy, but these two are the most popular:

Take a new sweat sock and put a tennis ball in it. You can draw a funny face on it if you want, and then tie a knot in the sock to keep the ball in place. You can only imagine how much fun your dog can have with this. They’ll love tossing that sock around and chasing after it when it bounces back. This is also a good quest game. Cost: about $2

Then take another new sock, draw a funny face and put your hand inside. Use it as a hand puppet by talking and gently biting your dog’s ears and nose. They may be confused at first, but they will figure it out very quickly. Always wear a new sock because it will make them look different than the ones you are wearing. If they don’t have your scent and have a face drawn on them, they won’t look like the ones you wear around the house. Cost: about $2

the shell game

Use three plastic cups (make sure they are not see-through) and a dog treat for this game. Flip the cups over and place the treat under one of them. Keep changing the glasses very fast so that it confuses your dog. Once you stop, have your dog choose which cup the treat is in. Trust me, your dog will always win and have a lot of fun doing it. Free

break the pinata

This game is very similar to the one played by humans. Take a brown paper bag, draw a traditional

pinata design and fill it with some dog treats. Then tie it to a post with a string at the end and swing it in front of your dog. This is a great exercise because of all the jumping your dog will do. They will love it! Free

Swing the plastic bottle

Things you’ll need: Empty plastic bottle (any size); a straw; knitting needle

Punch holes on each side of your plastic bottle.

Thread the straw through the holes, and then thread the knitting needle through the straw. It needs to be able to swing, so you’ll need the knitting needle to be longer than the straw.

You should be able to have both hands on either side of the knitting needle that is holding the bottle. Make sure the holes are about a quarter of the way up the bottle, which will prevent the bottle from becoming too heavy. Place a treat inside the bottle, hold your hand on either side, and have your dog rock the bottle until the treat falls out of the open top. This will keep them entertained for a long time. Cost: about $3

Pets

toys for your hound

A lot of thought should go into choosing the right toys for your hound. You must first learn about the breed and understand its mannerisms before going to the store and buying anything old.

By nature, if a Bloodhound doesn’t have much to keep its mind occupied, it’s just like any other animal on the planet, it gets bored. Many new dog owners will spend a great deal of money pampering their new pet by going to their local pet store or buying all sorts of toys online that they think will be pleasing to the dog.

Bloodhounds like to have jobs to do, such as walking or running, training for search and rescue, or whatever they think will please their owner. They love to play and I don’t think they’ll ever get past that stage. Now don’t be fooled, he’s a very intelligent animal and some owners end up being the ones looking instead of searching, so you’ll want to keep your mind on the task at hand and not something else.

While they are idle in their yard or barnyard, they are always looking for something to do. Most bloodhounds like to chew, so you’ll want to choose a toy that will last and won’t hurt them if they ingest it. Once they are old enough to play with each other, they will want other items to occupy their time.

A toy that is good and will last a while is a wind-up toy. They will pull each other if they have a playmate and try to take it from the other. It is always good entertainment for the owner to watch their new dog play. Get involved with them as much as you can. Pull the string but let them as long as they have it so they know that this is their toy and no one will take it away from them.

Eventually the rope will get old and fray and they will start to eat it. Toys don’t last forever and once they do you’ll want to take them off and get a new one. They will be very happy to see a fresh new string to play with.

Another great chew toy for them is hooves. These can be found at almost any pet store. Ask the store manager where you can find them. They’ll also last a while and keep you busy for hours, but just like with rope, once they start to shrink and there are splinters everywhere, you’ll want to replace them with a new one.

Since bloodhounds like to chew, a new owner might be disappointed in the new dog because he likes to chew on his kennel. This is common to almost all bloodhounds I have seen. Some will literally destroy the house if they don’t have enough to keep them busy, and others will just nibble on it for a while.

The best toy for any bloodhound that I have found is a plain old stick. They come in many flavors, pine, aspen, willow, maple, oak. You will have to adjust the dogs taste to what is available to you. Where I live aspens are plentiful and I get them a fresh stick often and it keeps them busy for hours.

Toys for your hound don’t have to be fancy, just safe and practical to keep them busy and not hurt themselves by eating something that’s bad for them or gets stuck in their intestines.

Have fun with your dog, they won’t be around forever. Once you find a good toy for them, you will enjoy playing and watching them for hours on end every day for a lifetime.

Pets

Why is a Golden Retriever’s nose so powerful?

