Category: Petland

Are cuddles–or worse conference calls!–often interrupted by your best pal’s snores? If so, you’re probably wondering if this is normal and why it’s happening.  

When nasal passages are blocked, airways become constricted and snoring occurs. Dogs snore for a variety of reasons. Below are some of the most common ones to help you understand what might be happening with your buddy’s breathing and ways to help them breathe clearer.

Breed-Related Snoring

Some breeds are more prone to snoring based on their anatomy. Breeds with short noses, like English bulldogs, French bulldogs, pugs, boxers, and Pekingese, often suffer from chronic snoring due to excess tissue in the pharynx. However, airway obstruction can also be caused by elongated soft palates, narrow nasal passages, and shortened tracheas. These common breed-related problems can be diagnosed relatively easily and some can even be treated early in life.

Weight-Related Snoring

In addition to myriad other health problems, obesity can also cause issues with breathing. If your dog’s snoring is related to weight, work with your veterinarian to develop a plan to help your pup shed those extra pounds and get back to a healthy weight. This may include decreasing their calorie intake with food and treats designed for weight management. Getting your best pal out for more walks, playdates, and trips to the park are also great ways to increase their activity levels to curb weight gain.

Allergy-Related Snoring

Just like us, pets battle allergies, too. Pollen, dust, and dander can aggravate dogs’ nasal passages, causing inflammation and mucus build-up that leads to snoring. Your dog may also be sensitive to chemicals in carpet cleaners, laundry detergents used on their bedding, and other household supplies. If you’ve noticed that your dog is snoring more, consider what new elements have been added to their environment. 

If you suspect that allergies are causing your dog’s breathing issues, talk to your veterinarian. The issue may be easily treated with antihistamines, like Benadryl, or removing the source of the irritant, if possible. Other allergies may require more aggressive treatment. Your veterinarian will be able to suggest the best course of action to relieve your pooch’s nasal woes.

This may seem like an easy question to answer, but it’s not always cut and dry. 

Daily walks are great for you and your dog – you both get some needed exercise and get out in the fresh air. It’s great for their happiness and mental and physical health and provides the stimulation they need to keep any potential bad habits at bay. Like human kids, dogs can tend to get bored, and a bored dog can be a destructive dog. 

So, what are the factors that you need to consider when taking your dog out for walks?

Age is a major factor when it comes to dogs. Younger dogs need more walks as smaller intervals while older dogs will only need a few walks a day. As a dog ages, their stamina starts to wane, so you’ll want to be careful how long you walk with your senior pooch. Dogs in their middle years can withstand longer walks, so make sure that you check out that park you’ve been wanting to visit. 

The breed of dog that you have also played into how long those walks are. Smaller breeds like Chihuahuas and Yorkies don’t need to go on a long hike with you, but a quick jaunt around the neighborhood or down to the park and back should be just fine. 

Now, if you have a Siberian Husky, Australian Shepherd, or any other hyperactive dog, then a run down to the park and some serious play with frisbees is in order. You’ll certainly want to make sure that you bring home Fritz pretty tired so he doesn’t chew up the couch or drive you nuts for more playtime. 

The Bruno’s of the world like English Bulldogs, Basset Hounds, and Great Danes make for great strolling pals. A lazy walk around a lake or a stroll around a park is perfect for these low energy dogs. They generally tire faster than hyper mid-sized dogs and smaller energetic types and will cozy up to you on the couch to watch your favorite flick or show series. 

Something else that a lot of people don’t consider is the time of year and the temperature outside. Frozen sidewalks and snow can wreak havoc on your dog’s paws, so make sure that they have the right protective gear on when you go out for a walk (Bella the Yorkie will probably need a parka and some booties). Making sure that their paws are healthy is always a must. The same goes for the summer. The summer heat can seriously heat up sidewalks and asphalt which can burn your puppies’ paws. During the summer months, it’s best to walk your puppy early in the morning or later in the evening. The other thing you can consider is to drive to a dog park where there is minimal contact with the hot ground. 

