Tag: dog

Who doesn’t love taking their four legged friend to the local dog park. There is nothing better than getting out to frolic in the fresh air with your loyal companion.  Dog parks are a great way to for your dog to get some exercise while allowing them to socialize with other dogs.  There is only one thing that can ruin a perfect day at the dog park: bad doggie behavior. Here are some easy tips to ensure a great day at the dog park while keeping your dog happy and safe.

1. Make sure your dog is not aggressive. Nothing can ruin a trip to the dog park than an aggressive misbehaving dog. So if you know your dog will be aggressive it is just better to skip the dog park until Fido gets some obedience training.

2. Come, Sit, Stay: It is very important that your dog responds to basic commands and can be controlled very quickly.

3. Where and what….make sure you know where your dog is at all times and what he or she is doing. It important to keep a watchful eye and sure your dog is not getting out of control or disturbing others.

4. Don’t be afraid to be a called tattletale at the dog park, speak out because safety comes first. If other dogs are misbehaving don’t feel guilty about telling their owners. Most likely the owner may not be aware that their dog is acting out of control and they will thank you.

5. Be #1 at the dog park by cleaning up #2! If your dog does their business, please pick it up!

6. Bring toys and balls and have fun! But be ok if you lose some to other dogs at the park.

7. If you have a small dog and a large dog approaches fear not, just introduce and make sure all tales are wagging. Don’t pick your dog up it draws attention and may make your small dog scared.

If you have other tips to keep your dog safe or have fun stories about your day at the dog park please leave a comment below. And remember don’t forget to have fun and be safe! No need to worry about your dog having fun. He or she will find their place at the park and decide very quickly who they want to play with at just one sniff. Let them have fun and remember not to be over protective, it is important that your dog get his or her paws wet. Remember a socialized dog is a happy dog!

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Has your dog mastered the art of not listening? Well perhaps there is underlining issue that needs dealt with and a good ear cleaning is in order. Regular weekly ear cleanings are important aspect of your pets care and should not be taken lightly.  Learning to clean your dog’s ear properly is the first step told prevention of discomfort, hearing loss, and ear infections. Ear infections are caused by bacteria that can lurk in the dark corners of your dogs ear canal. Although cleaning your dog-ears may seem like a chore and struggle at times it is VERY important.

Dogs and humans have a lot in common we both get waxy build up in the ears.  Over time if not cleaned the waxy build-up can set the mood for some bacteria & fungal growth leading to ear & fungal yeast infections.  Dogs with floppy ears have a higher risk of getting chronic ear infections. Their ears are warm, dark & moist with little airflow making them the perfect breeding ground for bacteria. With that said dogs with floppy ears should be cleaned twice a week.

So what are the signs of an ear infection that all loving owners should be aware of? Redness, swelling, pain, head shaking, frequent ear scratching, thick ear discharge and odor are sure signs. If your dog exhibits these symptoms, seeking the aid of a certified vet is key.

If not treated properly and in a timely fashion the infection can make its way to your dog’s inner ear where he or she can suffer from permanent hearing damage. Even resulting in a dog’s version of vertigo, where your dog is unable to stay balance.

Here are a few helpful steps that will make cleaning your dogs ear an easy task. Make sure to have lots of dog biscuits and praise along the way to ease any discomfort and fears your dog may have. It’s important that you stay calm and upbeat through the entire process. Don’t panic or get upset if your dog does not cooperate, this takes time.  But the squirming, whining and struggle is well worth enduring for your beloved pup and precious ears.

1.    First you will need the proper tools: ear cleaner, cotton balls (or cotton pads), Q-tips and lots of dog’s treats. Best Bully Sticks will surely do the trick and provide lots of chewing joy even after the ear cleaning is all said and done

2.     Warm up the ear cleaner bottle in a bowl of hot water for 5- 7 minutes, shaking the bottle occasionally and replacing the bowl of water with hot water as it cools.  Many dogs hate the thought and feeling of something cold in their ears. So, warming the ear cleaning solution will ease the discomfort and calm your dog.

3.    Sit the dog in a corner of a couch or arm chair and take your position alongside him.  This will help you and your dog maintain a comfortable position and prevent him from squirming out of the chair.

