Doggie Bok! Bok!: 2010

Friday, December 31, 2010

All Things Dog Blog

Be Your Dog's Best Friend: Living Life to the Fullest

Posted: 31 Dec 2010 04:39 AM PST

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

Training Your Dog

Provides a Lifetime of Good Behavior

Think about your own daily routine for a minute. You rise early and eat breakfast. After a few preparations, you head off to work where you get mental stimulation, a chance to solve problems, and an opportunity to socialize--most of us anyway. Even if you work from home like I do, you probably have ample opportunities to get out for errands, meetings and appointments. You meet friends at Starbucks or have dinner out. You shuttle kids to dance and baseball, visit the library, the mall, and your friends.

Now contrast that to the life of the average dog. Most dogs get a few short walks a week, and generally are left to fend for themselves while their owners head off to work. My pack is lucky to have a work-at-home leader. But what about others?

Can you imagine the boredom of being left behind 2 walls for the entire day, with only a chew bone and a few toys. Think about this from the dog's viewpoint. He wants to play, but with who? He wants to chew, but knows he'll be reprimanded when his owner arrives home, if he does.After an hour of pacing the house, checking all windows and doors for possible escape, Fido drops for a nap, mostly out of pure boredom. No wonder he is so happy to see you when you arrive home!

Have I described your dog? There is something you can do about it. New Years is coming and along with it that Resolution you always consider. How successful have you been with achieving those goals? Maybe this year's resolution could revolve around your Rover. Try one or more of these on for size:

I will walk my dog for a total of 1 hour or more every day, so he will get to see the sights and smell the smells of the world's smorgasbord.
I will create some Busy Bones to freeze, and leave one with my dog each time I depart for more than a couple of hours.
I will shop for some safe, mentally stimulating toys to help my dog enjoy problem-solving activities to work his brain and tire him out.
I will rotate toys so that each time I offer one, it will seem like a long lost friend.
Knowing that many dogs will not eat or drink while their owner is away, I will assure Fido is fed and given an opportunity to eliminate before I leave. I will always leave an adequate amount of fresh water available.
I will evaluate my home's dangers to my dog and block access to these or remove them, if possible.
If my dog is in the house-training phase, I will arrange sufficient bathroom breaks and walks with a neighborhood friend or petsitter, to help my puppy learn good house manners.
I will provide training to assure that my dog is well-behaved and not a danger to others.
I will socialize my dogs with both humans and other dogs from an early age to assist him in learning good manners and having healthy relationships.
When I leave for a long outing, I will assure that my Fido is fed, tired from activity, and ready for a long nap to pass the time.
When I return after a long day, I will reserve time to exercise and practice training or have playtime with my dog, to continue the bond and expend his pent-up energy.

Which Resolutions would suit your dog the best? Think about him when planning your New Year's Resolutions. Remember that this relationship is one that will give back more than you put into it, for many years to come. Build the bond!

Happy New Year, Free Shipping, Dog Food Allergies, Cool & On Sale

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Dear Friends of PupLife,

As the year draws to a close we would like to thank you for making 2010 one of PupLife.com's best ever. As a thank you for your continued support, we have extended our FREE SHIPPING ON ALL ORDERS offer indefinitely. That's right, the price you see for PupLife's Dog Beds, Collars, Training Supplies, Dog Food & Treats is the final price you will pay at checkout. Plus, for our newsletter readers only, when you use discount code THANKYOUPUPLIFE during checkout, we'll also take 5% off your order total. But hurry, this discount code expires January 3rd.

Please enjoy the newsletter and be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter. As always, thank you for shopping at PupLife.com, we appreciate your business. - Your Furry Friends at PupLife

Words Of Wisdom
"When you feel dog tired at night, it may be because you've growled all day long." - Unknown

Helping Your Dog With Food Allergies

Food allergies are not uncommon for dogs and can present a challenge for both pet and pet owner. If you suspect that your dog has a food allergy, PupLife.com recommends that you first bring him or her to the vet for an expert opinion. With that in mind, here is helpful information regarding Dog Food allergies.

Columbia Animal Hospital defines an allergy as "a condition of sensitivity to a substance which is perceived by the body as foreign". They also note that "common signs of food allergies in dogs include itchy skin and paws, and in some cases dogs may experience vomiting or diarrhea. A dog with a food allergy may exhibit itchy skin, usually around the feet, face, ears, armpits, and groin." No matter what the symptoms, should your dog exhibit any of these behaviors immediately visit your vet for a proper diagnosis.

Wondering how your vet will proceed diagnosing your dog’s allergy problem? Most likely your veterinarian will first rule out more common causes of allergy type symptoms. The rule-out process might first include a physical examination. This would be followed by laboratory tests for flea allergy dermatitis, seasonal reactions to pollen and other reactions that do not involve the immune system. Read More Helping Your Dog With Food Allergies

New & Woof-Tastic: Madison Avenue Mutts Manhattan Brown Dog Bed

An Elegant Dog Bed In Every Way

The Manhattan Brown Dog Bed from Madison Avenue Mutts is a truly elegant dog bed design. Comfy, cozy and oh so fetching, this is a top of the line bed in every way. The crisp, clean print is eye-catching to say the least. A beautiful design that works perfectly in conjunction with today’s interiors. This fabric is so aesthetically pleasing, you may be inspired to fashion a whole room around it! Pillow beds include slipcover, insert, and our cotton/poly insert cover. Cover unzips easily and it is machine washable. As Low As $159.99 + Free Shipping

