Aug 19

It Takes Tuff to Satisfy Some Dogs

In the world of toys for dogs, some people search non-stop for the single, seemingly elusive INDESTRUCTIBLE dog toy.  And, while NO toy is completely beyond the ravages of the most aggressive chewer and the harshest tugger, the Tuffy Toy line is right up there as a number one contender.

Aug 02

Slow Down the FEED

There is not a dog on the planet that doesn’t think that the ONLY time on earth is when there is FOOD around. And, the pet industry has entered the feeding frenzy with tremendous advances to address special needs of every dog involved with eating. Whether you have a giant breed or a mini dog, there are bound to be some out there who don’t even bother to worry about what’s in their bowl before it has been evaporated into their digestive tract.

Jul 27

How to Keep Your Dog’s Skin Glowing & Healthy

Having healthy skin is very important for keeping away infections, insulating from cool temperatures, controlling body temperature and being the resource for nutrients in your canine companion’s body.

If you find that your dog’s skin is dry, flaky, excessively wrinkled and scaly, all of the vital functions of the skin may be at risk of full functioning. Dry skin can be very itchy and if scratched to excess, may cause secondary infections that require a vet visit.

Jul 27

The Reasons that Dogs Shed

Well, the bottom line is that this sometimes annoying event is very normal and is quite honestly, triggered by daylight, otherwise known by the scientific name of photoperiodism. The number of hours per day that a dog is exposed to sunlight triggers the shedding process. Outdoor dogs have a somewhat more noticable loose hair coating during the spring and fall seasons. Those dogs that are predominantly indoor dogs, shed more consistently, but in lesser quantities due to the artificial light.

Jun 03

Our Dogs Can Smell Emotions!

Our canine companions are quite skilled in the realm of interpreting the world through chemical compounds.  Who would have thought it?  The portion of the dog’s brain that is assigned to analyzing aroma data is more than 40 times larger than a human being’s capacity to detect odors and to fully understand them.  In fact, the dog’s ability to sense smell is at least 14 times greater than their human guardian.

It is true that your furry companion can actually smell fear.  Not so very odd when humans emit certain odors through sweat or pheromones released during a fearful event.

Oct 01

Hear the Message your Dog is Sending!

In the wild, dogs have their own method of going about things their way.  But if you want your dog to be a well-behaved pet and to live in your home with you, you must teach him the human way of living.  Specifically, you have to teach your dog to redirect his normal and natural dog behaviors.  Failing to learn where to relieve himself, what to chew, when to bark, when to jump up and where to dig are the top reasons why the relationship fails and people give up their dogs.  Fortunately, these techniques are so simple to teach that you and your dog are guaranteed to have a long and happy life together.

Sep 28

Skin and Coat Changes Through Domestication

Frequently an animal’s hair will undergo changes with domestication and it id doubtful that this is the case with any species more than with dogs.  Even sheep don’t show the variations that dogs do, especially considering the great designer dog revolution where geneticists and breeders are mixing and matching the best traits and characteristics of breeds to arrive at some very interesting animals that have tremendous popularity.  Even those who could once have not been able to enjoy the company of dogs due to serious allergies are sharing their laps and homes with new and unique breeds that don’t shed and what’s more, some that don’t have any hair!

Sep 27

Benefits of Crate Training your Dog

History tells us that genetically, dogs are hard wired to be den animals. So, what does this really mean? It means that they naturally gravitate to a space that is small, compact and one that creates an innate sense of safety and cleanliness. With that said, crate training is actually synonomous with the den and as such, there are lots of benefits that both you and your canine companion will reap for a very long time.

Apr 12

Yes, it can happen to your dog just like it can happen to any of us.  And, of course, we all know that dogs tend to be far more adventurous and indiscriminant about what they decide is edible.  Anything that seems interesting or in their immediate path is fair game.

As the warm months approach, the likelihood that your dog may suffer a choking incident are a bit more especially since they tend to venture outdoors a bit more.  If you are able to remain calm and follow a few simple steps, you may be able to save your furry friend’s life in an emergency situation.

Nov 09

As your furry friend grows older, be on the lookout for symptoms that might be indicative of a health issue and consider creative and gentle ways in which to maintain the health and happiness of your canine companion that has stood by you for years of happiness.

Stay alert to any problems that you dog begins to have with mobility, even rising from a sitting position or morning aches and pains.  This is not difficult to relieve with an orthopedic dog bed and being sure that your dog does not jump from high places repeatedly.