Especially powerful is the nose of the Golden Retriever, which often takes over the function of the brain. One of the main reasons hunters have sought out Goldens over the years is because of their superior ability to smell.

The instinct and desire to use their sense of smell to discover and enjoy new and old scents is always present in Goldens. On walks or simply in their garden, they are constantly alert to odours. It is one of the greatest pleasures of their lives.

The retriever part of the dog’s name indicates the type of work for which it was developed. It is also an indication that the average Golden with natural instincts will spend a fair amount of time searching for and carrying whatever objects it finds in its mouth.

Some Goldens are so happy when they have a wonderful object in their mouth that they make talking sounds.

In general, Goldens get along well with other pets. However, as often as we don’t like to admit it, they are dogs and exhibit dog traits. While not a desirable trait, adult males can be aggressive towards other dogs of the same sex.

Occasionally females will exhibit the same tendency. Castration can help control this problem, especially in males. Goldens with a prey drive will chase anything that runs away from them, such as cats and rabbits and anything small and fast.

Chasing larger animals or livestock is generally not a problem because they are more likely to bark at larger animals that chase them, although you can never be sure.

As a conclusion, Golden Retrievers, like all retrievers, really enjoy investigating the world with their strong sense of smell. They generally get along with other local animals, but sometimes show prey drive and chase smaller animals.

Pets

Proven Strategies for Winning – California Lottery

The California State Lottery began in 1984 and is one of the most popular among lottery players around the world. Her games include Mega Millions, Fantasy 5, Super Lotto Plus, Hot spot, Scratcher, Daily 3, Daily 4 and Daily Derby. If you are a California lottery player, then you need to know some important facts about number selection. Here are some tips on how to get the correct winning numbers:

– When playing the California State Lottery, calculating numbers knowing the correct lottery code and lottery pattern is your best bet. The strategy for calculating the winning numbers was revealed by a math genius who did research and proved that the lottery pattern is a key factor influencing lottery winnings. His strategy helps players avoid common mistakes made by average players playing Super Lotto Plus, Hot spot, Scratcher or any other California lottery game. The lottery pattern gives you the trend by which you can calculate the winning numbers.

– There are lottery software and programs available that analyze the previous results and through this analysis the software generates the numbers that have a high probability of appearing in the next draw. Be sure to keep track of past winning numbers for California lottery games to increase your odds of winning.

– Even when playing California lottery games like Mega Millions, Fantasy 5, Daily 4, and Daily Derby, you can use some math tools and wheel systems that check past history and filter the selection to get the winning number combination. Thus eliminating the numbers that have a low probability of being drawn.

– Lottery number generator is one of the best solutions for all California lottery games. This system takes into account your choice of sequence and number combination calculations.

Try following these strategies to win the lottery. There have been players who learned and used these techniques and managed to get a win more than once they played. These tricks are easy to learn and can make you a millionaire by getting the winning numbers right like a fish out of the ocean.

Pets

National Organ Donor Day and its Importance

Organ Donation Statistics

  • According to studies by organdonor.gov
  • As of August 2017, more than 116,000 men, women, and children are on the organ waiting list.
  • In 2016, it is estimated that around 33,611 transplants were successfully performed.
  • Every day at least 20 people die without getting donors.
  • Although the majority of US citizens support organ donation, only 54% of them are registered donors.

What should be done to donate organs and save more lives?

Go to a nearby hospital or community health center and sign up for organ donation. Donor organs can save up to 8 lives. You can help people in your family and community sign up for organ donation to become a registered donor.

What organs can be donated?

  • All eight vital organs including the heart, kidneys (2), pancreas, lungs (2), liver and intestines can be donated. Hands and faces will also be listed in the coming days.
  • Tissue donation includes cornea, skin, heart valves, bones, blood vessels, and connective tissues.
  • In addition to the organs and tissues listed above, bone marrow and stem cells, umbilical cord blood, and peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) can also be donated.

Who can become an organ donor?

From newborns to seniors, anyone can be an organ donor. Although there are no age limitations to become a registered donor, in the US, individuals under the age of 18 must obtain authorization from their parents or guardians. Organ donation depends only on the state of your organs and your physical form.

You can still donate organs, even if you are not a US citizen. Organs will be given to patients based on medical necessity, not citizenship.

Even with any disease you can donate. But people with HIV, jaundice, cancer, or any other organ infection will not be able to donate their organs or tissues. If you want to donate your whole body, contact the nearest medical organization and learn about the possibilities.

