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  • Keeping Your Dog Warm With Clothes This Winter

    Keeping Your Dog Warm With Clothes This Winter

    Keeping your dog warm both indoors and outdoors is an essential one, particularly if they’ve got short fur.

    Beyond the stylish and smart appearance that a clothed dog has, the functionality – helping to maintain body heat is the major aspect here.  We would be covering the various clothing items that you would be needing both for indoors and outdoors: 

    Blankets 

    These are especially necessary when indoors. Just like you’ve got your blankies and duvet, your fur baby needs the same thick, insulating material to stay warm. Ensure that you get one that is slightly bigger so that they can have every inch of their bodies covered. 

    Scarves 

    These are more suitable for the outdoors and come in especially handy to protect the head from cold. They can also be pretty stylish and thick ones make for awesome warmth providers. 

    Jackets 

    You know how everybody looks great in a jacket. Well, this is no different for pups as they look absolutely gorgeous in them too. Away from fashion, jackets are super comfy and amazing insulating materials and they are easy to wear too. Mostly suitable for the outdoors. 

    Sweaters 

    A thick wool sweater does wonders for providing your pet with warmth. You could opt to go for a hoodie too, covering the head nicely while keeping the torso warm as well.  

    Rain Gear 

    Getting caught in the rain or having to take a walk on a somewhat rainy day can be quite a hassle if your dog constantly gets wet. For a beautiful experience even on such a dreary day, rain gear serves to keep your pet dry and happy. 

    Conclusion 

    Keeping your pet warm constantly is vital, particularly during winter. You can also keep an eye out for stylish gear and make your pet into a warm fashionista!

  • Dog Dental Month is a Reminder To Keep Those Teeth Clean

    Dog Dental Month is a Reminder To Keep Those Teeth Clean

    Keeping your dog’s teeth clean is a non-negotiable aspect of maintaining their general hygiene. 

    Apart from less serious consequences of poor dental health such as mouth odor, a more serious problem could arise in the form of plaque. 

    Eventually, plaque mixing with other minerals in the mouth hardens to become tartar which eventually causes gum disease, decay, and other oral health problems. Regular dental care helps to prevent all of this. In addition, here are some other benefits:

    Avoiding Periodontal Disease 

    Tartar on dog teeth may cause gum infection and inflammation. This may result in the gum beginning to recede, resulting in the teeth being exposed and vulnerable. Further progression of this may lead to gingivitis where dogs lose their teeth. 

    From Gingivitis, further progression sees development of even more debilitating periodontal diseases. Regular brushing is advised, a minimum of three times a week, and ideally, every day. 

    Preventing Tooth Loss 

    Certain structures in your dog’s mouth are responsible for keeping teeth in place. These structures may weaken, or get infected or damaged over time. This sort of damage could result in teeth loosening or falling out. 

    Adequate dental care helps to strengthen and maintain these teeth-supporting structures. This implies that your dog keeps his teeth to enjoy his meals as well as avoid the pain of potential teeth issues. 

    Stopping Organ Damage 

    Bacteria responsible for the formation of plaque can find their way into the bloodstream and spread to the heart, liver, and kidneys. When this happens, the process is referred to as bacteremia. 

    Bacteremia can lead to long-term organ damage and complications. To avoid this, an ideal visit to the vet once a year is necessary to get the mouth professionally cleaned. 

    Subsequently, any seemingly apparent mouth problems should be taken to the vet. 

    Conclusion 

    Maintaining great dental health in dogs cannot be overemphasized.  Start right away!

  • Pups are Smiling for Dog Dental Month!

    Pups are Smiling for Dog Dental Month!

    February is Canine Dental Month, one that sets out to emphasize just how essential dental health is for your pup. 

    Your pet is wont to use their mouth a whole lot; eating, playing with toys, licking their favorite human in the world, and a whole range of other activities. Seeing how busy this mouth gets, it is, therefore, no surprise that a great deal of attention has to be paid to dental health. This article covers the importance of canine dental health: 

    Curbing Bad Breath 

    Just like in humans, regular eating without proper mouth cleaning leads to a buildup of rotten leftover food which eventually begins to stink. Proper dental health eliminates these particles and has Daisy’s mouth smelling minty fresh. 

