Benefits of Obedience Training & Rewarding Your Dog With Bully Sticks From Pawstruck
While some people aren’t bothered about taking their dogs for obedience training, it can hold a world of benefits to both owner and
[...]
Review: The Top 5 Dog Harnesses of 2019
One can easily get bombarded when shopping for a harness for your best friend. There are so many brands and styles to pick
[...]
How to Train Your Pup to Walk on a Leash
If you are a soon-to-be proud pooch parent, you’re probably looking forward to smelling that puppy breath and cuddles. You should, however, start
[...]
5 Simple Pointers to Teach Your Kids How to Treat Dogs
There are loads of sad stories about dogs being mistreated by children. Even in households where there is more than one family pet,
[...]
The Ultimate Escape Artists: A Brief Look at Beagle Temperament
While adoption should always be your first option, it might not be possible. If you are specifically looking at getting a Beagle, you
[...]
3 Yummy Doggy Treat Recipes Your Pooch Won’t Refuse
Who doesn’t love giving their pup a treat now and then? And you know just as well as we do that they love
[...]
New Posts
Benefits of Obedience Training & Rewarding Your Dog With Bully Sticks From Pawstruck
While some people aren’t bothered about taking their dogs for obedience training, it can hold a world of benefits to both owner and pet. Not only will you be able to spend some extra time with your best friend, but he will also learn some great skills too. And, if you are lucky enough, you may learn a trick or two as well.
In this post, we take a closer look at the benefits of taking your best friend for obedience training and ultimately why it is so important.
#1: Learning is Fun
Your best friend craves affection, structure, and stimulation. If he is home alone for the entire time you are at work, you may come home to find your couch ruined. Or your garden dug up. Obedience training is great for setting boundaries, and keeping your pooch stimulated while you are at it.
#2: You Understand Him Better
While your pooch is learning a bunch of commands and nifty tricks, you get to know him a little bit better. Your trainer will show you the ropes at reading his body language and how to communicate with him effectively. Having a better understanding will lead to a better relationship.
#3: You Are in Control
Obedience training gives you the skill and know-how as to how to communicate with your dog and how he should respond to your commands. This puts the power back in your hands and makes you the leader of the pack. Ultimately, it gives you control over every situation that you may come across.
#4: Perfect for Bonding
Yes, we’ve mentioned this a couple of times already. But we can’t say it enough. Having a best friend that is loyal to a fault requires some effort from your side too. Taking him for obedience training will allow you to share in the fun while bonding and getting to know each other better.
#5: Protects Him
If your dog is any situation, where he might be in danger or otherwise, you will be able to command him to come back to you and he will listen. In the long run, it can be great for protecting him and saving his life. If he has the discipline to listen to you and act on your commands, you’re both in a great spot.
#6: He Gets to Socialize
In most cases, obedience training takes place in groups. So, you’ll be able to socialize with fellow pooch parents while he will be able to socialize and make friends. A socially adapted dog that is well-behaved won’t limit you when inviting friends over or going for walks in the park.
So, what’s holding you back? Better book your first obedience training lesson and start bonding with your pup soon. Do you want to reward him with a special treat? We came across really delectable treats for your furry friends. Bully sticks from Pawstruck are slow-roasted in their own juices (that means no toxic ingredients or harmful additives!) to achieve the flavor dogs go bonkers for. If you have an aggressive chewer, you’d love these long-lasting treats.
Review: The Top 5 Dog Harnesses of 2019
One can easily get bombarded when shopping for a harness for your best friend. There are so many brands and styles to pick and choose from. But how do you select the one that’s going to work the best for your dog? There are of course a lot of factors to take into consideration.
During our review of the best dog harnesses, we focused on key aspects that made it easier for us to come up with our final list. We rated and reviewed these dog harnesses on the following considerations:
- Durability
- Affordability
- Safety
- Comfort
1. Puppia Soft Dog Harness
The Puppia soft dog harness is perfect for smaller breeds. It’s made of soft mesh that’ll allow comfort and is available in a wide range of colors for those who like to pimp their pooches. We love the Puppia harness because it’s sturdy, easy to clean and affordable.
2. Ruffwear Front Range
The Ruffwear harness has two leash attachments points and offers loads of comfort for your pooch. Its sturdy design has an ID pocket slip that you can use for tags and has four adjustment points. You can choose from any of the six bright colors they have available.
3. 2 Hounds No-Pull Harness
If your pooch is an eager beaver who loves pulling, this harness is for you. It has four adjustment points for a comfy fit and will allow you to walk comfortably without being pulled in different directions the whole time. It is available in four different colors and affordably priced.