Spread knowledge and raise awareness:

Talk to your family and friends about this, make them understand how serious this is. Making a documentary on this topic or organizing an event can help people learn about it and the ways they can help save a life.

Generate the discussion on social media, when organ donation related hashtags become popular obviously people may start searching and learning about them. #NationalDonorDay, #Imadonor are some samples.

Join the organdonor.gov community on Facebook or follow HRSA (@HRSAgov) on Twitter and share your experiences and learn about donation news and statistics. Also, you can download the social media graphics and share them on your own social media channels to raise awareness among people in your group.

Conclusion:

Many organizations and volunteers are willing to help. Now is the right time to step up and enroll yourself and your family members as registered donors.

Pets

Raise a pet Coatimundi: Know the details

Raising a coatimundi as a pet can be challenging at first, especially if you are doing it for the first time. You need to know many important things. You should also consider different sets of factors while doing this to ensure that your exotic pet doesn’t grow up with bad habits that may cause some harm later on.

One of the most important things to know about raising a coatimundi as a household pet would be not to overfeed your baby during a feeding. You should watch how much you feed your exotic pet because coatis generally continue to feed until they get very bloated. Overfeeding can cause inhalation pneumonia; loss of body condition; and loose stools. When you finish feeding your pet coati and he is still hungry, you should wait at least 45 minutes before you can offer him the bottle again. At 5 weeks of age, your pet coati should begin eating an average of one ounce per feeding. You should feed your pet four times a day. You can increase this frequency as your exotic pet ages. Don’t forget to burp your pet coati after every meal.

The next important thing to know about raising your exotic pet would be the right time for weaning. This is generally up to the pet owner and may be based on their own circumstances. You should know that the more you bottle feed your baby coati, the less inclined he will be to eat solid food. At 5 or 6 weeks of age, you should start putting down some dry puppy food for your exotic pet. When you start feeding your exotic pet solid food, you can mix some apple juice with puppy food or monkey biscuits. Each coati is considered individual with its own unique taste buds. Some of the coatis’ favorite foods include pizza, cold cuts, newtons, blueberry muffins, watermelon, eggs, and bananas.

Vaccination schedules are another thing to consider. These should be the same with puppies and kittens. The first vaccines and deworming are given at 5 or 6 weeks of age. After which, this is done every 3 weeks until the coatis reach the age of 16 weeks. Annual boosters and deworming are also highly recommended. Aside from this, coatis should also receive a distemper and parvovirus vaccine for dogs or DHLP-P and panleukopenia vaccine for cats. You can deworm your pet coati with any good cat or dog dewormer.

Next, never use too many flea products because most of these things are toxic to exotic animals. If you have a pet coati that is less than 12 weeks old, you might be better off spraying Adams brand flea spray on a towel and wiping it into his fur. Don’t go overboard with this.

Lastly, if you have a male coati, it is highly recommended that you neuter him. Males that are destined for breeding, on the other hand, must be reared by the mother or placed in the breeding pen between 4 and 6 months of age.

Pets

4 things that need inspection before deciding on an apartment

cell phone reception

Cell phones are essential these days more than ever. Almost all people rely on these devices for a number of different reasons, from work, to communicating with family and friends, to keeping track of their daily tasks. However, if you find it difficult to use your phone due to poor signal, that’s a big deal. When touring the potential apartment, tenants should try to use their phone in all areas of the place to see if the reception is up to par and consistent.

Another thing that is equally important for everyone is Wi-Fi, there are landlords that include utilities such as water and heat in the rent, while others give rental incentives such as Wi-Fi and cable, so it is important to ask about the Wifi.

Water temperature and water pressure.

These are things that often go unnoticed but that tenants must deal with every day. Nothing could be worse than having extreme water pressure, which can be too strong or too soft, and unstable water temperature. They certainly won’t be able to take a shower as they go through the apartment, but they can turn on the faucet to test the temperature and pressure on their hands to see if they’re okay. In case there are any issues in this regard, they can check with the landlord or company to see if they can be fixed before moving out.

no pests around

Even if they are only renting an apartment, they consider it their home. However, insects and rodents, among other pests, also find their way in, making it a major problem for many people. It is very unhygienic and gross to have pets in an apartment. They have to take a look at the top and inside of their cabinets to see if they have feces. Also, it’s a good idea to check your baseboards and walls for any large holes or cracks as well.

