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Homemade dog treats come with a variety of benefits. For one, you know the ingredients in them. They are also less expensive than commercially produced dog treats. They are also something fun to make! Before feeding your pup anything that he normally does not eat, it is always recommended that you check with your veterinarian first. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. Below is a list of our favorite homemade dog treats that we think your pup will enjoy!

Baked Chicken Treats

For a quick and easy treat, consider this homemade baked chicken dog treats from Eileen Anderson. Using a basic pyramid pan, this recipe can make about 500 small treats that your dog will drool over. After being baked, you can refrigerate or freeze the treats.

Treat Ingredients:

• 1 10-ounce can of chicken, including liquid
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup tapioca flour
• ½ cup of white flour
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Blend chicken and eggs in a food processor.
3. Pour the mixture into a bowl, and stir in flour and oil. This batter should be a little thicker than pancake batter but still pourable.
4. Spread the batter onto the silicone mold on a cookie sheet, making sure it’s in the holes, and then scrape it off the dividers.
5. Bake for 12 minutes.
6. Once cooled, turn over the mold and dump the treats out.
7. You can bag up the treats and refrigerate or freeze them.

Homemade Bacon Pyramid Pan Treats

Is your fur-legged friend a fan of bacon? If so, this simple recipe by Michelle Taylor will be a hit. With four basic ingredients, this is a great homemade treat for beginners.

Treat Ingredients:

• ½ package of bacon
• 2 eggs
• 150 grams of gluten-free flour
• Water to thin

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Blend the bacon and eggs.
3. Add flour. Stir in water if the batter needs to thin.
4. Smooth the batter over the baking mat and bake for eight minutes.
5. Once cooled, cut the treats into bite-sized pieces.

Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Almost all dogs love the creamy and sweet taste of peanut butter. If your dog is a fan of it, give these treats by Eileen Anderson a whirl! 

Treat Ingredients:

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• ½ cup peanut butter powder
• ½ cup white flour
• ½ cup tapioca flour
• ½ cup water

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Mix the ingredients until smooth.
3. Pour the mixture into the pan.
4. Bake for 12 minutes or until the treats are soft but still drawing away from the side of the pan.
5. Once cooled, stretch the pan and dump the treats out.

Cheese and Sardine Pyramid Pan Dog Treats

Looking for a protein-packed treat for your pup? If so, this cheese and sardine dog treat is the answer. 

Treat Ingredients:

• 1 can of sardines

 • 2 eggs

 • 150 grams of grated Parmesan cheese

 • A handful of roasted vegetables

 • 75 grams of tapioca flour (or plain flour)

 • Water

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 320ºF.

2. Blend all the ingredients in a blender to make a thick batter. Add water as needed to make it thicker.

3. Smooth the mixture over the baking mat and bake for about 15 minutes or until crispy.

4. Once cooled, cut into small pieces.

Cheddar-Apple Dog Biscuits

This classic one is from Martha Stewart and is a combination of cheddar and apple. 

Treat Ingredients:

• 2 cups barley flour
• ½ cup old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Baking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients and about 3 tablespoons of water to form a dough. Roll out the mixture between two sheets of plastic wrap to ¼-inch thick. Remove plastic wrap and cut out biscuits with a 3 ½-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter. Re-roll scraps and continue cutting out biscuits.
3. Space biscuits 1 inch apart on a prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until nicely browned and firm.
4. Transfer biscuits to a wire rack. Turn off the oven and place the biscuits on a wire rack in the oven overnight. Remove from the oven and store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

We think your pup will love these tricks, which are all healthy sources of nutrition. As mentioned earlier, always check with your veterinarian before feeding your dog anything new.

From time to time, The American Kennel Club (AKC) adds new breeds of dogs to its registry. Being added to their list as a new breed is not something that happens with ease. The American Kennel Club has a rigorous screening process with extremely strict eligibility requirements in order for a dog to be recognized as a new, pure breed. These requirements include a national breed club with at least one hundred members and a population of third-generation dogs numbering at least three hundred. That is not easy to find. The dogs must also be found in at least twenty states in the U.S. To demonstrate how selective this process is, there have only been fifteen new breeds added to this registry since 2015. We rounded up five of these new breeds registered in the last five years to help you get more familiar with them.

