Before taking your dog on any adventures this summer, you should be prepared with a dog first aid kit. Accidents happen, and you’ll want to have the necessary supplies in the case of an illness or injury. Today, I’m sharing everything you should include in …
Did you know mental stimulation is just as important for your dogs health as physical exercise? When dogs are left with nothing to do, they get bored, just like humans! Interactive dog toys are great boredom busters for our furry friends, but they can get …
What’s better than a day full of shopping? Shopping with your dog of course! You may be surprised that there are many chain stores across the United States that are dog friendly! If you’re looking for a fun weekend activity for you and your pup, consider taking them to one of these 10 dog friendly stores in 2021.
Note: Before taking your pup out to shop til he drops, make sure he’s a well trained pooch. If your dog does not know how to walk on a leash or is likely to bark at other pups he sees, shopping may not be the best activity. Keep in mind that service dog handlers need their dogs to be focused, and your rowdy pup may keep them from doing so. If your dog doesn’t always have the best manners, consider a trip to a dog park or doggy daycare instead.
This one should be obvious. Petsmart, Petco, and other pet stores are almost always dog friendly. These shops can be great locations for dog training. Leash training, dog reactivity, and stay are all good tricks to teach your furry friend in your local Petsmart.
Of course, pet stores are also great for letting your dog pick out a new toy or treat. Bring your dog to the nearest Petco after a trip to the vet to reward them for their good behavior.
TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods are all known for being dog friendly. Which is great since their collection of doggy supplies is massive! I always recommend people hit up their nearest TJ Maxx for dog gear because the selection is great and the prices are even better.
These hardware stores are both dog friendly both inside and in their outdoor garden areas. Bring your leashed pup along for a romp through the wide aisles full of tools and appliances.
The body and face care store is known for being cruelty free, so it’s no surprise that our furry friends are welcome in their stores! Let your pooch help you sniff out the best bath bombs, face masks, and body scrubs.
You’ll want to make sure your pup is super well trained before bringing them in this store full of expensive electronics. The Apple Store welcomes dogs in their stores. Because their isn’t much walking room in these stores, it may be better suited for smaller dogs.
Want your pups opinion on your new summer outfits? Old Navy is the place to go! The clothing store welcomes well-behaved, leashed dogs.
Gap, Old Navy’s sister store, also has a dog friendly policy.
What is better than curling up with a book and your pooch? Barnes and Nobles welcomes dogs inside its book haven.
Many Barnes and Nobles locations have a coffee shop or cafe attached to them. Due to regulations surrounding food, these locations may not be pup-friendly.
In the market for a new apothecary table ( 😉 to all my Friends fans out there)? Pottery Barn allows well behaved dogs into its furniture store. This is another store that is better suited to smaller dogs due to the tight aisles of breakable items.
Nordstrom can’t wait to have your furry friends come in for a visit! Bring your dog into Nordstrom the next time you’re shopping for a new outfit. There’s even a #dogsofNordstrom tag on Instagram so that everyone can see your fashionable pup.
Bass Pro Shops doesn’t just allow dogs, they encourage them! They even host a “Dogs Day” event every year for some extra fun.
Next time you need a new fishing pole or hunting gear, bring the dogs along with you for some fishy fun.
For the most part, all of these locations are dog friendly. However, rules can vary from store to store so it’s a good idea to call ahead before bringing Fido on your shopping spree to one of these dog friendly stores in 2021.
Moms don’t only have to have human kids! Dog moms are just as important as human moms, and they deserve to be spoiled this Mother’s Day as well. Mother’s Day is on Sunday, May 9. This year spoil that dog mom in your life with …
Trimming your dogs nails is an important, yet difficult task. Despite being a painless procedure, many dogs are not a fan of having their nails trimmed. Nail trimming should be implemented from day one of bringing your new puppy home. The sooner you start nail …
Did you know that a lot of human foods actually have vitamins and nutrients that are beneficial for your dog as well? Summertime brings lots of delicious fruits that people enjoy throughout the warm months. This summer, your dog can enjoy a sweet, fruity treat as well! Today I’m sharing 8 summer fruits that are safe for dogs.
Watermelon is the perfect sweet treat to enjoy at a cookout or sitting by the pool, and to make it even better, you can share it with your dog too! The sweet melon is 92% water, making it the perfect fruit to keep your dog hydrated on warm summer days.
Watermelon is also choked full of vitamins such as A, B6, and C so it has nutritional benefits as well. At only 50 calories per cup, it’s a treat you can feel good about giving your pup.
Make sure you remove any seeds before feeding watermelon to your dog, as they can cause blockage or intestinal discomfort.
Strawberries are another summer fruit that is safe for dogs-stem and all! Dogs eat grass all the time, so the leaves on a strawberry won’t harm them. If you’re looking for a sweet bite sized snack for Fido, strawberries are the way to go!
Peaches are safe for dogs to eat, and the skin can be left on as an added source of fiber.
It’s important to note that when you feed your dog a peach, you cannot give them the pit. Not only can the pit put them at risk for a blockage, but it also contains a low dose of cyanide. The chances of a dog being poisoned from one peach pit is low, however, it’s still a risk that should be avoided at all costs.
If your dog accidentally consumes a peach pit keep an eye on them for symptoms such as dilated pupils, dizziness, and drooling.
Blueberries are high on my list of summer fruits that are safe for dogs because they are just as good for our furry friends as they are for humans! They contain potassium and fiber which are both needed in a complete dog diet. They also have high antioxidant levels, which help support your dogs immune system.
