Archive for June, 2022

• Are Your Dogs Ready for the 4th of July?

  The 4th of July is incomplete without festivities and fireworks. While your dog may be fine with the festivities, and maybe even have a great time, they may not be prepared for the fireworks. 

  This is because the bright flashes, loud sounds coming from multiple directions and the not-so-pleasant smell of explosives can be a lot to take in. 

  As a result, it is important to prepare your pet for fireworks, and also, recall the festivities? Some foods may not be appropriate for your pet, and we would cover that here as well. 

  Preparing Your Dog for Fireworks

  First off, it is as good an idea as any to keep your dog away from fireworks altogether. However, if this is virtually impossible, then here are some tips that can help keep them calm:

  • Desensitize Your Dog: this involves getting them used to fireworks. You could play fireworks videos from time to time and give your pup treats and toys during. This allows them to create positive associations. 

  • Create a Safe Space for Your Pet: this could be their crate or any space they go to hide when they are scared. 

  • Provide Distractions: if your pup doesn’t scare very easy, then toys or tasty treats may keep them distracted sufficiently.

  • Close the Blinds: this action prevents them from seeing the flashes that may instill even more fear. 

  • Exercise Your Pet: exercising your pet would help tire them out and reduce their energy and anxiety levels. 

  • Stay Home: if you can, by all means do stay at home. Having a familiar face and presence around would do wonders for their confidence. 

  Do Not Eat List for Dogs

  If you would be having a BBQ, here’s a checklist of some foods that your pet shouldn’t have access to: 

  • Meat bones
  • Alcohol 
  • Fruit platters 
  • Snack bowls 
  • Dessert table
  • Raw meat

  Conclusion

  You would definitely have a more pleasant celebration when you know that the welfare of your pet is in check. 

• Let’s Talk About Leash and Harness Training

  Leash and harness training is an essential aspect of training your pup and generally goes easier when it is started very early. There are a number of benefits associated with starting training early in your pup’s life. 

  A major one is the fact that it facilitates good behavior. Walking on a leash helps your pet to inculcate lessons in discipline, cooperation, and obedience. In addition, learning this early can set the foundation for learning picking up other instructions along the line. 

  For instance, your pet would likely be more responsive to learning skills like heel, behaving appropriately to other individuals and dogs who are walking together, as well as navigate a crowd with you politely without causing any trouble. 

  In order to get your pet this well-trained, repetition is a vital aspect of this training. Constant practice with lots of positive reinforcement and praise could go a long way in ensuring that your pet picks up these lessons fast. 

  Typically, you should not be walking your pup outdoors until they are around 12 weeks old, and have received all the necessary vaccinations. So, if your pup comes home earlier, you don’t necessarily have to start right away. You could wait until they are around 10 weeks old before you begin to leash and collar train. 

  A flat collar is ideal for wearing everyday and carrying the ID tag, however, many experts recommend using a harness alongside a leash for your pet. This is in the event of situations that could result in your pet pulling on the leash. With the harness in place, they would not experience any major strain against the neck. 

  Conclusion 

  Leash and harness training requires a lot of patience as well as a gentle hand. Be sure to praise effusively when your pup is getting it right and correct slowly otherwise. 

• Summer Snacks to Make for Your Dog!

  Summer months imply that you would be spending a lot of time indoors and avoiding the heat in the great outdoors. With so much time on your hands, why not embark on an incredible treat-making adventure. You would definitely have fun making them and your fur baby would no doubt have a great time helping out (trying to sneak a bite). 

  Here are some treats that you can explore:

  Peanut Butter Dog Doughnuts

  This homemade dog donut is easy to make and very delicious too. The ingredients are within reach and there is no special process involved. Here are the necessary ingredients: 

  • 1 Cup Oats
  • 1 Cup flour
  • Cup peanut butter

  • Coconut oil
  • Plain Greek Yogurt
  • 2 Eggs
  • Bacon Bits

  Apple and Chicken Pup Pops

  Think about popsicles, but for dogs. Your pup is sure to enjoy this refreshing treat just as much as kids love popsicles in summer. Here are the necessary ingredients: 

  • Cup water
  • Cup unsalted chicken broth
  • 1 Gala apple

  You could use raw porkhide sticks, however, it is more ideal to use Enzy-Chews. They have the extra perk of tartar control and they are easier to digest as well. 

