Dog Care 101

Do you know what time it is? It's bath time!  Bath time with your dog should be fun, relaxing and good bonding experience for you both. Cleanliness and proper grooming sessions are good for your dogs overall health. Remember your dog should only be bath as needed. Over bathing your dog can strip away their natural, protective oils, dry out there already sensitive skin. Here are some tips that will make sudsing up your muddy & dirty pup a breeze. So go ahead and take the plunge!

1. Location! You can bath your dog in your tub at home or go to a a self service dog wash. These self service dog wash not only  make it easier to bath your pooch.  not to mention easier on your knees and back. Small dogs can be bath in your sink. If you decide to bath your dog outside consider hooking up the hot water to the hose to get the water warm, because no dog likes cold water.

2. Bath Supplies- Whether you are bathing your dog at home or at a self service dog wash gathering the right bath time supplies is key.

• Soft, absorbent towels. Beach towels work well for larger dogs.
• Doggie Soap-free Shampoo. Products containing natural ingredients are often best.
• Brushes and combs -- choose the right weapon of choice to tackle that matted coat. depending on your dog's hair type.
• Bath mat so you and your dog won't slip and hurt your funny bone.
• Appropriate attire that you don't mind getting wet.
• Treats galore!!

Prior to putting your dog in the tub don't forget to brush to remove  tangles or mats, which can be harder to deal with once your dog is wet.

3. Soak up!-Get your dog wet from head to paw but make sure you test the waters first to make sure it is not to hot or to cold. Making sure to avoid your dogs eyes & ears. Many dogs have water resistant coats so make sure your dog is properly soaked. To prevent your dog from shaking and soaking you from head to toe keep one hand on his or her head.

4. Apply Shampoo- Lather up your dogs wet coat with shampoo that contains a moisturizer, but be cautious & avoid eyes, face & gential area. Apply a little bit at a time to avoid using to much. One lathering trick is to mix 2 part shampoo with one part water. For easier application you can put the mixer in a spray bottle or plastic container.

5. Scrub a Dub Dub!- Take your time to rub, scrub & massage your dogs coat for 10-15 minutes before rinsing. Don't forget to clean their dirty paws. Using a rubber scrubber made for dogs help with the massaging.

6. Time to Rinse!-  Throughly rinse & remove all shampoo lather & residue  by applying a warm stream of water to your dogs coat. Do not forget to rinse your dogs paws, skin folds or crevices.

7. Shake & Dry- This is the part your dog has been waiting for, so stand back and let your dog have a good shake. You can finish the job by gently squeezing out excess water and then drying him with towels. If you do decide to use a fur dryer make sure to put it on low or no heat. If you bathe your dog at a self-service tub, a forced-air dryer might be available. Careful -- these dryers are powerful so turn it up as high as your dog tolerates. But make sure to stay away from the face, eyes and ears. Once completely dry, thoroughly brush your dog out.

8. Spot is Spotless! Now that you have a clean, perhaps you should bring the fun indoors so your dog can avoid mud puddles & mud pies. Don't forget to praise & reward your dog with treats for being such a good boy or girl.

Please make sure to check out our growing selection of dog treats, dog chews and of course bully sticks. Also, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for Best Bully Stick News, New Products & Discounts!!

Barking Dog

It must be an unwritten rule somewhere that all dogs love to bark, because it seems like they really do!

Well it's a perfectly natural thing for your dog to do, just as it's normal for us humans to speak. But sometimes you would like your dog to turn down the volume a bit, and use their library voice. Unfortunately, you can't push a mute button on your remote to stop the incessant chronic barking mad pup. If you live in a neighborhood of dogs then you can definitely relate to this scenario . If one dog starts barking then the rest of the dog block join in with their own serenade & acapella.

Does your your dog bark nonstop or barks at anything & everything? Then you are probably in need of some help. We have some helpful tips to that will help stop your dog from barking.

