Monthly Archives: April 2009 «

Pamper Your Pet

Posted by: Joanne Gallagher • April 29, 2009

As warm weather approaches we all want to get that healthy glow.  Time to shed those winter pounds … your dog is ready to strut around the neighborhood and dog park looking good.   Make your pet feel special with a springtime spruce up!
A pretty coat starts off with a bath in all natural Tea Tree Oil & Aloe Vera Dog Shampoo.   Tea Tree Oil has long been recognized as an effective and beneficial ointment for hot spots, skin irritations, insect bites and itching.  For a real treat, lavish your pet with a SPA treatment.  This mild yet concentrated, lightly foaming facial cleanser soothes and balances. It has natural exfoliating activity and is slightly hydrating.   The refreshing blend of vanilla and blueberry effectively removes dirt and tear stains, and will not sting eyes.  Great for all skin types and all ages of pets!   If your pet has visible tear stains, try Angels’ Eyes®.  It is the first product specifically developed for BOTH DOGS & CATS to eliminate unsightly tearstains from the inside out!   Angels’ Eyes® also helps to eliminate staining around the mouth and their coats due to licking.  Angels’ Eyes® starts working before the tear stains begin and never adds food dyes or wheat which can have negative effects on your pet.   All ingredients are products of the USA.   Just sprinkle Angels’ Eyes daily on regular food.
Follow the shampoo with and a good brushing.  Depending on the breed of dog and their coat, there are so many types of dog brushes.   Millers Forge make great mat breakers and dog shedding brushes.  The Shedding Slicker Brush provides double action – long & short pins work at two levels rather than one as in standard Slicker Brushes. Better results with no extra effort – particularly useful on breeds with shedding problems. The Slicker brush is designed to remove all dead hair. For all coat types: long-haired; wire & course-hair; short & smooth-hair breeds.
Don’t forget about your dog’s ears.  You want to make sure they can hear you loud and clear.  One of the easiest ways to remove discharge and ear wax from pet’s ears is Clear Quest Professional Pet Ear Wipes.  Premoistened pet ear cleaner wipes are formulated with antibacterial and antifungal agents to minimize ear odor and prevent infections. Use 2-3 times per week for best results
That perfect smile and dog breath requires brushing your dog’s teeth.  According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 80% of dogs suffer from periodontal disease by the age of two. Help your dog ward off bad breath, gum disease, multiple infections, and heart disease by consistently brushing your dog’s teeth.  The unique design of the KissAble toothbrush makes it easy to clean all three sides of the tooth with one stroke. The soft bristles massage the gums while the firmer bristles clean teeth. The vanilla flavored toothpaste is All Natural and is great for dogs and their people!
Trimming your pet’s nails every 10 days ensures a professionally groomed look everyday!  Millers Forge Dog Nail clippers are Veterinarians and Groomers choice!  My favorite part of grooming my female dog is polishing her nails.  It is important to use nail polish for dogs because it provides long lasting color that is water-resistant and chip-resistant and dries quickly.  Top Performance Color Paw Nail Polish for Dogs has a 3 Color Set that has great pastel colors for Spring.
About now your pet is feeling quite pampered!  Eyes, Ears, Mouth , a pretty coat and perfect nails … your dog is ready to take on all the other dog’s in the neighborhood & dog park!

Visit Jake’s Doghouse

A Canine Birthday Party

Posted by: Joanne Gallagher • April 15, 2009
Dog Birthday Party

Dog Birthday Party

Everybody has one day each year that is their day.  We all look forward to our birthdays even if it means we are getting older.  Humans only mark the end of another year, dogs mark the end of 7 years … and they don’t complain about getting older!
Your four-legged companion’s birthday is a special day!  Many of us treat our pets as our children.   Remembering the day your canine buddy came into the world is a remarkable memory.  If you don’t know the exact date of your pet’s birthday, they won’t mind if you make the date the day you adopted them or brought them home.
Organizing a pet party can be an enjoyable undertaking and with a bit of creativity, dog owners can host a fun party for dogs and their owners.
Pet Celebrations can range from a simple birthday bone to an all out birthday celebration complete with party favors!  The highlight of the celebration will be the attention your dog will receive all day long!
Just for the fun of it we decided to have a birthday party for our Bichons 5th birthday.
Since we do not have a fenced in yard, we had the birthday party for our bichons, Wilma and Betty at a local dog park.  The guest list included 5 small dogs and their owners.  We gave each dog owner a Zebra Bon Ton Dog Walking Pick Up Kit when they arrived with their dog. This served as a gentle reminder for them to clean up after their dogs.  The dogs had a fun time running and playing with each other in the small dog section of the dog park.  We also brought a doggy pool for the dogs to stay cool and a few travel water bowls. Excited dogs become thirsty very quickly.
The birthday dogs were the VIPs of the park wearing a Happy Birthday Dog Scarf Decorated with Dog Bones.  We sang Happy Birthday to Wilma and Betty with a Big Happy Birthday Dog Bone and Birthday Candle lit to celebrate another fabulous year.  Both dogs huffed and puffed a little bit to put out the candle.  The other dogs didn’t even complain about the drool on the birthday cake.  All the dogs enjoyed a piece of the Birthday Bone.
Some of Wilma and Betty’s favorite birthday presents were:    Go Green! Eco Friendly Rope Ring Dog Toy, Dog Rawhide with Peanut Butter Dog Treat Dog Chews, Natural 100% Beef Paddywacks Beef Tendons Dog Treat and matching Designer Wild Side Zebra Print Dog Dresses.
Our friends also made a donation to our local Animal Shelter and brought old towels, blankets and cleaning supplies that we brought over to the shelter.

