Category: Petland

 As a new pet owner you will soon learn to love spoiling your pups. It may not always be the best thing to needlessly reward your pup for just being cute, but it happens. After all, just looking at the adorable Dachshund is probably how you ended up being an owner.

 We want our pups to be healthy so they can enjoy long quality lives. Dachshunds are short and stout naturally and their stature can lend to look pudgy. Here are three signs that your Dachshund puppy is overweight. 

 Sign #1 – They Have No Definition

Each breed has its own unique shape and dietary requirements, but all breeds should have a certain level of definition. Considering that Dachshunds have a deep rib cage and only a slight tuck at the loin, you can still see a difference. If you seem to notice that there’s more width than normal to your pup, that is a sign of obesity. 

 #2 – Can’t Scratch an Itch

We know. Dachshunds have long bodies, and it can sometimes cause problems. With a normal and healthy weight, your pup should have no problems grooming herself. If she’s unable to relieve some ear itchiness with her legs, she is more than likely chunkier than she should be. 

 #3 – Overexerted Quickly

Much like with humans, if we’re overweight the slightest bit of movement that remotely resembles exercise can cause us to pant and get out of breath fairly quickly. Have you noticed any of this behavior? Your pup shouldn’t be overly exerted so easily. If you see this pattern, your dog is likely overweight. 

When you decided to purchase a precious Dachshund puppy, you became responsible for the health and well-being of such a beloved animal. Any of the aforementioned signs are enough to warrant a vet visit to start discussing ways to get control of your pup’s diet and exercise. We all want healthy, happy, and comfortable dogs and you’re no exception. Hop to it and get your pup back on track!

Are you planning a fun Fall break activity this year? These trips can be exciting if you decide to bring a companion along. We will help pair you with a dog that enjoys the same activity that you are planning to go out and do this Fall break. There are many activities to take part in during the Fall. Depending on which activities you like to do you may want to consider looking for specific dog breeds. There are certain dogs that really enjoy adventures so, here are some of the best activities that these breeds would really enjoy taking part in.

1. Going on a fishing trip? If you enjoy fishing and have planned an awesome fishing trip this Fall you may want to consider buying a Golden Retriever. These dogs really enjoy water and time spent with their owners. They are patient and friendly animals and will provide a great sense of comfort while you are waiting for your next catch.

2. Going hiking? One of the best hiking trail companions is the Siberian Husky. These dogs love being out in nature and are excellent tour guides. These dogs have very intelligent senses and will warn you if there is a possibility that you may be heading into trouble. These dogs are super protective which is very comforting while you’re on a hike.

3. Traveling abroad? If you have managed to plan far enough ahead of time for a trip to a different country this year and get affordable tickets you should consider bringing a Yorkshire Terrier with you. These dogs are excellent traveling companions. They are not hard to travel with at all. In fact, these dogs remain really calm on airplanes and are small enough to fit in a travel size dog bag.

These dogs are great friends and incredible at building bonds with their owners. These are some of the most loving dogs that will make sure you feel comfortable and safe during your trip. 

Hiking is one of America’s favorite past times. There are over thousands of miles of trails in the national trail system across the country. There’s an opportunity to hike pretty much everywhere. Taking a hike alone is fantastic and so is taking one with your dog!  Most dogs are natural hikers and they always up for an adventure. So, if you’re ready to take a hike, take a look at these five tips for hiking with your canine friend.

Tip 1 – Make sure that your pup is up-to-date on their shots and attended routine veterinary appointments. You’ll be doing fun yet strenuous activities in nature where there are critters and other animals so ensuring your dog is healthy is very important.

Tip 2 – Bring enough food and water for your dog and yourself. Fall is a great time to take midday hikes without being beaten down by sun but you’ll want to make sure that you and your dog are properly hydrated. This could take a few hours, so stop often for food and hydration breaks.  

Tip 3 – When you think about your furry friend may envision them in cold climates with doggy backpacks on their bodies. Well, in this case, that’s a good thing to envision, because it’s practical and necessary for hiking. Larger sized dogs can carry a few light objects in a doggy backpack while hiking.

Tip 4 – Pick up after your pup! Bring along poop bags and even a bag to hold it while you’re hiking. There may or may not be trash cans or places for you to dispose of it along the way. 

Tip 5 – Bring a pet emergency aid kit, just in case. This should include items like bandages, ointment for cuts or scrapes, and some sort of antiseptic that can be used to clean any bruises or injuries.

Enjoying a leisure hiking day can be pleasant, especially if you are prepared! 

If you don’t love the idea of regularly grooming a puppy or paying a groomer to do it for you, you might be considering a short hair dog. But are short hair dogs really easier to groom? Let’s explore some of the advantages of caring for short hair dogs

Grooming takes less time!

