The Daily Bark

If you have lots of love to give, choosing to adopt a dog and share your love with him is a wonderful thing. Dog ownership can provide lots of fun, companionship, happiness, and good times for both you and your dog. But with pet ownership comes much responsibility, dedication and sacrifice. Unfortunately dogs do not come with owners’ manuals. If you are a new dog owner or considering adding a furry addition to your family, then this post is for you. Here are a few tips to make fur parenting a lot easier for the both you & Fido. Becoming a dog parent is so rewarding!

1. Teach your dog manners at a young age. Remember dogs crave boundaries and you desire peace in the household. So take charge and remember you are the pack leader, and your dog will follow the pack leader. Teach your dog that misbehaving, nipping & biting, barking incessantly is not good dog etiquette. You may be thinking but my pups to young, but don’t be fooled by that cute face. Even very young puppies can be taught the sit/stay, down, and come commands. You can get a good dog training book, watch the Dog Whisperer or enroll you and your pup in obedience school. If you are a proud parent of an adult dog that will need some retraining don’t fret. We will be the first to tell you that its never to late to teach an older dog new tricks & the art of good manners.

2. Find your inner pack leader voice. Use voice commands to correct your dog; never hit your dog. You don’t want your dog to become a scaredy-cat, no pun intended. Striking a dog only makes him fearful and distrustful of humans & scared of you. You don’t want your dog to immediately hide in the closet upon your home arrival, a loving & nurtured dog will be at the door waiting with wags & licks. Use a high-pitched voice to praise him when he’s being good, and a low, gruff voice to gently scold (never yell) when your dog is misbehaving.

5. Have patience with potty training. Puppies are like children; some take right to potty-training, and sometimes it seems like it’s never going to happen! You can help your puppy become trained more quickly by confining him to a small space, or a crate, when you are not able to supervise him. Clean up all accidents immediately urine & stain removal. It’s a dog’s nature to go in a spot that has been previously soiled with urine or feces, and stained carpeting can greatly hinder your efforts to house break your dog.

6. Give your puppy his own toys. If you don’t care to have your shoes, iphone, family heirlooms or remote control chewed up, then set rules and don’t give your dog human objects to play with. Your dog should have their own dog-safe toys to chew & play with. Good news their are toys for every dogs chewing preference, from soft to hard. When you catch your dog in the act chewing something off-limits, simply say the stern words “No”. Then replace the object with one of their own toys, soon your dog will learn the difference. Don’t forget to praise your dog when you see him or her playing with their own toys instead of your belongings.

7. Fragile, Handle with care. Rough housing with your puppy could do more harm then good, and can trigger aggression. So make sure you don’t allow friends or family members to play roughly with your dog. You don’t won’t your dog nipping at the hand that feeds him or shy away when you want to cuddle with him. A dog who is shy of being touched will be difficult to handle when getting groomed or checked by a vet.

8. Dog Proof your home. Protect your dog from household hazards. Just like small kids, dogs are curious and can get into anything. Make sure to look around the house & yard for potential hazards. Keep electrical cords tucked away where they can’t be reached & chewed. Place household cleaners and chemicals on a high shelf or in a locked cabinet. Avoid houseplants and landscape plants that may be toxic to your dog. Pick up small toys or other small objects that may be a choking hazard. Your dog’s safety is your responsibility!

We would also like to add that if you and your family are considering getting a new dog don’t forget to checkout your local animal shelters & rescues. Pet adoption is the ultimate form of recycling. There are some beautiful & well deserving dogs that need a home. We know what you are thinking, “But we won’t a new dog with a clean slate”. We can agree that puppies are adorable and with a puppy comes a clean slate. But don’t forget to consider  rolling out a welcome mat for a deserving rescue pup or senior dog who need love too!

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Providing Bark-tastic Customer Service!! Shop www.pawlux.com for eco-friendly, all natural & organic goodies for your new furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks / Dog Treats / and Dog Toys !

Its that time of year again!! Tis the season to give gifts, lots of gifts. But lets not forget that tis the perfect season & time to “reduce, reuse & recycle”. While you are decking the halls with bells of holly, basting the turkey and humming to the tune of Jingle Bells.

