Bully Sticks

Things to know before you buy that cute little puppy….

It happens to all of us…. we see that cute little face in the window of the pet store and immediately fall in love.  He’s so tiny and sweet and look at those big feet.  We watch him romp and when he “playfully” nips at our finger we are sure he’s the one for us.

Several months later when that cute “little” puppy is now 100 lbs of furniture shredding, romping stomping destructo dog, we realize that maybe this was not the right choice for your tiny apartment.   Or maybe, the tiny little puppy with the furry coat demands way more time grooming then you have hours in the day.

Then again,  it could be that cute face turned into a pit bull that keeps looking at your toddler like she’s lunch or could it be that your toddler keeps looking at that cute little chihuahua like he’s lunch.

Before deciding to share your life with a dog, take time to research the breed with the American Kennel Club.  There are certain tracts that are natural to certain breeds.  There are also some breeds that require more exercise, room to roam or extra grooming care.

Once you have decided on a breed that will match your lifestyle then be sure to ask the shop owner, breeder or current owner about the individual dogs personality, quirks, favorite all natural dog treats and food, temperament and whether they have been exposed to other dogs, cats or children.

When obtaining a dog from a shelter, be sure to ask for all the information available on the dog, including how he ended up at the shelter and what condition he was in when he got there.  Ask for any information on the breed and or breeds of the dog.

Adding a new pet to your family should be a lifetime commitment and care should be taken to best insure your dog will become a happy member of your family.

Presidential Pooches - Murry the outlaw of Falahill

Murray the Outlaw of Falahill was not this puppy’s original name when he was given to President Franklin D. Roosevelt shortly before Christmas 1940. The Scottish terrior’s name at that time was Big Boy, however FDR quickly determined that was not regal enough for a presidential pooch and renamed him after a Scottish ancestor. Of course calling out Murray the Outlaw of Falahill became pretty tiresome so the puppy soon learned to answer to Fala.

Throughout the war years Fala earned the love of the American people and stories of his generosity toward the war effort and his fierce loyalty to the Country began to crop up in the news.

When rumors he had been left behind in the Aleutian Islands surfaced, FDR quickly asserted they were the folly of Republican Fiction writers along with the further fiction that FDR had sent a fleet of destroyers at a cost of millions to retrieve his beloved dog.

Fala went on to earn the honorary rank of Private in the US Army.

Throughout his time as President and up until his death in 1945, Fala was FDR’s constant companion. Traveling everywhere with the President. The President’s daily breakfast menu always contained a dog bone for Fala.

After FDR’s death in 1945, Fala stayed with Eleanor Roosevelt until his own death in 1952.

Training with Dog Treats

“A dog that is trained to obey your commands will be a pleasant companion and a pleasure for everyone to be around”…. That is how this video starts out and that should be one of the first things every dog owner learns.

Training your pet to obey basic commands is your first responsibility as a pet owner, and as this video shows you, it’s starts with having a ready supply of all natural dog treats.

It really is a simple, easy process when you use the positive training methods shown here. Using healthy treats like dog bones and bully sticks is a great way to get and keep your dog’s attention.

“Training your dog is an important part of your relationship with your pet and it is not something to be taken lightly. If you want your dog to be an enjoyable companion, you must take the time to train him properly”.

Remember to use positive reinforcement and your dog will quickly and happily learn to obey your commands.

Dog Memory Journal

Most pet owners will experience the heartache of losing a beloved pet either to accident, illness or old age. The short lifespan of cats and dogs makes it almost inevitable and when it happens we want to cherish those memories.

Having a Memory Journal or scrap book can help you hold on to those memories. Adding pictures of the first day you brought them home, their favorite toys and friends will keep them alive in your heart.

Write down your favorite stories and adventures with your dog. Funny quirks and mishaps. Tell the story of the first time he/she tried a bully stick or had their favorite treat for the first time.

Write about how your pooch makes you feel …. the joy, the happiness and the frustration.

Dogs have become such a big part of our lives it’s only natural that when we lose a pet, we need time to grieve, but having a journal or scrap book can help us to move through our grief and celebrate the many blessings of having had the benefit of sharing our lives with one incredible four-legged friend.

Super Intelligent Dogs

My dog, Bonkers is not the brightest of animals… in reality, he’s as dumb as toast. But, I love him anyway.

Like humans, dogs come in a variety of gray matter. Some breeds tend to produce smarter dogs than others, and even within the breeds themselves, some lineages seem to produce smarter dogs.