View more New & Woof-Tastic Dog Supplies | View more Dog Beds

Cool & On Sale: Paw Planet Natural Stripe Eco-Friendly Dog Carrier

An Eco-Friendly Dog Carrier With Style

This eco-friendly dog carrier from Paw Planet is great for the planet and your pet. And, it looks amazing! Paw Planet Natural Stripe Pet Carriers are all-natural, environmentally friendly pet carriers made from renewable resources. Constructed with a mixture of natural cotton and linen, with coconut shell buttons and a recycled metal zipper. The full-zip back top provides easy access to your pet. Plus, the collar clip and removable interior pad keeps your dog safely in place. Regularly $79.99 - Sale Price $49.99 - While Supplies Last

Coupon Code: 5% Off Any Order
Use discount code THANKYOUPUPLIFE to save 5% on any order. But hurry this discount code expires January 3rd, 2011.

Code: THANKYOUPUPLIFE
Good For: 5% Off Any Order
Expires: January 3rd, 2011 (Midnight)
Note: Coupon code may not be combined with other codes, discount promotions, store credits or coupons. Must be used at the time of checkout and may not be applied after the order is placed. Gift certificates are not eligible for discount.

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Thursday, December 30, 2010

All Things Dog Blog

Dog Food and Treats: 5 Ways to Save Money Making Your Own

Posted: 30 Dec 2010 02:25 AM PST

Guest post by Paris Permenter and John Bigley

Paris and John

Enjoy Halloween with Tiki and Irie

After the tragic 2007 dog food recalls, a growing number of people began to prepare homemade dog food. Whether you go 100 percent homemade, supplement your dog's food with homemade food, or just prepare your own dog treats, you can shop carefully to save money. It isn't difficult but it does require some preparation and savvy shopping to meet your dog's special needs. Talk with your veterinarian first then make any changes gradually to avoid disrupting your dog's digestive system.

Invest in a good dog food cookbook.

Making your dog's food isn't just a matter of whipping up a little extra food at every meal; you want to serve the food groups in the correct proportions for your dog. Before you begin shopping for ingredients, you'll also want to know which foods your dog should never eat.

Investing in a quality cookbook (or checking one out at your library) can provide recipes you rotate to keep your dog healthy and happy. A selection of recipes will also allow you to utilize fruits and vegetables that are in season—another way to stretch that food budget. Looking for a good dog food cookbook? We like The Whole Pet Diet: Eight Weeks to Great Health for Dogs and Cats, by Andi Brown.

Invest in a slow cooker.

We love our slow cooker and purchased one just to prepare dog food. We bought ours on sale at the discount store, and it has paid for itself time and time again. Two nights a week, we toss in meat and vegetables and brown rice or other starch, simmering overnight. In the morning, we have dog food for the next three days to supplement the high-quality kibble we feed our two large dogs (we feed half kibble, half homemade.) If you have smaller dogs or just one dog, you'll need to cook less often.

Watch for "last chance" fruits and meats.

If you make your own dog food and treats, keep an eye out for the overripe fruits and vegetables on sale at your grocery store. These foods which have reached their "best by" date can be great low-cost ingredients. You'll want to use or freeze these purchases as soon as you get home.

Shop farmers' markets.

Buying directly from the farmer helps to cut out the costs that go into processing, packaging, distributing and ultimately displaying the product at a grocery store. Locally grown produce is also an eco-friendly choice that's delicious in addition to being inexpensive!

Also, you can save money by shopping a farmers' market at the end of the day when farmers want to move the last of their goods. Buy in bulk and you can increase that savings. Don't be afraid to ask farmers about bruised or damaged fruits and veggies they can't sell—often they're free for the asking (especially if you're making another purchase!)

Buy organ meats.

The less desirable organ meats are inexpensive and make a good component to your dog's diet. Serving four or five percent organ meat in your dog's diet can benefit your pooch and your pocketbook. Our dogs love beef and chicken livers, kidneys, and beef heart, all easy on the budget.

If you don't want to invest the time in cooking your dog's food, making dog treats is also an excellent way to trim your budget and reward your dog with healthy, homemade goodness. These Chicken and Cheese Dog Biscuits are some of our dogs' favorites and take only moments to prepare.

Chicken and Cheese Dog Biscuit Recipe

Ingredients:
· 1-1/2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
· 3/4 cup chicken broth, divided
· 1/2 cup shredded cheese of your choice
· 1 cup whole wheat flour
· 1 cup all-purpose flour

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease two cookie sheets.
Toss the chicken and just 1/2 cup of chicken broth in a blender or food processor and mix until it's the consistency of baby food. Using a silicone baking scraper, scrape the chicken mixture into a large bowl.
Add the flours and cheese and slowly add a teaspoon of broth at a time until you have dough the right consistency to knead. (The amount of broth you'll need to add will vary by the moistness of the chicken.) The dough should be heavy but not too dry (that means you need more broth) or too sticky (that means you need more flour).
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface and roll to about 1/4-inch thickness.
Use cookie cutters and cut biscuits in desired shape, place on cookie sheet, and bake for 30 minutes. Allow treats to cool completely before refrigerating the treats or serving.

Paris Permenter and John Bigley are the founders of DogTipper.com, featuring tips for dog lovers by dog lovers. The husband-wife team are the authors of 28 published books including their latest, Barkonomics: Tips for Frugal Fidos.