Toys for Happy Dogs

 

Dogs adore toys year-round! Even though the festive season has passed, your dog's enthusiasm for toys persists. Dogs are consistently delighted to receive new toys for playtime, and you might be rewarded with a joyful, slobbery thank you.

"Toys for Happy Dogs" is a reliable store that is open at all times, ensuring your dog is well-equipped with a variety of beloved toys. 

Along with a selection of comfort and accessories, you can easily search by categories such as:

• Fetch Toys
• Chew types
• Squeaky toys
• Tug-of-War
• Interactive Toys
• Dental Toys

Ensuring your dog's happiness and comfort is their top priority. Explore their handpicked selection of toys designed to bring joy to your furry friend.

If you have any questions feel free to send them a message and their customer service team is there to assist you. Additionally, don't forget to check their blog for valuable information about your canine companion.

And of course, give them a follow on Facebook. 

Dog Influencer Platform

Did you know that these days influencers are both a company’s and customer's preferred brand ambassador?

Times have changed, and with that in mind the Dog Influencer Platform was born. This two-person team is committed to matching influencers with premium brands looking for collaborations.

Are you and your dog a hit on social media? It is time for your pooch to start living the high life with all the best toys, food, and treats. Dog influencers simply register your dog’s channel and brands will be able to contact you to collaborate. Or check out upcoming campaigns and request to join their pack. Receive products, create content for your followers and earn money.

Are you a brand looking to add influencers to your pack? You can easily create a campaign and invite influencers to work with you. Send them your product to review and promote on their platforms. The site offers easy communication and the ability to score each collaboration. Get started for free or choose one of the premium plans.

Still have questions? No problem, check out the FAQ section and learn all you need to know to start collaborating today.

Stress and Your Dog

We all experience stress in our lives from time to time.  And our dogs are no different.  They can experience stress from any number of things.

Some common causes of stress for dogs are:

• Change or lack of routine
• Loud noises inside or outside the home
• Living with anxious and highly stressed humans
• Isolation and lack of proper  socialization
• New or different situations
• Lack of physical exercise and mental stimulation
• Fear of something
• Harsh and unfair corrections
• Loss or addition of family member

How to Recognize Stress

Not all dogs experience stress from the same cause. So you have to keep in tune with your dog and watch for the obvious and less obvious physical signs that your dog is stressed.

Common Signs of Stress:

• Cowering
• Pacing
• Whining/Barking
• Avoiding eye contact
• Yawning
• Panting
• Drooling
• Shaking
• Chewing or licking obsessively
• Sniffing
• Refusing food
• Hiding or running away
• Aggressive behavior
• Seizures

Subtle Signs of Stress:

• Pupils dilated
• Licking lips
• Furrowed brow
• Veins more prominent in face
• Tense muscles
• Sweaty paw pads

How to Deal With Stress

If it is possible to leave or remove your dog from the stressful situation, then do so. If you cannot then try to remain as calm as you can. The calmer you are, the more likely your dog is to follow suit. Just as with a fearful dog, you do not want to baby a stressed  dog and reinforce their feelings. However I have personally found a slow firm massage or stroking does help my dogs when they are stressed.

How to Avoid Stress

A well balanced dog gets plenty of exercise, has many different experiences, visits many different places and meets new people and other animals. This doesn’t mean a balanced dog will never be in a stressful situation, but the number of potential causes of stress should be less.

Guest Article - Wagnetic

How would you feel about a new and efficient solution to walking your dog?

Like our Facebook page to learn more!

Guest Article - The Surprising Benefits Of Adding Fiber To Your Dog's Diet

You might be surprised to discover that adding fiber to your dog's diet can actually be a very good thing, even though you're well aware of the fact that it's important for you to have sufficient fiber in your diet. There are a number of important, nutritional benefits that your dog can gain from dietary fiber, which is something that is only now being acknowledged given that fiber has long be thought of as being mere filler.

It is, however, vital to speak with your vet about the amount of fiber that your dog should be getting. Too much fiber can actually have an adverse effect on your pet's digestive tract, much like it can with people. If you make the decision to increase your dog's fiber intake, you'll need to carefully monitor the amount of fiber that your pet's getting to ensure that too much of this carbohydrate is never being consumed.

