Trendy Collars, Leads and Harnesses

Dog Carriers for small dogs are a blessing to pet owners because you’re the one who has to carry him! Sure, there are carriers with wheels. But mostly you haul him–in your hand, over your shoulder, in a backpack, 

Pet Backpack Carrier

and even around your neck so you’re wearing your dog infant-style.

Dog Carriers are useful when you want to take your small dog into a store or cafe, protect him from a crowded city street, or travel with him by air. Figuring out which carrier is right for you often depends on your dog. Some dogs dislike being on your back, for instance, even though it’s easier to carry heavier dogs that way.

• A dog carrier suitable for air travel has to enclose the dog completely. You may want to find a different carrier, one that allows your dog’s head to pop out, for instance, for running errands.
  

  The Cross Bag

• Most dog carriers list a maximum weight of 25 pounds, but in truth aren’t big enough to accommodate dogs over 20 pounds. Some, like “The Train Case“ below do not specify maximum weight, but give dimensions so you can make up your own mind. A 15-pound Westie isn’t going to fit in the same space as a 15-pound Italian Greyhound; their builds are just too different.
  

  The Train Case

• Make sure it’s roomy enough for your dog to turn around in. Your dog should be comfortable and able to either see out or hide, as the spirit moves him.

• Using a dog carrier that rests on your chest like the one below can be comforting for old, ill, disabled, or emotionally sensitive dogs.

Front Pet Carrier

Dog carriers are in! You’ll do yourself and your precious pooch a favor when you join the numbers of pet owners who have discovered the advantages of toting their dog in dog carriers.

Well, it’s hard to believe that another year has rolled by since I wrote my first Christmas post. We’ve all seen some hard times, but one thing is perfectly clear, we all still love our favorite furry family members!

This year there’s lots in store for your  favorite pooch in the Christmas Boutique at PuppyCratesPlus.com!

Who’s that I see with a halo over his head?? It’s little Bart with his Christmas halo all intact! Bart must have been a VERY good boy this year to have grown his own halo!

"Little Angel" Halo

And who’s that little doggie-reindeer with his very own pair of Christmas antlers?

Lighted Christmas Pet Antlers

Lighted Christmas Dog Antlers are a hoot for the holidays. These large, highly visible Bright Red Doggie Antlers have  battery operated LED lights that help show off your dog’s holiday spirit.

Those, and many more  gifts that will delight the whole family, are in my favorite Christmas Boutique.

Then there are the Christmas Stockings and Christmas Costumes. Your dog will be the life of the party as he strolls around in one of our hilarious holiday outfits.

Deluxe Green Embroidered Christmas Stocking

Or what about one of our Casual Canine Classic Holiday Tees! Specially made for the pooch that chooses comfort over luxury, these tees are the perfect way to wrap the family dog in holiday cuteness!

Casual Canine Christmas Tees

So, this Christmas, why not go the extra mile and let the holidays shine for your entire family. That includes little “Bart”!  – he doesn’t want to feel left out of all the festivities. Have a great holidays!

See you soon.

Fur Trim Sweater

If you’re looking for special upscale dog apparel for your pooch, then our LouisDog Boutique is the place to go. We’ve got many new items in both upscale dog apparel and designer dog carriers. LouisDog has been in the business of producing special quality dog apparel for over ten years.

These unusual items will give both you and your furry family member a real boost.

Check out this quality sweater from LouisDog. Is that fancy, or what? Wouldn’t YOU like to own a sweater just like that?

And to go with that luxurious sweater, how about considering the newly designed “The Shoulder Bag,” by LouisDog. LouisDog carries a top line of trendy dog carriers, too.

"The Shoulder Bag"

Now you and your pooch are set for an afternoon of shopping in the City or maybe going to the Museum. You’ll be proud to have your little precious on your arm as you walk down Fifth Ave. in style.

And there’s more.

If you’re really in a generous mood and you want to shower your precious pooch with more gifts, here’s the ultimate in an organic gift:

Organic Cradle

Just wanted to tell everyone that our beautiful, gentle Bernese Mountain Dog, “Oscar” had to be put down last week. Oscar is my daughter’s pet, and the dog that you see on the masthead for this blog. Oscar had injured his knees trying to get into the back of my daughter’s  car one day last Fall. (See post below.)

His knee injuries then turned into spinal damage that was irrevocable. This is such a heartbreak. Oscar had a good life, though, and lived to be over seven, which is about average for a Bernese Mountain Dog. We’re all going to miss him very much. He was very much loved by my daughter, her husband, and their two young children — not to mention assorted grandparents and cousins.

Recently, it was apparent that he was suffering too much with pain, even though he was on prescribed pain-killers. He could hardly walk at all, but had to almost drag himself anywhere. He was not sleeping well and was in constant turmoil. It really is for the best, although it is still fresh and we are all very sad.

The only lesson that can be drawn from this is that using a dog ramp is a must, especially for big dogs like Oscar. Prevention is so easy. Oscar might had had a couple or more years had it not been for his injuries, although he was pretty near the end of the lifespan for his breed. Perhaps there’s some solace in that.

Here’s a photo of Oscar in the snow taken last winter.