  Yogurt Peanut Butter Banana

  This is one of the most simple and straightforward treats for summer, and your pup is bound to love it. Here are the necessary ingredients: 

  • 3 Tablespoons of peanut butter (confirm that the brand you are opting for doesn’t have any xylitol)
  • 1 large banana sliced 
  • 32 ounces plain yogurt (yogurt is an excellent source of calcium and double as a probiotic). 

  Ensure that you do not add any artificial sweetener particularly those that have xylitol as a component because of its toxicity. 

  Conclusion

  These are some great treat ideas for your pet. In addition, ensure that your pet has access to water always so that they can stay hydrated.

• This is Why You Need a Miniature Dachshund!

  Daschunds can be traced all the way back to the Middle Ages. Their name is derived from two German words ‘dach’ meaning ‘badger’ and ‘hund’ meaning ‘dog’. 

  They were great hunting dogs with their keen sense of smell allowing them to hunt both above and below ground, tracking animal scents for extended periods. 

  Over the years, different sizes emerged and in the U.S., there are three main sizes: the Normal, Miniature, and Toy. 

  Overview of Mini Daschund

  • Common coat colors: chocolate, blue, tan, black & tan
  • Coat types: long-haired, wire-haired, smooth hair 
  • Average weight: 4kg to 5kg
  • Life expectancy: 12 to 15 years
  • Sociability: medium

  Exercise

  A miniature Daschund requires around 30 to 45 minutes of exercise daily. This breed has a lot of energy in spite of their seemingly little frame, and as a result, requires quite a bit of activity to tire them out. Keeping them in a secure environment where they can run off leash is one sure way to keep them healthy and happy. Ensure that they do not have occasion to jump a lot such as over holes and streams because dachshunds may experience back damage easily. 

  Diet

  A diet with sufficient basic nutrients as well as vitamins and minerals is a requirement for your miniature Dachshund. You should typically explore dog food formulated for small breeds to ensure that they get their required nutrition. For pups, 3 to 4 small servings during the day would suffice rather than two major meals. As your pup grows older, you could limit them to two major meals. 

  Training

  Training miniature dachshunds may take a little while because they are quirky and require a lot of patience when being trained. They have an affinity for responding to rewards and good feedback. They may also get distracted very easily when they see something that really interests them. 

  Conclusion

  Mini Dachshunds are a family-friendly breed that adapt as well to houses as they do apartments. They also work well for single individuals.

• How Important is Having an ID Tag On Your Dog?

  Having your dog wear an ID tag is essential. This measure serves as a major precaution in the event that your pet wanders off. An ID tag not only supplies details about your pet such as their name, it also provides valuable information about you, their owner, and how to contact you. So, to ensure that the ID is indeed effective, here are some tips to help:

  Keep the Information Updated 

  Information on your dog’s ID tag is only as useful as can be when it is up to date. So, if you recently relocated or changed your phone number, be sure to go right ahead and update this information on your pet’s ID. If you move often, then you should set up reminders that would help you recall.

  Choose One That Works for You 

  Dog tag IDs come in a range of sizes, shapes, colors, and types. There are some that are simply handwritten and slipped into a plastic, waterproof case. There are GPS versions that allow for easy tracking; some are silent while others may jingle. There are others that are extra strong and durable, specifically for breeds that may try to destroy their tags. Overall, be sure to opt for one that does the job and works for you.

  Examine Tags Periodically 

  There is a good chance that your dog’s tag may have taken some damage at some point in time or perhaps, the written information is no longer so clear. This is why it is essential to check in periodically and confirm that it still works just fine. You should do this at regular intervals. 

  Conclusion 

  Dog ID tags are a standard precaution to keep your pet safe and ups your chances of recovering your pet in the unfortunate event of them getting lost.