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Handy Tips For Surviving A Puppy This Winter

December 18, 2020 Leave a Comment

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After the year many of us have had in 2020 it is safe to say we all need a little love and happiness in our lives. A brilliant way to bring some life and love into lockdown life is to adopt a puppy and start looking after a new member of your family at home. 

 

What better time to commit to a puppy than when we are all stuck at home for a few months anyway? 

 

Today we want to help any new puppy owners consider life around the Christmas period and the things that you need to do to survive Christmas with a puppy running around the house! 

 

Make sure he’s potty trained 

 

Depending where you got your puppy from and how old he is, he might not be potty trained yet and this can be a problem for your home at Christmas. It is very important for you to potty train your puppy and train him to go outside when he needs to. You can start by using a puppy pad and then even get a small tree trunk and put it on the pad to train your pup that trees are a good place to go. Potty training might be a little difficult and stress but with positive reinforcement you won’t have any accidents going on in your home during the Christmas period! 

 

Teach recall 

 

It is very important when you have a puppy to teach him tricks from a very young age. The earlier you can teach your dog something the more ingrained it will become in their lives and this will make a massive difference to your life. You can consider using Puppy Treats for Training and every time you tell your puppy to come to you and they do – be sure to reward them with a treat. Recall in particular is an important trick to teach around Christmas because you will be able to call your puppy back before they eat the presents under the tree or destroy your light display! 

 

Keep chemicals away 

 

Puppies are naturally very inquisitive and it is something that can get them into some sticky situations. If you ever leave any colourful cleaning fluid, bleach, or even antifreeze around the house they will likely try to lick it and eat it and this is incredibly dangerous. If your puppy ingests anything like this it could make them either very nauseous or it could even lead to death from poisoning. Keep your cleaning fluids in a secure cupboard away from your puppy and make sure everything is sealed. 

 

If your puppy does ever ingest something such as antifreeze the best thing you can do is make them drink some vodka. This might sound completely wrong however in the body the alcohol will displace the toxins that bind to your body and as a result you can flush out the bad stuff. Of course, only ever do this if you cannot get to a medical professional first! 

 

Cover your sofa 

 

When you have a little puppy running around the house it is a given that the house will be messy and you will get fur and mud in some places. It is a good idea for you to cover your lovely sofa with a comfy throw because when it gets muddy or dirty you can simply throw it in the washing machine and your problem will be solved! 

 

Be ready to vacuum a lot! 

 

When you adopt a puppy and make your home theirs, you need to be prepared to vacuum the space a lot. It is very important for you to invest in a dog friendly vacuum cleaner such as a shark vacuum that is powerful enough to get all of those tiny little hairs from your furniture. 

 

Keep him away from the Christmas tree 

 

One of the things that your puppy will try to do when you put up the Christmas tree is pull it down and play with the baubles. It is important to remember that your puppy is essentially a baby and he will be incredibly playful and will think everything is a toy. As much as it might be funny to watch your puppy play with the Christmas tree you need to be aware that there are pine needles, tinsel, and glass parts in baubles that your puppy could either choke on or stand on. Be careful and try to keep your puppy away from the tree as much as you can. 

 

Supervise while cooking 

 

When preparing for the Christmas celebrations one of the biggest tasks will be cooking. Preparing a full roast dinner is a big task and there are lots of working parts to it. When you have elements such as a Turkey, vegetables, mash potato, stuffing and all the other accompaniments to consider there will be a lot of washing up and a lot of things left out during cooking. Puppies are naturally gutsy and it is likely that your puppy will try to steal a pig in a blanket or two while you are busy. Make sure that you supervise your puppy or someone else can supervise them and keep them away from all of the food! 

 

Provide lots of mental stimulation 

 

When you have a puppy in your home around Christmas time they will likely go crazy with excitement with all of the presents, decorations, and people around the house. Make sure to provide your puppy with lots of mental stimulation with interactive toys such as a treat maze cube and similar things. The more things you can keep your puppy busy with throughout the day, the easier they will be to manage and the less crazy they will be! 

