My Spoiled Dog Terry
My dog Terry is literally a member of the family. Nearly addresses the dog as if he were a person. My mom buys him gourmet dog food, like chicken pot pie and beef wellington, which look like they could be served in a restaurant. As a member of the family, Terry naturally receives presents on his birthday and major holidays.
As you can probably deduce, people in the family aren’t willing to give Terry just any old dog toys. My mom seeks out premium-style dog rope toys and accessories, a ritual I am sure Terry neither understands nor appreciates. When the holidays roll around I keep in mind my family’s infatuation with our dog and seek out personalized pet lover gifts for them-I know they enjoy receiving the gifts more than the dog.
Tiny Dog Carriers Are The It Thing
Remember a few years ago when Paris Hilton started carrying her Chihuahua Tinker Bell with her every where? Suddenly, small dogs were the “it” accessory (as awful as it is to refer to an animal as an accessory). The truth is, small breeds of dogs have long been popular among us “regular” folk for centuries. As any small pet owner will tell you, small dogs need scaled down versions of most dog products.
For instance, a regular sized food dish or water dish may be too deep for a small dog to handle. Dog carriers and crates also need to be sized down. For my tiny Yorkshire terrier I bough x small dog crates; a soft one for travel and a metal crate for home. The collar my terrier wears is also an extra small because a regular sized collar would slip right off her neck. When it comes to caring for your pets, size matters.
Letting Your Puppy Know Who’s In Charge
Training your puppy can be a difficult thing to do. Puppies are so active and energetic it can be so hard manage sometimes. When you try to take your puppy for its first walk, they get so excited for there first time in the big outdoors. Trying to manage them can be pretty difficult when it’s their first time.
A normal leash is good for a mature dog, because they are used to it. When it’s a first time puppy then using dog harnesses are a better choice. It can give you more control over your puppy. It lets them know who’s in charge.
Dressing Your Pets Up
There is no denying that people love their dogs. It is unbelievable the amount of attention that true pet owners give to there pets. They will dress their pets in anything. It can be quit entertaining to see.
Holidays are when all the cute outfits come out. Dog dresses are the cutest dog outfits to see. Pet owners will dress their dogs up in little colorful dresses or tough looking crossbone dresses. It is quit a site to see for sure.
Taking Care Of Your Dog As Well
When we first bought our house we wanted to make sure that it had a big enough yard for our dog. We used to live in an apartment with no yard and I think that was a little hard for her. We wanted to make sure that we took care of her needs as well. She needed her own space as well.
So when we finally decided on a house with a nice fenced yard, my husband decided that she needed her own house. My husband decided to build an outdoor dog house in the backyard for her. It was a great idea, especially when we would leave for work she had a place to hide out or just take a nap.
Importance of Dog Agility and Exercise
During the spring and summer months we all seem to change gears and begin an exercise regime that is more intense than during the winter months. The weather is nice…you can get more people to join you…well how about your furry friend? Exercise for your dog is important too. During the winter they usually don’t get the exercise they need because of the snow, sleet and cold. Kick it up a notch for them as well.
Provide them with some agility training to work on muscle strength and to keep their minds busy. A busy mind and body will keep them calm in the house. Work out with them by running from exercise to exercise. You both will be tired at the end of the day knowing that you have both done something good.
Getting Your Dog Their Own Furniture
Having a pet can be very demanding. Training your pet to do exactly what you want them to do can get so tiring. Trying to teach them to stay off your furniture can be so time consuming. For some reason the concept that it’s not their furniture misleads them.
Getting your pet their own furniture is a good way to deter your pet from jumping on your furniture. A dog couch is a smart idea early on, so they realize that it’s their own personal space. Starting your pet off early with their own couch is a great way to ensure that your furniture will be safe.
Cleaning Dog Clothes
While most people might think dog apparel requires special care and washing, in most cases it can be cared for in the same manner as people clothing. Cleaning and washing dog clothing all depends on the fabric, just like our clothes. For example, it’s not a good idea to put suede or leather in the washing machine, but cotton clothing is just fine for the most part. But with cotton, it is important to be careful of shrinking, as cotton dog clothing tends not to be pre-washed. Most dog clothing can go in the washing machine, but it might be necessary for some items to be dry cleaned. For delicates, washing by hand is also an option. Because dogs are closer to the floor, it’s natural for their clothing to become saturated with dust and grit, and it’s important to perform regular cleanings to keep the clothing looking at its best.
You can use all the standard cleaners on dog apparel including detergent, fabric softener, and bleach (for whites). Just be careful to follow the instructions on the clothing or use your best judgment.
Extra Sparkle for your Pet
Have you ever thought about adding a little bling to your dog’s fabulously shiny fur coat? It’s a perfect way to compliment the doggy evening gown you’ve probably already purchased for your pet. Your buddy will be one step closer to looking like a little lady; now if you could only teach her to walk in heels – just kidding. She’ll be the best-dressed pooch on your block in no time!
Last year my mother purchased our family dog, Lola, a faux-pearl necklace. The tiny pink beads were an elegant contrast to her light-gray coat. The combination of her dog jewelry paired with her decorative dog collar was stunning! For other occasions we found that it was very easy to attach Lola’s identification tags to the necklace.
Grooming a Horse for Competition
When it comes to competition, looking the part is important. The rider has a specific uniform to wear and will give special attention to all the details from the color of their riding gloves to the buttons on their jacket. Attention to your horse’s grooming is also vitally important.Start the horse grooming process with a good bath with lanolin soap. The lanolin will remove dirt while keeping moisture intact; however, if your horse’s skin tends to dry out, there are products on the market to help. Following bathing, comb, pull, and braid the tail and mane according to the competition requirements. Hooves also need to be cleaned, trimmed, and oiled. Finally, use a spray conditioner just before entering the ring to give your horse’s coat a nice sheen.