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  • Planning for an Extended Trip Featuring Your Pet

    Going on an extended trip with your pup can be a pretty exciting adventure. The sights going by can be an incredible one for your pup, and you get to enjoy the warm companionship. 

    Short trips are more typically advised, however, there’s no harm in taking a long one provided you plan and pack all the supplies that you would be needing on the trip. 

    This piece covers everything 4 need-to-know tips for your upcoming extended human-canine trip:  

    1. Help Your Pup Adjust

    At least 1 or 2 months before your extended trip, start getting your pup familiar with the car. An occasional drive to the park or a short weekend getaway. 

    Start small, a couple of minutes initially. Then increase the duration gradually so that your pup no longer feels anxious and scared. 

    These trips would also help you observe your pup’s habits. Does he get thirsty every few hours? Does he need to use the potty every other hour? Information like this would help you plan adequately for your extended trip. 

    1. Get Your Pet Travel-Ready 

    The highlight of getting your pet travel-ready would be helping him adapt to travel conditions. For instance, if your pup isn’t used to strapping in, you would need to get him used to this. 

    Using a carrier, a crate, or a car harness would help or prevent unnecessary movements. Since your pet is strapped in tight, you would not have to worry about him moving around and distracting you from the road. 

    They could also help to prevent injury in the unfortunate event of an accident. Ensure that you attach the carrier or crate to the seat or the car floor for stability. Finally, ensure that the airbags for the seat that your pet would be occupying are deactivated. 

    1. Pack All Essentials 

    For this, it would be ideal to create a list of these items so that you don’t forget to pack any. On your trip, it might be difficult to locate a pet store for some distance. This is why packing ahead is vital. 

    Some of these essentials include:

    • Bowls
    • Water
    • Food
    • Towels and Blankets 
    • Poop bags
    • First aid kit 
    • Leash
    • Medication 
    • Favorite chew toys
    • Brush and shampoo 
    • Treats 

    When packing these items, ensure that you package them differently and distinctly. This would help you easily identify the exact location of each item and avoid mix-ups. 

    Just in case of an emergency, it is advisable to get the contacts of vets along the trip path. 

    1. Exercise Your Pup Before the Trip 

    Before getting into the car and embarking on your trip, ensure that you properly exercise your pup. Some extra minutes would be a great idea so that he’s able to release most of the nervous energy. 

    A well-exercised pup would be relaxed for the duration of the trip. If you would be taking a trip extending as long as 4 to 12 hours, ensure that you stop at intervals to walk him. 

    This would help to guarantee that your pet stays docile for the duration of the trip. 

    Some other tips like a vet visit, booking dog-friendly accommodations, and updating ID information are essential too. 

  • Best Practices for Outdoor Dog Safety

    The great outdoors is a beautiful place to be, extra wonderful for your furry companion thanks to enhanced sensory organs. 

    Activities like a walk in the park or rolling around in the garden is super fun. Your pet gets his exercising in and you get to spend some quality time together. 

    However, the great outdoors isn’t all rosy. There are elements that can constitute a danger to your pet, and this article is all about helping you avoid them:

    1. Avoid Parasite-Infested Areas 

    An area with mosquitoes singing their melodies is a no-no. Avoid areas that generally look unkempt or harbor a body of stagnant water. 

    Mosquitoes can transmit heartworms which can result in some lung and heart damage to dogs via a single bite. Hence, avoiding unhygienic locations is essential. 

    Finally, a good idea would be to check out these areas on your own before taking your pet there. This way, you can avoid unpleasant surprises. 

    1. Keep an Eye On the Weather 

    Extreme temperatures can cause problems for your pup, however, you can still brave these conditions. What you would need to do is take some extra precautions. 

    On hot days, ensure that your pet doesn’t get overheated. Spend less time outdoors and provide lots of cold water for drinking. If you notice excessive panting, move your pet to a shaded area. 

    Going out in the cold depends on your pet’s breed. Larger dogs with thick coats like German Shepherds would tolerate the cold longer than a chihuahua would. However, ensure that they are dressed for the occasion, a jacket would do. 

    1. Minimize Contact With Other Animals 

    You can only trust the grooming and health status of your pup. Other dogs that you come in contact with may carry parasites, therefore, avoid or limit contact. 

    If you’re at a local dog park, keep an eye out so that you can stop skirmishes before they get out of hand. Also, bite wounds are absolutely one of the more common injuries that you should protect your pet from. 