Barbet

Initially registered in 2020, Barbet Dog is one of the AKC’s most recent additions. The Barbet has been shown off in French artwork that dates back as far as the early 16th century. This breed gets its name from the French word “barbe,” which means “beard,” and by looking at this pup you will understand why. The Barbet Dog is a rare dog breed, with a long coat similar to a Poodle, that consists of thick fur that transitions into tight curls. The Barbet is a very loyal and smart breed of dog that has an appearance as unique as its personality.

Azawakh

The Azawakh originated in West Africa and is a tall and slender dog. Although this breed has been around for a very long time, it wasn’t listed on the registry until 2019. This dog was originally developed to be a hunting dog. The Azawakh is a very rare breed and consequently, a very expensive breed. They have a similar, but not identical, appearance of a greyhound and are very athletic. Today’s Azawakh is still commonly used as sighthounds. The Azawakh does make a great pet and tends to be happy when his family is happy.

Dogo Argentino

The Dogo Argentino is a strong and muscular dog which was developed in Argentina for hunting large game. This rare breed, which was initially registered in 2020, is also very expensive. The Dogo Argentino is a strong looking and focused dog that has a very alert mind and a strong will. They are known for their loyalty and protective personalities. Despite their somewhat intimidating appearance, they are not known to be aggressive dogs. This breed does make a good family pet if you are able to find one.

American Hairless Terrier Dog

Despite their name, the American Hairless Terrier can be found in both hairless and coated varieties. This breed descended from a single Rat Terrier that was selectively bred for its hairlessness qualities. In 2016 the American Hairless Terrier dog breed was officially recognized. This breed is known to be outgoing, energetic, curious, and loyal. They are also very good at hunting small rodents. They make great family pets and are not known to excessively shed.

Nederlandse Kooikerhondjie Dog

The Nederlandse Kooikerhondjie was originally bred in the Netherlands to serve as a duck decoy dog. They were very good at luring fowl to their doom into “Eendenkooi,” which is a man-made pond trapping cage. Their Dutch name translates to “small cager dog,” and their unique tails helped entice ducks into these areas. Despite the Nederlandse Kooikerhondjie being very popular in the Netherlands for centuries, they were not registered with the AKC until 2018. This is a quality breed of dog that does well in families of all dynamics.

Did you know that there are 339 breeds of dog on Earth? That’s a lot dogs! Each dog breed comes with very distinct traits. Besides physical attributes each has its own personality, skill, and demeanor. Although every dog is special, some are just more “pupular” than others. Below is a list of the top ten dog breeds in the United States and a little information about each dog.

Ranking #1 – Labrador Retriever

For over thirty straight years, the Labrador Retriever has been the most popular breed of dog in the United States. This pup is not only as handsome as they come, but has a personality to match. They are kid friendly and mom approved dogs that are always happy to see their family. They do great with other pets in the house and do not require excessive amounts of work.

Ranking #2 – Goldendoodle

The Goldendoodle’s popularity continues to take off much thanks to her sweet and playful personality and very approachable demeanor. This breed has a lot to offer and is a joy to be around. They enjoy playing, do great with children and are not known to be aggressive. The Goldendoodle is also a very attractive dog who cleans up well!

Ranking #3 – Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever is not only a very smart breed of dog but a very loving and loyal breed. They are family friendly dogs who easily train and who remain very loyal. This breed is known for its companionship and simply enjoys being around his family. For families that are active, this pup is able to keep up and looks forward to making his family happy.

Ranking # 4 – French Bulldog

The French Bulldog is the perfect combination between adorable and lazy! This breed enjoys the company of his family and other pets. They are also mild mannered which allows for them to interact well with younger children. They enjoy taking naps and being close to their family. For those who want a good-looking pup without having to invest a lot of time in grooming, this should be one to consider.

Ranking #5 – Labradoodle

What do you get when you mix a Labrador Retriever and a Poodle? The Labradoodle. This very attractive dog is also very smart. They make amazing family pets and enjoy being the center of your attention. They are also social dogs who enjoy the company of other pets in the home. If a smart and good-looking pup is what you are searching for, this breed should be considered.

Ranking #6 – German Shepherd

The German Shepherd is quality pup who is known to be loyal, smart and protective. Despite being protective, they can also be very gentle and caring. They enjoy staying busy and they do best with families who enjoy spending time outdoors. Thanks to their intelligence and physical attributes, this breed is also used in law enforcement and the military.