Adding a bit of fiber to your pet's diet will help him shed extra pounds, which can definitely be good if your dog happens to be obese and desperately needs to lose weight. Your pet can have a far higher quality of life and he or she can live longer as well if the right body weight is maintained, and so, adding suitable amounts of fiber to your pet's diet can really help to this end. Additional fiber will not dramatically increase the number of calories that your pet is consuming, but it can promote weight loss by making your animal feel full and less likely to overeat.

Adding fiber to your dog's diet will create a diet that's both satisfying and healthy. In addition to helping your pet reach his or her ideal weight, fiber can also assist with ongoing weight maintenance.

Fiber is even good for preventing constipation in your pet, which is something that animals can experience just like humans. Constipation is more likely to be a problem with older animals which is why you should increase your pet's fiber intake as he or she grows older. Many dog food brands that are designed specifically for senior dogs actually have a higher fiber content as the result of this fact.

Given that fiber absorbs water, it has the capacity to expedite movement in the intestines by creating additional bulk in this area. As such, as time passes, your dog will enjoy more comfortable and far easier bowel movements overall.

After fiber has been added to your dog's diet, your pet will enjoy regular bowel movements and more consistent stools. There is, however, always the potential to see loose and messy stools if you give your dog more fiber than necessary.

Blood sugar levels can be balanced by additional fiber as well by lowering the rate at which the body absorbs sugar from the intestines which mean that a modest amount of fiber can actually help in the management of diabetes.

Always be sure to buy top-quality food for your pet as your dog can suffer unnecessarily if he or she gets too much fiber. Soybean hulls, beet pulp, tomato, apple, peanut hulls, and pomace are some of the sources of fiber to check for when purchasing dog food. Rice, oats and many other grains are also indigestible fiber sources.

Increasing the amount of fiber that your dog gets can provide a number of benefits, but you still have to make sure that your animal isn't getting too much. When you aren't sure about how much fiber your dog should be getting, be sure to talk with your vet. Want to enrich your knowledge about dog care, consider stopping by Build Great Farms.

Useful Website - Doxie Pop

Is anyone out there in love with Dachshunds? Silly question I know, these dogs are super cute and a delightful addition to any family.

They may have short little legs but don’t be fooled by their little bodies. They are confident, independent and love to chase small animals, as they were originally bred for hunting and tracking. However they also make wonderful house dogs and love to be with their humans. They have a playful nature and are very lively and intelligent.

So if you love this long-bodied breed and are looking for some gift ideas for yourself or a fellow Dachshund lover, check out the Doxie Pop website. They offer t-shirts, tank tops, mugs, accessories and decor.

Doxie Pop shirt

Surprise My Pet

Who doesn’t love surprises? What’s not to love? Well I think you’re dog feels the same way!

The folks at Surprise My Pet are all about surprising your dog with quality toys and goodies that are delivered right to your door saving you time and money. Sounds good so far but it gets better! With each box that is sold, a portion will go to make a difference in the lives of shelter dogs.

Want to know more? Check out the brands page to get an idea of what goodies the boxes are filled with.

So you want to get started? It’s easy as 123.

1. Choose a box subscription by selecting the size of your dog (tiny, small, medium or large);
2. Decide if you want one box, or either a three month or yearly subscription of boxes. 
3. Provide your payment/shipping information and you’re done (use the promo code “LOVE” and save 10%).

Boxes ship out between the 15th and 21st of each month. Sorry folks, this is only available in the US.

As they say at Surprise My Pet “Join the Pawty”!

Adding to the Pack – Toys/Bones

When you bring a new dog into your house with other dogs, you have the opportunity to help the transition go smoothly. For the few first weeks while the relationships between the dogs are new, it’s wise to keep toys and bones put away. High valued items can cause fights, especially while the dogs are getting to know each other.  In multiple dog households, there typically is a more dominant dog than the others. They tend to guard their toys and bones and even take them away from the other dogs.

Whether you have one dog or multiple dogs, it’s important for them to respect all items as yours first, so by keeping toys and bones put away and giving them out at your discretion you are exercising your leadership muscle. Take it one step further and use the “nothing for free” approach which means before giving your dog something she wants, ask her to work for it by sitting or giving a paw. This is a great way to practice all the basic commands or an opportunity to teach your dog a new trick.

