Posts tagged “Fetch Toys”

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The adorably, fluffy Goldendoodle has become a common sight over the years. This lovable dog breed was developed in the 1990s and is a combination of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. One reason this adorable cross breed dog skyrocketed into pupularity is because it requires less grooming compared to a regular Golden Retriever, thanks to its Poodle side, but has the wonderful laid-back personality for which goldies are known. Both Poodles and Golden Retrievers are intelligent dogs, so the Goldendoodle tends to be one smart pup, according to Goldendoodle Association of North America. Goldendoodles come in a variety of colors including, black, cream, chocolate and even red. “Doodles,” as they’re sometimes called, tend to weigh in at 50 pounds and up for a standard size dog, but they can be much smaller. Between its endearing personality and looks, this pup makes for one of the cutest mixed dog breeds ever.,Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, but these days, dogs have become even more unique in appearance with the rise in popularity of mixed breed dogs. These hybrid dog breeds, also called designer dogs, are a cross of two or more purebred dogs. If you think about it, cross breed dogs are kind of like a ridiculously cute version of Frankenstein’s Monster, but on four legs! Check out our list of nine of the cutest and most weird dog mixes, and don’t miss our list of the 25 cutest dog breeds.

What to Look for in a Dog Toy “When choosing chew toys for dogs, there are many options, depending on your goals,” says Dr. Lubold. If your dog is an aggressive chewer and needs a hardier toy, he advises careful selection. “Toys that are too rigid can wear down the teeth over time or even break a tooth. A good general rule is for hard toys to be soft enough that you can press your fingernail into them and leave an indentation,” says Dr. Lubold. Dr. Lubold approves of West Paw’s Zogoflex Hurley, which is made from BPA-free, phthalate-free and latex-free food-grade plastic that is FDA-compliant—this is an extra assurance meaning the product meets FDA guidelines for a material that comes into contact with food. If your dog likes a squeak, try the Gnawsome squeaker football dog toy, which is made from plastic that follows those same guidelines. The Nerf Dog nylon flyer works well for more athletic dogs, and it’s likewise made with BPA-free, FDA-approved, tear-resistant nylon. While not all dog toy companies provide information behind their product labeling, it’s worth taking a moment to investigate companies’ websites for more dog toy safety information. For example, the company Planet Dog provides detailed information on its website about how its toys are made, explaining how they developed their special plastic with white olefinic oil instead of chemical softeners. Armed with a bit of information about labeling practices, chemicals and other potentially dangerous materials, you should find selecting a safe and environmentally friendly dog toy a bit easier. And don’t forget to consult your four-legged friends as well: your pup’s preferences and personality will go a long way in helping you make an appropriate choice. “There isn’t a one-size-fits-all,” Dr. Barrack says. “It is important to know your pet when selecting toys.”,Image via iStock.com/Alona Rjabceva By Maura McAndrews As pet lovers, we prioritize our pets’ safety—keeping them out of harmful situations, feeding them the proper food and taking them to the vet when they’re sick. But what about the toys we buy for our dogs—are we vigilant enough about safety hazards? “Toys are an important part of a pet’s life,” explains Dr. Rory Lubold, a veterinarian with Paion Veterinary in Scottsdale, Arizona. “They serve as an enrichment tool and source of mental stimulation to keep our pets active and engaged.” But because plastics and other materials can pose hidden dangers, he advises that you should “always monitor your pets after giving them a new toy.” Unlike with children’s toys, there is no body that regulates the safety of dog toys. “Pet toys do not fall under our jurisdiction,” explains Thaddeus Harrington, public affairs specialist with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, and he notes that the only time a pet toy might be recalled is if it poses a hazard to human consumers through its intended use. That means that the onus is on the consumer to sort the safe from the unsafe, and understanding the labels can help. Some dog toys feature labels like “BPA-free,” “phthalate-free” and “nontoxic,” but for those who are not scientifically inclined, these terms can be confusing. So, what should pet parents look for when purchasing toys, and what should we avoid? What Is BPA? The first step to understanding labels on dog toys is decoding the terms. BPA is short for bisphenol A, a chemical used in the manufacturing of polycarbonate plastics. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), BPA is found everywhere—from beverage containers and food can linings to car parts. Both humans and pets are generally exposed to it through food and drink containers.

What’s one of Bear’s favorite places in visit in the whole wide world? Naples, Florida. Since Bear can fly with me, he’s been able to dip his paws in the sand and chase lizards around the yard during a handful of successful dog-friendly vacations in Florida. Naples is known for high-end shopping, golf courses and miles of beaches with calm waters and white sand. But what many people don’t know is that it is also extremely dog-friendly with hotels, restaurants and beaches that allow dogs.