    Avoiding Oral Pain 

    Dental disease can cause your dog plenty of discomforts. Nipping this in the bud is a no-brainer and the key to this is providing adequate dental care to your pet. Ideally, an annual visit to the veterinarian to get their teeth professionally cleaned is recommended. 

    Inhibiting Dental Disease 

    Most dogs already have dental disease by the time they are 3 years old. This might be an occurrence that is quite difficult to prevent, however, proper dental care can prevent the disease from worsening. The following at-home care is recommended:

    • Regular teeth brushing with toothpaste 
    • Provision of chew toys to gnaw on 
    • Provision of dental chews 
    • Regular spritzing of dog dental spray 

    All of these products can be gotten from Petland stores or petland.com. 

    Preventing Organ Damage 

    Bacteria present in plaque upon entering the bloodstream can spread to the kidneys, liver, and heart. This condition which is referred to as bacteremia can result in organ damage and cause debilitating diseases. Adequate oral health helps rid Daisy of plaque buildup and therefore ensures general health. 

    Conclusion 

    One way to ensure the general healthiness of your dog is to maintain good oral hygiene. This singular action offers immense benefits both short-term and long-term.

  • Does Your Dog Have A New Year’s Resolution?

    Does Your Dog Have A New Year’s Resolution?

    As the year comes to an end, it is a tradition for most people to begin making plans for the approaching year. 

    A new year’s resolution could either be to change an undesirable habit, continue with a good one, or achieve a goal.

    As a dog owner, making plans and seeing to it that they are executed is as important for your pet as it is for you. 

    Asides having a new year’s resolution list for yourself, you could as well compile one for your dog. 

    New Year’s Resolution for Your Dog

    The following are a few things that you could include on your dog’s new year resolution list:

    Resolve to Exercises With Your Dog More Often

    If you and Bella did not exercise enough this year, it is time to effect a change. Engaging your pet in exercises is not enough; you should also exercise alongside them. 

    This implies that you should make your dog a part of your human exercises, such as walking, hiking, playing tennis, swimming. 

    This not only helps you achieve your physical goals, it also promotes owner-pet bonding. 

    Resolve to Feed Your Dog More Healthy Food

    Feeding is an aspect of pet care that should not be overlooked or taken with levity. 

    In the new year, make sure to feed Bella at least twice a day and also consult a veterinarian to ensure your pup’s feeding meets their nutritional needs. 

    Resolve for Your Dog to Learn New Tricks 

    Teaching your dog to kiss, bark on command, fetch, throw, shake hands, roll over, play dead, sit pretty and many more tricks can be so much fun. 

    It also gives your dog an advantage over other dogs. This new year, you could resolve to teach Bella more new tricks or perfect the ones she currently knows. 

    Other things you could include on your dog’s new year resolution are spending more time together, more trips to the vet’s and more frequent baths.

  • Including Your Dog in Your New Year’s Resolution

    Including Your Dog in Your New Year’s Resolution

    It is that time of the year when people start making notes about their year: highlights of the year, mistakes they made, things they would do better the following year, etc. 

    Having a new year’s resolution is a good idea because it keeps you on your toes, gives you the needed energy to achieve your goals quicker and gives you accomplishments to be proud about. 

    Now, let us talk about your new year’s resolution as a dog owner. One mistake that many pet owner’s make is forgetting to include their pets in their plans for the new year. 

    You might not see it, but planning for your pet is as important as planning for yourself. You both are going to be together for the rest of their lives, so you might as well make the years count. 

    New Year’s Resolution for Your Dog

    Here are a number of things that you could add on your resolution list to accommodate your canine partner:

    Commit to Spending More Time

    In between your busy schedule of going to work, taking care of the rest of the family, working on projects, and the rest of your daily activities, spending time with your dog might seem impossible. 

    However, in the new year, you could make sure you dedicate time daily to spend with your fur baby. This promotes better owner-pet bonding and gives you a way happier pup throughout the year.

    Commit to More Exercises with Buddy 

    Another great way of spending time with your pet this year is engaging in daily or weekly exercises. Walking, hiking, yoga, and jogging all have physical and mental health related benefits for you and your dog, and it also gives you both a chance to bond more frequently. 

    Commit to More Trips to the Vet

    Your fur baby’s physical health should not be taken with levity. Routine checks with a veterinarian are important to ensure there are no underlying health conditions. It also gives you a chance to catch up on any vaccinations, resupply on heartworm and/or flea and tick prevention, as well as an overall wellness check up.

