News & Blogs for Dogs

Almost every dog owner deals with the ongoing frustration of hair everywhere. Some dog breeds shed more than others and for different reasons - other than just being furry. The most common reasons for shedding are old, damaged or extra hair (double coated breeds). Although hair kinda comes with the territory of having a pup, there are ways to help reduce floating hair in your home.

Regular Brushing- daily brushing helps to remove the loose hairs before they have a chance to find a nice spot to land, like all over your black couch. Be sure to talk to your local groomer or pet store for the right type of brush for your dog's coat. This makes a big difference in successfully catching up all those loose fly-aways while brushing.

Regular Bathing- frequency of bathing depends on how “dirty” your dog gets on a regular basis. Typically once a month (if your dog is not constantly rolling in mud) is a good guideline to follow. A clean coat is generally a healthier coat. Make sure to get a gentle and moisturizing shampoo, conditioner is not a must, but it doesn't hurt!

High Quality Diet- feeding your furry friend a high quality balanced diet is key to maintaining healthy skin and therefore a healthy coat. Speak to your veterinarian regarding the best diet recommendation for your dog.

Bug Control- prevent your pet from unwanted parasites like fleas, mites and ticks. These are all parasites that will affect the health of your pet’s skin and coat. They cause itching, redness and irritation which leads to shedding.

Allergy Control- if your dog has seasonal or environmental allergies be sure to address these based on your veterinarian's recommendations. Typically it just takes medication or medicated shampoos. Itchy skin means increased shedding - aka more hair!

Vacuum Often- vacuuming as often as possible will obviously help with the hair and debris in the environment. Don’t forget to vacuum your dog's bed.

Regular Veterinary Visits - there are many skin conditions and internal diseases outside of the scary ones that can cause hair loss in patches. Regularly visiting your veterinarian will help to ensure that if any conditions arise, they will be treated accordingly.

You will never be able to eliminate shedding, but being mindful of these basic points can help to significantly reduce the daily hair balls flying around your home!

Relaxed 

1. Ears up 
2. Head high 
3. Mouth open
4. Loose stance 
5. Tail down and relaxed

Playful and Excited 

1. Pupils dilated
2. Ears up
3. Mouth open (tongue may be out)
4. Front end lowered (like a bow)
5. Tail up 
6. Looks like they are ready to run

Alert 

1. Eyes wide 
2. Ears forward
3. Smooth nose 
4. Tail high
5. Body tense
6. Mouth closed
7. Slight forward lean

Dominant  Aggressive    

1. Ears forward
2. Nose wrinkled
3. Lips curled
4. Teeth visible 
5. Mouth open and C-shaped
6. Stiff stance
7. Hackles raised
8. Tail raised

Fearful Aggressive  

1. Ears back 
2. Head can be raised or slightly raised
3. Pupils dilated
4. Nose wrinkled
5. Lips curled 
6. Hackles raised
7. Body lowered
8. Tail tucked (or raised if just being aggressive)

Anxious   

1. Yawning 
2.  Lip licking 
3. Brief body freezing
4. Head turned 
5. Shaking
6. Drooling
7. Lack of focus
8. Sweaty paws 

Frightened     

1. Eye contact brief
2. Ears back 
3. Mouth closed 
4. Body lowered and crouched
5. Tail down

Submissive 

1. Eyes partially closed
2. Head turned to avoid eye contact
3. Ears flat and back
4. Rolls onto back
5. Tail tucked 
6. May pee 
7. Corners of mouth back

Before you approach any strange dog, look for signs of relaxed or playful body language and always ask the owner if it is ok to approach.

Chocolate And Dogs

Right Dog For The Right Home 

Owning a dog is a long-term commitment, regardless of the size, shape, and temperament. It is no secret that their everlasting companionship and unconditional love is well worth the sacrifices you make, BUT are you ready for those sacrifices - that responsibility? Not everybody is, despite the idea of having a furry friend to cuddle with.