For humans and dogs alike, grooming will always be a factor, but with short hair dogs, the time investment is decreased. If you have ever had long trees then you know that it takes extra time to wash, dry, style and maintain, but having short hair doesn’t eliminate the need to care for your hair.  The same applies for pups. There’s way more care and attention needed with long hair puppies than short hair puppies. Doggies with long and flowing manes mean time spent brushing and sometimes wrestling with your pup to sit still while you tend to their tresses. Be honest with yourself before you buy a dog. If you are someone who cannot spare the time or effort to brush your dog’s coat regularly, then it’s borderline cruelty to get long hair puppies. Short hair puppies typically need a quick brush or two and that’s it!

More time for play

As we mentioned, it can be a hassle to constantly brush long hair puppies. Would you rather spend your time petting your dog versus working to keep their fur from matting, tangling, or potentially getting caught in their nails? Are you someone who would rather have the loving companionship of a dog, instead of grooming them? Are you someone who loves to play, but hates to brush, if so short hair puppies might be right for you. 

Less time cleaning!

All dogs shed to some degree. We won’t dispute that, however long hair puppies are more likely to put the “fur” in furniture! Are you willing to constantly clean up little fur balls found around your home? If your answer is “no,” then short hair puppies might be best for you. Do you want to keep lint brushes handy in each room and in your car? If the answers are “no,” then long hair puppies may not be best for you.

We celebrate our Mothers and Fathers each year, but what about Grandparents? Well, this year Grandparent’s Day is on September 8, so we suggest celebrating your lovely grandparents all September long. What better gift to present than a new puppy for your grandparents? Here are a few benefits that elders can experience for owning a dog

1. Exercise – walking a dog each day can help your grandparents maintain an active lifestyle.   morning, afternoon and evening walks will ensure that your grandparents are getting up and moving which helps to improve blood circulation and fresh air will help improve their mood. Be sure that your grandparents are healthy and strong enough to meet the requirements for dog walking. Also, remember that large dog breeds can pull during walks so its best to opt for a smaller breed. 

2. Companionship – sometimes our grandparents can get lonely. Living in an empty house after all of the grandchild’s leave can be quiet and boring. A puppy can bring vigor and spice back into the home of your grandparents. Again, a smaller breed is best for elders so they don’t occupy too much space in the home. 

3. Entertainment – One of the best characteristics of dogs is that they really love spending time with their owners. Not only will this make your grandparents extremely happy but a dog will bring laughter and cheer into the home. 

Make Grandparent’s day a big deal this year and buy your beloved grandparents a gift that will love them forever. Stop in today to learn about the best breeds for elders to help them remain active and have companionship and entertainment. 

Small dog breeds are wonderful and super cute animals. Taking care of small dogs can be tough at times because they are so little. You must have a special amount of patience for these dogs. Before buying one, you may wonder how much care will they require? Read on to the basics of caring for small dogs.

1. Balanced exercise  

Small size dogs have shorter legs, which means they can’t handle very far walks. It is important that you respect their size and do not drag them on long hikes that their bodies are not made. The smallest dog needs to walk around the block to get in a little exercise and handle their business.

2. Extra vigilance 

This is beyond important when having small dogs. Dogs are curious animals, especially small dogs. They love exploring things on the ground by putting them in their mouths. To ensure their safety so that they do not choke on anything, remove all of the small choking hazardous you have in your house to higher up surfaces.

3. Feed them the proper amount.

Most small dogs will eat whatever you put in front of them. This is a great thing and something that should be taken with precaution. Because these dogs will eat anything sometimes they do not know when to stop. Make sure that your dog is being fed the right caloric amount every day – not too much or too little. You want your small dog to have a healthy weight to ensure that they have a happy healthy life.

If you are thinking about or already own a small dog this summer, please make sure to take these tips seriously. We want you and your dog to have a happy and healthy life together. Small dog breeds are special animals that should always be handled with care.

Some dogs take to crate training right away, for others it can be a challenge. Here are our tips for successful crate training. 

1) Fill The Crate With Your Pup’s Stuff

Before you introduce your fur baby to their new crate, fill it up with their bed, blanket and some toys. This will help your pup view the crate as a fun place.

2) Introduce Your Dog To The Crate With The Door Open

If your pup explores the crate on his own, give lots of praise! If not, sit next to the crate and call your canine kid over. After a few moments of exploring, invite your pup inside. The goal is to get him to go inside on his own. To do this, put a treat in the middle of the crate. Once he’s inside, offer lots of praise. It’s important to make the crate a positive place.

3) Close The Door For A Short Period Of Time

When you first introduce your fur baby to the crate, don’t close the door. You don’t want him to feel trapped. Once he seems comfortable with the crate, close the door for a second or two. When you open the door, give lots of praise. Try this several times over a span of about five to ten minutes.

4) Leave The Room

Now that your pup is familiar with the crate and isn’t afraid of a shut door, try leaving the room. Leave them in the crate for about a minute. When you come back into the room, stay calm. If your pet is whining, wait until he calms down. If you let your little one out when he cries, he will associate crying with getting what he wants.

