You and your dog both need some exercise, especially after being cooped up all winter long. So now, as spring approaches, you can be sure that there’ll be plenty for you to enjoy with your pup. Games of fetch, tug of war, and even just laying down in the grass in the sunshine can be fun activities that can let you spend more time with your dog – but you can’t do them if you don’t get outside!

We know it can be tempting to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of spring cleaning and other events, but it’s important for you and your dog to get out there and get some exercise while the temperatures stay mild. Going for a run, walk, or jog with your pup can be a great way for you to get exercise, or if you have a bike, feel free to go on a light bike ride with your dog. Frisbees, ball, or even tug of war can also be a great way for you to get some exercise with your pup.

Get outside and play! It’s good for both of you!

1.) Hide and Seek: This game is great for both playing outdoors and indoors and can be a useful training tool for dogs To play hide and seek, put your dog on a sit or down wait command. Then hide – but be careful! Sometimes your dog will peek! Then, once you’re ready to call him, give your dog a call and wait for him to find you! If he finds you once he’s called, give him a treat and tell him how good of a job he’s done!

2.) Fetch: Everyone loves this classic game and as long as you have some space and a lightweight ball, you’re good to go. Just toss the ball and have your dog bring it back to you. Do keep in mind to not choose a ball that’s too hard or too small as it can be dangerous for your pup. A tennis ball is usual a great fit. Also, remember to lavish your dog with praise when it brings back the ball well!

3.) Tug-Of-War: This game is a great for dogs that love to chew. Start out by getting a tug or a rope toy that can be used for your dog’s chewing habits. Don’t use clothing or socks. Then, grab one end and let your dog grab the other. He’ll use his instincts to start tugging at the rope – just remember to hold on! When the game gets to serious or if your dog starts getting agitated, take a break and give your pup a good belly rub.

We hope you’ll head on over to the Hound Dawg Blog and read their great posts! Tobi has such a positive, happy outlook on life, and it’s so much fun to read her posts and get a peek into life living with two adorable hounds.

Dinovite Liquid

K9HealthSolutions.com is proud to announce that we now carry a new and very cool product that’s sure to make it easier than ever to supplement your pup.

Dinovite Liquid is a new form of the classic supplement that pet owners love and instead of coming in a powdered form that has to be scooped and mixed, this new product comes in an easy squeeze tube that makes dosage for your pet easy. Just measure out a spoonful or two (whichever is best for your dog’s size) and then mix it in with either wet or dry food to give your dog the nutrient boost he needs.

Not only is this product easy, but it still delivers the same benefits and the same formula as regular Dinovite. Don’t worry Dinovite faithfuls – nothing has changed in your favorite supplement! You don’t have to change and you don’t have to worry. Dinovite Liquid is just the same, only in a different form!

So go ahead, give Dinovite Liquid a try and see how it makes it easier than ever to supplement your pup so he gets the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals needed to stay healthy and happy!

The wintry months of the year are a tough time for many dog shelters, especially if they are amongst the wide number of facilities that rely heavily on the generous donations of others. Snow removal and heating costs alone make it difficult for many facilities to survive the season. Now, more than ever, shelters and humane societies need your help.

Now is the time to give to your local shelter, or better yet, make your house a home by adopting a pet. Dogs are always in need of a home no matter what the time of year, but in these trying times, it’s crucial for homes to open their doors to the possibility of finding lifelong companions in terriers, Labradors, and countless other breeds that spent the winter in a shelter.

Give or take home a pet you’ll love for a lifetime. Make March the month where you finally commit to adopting a special dog from your local shelter.

Ingredients
1 cup fresh baby spinach
¾ cup of mixed vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrots
¼ cup plain fat free yogurt
½ cup applesauce, unsweetened
2 ½ cups whole wheat flour
½ teaspoon of baking powder
½ teaspoon of plain yogurt (for glaze)
2 teaspoons water (for glaze)

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Then, finely chop the spinach and vegetables. Add veggies to a large mixing bowl along with yogurt and applesauce. Mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. Add to the veggie mixture a little bit at a time and stir. Knead the dough until firm. Roll into a ball and roll out on a floured surface to about ½ inch thick.

Then, using a cookie cutter, cut out dog treat shapes. Place the treats on a lightly greased baking sheet and set aside. In a small bowl, mix together the water and yogurt. Brush each dog treat with the yogurt glaze using a pastry brush. Bake for about 20 minutes and let cool completely before serving.

To store these treats, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, or in the freezer for 6 months.