Ranking #7 – Shih Tzu

The Shih Tzu is an elegant dog who is not afraid to get her paws dirty. Despite having a luxurious coat and pretty features, she loves to play and play hard. This breed is very popular and has been for years. If you are looking for a gentle lapdog who is ready for a game of tug of war, the Shih Tzu should be considered.

Ranking #8 – Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is a small yet feisty dog that doesn’t back down from anyone. These pups are also very loving and have caring personalities. They enjoy spending time both indoors and outdoors with family and have been a family favorite for generations in the United States. This breed does well for those who are first time dog owners because they are low maintenance and relatively easy to care for.

We love dogs as much as you do and although we may be a tad biased, we never get tired of learning more about them! We are sure you will find some of these dog facts interesting so we will share. How many of these facts did you know?

1. The most “pupular” dog in the United States is the Labrador Retriever and has been for more than thirty straight years.

2. Your pup’s nose print is extremely unique, very much like a person’s fingerprint.

3. Nearly half of US dog owners allow their fur-legged friend to sleep in bed with them.

4. A recent study determined that senior dogs dream more than younger dogs.

5. Three out of four people who send a holiday greeting card sign the name on their dog on it.

6. A dog’s sense of smell is absolutely incredible. To put this into perspective, a human’s nose has approximately five million receptors. Your pup’s nose has between 250-300 million receptors!

7. The famous Rin Tin Tin, who was a German Shepherd, was nominated for an Academy Award.

8. Scientists discovered that a dogs’ noses can sense thermal radiation, (heat) which is why blind or deaf dogs are still capable of hunting.

9. The Beegle has been a family favorite dog for almost ninety years. In fact, it is the only breed that was among the five most popular breeds in 1934 to date.

10. Have you ever watched someone yawn and then yawned yourself? The same thing happens to dogs. Give it try next time you are getting tired and watch what you pup does!

11. Have you ever watched your dog curl up into a ball when they go to sleep? This is a natural way to protect themselves while asleep. This position allows them to be less vulnerable.

12. The Basenji dog breed can yodel!

13. The Australian Shepherd is not Australian. It was actually first bred in the United States.

14. Although many believe the ever-popular Labrador Retriever was originally bred in the United States, its roots are from Newfoundland.

15. Dogs are good for your health. Did you know that a human’s blood pressure tends to actually go down while petting a dog? (As does the dog’s!)

16. The United States has more pet dogs than any other country in the world. 75 million!

17. A “Beagler” is the name of a person who hunts with a Beagle.

18. Many believe that dogs are colorblind. They actually are able to detect blue and yellow.

19. Did you know that all puppies are born deaf?

20. The black spots on Dalmatians actually develop as they mature. These puppies are generally born all white.

No matter which way you spin it, dog are amazing creatures that play a big role in our life. They provide us with love, companionship, and loyalty. Despite these facts being amazing, none of them compare to how amazing our fur-legged friends are to us!

Below is a list of our favorite at-home dog hacks for dog owners. These tips and tricks will help you save time and are also pretty neat to try! They range from cleaning up loose dog hair to easy ways to check for fleas.

Dryer Sheets Pick up Dog Hair

Looking for an easy way to clean up dog hair? Use dryer sheets! They pick up loose dog hair with ease. Simply rub a dryer sheet over your furniture or wherever else pet hair collects and watch it disappear! Dryer sheets will allow for the hair to cling which makes this routine chore quick and easy to accomplish.

Use Baking Soda to Clean up Pet Urine

Every dog will eventually do it. When your dog pees on the carpet sprinkle some baking soda on the spot and allow it to sit for twenty to thirty minutes. The baking soda will absorb the liquid and help to remove the odor. Once dried simply vacuum it up! Depending on how saturated the carpet is, a second round may be needed which should do the trick.

Check for Fleas by Giving Your Dog the White Towel Test

Do you suspect that your pup has fleas? Or do you just want to check and make sure he doesn’t? Have your dog lay on a white towel while you examine & brush their fur. The white towel will make it easy to see any loose flea dirt that falls from your dog. Although these critters are very small, they will be able to be seen on a white or very light-colored towel.