As well as scouring the aisle, browsing the web for the latest gift must haves, and nestling your children in bed as they anxiously await the pitter-patter of footsteps from Ol’ Saint Nick & Rudolph.

With the season of gathering, giving and spreading Christmas cheer upon us we can’t forget to give back to the planet. Here are a few simple ways to help you be kinder to the planet & your pockets over the holidays.

1. Conserve Energy- Use LED Christmas lights and say so long to that costly light bill. Consider that low light bill a Christmas gift from Mother Earth & Father Christmas!!

2. Something Old, Now Something New- Some of the best gifts given are made from the heart, by using recycled or salvaged materials instead of buying something brand new keeps materials out of landfills and collecting dust. But if you are still on the look out for high quality goods try flea markets, vintage and second hand shops for affordable and quality gifts from books, accessories, art, and bone china to everything in between. With a little magic, zero VOC paint, time, creativity, personal touch beautiful reused ribbon, and recycled gift-wrap. Whoa-lah the perfect gift and a great way to spread some Christmas cheer for the receiver and the planet.

3. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle- Instead of purchasing commercial gift wrap you can wrap gifts in reusable gift wrap store in that attic chest in your attic, scrap cloth, reuse newspaper (the Sunday Funnies), scarf, magazines reuse, gift bags or purchase reusable shopping bags that the receiver can use all year round.

4. Purchase Consumables- Give the gift of a bouquet or seeds to be planted in the spring, dried fruit & nuts, fair trade coffee, organic tea, a plate of organic hand made cookies that won’t leave a trace. While the food and drink will be eaten, the flowers can be composted. These are gifts you won’t find lurching in the dark corners of your friends closet when you come visit. Also, you want have to worry about having the gift re-gifted back to you

5. Buy Local- Buy local and make an earthly difference this Christmas. Buying local is a great way to find unique one of a kind gifts that tell a story for the person who has everything. Not to mention since shipping & trucking is not required you are helping to do your part to reduce CO2 emissions. As always before you purchase anything make sure you know the gift recipients likes & dislikes and that they will use it.

6. Creative Gift Tags & More- Create gift tags made from last years Christmas cards that are beautiful, artistic & creative instead of purchasing gift tags. Also use ribbons like raffia or things from nature to add that special touch from pinecones, to twigs, to berries instead of synthetic ribbon. This could be great for family bonding. This sounds like the start of a wonderful holiday reef to adorn your door & fireplace. Also using the same materials you and the kids can build memories and create handmade ornaments to dress the tree. So get crafting DIYers (Do It Yourselfers), crafters and Martha Stewart fans.

7. Dine by candle light- Turn off lights during Christmas and dine by candlelight. Use soy, vegetable wax or beeswax candles, which are made of sustainable ingredients. Not only does candlelight create a soothing, beautiful, elegant mood. You conserve energy and help the planet. The perfect mood can be complete with out a little Bing Crosby & Sinatra Christmas serenade.

8. Paper or Plastic-Better yet neither-Skip the disposable tableware for dinner and parties. Instead opt for bamboo tableware or grandmas china. But if you are hesitant about tending to a pile of dishes either enlist the help of Fido or use disposable recycled paper dinnerware.

9. Eco-friendly & Energy Savings Gift- Make your Holidays carbon neutral. Consider giving the gift of carbon offsets for that commuting co-worker or a Zipcar membership for friends and family who use taxi’s to get around the city. Check out http://www.carbonfund.org and http://www.terrapass.com

10. Local & Organic Festive Feast- Prepare a local, organic Christmas feast using the best locally grown, all natural seasonal, and free-range ingredients minus the chemicals and pesticides. So dig in and gobble gobble!!!

11. Decorate then Plant the Tree- Buy a potted or balled Christmas tree (roots still attached) so you can replant it in the backyard or donate it to the parks department. Choose a real one that’s grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers—ask local merchants if they have an organic farm supplier—or order from Freshchristmastree.com, a grower that ships to 46 states and uses sustainable methods. Then recycle: many municipalities collect trees to mulch.

*However if you are going to go for an artificial pre-lite tree opt for one with LED lights to save on energy consumption.

Get ahead start on Christmas Holiday shopping! Shop www.pawlux.com for all your doggy gift needs.