    Similarly, wildlife like rabbits and squirrels may carry parasites or contagious diseases. Limit the amount of chasing after these animals that your dog does to reduce chances of infection. 

    1. Prepare Supplies 

    When you’re headed to the great outdoors with your pooch, ensure that you have the necessary supplies including lots of water, a sturdy leash, and an ID tagged-collar. 

    If you’re going in your car or with a backpack, you could keep a mini first aid kit handy as well. This would come in handy in the face of medical emergencies. 

    Treats for good behavior is a great call too. 

    1. Ensure Vaccinations are Up to Date 

    If you intend to spend a lot of time outdoors with your pet, vaccination is a no-brainer. 

    A good number of infections can be avoided with a simple vaccine shot. So, ensure that your pup’s vaccination is complete and still effective. 

    An essential vaccine is one against rabies. For other beneficial vaccines, have a talk with your veterinarian. 

  • Correcting Bad Habits in Your Pup

    Pups might be soft and fluffy and loving and represent everything good about the world. However, believe it or not, sometimes, they can be less than perfect. 

    Sometimes, they exhibit less-than-pleasant behavior and the best move in situations like this is to nip it in the bud. 

    You don’t want your once-adorable puppy growing up to become a misbehaving adult. So, here’s are 5 tips to help with correcting bad habits in your pup: 

    1. Training 

    Well-trained pups seldom exhibit bad behavior, so training is key. Commands like ‘come’, ‘sit’, ‘lie down, are the building blocks for encouraging good behavior. 

    Using a training system that includes rewards helps your pup quickly understand that following your commands means delicious treats. 

    Your pup also gets mentally stimulated through the course of training, and an exhausted pup would definitely keep out of trouble. 

    1. Prevention 

    Pups usually have triggers, sounds, or sights that make them react that way. A good idea would be to get these triggers out of the way, and in turn, no naughty reactions. 

    For instance, if you notice that the doorbell triggers a flurry of barks, take it out. Avoid giving your pup scraps from your table so that you don’t encourage begging. 

    Restrict your pup to areas where he’s wanted and make it clear that certain areas are off-limits. For instance, counter-surfing can be avoided by making the kitchen out of bounds. 

    1. Exercise 

    A physically exhausted pup would rather snooze than concern himself with distractions. So, in addition to helping your pup burn off energy and remain healthy, exhaustion keeps your pup out of trouble. 

    Similarly, regular exercise with your pet helps to strengthen the human-doggy bond, and your pup would likely obey your commands even faster and more often. 

    Burning off pent-up energy in your pet could help your favorite shoes remain intact. 

    1. Redirection 

    Some bad behavior in your pup might be pure instinct, such as digging and chewing. Behaviors like this might be totally impossible to get rid of. 

    However, this doesn’t imply that these actions cannot be redirected appropriately. For instance, providing a chew toy for your pup gives him something to take out this habit on. 

    Specifying an area where digging is acceptable would help keep the rest of your front yard intact. This way, you’re in control of the situation, and your pet gets what he wants too. 

    1. Ignore 

    Pups are huge attention seekers and might go some lengths just to get you to notice them. Some of the bad behaviors that pups exhibit are simply intended to gain your attention. 

    Behavior like barking, or jumping up, or begging would simply go away after a while if you ignore your pup. Once he realizes that the attention he’s seeking doesn’t come via that channel, he should stop. 

    Avoid shouting or punishing your pup, as this is attention as well. Simply turn away until he is calm and exercising restraint once again. 

  • Basic Pet Parenting Skills

    Puppies, while adorable to a fault, can be quite a handful too. And believe it or not, you do need some parenting skills when it comes to raising your pet. 

    There’s always the option of learning on the job, a good choice. Another option is learning ahead about the essential skills that would improve your cohabitation. 

    That’s exactly what we’re setting out to detail in this piece. Here are 5 essential pet parenting skills you need to inculcate: 

    1. Handling and Training Skills 

    Building the right foundation for your relationship with your pet is an essential item on this checklist. For starters, you have to be at ease with working in a hands-on capacity. Physical contact is one of the major building blocks for a loving relationship with your pup. 

    To build lasting handling and training skills, you should be familiar with fundamentals like basic obedience techniques, using positive reinforcement, and creating reward systems amongst others. 

