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  • Preparing Your Dog for the Hot Summer Months Ahead

    Preparing Your Dog for the Hot Summer Months Ahead

    Summer months are only around the corner. It is important this time of year to prepare your dog for the summer heat. Here are three tips to keep your dog cool and comfortable this summer: 

    Prepare Their Coat for Summer 

    Your pet’s fur coat helps them stay warm in winter and cool in summer. Your dog will grow a heavier coat in winter months and shed it in the spring season to develop a lighter coat for summer.

    Help keep your pet cool in the summer by trimming their coat. It is advisable to go with a professional trimmer, so you don’t end up cutting it too short. 

    A low trim could also help identify any skin infections or telling symptoms. 

    Prepare the Garden for Summer 

    If your pup loves to spend a lot of time outdoors, then you should consider creating a great space for them. You could create shade using a screen, umbrella or putting up a tarp. 

    Wet mats or towels during the hottest parts of the day to use with your pet. You can also find colling mats at some local pet stores. If you already have ice packs in your freezer, you can sandwich the packs between light blankets or towels to create a refreshing mat for your dog.

    Hydrate!

    This is good advice for you and applies to your pet too. Puppies usually require water more frequently because they are more active and their bodies are unable to regulate well. 

    The hot temperatures could cause dehydration and it is important to ensure that the water remains cool too. You could do this by adding ice to the water bowl as well as filling a clamshell or paddling pool with cool water. 

    Conclusion 

    If you are going to have a seamless summer with your pup, then you need to prepare. These tips are vital ones that you can follow.

  • Summertime is the Best Time for Puppy Photos

    Summertime is the Best Time for Puppy Photos

    Summer means the warmer months and of course, spending lots of time outdoors. Since most places are accessible and open in summer, you can definitely find a lot of picturesque backgrounds to use for pictures. Here are some of the best places for puppy pictures that you can explore: 

    The Beach 

    The beach offers the dual perk of having a great time and taking beautiful pictures too. Following a couple of hours of running around the beach with your pup and playing in the water, well, it’s picture time! You could explore a couple of picture ideas like putting a mini hat on your pet’s head or having them stretched out on a beach chair. 

    The Mountains 

    The mountains offer an amazing, picturesque background for pictures. It’s like being on top of the world, and the rest of the earth is just at your feet. This is definitely one place to take majestic pictures of your pet. 

    The Fields 

    Fields with wildflowers and rich soil could be great for a photo op. It would be like being cast into nature and if your pet is very playful, you could capture pictures of them in action. There is an off chance that a butterfly might rest on its nose, so, have your camera ready. 

    Sunsets

    Sunsets are never a bad idea for pictures. If anything, they make for a soft, beautiful, and calming background. Sunsets provide that incredible feeling in pictures that no other background can beat. So, in addition to enjoying a beautiful sunset, you get to keep a memory from it. 

    Conclusion 

    There are no doubt many backgrounds for photographing your pup, but these four definitely top the list. 

  • What to Bring With You While Hiking With Your Dog

    What to Bring With You While Hiking With Your Dog

    Hiking with your pet is some of the best alone time you could enjoy. You both have lots of sights, sounds, and smells to take in and it goes without saying that your darling pet would be ecstatic. 

    However, before you embark on a hike with your dog, it is important to ensure that you have checked certain boxes. Some of these boxes include bringing along adequate supplies and ensuring that your pet is in tip-top shape. 

    So, here’s a checklist of what to bring with you while hiking with your dog:

    • Water 
    • Food
    • Leash
    • Collar or harness
    • Canine first aid kit 
    • A bowl
    • Clothing
    • Microchip or ID card 
    • Flashlight 

    If you are hiking with a big dog, they can carry some things, nothing too heavy. On the other hand, for small dogs, you do all the carrying. 

