Archive for February, 2020

• Weekend activities with your Pup

  If you work full time then you know it can be hard to squeeze in quality time during the week. Weekends were created to give the full-time workers the opportunity to catch up with family. Since our pets are part of our families its important to make time for your dog during the weekend. Here are a few ideas.

  Keep it simple

  Dogs are not complicated, they simply want your love and affection. You can simply spend one on one time with your dog on the weekend to show him that you care. Let him ride along as you run errands, or make the morning walk an extra 15 minutes on weekend. These are all simple ways to spend time with your pup this weekend.

  Check out a dog park

  Dog parks are the most exciting place for dogs. Find a local dog park and allow your pup to bond and hang out with fellow canines. Be sure to keep your eyes on your pup as he explores at the dog park. You will see a new side of your dog as he engages and makes friends.

  Teach a new trick

  Teaching your dog a new trick is fun and rewarding. Start with a simple trick such as shake and be sure to have lots of treats handy. Your dog will enjoy the challenge of earning treats in exchange for showing off his new skills.

  Buy her favorite treat

  Make the weekend special by buying her favorite treat. Dogs love rawhide bone and Antler ears!

  Visit the vet

  If you are too busy to go during the week, make a weekend appointment to visit the vet. Nothing shows you love your dog more than doing your part in keeping her healthy!

• Three Facts about Puppy Training

  If you are dreaming of buying a new puppy, you aren’t alone. Humans love puppies and dogs are the ultimate companions. It’s important to remember that puppies can be challenging especially if you are a first time or single pet parent. If you are considering a puppy here are three facts that can help you to prepare for your new furry friend.

  Crating compels to their natural instincts

  Many new puppy parents have mixed feelings about crate training, and often feel bad when putting their puppy inside a crate. While it’s not natural for humans, and it may look like a cruel and lonely cage, the crate is an important part of your pup’s training and development. In the wild, dogs have the natural instinct to seek shelter inside a den. The crate is a comfort zone that your puppy will naturally retreat to, be patient and allow him to adjust to his crate and you will be happy you did.

  Creating a routine helps with house training

  One of the biggest problems that new puppy parents face is housetraining. Puppies tend to pee a lot during this process and in response, most puppy parents increase the number of walks, which can actually make the problem worse. Puppies adapt well to a predictable life so creating a routine for outside time and walks will help your pup succeed with housetraining.

  Leash him!

  When your puppy is outside of his crate, it’s important that he wears a lightweight leash. This will help you supervise and correct his behavior. Puppies are playful creatures and when you touch them to correct their behavior, they can confuse the touch as an invitation to play. This can reinforce bad behavior rather than stop it. The leash can be gently tugged to guide or redirect a mischievous pup, and soon he will under the role of the leash.

• 7 Tips for Naming Your Dog

  Choosing a name for your dog isn’t always an easy decision, and since our names help form our identity, it’s also an important decision. Most domestic dogs are named after people. In fact, the most popular names of dogs listed online include Max, Lucy, and Molly. While some may say it is just a trend, we believe that giving your dog a human name is a way of showing that your pet is a member of the family.

  What’s behind the name?

  For people, names have often been selected with the notion that they will influence the child’s behavior and self-perception and that they will be molded by their given names. The same holds true in pets. Think about the possible outcome of when you of naming your dog, and how others will perceive your dog based on his given name. Indeed, choosing a name for your dog is an essential part of the bonding process between you and your pet.

  Here are a few tips:

  1. Your dog’s name should show off your creativity and second, it should attempt to reflect the nature of your dog.

  2. A huge percentage of dog names are human names. On top of the list is Max for male dog names while Molly is often considered the most common female dog name. Other top dog names on the list include Charlie, Daisy, Rocky, Maggie, Bella, Jack, Buddy, and Lucy.

  3. There are still dog owners who name their dogs based on their physical appearance and personality. The more traditional names include Patches, Brownie, Spot or Lady—dog names that already give us a peep on the dog’s personality and character.

