May 23 2006

A Pedicure for Your Pooch

Your dog's toenails are always growing and unless you keep them trimmed, they can cause problems.  Nails that are excessively long can cause your pooch to have difficulty walking.  The other hazard with those long claws is them getting them caught in the carpet or breaking off above the "quick" or blood vessel in the foot.  If your dog has ever broken off a nail too short, you know how much blood there is.  Prevention is the name of the game. 

Washington State University has a great website with full photo instructions on how to clip your dog's nails.  The site shows step by step exactly what to do.

Before you begin that pooch pedicure, make sure to have a styptic pencil containing silver nitrate to stop blood flow in case you clip a bit to short.  In a pinch, you can also use Corn Starch from your kitchen.

Some people are squeamish about cutting their dog's nails and who can blame them.  If you are nervous, your dog will be nervous.  The best bet for you is to take your dog to the vet or to a groomer to have nails trimmed.  It only takes a few minutes and your dogs tootsies will thank you.

May 22 2006

Teach Your Dog A New Trick

Dogs get bored without the proper stimulation and people get bored with the same old tricks. How about mixing it up a bit by teaching your pup how to Roll Over.

Loveyourdog.com has an extensive list of dog tricks and they even have great videos to show exactly what to do.

Loveyourdog recommends the following when teaching your dog to roll over: "TIP: Only roll your dog on soft surfaces like carpet or grass so he doesn't hurt his back. Some dogs don't like to roll over. It can be a little scary for them to put their belly up. Try it a few times and but if it's not fun for your dog, choose another trick."

Have some fun and give your dog something new to learn.

May 22 2006

Do It Yourself Project - Build A Dog House

You all know that your furry friends need shelter in the summer heat. Here is a great project for all of you do it yourselfers that will give your favorite canine a place to call their own.

May 20 2006

A Healthy Mouth

Dogs don't usually have dental problems but it doesn't mean that you should ignore their teeth. My dentist recommends a weekly brushing with a soft toothbrush and a pet safe toothpaste.

The toothpaste we like best is Triple Pet All Natural Toothpaste.
Triple Pet is made from ingredients you know and is all natural. The cool vanilla flavor tastes good and makes dog breath a thing of the past.

"With a natural vanilla flavor that pets love, this natural toothpaste contains a tartar control formula and a touch of tea tree oil for healthy gums. Non-foaming, so no rinsing is necessary."

May 20 2006

Don't Get Burned

Doggles Pet Sunscreen - 2 oz. Now available - sunscreen for your pets! Why put human sunscreen on your dog when you can use a formula designed specifically for a dog's skin. Does your dog have light colored skin or a pink nose? Your dog needs sunscreen! Dogs have more sensitive skin that humans and thus do better with their own sunscreen. Will also help with coat condition and help prevent sun bleaching in dark haired animals. 2oz. spray SPF 15

May 20 2006

Meet the Breed

Are you looking for a new friend or just curious about the other pups that are out there? Here is my new feature - Meet The Breed - where I will give you a glimpse into different breeds. There are dogs breeds you may be familiar with any many you may have never heard of.

Today's Meet the Breed is me, a Chinese Shar Pei. Shar Pei, translated means Sand Skin and it doesn't refer to wrinkles or color, it refers to texture. Shar Pei's are not soft but rather stickery. Our most recognizable feature of course, is our wrinkles. When Shar Pei's are little, there are lots and lots of wrinkles but we kind of grow into our skin and most end up with wrinkles on the neck and back. Shar Pei's have blue-black tongues like Chow Chows and a hippopotamus-like muzzle.

Wikipedia says: "The Shar Pei breed comes from the Guangzhou province of China where it was well-known as a fighting and guard dog. Originally, it was an all-purpose utility dog of poorer farmers and had fewer wrinkles; when the British introduced dog fighting to China in the late 19th century, it was the breed best suited for this purpose due to its size and strength."

May 19 2006

You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

The black dog has been peeing in the house for months and I was sure that Mom was going to lock him outside for good. The good news is she didn't. The bad news is she did something to the floor that makes it hurt to walk on.

The solution to the problem was a Scat Mat that we got from Petsmart. It is a clear plastic mat that you lay on the furniture or on the floor. It has a little controller that is powered by a 9 volt battery. The mat emits a shock when it is stepped on and believe me, it gets your attention.

"American and Canadian humane societies, the Canadian Council on Animal Welfare, and the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association have deemed Scat Mats an acceptable product for use in situations where positive reinforcement is not effective. They consider the Scat Mat to be a humane, and potentially life-saving product."

Last night was so funny. Dad got up to go to the bathroom and stepped on the mat. He yelled really loud and Mom woke up and started laughing.

Our house no longer smells bad because the black dog only goes potty outside now.

Apr 27 2006

Too Much Stuff

Have you ever noticed that people have too much stuff and dogs can get by with so little. A lot of the stuff people have could be thrown away and they would never even notice. I know this is true because yesterday the Golden ate a pillow off of the bed and Mom said "That's okay, we have more". Why do they have all that stuff?

Everything I own could fit in a bag. Here's my stuff: ball, ball, ball, ball, collar, ball, leash, ball, blanket, ball, ball, ball and food dish. That's it. I don't have a room full of doors with kibble, there is one container. I don't have two hundred pairs of shoes or a dozen pairs of sunglasses.

People have too much stuff. When Mom and Dad go away, us dogs go to the vacation place and we take all of our stuff. Everything we own goes with us and it all fits in one bag. Mom's purse has more stuff in it than any human could possibly need (and she can never find her keys).

I know that if I had the chance, all of people's stuff would be gone and the house would be clutter free.

Apr 22 2006

Booooo Rufus Didn't Win

I just realized that I am watching a rerun. I guess I missed the live presentation.

I am so disappointed that Rufus didn't win the AKC Eukanuba Dog Show. The winner was a Bloodhound names Knotty. Okay, you got to give him credit, he is gorgeous, but he's no Rufus.

Oh well, back to my nap.

Apr 22 2006

AKC Eukanuba Dog Show

I am watching The Animal Planet right now and they have the dog show on. I want Rufus to win. He is soooo handsome! I heard that he only associates with purebreds so maybe I have a chance! Did you see the way he wags his tail? Win Rufus, Win!

Apr 22 2006

Raining Cats & Dogs

Wow, it's almost May and it still feels like winter. Me and my friends had to stay inside all day because it was pouring outside. I'm sick of the rain. I want to play outside and lay in the sun. Come on Mother Nature, give us a break!

Apr 20 2006

Lets Go Shopping

Have you heard?  December 13th is the day that "A Dog's Life:  A Dogamentary" comes out on DVD.  This is a great movie about, what else, dogs and their lives!!!  Check out the web site www.dogamentary.com and see Chelsea, the Shih Tzu Diva.  Oh, I wish I had her life.  She is so talented and beautiful. 

Now, put it on your calendar - December 13th - and get that DVD for all of your dog friends (and their people).

Apr 20 2006

A Really Bad Day

Mom has been too busy to type for me.  I have so much to tell you but I just don't have the skills to put it in writing.  Mom promised me this morning that when she got home from work she would help me. 

Yesterday was a really bad day.  I like weekends when my people stay home and I really wanted Mom to stay home today because I had a tummy ache.  I tried to stay in bed but the Golden kept wanting to play.  We were running through the house chasing each other when I realized I was in trouble.  My tummy was turning and next thing you know, projectile vomiting.  I got sick in the living room, the dining room, the hallway, the theater and the bedroom before I could get outside.