Make Your Own DIY Pill Pockets with Peanut Butter, Milk & Flour

One of the most popular life hacks for dog owners was finding a way to get their dog to swallow pills. If you’re having a difficult time getting your dog to swallow pills consider making your own treat by mixing peanut butter, a dribble of milk, and coating it flour. Form each treat into a small round shape the size of your thumb nail. This will keep the pill secured inside the treat assuring your fur-legged friend takes his medicine.

Soften Up Dry Food Using Warm Water

If your pup has a hard time eating his kibble, consider mixing a little warm water over the food first. This will soften the kibble and allow your pup to enjoy his meal. This especially helpful for dogs who may have sensitive teeth.

Skunk Spray? No Problem.

If your dog was sprayed by a skunk the odor can be overwhelming and difficult to get rid of. One of the best ways to combat this unpleasant odor is by using pet soap, peroxide, and baking soda. These ingredients will help to remove the odor from your dog. At times, two or more rounds of cleaning your dog may be needed. Always use caution around your pup’s eyes when washing him, especially with the soap and peroxide.

Use Flour, Cornstarch or Baking Soda to Stop Your Dogs Nail from Bleeding

It happens to the best of us. We accidentally trim our pup’s nails too short and they begin to bleed. Use a homemade mixture of flour, cornstarch or baking soda with water until it’s a thick paste. Once the past forms apply it to the injured nail with moderate pressure for a few minutes. This will help clot the area that is bleeding.

Make Training More Fun by Alternating the Rewards

Rather than just giving praise for a new trick, add some tasty treats to the mix. When your pup follows the rules or is in the process of potty training, a small treat can go a long way. Alternating the types of treats will help keep your pup’s attention. This is a form of positive reinforcement and a great way to keep you fur-legged friend proud of his accomplishments.

The average life expectancy of a dog varies based on many different things. Variables such as having a proper diet, remaining at a healthy weight, and routine veterinarian wellness checks do come into play. Despite all of these things, some dog breeds in general, tend to live longer than others. Below we compiled a list of the top five dogs breeds that have the longest average life expectancy.

New Guinea Singing Dog

The New Guinea Singing Dogs, also referred to as NGSD, are native to the Highlands of Papua New Guinea. These free-roaming dogs have evolved naturally on the island over thousands of years and were not discovered by scientists until about 1950. They have an extremely long average lifespan of about seventeen years.

Chihuahua

The Chihuahua is the smallest recognized dog breed, named for the Mexican state of Chihuahua, where it was first noted in the mid-19th century. It is believed that the Chihuahua is thought to derived from the Techichi, a small dog kept by the Toltec people of Mexico as long ago as the 9th century. This breed of dog has an average lifespan of about seventeen years.

Toy Poodle

The Toy Poodle was originally bred in the early 20th century as a companion dog. This breed is known for its loyalty and intelligence. The poodle was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886 and has been a family favorite for generations. This breed has an average lifespan of about sixteen years.

Jack Russell Terrier

The Jack Russell Terrier was originally developed in southern England during in the mid-1800s by Parson John Russell. The intentions were to create a working terrier who would hunt with hounds, bolting foxes from their dens so the hounds could chase them. This family pup has an average life expectancy of sixteen years.

Cockapoo

The Cockapoo was first created in the 1960s, when a breeder accidentally combined the genetic material of a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. This breed has since taken off in popularity and adored by many families around the world. His long average life expectancy of sixteen years is much thanks to his Poodle parent.

Five Basic Tip to Keep Your Dog Healthy

1- Feed Your Dog a Healthy and Balanced Diet – Always read the ingredients of their food. It is also important to feed your dog the proper amount of food. Variables such as the size of your dog, his activity level, and age must be considered. Feeding your dog too much will result in weight issues as feeding him too little will result in nutrition issues.

2- Dental Care – Routine teeth cleaning is very important. This is not always easy, but with practice this task becomes second nature in time.

3- Keep Your Dog Active, But Don’t Overdo It – Most dogs do well with about thirty minutes of physical exercise every day. It is important to make sure you keep an eye on your pup while exercising to make sure he is not overdoing it.

4- Provide Mental Enrichment and Stimulation – Play with your dog. Human interaction which includes talking to him will help to stimulate his mind. One-on-one playtime vs just allowing him to run around the yard alone is an example of this.

5- Regular Veterinary Visits – Do not wait for there to be a health concern. Routine wellness checks for your fur-legged friend are very important.