Lastly, think about your dog’s health and potential allergies. Both of those could affect how long your walks are. So, create a daily routine with your pooch and you’ll both be quite happy with the exercise and bonding. Check out your local Petland for appropriate gear for walking your dog.

When thinking about popcorn, the nostalgia brings us back to buttered up theater popcorn, a giant soda, some Milk Duds, and a good flick. Well, what about popcorn for dogs? Can dogs eat popcorn? The answer is yes, but there are some limitations on feeding Fido this scrumptious delight. 

So, what kind of popcorn is safe for dogs? Unbuttered, unsalted, air-popped popcorn is the safest way to feed your pooch. You want to keep extra fats out of their diet since they get that with their balanced meals. This low-calorie snack is great for dogs and you both can enjoy your favorite Netflix and chill evenings on the weekends. 

If you’re looking for microwave popcorn, try to go for low-salt or no salt added, organic popcorn. If that’s a bit out of the way, you can always break out the air popper from years past, or find one at your favorite store. If you’re going for the stove-top version of popcorn, try to keep the oil to a minimum and don’t add your favorite seasonings like truffle salt and garlic (we know, that’s yummy, but garlic is a definite no-no for your dog). 

So, if popcorn is actually OK to feed to your dog, are there any health benefits to it? 

Sure there are. Popcorn is a simple grain from corn that’s been, well, popped. Grains are actually good for dogs since they are omnivores. However, not all dogs can digest grains properly and some dogs may have allergies to corn. So, make sure that it’s something he or she can eat before you get popping. 

The other thing that you need to consider when feeding your dog popcorn, and any simple carbohydrates, is how much they should eat in a serving. Larger dogs can eat about a cup of popcorn for a treat, but for smaller dogs, you’ll want to take that amount down considerably, by about a quarter of that. Just like humans, we have to watch our waists and weight and we have to help our furry friends much in the same way.

Lastly, you know how you get down to the end of the bowl and there are those unpopped unpleasantries? Make sure that your dog doesn’t get any of those, either. They aren’t good on the digestive tract and, like toddlers and small objects, could be a choking hazard. 

So, get popping and have some fun with this light and airy snack!

Have you always wondered about your puppies’ teeth? How about your adult dog and how to make sure that they have the right at-home dental care? Here are 5 interesting facts about doggy teeth, from puppies to adults. 

Fact 1: Puppies have 28 deciduous teeth. Deciduous teeth, or milk teeth, are the first set of teeth that puppies get. These teeth start to erupt (or grow in) at around 3 to 5 weeks of age. After about 4 to 5 months, they start losing their deciduous teeth and their adult teeth start to grow in. 

Fact 2: Once the deciduous teeth start to fall out (don’t freak out, this is normal!), their adult teeth start coming in As the dog gets bigger their mouths will start to grow more as well. By the time all of their adult teeth have grown in, adult dogs will now have 42 permanent teeth. This transition from milk teeth to adult teeth is pretty rapid and takes only a few weeks. 

Fact 3: While adult humans have 32 teeth, adult dogs have 42 teeth and they use them differently than humans. The chemical structure and the makeup of dogs’ teeth are similar to humans, how they use them is where the biggest difference lies. Their pointy canines are used for ripping, grabbing, and defense. Further back in a dog’s mouth, the molars are used for slicing and shearing their food whereas, in humans, our molars are mainly used for grinding our food.

Fact 4: Cavities are a real pain for humans, but for dogs, they are quite rare. Making sure that you provide the right foods and regular dental care, your pooch will rarely have any issues with periodontal disease. That’s mainly due to the species of bacteria in a dog’s mouth. Since bacteria loves sugar, as do us humans, and our bacterial makeup in our mouths are different than dogs, dogs don’t get cavities. However, that doesn’t mean that you can ignore your dog’s mouth. 

