The Doggy Blog

When a dog puts a paw on you, it can have a few different meanings depending on the context and the dog's body language. Here are a few possibilities:

As a dog owner, I'm sure you have heard several times that chocolate is bad for dogs. This is not an urban legend, but 100% true. Every dog and every dog breed is different and may be more or less susceptible to the toxic chemical in chocolate. Nevertheless, it is not something you want to test out.

One thing my pup Dejah and I love to do is go for a walk. She keeps me accountable; I don't have an excuse when she gives me those winky eyes. I have to get off the comfy couch and get to walking.

Every dog, big and small, benefits from being able to chew on something. Something other than your furniture, the wall, a DVD case, magazines on the table that you left out when you went to the grocery store...

So maybe you don't call your sweet fluffy puppy a beast, but I call my cat a beast, so... Ok, I know cats don't need chews as much as dogs, so we'll leave the cat in the bag for now.

It can be quite challenging choosing the right dog toys for your four-legged companion, especially when you consider the number of different products available on the market. The options can be endless, and the whole process can even become overwhelming. The worst thing is that even if you thought you managed to purchased an exciting new toy for your four-legged companion, there is no guaranteed that your dog won’t get bored of it after only a couple of days.

Dogs like to chew. Chewing is a natural behavior for all dogs because it allows them to explore the world around them, exercise their jaws and even clean their teeth. It also engages them mentally and alleviates boredom. It helpsexpels energy and produces feel-good chemicals in their brain, keeping them calm and relaxed. So, can we relive their stresses by allowing them to chew? Absolutely!

Dogs have an urge to chew and are strongest when they are still puppies but also carries on throughout life. Chewing helps exercise jaw muscles and helps scrape away dental plaque, and it provides relief from irritated gums when puppies are teething. Chewing also helps to relief boredom. Dogs also gain natural nutrients when they chew animal parts such as bones and tendons.

Most dogs love to chew and chewing is very important for dogs oral and mental health. It provides healthy mental stimulation, exercises the jaw muscles, helps keep teeth clean and chewing releases endorphins, which makes a dog feel happier. It also prevents behavior problems and chewing on inappropriate objects. 

Our dogs were built to roam and love running around free. Local dog parks can be a great way to grant our lovable furball some much-desired freedom where they can enjoy exercising and playing without being tied to a leash. There is also some beneficial mental stimulation of socializing with other dogs and their owners.

Looking for ideas on how to celebrate Christmas with your dogs? Celebrating the holidays won’t be the same unless you include your furry friends. Finding ways to incorporate your pets into the festivities without causing them stress can be difficult but planning ahead with pet friendly activities can also be good for both humans and pets. It’s the best time of the year and there’s absolutely no reason to exclude your pet from the Christmas celebrations.

If you are considering getting a new dog to add to your family, you should certainly consider adopting a dog from a shelter.

Every dog parent knows that their dogs need lots of mental and physical exercise to stay happy and healthy. If you are the parent of one of those pups who goes to his warm cozy bed at the first nip in the air, and only braves the cold when he has no other choice, then providing mental and physical exercise can be a big challenge for you during the winter months. While colds for pets are a little different than humans, pets do get sick but there are ways to help avoid illness.

We, including our dogs, need a vacation on our everyday life. Or even if you don’t need a vacation, your dog might do! Dogs, just like us, also feel overwhelmed and going on a holiday is a great way to alleviate stress for both dogs and their owners. Vacations present opportunities such as quality social time, which is a dog’s main desire.

Understanding our dogs needs and motivations as well as how those things work in a group dynamic is the key to living successfully with multiple dogs. Dogs that are allowed to create their own structure and rules are not going to set up a nice little democracy where sharing and fair play will be the standard because it doesn’t naturally work that way with a group of dogs. You see, it doesn’t always work that way in human groups either or at least not without someone being in charge. Domestic dogs will covet resources which are food, toys, you and space.

Training your puppy is about patience, consistency and positive reinforcement. The main goal is to instill good habits and build a loving bond between you and your pet.

There are several reasons why our dog can become sick. Dog health problems range from infections to cancers. All our dogs require regular medical attention to treat minor ailments. Understanding some common dog illnesses and diseases are some of the simple steps to keep our dogs healthy and minimize the incidence of issues like these. In addition, seeing your vet regularly for wellness exams can help you discover health problems before they get out of control. There are many health issues that can affect dogs and below are among the most common.

Pregnant dogs need more calories to help sustain all those puppies and they will require a different food that they did before breeding. In order to help sustain all the puppies growing in your pregnant dog’s tummy, your dog may need to be switched to a higher calorie diet. 

One of the greatest parts of having a dog is sharing adventures with your best friend. Traveling can be highly stressful for both you and your dog. It’s important that you prepare your dog for a long trip. You can get your dog geared up by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car.

Separation anxiety in dogs are defined as a dog problem behavior that shows itself through symptoms like barking, whining, excessive salivation, destroying items, attempting to escape from the crate and scratching at walls, floors and door.

Summer can be a fun time for both humans and dogs, but no one likes excessive heat and dogs are no exception. While many dogs love to play outdoors despite the heat, our dogs can often struggle in the heat and it can be dangerous for them.

Dogs can teach kids to be responsible and compassionate, and not to mention they make the best playmates anyone could ever ask for. But before you adopt any puppy, make sure you research the best type of breed for your children and your lifestyle. There are some dogs that do better with older kids, while others are more patient with the little ones.

