When your dog hates baths

                                           When your dog hates baths

Not all dogs like swimming, getting baths or playing in water.  It can be traumatic for some dogs to get a bath.  Therefore, it's important to be understanding and patient with your dog. 

Here are some tips to keep in mind if your struggling with giving your dog a bath:
-Make sure water is a comfortable temperature
-Give your dog a treat while bathing him/her
-Make sure to reward your dog with playtime, treats or a walk afterward
-Talk to your dog while bathing him/her
-Don't continue to pour running water over your dog's face (this will frighten them)
-Be gentle and understanding!

With these tips, bath-time should be a little more enjoyable for you and your dog.

 

Paw Rescue is a great website that includes several tips to bathing and shampooing your pooch.

Solomon absolutely hates baths! I make him more relaxed by giving him treats and talking to him. I keep telling him he's a "good boy" and that he's "okay".

 

 

Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Homemade Dog Treats

Easy way to make dog treats that will save you money!

Ingredients:

·    *    2 ¾ cup whole wheat flour

·      *  2 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

·        *2 tablespoons brown sugar

·        *1 teaspoon sea salt

·        *3 eggs

·        *1 cup peanut butter

·        *1/3 cup vegetable oil

·        *1 cup water

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

2. Mix everything into a bowl and beat until smooth.

3. Cover and set aside for 15-20 minutes.

4. Roll out dough and cut into shape of your choice.

5. Bake 40 minutes.

Solly absolutely loves these!

TICKS

Ticks are parasitic arthropods that feed on the blood of their hosts.  Dogs can pick them up easily from being outside.  Living by wooded areas or having lots of brush around your yard can include more bugs and your dog will be more likely to pick up a tick.

 

PetSmart has a variety of flea and tick items for dogs.

 

If you are removing a tick from a dog, make sure that you use a reliable tool.  There are stores that sell specific tick removers.  However, I will explain my remedy for removing ticks off of Solly.  Now that we have moved and live surrounded by the woods, Solly gets ticks everyday.  I use an old credit card and cut it into a tiny square.  Then, I cut a slit in the card making the slit wider at the end.  I use the slit of the card to press it against Solly's skin because that's where the head of the tick is.  The most important part of getting a tick out is making sure to get the entire head out.  I hear a clicking noise when I put the tick off of him.  I know that this sound means that I got the head of the tick out of his skin.  The longer the tick is on a dog or person, the bigger they get.  This is because they are filling their bodies up with the blood they are sucking. 

Also, it is important to get your dog checked for Lyme's disease every six months if they get ticks often. 

I buy a new tick collar for Solly every three months and check him thoroughly everytime he comes in from outside. 

This is how the credit card should look.  The more narrow slit allows a better grip around the ticks head.

 Solly wears a regular collar and a tick collar. 

A New Home

Moving can be difficult and overwhelming for not just adults, but your pets as well. Over the last week, I have been in the process of moving. I have been taking Solly to the new house with me every day so that he can get used to his new home. I know he doesn't understand that that will be his new home yet, but I want him to get used to the place so he feels more comfortable. Dogs are smart, and they pick up on emotions and differences in an environment, but they can also have a fear of new surroundings. It’s important to maintain a normal routine with your pet.  For example, if you take your dog for a walk every day, continue to take your dog for a walk every day from the new house. Make sure to get a new pet ID with the new address and telephone number as soon as you can.  It is comforting to let your dog see his or her items at the new home, so set them up where they will be familiar to your dog.  Also, lots of attention will only make the situation better.  Take a walk around the house and the yard with your pet to become familiar with the new layout of the house.    

PetCo provides a helpful care sheet that includes information about moving with your pet. 

Solly loves his big new yard!

Yummy Treats

Dessert for Dogs!

FROSTY PAWS is ice cream for dogs.  This product is made from Purina and is a healthy treat that dogs love.  On a hot summer day, open an ice cream cup and let your dog enjoy. Frosty Paws comes in a box of four ice cream cups and can be found online or in the ice cream section at Walmart.  

I made sure to read the ingredients and research it online before purchasing.  I was happy with the ingredients that are used to make this product and the results I got online.  

Solly loves Frosty Paws!

DOG PARKS AND FUN EVENTS

OFF-LEASH DOG PARKS!

Dog parks allow your dog to run freely in a fenced in area.  There are usually bowls there for your dog to drink water out of.  Also, this allows your dog to interact and play with other dogs (if your dog gets along with other animals).

Here are some of the closest dog parks around the Pittsburgh area.  They’re free, safe and fun for your pet to get exercise.  Make sure to check out the rules and regulations beforehand.

This is a great link to check out upcoming events with your dog.