Once you are comfortable introducing toys or bones, keep in mind if you want to avoid potential conflicts make sure you have multiple resources. If each dog has a toy or bone to play with, the likelihood of a fight breaking out will be lessened. This doesn't mean you have exactly two of everything but use your judgement.

Judique and Effie learn to share

Effie has been with us now for 5 months. It took me a couple of months before introducing toys and bones inside the house. And I still pick up all toys at the end of the day. I've learned how my dogs interact with toys, especially bones. And I've learned who likes which toy the best! My senior Bear has no issue with toys or bones with either dog. As far as my young Huskies, there are times that even putting out multiple toys, one dog inevitably wants what the other dog has.  Effie’s sister Judique is the boss and nearly always gets her way, unless of course I feel the need to intervene. Again use your knowledge and judgement.

German Shepherd Puppies

I love German Shepherds. They are beautiful, fearless and deeply loyal.

Many years ago I adopted a German Shepherd/Collie mix named Mika at age 8 from my local shelter. Within two days she was completely bonded to me and never wanted me out of her sight until the day she passed away in my arms at the age of 15. She was an amazing dog and I still miss her and think of her often.

If you are planning or have already started your adventure with a German shepherd puppy, you will probably want to know all there is to know about this wonderful breed.  “Shepherd Puppies” is a website for people who want only the best for their German shepherd puppies.

Here you can read articles or watch videos on finding, caring for and training your puppy.

When you bring a puppy into your life, you are making a commitment to give them the necessary care, exercise and stimulation so they live a happy and long life with you. In return, you will be given unconditional love, devotion and companionship.

We are so fortunate to have unlimited resources to help us along the way.

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Adding to the Pack - Feeding

Dogs love food. So much that some of them will fight for it. And that is why when you have a multiple dog house, you have to manage feeding time.

Obviously this is not a challenge for everyone who has a dog or dogs. Puppies that are raised properly don’t usually develop food aggression towards humans or other dogs. These dogs have been brought up never knowing what’s it’s like to have to scrounge and do whatever it takes to survive. However when you adopt stray dogs which I have, their backgrounds can be quite different. They may have literally had to fight to eat. And while many dogs instinctively eat quickly, in my experience strays tend to inhale food, maybe to ensure no other dog or animal gets it before them. But that doesn't mean they cannot learn to slow down and relax around food. It means you have to manage things until they do.

When you bring a new dog into your pack, you should supervise feeding time carefully. This is a great opportunity to practice your leadership skills. You are the one providing the food on your terms. Have your dogs sit and wait patiently for their food (start with short times and build up). This helps them develop patience skills and to learn that they have to work for their food.  It’s also a good idea to stay with them while they are eating to make sure they stay at their own bowls, and to pick them up when they are finished. Even an empty bowl can cause a fight while relationships are new.

When I prepare my dogs food, I like to touch it with my hands to have my scent on it; I want my dogs to know the food is coming from me. I also use a technique I learned to help avoid your dog guarding her food. You hold a treat in your hand while your dog is eating and bring it near the bowl so you’re dog can smell it, and drop it in the bowl or let her take it from your hand. As time passes, you can put your hand right into the bowl with the treat and eventually without. Practicing this often will teach your dog that your hand near her bowl is no big deal.

Judique, Effie and Bear in the Kitchen

The first few days after we adopted Effie, we fed all three dogs together. It was pretty crazy. We don’t have a huge kitchen so it felt a little cramped. And the speed the dogs ate added more stress. Bear my sweet senior eats very slowly and it takes time to get him started. Our new adopted Effie couldn't sit still for one second before she wolfed her food down, like it was her last meal. And Judique who has been with us for a couple of years apparently felt as though Effie was a threat and ate about twice as fast as normal. Eventually we settled on feeding Bear by himself. It makes sense since realistically he won’t be around for years and we want him to enjoy his food at his own pace. And to this day it still works fine for us. The two girls get extra playing time outside and Bear eats in peace. And I’m happy to report that Judique is back to eating at her regular speed. And that Effie can now sit and wait for her food, although the longer I make her wait, the more drool I have to clean up. I’m hoping she will slow down a little one day too!

