Archive for May, 2010

Starting May 31st we’ll be hitting the airwaves! Frederick, Maryland residents can check us out in two new and exciting ways thanks to FM WFRE and AM WFMD.

First off, you can listen for our awesome new commercial, Monday through Friday 5 am to midnight, where you’ll hear all about the natural solutions we offer to help your dog be his best.

The other way we’re hitting those airwaves is through WFMD and WFRE’s Pet of the Week Feature. Every Tuesday, these stations bring in a pet from the Frederick County Animal Control Center that’s up for adoption. If a family adopts the featured pet, we’ll donate an awesome gift pack to help care for their new addition. So if you’re looking to adopt a pet and score some great finds from K9HealthSolutions.com, be sure to listen every Tuesday!

Finally, be sure to check us out on the station websites!

Thank you for all of the support and hey, who knows? Maybe Rakker will be the next big thing to hit the airwaves!

We all love to travel during the summer, but something we never love is leaving our dogs behind. However, there are some great ways that you can ensure that your dog is cared for while you are away. One way is to board your dog at a kennel. Dog kennels can be great places to leave your pet while you are away, especially if you cannot leave your dog with a relative. However, choosing the right dog kennel can be tough. Not to worry though, K9HealthSolutions.com has you covered.

Check out our tips for choosing the right dog kennel:

1.) Do not be afraid to look at kennels that are more modern and instead of keeping your dog cooped up all week, they allow for him to run outside and play – kind of like a little doggie camp or resort! These are great for your dog as they allow for him to stay active and make your departure easier to handle.

2.) Take a tour of the facility before you decide to have your dog board there. Ask lots of questions and get a feel for how the place operates. Pay attention to cleanliness, the quality of dog supplies used to care for the boarders, adherence to specific codes, how the dogs are treated, and the staff. If you feel comfortable, ask for more information. Then, you can start thinking about rates.

3.) Ask if the kennel will allow for you to bring your own food. If so, make sure that they stick with your specifications for feeding times and amounts. Also, check to see if the facility will let you bring your own bedding and toys as this ensures that your dog feels more comfortable.

4.) Ask about the training the staff has with boarding. Are they experienced? Do they know how to handle all kinds of dogs? Are they familiar with dealing with dog anxiety from separation from their owners?

5.) Look at different extras that the facility provides. Does it have staff take time to actually play with your pup? Do they allow the dogs to interact with one another? Is there a vet on staff in case something happens? Can there be health monitoring while you are away, especially if you have an older dog? Choose a place that can offer what you need to care for your dog in the best way possible.

Did you know that it only takes minutes for a pet to succumb to heatstroke or exhaustion when left in a car on a hot day? Most people don’t realize that parked cars can be dangerous hazards for pets. On an 80 degree day, temperatures in a car parked in the shade can soar over 90 degrees. If the car is parked in the sun, the car can reach a scorching 160 degrees or higher.

No matter how quick you think you’ll be or how little time your dog may spend in the car, don’t leave your pet in the heat. Rolling down a window or parking in the shade doesn’t guarantee protection either, since temperatures can still climb into the danger zone. Pets simply can’t sweat to regulate body temperature like humans do – they only can pant or sweat through their paws. Without cool air to breathe, your dog will collapse and possibly die, not to mention, the heat can do other things to harm your pet. Even a raised body temperature can harm your dog by damaging the cardiovascular system, nervous system, or leaving him impaired for the rest of his life.

Never leave your dog in a hot car, no matter the amount of time. If it’s going to be hot, leave your dog at home. If you see a dog in a car on a hot day, be sure to note the make, model, color, and tag of the car and go into the business and ask the manager to page the car owner. Also, call the police, who can respond fast to the report of an endangered animal.

If you’ve been looking for a dog blog and community that has all of the best info on caring for your dog, finding great pet products, and even picking out pet insurance, then you’ve gotta check out Dogtime.com.

Run by a group that has years of experience “raising dogs, writing about dogs, rescuing dogs, training dogs, walking dogs, falling in love with and having our hearts broken by dogs,” the staff at Dogtime is a great group who loves to share great advice and care tips so that dogs can get the best life possible.

Plus, their site includes a great blog network, which connects other dog bloggers over their blog posts. Tons of great information – all in one place!

Finally, Dogtime.com has lots of great things on the horizon. According to their site, they’re hoping to add online training classes offered by experts Ian and Kelly Dunbar, a dog adoption center, and an area to swap dog advice on boarding options, vets, parks, and more!

If you love dogs as much as we do, check out Dogtime.com. It’s definitely something to bark about!

Mmm…there’s nothing better than bacon and cheese! Give your dog something to bark about by serving up some cheesy bacon bites the next time he’s been a good dog!

¾ cup whole wheat flour
1 ½ cups rolled oats
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2/3 cup wheat germ
2/3 cup light brown sugar
½ pound of cooked bacon – drained and crumbled into bits
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 stick of margarine, softened
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix well and set aside. In a separate mixing bowl, mix, the butter and sugar and then add egg. Mix well. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture and combine. Stir in the remaining ingredients until well incorporated. Then, using a spoon, drop dough by the rounded teaspoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet for a minute or two before moving to a cooling rack. Serve and store in an airtight container.