Saturday, 15 November 2008
All the president’s pooches
Believe it or not it seems there are more important things on Mr Obama’s agenda other than being elected US President and it comes in the form of a cold wet nose. Yes that’s right, the President is searching high and low for the perfect pet mutt to join the family. This is not a choice that should be taken lightly, for many reasons including the fact that the presidential pooch is now very much in the limelight. George W Bush’s Scottish terrier Barney even has his own page on the white house website with video links and photos.
Barack has already stated that he would like a hypoallergenic dog owing to his daughter’s allergy and his own asthma. The Peruvian Dog Association has already offered him a hairless dog. However it seems that Mr Obama prefers a shelter dog and has still to make a decision.
That’s no surprise to us, searching for the right dog is far from a joke, in fact it’s a serious, life changing decision, which many people still get wrong. This year alone Dogs Trust re-homed 8,459 dogs in the UK.
Whether or not this blog ever reaches Mr Obama here are some tips for him, for you or for anyone you know looking to find the right four-legged companion.
The right breeds for your needs - get to know your breeds. Just because a dog is small it doesn’t mean that he/she is less active. Many miniature and toy breeds as well as terriers require a lot of exercise. Although it might seem counter-intuitive, if are looking for a dog that requires minimal exercise forget about looking for a small dog like a Jack Russell and consider a rescue lurcher or greyhound who may need a good sprint in the park, but can be happy on just 20 minutes exercise a day. The greyhound has a history in the White House, with one called Grim being owned by the 6th US president, Rutherford Hayes.
Pooch pennies & pounds – Introducing any pet into your life costs money. There’s food, vet bills, insurance and of course all those toys and treats you won’t be able to resist. If you travel often whether it’s for business or pleasure you may need to pay a regular dog walker or pet sitter too and it all adds up in the end. Also it’s worth bearing in mind that larger dogs generally have a shorter life span, and cost more to feed, insure and medically treat than smaller ones. However you can make money from your dog. See our blog ‘how your dog can supplement your income’ for tips and take note that the book written on the life of George Bush SNR’s springer spaniel, Millie, sold more copies than the autobiography of George Bush himself.
Dog Health – make sure that the breeder you are talking to is accredited by the Kennel Club and that you are able to find out if there has been any history of health problems in your dog’s family tree. For example, if you choose a Labrador like Bill Clinton you may be more prone to experiencing joint problems such as hip dysplasia. You can help problems like these by introducing a natural dog supplement like Mobile Bones into the dog’s daily diet. However you should try to avoid these problems, one way is checking the hip scores of your puppy’s parents.
Hypoallergenic dogs - If like Barack Obama you suffer from asthma or other allergies there are many breeds which are hypoallergenic like yorkies, bichon frises, cairn terriers, westies, poodles and poodle mixes, like the popular Labradoodle. Don’t let an allergy stop you from getting a dog. The last poodle in residence in the white house was Vicky, belonging to President Richard Nixon.
Preloved pooches - If you can invest the time and extra energy into adopting a dog check out Dogsblog.com or the RSPCA both excellent portals to find dogs that are looking for a new home. Be prepared to give a rescue dog a lot of extra love and attention because they may have an unstable past. If you do take on a rescue dog that’s a little worse for wear you can feed him/her a natural dog supplement like Bionic Biotic which will help restore skin, coat, weight and overall condition. Rescue dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and don’t be afraid to pick up a mongrel you will be in good company including Lyndon B Johnson (Yuki), Harry S Truman (Feller) and Jimmy Carter (Grits).
Doggy talk – nowadays you have no excuse to selecting the wrong dog. We live in an age where information is virtually at out fingertips. Join a few online forums like petstreet.co.uk or Dogs Monthly and existing meet up groups around the UK. This will give you the chance to talk to other dog owners who can pass on useful advice. Don’t forget about big dog events like Crufts which are also a great way to come face to face with your desired breed.
In the hope that the president elect has found this blog we would like to leave him with a bit of advice from Harry S Truman, US president 1945-1953, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog”.
If you want to win a bag of Pooch & Mutt’s supplements click here.
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Monday, 3 November 2008
Remember remember… your mutt hates the 5 November!
Are you are planning to go out and enjoy some fireworks on 5 November?
Remember, there is nothing worse for a dog than the symphony of fires, banging, bright lights and the general commotion of Guy Fawkes Night. Some dogs can be more sensitive to noise than others but most will get upset by fireworks.
In fact according to Dog Trust 80% of dogs are frightened by fireworks and 45% of owners say their dogs need sedation to calm their nerves. So it’s important to remember that all that excitement can really stress your dog out and even have longer traumatic affects on him/her.
To make sure that you take all the right measures to help you and your dog enjoy a safe evening we have put together some sound advice which should turn out any worries during Bonfire Night.
Do
1) Walk your dog before it gets dark – make sure your dog is well exercised and has relieved himself before the fireworks begin.
2) Distract - try distracting your dog from the loud noises and bright flashes by playing with a favourite toy or doing some reward based activity. Interacting with your dog during this stressful time will help keep his/her mind off what's going on outside. Turn up the TV or play some music to drown out the loud noises outside.
3) Treat - Try to give your dog a long-lasting treat so that they will spend a good part of the evening chewing and won’t have time to think about the commotion outside.
4) Dog Supplements - If your dog suffers from diarrhea when scared you should try Pooch & Mutt’s Bionic Biotic. There are also specific supplements to help your dog with firework fear, such as skullcap & valerian available from Dorwest or you can try a DAP pheromone diffuser.