The first step is to realize why your dog maybe barking. Here are a few reasons:

Home alone: A dog left alone or confined for long periods without supervision is likely to bark because he feels anxious or sad and is afraid the owner may not return.

Who's the pack leader? Your dog may bark excessively for your attention because you unintentionally trained him to do so. One "woof" and you open the door to let him out. Another and you let him in. A polite bark is rewarded with a treat. A loud one brings praise for alerting you to stranger danger. Dogs are just trying to figure out what you want.

Play time yet? Lack of exercise can easily result in a dog that has pent-up energy and barks out of frustration. A well-exercised, happy dog is more likely to sleep when you're not there.

What's the remedy?

So now that you know a few reasons why dogs bark; here are a fews ways to help them to stop barking.

Playtime!!! Dogs that spend most of their time in the backyard or in the house probably need an exercise outlet. Even if your yard is large, dashing around it in circles is not the equivalent of exercise and interaction. Take your dog for a long walk, or head to the park for a change of scenery and a game of fetch.

Doggy, I'm Home! Bring your dog into the house when you're home. It's important that he feels he's part of the family and is loved. Develop a relationship with him through play and fun.

My buddy and me. Dogs are social creatures. Take your dog to the same park daily or weekly and let him make doggy friends. Dogs romping around together tire easily and sleep soundly.

The above tips help deter your dog from barking. If your pups keeps barking you may need some backup tactics.

• First, teach your dog that barking is okay until he is told to "Be quiet." Each time your dog barks, command him to "Be quiet." Simultaneously, hold a treat in front of your dog's nose. Most dogs get quiet immediately because they can't sniff and lick the treat while barking at the same time. Think Bullysticks!
• Praise your dog continuously during his quiet time with petting and words of encouragement.
• After three seconds of no barking, let him have the treat. As you continue with your training, increase the amount of time you require him to be quiet before giving the treat.
• When your dog makes a mistake and barks (and he will) reprimand him immediately. Never strike your dog, but do something that will catch his attention, such as clapping loudly or squirting water in his face. As soon as your dog stops barking, you must instantly reward him.

Wow, that's a lot of work! Well it is, you didn't learn to do anything in one day. Teaching your dog not to bark takes time & patience. We know you can do it. And if you need a little more help we are here with some All-natural, Free-range bully sticks. Trust us they will keep your dog quiet & busy for hours!

Please make sure to check out our growing selection of dog treats, dog chews, bully sticks & more.

Its never easy to say goodbye to someone you love, especially a family member. The same is true & just as heartbreaking when its a beloved family pet & fur kid with whom you share a unique bond. If you are like many pet parents & owners you probably carry a mug shot of your pet in your wallet, celebrate their birthday or confide in your dog or cat. When asked if you have children you happily say "Yes, the four-legged furry kind".

You see, pets are important members of the family and have the gift of giving us incredible joy, unconditional love & companionship. So, its only natural to feel a sense of lose or sadness when they are gone. It can be difficult to imagine our lives without our furry family member by our side wagging their tails & sitting at the door waiting for our arrival. Here are some tips to help you better cope with the loss.

1. Acknowledge that your pet’s death is a huge, sad event. Don’t downplay it, or shrug it off. Grieving a pets death is a process that can take months.

2. Accept that you may never totally get over your pet loss. You'll always remember your pet.

3. Give yourself permission to grieve – it’s not “just a pet.” Coping with pet loss involves the whole grief process.

4. Experience and express feelings of sadness, anger, or guilt about the pet loss. Grieving a pet death involves tears, anger, and sometimes even fear.

5. Talk to others who can empathize – surround yourself with people who understand pet loss. Grieving a pet death is about getting support, like any grief process.

