Adopt a Shelter Dog

How Old Are the Members of My Family?
If the youngsters in your household are under seven years old, they are usually not developmentally suited for puppies 5 months old and under or toy-sized (under 15 pounds) dogs of any age. Puppies have ultra sharp “milk teeth” and toenails and often teethe on and scratch children, resulting in unintentional injury to the child. The puppy can become something to be feared rather than loved.

Toy dogs are fine-boned, touch-sensitive creatures that do not weather rough or clumsy handling well. They break relatively easily and are quicker to bite than their larger boned, mellower relatives.

Unless your children are unusually sensitive, low-key, respectful individuals, a medium-to-large sized dog over 5 months old is usually the safer choice. Regardless of size, all interactions between small children and dogs should be monitored by a responsible adult. When there is no one to watch over them, they should be separated.

Who Will Be the Dog’s Primary Caretaker?
Some parents bow to the pressure their children put on them to get a dog. The kids promise with tears in their eyes that they will religiously take care of this soon-to-be best friend. The truth of the matter is, during the 10 – 15 year lifespan of the average dog, your children will be growing in and out of various life stages and the family dog’s importance in their lives will wax and wain like the Moon. You cannot saddle a child with total responsibility for the family dog and threaten to get rid of it if the child is not providing that care. It is not fair to child or dog.

Choosing the family dog should include input from all family members with the cooler-headed, more experienced family members’ opinions carrying a bit more weight. The family dog should not be a gift from one family member to all the others. The selection experience is one the entire family can share.

Do I Have the Financial Resources to Care for My Pet?

The purchase price of a dog is a very small part of what the dog will actually cost – many soon to be owners forget the necessary expenses such as veterinary care, food and treats, a training crate, obedience classes and grooming.
And then, there is the veterinary emergency! Very few dogs live their entire lives without at least one accident. Your puppy eats a battery or pair of pantyhose, your fine-boned toy breaks a leg, your big boy has bad hips, your dog gets hit by a car or beaten/bitten by the neighborhood bully. These surprises can cost $500 or more.

How much time and energy can you spend on a new dog? Various breeds and ages of dog make different demands on our precious spare time. In general, the Sporting, Hounds, Herding, and Terrier breeds will demand more time in training and daily exercise than will the Guardian or Companion breeds. A puppy or adolescent will need more exercise, training, and supervision than will an adult dog. And the first year with any new dog regardless of age or breed type will put more demands on the owner than any other time, for this is when you are setting up house rules and routines which will last for the lifetime of your dog.

Even the best dogs have their share of oops! House training your dog and staying tuned in to their potty break signals will make sure your dog gets outdoors quickly, not giving him enough time to soil your hardwood floors. Establishing a potty training routine is the first step toward a happier life with your new found furry family member. Here are some tips on house training your dog:

1. Take your dog out at the same time each day. Suggestion would be in the morning when he wakes up before breakfast, upon arrival from work, and before bed time.

2. Praise, Praise!! Dogs will do anything for a reward and to hear you say “Good Girl” or “Good Boy”. After she potty outside immediately praise, so she knows why she is getting praised. Don’t wait until you get back inside to do so because she won’t remember why she is getting praised. She will soon learn that going to the bathroom outside equals treat & praise.

3. Location, Location- Choose a spot outside that will be your dogs official porter potty area (make sure the area is cleaned daily). Dogs like the security & familiarity, picking one specific spot will make her feel at ease and help to know that area of the yard equals. Your dog will need supervision so take her on leash to the potty spot. The best part about picking a spot is that you won’t have the problem of landmines all over the yard and a small area to clean.

4. Choose Your Words Wisely- Giving your dog a command to “go potty” or “do your business” will let her know what is expected of her. While your dog is going to the bathroom outside use words or phrases like “go potty” that they will come to understand. As time goes on when you say the words “go potty” she will immediately run to the door instead of relieving herself on your floor and run back inside afterward.

5. Schedule Feeding- Like humans, dogs like eating on a regular schedule and this will make them more regular in the literal sense.

6. Don’t Rush Potty Time – Give her about 10 minutes to go potty, if she does not do so bring her back in and take back out in 15-20 minutes for another try. She should not be able to run or play inside until she has went potty, play is her reward for being on good potty behavior.

If you catch your dog eliminating in the house, do something to interrupt her but make sure not to scare her. Immediately take her outside to her bathroom spot, afterward lavish her with praise & treat for job well done.

Keep in mind that potty training any dog requires repetition and hands on approach. Be fair warned no dog is perfect and their will be messy moments throughout the process . But as time goes on she will learn that bathroom time is outside. If you happen to sniff and find a soiled area in your house hours or days later it is too late to administer a correction. Do nothing but clean it up. Rubbing your dog’s nose in it, taking her to the spot and scolding her will not help the situation. In fact it will make her more afraid of you and even more afraid to potty in your presence. Animals do not understand why they are being punishment once time has passed and scolding can do more harm than good.

