Archive for the ‘Petcare’ Category
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Picking the Best Food for Your Furry Friend
There is a range of food types that are generally well suited to be eaten by dogs. Wet food diets, kibble, organic, holistic food, and a range of others. However, the best type of food for your dog greatly depends on what would be the healthiest choice for them.
In other words, high-quality food is one that has nutrient components that are required by your dog based on their breed and age or stage in life. Usually, the best way to pick a great diet for your dog is to talk to a nutritionist or veterinarian.
They are in the best position to make recommendations based on the needs of your pup, and they would be able to highlight the nutrients that are essential at that point in time. They can also help you avoid foods that could induce allergic reactions in your pet since your veterinarian has your pup’s health records.
In addition to consulting with experts, here are some tips that can help you along in the decision-making process:
- Learn about the constituents of dog food so that you know what to look out for
- Read labels and ingredients
- Note the grain and gluten constituent of the food
- Check the by-products used in making the food, if any, and ensure that they are healthy for your pup
- Keep an eye out for adequacy, it would typically read “this food is complete and balanced for all life stages”
- Read up on information provided about the trial feeding stage
- Check out the analysis of nutrients provided on the label of the food
- As a reminder, consult with your veterinarian
Conclusion
Your dog’s food goes a long way in determining so much in their lives ranging from development to remaining in proper health. As such, you should pay close attention.
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Involving Your Pup in Summer Activities
Summer is a beautiful time to be outdoors and you would typically be up to a whole lot of fun stuff. Your pup would definitely appreciate being included in all of these fun activities, and here are some that they would especially love:
Pool Parties
Summer heralds hot months and a lot of time spent in the pool, and Winter would no doubt love to splash around too. You can picture his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth and then the characteristic wiggle that splashes water all over you. If you can picture it, then you should definitely do it!
Backyard BBQs
The lingering smell of meat in the air and the occasional treats you toss which are expertly caught by Winter. This is definitely a dream event by all standards; their favorite person in the world and treats!
Picnics in the Garden
You can enjoy the warm sunshine, some very cool lemonade, and pastries with the butterflies all fluttering around. This sounds like a dream paradise and definitely one you shouldn’t enjoy alone. Your pup would have a lot of fun and probably get some exercise from chasing butterflies.
Cozy Dinners
Cozy dinners on the patio in the cooling evening sound like a wonderful idea. You can take in the night air and sounds and you can be certain that Winter would enjoy the calm, laying at your feet. This is an awesome doggo-human moment and definitely one that you would remember for a long time to come.
Hikes
Going on a hike? Be sure to bring your furry companion along. Nobody loves the outdoors and its sounds as much as they do.
Conclusion
Looking to make great memories this summer? Involve your pup and they become even better.
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Summertime is the Best Time for Puppy Photos
Summer means the warmer months and of course, spending lots of time outdoors. Since most places are accessible and open in summer, you can definitely find a lot of picturesque backgrounds to use for pictures. Here are some of the best places for puppy pictures that you can explore:
The Beach
The beach offers the dual perk of having a great time and taking beautiful pictures too. Following a couple of hours of running around the beach with your pup and playing in the water, well, it’s picture time! You could explore a couple of picture ideas like putting a mini hat on your pet’s head or having them stretched out on a beach chair.
The Mountains
The mountains offer an amazing, picturesque background for pictures. It’s like being on top of the world, and the rest of the earth is just at your feet. This is definitely one place to take majestic pictures of your pet.
The Fields
Fields with wildflowers and rich soil could be great for a photo op. It would be like being cast into nature and if your pet is very playful, you could capture pictures of them in action. There is an off chance that a butterfly might rest on its nose, so, have your camera ready.
Sunsets
Sunsets are never a bad idea for pictures. If anything, they make for a soft, beautiful, and calming background. Sunsets provide that incredible feeling in pictures that no other background can beat. So, in addition to enjoying a beautiful sunset, you get to keep a memory from it.
