Bling Bling Puppy Blog

One of the most common and fun games that dogs love to play is fetch. Since tennis balls are common, light weight and cheap they are the perfect fetch toy. There are a couple of good reasons for this. First since they are cheap, if your dog does destroy it, you can get another one for a couple of dollars. Second, since they are light weight you can throw them pretty far which is good since your dog will get plenty of exercise and have fun while doing it. It is a win win situation.

However, there is a certain level of danger involved that most dog owners don’t think about. the reason most dog owners don’t associate danger with playing fetch with a tennis ball is because incidents are rare. Here are a few possible dangers to keep an eye on.

1. It is possible for your dog to accidentally swallow the ball. This does not happen very often, but when it does the dogs natural tendency is to swallow if the ball gets lodged in their throat which can bring about a quick death if not tended to immediately.

2. Swallowing the rubber fragments from the ball are not good for their health as sometimes they remain in the stomach and can cause health problems. Sometimes surgery is the only remedy when this happens.

3. The felt on the ball can be abrasive to your dogs teeth and wear away at the enamel over time. You also don’t want your dog to swallow any of it either.

So while it is recommended to get a more dog friendly ball, if you do use a tennis ball, be very careful and pay attention to your dog. If the ball starts to get warn out get a new one. A top quality tennis ball is better than the ones commonly found in a pet store as they will last longer. If your dog is a puppy they are more prone to chew than an older dog so it is a good idea to keep them out of your dogs reach until you are there to supervise.

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When it comes to getting a dog for the home, getting a small dog has many advantages over getting a large dog. One of the biggest advantages is that they tend to make for better indoor dogs due to their size. This may seem obvious at first, but when you consider things such as damage to your furniture, shedding, and cleaning up after an accident you start to see the benefits of a smaller dog. Other things such as the fact that smaller dogs are less expensive to feed makes for a smart choice when considering a small dog.

So if you are going to get a small dog which one should you get? Well, it is smart to do some research first on the internet since different breeds come with certain traits specific to them which can include specific physical benefits or potential problems as well. Here are a few breed types to consider.

1. Bichon Frise

This lovable little dog is the one that they love to grow out and puff out their long white hair like a Q-tip at the dog shows. Sometimes mistaken for a Poodle, these dogs have a shorter jaw then the Poodle. They are a very healthy breed with little if any health problems, and they can live over 15 years in many cases which is more than most dogs. They are stout and strong little dogs despite their size. They get along well with everyone and make for a loving companion. The one real cost here is that they need to be either consistently groomed because of their long hair, or you can just keep their hair short which is easier.

2. Pug

These little dogs are friendly and cute with their large beady dark eyes and semi wrinkled skin. They can get a bit overweight if you are not careful. They weigh in at around 20lbs when full grown and they get along with everyone so don’t count on them to make for a good watch dog.

3. Chihuahua

These small dogs are one of the smartest dog breeds around which makes them easy to train. If you take the time to train them well, they can have a whole variety of tricks at their disposal. They are cuddlers, and get along with most everyone. They do shed a little, so you will have to keep their grooming schedule consistent, but not daily. Do to their small size, you will have to be a little careful around them as they can get under your feed pretty easily.

These are only a few breeds, and there are many more great small dog breeds out there for you to research. So just be prepared as with any dog to deal with potty training (if they are a puppy), house training, (what NOT to chew on) and getting them the necessary items such as toys, a nice dog bed, food, a collar and leash, and a couple of bowls. Small dogs can give big love and be a great addition to the family for a long time.

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If you have ever left your home only to come back to chewed up shoes or furniture it might be a sign of separation anxiety. Dogs love to chew on stuff especially when they are puppies, but if it happens every time you leave the house it could be more than just bad behavior. Other signs of anxiety are hyperactivity, nervousness, excessive barking, digging, trembling, or unusual urine marking.

Many times you can just go to the vet and look into anti anxiety medications, but it is usually better to find a more natural solution first. Here are some natural options to look at.

