Doggie’s Accessories

Toys provide your puppy or dog with appropriate objects to chew on, thus decreasing destructive behavior in your home. Puppies especially are inclined to chew as they use their mouths to examine everything! Chewing behavior increases when puppies are about four months to 12 months old and go through teething. Soft plush toys are great for puppies to teethe on. A favorite can become a security blanket for the pup when he has bedded down for the night. Soft plush toys are usually light enough to carry, soft enough to chew on and machine washable for easy cleaning. Older dogs may also enjoy plush toys. Some plush toys come with squeakers inside that many dogs enjoy. If you need to board or kennel your pet, ask if a favorite toy can come along so your pet has a familiar plaything while away from home.

 Make sure the toy’s right for your dog
Offering too many toys at once can overwhelm your pet. Try rotating your dog’s toys every three or four weeks. This way your dog thinks she’s getting new toys!Monitor your dog’s toys frequently. Check for wear and tear or small pieces that can be chewed off and swallowed. Rope toys should be replaced when they become frayed.

Choking is interference with breathing caused by foreign material in, or compression on, the trachea (windpipe).
If the Pet is Unconscious Perform a Finger Sweep Open your pet’s mouth and perform a finger sweep by placing your finger along the inside of the mouth, sliding it down toward the center of the throat over the base of the tongue and gently “sweeping” toward the center to remove any foreign material. Warning: there is a structure deep in the throat (the Adam’s Apple) that feels like a smooth bone. Do not attempt to pull it out!

Begin Rescue Breathing Rescue breathing is described in the CPR article. If air is not entering the lungs, slap the pet’s chest wall firmly or perform the Heimlich maneuver by putting the pet on its back, placing your hands over the abdomen near the bottom of its rib cage, and gently, but firmly thrusting toward the spine. Perform a finger sweep and begin rescue breathing. Repeat until the foreign body is clear and the lungs can be inflated. Transport to the veterinarian.

If the Pet is Conscious Stay calm and try to keep the pet calm. If the pet is overheated, wrap him in a wet towel, and transport him to the veterinarian. Perform a finger sweep only if it will not excite the pet. Frequently, pet owners confuse coughing with choking. Both cause the pet to forcefully exhale. With choking, the pet has difficulty inhaling. When coughing, the pet can inhale almost normally. Be careful to distinguish the two: attempting to give first aid to a pet who is merely coughing can injure the animal.

After recovery  you will often want to give your dog a bath

My dog, Daisy, had a favorite toy practically from the day we brought her home from the breeder: her plush hedgehog squeaky toy. As a five-week-old Beagle, the hedgehog was almost bigger than Daisy was! As she grew, eventually becoming much bigger than the hedgehog, Daisy loved chewing on the hedgehog and squeaking the squeaker, but we also often found her snuggling with it. I ended up called the toy “Friend” because he was her best friend!

Of course, Friend eventually became disgusting and needed to be replaced. Daisy did a great job of tearing Friend apart – not very friendly, right? – and his squeaker wouldn’t squeak anymore. I was also worried about Daisy swallowing some of his fluff, or even the squeaker itself, so Friend went into the garbage. I immediately went to several pet stores that sold plush dog toys to track down another Friend for her. I finally found one, and Daisy was so happy to be reunited with him!

Now is the time to look forward to planning your Christmas pictures.  Don’t forget your pets, they are part of the family.  A well dress pet makes for good conservation and positive comments when you show or send your pictures.A dog costume, dress, sweater or jacket makes a great addition to the quality of your pictures.  Choose something that increases the enjoyment of you faimly.  Have fun and plan early.  

Dogs’ natural coats usually protect them pretty well, but years of living indoors may have made them dislike the elements. No dog likes to have to do his business or take a walk in the pour rain. Just like humans, dogs can be cold and uncomfortable when they get wet, and they would like nothing more to dry off and be warm again. Why not prevent them from getting cold and wet in the first place?

A waterproof dog jacket can help protect your dog from unpleasant rain and snow. Look for one that easily slides onto your dog and secures with buckles, buttons or Velcro. As the summer winds down and autumn rains loom, your dog will need a jacket more than ever. It also helps you a lot, too – no more wet dog smell or your dog shaking his wet coat out all over your house!

If your female dog gets offended when admirers refer to her as “he,” you can help! Just add some feminine style to your dog’s hairdo with dog bows. These stylish accessories are inexpensive and adorable, adding effortless cuteness to your already-precious pet.

If you don’t want your male dog to feel left out, there are plenty of masculine dog accessories out there as well. Dapper bowties immediately dress up your dog’s coat and give him a festive look for any occasion. They especially look adorable for a wedding if you want your dog to serve as the ring bearer or even dog-of-honor. Dog bandanas work for both male and female dogs; different colors, prints and patterns can give your dog any look imaginable!

When your dog was a puppy, he slept in a heap of his warm, fuzzy littermates. Dogs are inherently snuggly and like to be warm and comfortable when they sleep. That’s why they might try to climb in bed with you! Some dog owners are fine with that and enjoy sleeping alongside their dogs, but others would like their beds to themselves. If that’s the case, browse luxury dog beds to find one that’s so comfortable, your dog will never want to leave.

A cave-like bed with a detachable top cover gives dogs a comforting sense of shelter. This luxury bed is perfect for dogs who like to sleep under furniture or nap under the covers. A suspension bed holds your dog up above the hard ground and provides the utmost comfort. Its aluminum frame can be adjusted to different heights for large or small dogs. You’re sure to find a luxury bed that’s perfect for your dog so you can reclaim your bed for yourself

Let’s face it, being a doggy parent can sometimes be a tough job, especially if both parents work. Dogs need to be fed and let outside on a regular basis, and often it can be difficult for doggy parents to do these things when working full time. But, there are a number of helpful tools that can provide assistance to working doggy parents. For example, and automatic dog feeder is the ideal solution for feeding the dog when no one is at home. Automatic dog feeders can be programmed to release a certain amount of food at regular intervals, or specific times throughout the day. In addition, most automatic dog feeders are quite affordable. It’s also a good idea to install a dog door in the home, and for people who don’t have a fenced backyard, a radio fence can work just as well for keeping the dog from roaming the neighborhood.

It can be a real pain to need to come home from lunch to let the dog out, and showing up late or leaving early can cause real trouble with the boss. Get these handy tools for dog care and don’t worry about caring for Fido when not at home!

Is you puppy the baby of your family.  A baby themed shirt for you dog designed to look just like a baby’s onesie will make your puppy one of the family.  Doggie Pajamas designed to look just like a real baby onesie is lots of puppy fun.

This ultra soft cotton t-shirt with a light, stretchy trim has snap and Velcro closures at the neck and belly.  

When you plan your summer outings be sure to include your dog.  Patriotic dog bows for your dog helps put you and your friends in the spirit of summer celebrations.  

 Three cheers for the red, white and blue.  Patriotic curls satin bows with bright bursts of color will coordinate with your patriotic summer. 

Have a safe summer and enjoy time with your pet.