Archive for February 2013

It’s cold out and giving your dog lots of fun playtime inside is a great idea. However, BestBullySticks.com knows your dog still needs lots of sunshine and fresh air. Outdoor winter play just takes a little planning. That’s why we’ve come up with a few ideas to help you and Fido enjoy your time outdoors, even if it is a bit chilly.

The Right Attire
Just like you, your dog will need protection from the elements when going outside in cold winter weather. If snow is involved, make sure you keep a waterproof coat on shorthaired dogs. Dog boots are also a good choice as ice and salted roads can cause paw irritation. Musher’s Secret is also great for protection for paws and toes during the winter. Always keep proper identification on your dog; more dogs get lost during the winter season than any other.

Food Games
Take your dog on a walk and with each block you go, treat your dog to special treats. This will entice your dog and give him energy to keep going.

Play hide and seek in the snow with a desirable treat, like a bully stick! Tuck a bully stick under the snow or in a remote place in your yard and let Fido loose. His powerful sense of smell will guide him to the treat and he’ll love finding it!

A Good Run
Even though it’s cold a brisk walk or run around your neighborhood is great for you and your dog! Both of your bodies will warm up and you’ll be expending excess energy from being cooped up in the house!

Snow Games
Most dogs love a good romp in the snow. If your dog is a snow lover, let him run wild! Tossing a snowball, making snow angels and even eating snow (but not the yellow kind) will invigorate your dog and wear him out! Playing fetch with flying disc or tennis ball is a regular play activity that snow just makes more fun. These routine activities are even slightly more difficult because of snow, which makes for a worn out dog. Read more

Whether it's shoes, crayons or trash, we've all seen our pets eat some pretty strange things. But why do they do it? Although pets can't tell us why they engage in certain behaviors, experts have studied some of the common behaviors in pets like eating poop and grass and drinking toilet water and feel as though they have a not-so-strange answer for why pets act the way they do. If your dog is engaging in one of these behaviors, find out why here.

Cat Nip for Canines

Dogs react to anise seed the same way that cats react to catnip! Anise seed comes from a flowering anise plant. The seed's licorice-like taste is common in Mediterranean cooking (maybethat's why dogs love em!). According to WebMD, the seed hasmedical benefitstoo. It is believed to aid digestion,treat coughs,menstrualcramps and helps alleviate the symptoms of Scabies and Psoriasis. Strangely enough the plant is also used as aninsecticide against species of termites and cockroaches. Do not confuse this seed toStar anise. Unlike anise seed, Star anisecomes from the star-shaped flower of a small evergreen and is aningredient in Chinese 5-spice powder. Make your poochhomemade anise seed dog treatsor secure seeds into their favorite toy!

Poop

Eating feces is a common dog behavior, Theresa A.Fuess, Ph.D. of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, explains that feces eating, also known as coprophagia , is not done because of a dietary or enzyme deficiency, but that it is more commonly a behavioral habit picked up when dogs are just puppies.

Dr. Jo AnnEurell, a veterinarian and animal behavior specialist retired from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, states that dogs are scavengers, and that this behavior is common. She also notes that mother dogs often eat their puppies' feces in an effort to clean their den and keep the smell of the puppies away. This behavior can be picked up by puppies, although most shake it off when they are weaned. If a dog has this habit, be sure to regularly clean up feces in the yard and to keep litter boxes out of reach, asEurellexplains that fixing this problem is more of a prevention than a cure. Read more

It's Friday!! Did you miss any of BestBullySticks.com BARK-tastic blogs this week?  If you did miss any of the Winter Play/Clean Canine Canines/Comfort Food Making/Westminster Newbie fun, catch up before Monday with all of this week's great BBS Blogs!

So snuggle up to your favorite pooch (or pooches) and read the BBS Healthy Dog Blog! Happy Weekend Reading! Click the links below to find out more about:

Tip #200: Indoor Winter Play Ideas • Awareness Spotlight: Dental Health Month •  Turkey Pot Hold-The-Pie Dog Treats • Breed Spotlight on the Treeing Walker Coonhound

Valentines Day is almost here! Show off your dog's kissy face in BBS's Pucker Up, Pup Photo Video Contest! Enter or Vote here: http://bit.ly/12w4YHA

Also in your free time this weekend, check out our fun Pinterest Page! We've got TONS of great dog videos, adorable dog photos, funny dog photos, DIY dog project and more!

Do you have a “Man’s Man” in your family? An all-around example of what being a man is supposed to be? Well, get ready to meet the “Hound’s Hound”. The Treeing Walker Coonhound is commonly referred to the best hound breed because they exhibit all the best qualities of its relative breeds. Whether on the hunt or in the home, the Treeing Walker Hound is one of best! Read more about this hound in BestBullySticks.com’s Spotlight on the Treeing Walker Coonhound.