Absence Training

This method works for dogs that suffer from separation anxiety. This takes a little time, but if you have a schedule that requires you to leave your dog at home for long periods of time during the day this works well. You start when you first get your dog by only leaving them for short periods of time at first. Things like a short trip to the grocery store are perfect. If you notice some destruction when you get home, a little discipline (stern scolding, time out, etc..) then afterwords affirmation will help your dog to learn appropriate behavior when you’re gone. Some tricks to occupy your dogs time are things such as treat filled toys that will keep them busy for a little while. When your dog starts to get used to you being gone for short periods of time you can then increase the time you are out. If you don’t have much time to train your dog like this and have to work during the day you can try and get a neighbor to pay your dog a visit with some treats. It is best to have your dog become familiar with your neighbor first to avoid aggression. Your dogs separation anxiety should significantly diminish over time.

Natural Medicine

There are natural things you can use to help your dogs anxiety (not just separation anxiety). Herbs such as chamomile can help your dog to relax more. There are also products like our Ruff to Smooth spray on conditioner that have lavender to calm your dog naturally. Giving your dog a comfortable bed to sleep on also helps as well. This works much like a security blanket works for children. With so many beds to choose from you want to find one that has a thick and soft filling. Most of the casual dog beds we sell in our store are a good choice. With a little planning and TLC you should be able to ease your dogs anxieties and give them the ability to calm down.

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When you are going to take a trip with your beloved pooch, here are some reminders when traveling with your dog.

Don’t forget the vacation food! As we all know when we speak of vacation it will always have to involve food with it. So instead of going in and out of supermakets on your trip to get your dog some meal, why not bring instead? That will save you time and money. If you are asking how much food should you bring, calculate the days that you will spend on your vacation and then how much he eats in a day. And when you find the equation, add food for a few extra days’ worth. It doesn’t hurt to bring a bit more.

Road trips can be really awesome, but when the said trip is really long then it might become dragging and eventually boring. Don’t let your dog get bored by bringing with you some comforts that your dog uses at home to keep him occupied. It can be his favorite squeaky toy or a chewable item he digs to bite and bite. Whatever makes him comfortable always take it with you. In addition, when you are going to make a stop over, don’t forget to play with your dog – some Frisbee tossing or ball fetching perhaps?

Just because you guys are in a vacation it means that you are excused from giving your dog some exercise. Apart from that, it does not have to sound like it’s a chore – make it a fun filled activity instead! Go and take a walk on your vacation place with your dog or head to the beach and smell fresh ocean air there with your beloved pooch. Do not forget to make it fun – you are on a vacation!

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So you are getting a dog? That is good. You know there are a lot of things that having a dog can give you. For on,e dogs are very much honored to keep you happy all the time and keep you company when you are sad and blue – these are just two of the many reasons why you should keep a dog. On the other hand, having a dog also means having a responsibility. Keeping one is like keeping a child of your own, because dogs also need the basic necessities almost similar to us humans. Things like food, water, shelter, exercise, and leadership among others are just some of the many things a dog needs. So if you are wanting to own one, you should ask yourself fist this very important question: Are you ready to keep a dog? Here is an article that you may find really interesting and helpful.

So why you should ask yourself before getting a dog? Simply because this is a decision that needs to be really carefully thought out. One factor that you should consider when planning to get a dog is to have time for one. It is better that you should keep one when you have time to feed him, play with him, take him to the park everday, train him, and other things that you should do when you have your own dog. If you are a really busy person, at least get someone to look after him. If you have no time and not enough budget to pay someone to go and give your dog his needs then you should consider first really hard before getting one.

Another thing to give consideration is what breed you should get. Many people think that getting any kindof dog is okay. Well I am telling you it is not. You also have to think that you have to match your personality to the dog’s. There are dogs that are active and there are dogs that are lazy. There are very high maintenance dogs and there are dogs that only need to be groomed once a year. You should ask your veterinarian or a dog expert to know which kind of dog breed you should get.

So, are you ready to keep a dog?

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