One of the upcoming events: March 15th at 7:00 p.m.

Animal Friends' McBark & Brew - St. Patrick's Day Beer Tasting
Friday, March 15 7:00p - 8:30pm | Animal Friends
(562 Camp Horne Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237)Bring your pooch and come ready to celebrate the luck of the Irish! Taste a variety of micro-brew beers and Irish treats. The night will also include a Chinese auction and 50/50 raffle. While you socialize, your four-legged guests will romp around our Outreach Center and play with their canine friends. Registration is required as space is limited. Dogs that are both people and dog-friendly are welcome to attend. Please bring your dog's vaccination record. Please, no retractable leashes; only standard 5-6 ft leashes. $20 donation is requested.  Canine companions are free! 

http://www.thinkingoutsidethecage.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Calendar_Events

A day at the park with the sun shining through the trees.

Bad Breath

Bad Breath

Adult dogs can develop bad breath (halitosis) even if they have healthy looking teeth. There are a few reasons why this may occur.  Smaller dogs are more likely to have bad breath, but it can still occur in bigger dogs as well.  Respiratory problems, diet, plaque and bacteria buildup are a few causes of bad breath. 

However, there are ways to help eliminate this.  It may help to talk to your veterinarian and have your dog examined.  Another idea is to try a couple different brands of dog food first to see if the smell lessens. 

Pet stores and online websites sell toys and medicine to help with bad breath.  For example, Petco sells a bottle of mint flavored spray that occasionally gets sprayed into a dog’s mouth. Petco also sells flavored water additives that are directly added to your dog’s water to freshen breath.  Petsmart sells dog treats that help to prevent bad breath when your dog chews on them. 

Solly gets bad breath from time to time but does not like to chew on the dog treats that are supposed to help with this problem.  I have also tried the water additives from Petco.  I found that they do freshen breath for a few hours and then the smell comes back.  I needed something that would last longer.  To be honest, I use regular toothpaste and add some onto a regular soft bristle toothbrush and brush Solly’s teeth every two weeks.  It makes him smell much better, and he doesn’t get an upset stomach from the toothpaste.  So, this is my cheap remedy.  

Solly got a bath, his teeth brushed and now he's ready for bed!

If you have a dog that sheds, you know how frustrating it can be when dog hair is left all around the house. Some dogs may need to be brushed more frequently than others because they shed more. Solly sheds so much it clogs the vacuum. When I bath him in the tub, it clogs the drain. It’s so annoying I almost shaved all his hair off! Kidding! His thick, shiny coat is what makes him so handsome. I want to suggest a great brush to use with dogs that shed a lot. It’s called the FURminator deShedding Tool. This brush is a bit expensive but it works wonders. I would suggest using this brush on dogs that have thick coats of hair. Brushing once to twice a day is ideal if your dog sheds excessively. Other dogs may only need it a couple times a week. Petco,Petsmartand Furminator are just a few places that you can buy these tools. My Furminator is yellow with a stainless steel de-shedding blade. These come in different sizes and colors. They remove all the loose hair from the undercoat. 

 

 

Don't mind the chewed up handle, Solly didn't like it at first!

 

 

Important: Brush in the direction the hair grows. 

 

 

 

This picture shows how much loose hair I got with one stroke.

 

Dog Beds

Where does your dog sleep? Your dog may sleep in a crate, on the floor or in a dog house at night.  Wherever it may be, hopefully it’s warm and comfortable. I came across to some wonderful dog beds in a magazine called Frontgate. The dog beds in this magazine came in a variety of colors and sizes.  However, they are a bit pricey.  If you are on a budget, like me, I would consider making one yourself.  A few months ago, I made Solly his own dog bed for a much cheaper price and he loves it. He sleeps on it every night. I am going to explain how I made it.  

There are two different sides to this bed.  One side is a brown, flannel fabric.  The other side is a cotton print with dog paws and bones.  Solly likes to lay on the flannel side in the winter and the cotton side in the summer.  I used batting in between both fabrics to give the bed a more comfortable feeling for him.  There are different types of thicknesses of the batting to choose from.  Once you choose the type of batting you want and the two types of fabric, you will need to decide what size dog bed you will want to make.  (Hint: Add at least two extra inches of fabric to the size of the dog bed you want for tying.) I got one yard of each fabric to use for Solly’s bed.

 

1. Lay the fabrics evenly on top of each other with the solid side and the print side facing out.

2. Cut out a square about 2-3 inches from each corner. 

3. Next, cut out slits the whole way along the fabric.  Each slit will be about an inch apart and 2-3 inches deep, depending how much you cut out of your square. 