History & Background: Treeing Walker Coonhounds are descendants of the Walker Foxhound, which is from the family of English Foxhounds that came to America. After Thomas Walker imported the English Foxhound to Virginia in 1742 and the breed didn’t change until the 1800s when a stolen dog was bred to create a new breed called the Walker Hound or “Tennessee Lead.” However, it wasn’t until the 1940s that the Treeing Walker Coonhound was recognized as a distinct breed. Through selective breeding, this dog has excellent hunting abilities, including it’s signature move to “tree” game.

“Treeing” means the dog will track game, then follow it to the tree where the game has run, usually accompanied by placing the front paws up on the tree trunk. A fast, smart hunter that is able to find game quickly and has incredible endurance, the Treeing Walker Coonhound has been called a trailing hound with treeing instinct. Usually this dog goes after small game such as raccoons and opossums. Though this dog is still used as a reliable hunting dog, it’s also known as a wonderful family pet.

This year marks the first time the Treeing Walker Coonhound be at Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Watch the Treeing Walker compete in the show ring on February 11^th at 8 pm est on CNBC. Read more

Super Howl 2013 was an exciting giveaway full of cute dogs and amazing animal rescues and shelters. BestBullySticks.com is happy to announce and share with you the Finalists's photos and their stories so you can meet the winners! 

Southwest Michigan German Shepherd Rescue
Augusta, MI • Dog: Miya (pictured above) • Grand Prize Winner: $1,725

Miya, a German Shepherd, plays with her friends Frankie and Beamer. Miya was rescued from a kill facility, brought into rescue, and recently adopted out into a loving family. Miya's best sport is KARATE.

Rescuzilla
New York, NY • Dog: Pink Floyd • Round 3 Winner: $525

Floyd is the BEST SPORT because he represents the fact that contrary to popular stereotypes, NOT all rescue animals are neglected or mistreated or have "issues". Floyd had a loving family of 4 adults, 2 teens, 1 child, and a kitty friend who are now homeless and could no longer keep him. Now he's living it up in foster care without a care in the world, transferring all the playing and snuggling skills that they instilled in him onto the next lucky human. 

Community Animal Rescue & Adoption (CARA)
Jackson, MS • Dog: Junior • Round 2 Winner: $225

Junior is the world's biggest Pittsburgh Steelers' fan! He never misses a game on TV. Junior is one of 13 puppies found discarded in a dumpster in December 2011. He was cared for and adopted through Community Animal Rescue & Adoption in Jackson, MS.

Golden Retriever Club of Great Los Angeles Rescue
Los Angeles, CA • Dog: Roo • Round 2 Winner: $225

Roo is a 2-year-old male who was found in a field. He is blind and his front legs are not fully developed, but this doesn’t stop this inspirational boy – he has no idea he has a disability. Roo gets around on his own, and with help using a Helpmeup harness and his wheelchair. He loves people and is very affectionate, and also enjoys other dogs. He is currently staying in two foster homes playing with his foster brothers and getting lots of love from his amazing foster parents.

 Anarchy Animal Rescue
New York, NY • Dog: CoCo • Round 1 Winner: $75

I might look like Grumpy Cat but I am the Best Sport!! Love, CoCo

Bully Project
New York, NY • Dog: Baci • Round 1 Winner: $75

Baci's "Best Sport" is chewing on toys and hollow bones and then finding the cutest spot to rest. And she is our "Best Sport" because she dealt with a prolonged recovery from cherry eye surgery like a champ!

Chicago Pit Stop
 Chicago, IL • Dog: Dr. Hooligan • Round 1 Winner: $75

"Dr. Hooligan" is such a good sport in letting his dad, Chicago Bears linebacker, Nick Roach and mom, Anna-Marie suit him up to show support for his rescue, Chicago Pit Stop Rescue! Dr. Hooligan was rescued from Chicago Animal Care and Control where he had been sitting on death row for a month until Chicago Pit Stop Rescue (CPSR) pulled him. His parents quickly became 'foster failures' after Dr. H fit right in with the family along with sisters Tahoe and Bella. CPSR pulls more pit bulls from CACC than any other group and can only do so with YOUR support. 

Liberty Humane Society
Jersey City, NJ • Dog: Tucky (left) • Round 1 Winner: $75
Tucky (pictured left) was at LHS for 8 months, but that never got his spirits down. He is an incredibly happy dog that brightens everyone's day. Tucky has severe food allergies, which often caused him to get passed over by adopters. He even got adopted and was returned because, ironically, the family was severely allergic to him. Tucky went to a foster home during Hurricane Sandy where he stayed until he was adopted. Tucky now has a sister, Koko (pictured right), and an amazing forever family!