  4. Just like people’s names, there are so many sources of ideas for the names of dogs. Art, literature, TV, movies, and music are great sources of inspiration for many dog owners anywhere in the world. Think about Elvis and Mozart from the great music legends and Shiloh and Rintintin from all-time movie favorites. Have you met a dog named Chanel whose owner is a fashionista? How about Venus or Homer from the classics?

  5. Get to know your dog. One of the thrills when bringing home a new puppy is thinking of a name for the newest addition to the family. When naming a dog, it is best to take on a wait-and-see approach. Try to get to know your puppy for a while and you will see hints in his behavior or personality that will help you think of the best name for your pooch.

  6. Short names are best. Choose a name that is easy on the tongue. The best ones are those with one- or two syllables. Compare the difference when calling out Zeus and Marmalade.

  7. No names that rhyme with commands. Although it is recommended that you choose a dog name ending with a vowel sound like Willie and Missy, NEVER choose one that rhymes with basic commands like Joe which may sound like “no”

• 3 Great Dog Breeds for Seniors

  Dogs are traditionally called “man’s best friend” for a reason. They are loving and playful, providing great company to people of all ages. Of course, depending on which stage of life you’re in there are certain breeds that will fit better into your life. The best dogs for seniors are calm, affectionate and low maintenance.

  When the children leave the home and the grandchildren start growing up and getting busy with their own activities, senior adults can experience loneliness and boredom. A dog makes a great companion and friend. In fact, several studies have shown that dogs improve the health of the elderly.

  Poodles are still a very popular breed among senior adults. They are very regal looking. Their intelligence makes them easy to train. You will never be bored when you own a poodle.

  Their playfulness and energy make them a very entertaining dog. They are one of the best dogs for seniors because Poodles are clean dogs and have minimal shedding. They come in 3 varieties: standard, miniature, and toy. You are sure to find one that fits your situation.

  Maltese was bred specifically to be a companion dog. They are gentle and loving. Their small size makes them one of the best dogs for seniors who may be lacking in strength. Maltese shed little, which makes for quick cleanup.

  Their hair is long, but most people keep their coat short so it is manageable. If you don’t mind daily brushing, you can let your pet’s glorious mane flow. Good health is one of the Maltese’s strongest features. These lap dogs also love learning tricks and pleasing their owners.

  This is a great dog for an older adult who doesn’t want the typical lap dog. They are medium in size. Shar-Peis are one of the easiest dogs to housetrain. They usually do not like strangers and make excellent watchdogs.

  Shar-Peis are very independent. They are good for owners who may not be home all the time. If you still enjoy getting out and taking walks often, a Shar-Pei is a perfect companion for you. They have short hair, so grooming is kept at a minimum.

• Pet Grieving and how to cope with it.

  No one thinks that the day will come where we lose our beloved pets, but sometimes that day comes sooner than we expected, and we are forced to cope with the loss of a pet. In this blog, we will discuss some strategies to help you manage to grieve a pet.

  Express your feelings

  It’s okay to cry, feel lost or sad after you lose a pet companion. Taking the time to express your feelings in a safe and understanding environment can help you to cope with your loss.

  Talk to someone you trust

  Not everyone will understand what you are feeling. People who have never had the companionship of a dog can struggle to identify with the strong sense of loss that comes with grieving a dog. It’s important that you talk to someone who can understand and extend empathy to you in your time of need.

  Join a support group

  Technology has made finding a support group easier than ever. Whether you prefer a Facebook support group or a faith-based support or something in between, you can easily find a community of supportive individuals. Try not to isolate yourself or think you are the only one who can understand your pain. A support group can help you through this tough time

  Memorize your dog

  Print the photos from your phone and grab a friend who loved your dog and make a book of memories. The process of memorization can help you to remember all of the good times that you shared with your dog.

  Look for the good

  If your dog was suffering from an illness, know that now she is no longer in pain. While it’s hard to find the good in such a tough situation it important to remember that quality of life is more important than length.

  Never stop loving your dog

  Even though your dog is no longer physically here, you can continue to love and care for your friend. Carry your dog in your heart and tell stories of the good time to help keep his legacy alive.