Conclusion
There are no doubt many backgrounds for photographing your pup, but these four definitely top the list.
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What to Bring With You While Hiking With Your Dog
Hiking with your pet is some of the best alone time you could enjoy. You both have lots of sights, sounds, and smells to take in and it goes without saying that your darling pet would be ecstatic.
However, before you embark on a hike with your dog, it is important to ensure that you have checked certain boxes. Some of these boxes include bringing along adequate supplies and ensuring that your pet is in tip-top shape.
So, here’s a checklist of what to bring with you while hiking with your dog:
- Water
- Food
- Leash
- Collar or harness
- Canine first aid kit
- A bowl
- Clothing
- Microchip or ID card
- Flashlight
If you are hiking with a big dog, they can carry some things, nothing too heavy. On the other hand, for small dogs, you do all the carrying.
Before embarking on the hike, here are some things you need to ensure:
- Physical shape; ensure that they are in top shape and ready for the rugged trails
- Ensure that all their vaccinations are up to date, you can always pay a visit to the veterinarian if you’re not certain
- Train your dog for the trails so that it’s not an entirely new experience
- Research where you would be hiking; the weather conditions, any specific occurrences that are peculiar to that area, among others
- Learn and understand how walking the trail goes, otherwise known as trail etiquette
The benefits of hiking are immense for both you and your pet. There is the baseline benefit of the physical fitness aspect. In addition, the atmosphere helps you and your pet relax and provides for an excellent adventure.
Conclusion
For a successful hike, be sure to check off the list here and of course, have a great time!
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Why You Need a Poodle Mix
Poodle mixes like Cavapoos, Goldendoodle, Cockapoo, and Maltipoos, have attained critical acclaim because of the myriad of benefits that owning one can bring.
They are highly attractive, intelligent, and take training easy. In addition to these qualities, here are some others that would definitely seal the deal for you:
Hypoallergenic
A number of poodle mix-breeds are hypoallergenic which implies that they are great for people who have allergies. This is because they either do not shed or shed less and infrequently. So, they would either have no dander or very few clinging to their coat.
Small Size
They come in very small sizes which makes them well suited to small apartments and given that they don’t shed, you won’t have to worry about getting fur all over your apartment.
They are also very easy to carry around and their owners explore this benefit to the fullest. For instance, the Cockapoo weighs only about 12-25 pounds and has a height of 9-18 inches.
The Goldendoodle, which is one of the biggest in this breed category, has a height of about 22-22.5 inches and weighs around 50-90 pounds.
Great for Families
Poodle mixes also make for great family dogs, one great example is the Goldendoodle. They also have excellent traits gotten from both parents that they were bred from and are considered a superior breed to their parent breed.
They do well with kids and are not temperamental. In spite of their small size, some of them are quite energetic and playful and make for a good playmates for your kids.
Conclusion
Opting for a poodle mix could be an excellent option especially if you are looking for a small dog.
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This is Why You Need a Goldendoodle
Goldendoodles are a cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and a Poodle. They are a highly intelligent, loving, and loyal breed that sheds way less than a purebred Golden Retriever. This gentle and affectionate breed started gaining popularity following breed development in the 1990s.
Relative to other designer breeds, it is still regarded as a young cross. Goldendoodles are very social and would interact well with everyone. They would do well in both country and city settings. However, apartment living might not suit them. Rather, they do better in an enclosed space like a fenced yard.
They also shouldn’t be kept in kennels as they thrive with human contact.
Here’s a table that details their attributes:
Height 17-21+ inches Weight 50-90 pounds Life Span 10-15 years Breed Size Large (61-100 lbs.) Good With Children, Families, Dogs, Cats Temperament Friendly, Gentle, Playful, Outgoing Intelligence High Shedding Volume Infrequent Exercise Requirements Medium Energy Levels Active Drool Amount Low Bark Level When Necessary Coat Length/ Texture Medium, Curly Breed Group Hybrid Colors Black, Gray, Blue, Red, White, Gold, Fawn, Brown/Chocolate/Liver, Gold/Yellow Patterns Brindle, Bicolor, Black, Tan, and Merle They also have other traits such as the fact that they are easy to train, are excellent for first-time pet owners, are great hiking buddies, require a great deal of grooming, are strongly loyal, and they may require a significant amount of grooming.
