Tag: dog care

When your dog wags his tail, you know that he is excited, but is he content? BestBullySticks.com knows that you try to provide your dog with the absolute best, but your dog’s happiness is more than just two meals a day and a belly rub. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a way to look at human motivation by piecing out essential physical, emotional and mental needs. With dogs being highly social creatures, many of these principles can be applied to develop a more complete four-legged best friend. Read on to find out how you really can have a happier dog.

Physiological (Pyhsical Needs)
Fresh Clean Water – Your dog’s water should be refreshed daily and free of debris. If a water bowl is kept outside, make sure it’s not stagnant (this can breed disease), frozen in winter or overheated in summer.

Good Nutrition – Every dog owner will have a different recipe for success with their dog’s food. There is no one right answer, but feeding your dog healthy and nutritious meals is important. Talk to your vet about good feeding options for your dog. Make sure your dog is in a healthy weight range as well; overweight dogs are very unhappy. Treating your dog is something that shouldn’t be hard either. A good bully stick or all-natural chew from BBS will guarantee your dog is getting a healthy, nutritious treat.

Exercise – Is your dog getting enough exercise? For the best health, your dog needs to expend their energy (which they always have plenty of). Exercise will make your dog’s life longer and fuller and prevent compulsive disorders or unwanted behavior. Breeds are different in their exercise needs, but all dogs do need it.

Hygiene – As much as possible, your dog needs to stay clean so they are comfortable in their own body and skin. Little things like dirty ears, long nails or tartar on teeth can lead to very serious and painful problems. Keeping a clean, brushed coat, trimmed nails, clean ears and teeth are one less potential discomfort your dog has to feel.

Chewing – Unlike humans, dogs have a need to chew. Providing the proper toys and chews will help them meet this desire without taking it out on your belongings.

A Place to “Go” – It’s very important for dogs to have a consistent place to use the bathroom away from their “den.” A highly normal dog will eliminate away from where they eat and sleep. Doing otherwise means they feel as if they aren’t given proper time or a place to do so. Read more

BestBullySticks.com knows that all dogs are different, with their own unique quirks and characteristics. But did you know that much of what makes up your dog’s temperament is determined by genetic influencers and instinctive behaviors passed down from their parents? Understanding your dog’s personality can help you understand the way they act, view the world and can help in training your dog. BBS thinks these methods developed by Jack and Wendy Volhard will not only help you understand your dog more completely, but grow your relationship. Read on to take the Dog Personality Test!

Your dog’s behaviors can be lumped together into three broad motivations, called drives.

Prey: Is your dog easily excited by motion, sounds or smells? Or does your dog live for chasing small animals or destroying their toys? These are examples of prey drive.

Pack: This motivator relates back to when wild dogs were a part of larger groups of dogs. Dogs with a high pack drive will long to be a part of a social hierarchy; meaning they love working on a team, physical contact and playing. They show reproductive behaviors like mounting and cleaning behaviors, like licking ears. Petting, grooming and close companionship is desired by this dog and being left alone is not.

Defense: Fight and flight behaviors are found in defense drives, which makes this motivator more complex. A very territorial, protective dog that doesn’t like grooming or petting exhibits fight behaviors. Flight behaviors are shown by a dog who is unsure in any situation, hides and runs away and simply lacks confidence. This is seen more in young dogs. Read more

Did you miss any of BestBullySticks.com BARK-tastic blogs this week?  If you did miss any of the Health Checkup/War Dog Saving/PB&B Treating/Bouvier 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:

At Home Dog Exam • Puppy Rescue Mission • Peanut Butter & Banana Swirls • Breed Spotlight on the Bouvier

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!

Chances are, you know your dog pretty well. You know when he’s not feeling well, when he needs to go out or even when he needs a cuddle. However, your dog’s body won’t always be on the same schedule as your yearly checkup. That’s why BestBullySticks.com is outlining easy ways to perform a physical exam on your dog from home. These simple steps will keep your dog’s wellbeing in check as well as make you aware of any problems that arise.

Starting at the nose and working to the tip of the tail, follow these simple ways to make sure your pup is in good shape.

Nose: Is your dog’s nose wet or dry? A normal nose will be moist and clean. Your dog’s nose can vary in wetness throughout the day depending on their activity level. An abnormal nose will be dry, cracked, bleeding or have a nasal discharge.

Eyes: Bright, clear and clean eyes are healthy eyes. When looking at the whites of the eye, make sure no red or yellow tint is present. Bloodshot eyes, unresponsive pupils or abnormal discharge should all be checked into further.

Ears: Clean, dry and pain and odor free ears are healthy. Watch for buildup in your dog’s ears as well as sores, bumps, smell or swelling. Some ear problems manifest themselves through irregular ear carriage, such as droopy ears when they should be erect. Cleaning out ears is as simple as a using a cotton ball with a little hydrogen peroxide and sweeping out the inside of the ear. Read more

Did you miss any of BestBullySticks.com BARK-tastic blogs this week?  If you did miss any of the Photographing/First Dog/Chilly Pumpkin Pie/Terv 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:

Tips for Photographing Your Dog • Presidential Pets • Pumpkin Please Pupsicles from Kirby the Dorkie • Breed Spotlight on the Belgian Tervuren

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!