The responsibility of meeting a dog’s needs can be overwhelming, but making sure that you pick the correct breed for your lifestyle can help ensure both your pup and you will lead a happy life. A few important questions must be considered to make an educated decision for your lifestyle:

1. What size dog are you interested in and why?
2. Does the size dog that you are interested in seem realistic for the space that you live in?
3. How energetic do you want your dog to be?
4. How much time are you able to devote to exercising your dog?
5. How much time are you able to devote to playing with your dog?
6. Are you looking for a very affectionate dog?
7. Do you have other pets? What have their reactions been towards other pets in the past?
8. How much time are you able to devote to training your dog?
9. Are you looking for a protective dog or one that just loves everybody?
10. Do you have children? Is the breed that you are considering good with children?
11. Are you able to keep up with the grooming needs of the breed you have in mind?
12. Do you live in a primarily hot or cold climate? (it is important to consider this before bringing home a dog who can not adapt to the climate that you live in)

Once you have answered all of these questions, look into breeds that are the closest match to your answers. Doing your research before bringing a new furry friend into your home will ensure you and your new pup will live a happy life together.

Source (Image): Canine Kids
Source (Image): Mark Vette

Most dogs do not love getting their nails trimmed but here are some helpful tips on how to make the experience less stressful and more PAWsitive:

1. Ensure that you have the right size nail clippers for the right size dog (This is important because if you try using a clipper that is too small, you may cause pinching or splitting of the nail).
2. Ensure that your clippers of choice are sharp 
3. Desensitize your dog's paws (work on simple stroking and touching of the paws before attempting to clip them)  
4. Always have lots of your dog's favorite treats to offer before, during and after the clipping
5. Keep the nail trimmers almost parallel to the nail
6. Cut a little bit of nail until you can see the beginning of a circle (this is the beginning of the vein that runs through their nails) 
7. Don't squeeze the toes, ouch!
8. Cut a small amount every 2 weeks for maintenance 
9. Keep styptic powder on hand in case you do cut the quick
10. PRAISE PRAISE PAISE your dog after every nail trim (even if they are used to it)

Source (Image): Dog Guide

Source (Image): PEI MAG

Dental disease is one of the most common diseases affecting dogs around the world. You may notice from time to time that your dog has bad breath, red gums or even tartar and plaque build up on their teeth. Just like humans, dogs dental health declines over the years leading to infections and disease of vital organs. That is why it is so important to keep our canine companions mouth clean and kissable! One way of doing so is regular toothbrushing. 

Some of you might be saying "yeah right, my dog won't let me do that!" But we are here to provide you with some helpful tips on making toothbrushing a positive experience for your best friend. 

Getting Ready To Brush

Patience is key when introducing something new to our pups. As they are masters at feeding off of our energy, we want to make sure we are in a calm and patient state. Once your energy is channeled to the right place, focus on these few steps before beginning the toothbrushing process. 

1. Find a toothbrush that is designed for pets or a very soft toothbrush designed for kids. 
2. Dip your finger into something tasty like beef bouillon or tuna juice and rub it along their gum line to get them used to the feeling of having something on their teeth.
3. Next try dipping a gauze square into your choice of juice, place it over your finger and rub teeth in a circular motion. Once your pup is comfortable with the process then try to look for a toothpaste with their favorite flavour.
4. Practice holding the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface and move it in a circular motion.

Brushing Time!

Now that you and your pup are ready for the brushing process, follow the steps below for a successful experience. Before you begin, make sure you have the toothbrush, favorite toothpaste and most importantly the well-deserved treat to finish off. 

1. Find a calm and relaxing room to begin. 
2. Put a small amount of toothpaste on your finger and let your pup lick it off.
3. Gently lift your pups lips (starting from the back of the mouth).
4. Put a small amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush and starting brushing in a circular motion. 
5. Brush as many teeth as your pup will allow.
6. End with a reassuring pat and a dental appropriate treat.

Remember that this is a new and sometimes stressful process for your furry friend. You may need to take it slow and build up to brushing the whole mouth once daily. As you want this to be a positive experience, make sure that you reward your pup after each brushing experience. Be sure to choose a treat that possess dental benefits, to make sure you're not adding to the existing build up of plaque and tartar such as our Bullwrinkles Dog Treats.

Source (Image): Ruff Ideas

Source (Image): Cesarsway

Source (Image): Celiasue