Do you talk to your dog? Carry a picture of your dog in your wallet or have dog pictures in your cell phone? Do you tell tales of what your dogs have done or plan to do? Is the first thing you do when you walk into your home is pet and hug your dog? The passionate relationship between a dog person and their dog is similar to a parent/child/best friend relationship. Who are dog people?

They are not just dog owners; they are people who understand dogs and can’t imagine a world without a dog as part of it. Jeane Stein, President of Jake’s Dog House is a hard core dog person. Every dog she encounters throughout her day receives a genuine warm greeting. Dogs react to her voice with tail wagging excitement! Friends and Family member’s pets actually squeal with delight as their car pulls into Jeane’s driveway! Jeane often bathes the dogs in Jake’s Dog House Groom Room, so she can get to know Jake’s client’s pets.

Dogs can sense a dog person. Security, boundaries, and the basic needs of food and shelter are the responsibilities of a dog owner. A dog person adds loyalty and a friendship and unconditional love to the package. Affection in the form of petting, talking to your dog, taking them along in the car and including them in your day to day activities creates a strong bond.

The dog person’s dog does not reside in a backyard doghouse. They sleep in the master bedroom. Some sleep in the king sized bed or have a bed of their own. Lazy Paws builds Canopy Dog Beds with soft bumper pads to protect the pet and even provide a soft resting place for their heads at the front door. It is a dog bed made for pampered pet!

A dog person’s home depicts their love of canines. Family pictures and handprints tell the story of the generations of family members. A mahogany pawprint frame allows loving pet owners to create an impression of their pets paw, and then elegantly display it alongside a picture of your dog for years to come.

Dog owners: take the next step and go beyond the essentials of caring for your pet. Experience the rewarding relationship that is created when you reach out to a dog and really get to know them. The end result is not only gratifying for you, but studies have shown it can have health advantages. Let those canine companions enrich your life to the fullest! Be a DOG PERSON!

Traditionally, summer is over when the school year begins. The morning rush to get everyone out on time can leave your pet feeling neglected. On school mornings, a greeting may only be a pat on the head, when all summer long your dog received a belly rub before breakfast. Are you tripping over your dog, trying to gather school books, lunches and locating shoes? Dogs notice these changes and want their customary attention.

A great way to include your dog in a back to school morning routine is a walk to the bus stop or walk your dog all or part way to school with your child. Not only will your dog enjoy the long walk, but the other walkers and friends at the bus stop can pet the dog. If you drive your children to school, your dog will enjoy the car ride to school. A routine that involves your attention will make your dog so happy!

Dogs sleep a lot during the day. They also can get bored and be destructive. Interactive dog toys like Hide-A-Bee Puzzle is a plush dog toy in the shape of a bee hive with three 2-1/2″ diameter holes in it. It comes with three squeaker bees (about 5″ long) that you hide inside the hive. Your dog’s mission–and we think he’ll decide to accept it–is to stalk those buzzy bees and pull them out of the holes in the hive.

Kong Original Rubber Dog Toy filled with dog treats is a safe way to keep your pet busy. “Kong enrichment devices are the anecdote for boredom and bad diets, which are the plague of modern dogs. Pursuit play and safe mastication are powerful and necessary canine behaviors which only Kong natural rubber and their shapes satisfy. Not just another dog toy, Kongs are reliable tools to prevent serious behavior problems and simply to deliver happiness to dogs.” (Dr. Roger Mugford. Company of Animals)

Once everyone is gone for the day, prevent separation anxiety by leaving a worn t-shirt or pillowcase near your dog’s bed. Your scent will make them feel secure when the family is not home. Even though it might seem like your day goes fast, your dog might be feeling lonely.

When you come home from school and work spend some time playing with your dog. Cute back to school plush dog toys include a Back To School Friends School Bus Dog Toy and Back To School Friends Crossing Guard Dog Toy. Fun-shaped school related squeaker dog toys are amusing twist on the Back to school routine.

Reading your school work out loud will help you study and your dog will enjoy hearing the sound of your voice. You will be surprised how quickly History and English reading assignments are finished with your best friend at your side! A dog t-shirt, I’m Smarter than Your Honor Student is a Trendy cool gray t-shirt that speaks a pet’s mind. Very deserving after all you taught “THE DOG” all there is to know!

Looking for something fun to do after a grueling week at work?  Enjoy an afternoon of fun playing with your dog.  There are many fun things to do with your dog.  A local dog park encourages off leash socializing for dogs as well as socializing for pet owners.  Dog Parks are also great areas for playing a game of catch and fetch.  The fenced in area creates boundaries and other dogs in the park generate a little fetching competition

Going to a community park where dogs are permitted is perfect for dog fun.  Play Frisbee with a flying disc in an open field.  Flying Squirrel flying disc is one squirrel who won’t mind being chased down. Just grab him by a paw and throw like a flying disk. Remember to snap your wrist while throwing to give him a good spin. His spinning feet create visual excitement for you and your pet, and the raised sides make him easy to pick up. The flying squirrel has raised sides for easy pick up, durable Rubber Feet, and also floats in water.