Now on to the fun part, clean up. Cleaning up the the soiled area in your home is very important because dogs are highly motivated to continue soiling in areas that smell like urine or feces. So keep it squeaky clean & green with eco-friendly, all natural, non toxic cleaning products. Pet Oder & Stain Remover like Petastic Stain and Odor Remover are safe.

Happy potty training!!

Compressed Rawhide

Rawhide is typically made from cowhide. It is the inner layer of hide. There are two types of rawhide on the market, both of which we carry. The first is a traditional white knotted-bone rawhide, which you’re probably most familiar with. And the second type is a compressed rawhide. The difference between compressed and regular rawhide is that the compressed rawhides are first broken down into smaller pieces. Then, several layers are pressed back together in various shapes and forms. You get multi-layers of rawhide with the compressed version, which also tends to make this last longer than the traditional rawhide chew. The hide on the compressed rawhide bones look almost translucent, or see-through. Our Bony Babies toys have a compressed rawhide chew-bone sewn right inside, so you get both a toy and a treat together in one item. Both types of rawhide, traditional and compressed, are safe, but we always advise parents to supervise your dog when they are chewing on anything.

There are many benefits to giving your dogs rawhide treats, including dental health. As your dog chews, the rawhide aids in scraping plaque and tartar off their teeth. Rawhides also have great behavioral benefits. Dogs instinctively like to chew, especially puppies. But instead of your new shoes or furniture becoming your dog’s favorite, you can offer rawhides to deter them from your precious items.

Whichever version of rawhide you pick for your pup, we recommend doing your research first. Ask questions, and then decide. Until next time…WOOF!

Princess

First, give them loads of affection so they associate grooming time as a happy time. Make sure that it’s a happy setting and that you are constantly rewarding and showering them with affection and words of encouragement. If you have a food motivated pet, make sure to use treats so that they start associating grooming time with being rewarded. For cats, we suggest our top selling Bonito Flakes, and for dogs you could use our Soft Training Treats.

After you’ve mastered bath time with our Pal Dog and Pal Kitty Shampoo and Conditioners, it’s time to take on dental health, and maintenance of your pet’s nails. We meet pet owners daily who have never brushed their pet’s teeth or clipped their nails, until they visit us for advice and suggestions. We understand that these tasks can feel daunting and scary, and the most common excuse we hear for not doing these things is that your pet will not allow it. Similar to training and bathing, it’s all about consistency and gradually introducing new things into your pet’s life. Below, we’ve listed a daily schedule of exercises that we’re sure will make clipping your kids nails and brushing their teeth as simple as handing them a treat.

Teeth Brushing:
Day One - Place your pet on your lap. If you have a larger pet, you can sit on the floor with them on your lap. Place a small amount of pet toothpaste on your finger and allow your pet to lick it off, so they become familiar with the taste. We have enzymatic toothpaste which comes in many flavors, including malt and peanut butter.

Day Two - Repeat Day one, but this time, get your finger as close to their teeth as possible. This will help them acclimate to having a toothbrush in their mouth. As with all grooming exercises, make it a happy time.

Day Three and Four - Place a small amount of the toothpaste on a pet toothbrush and let your pet get used to the feeling of the bristles on the brush. On the fourth day, try to get the toothbrush into their mouth and even towards the back of their mouth.

Day Five - Once they’ve become familiar with the taste of the toothpaste, and the feeling and texture of the toothbrush, you can start to brush their teeth softly, making sure to get the back teeth. Continue this exercise until your pet is comfortable with the brush in their mouth. It is recommended that you brush your pet’s teeth at least twice a week to maintain optimal dental care.

Trimming Nails

We have so many customers come into Best in Show who have never trimmed their pet’s nails, but want to start doing so. Below are a few steps and suggestions on nail clipping. Throw in some patience, and you’ll make trimming nails an easy task to add to your grooming repertoire.

Day One, Two and Three – Get your pet accustomed to having their paws handled. As with any grooming exercise, you’ll need to reward them with affection, words of encouragement, and possibly treats. Remember to make this a happy experience.

Day Four - You can introduce the nail clippers on this day. We carry the traditional clippers and the guillotine nail clippers. Start with petting their paws. Let them see the clippers and while you’re petting their pads, touch the clippers to each nail. Repeat this as many times as necessary, but don’t do any clipping on this day.

Day Five- Today’s the day to make the cut…literally. Don’t be timid or scared as your pet will pick up on that. Approach the task with confidence and a happy demeanor. If you’re unsure about how much to clip off, just clip a tiny bit at a time. With most nails, you can see the quick, or the vein that juts into the nail. Don’t cut that or your pet will start bleeding. Make small cuts, and if you’re unsure, don’t cut any more.

So there you have it. A clean, well groomed pet makes for a happy pet owner! Not only does brushing your pet’s teeth, clipping their nails, bathing and brushing their coats make for a healthy pet, but it also strengthens the bond between pet and master. Our pets offer unconditional love and want nothing more than to please us. Rewarding them with a healthy life is the least we can do.