Here are some signs that you have some dental problems in your dog’s teeth that you should look out for. 

• Red gums
• Bleeding gums
• Plaque
• Bad breath
• Blood in water or food bowl
• Dropping food while eating
• Facial swelling
• Rubbing their face with their paws or on the floor

If you see any of these symptoms, make sure to call your vet right away and make a dental appointment for them.

Fact 5: Doggy toothpaste? Really? Yes, really and it should be a part of your dog’s regular dental routine. Just don’t use human toothpaste, please. Why? When was the last time you saw your dog spit something out that they put in their mouth? You can’t teach Fido to swish, rinse, and spit, so there is special toothpaste just for pets. 

Even though there are toothbrushes made for pets, any small, soft-bristled toothbrush will do just the trick Make sure that it will fit between your dog’s teeth and his cheek. Brush at least once a day and change the toothbrush every 3 months or whenever the bristles look like they have had better days. 

Spring sunshine is here and you will want to enjoy time outside with your dog. Just as you protect your skin from nature and sun exposure, you should do the same for your pup. We want to share a few skincare tips to help your dog stay happy and healthy in the sun.

·Dogs can suffer from sunburns especially if they have thin coats, light-colored noses, or white fur. You can protect your dog from sunburned skin by keeping them out of the sun during the hottest part of the day typically from 12-3PM.

·Apply pet sunscreen or human baby sunscreen if you have to be outside during the hottest part of the day. Read the ingredients and never buy sunscreen with zinc oxide as an ingredient as it can be toxic to dogs.

·If your dog happens to get sunburned, you can soothe it with cool water, and by applying aloe vera gel. We also suggest consulting with your vet to determine if additional treatment options should be used.

·Hot weather invites all species to come out and play. Fleas, ticks and insects are more likely to bite your dog during the spring and summer months. Keep your dogs up to date on all vaccines and flea and tick medications.

·If you notice that your dog is scratching excessively examine his skin and look for fleas and flea dirt. Flea dirt is dried blood that looks like coffee grounds. Don’t panic if your dog has fleas, contact your vet to find out the best flea medicine to use this season. Fleas can become resistant to certain brands of medicine which is why its best to consult with your vet.

·If you plan to spend time outdoor, make a habit of checking your dog’s skin regularly and look for bug bites and bumps. If your dog’s skin is irritated and red, limit sun exposure and outdoor time until the irritation subside. If the irritation gets worse after a few days you’ll want to visit your vet. 

There are actually a lot of possible reasons that your Puppy is being so energetic. Here are a few.

It needs more exercise

Many different types of dogs are bred to do energy-intensive tasks for hours on a daily basis. Because of this, they require a lot of exercises to be properly stimulated. If they don’t get it then it can cause them to become more hyperactive since they will be looking for ways to vent their excess energy.

You might be surprised at just how much exercise your puppy might need in order to be properly stimulated. So, if you want your Puppy to tune down the energy then the first thing for you to do would be to make sure that it is getting exercise daily and to try giving it a lot of exercise in one day to see how it responds. You’ll often find that it takes a lot to calm it down.

Attention seeking

The reason that it is acting in such an energetic way could be because it is looking for attention. If you don’t give your puppy lots of attention throughout the day, perhaps due to work, then it can cause your puppy to try to get it from you.

If you react to it when only to mischievous behavior, then it might have learned that behaving that way is an effective way to get attention from you.

Instead of reacting to it when it gets crazy try ignoring the behavior if you can and then giving it your attention when it is behaving the way that you want it to.

Bored

It could be that your Puppy is bored. This can go hand in hand with not getting enough exercise or attention. So, it’s important to make sure to give your puppy lots of exercise, training, attention, and toys to play with to keep it occupied.

It needs more training

If you have been struggling to get your Puppy to listen to you then it could be that it is not getting enough training. Puppies do not naturally understand what words mean.