5) Leave The House

The first few times you leave your dog in the crate home alone, only leave for a short amount of time. Try a quick trip to the gas station or store.

There is no doubt that small dogs are cute, and a good companion especially for kids. When you decide to buy a puppy, there are different factors you should consider in choosing the right breed because different breeds have various characters, personalities, ways of training them, and some other factors. Here are the top 5 small dog breeds that you may want to consider as a family pet.

Maltese

The Maltese was first recognized as a breed in Malta, where it received its name. The Maltese is a good dog for apartment life. They are very active indoors and do well without a yard. Typically calm and friendly, they are also energetic and good-natured. They are intelligent, quick learners and lovable. If you suffer from allergies, this is a good choice.

Pomeranian

They are attentive and aware of changes in their environment so they can tend to bark a bit. Friendly and lively, Pomeranians love to be around their owners and are also caring of them. Sometimes it can be difficult to feed them as they are picky eaters. It is also a good choice for apartment dwellers, but if you are receiving guests frequently this is not a very good choice for you. 

Yorkshire Terrier

This breed was created by working men of north England, who developed the breed for catching the awful rats and mice that infected clothing mills. Small in size but big in personality, the Yorkshire Terrier makes an energetic but loving companion. The Yorkie is sensitive to the cold and prefers warm climates. It is very sweet and loving and can be trusted with children. They are very eager for adventure and like to play with kids. The Yorkshire Terrier is very confident, intelligent and an active little dog. 

Shih Tzu

The translation of Shih Tzu means Lion Dog and this breed originated in Tibet where it was admired all the way back in the 1600’s. Shih Tzu are very interactive and can adapt well to children and adults. It is loyal, loving, outgoing, and alert. By the age of one year, the Shih Tzu attains its full growth. Shih Tzus are famous for their luxurious coats and need proper care.

Boston Terrier

The Boston Terrier is really an American breed. It is interesting that some Terriers do not bark at all. This breed is gentle, alert, very intelligent, polite and enthusiastic. Avoid high pitched sounds as they are very sensitive to tones. 

Designer dog breeds are becoming rather popular these days, because they were made to provide certain physical and personality traits. Among all these designer breeds, most certainly the Maltipoo is one of the most popular. The Maltipoo, also known as the Moodle, is a mixed breed that has the Maltese and Miniature Poodle as parents. Here’s what you need to know about the Maltipoo.

Physical Appearance

The Maltipoo is a small dog, even as an adult, so its weight will range between 5 and 12 pounds. When it comes to the color of a Maltipoo puppy, they can vary quite a lot. The Poodle contributes to this part, with its coat available in a variety of colors.

Temperament and Personality

The Maltipoo is a friendly and playful dog. It is loyal to its owner and family and loves spending time with its favorite humans. Whether you feel like relaxing on the couch or walking around the park, the Maltipoo will be happy to be at your side. Some Maltipoo dogs may have the tendency to warn the presence of strangers by barking. 

Grooming and maintenance

The Maltipoo is a hypoallergenic dog breed that sheds very little. However, the coat will require a good amount of attention. It can grow to have a medium length and because it can get rather curly, you will have to groom it in order to avoid unwanted tangles.
Also to minimize the existence of dog hair and dander inside the house, grooming your dog periodically is recommended. If you can’t do it daily, it would be great if you could groom it every other day. This will make your dog look presentable at all times and will keep its coat free of dust and dead hair.

A new puppy is going to find ways to get messy. One of your responsibilities as a new puppy parent will be bathing your new baby. Here are some best practices that you can use during bath time. 

Proper timing 

When doing any type of at home dog grooming, it is always a good idea to do it when your dog is a little tired and worn out. After some exercise is a good time, as your pup has worked off some of his energy and may be more interested in cooling off in a bath.

Pre poo Brushing 

Brushing your dog before bathing helps remove any loose hair and loosen any hair that’s also ready to shed. This will reduce the amount of hair that come off in the bath. Brushing your dog is an especially important first step to take if you have a long-haired dog whose coat tangles easily.

Wet Down Your Dog With Warm Water

Place your dog in the bath or tub, on top of a non-slip mat to eliminate slipping. A mat will also give nervous dogs more confidence by giving them sure footing. You can use a towel if you don’t have a mat. To keep yourself from getting wet, you might also want to drape another towel over yourself.

Shampoo And Condition

There are a wide variety of shampoos and conditioners on the market. The products you choose should depend on your dog’s coat and any skin issues they may suffer from. For instance, dogs with dry skin might need a shampoo with added oils that promote skin and coat health.

Rinse Thoroughly

Rinsing your dog thoroughly is one of the most important steps of the process. When you’re first learning how to give a dog a bath you’ll probably underestimate just how much rinsing they will need.