There have been lots of studies on the intelligence of dogs with differing conclusions. My guess is that the reason it’s so difficult to determine the intelligence of dogs is that each individual dog is unique. It could also be that some dogs are smart enough not to “perform” for the researchers.  Other dogs will only “perform” on cue for dog bones.
I’ve seen a lot of smart dogs and a lot of performing dogs but the dog in this video, Skidboot seems to be way smarter then the average dog. You can almost see him thinking as he waits for the proper word.

I also think it’s interesting that in the beginning his owner was considering getting rid of him because he got into so much mischief. Smart dogs, like smart kids, do tend to find their way into trouble when they get bored.

Ustream’s hottest craze….. Puppy Cam

I can’t help it ….. it’s totally addictive.   I spend hours watching puppies sleep, puppies play, puppies eat and puppies piddle and I’m not the only one.  Over the last month, hundreds of loyal followers have tuned in to watch the every move of Shiba’s puppies on UStream Live TV.

The six Shiba Inu puppies, three boys and three girls turned 4 weeks old on November 4th 2008.  They now have their own collars that help to identify them.

Girls:
- Autumn (Purple collar)
- Ayumi (Yellow collar)
- Amaya (Red collar)

Boys:
- Aki (Green collar)
- Akoni (Black collar)
- Ando (Blue collar)

The feed has had over 570,000 views and nearly 300 subscribers… all watching these tiny pups grow right before our eyes.

It will be interesting to watch these pups grow and have their first taste of dog food, their first dog bones and finally find their new owners.

Tune in now and see for yourselves why Puppy Cam is the latest trend.

Planning a Dog Birthday Party

Want to celebrate your dog’s birthday or adoption day? Having a doggie party can be a lot of fun for you and your pup.

A pet can be a lot like any other child’s party, but with some very important precautions.

• Dogs can become aggressive around food when their are other dogs present.
• Some foods are poison to dogs - keep the chocolate out of reach
• Too much noise and excitement can frighten a dog and make them defensive
• Even “best friend” dogs can have a spat that turns into a fight

When planning your dog’s party, keep the above in mind. When possible choose an outdoor location and have each dog’s owner ready with a leash or crate for dogs that get out of hand. If you are inviting young children, be sure they are not frightened by dogs and no how to behave.

Have a party bag for each pup filled with all natural dog treats, dog chews and bully sticks but be sure to separate the dogs when giving treats or save the party bag as a take home gift.

Keep plenty of water on hand with lots of water bowls available.

If there is not an outdoor area available, you might want to check with your local Pet Center, Groomers and Pet Bakeries, many have special birthday party facilities.

Preventing Canine Distemper

There are certain requirements that should be required of every dog owner. Things like providing quality food and all natural dog treats. Love and attention should also be a requirement, as well as providing a safe environment.

Pet owners should also be required to provide the proper protection from Canine diseases like Distemper.

Canine Distemper is a highly contagious respiratory illness in dogs that can be up to 75% fatal in very young and very old dogs. Fortunately there is a vaccine available to dogs as young as 6 weeks.

Please take the time to view this video and insure that your dog has been properly vaccinated.

Adopt a Homeless Christmas Puppy

Each year hundreds of families will be heading to the Pet Store to purchase a new Christmas puppy to play under the tree. The store will tie a big red bow on the cute little tyke and fill up your shopping bags with all kind of supplies and dog bones.

Meanwhile, each year thousands of healthy puppies are euthanized in local shelters around the country. Many people are under the mistaken belief that shelter puppies are all sickly or somehow defective and buying a puppy from a pet store will guarantee a healthy puppy.

If you are looking for breeding dogs or show dogs then it makes sense to go directly to Breeders, put if you are looking for a new friend and family member, stop by your local shelter first then check the Internet for rescue puppies. You’ll be amazed at the quality and variety of dogs available.

Creating your own emergency Dog Muzzle

My dog will let me treat his ears and clip his nails with no problem as long as I distract him with a nice dog chew.  He will chomp away at that chew while I clip away at those toe nails without a single complaint,but should he be seriously injured, I doubt a dog chew will be enough to keep him distracted.

Every pet owner should keep an emergency kit on hand and know the basics of how to treat an injured animal.  Basic first aid can save your dog’s life and reduce permanent damage from an injury.  However, every pet owner needs to remember that even the sweetest of dogs will strike out when in pain.  Don’t assume your little angel won’t bite when he’s blinded by pain and fear.

If you need to pick up your dog, first throw a small blanket or towel over him and bundle him up so that he can not struggle.   Before you begin first aid, make sure to muzzle your dog for his safety and yours.  If you do not have a muzzle, you can make one from an ace bandage or even from a cloth belt or neck tie.  Wrap the bandage carefully over the nose, criss-crossing under the mouth and then tie around the head behind the ears being careful not to make too tight or too loose.