Many townships have bike trails.  In my town the bike trail follows the power lines with corn fields and small shrubbery along the perimeter of the trail.  From beginning to end the trail is 5 miles, so running, hiking, and rollerblading end to end is a doable distance for most dog owners and their dogs.   On the lighter side, play follow the leader and off trail hide and seek in the shrubbery.   Before you go, make sure your dog is healthy enough and fit enough to enjoy your planned activities.

Games of find the treat are a fun way to Challenge and Entertain Dog for hours.  A treat can be hidden in a contained area or in a dog toy.   Giggle Peek-A-Treat Ball challenges dogs to get the dog treats out of the toy.   Hiding dog treats and or placing them in a dog toy provides a great way to ease boredom, alleviate stress and keep dogs mentally stimulated and challenged.  Adjust the game to your dog’s age and make it easier or harder for dogs to retrieve treats.

Toys for bored dogs like Hide a Bird Plush Animal Puzzles are designed after nature’s own puzzles. Only this time, your dog can catch that pesky Bird! Hide a Bird will keep your pet occupied and eliminate boredom, but it and also develop a dog’s intelligence and puzzle-solving skills.  Interactive dog toys develop and strengthen eye-paw coordination skills as your pet discovers how to remove the squeaker birds from inside the Hide a Bird.

After an active afternoon of fun and games your dog might need a good brushing.  Grooming your own dog creates a special bonding.  The Shedding Slicker Brush provides double action – long & short pins work at two levels so dog owners get better results with no extra effort.   The Slicker brush is designed to remove all dead hair and other debris that landed on your dog during your day of fun.  For all coat types: long-haired; wire & course-hair; short & smooth-hair breeds.

For a quick clean up, Natural Grooming Wipes Hypo-Allergenic & Fragrance Free wipes are for our beloved furry friends who need a good cleansing, but may have sensitive skin, allergies, or who just don’t want to smell like anything but themselves. Mild cleansers freshen and deodorize, while succulent leave-in conditioners impart a healthy shine and leave a supple coat. Your best friend will look and smell better than ever before.

Enjoy your dog days!

It happens to all of us.  As we get older things don’t work as well as they used to.  A ache, a pain, the fine print looks blurry-our bodies are giving us signals to make changes in our lifestyle.   An aging pet experiences a lot of the same symptoms as pet owners.  If your dog is not acting “normal”, then it is time for a checkup with the veterinarian.

What is considered old?  Humans say 40 is the new 30, and so on.  Dogs have a calculated age as well.  Generally, a large dog who is 7 years or older is considered middle to senior aged and smaller breed dogs, are not typically considered in their geriatric years until they are around 12 plus years.  Medium sized dogs are therefore between 8 and 11 years old before they typically start to slow down.

As the golden years approach dogs tend to have some graying around the face, especially on the muzzle.   You may notice that your dog is being more cautious and is slower getting up, lying down, and struggling going up the stairs. Arthritis is common in dogs as they age, particularly larger breeds.

As dogs age you might notice a bluish transparent cloudy film in the pupil area. This is a normal consequence of aging.  The medical term for this is lenticular sclerosis. This condition is different than cataracts and a pet’s vision is not compromised, even though it looks like there is something obstructing their sight.  Larger breed dogs tend to suffer from muscle atrophy.  The hind and hips begin to lose their strength.    A pet with dementia barks for no reason has accidents and sometimes roams to a remote part of the house and is not themselves around loved ones.   It is upsetting to see our pets go through this aging process, but dog owners can do a lot to make life easier of your older dog.

Dog food for geriatric dogs includes special ingredients for a healthy diet.  Arthritic Relief Dog Cookies is a great way of supplementing your dog’s diet with cookies containing herbs, vitamins, minerals and essential elements known to build strong joints and relieve inflammation, your dog should be playful again. Alfalfa and cod liver oil is used to reduce the discomforts of arthritis. Proper amounts of Vitamin C are necessary for good adrenal function, to make enough cortisone, resulting in arthritic symptoms. That’s why pure applesauce is in the cookies. These dog treats formulated for aging dogs but are so reward your dog is so many ways

If your dog is accustomed to sleeping with you or sitting with you on the sofa, Pet Studio sells a Wicker Ramp and 3 Steps for Pets.  The Ramp/Steps easily convert from steps to a ramp to make it easy for aging or arthritic pets to reach sofas, beds, and more.  The pet steps even add a nice accent to any room.
A geriatric dog needs a lot of rest.  Comfortable bedding like a Fleece Top Rectangular Dog Bed
with premium spring wound spun poly filling for maximum loft after continued use with cedar bits for added for freshness and removable cover for washing is a great option for an aging pet.

As dog owners you know your dog better than anyone else.  Noticing changes in your dog’s appetite, physical appearance as well as the way your dog interacts with you and their dog toys can alert you that they are approaching their golden years.  Consult your veterinarian on ways to help your dog remain happy and comfortable.  With a little extra love and attention, our senior dog companions will be with us for many more dog days.