Trendy Collars, Leads and Harnesses

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!

During the holidays you’ll want to make sure that you include your precious pooch in all the holiday festivities. And what better way to do that than to buy him or her their very own “Santa outfit.”

There’s lots of styles to choose from, including  “Mrs. Claus” and “Santa Paws” costumes for dogs. These make really great gifts and will delight the whole family at Christmas.

“Santa Paws” Dog Costume

The “Mrs. Claus” costume is made of red velvet with a white feathered trim and is great for any party occasion around the Christmas holidays. Your kids will get a “kick” out of it, especially if you dress your other precious pooch is his very own “Santa Paws” costume to match. The “Santa Paws” costume includes everything shown in the photo – a one-piece colorful Santa suit with matching cap!

What a hoot!

Want to see more?

Now here’s something novel and fun — the Twinkling Star LED Lighted Holiday Sweater for Dogs. This has got to be the coolest yet most practical sweater gift for dogs ever invented! Made of  soft, comfortable

Twinkling Star Dog Sweater

acrylic, this sweater features sequined star appliques and a twinkling LED star. Your furry family member will definitely stand out from the crowd!

(As always, supervision is recommended when your pet is wearing one of these outfits. )

So, start shopping for your pooch early this year while the good selections last. It’s that fun time of the year again, so take the whole family shopping for Fido, and have a ball!

Oprah Winfrey is now the proud owner of two trendy dog carrier totes by PuchiBag!  The syndicated TV program “Extra” presented her with the bags as a surprise at her home during the celebration of the Oprah Winfrey Show’s twenty-sixth anniversary.

Tami Elite, Zebra

When “Extra’s” Mario Lopez went to her house to interview her at the premier of her twenty-sixth season, the show showered her with goodies by giving her a large puppy-themed gift basket. Among those gifts were two PuchiBag dog carriers for her new dog “Sadie.” At right is the Tami Elite, Zebra, that was among those gifts. Wouldn’t you just die to have this bag?!

Oprah met Sadie at PAWS Chicago, the city’s largest no-kill humane shelter, where she immediately fell in love with her.  “Out of all the pups….Sadie was the one I felt an instant connection with. She had licked my ear and whispered, ‘Please take me with you,’” says Oprah in the June 2009 issue of O Magazine.

The gifts were the brainchild of PuchiBag’s Founder and CEO, DeEdyre Burks who was successful  in presenting these dog carriers to Oprah after many years of trying.

PuchiBag dog carriers are unique in that almost all conform to airline regulations and can be used for travel, errands or any outdoor outing.  At the same time they exemplify the ultimate in style and haute couture. In a recent review of the Blue Dot PetSak by PuchiBag, Dogtime’s “Secret Shopper” said, “Can I tell you this bag is wonderful! Anna Wintour would agree for sure.”

PuchiBag was founded in 1999, by two Los Angeles businesswomen who decided to bring together their knowledge of both fashion and furry friends. PuchiBag has been sold to over 1000 stores internationally and has appeared in feature films (including MGM’s “Legally Blonde”), numerous publications (including InStyle, US Weekly, Vogue, Marie Claire and The New York Times) and has a long list of celebrity fans.

These and other fashionable and functional dog carriers may be found in pet boutiques and pet stores carrying upscale dog carriers and luxury dog products, as well as on my website, www.PuppyCratesPlus.com/dog-carriers.  See you there!

Here’s an article I wrote recently that was published by EzineArticles on Oct. 23 – I hope you enjoy it!

New Ideas in the World of Leash Training

Leash training your dog can be a “walk in the park” if you know the right things to do. On the other hand, it can be a grueling ordeal if your dog continually fights the leash and misbehaves. Walking your dog can be a great way to establish and maintain a positive relationship with your dog if you follow some simple steps.

We’ve all seen dogs dragging their owners down the street at the end of the leash, desperate to get to their favorite bush, fire hydrant or park bench so that can read the p-mails left by other dogs – and, of course, leave one of their own!  And if you’re the owner of a dog that has a mind of his own when walking, you’re no doubt frazzled and frustrated, and you possibly dread this daily event.

Don’t “push and pull.” Refuse to walk with your dog if he insists on pulling you down the walkway. Plant your feet firmly in the ground, lean back to get leverage, and refuse to budge until your dog gives the leash some slack and comes closer to you.

Make walking by your side a positive experience. Screaming “heel” or “pull” at your dog does not work and is certainly not fun.  Instead, some experts recommend randomly rewarding your dog with a tasty treat when he’s by your side as you reinforce his behavior with the word “close.” Don’t use the word “good dog” because your dog has no idea what he did that was good so how can he repeat it?

Once your dog begins to walk consistently at your side you can begin dishing out a series of 5-7 random treats along the way.  You could also bring his favorite toy and reward him when you get to the park by allowing him to play with it.

Most experts agree that choke collars and collars with prongs do not belong in dog training. These devices can cause your dog pain. Using painful tactics only teaches a dog to be fearful of you rather than strengthening your relationship. Instead, use a normal flat collar and exercise control through verbal reinforcement and treats.

Leather Collar and Leash

Keep the same length of leash at all times. To keep your dog from pulling on his leash, you must teach him that he only has a certain length available and that you’re in control of it. It’s also a mistake to use a retractable leash while you’re training him and you should save it for use once he has learned how to walk correctly by your side and not you pull you down the street.

When you hold the leash with only your hand, it’s easy for your dog to pull away by forcing you to extend your arm.  To avoid this, keep both hands free, which will assist you in planting your body when he’s pulling.  Slipping the end of a sturdy belt through the loop end of the leash, and fastening it around your waist will assist you in holding your dog near your side.

Remember to hold your ground when your dog pulls on the leash. Stopping, planting your feet and lowering your center of gravity will help you to hold your ground. Your dog must learn that the walk will only continue if he is not pulling on his leash and on you. Resume walking only after your dog stops pulling on the leash. As soon as he backs up – even a little bit- creating some slack on the leash, resume the walk with the phrase “let’s walk.” Continuing to hold your ground each time he pulls and continuing to walk only after he has backed up and allowed slack on the  leash will eventually result in correct walking.  As your dog walks correctly down the street with you, remember to repeat the word “walk,” reinforcing his behavior.

Talk to your dog and praise him constantly along the way. This is a great way to keep him in tune with you and your pace.  If you don’t pay attention to your dog, the message he will receive is that he’s on his own and can do whatever he pleases. Ignoring your dog when he’s walking correctly and only giving him attention when he walks incorrectly will only lead to more unwanted behavior just to get noticed by you! So, remember to give your dog undivided attention during your daily walks. Cell phones will have to stay at home!

By following these recommendations consistently and patiently, you’ll soon experience increased pleasure in walking your dog and the two of you will look forward to these walks with enthusiasm!