Pineapples have many benefits for your furry friend. They are full of vitamins and can help with your pups digestion. Pineapple is even a natural pain reliever for dogs!
Pineapple has also been known to treat coprophagia and pancreatitis and can even prevent kidney stones!
Mango is another summer fruit that is safe for dogs! However, when feeding your dog mango be sure you only give them the fruit, and not the skin. Mangos, like many other fruits, are full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber making them a great treat for your dog in moderation.
Bananas are great for dogs! They are a perfect treat to serve with some peanut butter or a great way to naturally sweeten homemade dog treats. Try out my Peanut Butter “Pup”Cake recipe as an easy way to give your dog a sweet banana treat!
Lastly, on our list of summer fruits that are safe for dogs are raspberries! These small, sweet berries are another fruit full of antioxidants. These antioxidants are especially great for senior dogs due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
Raspberries are also full of vitamins, nutrients, and fiber making them a healthy treat for your dog.
Note: Dogs do not need fruit in their diet and therefore should be given it in moderation or as a treat. The natural sugars in fruit can be too much for our furry friends should they be given too much of it. Use fruit as an ingredient in doggy sweets or as a special treat on warm days.
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.
Wouldn’t life be so much easier if our dogs could speak to us? Being able to ask them what they want or how they feel would make dog ownership a breeze. Unfortunately, dogs aren’t able to talk, at least not with their voice. However, by …
It’s that time of year where we need to keep an eye on our furry friends for parasites such as fleas and ticks. Ticks are parasites that feed off the blood of other animals, and unfortunately our dogs are a popular choice. While removing a …
Getting a new puppy can be an exciting time. Unfortunately, it can also be filled with unwanted opinions and “advice” from friends and family. Many people follow “adopt, don’t shop” and will try to talk you out of purchasing a puppy from a breeder. In reality, if you want a purebred puppy from a dog breeder, that is okay. However, it is important to make sure you’re buying from an ethical breeder. Too many people make the mistake of buying from puppy mills or backyard breeders. This is why animal shelters are overrun and at capacity. Today I’m sharing my tips for how to pick an ethical dog breeder.
If your dog breeder does not require you to sign a contract, that is a sign they’re unethical. You should be asked to sign a contract stating the price of the puppy, what you will do in the case you no longer want the puppy, and that you understand the health and behavior risks that may come with your puppy. The contract should be in the best interest of not only your breeder, but yourself and your puppy as well.
An ethical dog breeder will insist that if you no longer want your puppy, you will return him or her to the breeder. An ethical breeder will not allow for their puppies to end up in multiple homes or in a shelter. The contract you sign should state that you agree to return the puppy to the breeder should you no longer want them for any reason.
When you’re looking to pick an ethical dog breeder, ensure you are able to meet the puppy parents before signing a contract or putting down a deposit. A good dog breeder will be more than willing to introduce you to the parents and brief you on any health and temperament concerns you should be made aware of. The pedigree, vaccination records, and any major health concerns should be given to you up front and honestly.
Ask questions such as how many litters the parents have had. If they aren’t willing to answer your questions they’re not an ethical dog breeder.
Puppies need to be with their mom until minimally 8 weeks old. If your breeder allows you to pick up your pup before this 8 week mark, they’re likely a puppy mill or backyard breeder.
An ethical dog breeder will want the best for mom and her puppies and won’t let you pick them up too early.
A well-bred, purebred dog is probably not going to cost you less than $1000. If the breeder offers you a puppy for a couple hundred dollars, those dogs are likely not well bred and probably come with a variety of health issues. In other words, if you think you’re getting a puppy for cheap, it’s for a reason.
An ethical dog breeder is not going to barter with you on the price of their puppies. They’re going to want their dogs to go to good homes, and aren’t going to agree on a lower price just to sell a puppy.
Did they receive vaccines and dewormer? Have they been indoors or were they kept outside? Were they socialized? You’ll want to ask as many questions as possible to pick an ethical dog breeder. If you feel that the breeder won’t give you a straight answer, or is dodging your questions, they’re probably not an ethical breeder.
An ethical dog breeder will allow you to meet the puppies (and parents) before putting down a deposit or signing a contract. If a breeder asks you for a deposit before allowing you to meet and pick your puppy, they are not an ethical dog breeder.
This tip for how to pick an ethical dog breeder goes with the last one. A good breeder won’t sell their puppies online without meeting you and having you meet them. Any breeder that is willing to sell their puppies to someone who they’ve never met is selling dogs for money. This is a huge sign that they are a puppy mill or backyard breeder.
Dog breeders want their puppies going to good homes that are equipped to properly raise their puppies. If a breeder doesn’t ask questions about why you want that breed or how you plan to raise them, then they are likely willing to sell their puppies to anyone. Breeders that don’t care where their puppies go, are breeding dogs for money and not for the well being of the dogs.
The best way to pick an ethical dog breeder is to ask for references! Look up your breeders name and find reviews. Ask people who have bought puppies from them about their experience. You can even ask the dog breeder themselves for references. If they hesitate to give you a reference they’re most likely hiding something they shouldn’t be.
Teaching your new puppy to sit should be the first command you teach them upon bringing them home. “Sit” is one of the most basic commands that all dogs should know. It’s the basis for many other tricks such as “stay” and “shake”. Teaching your …