CANINE CAHOOTS - 5 favorite Halloween costumes for dogs

 

Halloween has gone to the dogs! Gotta love all those clever costumes for canines.

 Arf! Arf! Check out our five favorite trick-or-treat outfits for our four-legged doggy pals. (To save you a trip to the local pet supply shop, you can simply click each title link to find that costume on Amazon.) Prices vary.

 Maybe you CAN teach an old dog new tricks … at least, for Halloween treats!

 (Many of these pet Halloween costumes are also available in sizes to fit cats.)

 

Action Hero

 This dog is armed and dangerous, but only in make-believe for Halloween. Look out, neighborhood. Here he comes! Available in sizes from XS to L.

Crowned Canine

 Any dog is Alpha Dog in this kingly getup. Constructed in velvety fabric, it includes a royal chemise, robe, and crown. The royal majesty pup will reign on Halloween, rain or shine, in this ensemble.

 

Rock-and-Roll Rover

 Strike up the band with this cool dog costume. He’ll be tuning up for treats on Halloween! Available in M to XL sizes.

 

Rodeo Rider

 Saddle up your pup with this Wild West Halloween costume. The saddle (with attached cowboy) fastens around the pet’s mid-section with Velcro. Comes in sizes from XS to L. Get along, little doggy!

 

Tuxedo Dog

 Black tie’s in vogue with this uber-formal Halloween dog costume. Maybe we’ll call him James Bone.

This bandanna-style outfit comes in all sizes, from S to XXL, to fit various dog breeds. There’s also a coordinating bride costume, in case Mr. Dog is hitched to Mrs. Dog.

 And for honorable mention, here’s a festive pet costume for Thanksgiving:

 

Gobble-Gobble

 We’d call this Turkey Dog, but that wouldn’t be right. Hit the streets for a Thanksgiving-themed race or festival, or just go over the river and through the woods to Grandma’s house with the pup dressed up like a Thanksgiving turkey. (No, not THAT kind of dressing!)

 Image/s:  Product promo photos – fair use

 

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Benebone Chew toys are a best bet for busy chompers

 My dogs love chew toys, but those don’t usually last long around here. I’ve seen them gnaw their way through pricey nylon dog bones in mere minutes. And anything with a squeaker brings out the beast in them. That stuff is destroyed faster than you can say, “Here, buddy.”

Finally, we’ve found a chewable dog bone toy that lasts longer. 

Benebones are a little pricey, but they’re a good value, if you consider their durability. I appreciate not having to replace my dogs’ chew toys almost daily.

My Border Collie and my Lab both love the giant bacon-flavored Y-shaped Benebones. Those retail just under $20 apiece, unless you can find them on special.

We’ve had a couple of the larger, sturdier Benebones for weeks. They bear teeth marks, but they are still holding strong. Best of all they aren’t splitting or splintering into dangerous choke-hazard pieces.

That’s worth plenty to me.

Image/s:  Product promo photo – fair use

 

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Additional photos by LAN/Fad to the Bone – all rights reserved

Pandemic changes dog-walking etiquette

During a widespread health crisis (such as the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic), how does dog-walking etiquette change?

With many regions experiencing “shelter-in-place” or “safer-at-home” orders, people seem to be stepping out with their pets for one of the only allowable forms of exercise. In most spots, running and walking (and dog walking) are sanity savers for people and their pets. That means people who may not have habitually hit city sidewalks and walking trails with their canine companions are out there. As such, plenty of folks may not have a working knowledge of common pet walking courtesy or grasp how such standards may shift during a pandemic.

Hey, got that dog under control?

10 tips for walking dogs during a widespread health crisis

Here are a few simple guidelines we might consider, if we’re out walking our dogs during such a season.