    Some other ideas for things to start doing with your pup in the new year could be more baths and scheduled grooming, teaching new tricks and definitely more trips to the dog park!

  • Introducing A Second Dog to Your Home

    Introducing A Second Dog to Your Home

    Owning one dog is great, so having two should up the fun, yes? 

    Well, this might not always be the case. If you have been considering bringing a second dog into your home, there is a high chance that Ajax will not be very welcoming of Bo. This is why several considerations have to be made for you to ensure that both dogs get along quickly and easily.   

    Here are a few tips that could guide you:

    Choose Your New Dog Carefully 

    You should consider choosing a breed that is similar to that of your current dog, as this increases the likelihood of them coexisting peacefully. You should also consider similarities in temperaments before choosing a dog. If you have a more dominating alpha dog, you should probably not choose another equally dominating dog as this could lead to some unwanted clashes.      

    Different Genders

    Two dogs of the same sex will probably get along fine in most cases, however you can always be on the safe side and get two different genders. This increases the probability of them getting along and prevents any kind of unhealthy rivalry they may have. It would be ideal if your dog can meet the new one before you bring them home to make sure they would be a good fit for each other.

    Introduce Both Dogs on Neutral Grounds 

    When you want to introduce your dogs to each other, do it at a park or outside the home in more of a communal area. You don’t want your dog to get upset when a stranger starts sniffing and playing with their toys.

    Supervision

    For the first few weeks after bringing Bo home, they should not be left in the company of each other unsupervised. This is to prevent an injury in the case of a disagreement between them.   

    Reduce Rivalry

    You can do this by providing separate food dishes, water bowls, toys and crates. Providing separate spaces for the dogs during mealtimes could also help. Finally, ensure that you still take out quality time to spend with Ajax so he doesn’t feel left out.      

  • Exercising With Your Pup in 2022

    Exercising With Your Pup in 2022

    Dogs love to be a part of your daily routines! From taking long walks to home workouts to hiking in the woods or even simpler things such as going to get the mail or even making dinner. 

    Since they always love to be included in these activities, why not include them in the healthy ones that would benefit them as well?

    Keeping your dog active by involving them in physical and mental exercises for one helps to prevent boredom. A bored pup with no means of burning off energy could easily become destructive or even depressed. 

    A daily or weekly exercise schedule could also boost your dog’s brain power and reduce health related risks, such as obesity, arthritis, health diseases, etc. 

    Exercises to do With Your Dog

    Here are a number of activities that you and your pet could carry out together this year:

    Walking

    Brisk and long walks around the neighborhood gives Daisy stronger bones, more energy, and loads of excitement. She might even meet a new friend or two.

    Dancing

    Engaging in choreographies with Daisy makes for better bonding between you two. It also gives your pet stronger muscles and more stamina.

    Swimming

    This not only works wonders on your dog’s muscles, it also increases endurance and gives Daisy a stronger heart and lungs. Swimming might be strange to her, so take it slow at first. 

    Hiking

    This is fun for your dog because it is a world of new smells and there’s the upside of mental stimulation too. 

    Agility Training

    Running your dog through an obstacle course exercises their muscles and improves coordination.

    Doga

    This is like yoga, but for dogs. It could be fun for your Daisy and tighten the bond between both of you and get in some good stretches. 

    Tennis

    Playing tennis with your dog is a great workout, and a way of getting practice for you. It also boosts coordination and balance for you and Daisy. 

    Conclusion 

    Now that you have seen how to incorporate your pet into your various daily routines, ensure that you practice safety precautions such as bringing along water to avoid dehydration, proper harnessing and leashing, etc.   

  • Purebred or Designer Breed?

    Purebred or Designer Breed?

    Now it’s time to choose a new pup! Should you choose a purebred or designer breed? Here is some necessary information to help:

    Purebreds

    A purebred dog is one who comes from a long generation of the same breed, that is, its parents, grandparents, and great grandparents are all of the same breed. 

    A typical purebred will have qualities that trace back to its ancestors because only dogs that meet the set standard are breeded. 

    If you are getting a purebred, ensure that you see real documents that confirm that it is truly a purebred. 

    Pros 

    Predictability

    Many people prefer getting purebreds because with them, you know exactly what you are getting. 

    You know your dog’s expected size, its temperament, its medical needs, and so many other things.