They have a very affectionate nature and are hypoallergenic. The hypoallergenic feature makes them great for people who typically react to allergens. Goldendoodles come in a large standard size as well as a smaller, miniature size.
They make for great emotional support animals and enjoy spending time in the great outdoors. You can achieve this by taking walks or playing outdoors. This helps to cover their physical needs.
Conclusion
A Goldendoodle is the perfect canine companion for both individuals and families.
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How To Trim Your Dog’s Nails
An important aspect of dog grooming is trimming your dog’s nails. While a routine trip to the groomer also comprises nail trims, sometimes Saul’s nails may be overgrown and you may have to do it yourself. This is how to make this happen step by step:
- The first step is to gather your supplies
- Up next, gently pick up the foot
- Isolate the nail that you want to cut
- Select the precise place you want to cut
- Do the cutting at a 45-degree angle
- Chip it off in bits
- Remember the dewclaws
- Nail grinding (use as a finishing tool)
- Reward your pet
It is important to note that a dog’s nail comprises the outer material known as the shell, which is hard and the living pink quick. The quick runs through the core of the nail and supplies blood. To ensure your dog’s wellbeing and guarantee easy maintenance, short quicks are the recommended length.
Similarly, if you are cutting your puppy’s nails for the first time, you would have to go very slow, starting with picking up the paw, isolating the nail, getting your pup familiar with the trimmer (especially if there is any vibration involved), cutting only a tiny chip initially. All of these would have to be done over a period of time to aid easy adjustment.
If your dog feels uncomfortable, it is best to retreat or you might have to eventually use a muzzle. In the way of products, there is a range of nail trimmers comprising scissors as well as grinder tools specially designed for dogs. The main thing is to use what works best for your pet. Also, styptic powder should be kept close in case of bleeding.
Conclusion
Trimming your dog’s nails can be quite the task, so remember to be patient and reward Saul with treats too.
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Here Are the 5 Best Dog Blogs You Need To Check Out
Learning about dogs is really such a fascinating subject and you can be sure there is a whole lot to be learned. Certain dog blogs are dedicated to creating useful content that would provide you with comprehensive information. Here are the best 5 of these blogs:
The Bark Magazine
The Bark focuses on need-to-know content for dog owners, especially in the area of pet upkeep. You would find real-life dog-friendly stories about various happenings to dogs. They also highlight issues that might affect your pet’s health, both apparent and non-apparent, and discuss treatment options.
Dogtopia
Dogtopia might be known for their dog spa services and others, however, their blog is filled with so much goodness! You would find anything from puppy socialization to ensuring dogs in apartments are happy to getting rid of separation anxiety. These tips come in very useful.
Whole Dog Journal
Whole Dog Journal provides you with a slew of information from dog care to in-depth reviews on various dog products. They also feature teaching training methods that are positive in nature. The blog always offers something worthwhile to read and the website boasts lots of useful pet care information.
iHeartdogs.com
iHeartdogs.com blog is massive and mainly focuses on four areas; Lifestyle, Behavior, Healthy Pups, and Pup Stories. Each category offers something in the way of excellent information or entertainment. The blog covers the needs of dog owners such as care of dogs with various ailments as well as recommending useful products.
Pawleaks
Pawleaks is great because of just how comprehensive it can be when guiding dog owners through each stage of their dog’s life. They are also heavy on health-related advice, solutions to problems in your dog’s behavior, as well as in-depth puppy training tips.
Conclusion
These websites provide golden information and you should definitely check them out.