Stay tuned for "Adding to the Pack - Toys/Bones"

Adding to the Pack - Fights

Unfortunately dog fights do happen. And unless you`re a professional, it can be a scary thing to watch.

Even though dogs are social animals and want to get along, they sometimes have conflicts with each other that lead to fights. A few things dogs can fight over are food, toys or territory. When you add to your pack, you are forcing them to share all the above! So it’s essential to manage these things carefully.

Because adding to your pack is essentially playing “match maker” with your dogs, there are bound to be some conflicts in the beginning. And you can influence the dogs in a negative way if you feel nervous and unsure when they are together. Keep in mind what you want, not what you are afraid of.

When should you intervene when dogs are fighting?

There are some people that believe you should always allow the dogs to work things out for themselves.  In my opinion whether you do or don’t intervene depends on different factors such as your comfort level, your knowledge of the dogs fighting and the severity of the fight.

How can you intervene when dogs are fighting?

Most fights can be diffused with a firm “HEY”. If that doesn’t work you can try different things such as getting between them with your body, pulling them apart, or if you have the resources near you can spray water or throw a coat or blanket on them. The goal is to snap them out of it so they can stop and calm down. Whatever you do, it’s important you remain calm. Screaming at dogs fighting will likely heighten their intensity.

Once you have successfully stopped them from fighting, the important thing is to calm them down while they are still together. If you separate them at that high intensity it could resurface when they see each other again, especially if you keep thinking and expecting it to happen. Dogs naturally want peace and structure. This is an opportunity to show them that you are the leader and what is and isn’t acceptable behavior.

Within your pack of dogs there is a hierarchy that exists between them. So when you bring a new dog into the mix, you have to expect and accept that the dogs have to work those things out. Establishing their roles could potentially lead to fights so keep that in mind. Again it’s up to you how you handle it. Obviously you should use your judgement; you don’t want any dog to end up at the vet’s office.
        
Judique and Effie Butt Heads

The first couple of days after we adopted Effie were stressful. Bear, my sweet senior had no issue with Effie whatsoever, just like I expected. But Judique, my young Husky was having a hard time sharing her house and life. I was quite surprised just how pissed off she seemed with our new addition. She growled and snapped at Effie constantly. We managed that very carefully and made sure we were always around to provide a positive environment. We gave Judique space and made sure we didn’t give all our attention to the new dog. I’ll admit when I was alone with Judique and Effie I was nervous they would fight and inevitably they did. They had two pretty bad fights and I stopped both of them, one of them I had to pull them apart and the second one a firm tone and Effie yelping in pain stopped it. As much as I disliked them fighting, it did seem to establish Judique as boss of Effie. I can see the hierarchy in action all the time now.

I’m very happy to say that the two girls have become great buddies and make perfect playmates for each other. That is exactly what we wanted when we adopted Effie. They occasionally butt heads but it doesn’t happen often and we always make sure it ends with everyone being calm and moving on. There are numerous lessons we can learn from our dogs and one of the most important is to let things go. Dogs don’t hold grudges and they most certainly do live in the moment. What beautiful teachers I have.

Stay tuned for “Adding to Your Pack – Feeding”

Adding to the Pack - When you get Home

So you’ve just adopted and brought home a new dog to live and be buddies with the dog or dogs you already have.

Congratulations on your new addition and thank you for giving a dog in need a home and a new chance at a great life.

So now what? Are there things you can do to help the bonding process with your dogs? Yes there is!

 

 

The first few weeks are crucial and can set the tone for the relationship. You want to create positive experiences for the dogs. They didn’t choose each other but that doesn’t mean they can’t become great buddies and playmates.

 

The more positive experiences they have together, the better! You can walk them, take them on outings and treat them together.

 

On the other side, it’s equally important that all dogs are also given individual time as well.

