Archive for December, 2009

New years is almost here and the American Kennel Club has already started thinking about what dogs around the nation will be coming up with as their resolutions! The list, which is listed below, can be a fun way for you to think about the new year with your dog. Will you help these resolutions become a reality, or will you choose something else that’ll get two paws up from your pup? While you think about your dog’s resolutions, consider some of these picks from the AKC:

10.  Owner on floor, dog in bed.
9.  Stop begging and actually get a seat at the dinner table.
8.  Give up the dream of ever catching my tail.
7.  Bark like a big dog but still get cuddled on lap like a little dog.
6.  Get back at cat for litter box incident.
7.  Find every bone I ever buried.
4.  No more haircuts!
3.  Become alpha dog in my house. Well, at least stop letting the cat push me around.
2.  Invent goggles that allow me to see the electric fence.
1.  Finally pass that darn AKC Canine Good Citizen test.

Have you thought of a good resolution for your pet? How about for you in relation to your dog? Share with us in the comments and we’ll post your resolutions!

2009 was one turbulent year for the world, and we’re looking forward to a great 2010! We recently met the great people behind Ruff Ride, who just published their very witty new book, enhanced by photos of adorable dogs! We all need a little smile in our lives, and what could bring more cheer that seeing a cute dog and a funny witticism?

Definitely head on over and check out the Ruff Ride book, and tell them we said hello!

We recently had the pleasure of getting to know the great people behind Paw Prints Life (formerly Paw Prints Pet Photography), and wanted to introduce our readers to them, too! Paw Prints Life is a wonderful pet photography business, as well as now branching out into pet (and people!) gifts.

Rebecca Forrest and Virgil Sweeden are the faces behind Paw Prints Life, and we applaud their dedication to their business and wish them continued success! Be sure to check them out, and if you live around Dayton, Ohio, we encourage you to visit their pet photography studios with your dog!

Pups The Traveling Labrador is one of the most fun pet blogs we’ve had the pleasure of coming across. Pups is a plush Black Labrador who has been traveling the globe for the last three and a half years with friends and family members, and taking photos everywhere he goes! Pups’s mom found Pups at a small boutique store a few years ago, and Pups was welcomed into a family complete with his brother, Garth Milo, a 10 year old Black Labrador!

Check out the “Puparazzi” section, where you can view fun photos of Pups in some of the great locations he’s visited! Everyone’s talking about Pups, so check out his “Press” page to see the spotlight he’s getting!

The holidays are here and if you really want to make a difference this Christmas, consider opening your heart and your home to a pup in need from a local shelter or rescue. Adopting a dog during this time of year is quite possibly the best gift you can give, to both your family and to the lucky pup.

In your area alone, there are probably hundreds of animals in need of a warm, safe, and loving home during this time of year – and don’t just think that the dogs are the only ones who deserve to come home. Grant the Christmas wish of a dog, cat, bird, fish, horse, pig, or other creature this year by bringing one home and caring for it with love. Trust us – your holiday season has never been quite so special.

Adopt a pet this holiday season and give yourself the gift of a companion while at the same time, giving the gift of home to a lucky furry, fishy, or feathered friend.

Happy Holidays!

This guest post is brought to you by Dr. Susan Wright, a veterinarian with a passion for keeping dogs healthy. She is the staff veterinarian for Dog Fence DIY, who will help you choose the right pet containment system to fit your needs. They are always here to help with installation and the proper training of your new system. Dog Fence DIY has a variety of electric fence for dogs systems at the best available prices.

As the saying goes, dog is a man’s best friend. We all want our best friend to be healthy and live a long life, right? It is a good idea to examine your dog’s body on a regular basis for any irregularities. Create a simple system and follow it consistently so you don’t miss anything.
There are a number of areas on your dog’s body that you can examine to get an idea of his general health.

1. Look at his head – Take a look at his eyes and make sure that they have no discharge. They should be bright, with no sign of redness or loss of hair around them. Check his ears for any discharge or bad smell. Also make sure that the inside flap of his ears are not red or irritated. Open his mouth and examine his teeth. A little doggie breath is fine, but it should not be offensive. When looking at his teeth, keep an eye out for tartar and any brown discoloration of the teeth, particularly the molars at the back of his mouth.

2. Check his neck and torso – Take your hands and run them over his coat. Be on the lookout for any excessively dryness of his coat, and feel for any scabs on his skin. His ribs should not be prominent; this may indicate that your dog is ill or not getting enough food. Also be on the lookout for any abnormal lumps and bumps. They may be harmless but it is always good to be aware of them, so that you’ll be able to monitor their growth over time. The rump and the tail end are the typical site for flea allergies and irritations. Make sure there’s no hair loss or inflammation in this area.

3. Next, his limbs and feet – As with his neck and torso, check your dog’s skin and coat for any redness, scabs or irregularities. Examine between his toes to make sure there is no soreness. Look at his toenails to see if they are too long, and make sure the dew claw is not curling over and growing into his pad.

4. Lastly, his bottom – This is the least pleasant part to check but is just as important as any other. Have a look under his tail for irregularities. For male dogs, you will need to feel the testicles for any weird lumps and or hardening; as this may indicate the formation of tumors. For female dogs, check for vaginal discharge or any scalding around the vulva. This can mean urine soiling and incontinence.

Be sure to do regular checks to monitor your dog’s condition over time. It allows you to spend quiet quality time with your dog, and he may even enjoy it, as it feels like a massage. If any abnormalities occur, get them checked out by your vet. The sooner you have him treated, the quicker he’ll be back to normal.

It’s true! We’re helping pups and pet owners alike save on their favorite treats, toys, and more this holiday season by upping our sale! Instead of saving 60% off all of your favorite doggie delights, you’ll now be able to take advantage of 75% off savings! Seriously – we want you to save that much!

This holiday season, don’t just shop for your pet at the local bargain bin store. Instead, get them something that’s really special by shopping the selection at K9Healthsolutions.com. You’ll save a ton, you’ll love the selection, and your dog will love the gift. So tell us – what’s not to love?

Save up to 75% off your favorite treats, toys, and more by shopping at K9Healthsolutions.com today!

Getting a new puppy can be so much fun. After all, you’re both going to be experiencing something new and exciting, however, once you get that pup home, there’s more to do than just play. It’s also time to begin your dog’s training and in order to do that, you’re going to have to pick a name for your little four-legged friend.

Naming a pet may seem simple at first, but once you try to do it, it can actually turn out to be harder than you thought. With so many names out there, it’s no wonder that dog owners find it overwhelming! However, there are a few tips that you can try when picking the perfect name for your pooch.

First off, think about names that your pet can easily identify and respond to. Not only will this make training easier, but it’ll also make it easier for others to remember your pet’s name. Also, consider your dog’s age and try to choose a name that can grow with your pet.

You can also try drawing upon the dog’s breed heritage for some useful inspiration. Depending on what breed your dog is, you can choose names that are native to where that breed came from. For example, French poodles can be named Marie, Jacques, Pierre, or Cherie. If you’d rather not focus on the heritage, or if you don’t know your dog’s history, you can also look at your dog’s appearance for inspiration. Focus in on personality or physical traits and pick a name that compliments them.

Finally, when all else fails, buy a baby or pet name book. These can be incredibly helpful when trying to choose a name, especially if you’re not even sure what direction to go in. Flip through and make note of certain names you like, then, go back over them until you narrow it down to the perfect name!