1) Retrievers
I guess this really isn’t a specific breed but it encompasses many breeds: Labradors, Goldens, Flat Coats, Chesapeake are just a few examples. Retrievers are known for their high energy but also their ability to thrive in any household setting. They are great family dogs and eager to please, which makes them easy to train. They are great dogs to have for first time owners or with families with smaller children.
2) Border Collie
Border Collies are known for being one of the smartest breeds out there. If you ever follow Zak George, he has 2 Border Collies which are not only the cutest thing ever, but are the smartest dogs I have ever seen. If you have a chance, please take a look at his series of training videos and his YouTube vlogs here. Even though Border Collies are considered one of the brightest breeds, be prepared to spend 2-3 hours a day exercising them. They are super high energy and if you don’t have the time to dedicate, this may not be the right dog for you.
3) German Shepherd
German Shepherds are very popular and for good reasons. They are smart, loyal, hard working, and, most importantly, gorgeous. German Shepherds thrive when physically and mentally exercised. They are considered a work dog, for they are active in so many support roles in the community. You see them constantly as police dogs, military, search and rescue, and many more. If you decide to get a German, please socialize them when they are pups and emphasize positive reinforcement.
4) Siberian Husky
Beautiful dogs but they are not taken lightly. Huskies are known as escape artists because of their ability to crawl under or jumping over fences. They tend to be very active and that is why many husky parents leave their pup outside but owners need to make sure they are supervised. They need plenty of exercise or they become destructive, which is perfect for the active individual. Huskies are recommended to start positive reinforcement training early and consistently. They are also a highly vocal breed but of course, every dog has their own personality.
5) Local Adopted Mix Breed
Last but not least, the best breed would be found at your local shelter. Even though purebred dogs are amazing dogs (For I do have a Golden), do not undermine your local mixed breed. Mixed breeds tend to have the best of both worlds without the potential medical issues. For example, Golden Retrievers are prone to hip dysplasia but maybe if mixed with a chow, it could mitigate that health issue. If you are looking for a local pet to adopt, please click here. Not only are you helping your local shelter, you give 1 dog a loving home and a life full of love.
I understand that there are many other breeds that we can add to the list, but the idea is to get you on the right track and to make sure you do your research before you bring home your new dog. Many new dog parents underestimate the amount of work needed or find that the breed does not match their lifestyle. If you do love the outdoors, please consider these 5 breeds.
]]>1) Wired Crate
From personal experience, the wired crate was my life saver when Faye (my Golden Retriever) was a puppy. If you have some time, please watch Zak George's crate training video. He teaches you how to introduce the wired crate to your pup to minimize their whining when they are left alone. The crate is great for a couple of things: prevent your pup from wandering the house and chewing on everything, potty training, and having their little own safe place.
Potty training using the crate, or crate training, is the most effective way to teach your pup to use the restroom outside. When you have time, please watch the video mentioned above.
Let me elaborate on the last point: having their little safe place. Sometimes, I will take Faye with me on mini vacations where we will stay at dog friendly hotels and I will bring her crate with me. At night, instead of sleeping, she loves to wander around the room, be super curious, and not sleep. Right when I open her crate, she goes right inside (without me saying a word), lays down and sleeps. Of course at home she does not sleep in her crate anymore, but in unfamiliar areas, she feels more comfortable sleeping in her crate, which I feel like is an added bonus of crate training.
2) A Buckle Style Collar
I will always prefer the quick release buckle style collars compared to belt style collars. If you ever bring your dog to boarding facility or a doggy day camp, they will require you to have a buckle style collar. This is because if your dog's collar ever gets stuck on the crate and the employees need to remove the collar, it is much easier to just press down on the buckle clasps than to cut the belt style collar (which is usually the only option). A buckle style will always be less hazardous to your dog compared to belt style collar.
3) A Leash to last you a lifetime
dog parents will have multiple leashes (I know I do) but I always have my go-to leash. I would recommend a leash that is on the thicker side and prefer rope leashes to flat leashes. This is because when your pup decides to chew on the leash, and it will happen, its harder for them to chew through a rope leash compared to a flat leash. Please remember that your leash is the main defense between your puppy and the car driving down the street. Price should not be your main factor when buying a leash but having a comfortable handle, sturdy clasp, and quality leash material should be of utmost importance, for it is what is going to save your dog's life. I will always recommend our leash, under the catalog section, to any dog parent because we do focus on the most important aspect: safety.
4) Chew toys!