    You need to be familiar with handling stressful situations too, as pups tend to go rogue sometimes. 

    1. Communication Skills  

    Effective communication is the holy grail of any relationship, particularly with your pup. You need to ensure that you’re not sending confusing signals, particularly in the early training stages. 

    Confusing communication can send your pup into a spiral since he doesn’t know which command to follow. Clear communication begins from using clear verbal communication and extends to even non-verbal communication. 

    Using the right tone, watching your pet carefully so that you understand their reactions to your commands, reinforcing the right responses, are proper strategies for great communication. 

    1. Observation Skills 

    Pets try to communicate with us in various ways, however, there’s a tendency to overlook some of the signs that they give. You always have to keep an eye out for behavioral changes or altered feeding habits — these might imply a developing health problem. 

    This would also warrant that you’re privy to basic canine health issues, especially those that are prevalent with your pup breed. Close observation can help to nip potentially major problems in the bud. 

    1. Grooming Skills

    Outside of the regularly scheduled visits to the vet that would probably consist of a comprehensive checkup and grooming, you should possess some grooming skills yourself. 

    As a dog parent, you should be familiar with basics such as trimming nails, removing mats, cleaning ears, and brushing out hair. 

    Your pup’s grooming is vital to guarantee that he remains in prime health for a long time. Also, regular grooming can help you detect potential health problems early and deal with them. 

    1. Patience 

    Less of a skill and more of an attribute, all the same, you would need to hone it as a skill. Pups can be a handful sometimes and these times call for patience and restraint. 

    This is an essential quality if you’re going to have an incredible relationship with your pet. 

    When your pup disobeys commands or does his business inside the house or chews a hole in one of your favorite socks, remember patience. 

  • How To Encourage Healthy Feeding Habits in Your Pup

    Feeding your pet with a healthy diet has many benefits in the short run as well as the distant future. A great diet keeps your pet in top shape and protects them from a range of chronic ailments. 

    Your pet’s diet extends beyond what you give them at mealtimes. It is a sum total of all the treats, table scraps, random food tosses, and of course, the main meals too. 

    Proper feeding is essential to ensuring that your pet lives a long, healthy life. This is why encouraging healthy feeding habits is essential. And here are 4 tips to do just this: 

    1. Establish a Routine

    Pups love routine, it gives them something to look forward to. Creating a routine for their meals especially gives them the pleasure of anticipating something that they love. It also helps you accurately anticipate bowel movements. 

    On average, dogs do best with two meals daily: one in the morning and the other in the evening. Maintaining a routine could also help you detect if your pet falls ill, such as when they skip a meal. 

    Similarly, snacks in between meals aren’t the best idea, this might encourage obesity. 

    1. Measure Out Food  

    Since you see your pet every single day, it’s easy to not observe that they are gaining excess weight. Typically, your pup’s feed would come with recommendations from the maker. 

    Since you’re feeding twice a day, divide up the daily recommended amount into two and use a measuring cup to confirm accuracy. Ideally, you should be feeding your pooch roughly the same amount of food both times during the day. 

    Measuring out food helps control the calories that they consume as well. If your pup is very active, you can increase calorie intake based on your vet’s guidance, same goes for if you have a laid-back pup. 

    1. Avoid Table Feeding 

    Sometimes it is hard to resist those big brown eyes looking up at you while you eat. You might be tempted to give them a piece of your food or feed your pup scraps from the table. However, this doesn’t do your pup any good. 

    Rather, it encourages overeating, and shortly after, your pup might begin to add weight excessively. If you absolutely cannot fight the temptation to feed table scraps, ensure that you’re feeding them healthy foods. Rice cakes or raw carrots are ideal. 

    Another practical tip is to feed your pup before eating your food so that he is content and less tempted to beg. 

    1. Slow Down Eating by Making Mealtimes Interactive 

    Some pups practically wolf down their meals. This act in itself might not seem all that much of a terrible act, but it might negatively impact your pup’s health in the long run. Fast eating implies less chewing and swallowing lots of air. 

    This would lead to a regularly bloated belly and over time, the stomach walls would start to thin out and could even tear. 

    Some mechanisms that may help reduce speed rating include: 

    • Using a slow feeder bowl — just ensure that your pup can reach the food easily. 
    • Snuffle mats — this also boosts mental stimulation and helps them tap into their natural foraging instinct since they have to search for their kibble. 
    • Reducing meal size and increasing frequency. You can use an auto feeder for this. 