If they are still not satisfied with this, they can ask the landlord for a copy of the latest pest control treatments performed on the apartment/building. It is stated in the lease if the unit/building had any pest problems because landlords disclose such information about their apartment for lease. Tenants must be willing to ask specific questions. Since this will be your home, there should be no pests.

Power outlets and electrical system

Many things in the home require a power outlet to work, including phones, chargers, and appliances, among others. When touring an apartment, try plugging a device into as many outlets as possible to make sure they work. If you can’t think of anything to bring, you can always stop by a nearby hardware store to pick up an electrical receptacle wall plug AC outlet ground tester. Its price ranges between $5 and $10. You can test the state of the circuit for each outlet in the apartment. Additionally, you can check all the lights in the apartment to make sure they can be turned on and off as needed. When they move without checking the outlets, they’ll be sorry when something doesn’t work when they need it most.

Pets

Cats: asthma and wheezing

Feline asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by sudden episodes of difficulty breathing. Episodes are often triggered by allergies or stress, which cause the airways to constrict. This leads to shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. A low-grade chronic cough may be the only sign, but an acute attack can occur at any time and is a life-threatening event. Affected cats are usually between 2 and 8 years of age. Siamese breeds and females may be more susceptible.

CAUSES

The most common causes are allergies to inhaled substances called allergens in the environment. Pollen, mold and dust incriminate the outside. Tobacco smoke, perfumes, dusty kitty litter, and powdered carpet deodorizers are the most common indoor culprits. Other causes include stress, i.e. new pets moving in, as well as lungworms, including lungworms and heartworms. Bacterial infections often complicate these cases; Secondary bacterial pneumonias are not uncommon in cats or people with asthma.

SIGNS

1. Hairball-like cough, often with shortness of breath. This hairball cough doesn’t bring up any hairballs.

2. Wheezing.

3. Difficulty breathing.

4. Breathing can be slow and deliberate, too fast and shallow.

5. Cats can breathe with their mouths open to help move air through their lungs. Cats normally breathe with their mouths closed.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is confirmed by chest x-rays, which help differentiate it from other diseases with similar signs, such as bronchitis, heartworm disease, and pneumonia. Fluid and mucous samples from the airways may be collected and examined microscopically to help identify the exact cause.

TREATMENT

True asthma usually responds quickly to a combination of medications designed to open up the airways and block the allergic reaction. Severe cases often require oxygen therapy as well. Antibiotics are indicated if there are bacterial infections such as pneumonia.

In an emergency:

* An injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) reverses an asthmatic crisis in 15 minutes.

* Terbutaline is an airway dilator: when given by injection, it opens the airways within 30 minutes.

* Corticosteroids are drugs such as methylprednisone and depomedrol. They act within 48 hours of injection and last 10 to 14 days. This is a viable alternative for some owners unable to give their cat pills. Cats, unlike humans, are relatively resistant to steroid side effects; therefore, this is suitable for long-term management in certain cases.

LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT OF ASTHMA

Long-term control of asthma involves:

1. Removal of allergens from the environment

has. Use an air purifier, electrostatic air cleaner.

b. Use dust-free, odorless cat litter.

Cons Avoid sprays to control odors.

d. Reduce stress, don’t smoke.

2. Various medications are used to open the airways (Bronchodilators) and decrease allergic reaction (Corticosteroids) similar to those used for Human Asthma.

has. Airway dilators include:

Yo. Terbutaline (Brethine), and

ii. Theophylline (Theo-dur).

These medicines decrease the constriction of the airways and allow air to move in and out of the lungs more easily. Terbutaline is available as an inhalant for humans, and certain veterinarians have devised methods of using it as an inhalant for cats.

b. Cyproheptadine is a drug that decreases the chemical serotonin, which has been shown to be involved in constricting the airways. It is often used in conjunction with steroids and/or in cats that cannot take steroids. Side effects include increased appetite and sedation.

Zamflurkast (Accolate): This is a new asthma drug in humans that is used to lower the dose of steroids needed to control asthma. In cats, this is considered experimental, but initial reports have been good.

d. Cyclosporine – A: This drug is used in human organ transplant patients to modulate the immune response and is quite expensive. Recently, assays have been used in feline asthmatic cases that do not respond to other therapies.

me. Anti-Interleukin-5 Antibody is an anticancer drug that is still in experimental stages for use in feline asthmatics.

COMPLEMENTARY TREATMENTS

The principles include treating allergies, if any, decreasing airway inflammation, and reducing environmental stress.