6. Talk to your friend and family about coping with pet loss. Grieving a pet death involves open communication.

7. Be patient. Give yourself time to grieve a pet death. The grief process takes as long as necessary.

8. Seek Support-Losing a pet is never easy, and you don't have  to go through it alone. Join a pet loss support group, especially if you feel depressed or extremely angry. Grieving a pet death may be easier with others who understand pet loss. The ASPCA has a Pet loss support & Bereavement group that can help you cope with the following:

• Assistance with the decision to euthanize.
• Comfort and support at the time of euthanasia.
• Help with grieving the loss.
• Advice on dealing with children, the elderly or disabled individuals who are facing a death of a companion animal.
• Helping the surviving animals in the household to cope.
• Assistance in establishing a relationship with a new pet.

So, remember to enjoy every moment with your beloved furry friend, spoil them, love them & never take them for-granted.  For those who have lost a pet we are deeply sorry and hope that over time the fond memories of time spent will bring you smiles.

Please make sure to check out our growing selection of dog treats, dog chews, bully sticks & more.

Surfs Up!

The one thing dog’s love about the summer is the beach. Building ditches in the sand, knocking over sand castles, chasing seagulls, rolling in the sand and surfing the waves is what makes the beach so great for your dog. Here are some tips to make going to the beach fun and safe for the entire pack.

1. Follow the Rules: Check with your local beach to see if dogs are allowed. Some beaches with allow your beach buddy to tag along but he or she must be on leash at all times. So find out beforehand so there are no surprises & your beach trip is not spoiled.

2. Pack your dogs beach bag: Its important that when you pack for the beach to bring doggie sunscreen, life jackets, googles & basic necessities. Just, like you dogs can get sun burned.

3. You’re the pack leader: Since some areas of the beach will allow your dog to be off-leash its important that you have control over your pack. Dogs love to run & chase anything in site and have a keen sense of smell, so the beach will be full of intrigued and may cause your dog to wander off in a fast sprint. So be prepared to call your dog back in a stern voice. Trust me no one ones there sun bathing & surfing to be interrupted by a lost dog on the run. Make sure your dog is wearing his or her tags.

4. Flea Protection: Remember that the beach is home to sand fleas and dogs love to dig & roll. So safe guard your dog from those tail biters. Remember that wet flea collars won't do the trick.

5. Hydrate Your Dog: Make sure you bring along your dogs portable dog bowl & some fresh, clean water. Never, let your dog drink salt water it could make them very sick.

6. Take Breaks & Give Your Dog a Loving Timeout: With so much excitement of the beach your dog may forget to take a break & rest. As your pets guardian its important that you keep a watchful eye on whether or not your dog is become dehydrated or over-exhausted. The scotching sun rays, strenuous exercise runs in the sand, hot temperatures & lack of water can do a number on your dogs body. If your dog is feeling the effects of the sun & heat wave make sure to signal & call your dog to come rest in a shady spot.

6. Be Respect of Others Visiting the Beach: Dogs are social butterflies at heart and love to visit people. Especially if there nose sense something tasty in the air, perhaps someone is having a picnic. But some visitors may not appreciate a visit from your dog. Remember in a perfect world you and your dog would have your own private beach oasis, but in reality its a public place. So make sure you keep an eye on your dog so he or she does not disturb other beach goers.

7. Beware of... (you fill in the blank): Although the beach can be a relaxing & fun place, there are some dangers that lurk amidst the sands and the waves. Sea lice, jellyfish, undercurrents & ripe tides not only pose as threat to you but your dog. Keep in mind dogs are very curious and love to roam. So make sure to ask a lifeguard on duty if the area is safe. However, if there is no lifeguard to  be found make sure to look for warning signs posted on the beach like  "No Swim/Surf Zone".

8. Castaway's Found: Dogs are scavengers at heart and love a good beach scavenger hunt. Just remember that litter, dead fish, fishing lines, plant life may find themselves castaways washed up on the beach and in your dogs mouth. Many of these items are not safe for your dog and should not be his or her substitute chew toy. So, monitor your dogs exploration adventures, where a bout's and beach finds. Remember "No Litterbugs Allowed", so do your part to protect water life & dogs by throwing your litter safely in the trash can. Did you know if you litter you could be fined a hefty fine.