    Encouraging healthy eating habits should begin as early as possible. 

  • Dog Allergies Detection 101

    Dogs experience allergic reactions to various things. While these allergies are typically not life-threatening, they do cause a measure of discomfort. 

    Allergies in pups are not quite as simple to pinpoint as in humans. It takes strong observation skills, and even afterward, there is a range of allergies that could cause your dog’s symptoms. 

    Common Symptoms of Allergies 

    Here are some of the commonly noticed allergy symptoms in pips: 

    • Constant licking
    • Diarrhea
    • Sneezing/ wheezing 
    • Inflamed skin
    • Incessant scratching 
    • Swellings of lips, ear flaps, or other parts of the face
    • Periodic chewing on body parts 
    • Hives 
    • Fur loss/ skin irritation 

    Allergies mostly develop when your pup nears his second year. In the first year, your pup might be exposed to these antigens. However, in the second year, his immune system starts to release immune cells which in turn release inflammatory substances. 

    New symptoms typically arise for a variety of factors including changes in diet, environment, or aging. The symptoms associated with allergies are not distinct, hence, a veterinary appointment is advisable. 

    Testing for Allergies in Your Pup 

    To accurately ascertain that the symptoms are not a result of another condition, the veterinarian first rules out possible conditions. Afterward, he or she may opt for allergy testing to detect the allergen. 

    For food allergies, an elimination method is used for diagnosis. The food trial typically involves feeding your pup with a novel source of carbohydrates and protein for 12 weeks. 

    For skin irritation or dermatitis caused by suspected flea allergy, this is pretty easy to detect. The usual process is applying a product to kill the fleas. If scratching stops, then treatment is successful. 

    Note that allergy testing may not always be able to pinpoint the cause of the reaction. 

    Treating Allergies In Pups 

    The ultimate treatment for an allergy is total avoidance of the allergen. This is usually possible in certain scenarios, but not likely in others. 

    Treatment usually follows the precise allergy that your pup has. For instance, a food allergy can be treated by changing diet and eliminating allergens. 

    For flea allergy dermatitis, applying a product to kill the fleas is your best call. Lifestyle changes may also be recommended by the veterinarian. 

    Furthermore, the veterinarian may also recommend the administration of allergy relief medication. This would typically help to ease reactions like itching as well as other resulting skin infections that may have been caused by the irritant. 

    Dealing With Severe Reactions 

    If your pup experiences a severe allergic reaction featuring an advanced level of any of the symptoms outlined above, the right call is to get him to the veterinary hospital without delay. 

    To notice any changes in your pup’s behavior or reactions, you would have to keep a close eye out. A slight change in mood or appetite is worth noting. 

    Finally, before taking your pet on a trip or a new location, ensure that allergens are not present in the vicinity. 

  • Top 10 Toxic Items to Your Pet

    If your dog gets into everything, you’re likely used to putting food items away right after meals and keeping your shoes in the closet.

    Did you know there are much more subtle threats to your furry family member you may not even think twice about?

    Check out our list to see if you can avoid a trip to the vet by taking care of these risks before they cause a problem.

    Wood Chips

    Luckily, most puppies chew wood chips because the porous texture feels good on their budding chompers and are not usually interested in having them as an afternoon snack. The real danger here is three-fold: splinters, pesticides, and obstructing their bowels. We know, none of those are appealing. Best to smell the flowers in a grass-lain garden versus on your neighbor’s front lawn (or anywhere that harbors these pesky chippings).

    Air fresheners

    There is one main concern when it comes to air fresheners: phthalates leaching into the oil and being released into the air.

    Phthalates are essentially chemicals used to make plastic and help them keep their shape and contain whatever is inside the product (shampoo, bleach, etc.).

    For air fresheners that you plug in the wall, the scented oil that sprays out in a puff is usually heated which warrants a concern of the phthalates in the plastic leaching into the oil and being released in the air that way.

    This, combined with the proximity our furry friends have to these devices since they are closer to the ground poses the concern that they may be ingesting these toxins which can harm the respiratory and reproductive systems.

    Garbage

    The tricky thing about this treat is how garbage is not a constant mix of certain items – it changes for most of us every day. Not to worry; the biggest thing to look out for are any toxic foods (keep reading to see some of the worst), and raw meat (for those not on a raw-only diet) as it poses the risk of E. Coli.