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Activities To Do At Your Local Dog Park
Playing outdoors with their favorite human in the world is definitely one of the best things that pups love. Maybe other dogs and humans may add a bit of spice. So, if you’re out at the dog park with your pup, here are some activities you can try out:
Races and Training
A tired pup is a happy one, and you can always achieve this by allowing your pup to race. You could raise him or simply toss a ball and play fetch. For some mental stimulation, you could also include some training exercises, and what better place to do this than one with distractions.
Agility Courses
Jumping over bars and clearing hurdles might not be your best definition of fun. However, this is something your pet would definitely love. Explore the agility courses available and encourage your dog to surmount these obstacles. For a true boost, wait for them at the other end.
Doggy Play Dates
A picnic sounds like fun and your pup would definitely love that doggo cake or ice cream. To amp up the fun, organize a doggy date for one or some of your dog’s buddies and watch them have maximum fun. You could have some fun too with other dog parents.
Photography
What’s cooler than your pet donning sunglasses and maybe a muffler and posing for an incredible picture? You could be grooming a future model and photography sure is so much fun as well. An incredible natural and improved background like the dog park would make for a great backdrop for the pictures. Be sure that your dog strikes fun poses!
Conclusion
There is a vast range of activities that you could do for fun at the dog park and be sure to add some more to this list.
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Why Do Dogs Wag Their Tails?
Tail wags are commonly associated with excitement or happiness. However, dogs wag their tails for a range of reasons, and this article covers the various wagging you may notice and what they might mean.
What Is the Role of the Tail
Your puppy’s tail is mainly a communicative tool and she would typically use it to pass across a range of information. You can regard it as a barometer for her mood. Knowledge of tail position, as well as the proper interpretation of further canine body language, can help you understand how your pup feels per time.
Here are some general reactions and interpretations:
- A lowered tail stuck between the legs could indicate anxiety, submission, or fear
- A higher than usual tail could indicate alertness, such as when something piqued her interest
- A side to side wag probably accompanied by licks or a play bow could indicate a friendly greeting
- A vertical tail could indicate aggression
Before entirely concluding, be sure to look out for other factors.
The Research
According to the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, dogs use the motion and position of their tails to communicate their present emotional state.
In 2007, researchers found that the wag pattern contains clues as well. For instance, wagging to the left implies negative emotions while wagging to the right was indicative of positive emotions.
Research showed that the right hemisphere of the brain in some animals was associated with negative-avoidance feelings while the right hemisphere could be linked with positive-approach feelings.
Since the brain’s right hemisphere controls the left part of the body and vice versa, the phenomenon would hold.
A 2013 study also showed that canines understood these motions themselves. A left-wagging tail made other canines stressed while a right tail wagging helped them relax.
Conclusion
The tail wag pattern could be a pretty good way to ascertain how your pup is reacting to a situation. However, that’s not all there can be, be sure to look out for other signs.
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Why Do We Love Dogs So Much?
For the longest time, dogs have been tagged man’s best friend as a result of the love and fierce loyalty that they display to their humans. So, why exactly is there so much love between the canine and human?
Humans started keeping dogs as pets since ancient days prior to civilization. This implies that this fierce love and unbreakable bond between humans and dogs has been repeated multiple times all through history.
It goes without saying that beyond their simple angelic existence, dogs provide their owners with benefits ranging from emotional and mental to physical as well. Dogs are very useful and can be trained to hone their special attributes like their strong sense of smell or hearing for various uses.
For instance, they are members of various important units in the society such as the firefighter departments, K9, search and rescue, as well as sniffer dogs at airports. The services that they provide have constantly saved the lives of humans time and time again.
Dogs are also regarded as immediate family members and treated as fur babies. Dog owners commonly claim to be in a better mental space after having a dog relative to before they had one. In addition, people dealing with various traumas get support dogs who constantly comfort and keep them stable.