So, when you tell it to “come here” despite not having previously taught it what that means then it’s not going to know what you mean.

Life is crazy enough without wrestling your wet dog in your bathtub, so here are 4 helpful tips you can use right away to help make doggy bath time better at your house:

Bathing once a month should be enough for most indoor dogs who have normal healthy skin. Do so with dog shampoo or baby shampoo to ensure that no harsh chemicals affect their skin.  

For dogs who need more than the monthly bath, make sure to reduce the amount of soap or shampoo that you use on them unless it has moisturizing properties. Much like human skin, your dog’s skin can dry up if constantly exposed to soap.

Unless absolutely necessary, avoid giving your dog a bath multiple times a week. If you’re using a topical treatment to treat your dog from fleas, those work better if your dog’s natural skin oils are present to help speed up their effect.

To make bath time easier, train your dog to stay calm during baths from the beginning. Allowing them to panic and hide at the slightest indication of a bath would only prove detrimental for both of you in the long run. Instead, make bath time something enjoyable that your dog will love doing.

The question of how often to bathe a dog can puzzle a lot of pet owners, but luckily the answer’s quite simple. As frequently it is needed. No matter how frequent that is, using our 4 super helpful tips should make bath time better at your house.

Dogs are man’s best friend, and this special bond can be strengthened when we go the extra mile to understand the things that our pups love. Here are 5 things that you do that your puppy can’t get enough of.

1 Touch – Most dogs love to be touched by their human best friends. Whether it’s a scratch behind the ears or a pat on the head touch your pup is a special way to speak your pup’s language of love. Just as babies benefit from skin to skin contact, your puppy connection with you will strengthen simply through regular touch.

2. Eye contact – Puppies love to study our facial expressions and learn our emotions. Eye contact is important to help your puppy learn your individual facial expression. Don’t be shy about looking your dog in the eyes, you are helping him learn about all the things the human face can do!

3. Smile – We express happiness through our smiles. Similar to eye contact out smiles help out pups to understand the subtle nuances of human non-verbal communication.

4. Speak – Just because your pup doesn’t speak English doesn’t mean he can’t understand. Speaking to your pup is a great way to improve his ability to learn commands faster. Repetition is key so practice using the same tone when you use a command to help your puppy learn faster. We recommend that you don’t raise your voice at your dog as this can trigger fear and anxiety.

5. Exercise – Movement is playing for pups. Your puppy loves when you exercise and wants to join in. Whether it’s a just a walk around the block, or hike up the mountain, exercising with your dog is a great way to make your furry friend happy, and to burn off extra energy. 

By John Woods. Founder of All Things Dogs– Dog Breeds, Training and Behavior.

Coming home with a new puppy is one of the most exciting events that could happen in an animal lover’s life. Their excitement and cuteness are infectious with their little paws and a head too big for their body. Between belly rubs and playing with toys, new pet owners will run into a few behavioral issues that might frustrate them if they’re not addressed soon enough. This is where training comes in; it is extremely important to teach manners and begin to establish trust between human and dog.

Like people, all dogs learn differently. Some are more food motivated, others love getting pets, or their favorite toy as a reward. Finding this motivator is key when training because it will create a positive and exciting experience for the puppy.

These are five tricks to teach your new puppy in the first month of adoption…

1. Their Name 

This is the most important thing for your puppy to learn because it will help you get their attention in several different scenarios, whether it’s trying to find them after they got off leash or having them do a trick for you.

How-To

1. Having their favorite thing in hand, say their chosen name as you give them their treat or toy. They will soon associate the name with something you’re going to give them that is very interesting. Repeat for only a couple minutes at a time because puppies do get tired.
2. When you come back home from work or class, greet them by saying their name over and over. Petting, toys, or treats enhance the positive association they have with their name and owner.

1. Leave It 

When you can get your dog’s attention with their name, puppies have a habit of getting themselves into trouble either way. “Leave It” is a simple command that redirects the puppy’s attention towards you instead of something like a frog or electrical cords that they would like to chew up.