 

When you first get home:

 

• Go for a walk around the neighborhood before going inside to establish a pack mentality
• Introduce the backyard
• Walk into house on leash and introduce each room on leash

The first few weeks:

• Keep toys and bones put away (high value items can trigger a fight while relationships are new)
• Supervise feeding time
• Do not leave your new and resident dogs alone when you aren’t home or cannot supervise
• Have a crate for the new dog if necessary
• Keep the routines of your residents dogs
• Give equal attention to all dogs
• Spend time with all of your dogs individually
• Interrupt squabbles or growls
• Keep play times under control
• Praise good behavior
• Allow down time for less energetic dogs

Rules


The rules are up to you. It’s your house and your dogs. But I’m a firm believer that we have to be our dog’s leaders. We bring dogs into our homes and provide food, water, exercise, play time, training, shelter, health care and love. In return our dogs give us companionship, unconditional love and loyalty. They need and want structure and rules. It’s up to us to provide and enforce them. Remember being a leader doesn't mean being mean and aggressive. The best leaders are calm, fair and assertive.


Effie Arrives Home

 

 

When we arrived home with our new adopted dog Effie and our two resident dogs, we leashed them all up and headed straight out around the neighborhood for a walk. It was pretty crazy as Effie was very excited and had no leash skills. Though challenging, we managed to get around and even ran into a few neighbours who were surprised but eager to meet her.

 

 

After our walk, we brought all three dogs into our back yard to interact and play. Effie did a lot of smelling! Finally it was time to go into the house. We brought Effie on leash and introduced her to each room. We set up a crate in the living room and the bedroom.  It was time for us to eat and for her to rest. We had all had a long day! She whined at first but eventually calmed down enough to fall asleep. We were not far behind her….

 

 

Stay tuned for “Adding to Your Pack - Fights”

 

 

 

 

 

Keep your dog out of the garbage

Why do dogs love garbage so much? They will literally eat anything! My dogs get to eat good quality dog food and treats. They even get fresh vegetables from time to time. But for some reason a smelly garbage can always gets their attention. It’s unfortunate but all too true. All you dog lovers out there can relate. This is one of the reasons we teach them the “leave it” command so much isn’t it?

Dogs don’t smell the same way as humans. Dogs have super noses! They smell things individually. When we smell a pasta sauce, we just smell the overall aroma. Dogs detect and smell each ingredient separately. Maybe that’s why garbage is so appealing to our furry friends. They don’t just smell a pile of unpleasantness like we do.

So in order to keep their noses and paws out of our garbage, we have to make sure we either keep our garbage cans out of reach, such as under the sink or in the garage. Or we can use dog proof garbage cans. New Dog Owners has done some research and came up with the top three garbage can designs to keep your pooch from indulging when you aren’t home.


You’ll never convince your dog that garbage shouldn’t be explored and eaten, but you can stop him from getting into yours.

Two Years with Judique

Wow it’s been two years with our girl Judique.

Originally a stray from Iqaluit who was rescued by the Iqaluit Humane Society, she was sent to the SPCA of Western Quebec  in Aylmer to be adopted. My husband and I were the lucky ones to take her home on November 28th, 2011.

Naturally we’ve had our share of growing pains and she’s driven us crazy numerous times but all of those experiences have gotten us to where we are today, completely bonded and in love with this funny, smart, playful, loving and beautiful girl. She knows her place in our pack and she’s a wonderful addition to it. 

Judique is 2 ½ years old now and has grown into a very loving dog and is a joy to be around. She’s learning to play with toys as opposed to destroying them. She loves anything “Chuckit” related. She is quite the social butterfly and presents her tummy to mostly everyone she meets. But most of all she loves playing with other dogs! We make sure to take her to our local dog park every weekend to drain her energy, keep up her socialization skills and of course to have fun.

Judique is a great match for our sweet senior Bear. She’s the boss of him and he’s okay with that.  And I think she’s keeping him young at heart.

To see our journey with Judique and learn about life with puppies, read these previous articles:

• Surviving the Puppy Years
• Surviving the Puppy Years - Off Leash Dog Parks
• Surviving the Puppy Years - Destruction
• Surviving the Puppy Years - Practice, Patience, Consistency
• Surviving the Puppy Years - Getting to Know Your Puppy
• Surviving the Puppy Years - Growing out of the Crate

Is the Pekingese right for you?

Before you bring a dog into your life, it’s best to do your research. If you have a certain breed in mind, ask yourself why? Is it the look of the dog that attracts you? Or maybe it’s the size? These are places to start, but there is so much more you need to know.