In essence, the benefits that dogs offer humans as a result of their presence in our lives cannot be quantified.
Conclusion
Discussing the reasons why we love dogs so much could extend so much with each individual having their own personal reasons. However, the bottomline is that they very much deserve this love and even more.
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What are the Benefits of Owning a Dog?
The only downside to owning a dog is that those gooey eyes would charm you anytime, anyway. That said, there are loads of benefits to owning a dog; emotional, physical, mental, social, basically loads. This article highlights some of these benefits:
Companionship
If you’ve been battling loneliness for a while, owning a dog is precisely what you need. There is no feeling lonely when you have a pup that constantly craves your attention and worships you. It’s no wonder then that dogs are known as man’s best friend.
Uplifts Your Mood
There’s no feeling depressed around your dog. Pups are generally lively and full of energy and are ready to play at every turn. Their antics are bound to crack you up and you would find yourself bursting into laughter now and again. Dogs make humans happy.
Longevity
People with pets have generally been shown to live longer. This is especially true for seniors. Having to care for a pet extends their lifespans and this applies to middle aged individuals too.
Teaches Vital Lessons
Owning a pet teaches vital life lessons like caring for other people besides ourselves. Knowing that a vulnerable pet totally depends on you teaches responsibility especially to kids at a young age. It improves social skills too.
Improved Mental Health
People battling depression and other mental health issues are often assigned support dogs to help them through. This is because having a dog that adores you stimulates feelings of hope and happiness.
Conclusion
There’s really nothing as blissful as owning and caring for a dog. In addition to the benefits outlined above, the daily walks are beneficial to physical health too while providing good bonding time with your pup.
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Should I Crate Train My Dog?
Crate training is the process of introducing your dog to view and accept a dog crate as a personal safe space. There are various benefits that crate training offers particularly for your pet. Here are the most profound ones:
Provides a Familiar, Safe Space
Sometimes, your pet needs a place to retire, particularly if they encounter something new. For instance, some dogs are not great at getting used to strangers and would rather stay away. A crate provides a form of escape for your pup and allows them to retreat from new, disturbing changes until they can eventually adapt.
Provides a Den Feeling
Many advocates point to the fact that dogs are den animals and a crate can serve as a substitute for a den. Daisy’s den is where she reigns supreme and feels like her own personal kingdom. This space serves as a sanctuary and your dog feels very secure in that space.
Helps With Potty Training
Dogs generally keep their sleeping areas clean as a matter of instinct. Providing your pup with a crate would help them learn to hold and this in turn strengthens bladder and bowel muscles. They inadvertently learn housebreaking on their own.
Makes Life Easier Generally
Crates generally make yours and your pet’s life easier. Transporting Daisy is safer using a crate whether by road for long distance trips or air trips. It results in less distractions for the driver and you would be able to have your dog with you whenever you travel.
Conclusion
Crate training your pup offers too many benefits for you to pass it up. During the process, ensure that you’re patient and reward with treats for good behavior.
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Top 5 Springtime Recipes for Your Dog
It’s spring and time to make some homemade foods and treats! Here are some recipes you can explore:
Frozen Watermelon Treats
Watermelon is a staple for both spring and summer. It contains lots of fluid, aiding hydration, has a natural sweetness and is perfect for cooking in the warm temperature. Making this treat is super simple and all you need is some watermelon and coconut milk. You might have to wait a while for the treats to freeze up, but it’s worth the wait.
Yogurt Peanut Butter Banana Treats
Dogs love peanut butter all year round and to make this recipe even healthier, yogurt does an excellent job. These treats are typically brought out in the stifling heat of summer, but it wouldn’t hurt to give your dog some in spring too!
Cranberry Cookies
You want to show your dog some extra love? Bake these cookies heart-shaped. Ingredients include some almond flour and coconut flour, and of course, cranberries. Ensure to make a whole lot because your dog would definitely love them!