5) Sanctuary - Provide a sanctuary for your dog - your dog will naturally seek a hiding place so make sure you provide him with a warm blanket in his favourite spot to hide under or a doggy sleeping bag to borrow and snuggle into.
Don’t
1) Try and reassure your dog for being scared – giving your dog any sort of verbal or tactile attention will only encourage fearful behaviour at the wrong time. It is much better to ignore fireworks as they happen.
2) Let your dog outside alone or off the lead – even if your dog doesn’t mind fireworks it’s very dangerous to allow him to roam freely in your garden or in the park.
3) Leave your dog in the house unsupervised or in a strange place. The best place for your dog is in a cosy and familiar environment - home!
If you have a horse you should try Blue Chip Karma to keep them calm during the fireworks season.
Try our prize draw this month to win a bag of Pooch & Mutt’s Bionic Biotic!
Saturday, 25 October 2008
Friday, 24 October 2008
Howl-o-ween
Pug spiders, superman jack russells, darth vadar chihuahuas, greyhounds in tatus...welcome to the world of doggy Halloween!
Its all a bit of harmless fun but if you do decide to include your mutt in a bit of dressing up this Halloween take note of his/her level of comfort.
Remember that Halloween is great fun for us and our children but it could become quite distressing for our precious pooches so it’s important to put yourself in the frame of mind of a dog and look after your pets on the 31st. Here are some tricks to take some pup precautions for Halloween. Here are some pup precautions to get you through Halloween.
1. Know what your dog is comfortable in when it comes to costumes, sweaters or any type of outfit. If they look stressed or scared, take it off. If your pet doesn't mind a costume, make sure it doesn't impede its walking or eyesight.
2. If you decide to light a pumpkin or some candles to decorate the house make sure your dog doesn’t accidentally knock them over or cause any harm to him/herself. Puppies and young dogs are very curious and may not be able to sense danger yet.
3. Don’t let anyone feed your dog chocolates or sweets, these human treats are like poison to pets. Instead buy some Halloween dog treats before the big night. If you suspect that your dog has eaten human treats contact your Vet immediately particularly if you see symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive thirst, excitability or drooling.
4. Keep animals safely separate from peak trick or treating hours as this may cause them stress. Kids love playing pranks and tricks on one another and you may scare your dog if you get caught up in one of these out on the street. Try and take your dog on his evening walk as early as possible!
5. Take care that your pet doesn’t scamper out into the street when you open the door to trick or treaters. It’s a good time to check and update your pet id tag.
6. Some dogs can become quite territorial especially when they are met with strangers coming in and out of the house. This protective instinct can cause ‘fear aggression’. Make sure that you warn visitors not to approach your dog if you are unsure how he/she will react especially if you have adopted your dog and are unaware of its past.
Finally just for the fun of it we have picked up some funny clips over the web...Have a happy Halloween!
Dont dress the dog dress the car!
Enter this month’s pooch and mutt prize draw to win a spooktastic treat!
Saturday, 18 October 2008
Friday, 17 October 2008
How can your dog supplement your income?
Ever thought how you could be making money from your dog to help get you through the credit crunch?You may not realise it but your dog could be the answer to your money problems and may be able to pocket you some extra pounds – take Milo for example...
Last year I decided to register him with a pet modelling website. A few months later he was called to do a photo shoot for a major UK bank!
Don’t get me wrong I am not a pushy showbiz mum but I was incredibly proud of him and we earned enough to buy Milo a couture dog collar and help me pay off some of my credit card bill.
But if you are not into all that lights, camera and barking, there are other ways besides dog modelling and breeding to make a fast buck with your mutt.
Snappy happy
If you have some funny or quirky snaps of your dog saved on your pc make sure you click onto The Dog Guide online. They have a new dog picture gallery where readers can submit favourite picks of their pooch in exchange for cash! You could be getting $5 for each picture used on their website.
Take the lead
A cunning way to make money from man's best friend is to offer your services as a dog walker. If you take your dog for a walk before and after work, why not charge to take neighbours' dogs, too? You could be pocketing around £10 per hour per dog and you can increase your rates at weekends and bank holidays. Start by either posting an ad in your local newsagents, onto an online notice board such as gumtree.com, or dog walking agencies looking to sign up new walkers like bonerangers.com.
Become a muttmate
Why not become a sales person for a pet brand? Pooch and Mutt has a programme called MuttMates, where anyone can buy their probiotic supplements and joint supplements by the box at trade price and sell on the individual bags to people at shows, clubs or friends from the park. You make a 50% profit and save your friends the postage. MuttMates also sell into vets and independent pets stores for a 10% commission. For more info email pooch@poochandmutt.co.uk
Has your dog got the pets factor?
Television, film and advertising agencies are always looking for "star pets" to appear in their productions and are willing to pay up to £200 a day to pets who have the natural ability to perform, take stage directions, and look adorable. If you think your dog is fit for pet stardom then register him/her to a pet modelling site like petlondon.net or elmoswardrobe.com
DIY dogs
If you just fancy saving some money for yourself then why not try making your own dog toys. The dogtrickacademy.com offers a step to step guide to make a tug toy using fabric. You can even browse some nose licking dog recipes over the internet and create some tasteful home baked treats for your pooch instead of buying them from the shops. If you get really good you can start sellng them at your next village fete or on ebay.
Has your dog become a superstar lately? Or do you have any ideas on how to make money with your dog? If so send us your pictures and comments.
Feeling lucky? Then try our monthly Pooch & Mutt prize draw.
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