 

Get some exercise 

 

It is very important that you give your puppy enough exercise every day to keep him healthy and stop him wrecking the house when you get home. The amount of exercise you will need to give to your puppy will depend on their breed and this is something it is worth considering when you look for a dog. For example a pug might only need 30 minutes of exercise a day whereas a husky will need 3-4 hours. Make sure you give them enough time outside in the world and when you get back home they will sleep soundly and not chew on your lights! 

 

Avoid chocolate 

 

Chocolate is commonplace around the house in winter and it is a good idea for you to keep it away from your puppy because they will try to eat it. Chocolate is something that is very toxic to dogs and you need to keep it away at all costs. Consider keeping chocolate treats in a tin and keep your bars in a cupboard away from the open kitchen counter. 

 

Ensure you don’t overfeed 

 

When you have a puppy it is all too easy to want to give them treats all the time; but it is important to know that puppies have sensitive stomachs. Around the Christmas period especially it is tempting to give your puppy leftovers and treats however the best thing you can do while your puppy is less than a year old is to stick to a feeding schedule and don’t feed them too much new stuff. 

 

Having a puppy in your life is an amazing thing especially around the Christmas period. It is a great idea to use these tips to keep your home and your puppy safe and sound during your festive period and have an amazing Christmas together! 

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Pets For Christmas: Everything You Need To Know

December 13, 2020 Leave a Comment

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Pets can be a fantastic Christmas gift for everyone, however, giving the gift of a pet has often received a lot of controversies, you know the saying a dog is for life not just for Christmas’ right? And this is because over the years people have notoriously given up their dogs just days after Christmas. According to the Dog’s Trust in the UK, in 2016 they received a shocking 3,596 calls from people looking to give up their dogs in the weeks after Christmas. It was one call every five minutes. The trust cited some of the worst reasons for giving up a dog were: 

 

  1. Winning a free holiday and unable to take the dogs with them
  2. Being a vegetarian and the dog only wanting to eat meat
  3. Getting him as secret Santa present
  4. The dog being too friendly and wanting to greet every dog and human they met on a walk
  5. The dog was panting too much
  6. He didn’t like playing dress up
  7. She slept in her own bed all night and didn’t want to sleep in the owners bed

 

These seven reasons alone show that not everyone understands what a big decision and a commitment it is to have a dog or any pet in fact and getting a pet is not just something you should do on or whim or give as a gift to someone without discussing it with them at length first. 

 

There are definitely some positives to getting a new pet over the holiday season, for example, you will have more time to settle them into your home and start forming strong bonds as you and your family will be off work and school. It’s also good to have the whole family involved when you first get your new pet and make sure everyone gets their cuddle time as well as know their responsibilities. 

 

There are a number of pets you could get for Christmas or any time of year, and each one will require its own unique set of needs and research prior to bringing it home. If you do choose to get a pet over the Christmas period you need to remember that it might be harder to get to a vet if you need to or a pet shop. So, aside from the basics such as food, water and a place for your pet to sleep, what else do you need to know so that you’re not alarmed when you bring them home?

 

Reptiles

There are some amazing types of reptiles who make perfect pets for those who like them and luckily, they are actually a great pet to get for Christmas as the wrapping paper and Christmas dinner won’t bother them. You’ll need to be prepared though with everything you need and you’ll need to do your research so that you’re not frantically googling on Christmas day ‘Why Is My Bearded Dragons Beard Black?’ Reptiles have a quiet and calm nature and make wonderful pets, just make sure you’re prepared for one before you bring it home. 

 

Rabbits

Rabbits make excellent beginner pets and if you’re thinking of getting one for Christmas then you’ll make your child’s day. Just bear in mind that it is winter and you’ll need to keep your rabbit somewhere warm. Rabbits are also among the quietest pets to own and won’t bark or meow at you to demand your attention. However, they are very sociable and friendly animals and they will be cheeky and ask for attention and treats. You can also teach them to do tricks. Just remember on Christmas day, there will be lots going on and wrapping paper and fairy lights for them to chew, so if you are going to introduce a rabbit to your home on Christmas day itself then be gentle with it and keep a watchful eye on it. 

