Spring Delights

As the weather warms and you and your pup venture outside, there's no shortage of of fun -- and a few things to watch for -- in order to make your journey successful and safe.

The Grass is Always Greener

Eating grass isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Grass-gobbling can mean a few things -- your dog has an upset tummy, is bored, or just may like the taste.

Many health food stores sell wheatgrass, which is a tasty option for pets who like the green stuff. Munching grass could also mean your dog may be craving veggies -- peas & green beans are healthy options for them -- and you!

Figure it out

Puzzles are a great way to keep your furry friend entertained when it’s raining outside. Nina Ottosson makes some of the best. Puzzles games exercise your dog’s body and mind, can prevent behavior problems and strengthen your bond. If puzzle games are new to your dog, start out on the easy level and work your way up.  

Muddy Buddies

Venturing out after an impromptu rain shower can be one of the best refreshers there is. The birds are happily chirping, gathering up worms, the ground is soft and the air has the unmistakable scent of spring. As you walk, take a deep breath and revel in the beauty that is springtime in Georgia. Resist the urge to let your dog slurp any puddles, though. Bacteria, parasites and chemicals may be swimming in any runoff, so it’s best to err on the side of caution by bringing a container of water for them.

Hit the trails

Hiking is a great way to exercise healthy, active dogs and enjoy nature at the same time. The Atlanta-area has some of the best trails around, just hop online to find some in your area. Make sure dogs are allowed, pack poop bags, water, snacks and a small first aid kit -- and you’re on your way! One of our favorites is Sweetwater Creek -- there are four dog-friendly trails and a lake for cooling off afterward. If your dog is a water-lover, “dog beach” is sure to please, located in Atlanta’s Morningside neighborhood. Two miles of pup-friendly hikes make for a wonderful in-town excursion.

All About Kongs

Look at this cutie chillin' on his bed with his toys.

The other day, Melony called me “The Queen of Kongs,” which I really liked because it recognized my obsessive kong-stuffing in a positive light, and also I felt it was a nod to King Kong, which is the second best ape-run-amok movie ever made ("Dunston Checks In" is the first)(It’s about an orangutan staying at a fancy hotel!!).

My dog in particular, but really all dogs, tend to act out or get wild when they're bored. He can’t just say “Hey, excuse me human mother, I’m bored. I would like an activity please.” So they try to get your attention in ways that they know work - such as barking - or they find things to do to occupy themselves - such as chewing things up.

Instead of letting him get bored and frustrated, I take the Kong and fill it with yummies, and then give it to him to get the yummies out of.  It keeps dogs busy and quiet, the dog is happy to be eating treats, and it makes them think and works their brain, which makes them tired, which means you get BONUS peace and quiet when they rest after they finish.  

And it’s not just fun for me; Scooter loves them. They are seriously his favorite thing. He loves the treats and he loves thinking and solving puzzles.

Our current favorite kong-stuffing is dehydrated lamb lung - just a couple pieces, and make sure they’re bigger than the opening so your dog will really have to work to get them out. You can squeeze the Kong to make the opening oblong and put bigger pieces in that way.

Slightly more difficult than that, is putting in big pieces of lamb lung, then filling the remaining spaces with peas and carrots, which Scooter loves for some unknown reason.  I tried to tell him carrots are not delicious but he won’t hear it; he loves them. I then plug the opening with a small blob of peanut butter.

You can really fill the Kongs with anything. For beginner dogs, you can just put their kibble in there, so when they roll it around, kibble comes out. You can feed all meals from a kong if you want to. Dogs love it when their mealtime is a game.

In summer, we like to make cooling Kongsicles by mixing kibble with something soft and moist like canned food, or canned pumpkin, or yogurt, then freezing it. It takes quite a while to get all the food out. You can also just coat the inside with peanut butter and freeze it.

It’s important not to start too difficult or your dog will give up. At first, they need to get rewarded early and often. That’s why kibble is such a good starting point. It just falls right out, and it teaches them that it’s worth the effort to work on their Kongs. 