Its that frantic time of a year again! Time to trim the tree, deck the halls, sing carols & of course host a Christmas dinner party. As the “Hostess with the Mostess” this holiday season you are in charge of entertaining a dinner party of 8. As Uncle Ernie snores in your recliner you keep an ear open for the timer signaling it time to baste the ham.

Like a musical score you have managed to plan a menu and compose a beautiful 5-course meal. Which by the way as the official taster you’ve managed to taste every course & morsel within spoons reach. Leaving you fully satisfied all you want to do now is enjoy the beautiful place setting, conversation and perhaps dessert. Besides, with so many leftovers a midnight snack is a must and the creature stirring and tiptoeing the night before Christmas will be you to the fridge (psst..this will be our secret).

As you frantically stir, mix, baste, taste, pour and lick your battered fingers your loyal yet salivating dog waits patiently. For what you may ask… for you to drop just one mouse size crumb of your grandmothers plum pudding. Of course being the season of giving and granting wishes you oblige. Little do you know that your has his eyes set on that juicy ham, covet operation GRAB the ham is in effect.

You go down the checklist and everything is in the oven and tree is beautifully trimmed. Now you can take a moment to breath and sit back. All you want to do is bask in a brief moment of silence with a big sigh. So you steal a few seconds to sip a cup of eggnog and listen to seasonal favorites like Jingle Bells. But you are quickly remained that you are not alone when you hear the slamming of doors and screaming children running up the stairs. Oh, yes their muddy snow boots are a sure sign that they have just arrived back from a long afternoon playing snow ball fight & building snowmen. But when you thought you had everything done on your to-do-list you realize your work is not done. Then out the door to pick of your mom and dad at the airport. Hey, at least you enjoyed serenity while it lasted.

So as you see with so many things to do, dishes to prepare, places to be and people to greet this season it is so easy to forget the important word “SAFETY”. No one wants to make a last minute call or run to the vet or emergency room just as your husband is about to carve the ham. So, to take away some of the stresses of the holiday’s here are some simple tips on making the holiday safe & festive for your pet, kids and family.

1. Don’t give Scraps- It is so easy to give your dog leftovers or table scraps from the meal you wonderfully prepared. But this can do more harm then taste good. Not only is it bad for Fido waist line. Man there goes that New Years Resolution! But it can put a strain on their sensitive digestive systems. Make no bones about it! Feeding your dog turkey or chicken bones, and rawhides can cause choking, digestive problems and puncture the intestine. Also, bone shards can get stuck in your dogs gum. So, instead treat your dog to a safe and healthy dog treat.

If Fido is still turning his snout up at his dish that looks like unpleasant roadkill then here is a better option. Instead opt for organic, holistic, and all-natural dog food that is just as tasty. It contains no preservatives or bi-products, very healthy and easier to digest. And yes, it contains real meat, not that fake rubber stuff from 1950′s tv dinner. Hey, you may be tempted to swap dishes with Fido. Merrick is a great choice, with an array of gourmet entrees from the Puppy Plate, Senior Medley, to their holiday favorites such as Thanksgiving Day Dinner, Venison Holiday Stew to the famous Turducken these are doggy crowd pleaser. For all you cats they even have some yummy flavors that even the most finicky feline can’t resist.

2. Beware of Toxic Plants- Although beautiful festive Holiday plants like holly, amaryllis, mistletoe (pucker up!), poinsettias and lilies can be harmful & deadly to dogs and cats. So if you are going to decorate with plants this season keep them out of paws reach or opt for other alternatives.

3. Snow Globes are toxic if Shattered-Snow globes often contain antifreeze, if shattered is poisonous to pets if licked. Be very careful with these around pets and children.

4. Holiday Sweets are Not Good dog eats- Giving your dog candy, cookies, cakes, peppermints, and especially chocolate can cause life-threatening illnesses. So keep all desserts away from Fido on a very very very high shelf so they cannot reach. If your dog is an expert at paw lifting then you may want to invest in infrared lights and survelliance cameras. Okay, perhaps that’s a stretch. Your mission if you dare to accept it, is to get dinner to the table safely in one piece minus the doggy teeth marks.

5. Keep Dish Free of Pine needles- Keep your pets food dish far away from pine needles. If ingested can puncture your pets intestines.