4.    Proceed by dampening a wet cotton ball or cotton pad with the ear cleaning solution and begin wiping the ear gently. Depending on how wet and dirty between the ears Spot is will determine how many cotton balls or pads will fall casualty. Once you have finished one ear move on to the next. Lucky for you and Spot this ear-cleaning regime will remove a lot of ear wax and dirt.

For floppy ear dogs, lift the ear upright so you can see the inside. Make sure the dog's head is not tilted as you need the cleansing solution to go downward into the ear canal.

Did you know that fur inside a dog’s ear canal makes them more prone to bacteria build-up. If your dog has furry ear canals making it difficult clean, slowly and gently pluck away or trim those dog ear hairs. Don’t worry this is not a painful process.

5.    Then dampen both ends of the several Q-tips with the warm dog-ear solution and begin venturing in the cracks and crevasse and outer portion of your dog-ear to remove the wax.  Keep in mind dog ears are not only sensitive to sound but also touch, so never stick the Q-tip into the ear canal. Only clean the portions of the ear that are visible.

No matter how young or old your dog is they can still reap the rewards of regular proper ear care with gentleness and praise. But as always we do advise that if you have a young pup or thinking about adopting a pup to start them getting use to an ear cleaning regime early. This will surely make them more cooperative and un-afraid through their pup, teen and senior years.

Photo source: Twitter.com/laurenmack1129

American Cocker Spaniel

Height: 15 ½ inches (male); 14 ½ inches (female)

Weight: 15-30 pounds

Coat: moderately long, well feathered, silky, fine & flat hair

Color: Divided into black, parti-color, and any solid color other than black (ASCOB in show catalogs). Black includes black-and-tan and should be jet black without liver or brown shadings. The tan markings are to be over the eyes, on the muzzle and cheeks, undersides of ears, on all legs and feet, and under the tail. Tan on the chest is optional.

Parti-color includes any color, including the mixed color known as roan, patterned with white. A third color is permissible. ASCOB includes blonde and red, with or without tan markings. Small white markings are permitted on the throat and chest of solid color Cockers, but nowhere else.

Appearance: American cockers come in three basic colors: solid black, any-solid-color-other-than-black (ASCOB), and multicolored or patchy. The cocker’s medium length coat is slightly wavy, requiring daily brushing and occasional professional grooming. A properly proportioned cocker has a balanced appearance, with a rounded skull; arched neck; compact, sloping body; large, round feet; and a docked tail. A healthy adult cocker weighs 18-28 pounds, depending on the dog’s height and gender.

Temperament: Cockers are lively, friendly dogs that develop a fierce loyalty to their owners. They are merry companions, and should be exercised frequently. Their keen intelligence invites games and tricks, and cockers will eagerly play fetching or chasing games and can excel in agility and tracking competitions. Cockers are excellent swimmers, and families should be cautious around unfamiliar bodies of water because cockers are quick to notice floating objects and may plunge in to retrieve them without encouragement.

Health: The Life expectancy for American Cocker Spaniels is about 12-15 years. American Cocker Spaniels are generally healthy, but they are prone to several disorders.

* Closed Tear Ducts: If your pet is tearing a lot, the ducts may need to be opened by a veterinarian.

* Conjunctivitis: Pink tissue lining the inner surface of the eyelids may become inflamed, particularly if the dog enjoys digging.

* Disk Herniations: Because of the dog’s athleticism, the back must be very flexible and could be susceptible to herniated disks.

* Ear Problems: Cockers may experience a variety of problems with their long, pendulous ears. Proper cleaning and trimming helps minimize these problems.

The best way to keep your American Cocker Spaniel healthy is through regular veterinarian visits, vaccinations, and home tooth and ear care. If the dog starts to behave abnormally or exhibits symptoms of discomfort or pain, consult your veterinarian.

Famous American Cocker Spaniels

Ch. My Own Brucie,- won two Westminster Kennel Club Dog Shows (1940, 1941), and greatly influenced the breed.

Checkers- owned by Pat Nixon and Richard Nixon (see Checkers speech)

Lucky Bundy- from Married... with Children

Solomon and Sophie- pets of Oprah Winfrey

Lady- from Lady and the Tramp

Freckles,-owned by Robert Kennedy

The dog who appears in the original Coppertone ad.

Acer- from movie Cheaper By The Dozen

If you would like to recommend a dog breed for our next Best Bully Sticks spotlight on a breed please send us an email or tweet @bestbullysticks