    Dogs get into the garbage usually out of hunger or boredom but baby-proofing the top of the garbage can easily combat this!

    Toxic Foods

    We don’t pour our dogs a cup of coffee every morning (though that scene in Lady and the Tramp is adorable) but did you know caffeine is toxic? Here are some other foods to avoid splitting with your pup:

    • Xylitol (often found in peanut butter)
    • Grapes (and raisins)
    • Macadamia nuts
    • Onions
    • Garlic
    • Avocado
    • Caffeine in any form
    • Fruit peels/pits/seeds

    While technically not food, the kitchen garbage also poses a risk to our pets. Containing rotting or potentially moldy food as well as the debris that food is stored in like chip bags or wrappers, it definitely makes the list of risky things to watch out for.

    Other Threats

    Try to keep these out of reach of wandering puppy paws too:

    • Houseplants
    • Medicines
    • Cleaning Supplies
    • Alcohol

  • Top 5 Ways to Help Your Pup Overcome Separation Anxiety

    Equipping your pup to deal with your occasional absences is a vital part of the training process. The alternative to this is a pup going berserk once you step inside the house. 

    Pups with separation anxiety usually need an outlet for their anxiety, and this might not bode well for you. Some of the most common indications are:

    • Howling, barking, and whining. 
    • Destructive chewing. 
    • Scratching and digging at windows and doors in a bid to find their owners. 
    • Defecation and urination; even in house-trained pets.  

    To help your pup get through this and adjust to the idea of your absence. Here are 5 practical ways:

    1. Physical Exercise (Before You Leave)

    One of the reasons why your pup might get wound up is because of nervous energy. Taking your pet for a brisk walk to reduce his energy levels is advisable. 

    Once you’ve been able to get your pet in a passive state, he would likely spend your time away from him mostly resting or lazing around the place. 

    Remember, an exhausted pup is a happy one (and one that stays out of trouble too).  

    1. Start Small

    You don’t just up from out of the blues and leave your pet alone for hours on end. You could start with small time durations, and gradually increase your absence. 

    Leave him alone for some five minutes, then up to ten or 20 minutes, and then keep increasing it until you could go 8 hours without a fuss. 

    This gradual separation helps your pup slowly adjust to the idea of separation and also instills the information that you would always come back home to him.  

    1. No Grand Gestures! 

    Overly affectionate goodbyes or greetings when you return is not the way to go. You’re trying to get your pup to understand that your leaving isn’t a big deal. A ceremonial farewell would be counterproductive. 

    Instead, avoid eye contact, no touching, and no talking either. Make your pup get used to the idea that it’s nothing out of the ordinary. 

    You should bring this into play when you’re starting out the separation process right from the smallest time duration. 

    1. Crate Training 

    You should idealize your pup’s crate so that it feels like his own personal safe space. When used the right way, it is neither inhumane nor inappropriate. 

    Rather, it provides your pet with a place to escape to when the pressure gets too much. Try to make your pup associate the crate with good feelings by leaving his favorite chew toys in there. 

    You should only use a crate when you feel like it is the best alternative. First observe whether your pup styles down, and feels comfortable in there. Otherwise, a crate might not make things better. 

    1. Build Your Pet’s Independence 

    An independent pet would not experience intense separation anxiety. Get your pup used to not following you around, or you ignore him when you’re focused on certain tasks. 

    This would spur him to develop new interests, and if they skew in the way of independence, then reward this behavior. 

    The earlier you start getting your pup used to your absence, the easier it would be for him to adjust over time. 

  • 5 Interesting Dog Facts

    Pups embody the perfect companion. They are loyal, empathetic, loving, and unbelievably selfless. It is no wonder then that they are man’s best friends. 

    Now, in addition to these natural attributes of theirs, there are some others that you probably don’t know about. 

    Here’s five of them:

    1. They Sneeze to Indicate Zero Aggression 

    You’ve probably noticed a bit of sneezing going on between pups when they are tangling together. They use these sneezes to communicate the playful nature of their entanglement. 

    This helps to prevent things from getting out of hand. It’s really not about dust or pollen in the air. Other interesting signals would include stretching out their paws; if a pup does this to you, it’s an indication of friendliness or invitation to play. 