Please invest in a chew toy your dog will love! You will constantly be telling your pup to drop your socks, napkins, and whatever they can get their mouth on and replace it with a chew toy. This will teach them what are off limits and what isn't: the chew toy. Once your dog starts teething, they will want to chew of something to alleviate the discomfort. By having a quality chew toy that they will love, it will minimize your pup targeting your belongings as their new chew toy. Trust me, my glasses, my girlfriend's laptop, and my carpet are prime examples of needing a sturdy chew toy.
5) Quality dog food
I can't stress this enough. So many people go the cheap route to save a bit of money but in the end, it is not worth it. Having quality food plays a HUGE part in the quality of life for your dog. By feeding better dog kibble, it could add years to you dog's life. As much as we want to, our dogs are not going to be here forever, but if I can spend a little more time with them, I will take it. For new parents, look for food with high protein content and high fats to help those growing bones!
I fed Faye Merrick's when she was a puppy and I still continue to feed her Merrick's(Shes almost 5 now). I have gone through other brands but always seem to come back to Merrick's grain free dry kibble. I never had an issue with them and they have not had a recall on their dry kibble that I am aware of. But if you decide not to go with Merrick's, please look at the ingredients listed on the bag; the first 3 ingredients should be meat!
Ingredients to stay away from: corn, by products, and artificial flavoring. Please do not fall for brand marketing ploys: the words "premium, holistic, and all natural." Don't get me wrong, they might be true but do not base your decisions on those words.
Meat, Meat, and more meat! Dogs are carnivores and thrive off meat! If you can afford grain free, I would highly recommend grain free foods.
6) Metal Bowl
I have always been a fan of metal bowls. They are very sturdy and easy to clean. When Faye was a puppy, she had a very bad habit of splashing her water bowl. She would literally digs the water and by having a metal bowl, it holds up well against the puppy paws.
I do not have experience with ceramic bowls but owners love them because you can design them. I have seen many dog videos where owners use ceramic bowls and have their dog's name on the outside (which is super cool). The only downside is I heard some low quality ceramic bowls contained lead. I am unsure of how true this is but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
7) Puppy Shampoo
My dog dreads bath time and, in all honesty, I dread giving her a bath (Not good for my back). The general rule is 1 bath every 2 weeks at the earliest; when you give your dog a bath, you strip the natural oils from their coat, which can lead to dryness and itchiness. My dog has very sensitive skin and finding a great shampoo is tough. The first shampoo I used was EarthBath; it worked well, with main ingredients being oatmeal and aloe to help soothe the skin. Right now we use OxGord that contains oatmeal, which I like a bit more because it smells better.
Please do not use human shampoo or dish washing soap. When choosing a shampoo, look for oatmeal, aloe, and coconut. They are great for the fur and the skin. If you are in a brick and mortar store, open the bottle and smell it first. I believe smell plays an important factor: if you can't stand the smell, don't buy it.
8) High quality treats
Please do not get Beggin' Strips, Milk Bones, or any highly marketed treats with a cheap price tag. They are cheap for a reason: cheap ingredients. I love Zuke's and have always bought Zuke's for Faye. They use a lot of meat in their ingredients and they smell like meat. They are also great for pups because they do come in smaller size bites to help with puppy training. Some great alternatives to dog treats are fruits and small cuts of meat. Sometimes if we run out of treats at home, we will cut up small pieces of apples and bananas as replacements.
9) Pet Insurance (Optional)
Pet insurance is optional but it can save you a lot of money in the long run. In the last 9 months, we would have spent close to $1,000 in vet bills for Faye. From her annual check-ups and boosters to going through the trash and having digestion issues, we went to the vet about 5 times in 9 months. The premiums I paid for insurance for 9 months added up to almost $750. That is almost $300 in savings! I know what you are thinking: "Well if my dog doesn't have any issues, my monthly premiums are a waste of money!" All it takes is that one trip to the vet that costs 2k-3k for you to regret not buying insurance and trust me, it happens.
I would highly recommend insurance if your dog's breed is prone to health issues, like Golden Retrievers; because Faye is a Golden Retriever, she is prone to hip dysplasia, cancer, and skin issues. We decided to get insurance early to cover hereditary diseases and disorders, like hip dysplasia to save us money when she gets older.
10) Patience, time and grit
Please understand that having a puppy is not easy. You will have the days of aggravation because your puppy chewed up your favorite shoes. You will have the days where you dog decided to go through the trash and its going to take you 2 hours to clean it up. You will have the days your dog tears up the new furniture that costs a fortune. All we ask is, at the end of the day, put in the work (even though you may be upset) but understand it is a process and it will all be worth it. Remember, all great things are never easy. The cliche saying, "Rome was not built in a day," has so much truth and couldn't be more relevant.