* Hypoallergenic diets can relieve asthmatic symptoms associated with dietary allergies.

*Fish Oil: Linseed Oil.

* Antioxidants: Vitamins C and E

* Vitamin B6

* B12 vitamin

* Acupuncture has been effective in certain cases.

Pets

Pet Supplement Marketing: How To Stand Out From The Crowd

Pet owners are a huge audience. According to Grandview Research, the global pet supplement market was estimated at USD 637.6 million in 2019 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% between 2020 and 2027.

I’ll explain what this strategy is in a moment. Before I do that, let me tell you how it worked for one pet owner in particular: me.

HOW TO GET THE ATTENTION

One day not too long ago, my little terrier mix, Dixie, wasn’t looking forward to welcoming the new morning with her usual enthusiasm.

Without wagging the tail.

Without smiling (yes, dogs smile!).

None of his usual zest for life.

None of the “I love you” yawns I was expecting right after I woke up.

And she wouldn’t look me right in the face, none of the “hugging eyes” that dog lovers know so well.

Our vet, bless her heart, immediately diagnosed Dixie’s lethargy as a symptom of pancreatitis.

Astute investigation by the vet identified the cause as a nutritional deficiency. Dixie just wasn’t getting enough food.

That’s when I went into overdrive looking for solutions. Google search results led me to forums and blogs where other dog owners shared similar experiences.

The love and care these people showed for their furry friends really stood out to me. He made his stories come alive in my mind.

It’s like you’re having one-on-one conversations with them.

I felt like I was included in a special inner circle with other like-minded ‘favorite people’.

The bonus was a health tip for Dixie that worked. She now gets a multivitamin mix in her breakfast plate every day. She also receives a special anti-nausea supplement whenever symptoms return.

And their food and treats have been upgraded to ‘premium’ status.

Dixie’s poor nutrition had been a real threat to her well-being. The education I received from other caring dog owners probably saved her despite my ignorance.

Dixie is happy and healthy once again. Months later, she shows no signs of the approaching tragedy that nearly derailed her life.

Because of this experience, I made it a point to spread the word about what I learned and what I did to make sure it never happens again, to Dixie or any other dog.

AT TEACHING TIME

This happy outcome came about thanks to the input of people I came to trust.

What I experienced is what educators call a teachable moment.

It turned out to be a double whammy for me.

First, I learned how to help Dixie.

Plus, I also learned how powerful that marketing principle I mentioned at the beginning of this article is.

The term for this principle, as cited in the Grandview Research survey mentioned above, is “humanization.”

People humanize their pets. I know what I do.

In fact, the term appears multiple times in the Grandview Research survey.

It was also cited in a recent article in Nutraceuticals World as a driving force behind pet supplement sales during the pandemic.

MARKETING FOR PETS IN FAMILY

Using emotions to guide sales is as old as marketing itself. However, this can be taken to the next level when it comes to pets.

Implementing the following three strategies will do exactly that when done correctly. Each step involves acknowledging pets as family.

1) Use the added advantage of social media.

People love to see pet-related posts and images on social media. Nothing humanizes pets better than poignant or humorous photos and videos.

2) Partner with a pet charity.

According to digital marketing company Optimum 7, 63% of shoppers are more likely to buy from companies that support social causes.

Pet adoption and welfare agencies are at the top of the list.

3) Implement consumer-based marketing.

My Dixie story is just one example of how other pet lovers have talked about specific brands of pet supplements.

Incorporating this strategy is a matter of providing the opportunity for consumers to talk about and show off their beloved pets.

Comments on blog posts, social media articles, and forums offer many opportunities for consumers to add “favorite power” to their marketing plan.

Finally, keep in mind that the marketing of pet products should not be the same as for any other type of product. A standard marketing plan will not do the job.

Truly standing out from the crowd means incorporating the humanization of pets into your marketing plan.

That is the common thread of these three strategies.

A FINAL SUGGESTION

This is where I would normally sing my own praises as a writer in the alternative health niche. It is a way to attract new customers.

Instead of doing that now, I’ll qualify myself for ‘pet marketing duty’ based on my lifelong love of dogs and cats.

In fact, I humanize my pets.

And like other pet owners, I am subject to persuasive marketing that explains that.

It is the icing on the cake of my professional experience and qualifications.

Instead of overwhelming you with my huzzahs, I’ll just suggest we have a conversation about…well, our pets.