Once he gets it all figured out, though, you can make it as difficult as you want. I have no idea how Scooter gets some of the stuff out of the kongs. I swear some of the ones I make him are actually impossible. But he does it (teleportation?).

You can also boil chicken and rice and put in the kongs and freeze them. The sky is the limit. Anything that is safe for a dog to eat can be crammed into a kong.

When I tell people all this, I feel like I lose them right around “boil chicken and rice.” That sounds like a lot of time and effort, right? And if you’re going to freeze them, you have to plan and prepare them in advance.

Well, it is a time investment, but how much time do you spend wishing your dog would settle down in the evenings? Is it a non-negligible amount of time? I know it is for me. If so, just allot that time to preparing Kongs. Give the kong to your dog before they start acting up from boredom. You’ll be spending the same amount of time, just using it to prep kongs instead of trying to get a riled up dog to settle. I just really think you’ll both be glad you tried it. 

Let me know in comments what your favorite Kong stuffing is!

Be My Valentine

Valentine’s Day is a time to show our love to friends and family -- and this includes our furry friends as well. Extra snuggles and biscuits are a great way to show Fido your love, but there are a few dangers to be aware of while celebrating.

Flowers - While roses can cause tummy troubles, thorns pose the biggest problems to tiny paws, leaving cuts and scratches. And while lilies may look beautiful in bouquets, they can leave your pup with an upset stomach. It’s worth noting for those of you who have cats that lilies can be deadly to our feline friends.

Chocolate - The sweet treat contains theobromine, a chemical that’s highly toxic to your pet. Chocolate-covered raisins can cause kidney failure. Grapes and currants are included in this category.

Macadamia nuts - The toxin in macadamia nuts can lethargy, vomiting and weakness. It’s best to keep this tree nut out of pup’s reach.

Xylitol - Chewing gum, breath mints and sugar-free baked goods most often contain this sugar substitute. It can cause liver damage and a drop in blood sugar that could be life-threatening to your dog.

February Break

February break is upon us.

The kids are out of school and maybe you’re hitting the slopes -- or headed somewhere warm. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to book Fido’s vacation too.

Here are some things to consider when boarding your dog.

-What kind of accommodations would you like your pet to have?

Here at Delightful Dog, we have Luxury Suites, which are large and roomy. This may be a good choice for a dog who needs extra room, multiple dogs, or dogs who need a little extra quiet. Our Luxury Suites are about 12 x 12 and Standard Suites are 4 x 6.

-Playtime:

We provide supervised indoor play in the morning or individual play, lunch and/or a nap, then more afternoon playtime! Your dog will be exercised both physically and mentally. By dinner time, your precious pooch will be tuckered out and ready to chow. After dinner is another potty break and, much like at home, a late-night bathroom break

-How Delightful Dog is Different:

Our walls don’t go all the way to the ceiling -- so we can hear if dogs are barking or in distress.

You won’t hear any stress barking here. We play calming music and have lavender aromatherapy to soothe the dogs.

None of our kennels face each other.

Our kennel doors are designed to break up the dog’s visual field so that they don’t fixate on a certain object and get stressed.

Dogs with special needs can go home with a manager.

Puppies spend the night at a manager’s home, as well.

Boarding can be stressful for your pet. At Delightful Dog, we take steps to minimize stress and make sure your pet has a happy, healthy vacation.

Contact us now to learn more or make your reservation!

678-273-3700

http://delightful-dog.com/

And find us on Facebook, at https://www.facebook.com/DelightfulDogMarietta/

How to Have a Super Sunday with Your Playoff Pup

Super Bowl 50 has gone to the dogs -- literally. With viewers drooling for the latest commercials, advertisers are banking on your best friend’s aww-inducing factor. This year’s creative commercials feature dogs dreaming of Doritos, Dachshunds dressed up as hot dogs and more.

But you may want to consider some safety tips for Fido to keep things running smoothly on game day.    

Just Say No

The ASPCA recommends keeping booze away from pets. Keep those cocktails up high and out of thirsty dogs’ reach -- even just a sip could cause your furry friend to become weak or sick.