    Before embarking on the hike, here are some things you need to ensure:

    • Physical shape; ensure that they are in top shape and ready for the rugged trails 
    • Ensure that all their vaccinations are up to date, you can always pay a visit to the veterinarian if you’re not certain 
    • Train your dog for the trails so that it’s not an entirely new experience 
    • Research where you would be hiking; the weather conditions, any specific occurrences that are peculiar to that area, among others 
    • Learn and understand how walking the trail goes, otherwise known as trail etiquette 

    The benefits of hiking are immense for both you and your pet. There is the baseline benefit of the physical fitness aspect. In addition, the atmosphere helps you and your pet relax and provides for an excellent adventure. 

    Conclusion 

    For a successful hike, be sure to check off the list here and of course, have a great time!

  • What is a Professional Regulated Breeder?

    What is a Professional Regulated Breeder?

    When you get a healthy and well-adjusted pup that requires little in the way of training, then quite a bit of work has gone behind the scenes. This is often the work of a professional regulated breeder. 

    A professional regulated breeder refers to an individual or a set of individuals who handle the breeding process amongst others, for 5 or more dogs over the span of 4 months. This basically describes the overall job description, however, a lot more goes into this process. 

    First off, a healthy, properly adjusted and socialized pup would need to be raised in a hygienic and friendly environment. This is because their background or the nature of where they were raised goes a long way in impacting their eventual behavior. 

    Professional regulated breeders, who often work with no days off, are highly committed and dedicated and must give adequate love and care to their wards. Therefore, they play a key role in the molding process of your future pup. 

    They also ensure that pets get adequate exercise and are socialized properly which, of course, is a no-brainer when dealing with a pup. The way they are socialized impacts how well they get along with other dog breeds as well as other humans.

    Dogs that are not properly socialized would be unable to behave appropriately in public and may act out as a result. Professional regulated breeders typically handle this aspect to ensure that you get the pet of your dreams. 

    Conclusion 

    In the early stages of development, what your pup picks up could stay with them till adulthood. This is why the jobs of professional regulated breeders cannot be underestimated. 

  • Why You Need a Poodle Mix

    Why You Need a Poodle Mix

    Poodle mixes like Cavapoos, Goldendoodle, Cockapoo, and Maltipoos, have attained critical acclaim because of the myriad of benefits that owning one can bring. 

    They are highly attractive, intelligent, and take training easy. In addition to these qualities, here are some others that would definitely seal the deal for you: 

    Hypoallergenic 

    A number of poodle mix-breeds are hypoallergenic which implies that they are great for people who have allergies. This is because they either do not shed or shed less and infrequently. So, they would either have no dander or very few clinging to their coat.  

    Small Size 

    They come in very small sizes which makes them well suited to small apartments and given that they don’t shed, you won’t have to worry about getting fur all over your apartment. 

    They are also very easy to carry around and their owners explore this benefit to the fullest. For instance, the Cockapoo weighs only about 12-25 pounds and has a height of 9-18 inches. 

    The Goldendoodle, which is one of the biggest in this breed category, has a height of about 22-22.5 inches and weighs around 50-90 pounds. 

    Great for Families 

    Poodle mixes also make for great family dogs, one great example is the Goldendoodle. They also have excellent traits gotten from both parents that they were bred from and are considered a superior breed to their parent breed. 

    They do well with kids and are not temperamental. In spite of their small size, some of them are quite energetic and playful and make for a good playmates for your kids. 

    Conclusion 

    Opting for a poodle mix could be an excellent option especially if you are looking for a small dog. 

  • Petland’s Top 5 Small Breed Dogs

    Petland’s Top 5 Small Breed Dogs

    Small breeds are much beloved because of a range of factors including ease of care, the fact that they fit in small apartments, and very essential, they can go just about anywhere with you. If you are wondering what breed to go for yourself, here is Petland’s top 5 small breeds of dogs: 

    Maltese

    The Maltese is one of the most common breeds of small dogs and comes with its characteristic soft and silky white coat. This breed is well known for its loyalty and is also very playful and full of energy. They are a very brave breed and were a rave back in the day when the Roman Empire still stood. 