 

With so many animals, it’s difficult to go through them all but if you are certain that you’re going to get a pet for Christmas then go with a small pet that is easy to look after. If you’re adamant that you want to get a cat then it might be a better idea to wait until after Christmas. The reason for this is that there is so much going on at Christmas and it can actually be a dangerous time for them. They could eat the Christmas decorations, chew through the fairy light wires, get scared when you have visitors over, get ill from eating chocolates and generally find it difficult to settle. 

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5 Simple But Essential Things To Remember About Your Dog

August 21, 2020 Leave a Comment

Your dog is often your best friend and one of the most important things in your life. You have a relationship with them of sorts. And, interestingly, both parties seem to derive a lot of pleasure from it. 

 

Most owners, though, don’t know a great deal about the inner workings of their dog’s mind. They think they know them well, but are often surprised to find out things about them they never expected. A relationship with a dog is always an exciting journey. 

 

So what do owners need to remember about their dogs? Let’s take a look. 

 

Your Dog Sees The World Through Its Nose

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As people, we tend to believe that the world out there is what we can see. But for dogs, it’s more about what they can smell. 

 

Dogs have relatively good eyes for mammals. Historically, wolves used them for hunting down prey and working together in packs. 

 

Dog eyesight, however, is nothing like as advanced as ours. They don’t have the same visual fidelity as we do. And they can’t see as many colors as we can. Seeing through the eyes of a dog would feel a little bit like watching the world through an old television – not great. 

 

Dogs, though, have a much more highly refined sense of smell. In fact, just processing sensory information from the nose takes up a vast chunk of a dog’s brain. It requires tremendous computing power!

 

Owners, therefore, need to remember that dogs are primarily smelling creatures. And often, that means that the most exciting things in the environment are undetectable to you. 

 

Dogs Sweat Through Their Paws

 

There’s no point trying to sweat through fur-covered parts of the body. That’s because water can’t evaporate and offer cooling action for the skin below. That’s why dogs sweat through their paws. 

 

Dog’s Breath Shouldn’t Smell

 

Just like people, dogs shouldn’t have smelly breath. If they do, it could be a sign that something is wrong.

 

Occasionally, their smelly breath results from something they’ve eaten that they shouldn’t. If they’ve been chewing their way through sugar snacks without you knowing, for instance, then this can alter their oral microbiome. But if it carries on long-term, it could indicate oral health issues. 

 

Your best bet is to head down to the pet store and find some tasty chew sticks to clear out any excess plaque. 

 

Dogs Can Get Food Allergies, But They’re Not Common

 

Just like people, dogs can get food allergies, but they’re uncommon. Most dogs are allergic to the proteins in meat – if anything- and not refined grains. So next time you see a dog food company advertising itself as grain-free, take it with a pinch of salt. 

 

Dogs Often Worry About Strangers When They Get Older

 

Most puppies are fine with meeting new people when they’re young. As they get older, though, they start to worry more and more, leading to barking. Therefore, as an owner, it’s best to get all the meeting and greeting out of the way early, instead of waiting for later.

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4 Reasons Small Canines Are The Dogs!

January 15, 2020 Leave a Comment

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Bigger seems to better in today’s society. Whether it’s jumbo TV screens or supersize meals at fast-food joints, everyone prefers more bang for their buck. You might think the same applies when owning a pet, yet it isn’t the case. Small dogs, although little in stature, pack a punch that is impossible to forget once you have one. No, it isn’t just their adorable face and the fact they are incredibly cuddly!

 

Small pooches bring a lot more to the table, stuff you’ll love after you experience it for the first time. So, carry on reading to find out why a small canine is the dogs. There’s even a phrase named after them; that’s how incredible they are!

