Dog Care 101 Tip #204: Organizing Dog Supplies

Is your dog’s stuff taking over? If you have 1 dog, why do you have 4 leashes? And wasn’t that hook supposed to be for your keys? Spring cleaning is right around the corner so there’s no better time than now to de-clutter your dog’s stuff. Read BestBullySticks.com’s helpful tips below for Organizing Dog Supplies.

De-clutter & Conquer: Paring Down
Most likely there are a few things you can pare down. The first step is gathering all your dog’s supplies in one area to see exactly what you have. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Donate or Trash:

• Broken or unused dog beds, crates or toys
• Treats your dog doesn’t care for or that are expired
• Any items from a pet that is no longer in your home

Thinking Categorically: Creating Categories
Separate your remaining items by these categories

• Food & Bowls
• Toys
• Medications
• Leashes
• Waste Disposal
• Paperwork

Pet Food Storage Area
Usually you’ll keep your dog’s food, bowls and treats in the area where he’ll eat. Whether that’s in the kitchen or near his kennel, finding the right items for organization could include an airtight dog food container, food scoop, a treat jar, properly sized dog bowls and anti-slip mats.

Pet Toys
Where does your dog play the most? In the living room or your bedroom or even an enclosed patio? Wherever it may be, keep all your dog’s toys here. A simple basket can contain all of your dog’s favorite toys like his durable West Paw dog toys or his long lasting Planet Dog balls. Every time you pick up your dog’s toys and place them back in the basket, put your dog’s favorite item in the very bottom. This creates a fun scavenging game for your dog!

Consider a separate toy basket that is specifically for outdoors play. Tennis balls and flying discs can have a permanent place on your covered porch or deck to be ready for a game of fetch anytime.

For Your Walk
Create a dog-friendly entryway near the door you’ll exit before you take your dog on his daily walk. Hang hooks on the wall for leashes and collars, gather plastic grocery bags or waste bags in a basket and stow a towel near the door to take care of muddy paws or wet fur. Keep a small bag of treats near the door for rewards and brush to keep Fido’s fur in check. A lint brush might be a good idea, too!

Paperwork
Veterinary information, adoption paperwork and certifications are all crucial papers you’ll want to keep not only organized but within reach. Create a binder or file folder for each individual pet divided by topic so information is easily accessible.

Do you need to de-clutter your dog’s stuff? Tell us how your organizing your pet’s supplies. 

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BBS Weekend Reader: March 8th Edition

You don't need Rebecca Black to tell you "It's Friday." We're sure you've been looking forward to Friday all week! Did you miss any of BestBullySticks.com BARK-tastic blogs this week?  If you did miss any of the Dog Sitting/NYC Dog Rescuing/Blueberry Pumpkin Treating/Min Pin 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: 

Dog Care 101 Tip #203: Choosing A Good Dog Sitter • Rescue Spotlight: Rescuzilla •  Vegan Heartland's Blueberry Pumpkin Dog Treats • Breed Spotlight on the Miniature Pinscher

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!

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BBS Breed Spotlight: Miniature Pinscher

Just like a little brother doesn’t like being introduced as “John’s little brother,” the Miniature Pinscher doesn’t like being confused for a “miniature Doberman.” Any Min Pin lover or fancier will tell you, this dog is a breed all it’s own. With a lot of attitude packed into a tiny body, the Min Pin is both a delight and a doozy. Read more about this rambunctious little dog on the BestBullySticks.com Breed Spotlight on the Miniature Pinscher.

History & Background: Despite popular belief, the Miniature Pinscher isn’t simply a smaller version of the Doberman Pinscher. This small breed, German dog has its own origins through the Dachshund and Italian Greyhound. However, both the Min Pin and the Doberman most likely share the German Standard Pinscher as an ancestor. In Germany, the Miniature Pinscher is called the Zwerg Pinscher (Dwarf Pinscher) and Pinscher translates Terrier. Colloquially this dog is called the “King of the Toys.”