    Yorkshire Terrier

    Commonly known as the “Yorkie”, this popular dog breed is highly intelligent and takes to training easily. They are energetic and brave and require only moderate exercise. They have also been used as therapy dogs at some point in history, specifically during World War II. 

    Miniature Dachshund

    The miniature Dachshund is well-loved because of its amusing, yet adorable looks. They are very loyal, fierce protectors, and active. Their short coat requires only minimum grooming and she’d very infrequently. Given their part terrier and part hound roots, they can be feisty on occasion. 

    Shih Tzu

    Shih Tzu’s bright eyes and tiny face can be regarded as their main selling point. In addition to this, they have flowing hair which you can tie up in a knot to keep out of their eyes and you can maintain a short coat as well. A fun fact to note is that they were the major breed that Chinese emperors owned. 

    Pomeranian

    The Pomeranian has a fox-like appearance and a beautiful fluffy coat. They relate well with other breeds and are hugely intelligent and cheerful. They make for excellent watchdogs and can be taught a trick or two with time. They shed regularly and require frequent grooming. 

    Conclusion 

    If you’re looking for a small dog breed, then you can opt for any of the options mentioned. They are excellent breeds and you would fall in love with them in no time.

  • This is Why You Need a Goldendoodle

    This is Why You Need a Goldendoodle

    Goldendoodles are a cross between a purebred Golden Retriever and a Poodle. They are a highly intelligent, loving, and loyal breed that sheds way less than a purebred Golden Retriever. This gentle and affectionate breed started gaining popularity following breed development in the 1990s. 

    Relative to other designer breeds, it is still regarded as a young cross. Goldendoodles are very social and would interact well with everyone. They would do well in both country and city settings. However, apartment living might not suit them. Rather, they do better in an enclosed space like a fenced yard. 

    They also shouldn’t be kept in kennels as they thrive with human contact. 

    Here’s a table that details their attributes:

    Height17-21+ inches 
    Weight50-90 pounds 
    Life Span10-15 years 
    Breed Size Large (61-100 lbs.)
    Good WithChildren, Families, Dogs, Cats
    Temperament Friendly, Gentle, Playful, Outgoing
    Intelligence High
    Shedding Volume Infrequent 
    Exercise Requirements Medium 
    Energy Levels Active
    Drool Amount Low
    Bark Level When Necessary 
    Coat Length/ Texture Medium, Curly
    Breed Group Hybrid
    Colors Black, Gray, Blue, Red, White, Gold, Fawn, Brown/Chocolate/Liver, Gold/Yellow
    Patterns Brindle, Bicolor, Black, Tan, and Merle 

    They also have other traits such as the fact that they are easy to train, are excellent for first-time pet owners, are great hiking buddies, require a great deal of grooming, are strongly loyal, and they may require a significant amount of grooming.

    They have a very affectionate nature and are hypoallergenic. The hypoallergenic feature makes them great for people who typically react to allergens. Goldendoodles come in a large standard size as well as a smaller, miniature size. 

    They make for great emotional support animals and enjoy spending time in the great outdoors. You can achieve this by taking walks or playing outdoors. This helps to cover their physical needs. 

    Conclusion 

    A Goldendoodle is the perfect canine companion for both individuals and families.

  • Best Ways to Socialize Your New Puppy

    Best Ways to Socialize Your New Puppy

    The first three months of your pup’s life would very much shape the rest of their personality and how they relate to their environment. Socializing your pup guarantees that you would end up with a confident and well-adjusted dog. Here are some ways to socialize your puppy: 

    The Outdoors 

    Introduction to new sights, sounds, and smells begins in the outdoors and then continues in the outdoors. Outdoors is where most of the adjustment happens. A multitude of new sensations would assault your pup’s senses and he may need to adjust gradually. Over time, familiarity would occur. 

    The Dog Park 

    Visiting the dog park should be scheduled for later during the socialization process. Ensure that your pup has developed some level of confidence so that they can be comfortable around other dogs. The dog park experience is an important one because you could term it the ultimate test of socialization. 