Goodby, Oscar, Sweetie, we’re all going to miss you terribly.

A crate is a puppy owner’s second-best friend. Properly used, a puppy crate will help with potty training your puppy, prevent chewing and other destructive behaviors, provide a familiar refuge at home or away, and keep your puppy safe. If you use the dog crate as it’s meant to be used, your dog will consider it his den. Some dogs choose to lie in their crates even when the doors are open.

Champioship Gold Series Fold & Carry

When you’re potty training a puppy, his crate should be big enough for him to stand up, turn around, and lie down. It should not be bigger than that. Most dogs don’t like to sleep where they eliminate, so you don’t want to give your puppy room to potty at one end of his puppy crate and go sleep at the other end.

How long should a puppy stay in a dog crate? The rule of thumb is that a puppy should be crated for no longer than his age plus one. So if your puppy is two months old, don’t crate him for more than three hours. If he’s four months old, no longer than five hours. If he’s six months old, no longer than seven hours. But keep in mind that that’s a general guideline—puppies vary. If your four-month old pup does fine in the crate for four hours, but piddles at four and a half hours, then don’t leave him longer than four hours without a break. An adult dog can occasionally tolerate crating for eight or nine hours, but that’s hard on a dog physically and mentally. How would you like to stay in one small room with no toilet for eight hours?

Fashion Colored Wire Crates

Remember, you’re using the puppy crate in part to teach your puppy not to potty in there, so don’t put paper or weewee pads on the bottom. Use a blanket for bedding if your puppy doesn’t potty on it or rip it up. If he does, don’t give him any bedding until he outgrows the urge to shred it or dirty it.

Don’t use the puppy crate for punishment. It should be a good place, a safe place. Feed your puppy in the crate. When you’re training him to get into his crate, toss a toy or treat in and say “Crate!” When he hops in, praise him, close the door, and give him another small treat. If possible, put the dog crate in your bedroom at night.

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting and Owning a Dog © 2003 by Sheila Webster Boneham, Ph.D. To order this book visit the Idiot’s Guide web site or call 1-800-253-6476.

Now it’s spring time and new fashions are available for you, as well as your pooch! What did you say -” I can’t afford fashions for my pooch?”  Nonsense! As a reader of my blog, I’m giving you a 20% discount off of the spring fashions in the Louis Dog line I carry on my website: http://www.puppycratesplus.com/dog-carriers. Here are some of the fashions that are featured:

Can’t you just picture little “Kaluah” riding in this bag? And what’s more, you’ll look greaaat carrying him! This bag is from Louis Bag, one of the finest of the haute couture doggie fashion producers.

So what else do they make? Well, wonderful doggie pajamas and nightgowns. “Show me some” Well, Ok, here is a fashionable pair of pajamas.

My "Flighty Nighty"

What more could little “Kaluah” ask for?

There’s lots more at the Louis Dog store on my site. And remember – a 20% discount on all Louis Dog items with the password “Springtime.”

No kidding!!

Enough for now.

Hope to see you in my store. And I would LOVE to have a photo of your precious pooch in one of these outfits. Please send to support@puppycratesplus.com.

I’m sure most of you are at least aware of dog ramps, but are you fully aware of how important they are in guaranteeing your dog’s health? The lesson of the importance of dog ramps was brought home all too brutally to my daughter Deb a few months ago in regards to her wonderful 7-year old Bernese Mountain Dog, Oscar.

Now, Oscar has been a member my daughter’s family since before there were any toddlers or pre-schoolers, which there are today.  And Oscar is a dog of incredible gentility and loyalty.  So, he is very loved and well cared for.

However, it only took one momentary lapse of thinking on my daughter’s part for Oscar’s life to be changed forever… And that was forgetting to use the dog ramp when packing Oscar into the back of the station wagon for a routine errand.

Now, you have to remember that there are two precious children that must also be secured into their safety seats.  So, if one is in a hurry, perhaps it may be understandable that the dog ramp may be overlooked. And a lapse in thinking can happen to the very best of us. But how tragic were the results, which cannot be undone.

You see, Oscar tried to climb into the back of the car to join the family for a routine drive, and injured both of his knees in doing so. And now Oscar has to be on  round-the-clock pain meds to help him get through the day.  It breaks my heart.

So, remember this next time you are weighing the pros and cons of using a dog ramp to aid your dog:  Dogs have needs just like our needs.

And, by the way, Oscar is still enjoying life and will continue to be a very loved member of our extended family.

It’s Never Too Late to Learn!

Your dog’s good health largely depends on you. Part of the regimen of maintaining the health of your favorite pooch includes regular dog grooming. But in these tough economic times, a grooming by a professional groomer may not be in your budget.  So rather than deprive your dog of this essential healthy

"Oscar," a well-groomed dog.

ritual, perhaps you should learn how to do it yourself. It’s really not hard, and it allows you to bond with your furry family member in a satisfying way that only hands-on caring for your pooch can bring.

Below are some tips for maintaining your dog’s coat, nails and teeth at home.