1.) If Dogs Could Talk by Vilmos Csanyi
This book is a bit more scientific and details a variety of different experiments involving our furry, four-legged friends, but it proves interesting for any dog lover who wants to learn about how dogs think and learn. Definitely gets you thinking!

2.) For the Love of a Dog by Patricia B. McConnell
This fabulous read focuses on the emotions of dogs and of the people who interact with them through a series of personal stories, behavior guides, and anecdotes about how dogs view the world. A great book for any dog owner.

3.) Bones Would Rain from the Sky by Suzanne Clothier
Filled with practical training advice, this book challenges dog owners to think about the differences between dogs and human being s and how we both can improve communication to be happier – and have more fun!

4.) Marley and Me by John Grogan
Everyone has heard about this story of a man and his wife and their foray into parenthood by adopting a puppy named “Marley,” but if you’re looking for a great piece that warms the heart, brings laughs, and just generally makes you feel good about your relationship with your dog, you’ve found the right book.

Want to make one of these books shine as a gift? Add on a custom or homemade bookmark featuring your loved one’s dog or favorite breed, or include this gift as the final flourish on a dog-themed Valentine’s Day date where you enjoy dinner, a movie, and maybe even a nice walk in the park – with the dog, of course!

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2/3 cup water
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons soy flour, low fat
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk
1 tablespoon dried liver powder
1 tablespoon bone meal flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg – beaten, divided (1/2 in recipe, 1/2 in glaze)
2 tablespoons cooking oil
3 tablespoons wheat germ

Directions
First, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Then, in a separate bowl, combine the rest of the dry ingredients. To the dry ingredients, add half of the beaten egg, oil, and then the yeast mixture. Mix well until a dough forms.

Remove dough from bowl and knead on a well-floured surface until the dough is firm. Add dough to an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until it nearly doubles in size. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. After the dough has risen, roll out and shape into pretzels. Place the pretzels on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and brush them with the remainder of the beaten egg. Sprinkle with wheat germ. Return to oven and bake at 300 degrees for about 15 minutes or until they are nicely browned and firm.

Way back when we started this blog, we introduced you to a very special dog: Rakker. This spectacular dog is very special to us and we consider him to be one of the inspirations for starting up K9HealthSolutions.com.

The story of how this business was started is really rather unique. The owner of K9HealthSolutions.com, Jeff Button, was working at the Pentagon Police Department as a Bomb Dog Handler and his assigned canine, Rakker, a Belgian Malinois, had developed some severe digestive issues and was also shedding like crazy. They tried everything to help him…and nothing worked.

Then, one of Jeff’s coworkers mentioned a product called Dinovite. Jeff read all the information and felt it was probably too good to be true but decided to give it a try for Rakker’s sake. Within about a month the problems were gone and the then 8 year-old Rakker was once again acting like a puppy.

Dinovite was able to help Rakker be the best Bomb Dog he could be, and in turn, it inspired Jeff to start up a business where other dog owners with similar problems could find a solution that would really work. That all happened back in 2007.

Since then, K9HealthSolutions.com has developed into one of the top retailers of Dinovite, as well as other dog care products, with Rakker as a chief tester of any new toys, treats, or other dog care supplies we add to our selection.

Jeff resigned his position as a Police K-9 Handler to take on the business full time and his old partner Rakker was granted retirement. He still lives with Jeff and his wife Joanna today – and he still gets his daily dose of Dinovite.

1.Keep your dog warm and dry as best as possible.

2.Avoid taking your dog around other dogs, as that’s how illnesses are easily spread.

3.Limit time spent outdoors in cold weather, as a cold will cause the bronchial passages to constrict, making it harder for your dog to breathe.

4.Try to run a vaporizer near your dog’s sleeping area to keep his bronchial tubes moistened.

5.Do not give your dog over the counter medicines since they are not meant for dogs. If your pet needs something stronger to kick his sniffles, talk to your vet.

6.You could give your dog some warm chicken broth to keep him happy and hydrated.

7.Try turning your bathroom into a steam room by running the shower very hot and then having your dog breathe in the steam for a few minutes. This will help loosen any congestion that might have built up.

8.As your dog starts to get better, be sure to disinfect his food bowls, toys, and bedding so that he won’t get himself or others sick.

9.Older dogs and puppies should always be taken to the vet when they get a cold, even if they are in good health. Very young or very old dogs can be more susceptible to complications from a cold.

10.Boost his immunity by supplementing his food with Dinovite. It’s not a cure, but it can help your dog keep up his overall level of health so that he can fight off infections like the common cold.