Did you know that spoiling and pampering your dog can confuse him and increase anxiety, leading to unwanted behaviors? But your dog is your best friend, your constant companion, always there to listen to you, love you unconditionally and cuddles with you. So why wouldn’t you want to pamper your dog every once in a while, right?

Every person is unique and has different needs and desires, that’s why deciding the right dog is a very individualized process. But in many cases, people just want to share their life with a companion dog. 

It’s summertime and it’s a great time to make some fun memories in the sun with your pet! There are so many activities that you and your dog can enjoy in this season. From beach trips to park picnics, we’re collected some fun activities that you and your dog can enjoy this summer season!

One of the most important aspects of your canine companion’s overall health is dental health. It’s entirely your responsibility to keep your dog’s pearly whites in good shape. Below are some of the best ways to maintain your dog’s oral health in good conditions.

Some of us literally love large dogs more than the little ones and vice versa, but whether our best friends are the little cuties or the gentle giants, there are several pros and cons to parenting both.

Dogs show their love and affection through body language and actions. Dogs will use their entire body to show how he feels and communicate with you easily from their nose to tail.

Humans and dogs have lived side by side over thousands of years, and our genomes have even evolved together. Humans also altered the appearance and behavior of domestic dogs the world over. One of the primary reasons our epic canine-human love affaire has gone on so long is because of our innate ability to communicate with dogs. 

We all know the importance of exercise to our dogs. Daily dog walks are important and have many good benefits for your dog which includes physical and mental health improvement. Daily dog walks also reduced unwanted behaviors done out of boredom and anxiety. 

Whether your dog is young or old, there’s a lot of things you might not know about him! Here are some fun facts about your dog that you may not know about:

Have you ever wondered what your dogs do as soon as you leave your house? I’m sure we’ve all heard stories about how dogs misbehave while their owners are away, but it’s not really their fault – not only it’s not fair for them to be left alone for a long time, it could also be dangerous. 

For most of us dog owners, taking a vacation just wouldn’t be nearly as much fun if we couldn’t’ share it with our beloved dogs. While the idea of taking our dog on vacation can be great and fun, it can also pose some challenges. Some vacations are harder to take with your dog than others.

As the temperature outside gets colder, some dogs will show little or no interest in anything. Some dogs love to have fun in the snow while some dogs tend to be less active so they can conserve energy for thermo regulation. Does your dog love snow and ice? Or would your dog rather cuddle up on his bed under a cozy blanket?

Valentines Day is about love, whether it is showing your spouse, friends, or family. Don’t forget about your paw family members. They also need you to show extra love to them and let them know how special they are to you.  Here are a few ways to show them some love.

The fact that senior dogs have different care requirements than those of a younger dog is not a surprise to anyone. Dogs slow down with age and as the body slows down, it uses less energy and many of their basic needs, from diet to exercise, will begin to change.

Take a few moments to look at how making few small changes can improve your dog’s health and happiness and also improve your relationship with your dog. The start of the new year can also be a sign for a fresh start for dogs who are needing a change in their daily routine. Below are some ideas to make your dog happier and healthier this new year!

Positive reinforcement has many benefits when training your dog. It allows you to communicate with your dog by rewarding the behaviors you like. When you reward your dog for doing the things you want him to do, he is more likely to repeat those behaviors.

Chewing is a natural dog behavior and can provide mental stimulation, relieves anxiety, boredom and satisfies your dogs’ natural urge to chew. It also helps remove tartar and plaque from building up on your dog’s teeth. It also helps lessen bad breath, keep your dogs’ jaw strong and minimize the risk of potentially serious dental and health problems.

Training your dog not to beg food is a challenge for many dog owners and it’s not really easy especially with those sad puppy eyes right in front of you. But the key is to be patient and consistent if you want to break this bad habit. It might take a while but when your dog finally understood what he is allowed and not allowed to do; you will have a great dog that enjoys listening to you. It’s a win-win because food is of high value to a dog and many dogs will do anything for food.

Giving your dog chew treats can help satisfy your dog’s natural urge to chew and relieves boredom. It also plays a pretty big part when it comes to your dog’s dental health. Chewing can help remove tartar and plaques from dog’s teeth.

Pet owners love showing affection by giving treats, but no treats should compromise your dog’s health. With thousands of varieties to choose from, how do you choose a nutritious treat and why is it so important?

When choosing a dog treat for your dog there are a lot of things you need to consider. We know that every dog owner loves their furry little friend just as much as any other member of their family which is why they want nothing but the finest products for their canine friend.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR November GIVEAWAY WINNER @gracethe.great.

Have you started Christmas shopping yet? With life being so busy, it can be difficult to find time to shop.

Dogs need a lot more sleep than humans, and napping is a typical way they balance their sleeping hours. It is not uncommon for adult dogs to sleep 14 hours a day. Puppies often sleep about 18 hours every day, although sometimes all this sleep occurs in a lot of small sessions rather than some larger ones.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR September MONTH GIVEAWAY WINNER @elliemays_growing_up_ridgeback. You have won a half pound/8oz bag of assorted dog treats. Thank you for sharing your photos with us.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AUGUST MONTH GIVEAWAY WINNER @lequandapom You have won a 1-pound bag assorted dog treats. Thank you for sharing your photos with us.