Of all 10 that we mentioned in this blog post, having the patience, time and grit is most important. I believe being a new dog parent requires a lot of patience and having the attitude to not give up on your dog. Shelters are usually full after major holidays, such as Christmas and Valentine's Day because humans do not realize the amount of work it takes to have a dog and they usually give up on them. If you put in the time, have the patience to train them, and have the grit to overcome the some of sleepless nights, you deserve their unconditional love and loyalty.
I hope this has been informative, especially #10. If you have any additions to this list, please leave it in the comments!
]]>In honor of National Pet Adoption weekend, we believe it is only suitable to blog about adopting a dog. In this blog post, we want to really focus on the ones that have the lowest adoption rate: senior dogs. Elderly dogs get a bad reputation but let's focus only the good and not the bad. The following are 7 reasons why you should adopt an elderly dog.
1) Adopting a senior dog can save their life
I believe this is one of the more important reasons to adopt. Elderly dogs, unfortunately, do not have much time compared to younger dogs/pups. By giving them a loving home, not only will it give them a sense of belonging, but you save them from being euthanized. With their low adoption rate, shelters are more likely to put elderly dogs down first, and senior dogs do deserve loving homes.
2) They come already trained
Some pet owners dread the first year of owning a puppy because it is the hardest year when having a dog. With a senior dog, it is possible that they are fully house trained and an added bonus of knowing some pretty neat tricks that you can show off to your friends. When you have a house trained dog, it saves you a lot of time and effort needed compared to a puppy.
3) Older Dogs are more calm
Not everyone is built for extreme hikes, overnight camping trips, and countless trips to the beach. Sometimes, we prefer to sit on the couch and watch our favorite Netflix Original show. This is where older dogs do shine. They enjoy sitting down with you and watching you watch your favorite Netflix movie. To them, being around you is exactly what they ask for, and for some, its a match made in heaven.
For families that have younger children, having a senior dog will be a great addition to the family if you're afraid of your dog jumping all over and tripping your kids; pups are more likely to have more energy and a higher chance to injure your children.
4) Elderly dogs are not broken
The common misconception is that all elderly dogs have too many health issues and it will be too costly to adopt them. While this might be true in some cases, most senior dogs are at the shelter due to major life changes from their previous owner: divorce, finance troubles, new child, or relocation. Many of them are perfect house dogs and just need a loving home.
5) Avoiding the dog and owner mismatch
There are dogs that say "Hey, today's plan should consist of going to the bathroom, eating breakfast, and then taking a long nap until dinner time." Then there are dogs that wake us up 5:45 in the morning, want to play fetch at the park for a good 3 hours, then conquer that 14 mile hike they have been dreaming about the night before. Everyone dog, like people, have certain needs and wants and we want to make sure we, as people, can provide it to them. Adopting an older dog makes it easier to gauge the dog's personality to match your lifestyle.
6) Instant companion
Senior dogs are ready to rock n roll now. Instead of having to wait until your puppy receives all of their shots and is properly leash trained, older dogs are ready can go to the park to play fetch. Instead of having to clean up after your puppy's mess that they made in the house, you can already be swimming together in the pool. Instead of testing the waters to see if the pup like car rides, your senior dog could be going on road trips cross country with you and your buddies. With an older dogs, it is more of the exciting adventures you can partake now. With younger dogs, it's "my dog made a mess and I have to clean it or I don't trust my dog to not have an accident at my buddy's house."
7) Golden Years
There is a reason why the last years of dogs are called the golden years. The amount of appreciation and loyalty is unheard of unless experienced. By adopting an older dog, you give yourself the opportunity to experience the joy of not only saving a life, but truly understand what it means to have a companion with unwavering devotion. By giving that senior dog their second chance at a loving home, it allows them to prove to you their ability "to be the best dog they can be."
So, the next time you go to your local shelter to look for a puppy, please do not overlook the glorious white muzzled, tail wagging senior. They want to be adopted just as bad with their fur-ever loving smile. So before you go and pick up your next cute puppy, remember the amount of poop you have to clean from inside the house, the times they will go through the trash, or the carpet that you have to replace because they ripped it off. With a senior dog, they are ready to go on day 1.
Do you have experience adopting a senior dog? Please leave your story in the comment section! We would love to read about your story!