    The Neighborhood 

    Out on a walk and saying hi to the neighbors, allow your pup to say hi too. This helps him adjust to interacting with other people apart from you. If they want to come close and pet him, even better. Similarly, this is a good way to work on leash training too, helping him adapt to walking on a leash. 

    Puppy Classes 

    Once vaccinations are being taken care of, puppy classes can commence. These classes are designed to help puppies understand basic commands, and it also provides an excellent avenue for your pet to interact with other dogs and humans in a safe space. Socialization is also important for potty training. 

    Conclusion 

    Socializing your dog is important to help them enjoy the outdoors and be in the company of other people and animals without fear. 

  • How To Trim Your Dog’s Nails

    How To Trim Your Dog’s Nails

    An important aspect of dog grooming is trimming your dog’s nails. While a routine trip to the groomer also comprises nail trims, sometimes Saul’s nails may be overgrown and you may have to do it yourself. This is how to make this happen step by step:

    • The first step is to gather your supplies 
    • Up next, gently pick up the foot 
    • Isolate the nail that you want to cut
    • Select the precise place you want to cut
    • Do the cutting at a 45-degree angle 
    • Chip it off in bits
    • Remember the dewclaws 
    • Nail grinding (use as a finishing tool)
    • Reward your pet 

    It is important to note that a dog’s nail comprises the outer material known as the shell, which is hard and the living pink quick. The quick runs through the core of the nail and supplies blood. To ensure your dog’s wellbeing and guarantee easy maintenance, short quicks are the recommended length. 

    Similarly, if you are cutting your puppy’s nails for the first time, you would have to go very slow, starting with picking up the paw, isolating the nail, getting your pup familiar with the trimmer (especially if there is any vibration involved), cutting only a tiny chip initially. All of these would have to be done over a period of time to aid easy adjustment. 

    If your dog feels uncomfortable, it is best to retreat or you might have to eventually use a muzzle. In the way of products, there is a range of nail trimmers comprising scissors as well as grinder tools specially designed for dogs. The main thing is to use what works best for your pet. Also, styptic powder should be kept close in case of bleeding. 

    Conclusion 

    Trimming your dog’s nails can be quite the task, so remember to be patient and reward Saul with treats too. 

  • Top Pet Health Tips for Spring

    Top Pet Health Tips for Spring

    It’s springtime! The weather is warm and the outdoors is beautiful! This is definitely no time to stay indoors and Daisy definitely agrees. Now, before exploring the great outdoors for new scents and beautiful sights, it is important to ensure that your pet is protected. This article covers some tips to help. 

    Vaccinations!

    You need to ensure that your pet is up to date on her yearly deworming and vaccinations. You can easily do this by reviewing the vaccine cards. If you’re not sure or they are still missing some, be sure to pay a visit to the vet. 

    Plenty of Exercise 

    Dogs are generally an energetic breed, and as a result, require lots of exercise to burn off energy. Playing in the outdoors helps Daisy 

    with weight control and effectively reduces boredom, depression, and anxiety as well. The sun also provides vitamin D for your pet. Hikes and dog parks can be fun as well. 

    Watch Out for Allergies 

    Some dogs have seasonal allergies such as a reaction to ragweed for instance. Be sure to look out for changes in habits and physical appearance. If you think anything is out of place, examine your pet closely and then take them to the vet. 

    Flea and Tick Prevention 

    While the weather is perfect for Daisy to play, it is also perfect for fleas and ticks to come traipsing about. Preventing an infestation is way easier and better than treating one, so, get to work! 

    Use Safe Cleaning Materials!

    Spring cleaning is a tradition for many families, and if you would be doing some cleaning, ensure that the materials are dog-friendly. Ensure that it is clearly stated before embarking on your cleanfest. 

    Conclusion 

    These are some major tips that can help ensure that Daisy stays healthy and has an incredible Spring!