Tag: Dog Care Tips

After a long winter, your house may be in need of “airing out” and sprucing up. But your house may not be the only thing. Your dog has been cooped up all winter and chances are he’s going to want to spend some quality time outdoors. BestBullySticks thinks Spring Cleaning your house and your can coincide!

Your Dog

Brushing: If your dog has put on his winter coat in the last few months, all that extra hair will be coming out soon, which leaves your house covered in dog fur tumbleweeds. Buy a quality brush to make your dog feel better and your house tumbleweed-free!

Flea, Tick & Heartworms: Warmer weather (unfortunately) means mosquitoes, which are the cause of multiple problems for your dog. Make sure you’re current with your dog’s flea, tick and heartworm medications and he’s getting them each month.

Dog Shampoo: Rinse the winter right out of your dog’s hair! A good shampooing with loosen any trapped fur and make your dog smell and feel great! Check out organic dog grooming products from Tropiclean at BBS! These products are naturally green and environmentally friendly!

Clean Out & Spruce Up: Take a look at your dog’s bed, blankets, collar and toys. If they’re worn out or frayed, replace them. Make sure to wash beds and blankets to freshen them up.

Your Home

Muddy Dogs: Spring rains plus your dog’s need to play equals a muddy dog. Train your dog to wait at the door before he comes inside to get his paws cleaned.

Protect Your Furniture: If your muddy dog somehow slips by you, you can still protect your furniture! Use an old bed sheet or the pet furniture covers from SureFit. These form fitting covers are a beautiful and effective solution for protecting your furniture.

Use Safe Cleaning Products: Use all-natural, pet-friendly cleaning products in your home. These products protect your over curious dog from ingesting harsh chemicals.

Keep Your Dog Calm:  If your dog becomes nervous when you clean the house, distract him to keep him calm. A great distraction is a bully stick or all natural dog chew, which will last your dog until you finish the room he’s in!

We hope your Spring Cleaning for both your home and your dog goes well!

What are you doing to spruce up your dog this Spring? Share your comments below! 

You have a good dog, but as one of the great laws of nature states, “accidents happen” and inevitably—your dog is going to pee on the carpet. Whether your dog is a puppy learning, an older dog or just couldn’t get the to door quick enough, there will inevitably be an “uh-oh” on the rug. So how do you clean it up and clean it up well? BestBullySticks.com is here to help with some natural cleaning solutions for pet stain removal.

Treat the Stain ASAP

Using newspaper, eco-friendly paper towel or a rag, blot the stain from the outside to the inside to pick up moisture. If you’re dealing with carpet or a rug, try to get to all layers of flooring including padding. The most important part of pet stain removal is not only removing the stain but the smell. If the smell still exists after you clean, your dog has the potential to return to this spot and eliminate again.

Homemade Pet Stain Removers for Carpets & Rugs

Make your own pet stain remover from items you most likely have in your kitchen cupboard.

• Baking Soda: You already know baking soda as a natural odor remover, so why not use it on pet stains? Throw soda into your wash if your dog has soiled machine-washable items. You can also use baking soda in the first step in carpet or rug treatment. Sprinkle soda onto the pet stain and allow it to soak up any remaining moisture. After awhile, vacuum up the soda and follow one of the following treatments.

• Hydrogen Peroxide: Mix 12 ounces of Hydrogen Peroxide, ½ teaspoon natural dish soap and 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda in a spray bottle and spray away! Let this solution cover the stain and let air dry completely. Vacuum up any remaining solution.

• Rosemary Oil: Melt a bar of castile soap and mix with equal parts rubbing alcohol and rosemary essential oil. Allow the solution to thoroughly combine use on a rag to blot the area or use in a spray bottle. Using Rosemary essential oil will discourage your dog from eliminating in the area again.

• Vinegar: After the original baking soda treatment, combine warm water and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio. Use this mixture to blot with a rag or use in a spray bottle.

Stain & Odor Removal for Hardwood Floors

• Removing dog stains and odor from hardwood floors is much easier.
• Remove any solids or wipe up with a rag
• Using a cloth and warm, sudsy water clean the affected area
• Wipe the area again with a cloth and clear, cool water.
• Dry with a clean cloth

If you believe your dog’s indoor accidents are due to medical accidents, see your vet. Your dog could also be eliminating indoors because of stress such as adjusting to a move or a new baby in the house. Read our blog on House Training An Adult Dog for step on how to retrain your pup.

Bully Sticks are a great way to reward your dog for good behaviors. Check out our full line of all-natural dog treats and chews at bestbullysticks.com.

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!

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

Cold. Wet. Rainy. Snowy. Being outside in winter weather can tend to be miserable and staying cooped up indoors isn’t always so much fun either. The same is true for your dog; outdoor playtime might decrease dramatically or indoors your pup may not be stimulated enough. However, BestBullySticks.com thinks winter months can force us to be creative with our day-to-day routine. We’ve come up indoor playtime activities for the winter months because, after all, your dog still needs exercise. 

Hide & Seek
Throw a treat to your dog and while they’re gobbling it up, run and hide in a different part of the house. Your dog will want to come find you if you have more treats and will tire your pooch out in the process. Use small, low calorie treats like Halo Liv-A-Littles or Purebites.

Scavenging & Dinner Games
Remember your dog is a scavenger by nature and enabling these characteristics can stimulate both mind and body. Use a puzzle food bowl or a hollow dog toy like a Planet Dog Orbo with frozen food to challenge your dog while he eats. You can also hide treats around the house and have your dog track down their location.

Indoor Agility Course & Training
A homemade agility course can test your dog’s navigation skills and stimulate brain and body. Use chairs as weave poles, using a broomstick over a couple buckets or holding a hula-hoop in your hands as a jump can make for a fun and rousing playtime. Winter can also be a great time to have dedicated training time with your dog. Want to teach your dog to high-five, shake or roll over? Use your regular outdoor playtime and substitute it for training. Your dog will emerge into Spring as a well trained pooch! Read more