9. Pick up Your Dogs #2 Business: Help keep the beaches and water clean & tidy by picking up after your dog. No one likes to swim with your dogs floaters or step barefoot in your dogs sandy poop.

10. Give Your Dog a Bath: Prior to packing & loading the car after a long afternoon at the beach if you have fresh water on hand give your dog a good rinse to get off salt & excess sand. Its important that when you arrive home to give your dog a bath & spa treatment immediately. Chemicals from the sea water can be harmful & do damage to your dogs luscious locks & fur. Also, don't forget clean behind and inside those sandy & salty ears and tend to those achy, sandy paws which took a beaten all day.

Please make sure to check out our growing selection of dog treats, dog chews , bully sticks & more. Great snacks for any four legged beach goer!

While Independence Day is a cause and time to celebrate. Loud noises & flashing lights from fireworks & patriotic crowds can be scary & overwhelming for some family members, including our pets.  Dogs not only have a keen sense of smell but a keen sense of hearing. So loud sounds of flashing fireworks can cause your pet to scurry under the bed, covers or in a corner from what they may consider Armageddon.

Here are some tips from the Twittersphere on ways to keep your dog safe this Fourth of July and help your pet cope with fireworks.

1. There’s No Place Like Home- Although we all want to celebrate The Fourth of July with our furry friends, sometimes it best for your dog to be a home body. If your dog is afraid of fireworks leaving your dog home is important. Firework celebrations, the lights, the sounds, & unfamiliar location can make your dog more fearful even though you are by his side. Lounging & snuggling on your couch with your pups is a great bonding time with out worrying about the traffic and having to find a good seat amongst the crowd.

2. Never Leave Your Dog Outside- If left unattended even in a fenced yard many dogs may get so scared of the sounds of fireworks and decide to jump the fence, run into traffic and panic. Dogs that are tied up in the backyard may accidentally strangle themselves to break free & hide from the noise.

3. Create a Diversion- When fireworks are blasting its important to distract your dog by turning on the tv or radio. Turning the tv or radio to a comfortable soothing level will create a relaxing atmosphere and help drown out some of the noise. It helps take your dogs minds and ears off the sounds of fireworks.

Do not  forget to keep windows and curtains closed to reduce noise and bright flashes. Also, giving your dog his or her favorite interactive chew toy with a treat spot will fill the belly and keep them entertained for hours.

4. Create a Safe Haven- Every dog needs a special den like area where he or she can feel safe & secure. Crates filled with your dogs favorite security blanket, pad, or dog beds can provide the perfect oasis.  If you don’t use a crate make sure to doggy proof your home & pick up any objects that might get chewed or destroyed. Make sure to safetly store away objects that may be dangerous within paws reach. Even the most well behaved dog when under stress can become destructive.

5.  Talk to Your Vet- Seeking the advice of a vet or dog behavorist may prove beneficial for dogs who are very fearful , stressed out, defensive, exhibit anxiety & fear. Bachs Rescue Remedy provides a natural stress relief from holidays like these and take the edge off. Although your dog may not be afraid of fireworks they may become defensive and go on a barking frenzy.

6.  Always Where Id- In case your dog decides to escape through the door. Keeping your dog securely tagged with proper identification around his collar will save you some headaches in case your dog decides to play a game of hide & not seek from the fireworks. Microchips provide an aided layer of fur protection and are painlessly embedded into your dog. The best part if that if your dog is lost & found your dogs info will be in their massive database.

If your dog is lucky enough to go with you to see the fireworks be sure to stay by his or side the whole time. There is nothing like the security of a your guardian holding your paw and calming your fears.

Please make sure to check out our growing selection of dog treats, dog chews, and of course bully sticks which serve as a delicious & entertaining diversion!