    Compete in Shows

     Only purebreds are allowed to compete in dog shows, and so if you would like yours to be in one of these competitions, you should go for a purebred.

    Cons

    Genetic Defects

    Some purebred dogs could inherit the genetic defects of their specific breed. 

    Designer Breeds

    A designer breed, also called a hybrid, is an offspring of two purebreds. 

    The parents of a designer breed are usually deliberately bred to produce pups with particular qualities. 

    However, there is no assurance that any two pups would come out the same. They could differ in size, color, health, temperament, etc. 

    Pros 

    Variety

    So many hybrid combinations exist, which means that there is a hybrid dog for every taste. 

    These dogs can be bred to fit any criteria as regards size, temperament, health and many others.

    Shed Weaknesses

    Some designer breeds are created free of some weaknesses or limiting factors of their purebred parents. 

    They also might not inherit genetic flaws. 

    Cons

    Uncertainty

    There are no assurances that an offspring will take some particular desired traits and leave some. This leaves owners unsure of what to expect from their dog. 

    In the end, there are no better dogs or worse dogs. There is a mix and breed for every taste and lifestyle out there, so it all boils down to your needs and wants in a dog.  

  • Leash and Harness Training For The New Year

    Leash and Harness Training For The New Year

    Asides trimming their nails, leash manners is perhaps the next most difficult thing to get dogs to learn. 

    While a head harness might get your pup to stop pulling on their leash, you would still need to conduct lots of training for proper walking and stopping at the right time.

    This is why the best time to start training a puppy is early. 

    Instill good habits in your furry friend when they are still little, so that when they are older, they would be a well-mannered pet. 

    Tips to Leash Train Your Dog

    • Introduce your dog to the harness and the leash indoors first. Let them wear it for a couple of minutes everyday to get familiar.
    • Still leaving the leash on, teach them a sound that would serve as a cue to let them know that it is food time. Make the same sound whenever you want to give a treat, and before long, they will learn to recognize the sound and come to you for a delicious treat. 
    • Teach your pet to come to you while wearing the leash and collar. You could begin teaching them to walk with you indoors. Offer treats or praise when your pup gets their steps right.
    • It is now time to take your pup outside. This would be extra challenging because new sounds, sights and smells will attract your dog constantly. However, be patient with your pet, keep your eyes on them at all times at first, keep the first few walks short and reward obedience with treats and praise. 

    Benefits of Taking Your Dog on Walks

    • Walking is a good physical activity to keep your dog active and fit. It helps them maintain a healthy weight, strengthens muscles and prevents diseases such as hypertension or diabetes. 
    • Walking gives your dog a chance to explore the neighborhood, sniff around for more mental stimulation and gives them a healthy dose of daily excitement.
    • Walking exposes your dog to more people, other dogs and engages them in different scenarios, hence brushing up socialization skills. 

    In no time at all, your pup will be the best walking buddy you could ever have.

  • A New Puppy For The New Year

    A New Puppy For The New Year

    Yay! It’s the new year! Many people have their new year resolutions outlined and are already putting them into effect. 

    For some, one of these resolutions is to get a new fur baby at the beginning of the year.

    Just like any other parenting, puppy parenting can be somewhat overwhelming but fun overall. 

    There are a lot of things for both of you to learn and you have to get started on your part before bringing your cuddly fur baby home. 

    Here are a few things to note when getting a new puppy:

    Your Schedule

    Puppies are fun to be with however, they require a lot of care and attention in their first few months. You’ll have to feed Max two to three times daily. 

    In addition, you would have to take him on walks and get him socialized later on. 

    You have to factor all of these into your schedule. This phase may be tasking, but it’s definitely rewarding for any new puppy owner.

    Bonding Time

    The first few months of Max’s life are the perfect time to bond with him and get to know him. There’s a lot that you can learn about him just by spending time with him. 

    You can learn about your playful puppy’s personality, temperament, tastes, and intelligence. 

    Everyone loves puppy breath and you’ll definitely be getting a lot of that in your face along with licks of gratitude.

    Training

    It is essential to start training your dog early. At this young age, Max is ready to learn. All he’s waiting for is for you to work with him as soon as you can. 

    Training provides tremendous benefits to continued good behavior both inside your home and in public. 

    You can teach your Max basic obedience and then step up to potty training, chew training, and crate training.