Turkey, Rice and Veggie Mix
This low-fat, low-calorie recipe is particularly ideal if you’re looking to stop your fur baby from gaining excess weight. It boasts lean animal protein, veggies, and healthy carbs. You can get up to 12 cups from a single preparation and they stay in perfect condition for up to 5 days when refrigerated.
Beef Stew, Doggie Style
This homemade food can be frozen and lasts the entire week. It had loads of iron from fresh protein and requires only about a pound of beef stew meat, one small sweet potato, half cups of diced carrots, diced green beans, flour and water, and finally, a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Watch your dog lap this up in no time!
Conclusion
Now, bring out your inner chef and get to whipping up these delicacies!
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Is Doggy Daycare Worth It?
Apart from getting a sitter, doggy daycare is the other alternative for ensuring that your dog is cared for when you can’t be available. However, is doggy daycare really worth it? Should you consider signing your dog up? Here are some pros and cons to help your decision along.
Pros of Doggy Daycare
Doggy daycare does offer a significant number of benefits, and here are some prominent ones:
- Physical exercise and constant mental stimulation all through the day
- Helps your dog ward off loneliness
- Reduces the chance of destructive behavior
- Reduction in barking
- You get a restful night since your dog would likely come home mentally exhausted and go to sleep
- Helps if you’re unable to walk your dog that day
- Letting your dog out midday would no longer be necessary
- Great way to get your pet socialized
- Provides enough fun activity and exercise in case you’re unable to provide that for the day
Cons of Doggy Daycare
- Might be overly exciting and overwhelming for your dog
- Possible mental exhaustion as a result of stress or fear on the part of you dog
- Your dog could pick up bad behavior from other dogs or while relating with them
- Possible bullying or injury scenario
- Costs eventually rack up (average daycare cost is $25+ per day)
- You don’t have control over the behavior of other dogs or the staff
- Vaccinations are demanded and required by doggy daycares, however, there might be a chance of your dog picking up an illness like kennel cough or getting fleas from other dogs
Conclusion
Doggy daycare has some pretty great advantages as well as some somewhat discouraging downsides. However, overall, most daycares try to avoid the cons that they can on their end, so, you should definitely consider this care option.
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What Info Should My Dog Have On Its ID Tag?
Tags are a legal requirement on dogs when they are in public places. Dog tags typically feature the following basic information:
- The name of the owner
- Owner’s complete home address
- Home phone number and alternative phone number(s)
- Email address
- Medical needs such as deafness, blindness, or any such disability
- Other information that you consider relevant such as allergies or extra information to find you
Ideally, you should get a dog tag as soon as your dog gets comfortable wearing a leash.
Types of Dog Tags
There are various types of dog tags, but these are the major ones mostly used by dog owners:
Slide-On Dog Tag
The main perk of this collar is the fact that they don’t hang or jangle and therefore don’t get caught in anything. Esther, these tags come with slits along which the collar slides, keeping the tags flat against the collar. They only work for certain collars and information can only be written on one side.
Rivet-On Dog Tag
These tags are riveted to the collar and are more sturdy. Like slide-on tags, only the front can be engraved.
Hanging ID Tag
This is the most common choice for an ID tag mainly because it allows for inscription on both sides. They also work for any collar type. They may however be quite noisy or get caught in branches.
Benefits of Having an ID Tag
Here are some of the benefits of having an ID tag:
Cheap
ID tags are relatively cheap to procure compared to other forms of identification.
Easy to Customize
Customizing an ID tag is a lot easier especially since it comes in various shapes, forms, sizes, and is made out of various materials.
Easy to Read
ID tags can be easily read if your dog goes missing. Since they allow for sufficient space to fill in the necessary information, you can be certain that your pet would be safely returned once they have been found.
Non-invasive
Unlike microchips and trackers, this hangs outside the body making it a non-invasive way of keeping your pet tracked.
Conclusion
Having a dog tag is a great way to keep your dog safe and ensure that if they wander off, they can safely return home.