    1. Dogs aren’t Big Huggers 

    Hugging or putting your arms around the shoulders of your pet means something altogether different to them. They enjoy other types of physical contact, but hugging is seen as an attempt to dominate. 

    You would sometimes notice a pup place his foreleg over the shoulder of another pup. The position is called “standing over” is a form of assertive or superior behavior. 

    A better way to show physical affection is scratching behind their ear or rubbing their belly. 

    1. Humans and Dogs Share a Similarity In the Locations of the Brain that Responds to Vocalization 

    According to researchers at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary, the reason why pups can understand your happy sounds is that they have sections in their brain that respond to vocalization. 

    This allows your pups to react differently to you based on the various voice tones that you use depending on the emotion that you’re feeling. Furthermore, these regions are located in a similar area to the human brain. 

    1. The Wetness of Dogs’ Noses Helps them Absorb Scent Chemicals 

    This answers a riddle that has probably crossed your mind several times. Pups have a wet nose because it helps them absorb scent chemicals. 

    The nose initially secretes a specific mucus for the sole purpose of absorbing the chemical. Once the mucus has done its work, your pup then licks his nose to ascertain the exact nature of the smell. 

    Now the folktales can finally go to rest. 

    1. Dogs Can Actually See Colors 

    Popular belief is that dogs only see in monochrome and they detect outlines in objects using the difference in brightness. 

    However, this is not entirely true. Following the discovery of scientist Jay Neitz that dogs’ eyes possess two cones, researchers at the Russian Academy of Science performed their own experiments. 

    They selected eight dogs of different breeds and sizes and tested their eyesight. Using four pieces of paper, all four of different colors, they used this to detect whether dogs identified via brightness or color. 

    6 out of the 8 dogs picked based on color 9 or 10 out of 10 total times. 

  • 5 Dog Hygiene Essentials

    If there’s one thing that dogs know how to do instinctively, it is playing around in places that are less-than-hygienic. Milo probably just loves digging in mud or splashing around in puddles. This is him playing, so he isn’t thinking about the hygiene implication. Therefore, the onus is on you as a great dog parent to keep his hygiene top-notch at every point in time. 

    Here are 5 essentials to help with your pup’s hygiene:: 

    1. Clean the Paws

    Your pup is constantly roving about and stepping in so many places that it’s hard to keep track. It is therefore not surprising that his paws can pick up various objects like molds, pollen, dust mites, and even pesticides! Dog baths are not a daily affair but cleaning Milo’s paws at least once a day isn’t a bad idea. You can use a rub down or a paw soak depending on your preference. If there’s hair between his toes, trimming and brushing are in order too. 

    1. Clean the Toys 

    Most, if not all of your pup’s toys go in his mouth, making it an efficient germs transfer pathway. Therefore, cleaning these toys regularly is essential to maintain good hygiene. For starters, you should never use cleaning sprays or disinfectants, this can be toxic for Milo. A safer alternative is soaking the toys in a half water,half vinegar mix for about 30 minutes. Non-soft toys can be cleaned with a water-diluted bleach solution. Toys should be cleaned at least once to twice every month. 

    1. Brush the Teeth  

    Dental hygiene for your pup goes beyond just maintaining a healthy set of teeth to actually preventing potentially fatal disease(s). Periodontal disease is caused by a buildup of tartar in the teeth, as a result of poor dental care. It can have significant side effects like lethal bacterial infections if left alone without treatment. 

    However, brushing your pup’s teeth can help prevent this. So, rule of thumb, when brushing your teeth, remember that Milo’s need brushing too!

    1. Clean the Dog Bed 

    Your dog’s bed can be a haven for germs and parasites. Ticks, fleas, allergens, an entire parade. Although your pup might not entirely love the entire process of keeping them clean, it is one that you have to do for their sake and yours. 

    Beyond keeping your pup clean, you need to ensure that one of their favorite spots is too. A great dog bed should have a removable fabric cover so that you can wash it at least two times a month. If you have a breed that sheds significantly, then vacuuming the dog bed on the regular is in order as well. 

    1. Clean the Collars and Harnesses 

    After some period of extended use, your pup’s collar can start to smell not-too-great. Collars and harnesses do not require constant maintenance. However, once they start to smell or show dirt, it’s time to wash. You could either use the washing machine or a mix of dog shampoo in hot water. Maintaining your dog’s hygiene is synonymous with maintaining his well-being. You shouldn’t need any convincing since you love your pup!