1. Use a basic leash. This is not the time for those stretchy bungee-type leashes, which allow dogs to get closer to other dogs and their handlers. Nor is it the time for retractable leashes, which let dogs get way too far for easy retrieval when others approach. The basic dog leash is 5’ to 6’ – giving the owner solid control.
2. Give others wide berths, especially if they also have dogs. It’s impossible for humans to maintain the recommended six-foot distance from one another, if our leashes become tangled, simply because one or both of us allowed our dogs to get too close to one another. And who wants an unfamiliar dog to jump up on him or her, even if the human handler is still six feet away?
3. Keep your dog under control. We all have cabin fever these days – even our dogs. But we still have to manage our pets when we are out, especially when people or pets approach us.
4. Put an adult in charge. A small child may enjoy holding the dog’s leash. But is it prudent to allow a preschooler to manage the family pooch, when another dog is coming near? (Trust me on this one. It happened.)
5. Get between your dog and others. On the path or sidewalk, it’s best to put ourselves between our pets and others. My dogs, for instance, are trained to walk on the left side of me, as that puts them on the road shoulder for safety. On the trail, I put them in the same spot and ask others to pass on the other side, human-to-human, rather than dog-to-dog.
6. Keep it moving. Minimizing interactions between our own dogs (and us) with others is central to health and safety during a pandemic, right? So if we don’t stop stepping along, any encounters will be over much quicker. It’s really that simple.
7. Don’t stop to chat. Running with two dogs this week, I had to pull them both to a halt, guide them across a busy two-lane road, and take a detour because two ladies were standing in the middle of the sidewalk juncture for a chat. Um, has anyone heard of social distancing these days?
8. Be ready to get out of the way, if needed. Not everyone out there is going to exercise common sense while exercising their dogs. Sometimes we have to take extra measures to make up for this.  I have ducked through brush and brambles to leave the trail and even dart across county highways many times when dog walkers approached too closely and refused to share the walkway appropriately.
9. Pick it up. Just because there are fewer people out and about, and no one might spot a dog leaving a pile on the sidewalk or elsewhere, it doesn’t mean the dog walker doesn’t have to pick it up. I tie a couple of plastic bags to my belt for this purpose. Others carry special dog poop baggies. However we handle it, we cannot just leave it behind. And if another dog is stopping to potty (or the owner is picking it up), let’s give them some room to finish the job.
10. Off-leash is off-limits. Some owners customarily allow their dogs to play off-leash while they are out and about, especially in open spaces (such as parks or wilderness trails). During a pandemic, when folks are sheltering-in-place, this is not advisable. Who wants to approach (or be approached) to retrieve a loose dog, if needed?

Who's walking whom?

 

As pet owners, we all appreciate the opportunity to enjoy the out-of-doors with our furry friends, especially when we are faced with spending so much time in our own homes. We cannot go many places during a pandemic, but we can still get out and walk our dogs. Let’s not jeopardize this freedom. A few simple guidelines and a little common sense can make dog-walking safe and enjoyable for all of us, even during a pandemic.

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Public domain photos

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Slow feed dog bowls make mealtime more fun

Mealtime is serious business for dogs, but who says it cannot also be something of a game? Bright-colored food-safe plastic molded dog dishes with squiggly or maze-like designs are making the scene in many homes.

The idea behind slow feed dog bowls is that the intriguing molded plastic designs are supposed to prevent dogs from bolting down their food. Slower eating is likely to prevent bloat and promote healthier digestion. Apparently, promotional veterinarians have recommended such serving-ware for canines.

Outward Hound Slow Feeder Dog Bowl

Do slow feed dog bowls really slow down hungry dogs?

Maybe they do, but it looks like we’re talking a matter of seconds here, at least in my house. My dogs manage to eat promptly, once their dishes hit the floor. But they do seem to enjoy the process!

Personally, I like that these slow feed dog dishes are sturdy and solid, with non-slip bases. Generally priced between $10 and $20, they come in multiple sizes and colors and inner patterns, so it’s easy to tell which dish belongs to which dog (for portion control and customized feeding of multiple dogs). And they hold up to countless dishwasher cycles.

Harmony Mint Plastic Slow Feeder Dog Bowl

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Product promo photos / fair use

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Dog Shopping List: Top 21 Items a New Dog Owner Needs

Pick out these pet store pick-ups before picking out your new pup.

What does it take to care for a dog? Prospective pet owners may scratch their heads and wonder how many different products and supplies they must purchase before bringing home a canine as a pet. How much stuff does a dog really need?

Basically, domesticated dogs need food and water, exercise, grooming, shelter and plenty of loving attention.

Here’s a simple shopping list (arranged alphabetically) of the 20 essential items that may be needed for basic dog care in the home.

1. Bowls for food and water – A dog of any age and size will need sturdy, tip-resistant bowls to hold his or her food and water. Pet feeding bowls come in many sizes and shapes. The key features are durability and size-appropriateness for the particular breed of dog. For example, a tiny Yorkie might be fine with small bowls, while a St. Bernard would require much larger ones.

2. Dog bed or mat – Eventually, if allowed, most dogs will prefer the family sofa or a special person’s bed over his or her dog bed or mat. However, many pet owners and trainers insist that a dog must have a spot to call his own. An outside dog generally requires a weather-proof dog house, set within an enclosure for added protection from the elements and predators.