4. Then, tie the slits together from the bottom fabric and the top fabric to complete half of the dog bed.  

5. Add the batting you picked to place it in between the two fabrics.  Once you’ve adjusted the batting the way you would like it, finish tying the fabrics the rest of the way around. 

In total, this dog bed cost me $25.00.  The price will vary depending how much fabric and stuffing you will need.  It is a great, inexpensive way to comfort your dog!

Exercise Importance

Exercise is extremely important in a dog’s life because it affects their aggression, behavior, mental and physical health.  Every dog needs exercise but some need it more than others.  Lack of exercise in dogs can lead to obesity, heart problems, destructiveness, irritability or other negative effects.  Like I said, certain dogs need different amounts of exercise.  This depends on their age, weight and breed.  Dogtime is a great website to check out various dog breeds and their exercise requirements. 

Since Solly is a German Shepherd, his breed requires daily strenuous exercise.  When he doesn't get enough exercise he lets me know by his restless and irritable actions.  However, there are days when the weather doesn't permit.  Therefore, I listed a few ideas for indoor and outdoor activities for all types of weather. 

WINTER

* Putting on extra layers and walking around outside with your dog for at least 15 minutes is ideal.  If you can handle the cold weather, one thing to consider is canine boots.  Salt and ice can irritate and even burn your dog’s paws.

* Food dispensing toys such as: Rubber Kongs, Busy Buddy toys, Kibble Nibble and Buster Cubes are great ways to eliminate boredom by trying to figure out which way to roll or chew the toy that will dispense food. Some toys have different levels of difficulty for your dog.  Petco, Amazon and local grocery stores sell these toys.

* Hide a few dog treats or some dog food around the house and help your dog try to find them.

* “Learning Games” by Kay Laurence is a great book that includes several ideas to keep your dog mentally and physically stimulated. 

SUMMER

* Long walks in the woods or at the park are great for summertime.  Take lots of water so your dog can stay hydrated. 

*Dog parks are a great way for dogs to interact with each other.

* Running, biking and swimming alongside you are ways to keep a dog happy.

* Playing fetch is one of the most common games to play with your dog to keep them in shape.

This is how Solly shows me he's bored.

Tail wagging and ready for a walk!

Iams, Pedigree, Purina and Eagle Pack are just a few of the dog food brands we see advertised on TV. The positive, fun statements these ads give promote dog food brands to be healthy, nutritious and beneficial to a dog’s everyday life. Our dogs may be eating this simply because they have no choice when they are hungry.  Dog's can't talk and tell us what they think about their food and how it makes them feel. Yes, dog food is expensive, but it’s important to look into specific brands rather than just at the price of the food. I have learned from previous brands and research that the words “all” or “100%” cannot be labeled on dog food unless there are no other ingredients used besides water, de-characterizing agents or just a few preservatives.

One website I found helpful is BornFreeUSA. This website includes plenty of information about specific kinds of dog food (wet and dry).  It also includes all the important facts by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). I highly recommend anyone who is interested in the contents of their pet’s food to look at this site.

Solly has been eating Purina One dog food since he was a puppy. I stick with this dog food because it is healthy for him, and he seems to like it.  Occasionally, I change the flavor for him.  I think it’s important that once you find a good brand, you should stick to it. This way the dog is used to that food and can adapt to his/her diet.

I know it’s hard not to give your dog human food, so I listed some important foods that dogs can eat.  However, do not get in the habit of constantly giving them human food because they could start to lose interest in their own food.  Also, who really wants a dog that begs all the time?  Below are some foods that are OKAY to give dogs and some foods that you should never give a dog because of the unhealthy side effects they could experience.

I give Solly carrots and cooked chicken once in a while, but I make sure to put it in his bowl so that he doesn’t develop the habit of begging. So far that trick has worked!

Dogs should NOT drink/eat:

-Alcohol
-Onions and Garlic
-Caffeine of any kind
-Grapes and Raisins
-Chocolate
-Raw meat

Dogs can eat (occasionally):
-Carrots
-lean meats
-Rice
-Cheese

Solly's enjoying all the snow we got by laying in it and eating it!

I love animals! Dogs are my favorite.  I have always been a sucker for Yellow Labrador Retrievers, probably because of the exciting memory I have when I woke up to a yellow lab puppy in my Easter basket. However, that was a long time ago and I don't have that dog anymore.  Now, I am in love with a German Shepherd named Solomon (Solly for short).  He is 5 years old, very loyal and energetic!

Many people have dogs.  They are great pets; but, do we ever think about what's really in their food? Or how important it is to give them love and attention? Or just how much exercise they really need?  Here, I am going post pictures and information to these questions weekly revolving around my life with a German Shepherd.

This is Solomon posing for the camera!