6. Give your dog a safe chew toy- Pets can get in a lot of mischief and play with extra cords, plugs, holiday lights, fixtures and slippers mistaken for chew toys. So, tape down or cover cords to help avoid shocks, burns or other serious injuries to your pet and hide those slippers. While you are out running errands unplug lights when you are not home.

7. You didn’t say Timberr!!!- Cats love climbing to top of Mount Everest on your Christmas tree. With that said its important to cat proof your tree, because you don’t want your cat losing one of its nine lives. So anchor your Christmas trees to the ceiling with a string to keep it from falling on pets.

8. This Ain’t No Watering Hole-Do not let pets drink the holiday tree water. Some may contain harmful fertilizers if ingested, and stagnant tree water can harbor bacteria. Check labels for tree water preservatives and artificial snow, and buy all natural and nontoxic alternatives. Some folks use screens around trees to block and barricade their pets & small children access to electrical cords and gifts.

9. “No, Trees Do Not Get Headaches- Very important: do not put aspirin in the water. Some folks do this to keep the tree or plant alive longer. If a pet ingests the aspirin-laced water, his health or even life can be at risk.

10. Hang tinsel high- Pets, particularly cats, are fascinated with all things shiny and can be tempted to eat tinsel. Although tinsel provides a beautiful glisten to your tree if ingested by your pet can block the intestines. So, hang tinsel high and securely to keep it out of paws reach.

11. “Now thats a Mouthful”- Keep all ornaments out of reach of pets, especially those that are sentimental. Ingestion of any ornament, which look like toys to pets, can be life-threatening. Even ornaments made from dried food can lead to ailments. And remember, shards from broken glass ornaments can injure paws, mouths and other parts of the body. So, if an ornament breaks make sure to get out your sweeper and clean up the mess immediately or your pet may do it for you.

12. Put toys in the toy box- Even though little Tommy may scream and throw a tantrum, make sure he puts away his miniature army of toy soldiers. Once gifts are opened and children are done playing, toys should be safely put away in their room or toy chest. Small plastic pieces and rubber balls are common causes of choking and intestinal blockage in dogs. Ingested plastic or cloth toys must often be removed surgically. By having your child put their toys away you won’t have to console a tearful little Tommy over the unfortunate demise of toy soldiers.

13. Opt for Non-toxic decorations. Sorry to rain down on your parade but as a precaution as you decorate your home or tree for the Annual Neighborhood Holiday Decorating Contest. Just bare in mind the following: Bubbling lights contain fluid that can be inhaled or ingested, snow sprays and snow flock can cause reactions when inhaled, Styrofoam poses a choking hazard, tinsel can cause choking and intestinal obstruction, and water in snow scenes may contain toxic organisms such as Salmonella.

14. Create Safe Haven- With the non-stop ringing of the door bell, expected and sometimes unexpected holiday guests, Christmas Carolers, kids running & screaming, pans banging, china breaking, and doors slamming. The hoopla of the season can be stressful, frightening and exciting to any pet. Stress, fright and excitement can trigger illness and intestinal upset. Make sure pets have a safe place to retreat in your house and a comfy place to flop.

Also, don’t be afraid to give your dog a break in a quiet room with their familiar doggie bed or in his den. Allow your canine companion, co-hostess and official Christmas Licker & Greeter to join the festivities after the initial commotion & excitment from the arrival of guest and dad dressed as Santa have subsided.

Important Note: For furry Escape Artist (they know who they are) make sure they are wearing current I.D. in case they escape out doors as guests come and go.

15. Be on Schedule- During the Holidays it’s important to have a sense of normal in the midst of chaos. Reduce your pets stress by keeping feeding and exercise on a regular schedule. Once again, do not give your pet table scraps.

*Exercising your dog for 30 minutes prior to arrival of guest will keep both of you happy and get your dog napping.

16. TLC Required- Always make time to care and nurture your pets, besides isn’t he or she part of the family. With the busyness of the season it is so easy for folks to get lax about walking their dogs, and a few resort to letting pets out on their own. This puts the animal in danger, can lead to nuisance complaints and dog bite incidents. Although it may be tempting do not take a holiday from responsibly caring for your pet. With so much on your plate taking care of a pet can be a juggling act, so call in reinforcements. Enlist the help of a responsible teenager, neighbor, family member or friend as the official surrogate parent. They can be in charge of walking, feeding and playing fetch with Spot. But, we can’t forget the all-important task of belly rubs and treats.