How-To

1. Let the puppy see you have a reward in your hand, preferably something small so when you make a fist it is completely covered. This works best with treats.
2. Before they can snatch it up, close your hand and say “leave it”
3. The puppy will try to gnaw and paw at your hand for the reward, but stay strong.
4. Once the puppy looks away or loses interest, reward them with the treat and repeat.
5. Once they get the hang of that, drop the treat on the ground, say “leave it,” and quickly cover it with your hand.
6. Repeat step 4 with this new variation.

1. Come 

The “come” command is pretty simple because it reiterates the same steps like teaching them their name, just at a distance.

How-To

1. When your pup is out of arm’s reach, get their attention with their favorite reward.
2. As they trot towards you, say “come” and reward them with the treat, toy, and/or lots of love.
3. When they are preoccupied with something else, call out their name and “come.” Reward them handsomely when they do run over to you, expecting something fun or tasty for them to have.

1. Sit

Having a puppy sit might seem impossible because of all their wiggles, but rest assured, it is possible. With a little bit of incentives, your pup is sure to follow suit.

How-To

1. Have your puppy’s attention with their reward while they are on leash.
2. With the reward in hand, hold it above their head and move it slowly towards them, parallel with their back.
3. Your puppy will want to back up, but having a hold on their leash keeps them from moving and ultimately tricking them into sitting down.
4. Just before their butt hits the ground, say “sit” and reward them. Repeat until you can do this without the leash.

1. Down

This will be the hardest command out of the others, especially with stubborn puppies. Laying down means that the dog is giving up control, forcing them to be in a relaxed, vulnerable position with their new owner on command. It takes a lot of trust, but you should have a strong bond with your pup by doing the aforementioned tricks.

How-To

1. Your puppy should be in a sitting position to make it easier for them to transition into laying down.
2. Hold a reward at their face, not allowing them to get it, and slowly lower your hand towards the ground.
3. If your puppy gets up out of sit, have them sit again and repeat the process.
4. Before their elbows hit the ground, say “down” and reward them when they do go into a down position. Repeat.

For more tips, tricks and all things dog- head to allthingsdogs.com 

Crate training appeals to your pup’s natural instinct to seek shelter in a den-like environment. Crate training also helps to minimize damage to your home when you aren’t there. So how do you choose the right crate for your dog? Here’s our guide to choosing a crate.

Size:

You’ll want to consider your dog’s size when choosing a crate.

Extra small dogs – 18-22 inch crate: Best for breeds like Yorkshire, Terriers, Malesa, Papillons, and other toy breeds

Small dogs – 24-inch crate: Best for small dogs like Pugs, Shih Tzus, Miniature Dachshunds, and other small or miniature breeds

Medium Dogs – 30-inch crate: Best for medium-sized dogs like French Bulldogs, Dachshunds, Scottish Terriers, and other medium breeds

Intermediate – 36-inch crate: Best for intermediate dogs like bulldogs, bull terriers, beagles, cattle dogs, and other intermediate breeds

Large – 42-inch crate: For large dogs like boxers, border collies, Dalmatians, poodles, retrievers, and other larger breeds.

Extra Large – 48 Inch crate: For extra-large breeds like Akitas, Rottweiler, Huskies, Collies, Malamutes, and other extra-large breeds.

Type:

Wire – the traditional wire crate is the common choice for dog owners. Most are fully collapsible and come with a removable pan for easy transport and cleaning.

Plastic – These are a great option for frequent travelers and most airlines accept hard plastic crates.

Soft crates – Best for small breeds as these can be treated as a carry on travel item.

Do’s and Don’ts of using a crate:

• Do place the crate in a warm and inviting place
• Do place treats and toys in the crate
• Don’t use a crate as punishment for bad behavior
• Don’t leave your puppy in the crate for more than 3 hours