 

They’re Healthier

 

Now, it isn’t a rule that small dogs are healthier and live longer than big canines. However, it does tend to hold true for the most part, and it’s not hard to see why. With less weight to carry and fewer health issues as a result, they won’t have to go to the vets every couple of months. Even breeds that are notoriously unhealthy can beat the odds if they are small, such as bulldogs. Bred to have a greater stature, a Royal Frenchel is more agile and can breathe more efficiently. As a result, one can live for up to 20 years, which is a lifetime for a bulldog.

 

Less Needy

 

Like all dogs, they need love and attention, but they aren’t the features that annoy pet owners. The stuff you don’t enjoy is going out for an hour walk in the dead of winter or fall when it’s freezing and the rain is pouring down. The excellent news is that a small dog doesn’t need the same level of exercise because its body isn’t as big. So, spending all night in the rain can be a thing of the past. That leaves more time on the sofa cuddling with your best friend!

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Easy To Move

 

Sometimes pets need to come with you on a road trip or vacation. After all, it might not be feasible to pay for a kennel or to ask a loved one to take care of them for two weeks. For big dog owners, this is a pain as there is never enough room for them in the car or on the plane. Small canine owners don’t blink an eye because little dogs fit into the trunk perfectly. Plus, they don’t require as much food or water, or stops for a walk, meaning you’ll get to your destination quicker without any ‘accidents.’

 

They’re Cheaper

 

Why? It’s because they don’t need as many essentials or accessories. A small dog, such as a terrier, won’t eat as much as a Boxer or Great Dane. Let’s face it – dog food isn’t cheap! Also, there’s grooming to consider. Whether it’s lotions or ointments, a small tube will suffice for a little dog, saving you a considerable sum in the long run.

 

Considering dogs live for decades, who wouldn’t want to cut costs?!

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Tips On Keeping Your Dog Safe

January 6, 2020 Leave a Comment

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Owning a pet is a big responsibility. It is up to you to make sure that your dog is happy and healthy, and this can be a big burden to shoulder. However, the good news is that there is a lot of help and assistance available. In this blog post, we are going to take a look at some key safety tips for dog owners to give you a helping hand.

Boundaries in your garden – There is only one place to begin when it comes to keeping your dog safe, and this is by making it impossible for them to break free from your home and be unleashed into the big bad world! You can even get an invisible dog fence today, and so there are so many innovative products on the market to help you with this. Of course, the level of security that is needed in this regard will depend on the size and breed of your dog.

Winter safety – At this time of year, you need to take a lot of care when it comes to looking after your dog. Ice, antifreeze, and frostbite are just three of the main hazards to dogs during the winter period. Make sure you take a dedicated approach when it comes to protecting your dog at this time of year.

Summer safety – Just like humans need a bit of extra protection in the summer months, the same applies to dogs too. Unfortunately, while summer is great for getting outdoors with your dog, there are a lot of dangers. Take the time to learn about dangers like sunburn and heat stroke so that you can stop these from endangering your dog. 

Preventing dog fights – A dog fight can be a very scary thing to watch. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if two dogs are fighting because their play can look similar. Therefore, the best way to protect your dog is to familiarize yourself with what normal play looks like so that you can spot when your dog is fighting. 

Toxins – Your pet’s world is filled with adventure, sights, and exciting scents. However, there are a lot of things that your dog should not touch or eat because they are poisonous. There are a lot of chemicals, plants, and toxic foods, as well as other substances that can endanger your dog. You need to educate yourself on this, as it is specific to each breed of dog. Once you have done this, you will be best placed to make sure your dog is protected and that precautions have been taken to make sure your dog avoids exposure. 

So there you have it: some useful tips on how to keep your dog safe. We hope that the information that has been provided in this blog post will help you when it comes to ensuring that your dog lives a happy, healthy, and protected life. There is certainly a lot that needs to be considered but it will soon become second nature.

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