17. Quench their thirst- When pets are stressed by holiday activity or during travel, they may require more water. Dogs typically pant more when they feel stressed. Keep fresh water available for them to drink.

18. Guard Gifts & Packages- Nothing says Merry Christmas to grandma then a ripped, torn and half eaten crocheted sweater with matching scarf. Which by the way you made in a beginners knitting class and to add coal to the fire it took over a month to make. So, for everyone’s sake keep pets away from gift packages as well as your gift-wrapping area. Ingested string, plastic, cloth and even wrapping paper can lead to intestinal blockage and require expensive surgical removal. Not to mention pets have been severely injured by scissors and other items left on floors and tables, disguised as play toys.

19. Take out the Garbage- With so much food there is bound to be a few scraps going in the garbage from bones, rolls, to a half eaten drumstick. Not to mention your finicky, yet sweet little niece is known not to finish her plate of string beans and ham unless bribed by Santa. With that said keep pets away from the garbage and use pet-proof containers. As a side note if you are going to be discarding some food don’t forget peels, uneaten fruit, and flowers can be placed in your compost. This not only means less waste in the landfills but now you have a great fertilizer.

20. Call for Emergency Help- It is always good to be prepared for anything, especially a call or run to your vet or doctor. So have emergency numbers posted on the side of your fridge just in case. If you suspect that your pet has eaten something toxic, call your veterinarian and/or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour emergency hot line (1-888-426-4435). Keep in mind that the key to your pet survival is to act fast, remain calm and don’t panic. You don’t want to upset your pet or make an already stressful situation worse.

21. Check Detectors- By the way, with so much cooking, house guest, Christmas lights and candles being lit its important to be checking it twice, detectors that is. Now is a good time to double-check smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, other safety devices and replace batteries. Always keep an extra pack of batteries on hand. Remember the safety of your family and loved should always comes first.

But another good reason to check these safety devices is for your your pets well-being. When batteries run low, the devices often emit alert or alarm sounds at frequencies that can be painful and frightening to many pets. If you’re not home when the alert/alarm sounds, your animals will have to endure that sound until you return, which can be traumatic. So always keep fresh batteries in those devices.

22. Beware of dropping temperatures, ice & snow- With the arrival of guest you may be tempted to put your dog outside. It can be very dangerous putting your dog outside in the cold & freezing weather with pavements covered in ice. To avoid huge vet bills, broken bones and injures it’s best to keep pets in doors.

Important Note: Don’t let your dog roam the streets alone on icy roads. Ice can make it harder for cars to put on the break when they see a wandering pet cross the road.

23. Squeaky Green- With guest coming to visit this season its all about making a lasting impression. So opt for green cleaning products with the green seal of approval such as Method, Seventh Generation or Mrs. Meyers. These eco-friendly cleaning solutions will keep your house dust mite free. If you want you can even use lemon, vinegar and baking soda that would put Mister Clean to shame. These basic ingredients are non-toxic to both you and your pet and very effective in fighting dirt & grime. Now your dog can retire as the official floor mopper & shoe shiner, its on to bigger and better things.

24. Give a gift to Buster- You may be wondering whether or not to give your beloved, yet bad to the bone pup a present this year. But as the phrase goes “Tis the season to give” and that includes that sometimes hard to love chew-minator whom you can’t live with, but can’t live without.

Well, with all the entertaining you will be doing you may want to say yes to gifts. Giving your pup a new dog toy on his wish list will not only keep him entertained, but out of harms way. Now you can carry hot dishes from the kitchen to the table worry free. You won’t have to worry about spilling your 5 course meal on the floor, stepping on paws or having to stare at those begging puppy eyes. So, save a shoe and throw your dog and the planet a green bone.

By keeping these safety tips in mind the Holidays are sure to be a cheery one for everyone, including your pet. When all is said and done you have truly earned the name and badge “Hostess with the Mostess”.

Get ahead start on Christmas Holiday shopping! Shop www.pawlux.com for all your doggy gift needs.