Salty Snacks

Keep chips, dips and nibbles away from little nibblers. Vets caution too much salt can lead to overly thirsty pups and even sodium poisoning. Many dips contain onion -- a big no-no for dogs, as the pungent spices can destroy red blood cells, resulting in anemia.

Chicken wings are especially bad, as the bones can be a choking hazard or obstruct tiny tummies.

Not So Sweet Treats

You probably already know chocolate can be deadly to dogs, but the ASPCA advises to watch out for things sweetened with xylitol as well.

Quiet Time

Having people over can be stressful for you and your dog! You may want to have a “safe” place for pets to retreat, such as a bedroom or crate. Too many new faces can be overwhelming.

But that doesn’t mean your four-legged friend can’t have some fun!

Delightful Dog is open Sunday from 1pm - 6pm. Consider bringing Fido for day camp, or even a sleepover!

While you enjoy all the gametime antics, commercials and snacks, your delightful dog will be well taken care of and happy here with us. And if it’s going to be a late evening, consider letting your precious pup spend the night.

Call us at 678-273-3700

www.delightful-dog.com

Sources:

http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/safety-tips-super-bowl-sunday/51637

https://www.aspca.org/

Thinking of Getting a Christmas Puppy?

There’s a lot of different information out there about whether you should get a puppy for Christmas. It used to be a very popular thing to do, but nowadays it is falling out of favor, and for some very good reasons.

So is it ever a good idea to give a puppy for Christmas? Here are some important things to keep in mind:

Surprising somebody with a pet is never a good idea. Dogs, and puppies in particular, are a lot of work. Surprising somebody with 10-15 years of unexpected responsibility isn’t the best gift. If you want to give a wonderful, heartwarming surprise to the animal lover in your life, consider sponsoring a shelter or rescue pup in their name.

Also, think of it from the dog’s perspective. The holidays are stressful for dogs. People have family obligations and are not home as much. Christmas trees and decorations are a mixture of tempting, dangerous, and scary. If you want your dog to have the very best start with you, try bringing him home after the New Year, when things are less hectic and you have time to really bond.

Another reason not to give a dog as a Christmas gift is that a dog is a family member and a commitment, and it can send the wrong message to children in the home if they are given as a gift. If you do want to get your child a dog as a gift, make sure they understand a dog isn’t a commodity or just another toy; they are a lifelong friend who just happens to be coming home at Christmastime.

So, still want to get a Christmas Puppy? There are definitely ways to make it work. Here’s how:

Make sure everybody in the family is on board with getting a dog and understands the responsibility.

Responsible breeders and lots of rescues won’t send a puppy home at Christmas because of the stress it causes the dog. Consider bringing Pup home the week before or week after. Follow the advice of the breeder and your vet. Make Christmas as stress-free as possible for your new bundle of joy. The animal shelter will send home dogs at Christmas. Have a serious conversation with the adoption counsellor there. They are a great resource and can help you pick the perfect time to bring home a new dog. Shelters and rescues tend to have a lot of pedigreed pure-bred dogs around the start of February - you guessed it, Christmas puppies that didn’t work out. If there’s a certain breed you want, that’s a good time to look.

I personally love the idea of gift wrapping a collar, food bowls, toys, a bed, and a gift certificate for puppy training classes, and watching the excitement and anticipation grow as your family unwraps each one, then dropping the big news - we’re going to go get a puppy next week!

You can also consider an adult dog. They have just as much joy and love to offer.

If you do get a puppy at Christmas, Delightful Dog is happy to help you make the transition as easy as possible for both you and the puppy, with our Nursery Program and Puppy Classes. Our nursery enrichment program focuses on giving the puppies new positive experiences, reinforcing good behavior and potty training, and learning appropriate play behavior to set them up for success as an adult.

Further Reading:

http://www.petrescue.com/petlibrary/pet-rescue/no-christmas-puppies-please/

https://positively.com/contributors/should-you-think-twice-about-that-christmas-puppy/

https://positively.com/contributors/thinking-about-getting-a-puppy-for-christmas-go-to-your-local-shelter/