Brushing

Brushing your dog keeps its coat healthy and lush, stimulates circulation, gets rid of loose hair and keeps mats at bay. Dogs shed more as the seasons change, and brushing every few days may be a good idea at those times. Otherwise, every week or two is sufficient. If your dog is averse to brushing, we recommend carrying on a calm conversation with your canine companion as you work. “If you’re tense, the dog can feel it,” says one grooming expert. “Take it slow. Tell it to relax. Give your dog a massage while you brush.”

The best way to groom at home is to elevate your dog, putting it up high, such as on a table. This takes the dog’s power away, letting him know you’re in charge. The trick to getting rid of excess fuzz is to take off the loose coat first with a brush and then to follow that up with combing, which takes the mats out.

Bamboo Furbuster

A deep penetrating Dog De-shedding Tool & Blade will accomplish this task in one gentle step. The Bamboo FurBuster Dog De-Shedding Tool & Blade removes loose hair and undercoat effortlessly and is less expensive than the Furminator.

Washing

Bathe your dog every four to six weeks, and always after a good brushing. A wet coat glues to the skin, so you want to be sure to groom first, then wash.  It may also be a good idea to put cotton in your dog’s ears before bathing to keep the water out. Dogs are afraid of cold water, so never just take them outside and hose them down. Always bathe them in warm water.

Lay out your bathing supplies in advance to streamline the process. These should include a showerhead or pitcher, a diluted commercial shampoo — to make rinsing easier — and a towel or blow-dryer for drying. We recommend shampooing your dog two times per bath and a post-bath comb-out to really finish the look.

Pedicuring

While dogs that spend a lot of time playing in yards and walking along sidewalks may not need regular nail trimming, less-active pooches should have their nails clipped about once a month to avoid overgrowth and even infection. You can buy special dog nail clippers, since human clippers are generally not sharp enough for canines. You may also want to check out the automatic nail filers on the market such as Peticure Elite

Peticure Petite

and Peticure Petite, available at many pet supply stores and online businesses.

Choose a time when your dog tends to be relaxed. If you use a clipper, trim only nail tips to avoid cutting into the quick — the vein that runs into your dog’s nails. Avoiding the quick can be hard to do if your dog has black nails, which makes it all the more important to trim only the edge. If you hit the vein, baking powder or cornstarch should stop the bleeding.

Tooth Cleaning

Dogs need their teeth professionally cleaned twice a year to prevent bacteria travelling from tooth tartar to their hearts. In between professional cleanings, you should also brush at home once or twice a week using a toothbrush and toothpaste formulated specially for dogs. Tooth brushes such as the Petrodex Finger Toothbrush Gloves

Finder Toothbrush

helps you clean hard to reach pet teeth much easier than with toothbrushes.

When your dog is sitting on an elevated surface like a table, hold its head firmly and open its mouth with one hand. Move the toothbrush in circular motions, starting in the back and making sure to brush at the gum line. Give your dog a crunchy and delicious treat when you finish, to reward for cooperation and to get that toothpaste taste out of its mouth.

Rules for Good Grooming

• Keep grooming fun Approach your dog when you are relaxed and in a good mood. Don’t get frustrated. Talk sweetly to your dog throughout.

• Tread lightly Learn from the mistakes professional groomers have made. Be gentle with your hands, keep water at a comfortable temperature and don’t force your dog to remain in an uncomfortable position for long.

• Stop sooner rather than later If your dog begins to resist you during a brushing or filing session, let it go. Finish another day.

• Ask for help If your dog is being uncooperative or has mats and tartar you can’t tackle, consider visiting a local groomer. Most groomers will be happy to demonstrate good techniques for you if you’re having trouble. You and your best canine bud can then enjoy the togetherness of grooming time for years to come!

Hi there!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holidays and are now eager to get back into their routine. (ugh!)

Over the holidays I visited with my daughter and her family. My son was there as well, along with the two family dogs, Maggie and Oscar.

My two- year-old grandson Michael loves Maggie and cannot be parted from her. But both Michael (my grandson) and Maggie (my son’s dog) are hyperactive and mischievous, which can sometimes be problematic when the room is full of people.

Here is a fail-proof method of keeping your toddler and your dog contained, as well as happy and content. (Honestly, we did not initiate this concept- it was all Michael’s idea! )

Michael & Maggie

So remember this the next time you are about to pull your hair out:  a dog is a great baby-sitter and will gladly share his private den with his favorite toddler.

Why didn’t we think of this before!?

Christmas is right around the corner and your little furry friend is excited to be a part of it! You want to be sure that Santa includes him in all the festive activities, like decking out the mantle with Christmas Stockings.  There are many types of stockings to choose from.

Perhaps your pooch would like a stocking already full of wonderful rawhide treats and toys. The perfect gift for good dogs—assorted holiday rawhide and munchy rawhide treats.  Available in two treat sizes to suit any dog.

Or maybe this beautiful deluxe embroidered stocking is more his style -the perfect addition to any fireplace mantle!

Then there’s the specially selected stocking for dogs that are both “naughty” and “nice.” You decide which side to show!

This Christmas is the time to make sure your dog has his very own Christmas Stocking with all the other family members. You’ll get a kick out of it, and your dog will too!