The Pekingese is a toy breed that originates from China. They weigh between 6 – 14 pounds and on average live from 12 – 15 years. Their colours include Sable, Tan, Blond, Gray or Blue and White.

Pekingese are very loyal and protective dogs. They will bark at strangers and strange noises, therefore make very good watchdogs. However if not properly trained, they may become overly possessive. Because this breed tends to be stubborn, training them can be a challenge. Remember patience is a virtue.

Pekingese do not need a lot of exercise; daily walks are great for them. These dogs can be very happy in an apartment. They are great for amusing themselves but also love and attention from their family.

These little cuties are big shedders so regular brushing is a must.

If you are interested in the Pekingese breed, there is a website that can help further inform you. Find out about the history, breed standards, facts and health concerns on PEKINGESECLUB.ORG.

Useful Website - Managing Pain & Canine Arthritis

We love our dogs and don’t like to see them in pain. But like us they can suffer pain from an injury, disease or arthritis which is especially common in older dogs.

In some cases aspirin can be used as an effective to control pain and reduce swelling in your dog’s joints.

As with any medication, there is a certain amount of risk involved is using it. And there can be side effects as well. Be sure you are aware and comfortable before giving your dog aspirin or any medication.

Prior to giving your dog aspirin, it is advisable to see your vet and have blood work done on your dog. This will help determine your dog’s overall health and whether aspirin is a suitable option for pain relief.

Keep in mind this is meant to be a short term pain management therapy and should be used under your vet’s ongoing supervision.

For more detailed information about managing your dog’s pain with aspirin and other other common medications and natural alternatives, visit the website http://www.dogarthritisaspirin.com.

Shelter Dogs

Shelter dogs are wonderful. But many people have this perception that shelter dogs are these weird and deranged dogs with all kinds of behavioural problems. This is not true. Most of them find themselves in need of a home through no fault of their own.  I personally cannot imagine getting a dog anywhere else other than a shelter. Both my dogs are from shelters.

Misconceptions

A lot of people are apprehensive to adopt a shelter dog because they are concerned of what problems they have that found them in a shelter in the first place. Dogs are brought to shelters for all kinds of reasons, some legitimate and some downright flaky. But often the reasons have more to do with the owners than the dogs.  And shelters take the time to assess each dog and provide insight to their behaviours and needs. If you are a first time dog owner, the shelter will help you find an easy going dog that is suitable for you.

How to choose the right dog

Choosing the right dog for you will make all the difference in your experience as a dog owner. Not every dog is suitable for every person. So take the time to assess your lifestyle.

Are you a low, medium or high energy person?

Be honest with yourself about how active you are. This is very important. If you choose a dog with more energy than you, it will become frustrating for both of you. Make sure you are able and willing to give your dog the amount of exercise and stimulation that it needs.

What age is suitable for you?

You can find any age you prefer at a shelter, from puppies to seniors. Take the time to think about what age would suit you and your lifestyle. Puppies are adorable, that is a given. But they require a lot of work, time and energy. Do you have that to give? Adolescent and older dogs are usually already housetrained and past the nippy teething stage and know basic commands. This can be a good choice for people who are less knowledgeable about dogs. Don’t worry though, you will learn!

What breed should you choose?

If you have a certain breed in mind, do not assume you won't be able to find it at a shelter. You can find purebreds, cross breeds and mixed breeds at shelters. But never pick a dog purely based on looks. Make a list of the qualities, temperament and characteristics you want in a dog and do your research about which type of dog would best fit your family. You can certainly use the dog's breed (or breeds) as a guideline for overall behaviour but don't mistakenly think that every dog that is a certain breed, whether it is a purebred or not will act the same.

Are you ready for the commitment?

It’s extremely rewarding to have a dog in your life but make sure you are ready for the commitment that goes along with having a dog. See previous articles “Your Dog’s Needs” and “Things to consider BEFORE you get a dog”. It's important to know what you are committing to.

Be part of the solution

By adopting your next dog from a shelter, you are helping alleviate the over population of dogs in shelters. You are helping to save the life of a wonderful and deserving animal and giving them a second chance to love and be loved.

This is one of my favourite videos, it's promoting pet adoption. It makes me smile every time I see it. I hope you enjoy it too.

Dog Lovers Unite