]]>Aside from feeding your furry family member a healthy protein diet, the follow are great additions and snacks to feed your ever growing dog! The following 7 Super Foods for your dog are all from personal experience but always consult with your vet beforehand.
1) Canned Pumpkin Puree
I almost always keep one in my cabinet because it is super beneficial for my dog. When she gets into the trash or when she is constipated, I always feed a tablespoon in her dry kibble. Not only does she enjoy the taste, it is filled with fiber; if your fur-member has trouble going to the restroom, putting a tablespoon is a great, cheap alternative compared to over the counter medication. So, if your pup has a tendency of going through the trash or snacking on people's trash when you guys go for a walk, keep one in the cabinet. You won't regret it. If there is a Sprouts near you, you can usually buy one for a little more than a dollar.
2) Apple Cider Vinegar
I know what you are thinking-- It smells! I completely agree with you but I use it to help with my dog's skin and fur issues. I have a Golden Retriever and when the seasons change, she starts developing hot spots and itches constantly. A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar (ACV) in her food everyday helps soothe her skin. If it gets bad, you can bathe your dog in ACV but be prepared to handle the smell. There are online recipes on how much you should mix with water and other ingredients so that the smell isn't as potent. A good rule of thumb is 2 tablespoons of ACV to 1 quartz of water.
I have also used ACV for my golden's paws. When she runs on cement or dirt, sometimes her paws do rip and they do get irritated; she tends to lick them after we play and we usually find out that they are raw. I tend to soak them in 2 parts water, 1 part ACV. After, I will wrap my socks around her paws (she hates it).
Beforehand, please make sure your dog is not allergic!
3) Fish Oil
I think this one is very common among dog owners because it is always recommended due to its numerous benefits. From improving skin and fur quality to its anti-inflammatory properties, fish oil is almost the go-to for supplement for dog parents. I have fed my golden fish oil ever since she was a pup. I usually give 2 fish oil capsules, pop them with a needle and squirt it on her kibble. When feeding fish oil, make sure you do not give them too much. From what I have read, when you have too much omega 3 in your system, it can cause vitamin E deficiency. I always do 2 parts fish oil and 1 capsule of vitamin E but it will be different depending on your dog's size and weight.
4) Apples
Apples are a great alternative to your Milk-Bone, Beggin' Strips, and Jerky. Not only are those snacks prone to recalls, but most of them include ingredients that are harmful to your pup. Apples are cheaper, full of antioxidants, fiber, and my dog loves the taste. When feeding apples to your pup, please remember to not give them the core, which has the seed. If possible, try to cut the apples into small pieces and can be a great treat used for dog training. Please remember that snacks are good in moderation. Please do not use apples as meal replacements because of the low protein content.
5) Vitamin E
Like stated earlier with fish oil, vitamin E is almost essential if you are feeding your dog fish oil to prevent vitamin E deficiency. You should include 1 capsule of 400 international units (IU) of vitamin E. Additional benefits include boosting and supporting the immune system, injury recovery, and helps keep the skin moisturized. But like all vitamins, please take in moderation. Since vitamin E is a fat soluble vitamin, it is stored in the body, which can cause issues in the liver.
6) Coconut Oil
I personally do not have experience with coconut oil but my friend swears by it. By feeding her dogs coconut oil, she says she sees a big improvement in their coat quality and dog scent. There are numerous benefits listed for coconut oil, such as improved digestion, which could improve your dog's breath, nutrition absorption, and many more. It is recommended to include it in their food, and like all good things, please use in moderation.
7) Yogurt
Before we dive into the wonderful world of yogurt, please understand that when we say yogurt, we mean plain yogurt; yogurt with additives and artificial flavorings might be your favorite, but they should not be fed to your dogs. Personally, I feed yogurt to my dog once a week. I did not want to overwhelm her stomach with too many different types of foods and oils. Yogurt is a great way to help clean the nasty bacteria in their stomach and a great replacement for probiotic pills. I usually feed her yogurt a couple of hours after her dinner meal, but you are more than welcome to include it in their kibble. I eat plain yogurt and purchase it on a weekly basis; therefore, giving my dog yogurt is as simple as making sure I go to the grocery store.
With all these super foods and oils, please remember to read labels and do your research beforehand. For example, not every fish oil brand is made equally and not every yogurt brand that states they are plain are truly plain. Please be diligent and proactive in understanding what your dog is eating because, in the end, we want our dogs to be with us for as long as they can. Eating right will get them on that path.
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