It’s thought the Min Pin is an ancient dog breed, though factual evidence of the existence of this particular breed dates back less than 200 years. What is known is the Min Pin enjoyed life in solely in Germany and Scandinavian countries for many years serving as a ratter. It wasn’t until 1919 that this dog was introduced to the United States. In 1930 the AKC reclassified this dog from the Terrier Group to the Toy and in 1972 this club changed the dog’s name from Pinscher to Miniature Pinscher.

Height: 10 to 12.5 inches

Weight: 8 to 10 pounds

Coat: The Miniature Pinscher has a short, hard coat that is smooth and straight. The coat clings tight to the body and covers the Min Pin evenly. Read more

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Weekly Drool Recipe: Blueberry Pumpkin Dog Treats

Today, we at BestBullySticks.com are very excited bring you a dog treat recipe chock-full of “good-for-you” stuff! You know, like when you eat a fresh piece of fruit that’s in season and your body loves you for it? Well, these Blueberry Pumpkin Dog Treats from Matthew at Vegan Heartland will do just that for your pup! Read on to learn about Matthew’s Yellow Lab, Keeva and her favorite treat.

Keeva has been on a mostly homemade vegan diet for almost a year now and she's doing amazing! She does eat kibble every now and then and she absolutely loves it!

I know there's one thing I can count on though and that would be these treats! Keeva absolutely loves these! Not only does she love to snack on them but they're super nutritious for her! She get's the antioxidants from the blueberries and pumpkin + the omega-3 fatty acids and lignans from the flax seed meal. I think when I make these next time I'm going to add some sesame seed meal and molasses to add a little boost of calcium to her diet. They're super easy to make and you can cut them out into any shape you like!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 2 cups 100% whole wheat flour (you could try using oat or brown rice flour for wheat free treats!)
• 1/2 cup flax seed meal
• 1/3 cup blueberries
• 1/3 cup water

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Blend together the applesauce and pumpkin. Once the applesauce and pumpkin are well combined, stir in the flour and flax seed meal. Add in enough water until dough just becomes workable. The dough will be a little stiff, but don't worry, that's what we're going for! Work the rest of the ingredients together with your hands until all have become well incorporated. Read more

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BBS Rescue Spotlight: Rescuzilla

BestBullySticks.com loves hearing a good dog rescue story and Rescuzilla out of NYC has a lot of good ones. We spoke to Katherine Good, one of the coordinators at this passionate animal rescue about the successes and needs of Rescuzilla.

When & Why did you start?  
Rescuzilla was founded in 2009 in the hopes of responsibly saving dogs and cats from being part of the millions of animals that are killed each year in the United States. After years of volunteering and caring for animals at the shelter we wanted to be able to make sure that animals we met got the chance to be wonderful family members. Starting a rescue was the next logical step in doing so.

What's different about your rescue? 
We are very much a grassroots and hand on rescue. As active volunteers at the Animal Care & Control of New York City and partners in their New Hope program, we are able to help animals from the beginning of their second life until their new forever home. Our program is small, with usually around 8 animals at a time, but every animal is in loving foster home and receives all the attention it needs whether it be medical or behavioral. 

What is the greatest success story or "win" that your rescue has had? 
This is a tough one! One of the few ways to measure it is by how far an animal has come since we first met him. One that always keeps us smiling is Benjamin Buttons. He was found with what we thought was a sweater that turned out to be a sweatpants leg that someone had fashioned into a shirt for him. A little, emaciated, chronically illsenior rat terrier.  He had to be saved but we knew it would take a one-of-a-kind family to see all his potential! He was fostered by an amazing family that embodies the definition of love. His mama fed him special meals, carried him all over the house in a pouch and let him sleep safely in bed, making sure he had his space right between her and her husband. It wasn't long before Benjamin started putting on weight and his ailments dissipated. The foster family saw how special he is and knew he was meant to be with them forever. He is like a whole new dog; truly a Benjamin (Belly) Buttons.   Read more

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