Dogs and children are the stuff of greeting cards, but not if you’ve got a dog that’s not a fan of the pint-sized crowd. It can be embarrassing if your dog is reactive around children, and depending on the intensity of the display, it can be downright dangerous. Colleen Pelar, author of “Living With Kids and Dogs … Without Losing your Mind,” points out that a dog that’s “fine” with kids is not the same as a dog that’s “good” with kids. Merely tolerating interactions with children can easily tip over into reactivity if a dog is pushed beyond his comfort zone. Being a pet parent to a dog that doesn’t like kids means that you need to be alert and aware to keep all parties safe until you’re able to pursue training to change your dog’s perception of them. Reasons Why Your Dog Might Not Like Kids Does your dog prefer to avoid the junior crowd? There’s a chance it’s because of: A lack of socialization: If your dog didn’t experience enjoyable interactions with children during the puppy socialization period, they might seem scary or overwhelming to him. Socialization is an important dog training step that exposes pups to new sights, sounds and experiences at a gentle pace to help them gain confidence and reduce fearfulness. A traumatic incident: Maybe your dog endured a series of unpleasant dress-up sessions with a small visitor, and now he equates people under 3 feet tall with feeling uncomfortable. Activities that look innocent to us, like allowing a child to climb on a dog or repeatedly take his bone away, can be incredibly stressful for dogs and might cause your dog to develop a negative association with children. Unpredictable behavior: Children yell, run, jostle, tug, hug and tease, and that type of behavior can be overstimulating for some dogs. Pelar points out that nobody likes everyone. “There will be some people your dog doesn’t click with; that’s just life,” she says. “We’re most afraid of things we find unpredictable, and kids can top that list.” What Does Kid-Prompted Stress Look Like? Canine discomfort isn’t always signaled with barks and snarls. (Although, if your dog has those types of reactions around people, young or old, contact a qualified trainer or veterinary behaviorist). A dog’s initial stress and fear reactions can be too subtle to notice, unless you’re actively looking for them, which is why people will often say a dog “snapped without warning.” The signals are usually there, but pet parents need to be able pick up on them in order to be their dog’s translator and advocate. A dog that’s uncomfortable with children and opts for an avoidance strategy might walk away when approached or attempt to hide when kids get too close. Unfortunately, children usually don’t recognize when a dog doesn’t want to meet them, and they try to pursue him anyway. A dog that’s concerned about the proximity of kids might keep his tail tucked and have his ears plastered against his head. He might shake off as if he’s wet, lick his lips or mouth area repeatedly—as if tasting the air—yawn frequently, or even growl quietly. Dogs that use preemptive strategies to keep their distance from children, like barking or loud growling, leave no doubt about how they feel. However, these demonstrative dogs have likely cycled through the subtler “please stay away” behaviors and have amped up their displays to try to maintain their distance. What Not to Do When Your Dog Shows Discomfort Like most canine behavior challenges, ignoring your dog’s discomfort with kids won’t make it go away. It’s a risky proposition anytime you’re dealing with reactivity, but especially so when dealing with children. Unfortunately, your dog won’t “grow out” of his discomfort around kids. Untreated, there’s a chance it might get worse. Similarly, trying to make your dog “face his fears” can backfire. Pelar warns against putting your dog in a situation where he can’t get away when he’s worried, like holding your dog so that a child can pet him. Forcing your dog to cope with children at close range won’t help him to enjoy them. It might actually cause him to escalate his warnings if he feels that he has no other option.    First Steps If Your Dog Doesn’t Like Kids If you notice that your dog is signaling that he’s uncomfortable in an encounter involving children, the safest bet is to manage the situation and remove him. Prevent children from running up to your dog to say hello, and always maintain a safety buffer when around kids in public. You can begin to change your dog’s perception of kids with basic training that makes a connection between them and something your dog loves, like dog treats. Any time your dog spots a child in the distance, give him high-value dog treats for as long as the child is visible. Once the child is gone, stop giving the goodies. In time, your dog will see children and immediately look to you to collect the treat, which means that he’s started to associate something that usually makes him uncomfortable (kids) with something wonderful (treats). Dogs and Children: Safety First Helping your dog feel more comfortable around children is a big job. If you’re concerned about the intensity of your dog’s reactions, the safest route is working with a positive-reinforcement dog trainer who can create a step-by-step training protocol that will help your dog learn to see the fun in little ones. Image via iStock.com/Image Source

Many dogs treat fallen leaves like nature’s snack bar, happily munching on a pile around the yard or chasing them down on a walk. But while the habit might seem harmless, can dogs eat leaves safely?  Eating a leaf here or there usually isn’t a big deal, but some leaves can be toxic, and eating too many can upset your pup’s stomach. Here’s what you need to know about why dogs eat leaves, the risks to watch out for, and how to curb the behavior if it becomes more than just an occasional nibble.  If you suspect your dog ate a toxic plant, contact your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 immediately.