4. PetSafe Easy Walk Harness
If you are the proud owner of a brachycephalic breed like a Boston terrier or a pug, you need one of these. The Easy Walk harness will ensure your pooch doesn’t suffer any pressure on his neck, while walking comfortably. It’s also pretty easy to put on and take off and is available in a variety of colors.
5. Kurgo Tru-Fit Harness
The Kurgo harness is perfect if you take your pooch on outings and trail runs as it has a neat seatbelt tether to keep him safe in the car. It also features a padded chest plate and wide straps for added comfort and several adjustment points to ensure a secure fit.
As you can see, you have quite a bit to choose from! All of these harnesses come highly recommended and will allow you and your best bud to take long walks comfortably.
How to Train Your Pup to Walk on a Leash
If you are a soon-to-be proud pooch parent, you’re probably looking forward to smelling that puppy breath and cuddles. You should, however, start thinking about training, housebreaking, and walkies too by this time. Being fully prepared for the arrival of your new fur-baby is very important to ensure both pooch and parent can adapt easily.
In this post, we focus on how you can train your new puppy to walk on a leash. You are probably wondering what leash and collar would be best. We’ll take a look at a couple of options first.
Leashes
In the world of leashes, you can decide between a regular and a retractable leash. The most important thing to look for is a leash that can last and that won’t snap the first time your pup goes running. The size and thickness will also depend on the breed of dog you get.
Collars
There are loads of different types of collars to pick and choose from. What you end up buying will depend on your dog’s temperament and breed.
Regular
The stock standard, regular collar is just that. It works great with the majority of dog breeds.
Martingale
A martingale leash is great if your pooch likes pulling while walking. It’s great for any breed and you won’t have to worry about them being choked.
Muzzle
Also called a head halter, this type of collar gives the owner more control when going for walks.
Harness
A harness is perfect for smaller, stockier breeds. You’ll have more control, and they won’t get choked while pulling.
#1: Getting Used to the Leash
First, you’ll have to get the pup used to the collar. Put it on and let him run around with it, allowing him to get used to the feeling of something around his body or neck. Once he’s used to that, you can introduce the leash and let him get used to it.
#2: Indoor Walkies
Once your pooch is used to the equipment, you can take him for walkies around the house. Be sure to make use of positive reinforcement if he’s not pulling and reward him with yummy pizzle treats. You can also start training him to ‘sit’ and ‘stay’ while getting used to walking around with a leash.
#3: The Great Outdoors
As soon as you and your pup are confident with walking with the leash, you can head for the park. Your pup might be extra excited and tend to pull. If this happens, gently pull the leash towards you and say ‘no’. Repeat this and reward good behavior until he’s gotten used to walking on the leash in the great outdoors.
This is the perfect time for you to bond and create a special relationship between you and your new best friend. Remember that it takes a lot of time and patience to train your pup. If you need some more tips on buying a collar and leash, read Cesar Milan’s guide on choosing the right leash and collar. Have fun exploring the world with your new fur-baby!
5 Simple Pointers to Teach Your Kids How to Treat Dogs
There are loads of sad stories about dogs being mistreated by children. Even in households where there is more than one family pet, some children would still not know how to behave properly. Teaching our kids how to treat dogs and other pets is important, and can even have a positive impact on their lives.
They say that a lot can be learned of a person just by looking at the way they treat animals. In this post, we’ll give you some pointers on how to teach your kids to treat your pets with respect and kindness.
1. Respect is Key
You should make a point of teaching your children how to treat others and family pets with respect. Hone in on the fact that pets rely on humans to take care of them, to feed them and provide shelter. Don’t allow your child to physically hurt your dog, and point out that it is unacceptable behavior.
2. Education and Example
Children are very intelligent, and they learn by example. If they see you treating your dog badly, they are more likely to mimic this behavior. Talk with them about acceptable and unacceptable ways of treating pets, and show them by example. Ask them to help feed pets and play with them.
3. Supervision is Necessary
You don’t have to play the role of policeman, but keeping an eye on how your child behaves around the family pet is important. This will allow you to pick up on any unacceptable behavior and discipline your child on the spot. Tell her that you don’t allow that type of behavior and that it is unacceptable.
4. Have Open Discussions
Talk to your kids about respect and what it means. Tell them how it is our responsibility to take care of one another and also the pets in the house to ensure everyone is loved and happy. Your child will pick up on what is expected and what is considered to be unacceptable.