3. Dog carrier or crate – A sturdy dog crate, cage or carrier can be an excellent training and restraining tool for a brand-new pet. Used properly and compassionately, this item may also serve as a safe spot of retreat for an anxious animal in the home. The dog crate or carrier is useful for outings and errands as well. Large dogs may be safely transported inside a vehicle, while smaller breeds are often more secure inside a pet carrier.

4. Dog chew toys – Dogs of all ages, and particularly young pups, tend to love to chew on things. Chewing is also a healthy habit for maintaining a dog’s teeth. By having suitable and safe chew toys on hand, dog owners may minimize damage to household possessions, furniture and structures.

5. Dog collar – A properly fitting dog collar is an essential for any canine pet. The best varieties are adjustable. For larger dogs (or high-spirited ones), a pet harness may be a more suitable choice.

6. Dog treats – Yummy, crunchy dog treats are ideal for training a dog and rewarding good behavior. Of course, only dog-appropriate treats should be offered, as many human-friendly goodies are downright dangerous for dogs. How many well-meaning pet owners have offered unhealthy items to their dogs in take-home doggie bags, for example?

7. Dog vitamins – Pet supply stores offer a myriad of choices of pet vitamins. Some are helpful, although many are not actually needed for healthy dogs. A veterinarian can provide individual insights.

8. Flea and tick collar – A flea and tick collar is a prudent choice for a pet owner, even if the dog is to be bathed and dipped regularly. Especially in warmer months, this easy accessory can provide excellent pest prevention for the pet and the home.

9. Food – At the pet store or the grocery store, dog owners may choose from dry dog food, semi-moist dog food or moist canned dog food. The choice of dog foods is essentially a matter of personal preference, although many veterinarians recommend dogs consume at least some dry dog food daily. The crunching is healthy for a dog’s teeth.

10. Specific dog food formulations are offered for puppies, active dogs, less active dogs, senior dogs and other special needs diets.

11. Leash – Pets must be leashed on many occasions, particularly in public places, so this purchase is a necessity. A proper leash should be at least five feet long. Handy retractable leashes are available, which many dog walkers find extra convenient.

12. Pet first-aid kit – A simple first-aid kit usually includes suitable items for treating human and canine emergencies. Even so, prudent pet owners keep separate kids for people and animals, perhaps for added hygiene. Basically, a dog-care kit should include adhesive tape (or vet wrap), eye dropper, gauze pads, hydrogen peroxide, oral syringe, rectal thermometer and tongue depressors. Adhesive bandages (such as band-aids) should never be applied to pets, as these may be a choking hazard.

13. Pet housetraining pads – These waterproof-lined pads are ideal for housetraining young dogs and even for older pets that may have accidents for any reason.

14. Pet identification tag – Although pets are often microchipped or tattooed for identification, a simple pet ID tag may be attached to a dog’s collar for simple security. No special expertise or technology is needed to read a dog tag, so neighbors and others can quickly return a lost or errant dog. Ideally, this tag will include the dog’s name and the owner’s telephone number.

15. Pet nail clippers – Safety clippers are available for trimming a dog’s nails at home, unless the pet is professionally groomed quite often.

16. Pet odor cleaner – Even the best trained dogs occasionally have accidents inside the home, especially during the initial adjustment time. Special pet stain and odor removers can make cleanups much easier.

17. Pet shampoo – Gentle and safe pet shampoos are super for at-home bathing of dogs. Certain formulations do not irritate the skin or eyes.

18. Pet toothbrush and toothpaste – Many people do not realize that a dog’s teeth need to be brushed regularly for oral health. An old soft toothbrush can do the trick, after a cycle through the dishwasher. In addition, annual dental scaling (by a veterinarian) is important.

19. Pooper scooper – Unless a pet owner lives on acres of private land, he or she will need a pooper scooper (or tons of plastic baggies) to pick up after the pooch.

20. Safety gate – A child-safety gate can be handy for keeping a dog confined to the kitchen, laundry room or another area during initial training or when company comes to call.

21. Veterinarian’s telephone number (and appointment) – The single most important item for a new pet owner to possess is the telephone number of a qualified veterinarian. Ideally, the new dog owner will make an initial appointment immediately as well for an examination and the administration of any needed vaccinations.

What other items might a new dog owner need?

Certain pet owners opt to purchase apparel for their dogs, particularly for cold-weather months. This is optional, of course, making the most sense for dogs with frequent clipping and grooming.

Many additional dog-related products may be available as well, including dog seatbelts, dog shoes or boots, dog strollers, dog holiday costumes and a host of dog toys.

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