Dog Care 101 Tip #202: Playing Tug-of-War the Right & Safe Way

Recently there has been a lot question about the nature of playing the classic dog game tug-of-war. Some say it brings out aggressive tendencies in dogs, however BestBullySticks.com believes if you have a well-behaved dog that listens, tug-of-war is a great way to not only bond with your dog but also get your dog’s mind and body working. Here are a few ways to make sure tug is always a positive experience for you and your dog.

1. Teach your Dog to Listen
Before you play tug with your dog, make sure your dog can listen to commands. In particular, the “drop it” or “release” command is good for tug. This will help you stop the game easily if needed.

2. The Right Toy
Making sure your dog has the toughest tug toy out there is a must. Flexible yet durable enough for tugging, most good chew toys are made of rubber. A comfy handle is important, too. Check out A Cheerful Pet Mini Tugzee or the entire ChompChamps line for a sturdy, long lasting dog tug toy.

3. Where To Play
The best places to play tug are open areas free of clutter. Playing outside is a great idea, too.

4. Signs for Aggressive Behavior
Most likely your dog will get excited while playing tug. And why shouldn’t they! They’re having fun! You might notice your dog growling, too. This is perfectly normal as tug is the resemblance of a predatory behavior. As long as your dog’s tail is still wagging and the growl isn’t threatening, then play can continue. Read more

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BestBullySticks.com: What’s In a Name?

Here at BestBullySticks.com, we’re serious about pets. We’re pet owners just like you, and we started this company because we had a hard time finding quality dog treats and chews for our own dogs. With that, our quest began to find all-natural dog treats and chews that are safe and healthy for pets. Along the way, we found something called a Bully Stick. The more we learned about Bully Sticks, the more we liked them. In fact, we liked them so much we decided to name our company after them.

Bully Sticks are 100% beef, so they’re completely digestible dog treats unlike rawhide dog chews. We also found that not all Bully Sticks are created equal. Some manufacturers add preservatives and other artificial ingredients to their bully sticks. Part of our commitment to our four-legged customers (and our own four-legged family members) is that we steer clear of chemicals, additives and artificial anything. As an all-natural company, the Bully Sticks from BBS are truly all natural. You can trust the Bully Sticks and other products we offer because we’re committed to the safety and well being of pets everywhere.

One of our dogs’ favorites is the Knotted Bully Stick. We use two Standard Bully Sticks and tie them in a knot to create a fun gnawing challenge for your pooch. The knot is in the middle of this all-natural dog chew, which makes it easy to chomp. This high quality product comes from free-range cattle that graze on grass instead of those kept in feedlots. Our Knotted Bully Sticks are the perfect size for smaller dogs, but large dogs love them, too! Read more

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BBS Weekend Reader: February 15th Edition

It's Friday!! Did you miss any of BestBullySticks.com BARK-tastic blogs this week?  If you did miss any of the Outdoor Winter Play/Oklahoma Dog Rescuing/X's & O's Dog Treating/Collie 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 #201: Outdoor Winter Play Ideas • Rescue Spotlight: Cushing Animal Rescue Team •  Hugs & Kisses Dog Treats via Pretty Fluffy • Breed Spotlight on the Collie

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: Collie

A classy Lassie. Literally. The Collie is a first-class breed that is hardworking, beautiful and a wonderful family pet. If you don’t already know about this wonderful breed, BestBullySticks.com is excited to share this great dog with you! Read more about the Collie in the Breed Spotlight below!

History & Background: Though it’s history is fuzzy, the modern Collie is a descendant of the reliable herding dogs used by Scottish and North English shepherds. The name “Collie” doesn’t have a definitive history either, but it’s thought the original word was “coll,” an Anglo-Saxon word meaning “black”. This breed became interesting to fanciers after the Industrial Revolution and then into a fashionable breed after Queen Victoria owned a Collie. Though the need for the Collie as a working dog died out, there is a revival of using this breed as a working and performance dog in the United States and UK.

The Collie has enjoyed plenty of fame outside of the show ring on the silver screen. Undoubtedly the most famous Collie is Lassie, the star of many tv shows and movies. Multiple dogs played Lassie, the first of which was named Pal and were owned by Rudd Weatherwax.

Height: Males, 22 to 26 inches; Females, 21 to 26 inches

Weight: Males, 45 to 75 pounds; Females 35 to 65 pounds

Coat: The fur coat of this Collie is of particular importance as it helps differentiate from other similar breeds. Sometimes called the Rough Collie, the long, harsh outer coat and highly dense, soft undercoat distinguishes this dog from its closely related Smooth Collie. A Collie’s coat is abundant everywhere except the head and legs and feathering appears on the back of the legs and tail.

Color: There are four standard colors for the Collie including

• Sable & White: Fawn color varying from light gold to dark mahogany. White markings on chest, neck, legs, feet and tip of the tail.
• Tri-color: Mostly black with white markings like the Sable & White coloring. Tan shading on head and legs.
• Blue Merle: A marbled blue/grey coat with black and white markings and tan shading.
• White: Mostly white with sable, tri or blue merle markings. Read more

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Weekly Drool Recipe: Puppy Hugs & Kisses Valentine Dog Treats via Pretty Fluffy

Tomorrow is the day of love. Valentines Day shouldn’t be the only day you show your dog love, but it’s a great excuse to do something special! BestBullySticks.com is happy to share this adorable and fun Valentines Day (or any day) treat for our pooch from Pretty Fluffy. Happy Valentine’s Day & Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 3 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
• 1 Cup Water
• 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
• 1/2 Cup Molasses
• 2 Tablespoons Honey
• 250g Plain Organic Yogurt or Carob Drops
• 2 Large Bowls
• Mixing and measuring utensils
• Rolling Pin
• X and O Cookie Cutters

Directions

Treats

1. Get two large bowls. In one bowl combine the water, olive oil, molasses and honey. In the second bowl combine the flour, and cinnamon.

2. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet. Mix until all are combined.

3. Divide the dough into two, wrap and refrigerate for minimum 3.5 hours.

4. Once chilled, remove dough from fridge and roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness.

5. Pre-heat oven to 180 C (350 F). Line 2 flat cookie trays with baking paper.

6. Use your X and O Cookie Cutters to cut out the treats. Place on baking tray. Bake for 10-15 minutes. (Recipe Note: If you don't want to use X & O cookie cutters, simply form them by rolling or cutout freehand with a knife.)

Icing

1. Place yoghurt or carob drops in a heat safe bowl. Melt the drops over boiling water, stirring constantly.

2. Dip the treats into the melted drops and allow to cool before serving.

Recipes and Photos courtesy of Pretty Fluffy

Check out more dog-friendly treats and snacks by viewing all of BBS’s Weekly Drool Recipes or by choosing a healthy dog treat like a bully stick from BestBullySticks.com!

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