5. Hold Them Accountable for Ill-treatment
Keeping in mind that you are the adult and have to set the example, your children has to know that ill-treatment of the family pet will have consequences. Animal cruelty should not be taken lightly, and you should make sure your child understands that there are serious consequences when treating a dog poorly.
Having a dog is a major responsibility, as is having a child. Teaching your child how to treat animals and having a dog at home will benefit not only pooch but also the child. Learn more about Cesar Milan’s view on kids and dogs here.
The Ultimate Escape Artists: A Brief Look at Beagle Temperament
While adoption should always be your first option, it might not be possible. If you are specifically looking at getting a Beagle, you might want to do a bit of research first. Of course, there are a lot of Beagle rescues out there where you will be able to adopt, but what if you want to buy a pup from a breeder?
In this case, you would have to meet the mom and dad, check the circumstances at the breeder’s lodgings, and be sure that the bloodline is stable.
#1: Escape Artists of Note
This is one trait Beagles are known for, escaping. No yard or fence is guaranteed to keep your pup out of harm’s way. As highly intelligent hounds, Beagles can climb fences and open latches. Be sure your setup is secure enough to keep your pooch in.
#2: Intelligence Calls for Stimulation
Beagles need a lot of stimulation and exercise. You’ll soon notice that they can wreak havoc if not supervised and bored. To curb this in, you’ll need to train him, take him for long runs and teach him tricks to keep him stimulated and happy.
#3: The Stubborn Beagle
Beagles are very difficult to housebreak. They are stubborn and slow at learning where to go potty, what is acceptable behavior and what is not. Instead of wanting to please you, they’d much rather play. Food can be used to solve this problem.
#4: Shedding and Odor
Now, you may be under the impression that due to its short-haired coat, the Beagle is a neat and low-maintenance pooch. This is however not true. Beagles shed more than most other shorthaired canines and have a very distinct doggy odor.
#5: Biggest Hearts
Beagles get along with everyone. They love other pets and get along with children and adults too. You won’t have to worry about anyone being attacked or other dogs being nipped while visiting. If you give them your love and affection, they’ll give you their love and loyalty in return.
One thing to keep in mind is the fact that a dog’s temperament depends greatly on its lineage, its mom and dad. If you are not adopting, it’s worth checking out the breeder and going for a visit beforehand. Even though this breed can be a handful, they make great friends and companions to those who invest in their wellbeing.
If you do decide on getting a Beagle, consider buying a training guide to help you. Training Your Beagle, by Kristine Kraeute is a must-have for any soon-to-be Beagle owner.
3 Yummy Doggy Treat Recipes Your Pooch Won’t Refuse
Who doesn’t love giving their pup a treat now and then? And you know just as well as we do that they love it even more. Stocking up on doggy treats can be quite expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ve found six super easy and tasty doggy treat recipes you can make yourself.
1. Peanut Butter Leaks
Your best friend will appreciate your effort but the peanut butter even more so with this yummy treat!
What you need:
- 2 cups flour
- Two eggs
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup peanut butter
Method:
- Your oven must be preheated to 350°F
- Thoroughly mix the flour, eggs and peanut butter until it’s all blended.
- Add water, one tablespoon at a time and mix until the mixture has a doughy texture.
- Roll out the dough and use a cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 minutes.
2. Two-Ingredient Dog Treats
Making something special for your pooch has never been this easy. You have to try this super simple two-ingredient dog treat recipe!
What you need:
- 2 cups organic whole wheat flour
- Two jars pureed baby food – you can use any flavor from beef to sweet potato or chicken
Method:
- Your oven must be preheated to 350°F
- Thoroughly mix the flour and baby food until it is a firm dough.
- Roll out the dough until it is ¼ inch thick.
- Cut the dough with a cookie cutter into shapes or cubes.
- Place shapes on a baking sheet and bake for about 25 minutes.
3. Cheesy Bone Treats
These cheesy bites will have your best friend’s tail wagging and asking for more! It’s pretty easy to make and takes about 2 hours to make.
What you need:
- 4 cups flour
- Two tablespoons oil
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- 1 1/3 cups water
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 250°F
- Mix the flour and cheese.
- Add the oil and water to the flour and cheese mix and stir. Use more or less fluid to create a stiff dough.
- Roll the dough out to about 3/8 inches.
- Cut the dough with a cookie cutter of your liking.
- Place the cookies on a baking sheet and bake for 2-3 hours or until the cookies are crisp and dry.
All these recipes are fairly simple to make and you don’t even need a lot of ingredients. Save some money the next time you want to spoil your best friend and make his favorite treats yourself! Let us know how much he loved it and which is your favorite.