One of the advantages of having pets in the family is being able to show them off to others. So I encourage you to brag about yours to me. (You might even do the same! ALERT: You might also want to talk about another terrier mix, Ellie, and an orange tabby, Dilly. They’re all so adorable!)

If during our conversation we find out how I can help you with pet supplement marketing, then all the better.

I am a game if you are a game. Just call me or send me an email.

Let’s get the (pet) ball rolling today!

Pets

Tips for when you are separated but want to reconcile with your spouse

I often have people tell me that they are in a state of great anxiety when they separate from their spouse. They are often in quite a bit of pain and assume the worst as they feel their life is in crisis. I understand this completely. The period of time my husband and I were apart was one of the most painful and frightening of my life. Looking back though, I realize I could have done a few things that would have made it a lot easier. I probably could have saved myself a lot of pain too. So, in the next article, I’ll offer some tips on how to best handle a trial separation so that it goes as smoothly as possible, and so that you have the best chance of improving or saving your marriage rather than ending it.

Don’t assume your marriage is over: I can’t tell you how common it is for people to assume that the beginning of a breakup means the end of their marriage. Of course, they hope this is not true. But deep in their hearts, they fear that it is.

While this is understandable, it is very important that you do not allow any doubts to cloud your judgment and affect your actions. Yes, I know this is scary. But very often, if you fear one thing so much that you place every thought or action in alignment with it, you almost make the thing you fear most more likely.

Not all couples who separate end up divorcing. Many don’t. Some not only save their marriages, but also make them even better. And, even better news than this is that your actions, behaviors, and strategies can have an impact on what happens now. It’s not like you have no control over the outcome. You do. So be careful not to give up before you’ve had a chance to fight. I know firsthand that this is a scary time, but do your best to think positively, knowing that this will give you the best chance of success and make this easier to bear.

Try to agree on the details before someone moves in: I know it can be painful and awkward to talk in advance about how often you will meet or communicate. But this is almost always going to be the best call. One of the biggest problems of conflict once the separation begins is not meeting expectations. Often one person will assume one thing while the other will assume another. When expectations or hopes are not met, people feel hurt or assume the worst. All of this can be avoided if you describe what will happen before someone moves in and before the misunderstandings start. Try to agree on everything you can so you both know what to expect.

Describe what you will do to improve the situation. Commit to being proactive instead of reactive: Many people just blindly hope that time and distance will work for them. In other words, they prepare and hope for the best. I’m not going to tell you that this is an impossible strategy. Often a breakup shows both people that they take each other for granted and often miss each other so much that they are motivated to get along much better.

But, the problem with this is that even though the motivation level goes up, sometimes nothing has been done to resolve the issues that lead to the breakup to begin with. So while that issue may not come up again in the reconciliation phase, wait until your relationship is under stress again. This brings doubts and insecurity that can lead to more problems.

In short, if you can commit to working through your issues (and this can happen after the breakup is over if that’s easier for you), then you’ll have a lot more confidence in your marriage. And as a result, you will have much less chance of this happening again.

Don’t do things that you will later regret. Remember that he is still married: Sometimes, when there are many questions about what will happen to the future of your marriage, you can start to feel that what you do today will not matter anyway. One of the biggest things that prevents a reconciliation is when one or both spouses behave during the separation that ends up putting their marriage in jeopardy. People will often act in ways that they never would have considered when they weren’t apart. And in a sense this is understandable because you are vulnerable and under a lot of stress. So it can feel pretty good to let off steam. Or it might be tempting to go out for a drink with that cute co-worker because it would boost your self-esteem at a time when it’s desperately needed.

However, I firmly believe that you should resist these temptations. You’re still married and I can’t tell you how often I see marriages end because one or both spouses started dating during the breakup. Don’t do anything that could jeopardize your marriage, and know that your spouse may discover things you were sure would remain secret.

Know that being strong and carrying yourself with dignity will only help your marriage in the long run: People often resist becoming self-employed when they are apart. Understandably, your entire focus is on your spouse, your marriage, and what is wrong. But frankly, there’s probably never been a better time to work on yourself. First of all, you probably have more free time right now. Second, it will often make you feel productive and provide some relief. Third, it is likely to make her appear more attractive to her husband. I know it’s easy to just sit at home and get discouraged about her situation, but doing so doesn’t bring your husband closer to you. But, if she sees that you make the best of things because you love and respect yourself enough to do so, then she will do the same. Valuing yourself enough to do this makes you appear more valuable to others. And increasing your perceived value can be vital right now.