Every dog left with a doggie bag filled with Assorted Puppy Pop Suckers Dog Treats and a Grriggles Dog Birthday Party Animal Bear.
The bichons were exhausted and went right into their dog bed when we arrived home.
We were lucky, the weather, cooperated and the sun was shining all day.
When planning your pet’s party, the weather can ruin the birthday celebration.
Hosting the party in your home can not only be chaotic, but your dog may feel territorial.  A local doggie daycare is an option.  They will rent out their playrooms with obstacle courses and dog toys.  Wouldn’t it be funny to have the owner’s race on the agility course as well!

There are so many options for dog birthday parties.  Whether you are hosting the party or attending the party it is important to be sure all dog treats and dog toys are appropriate for the birthday dog’s breed and size.  Bring a leash or carrier in case your dog needs a time out to calm down from all the excitement or if they are feeling aggressive about a toy or another dog toys.  Sometimes dogs are like children and need to be reminded of their boundaries.  Everyone just wants to have fun and create memories!

Although your dog might not understand what a birthday is … they will definitely appreciate the extra attention.  Whether you choose to have a party or go for an extra long walk, enjoy an afternoon in the dog park, play a game of catch, read to your dog or a tummy rubbing, your dog will notice the additional attention.

Visit Jake’s Doghouse

DOG TOYS … DOG TOYS … DOG TOYS

Posted by: Joanne Gallagher • April 2, 2009

Dog Toys

We all love our toys.  Fun and games … that’s what the GOOD life is about!!
Dogs love playing with toys.  There are toys that dogs can play with independently and toys for dog lovers and their dogs to play together.  Playing with your pet is awesome for everyone’s mental and physical well being!

Dogs need toys for entertainment; otherwise they will get bored and chew or play with their owner’s stuff!    Especially puppies, they instinctively chew and need appropriate puppy toys for teething and training purposes.

The right toy for your dog depends on the breed and size of the pet.

Chew toys like knotted ropes, rubber dog toys and heavy canvas durable dog toys are suitable for most breeds.  Treat filled toys, like Kong’s biscuit ball not only keep dogs busy, but the chewing aids in tartar and plaque removal.

Puppies enjoy chewing on sheepskin and fleece toys with attached ropes.  Teething puppies also enjoy frozen toys.  Freezing a nylabone puppy toy or putting ice in their Kong will sooth teething pain.

Dog toys that squeak are a favorite.  Squeak dog toys can entertain a dog for hours.  It is hard to figure out if the dog likes the sound of the squeak or is trying to make the toy stop squeaking by trying to get the squeaker out of the toy!  Beware of heavy chewers that they don’t chew off too much.

When you and your pet play together, tug dog toys and fetch dog toys are the most popular.  Retrievers enjoy chasing balls and Frisbees and benefit from the exercise and your devoted attention.  Durable Frisbees are important.  Cracked plastic can injure your dog.  Playing with a tennis ball at the dog park is a lot of fun; however the sand and dirt that accumulates on the wet ball can wear away the enamel on your dog’s teeth.  Durable rubber balls are better for a game of fetch in a dog park.

Playing a game of tug-of-war with your dog with a rope toy or sturdy dog toy is a good time.  Dogs need to know limits and understand when the game is over.  Aggressive dogs might not identify with the limits of this game – so be careful when having tug matches with your dog.   It could be dangerous for a child to play a tug-of-war game with a dog.  The dog might try to re-establish its hold on the toy and accidentally bite the child.

Plush dog toys and plush puppy toys are very popular.  They are comfort toys for your pet.  Some pets sleep with stuffed dog toys or just carry them around because they are soft and light.

A toy box for all the dog toys will not only keep your home neat, but it also lets your dog choose from the toy storage box which toy they need during the day.  Putting the toys back in the box is another story.  Rotating your dog’s toys helps make old toys appear like new toys.  Having 2 storage boxes of dog toys that are rotated every month will help prevent dog boredom.

Seasonal dog toys make terrific presents during the holidays, for birthday celebrations and for special occasions during the year.  Jakes Dog House has dog toys that will reward your dog for doggie school  (plush school bus), celebrate Valentine’s Day (plush red heart with attached rope), St Patrick’s Day (go green rope toy), Jewish Holidays (plush Hanukkah Menorah), Halloween (Trick or Treat BOO Bungee Squeak Toy), Thanksgiving (plush squeaky candy corn), Easter (tennis tummy pink rabbit plush and rope toy), Christmas (puppy buddy Christmas tree) and of course your dog’s birthday (musical singing birthday cake).

Dog toys are essential to keep pets healthy and active.   Running, tugging, chewing, snuggling and playing fetch are all part of happy pets lifestyle.  Large dogs, small dogs and puppies need the appropriate toy for their size, breed and temperament.    There are so many dog toy choices.   Ask your veterinarian if you are unsure about a puppy toy or if a particular toy is safe for your dog.

DOG TOYS … DOG TOYS … DOG TOYS … Don’t forget an affectionate pet once in awhile.  Why do you think their favorite toy has your smell on it!

Visit Jake’s Doghouse