Kibble Nibble

Treat-dispensing toys: Let’s face it, most dogs are food motivated, and great way to motivate these dogs is with one of our treat-dispensing toys. There’s the granddaddy of them all, the Kong. This funny shaped rubber toy is meant to be filled with the accompanying Kong Stuff’n, then placed in the freezer, and given to your pooch when frozen. Freezing the toy with the treat inside will prolong the pleasure and the cold temperature will allow them to cool off from the heat outside. We also carry the Busy Buddy line of treat dispensing toys, which includes the Tug-a-Jug. This treat-dispensing toy will definitely stimulate your dog and give their brain a workout.

Indoor Fetch: No matter what size your house or apartment is, we’re sure that you can make enough room to play a game of fetch with your furry pal. You might want to save the Chuck-It for a more open space, but for those kids who want nothing more than a game of fetch, try our Bumi toy. Not only is this brand of toys “guaranteed to last”, the Bumi can also be used as a tug toy between you and your pup. If your dog is gaga over balls, we’d suggest a ball with grooves or uneven surfaces for indoor play. Our Huck is the perfect ball for indoor play. Toss it down the hall and watch as it bounces erratically and keeps your dog on his toes…or should we say paws?

Brush up on sit and stay: A day indoors for your dog usually means catching up on sleep. If only we had it so good. Although, it’s been suggested that an inactive dog is a destructive dog, the perfect remedy to keeping those behaviors at bay is continuing education. Your buddy wants nothing more than to please you, and you can help them do this by teaching them new tricks and commands. Don’t forget to have a handful of a treats like our Liver Chips as a reward for their learning.

We’ve all experienced days where you don’t want to go outside. The rain just won’t let up, the snow is falling or it’s simply so hot outside that your shoes melt on the pavement. Take time out on those days and make sure you tell your pups that you love them and carve out enough time for play. Just think about the rewards afterward…unconditional love.

Airline Carrier

You should first familiarize yourself with the airlines pet policies and take note of the following:

·         Does the airline allow pets in the main cabin?
·         If the cabin is not an option, do they have restrictions on transporting your pet below the cabin?
·         Does the airline have any pet health and immunization requirements?

Before the actual trip, we’d advise visiting your vet to ensure that your pet is okay to travel, and it’s up-to-date on all vaccinations. During your pre-trip vet visit, you can also ask your vet to issue a certificate of good health, which may be necessary at different points during your travels.

All airlines require that pets traveling in the cabin of a plane must be stowed in a carrier that zips completely closed. You can check out Best in Show’s airline carriers here. We recommended that you introduce a carrier to your pet as far in advance of your date of travel as possible. This will help acclimate them to the carrier, and lessen the stress of travel. There are many ways you can make your pet feel comfortable in their carrier. One way is to motivate them with treats. Reward them each time they venture into and out of their carrier. Surround them with familiar items such as their favorite toys or a blanket.

When booking your flight, consider non-peak flying times. This will help lessen the stress of travel, in addition to providing you and your pet with a bit more leg room. Also consider, whenever possible, booking direct flight versus layovers, because some layovers may not offer the chance for a potty break, or may break your pet’s calm mood.
You might also want to make sure that all of your pet’s ID tags are up-to-date. And bring along an extra leash and collar set, just in case. As soon as you land, find a quiet area to let your furry pal out, and offer them love and treats for being such great travelers.

Safe travels this summer. Check out all of the great items we carry for travelling with your pet here. We’re certain that your child will thank you for taking such great care of them.

Meow

The first step should be to help your cat with their daily grooming by brushing them with one of our Slicker Brushes for longer haired cats, or the Grooming Glove for short haired kids. We also highly recommend the FURminator, the best deshedding tool on the market. If you have lots of unwanted hair to deal with, this is the ONLY tool you’ll ever need. Sure it’s an investment, but buy one, and you’ll have it for life.

You can also prevent further hairballs by regulating your cat’s diet. We carry a number of foods that aid in hairball relief and prevention by providing your cat with a high percentage of vegetable fiber. You can also prevent hairballs with Petromalt. By administering a small dose of this feline favorite treat, your cat will pass the extra hair from grooming instead of coughing it up.

We know your cat will be thankful and happy for your help in getting ridding their hairball issues. It can be an enjoyable experience for both of you, and your kitty can lead a happy and healthy life, hairball free.

Tug-a-Jug

At Best in Show we want to prepare you with everything you’ll need to ensure that your pets can relax, while we watch the explosion of colors in the sky. Here are a few items that can help “firework-proof” your furry friends.

1. Make sure that your pet’s tags are up to date. Avoid taking any chances and update their tags with all relevant info. We carry a large selection of the cutest tags around. Everything from guitar-pick tags to bejeweled crowns.

2. If you’re near a fireworks display, it’s best to place your pet in a quiet and secure room in the house. It may even help to keep it dark for them. A crate comes in handy during these times, too. Our Life Stages collapsible crates will keep your furry pals safe at home and cozy in their own contained space.

3. A busy dog is a happy dog. We’ve got some of the best “busy” dog toys around. From our Busy Buddy line to the quintessential Kong, your kids won’t even know that the fireworks are going off when they’re left with these fun treat-dispensing toys.
    
4. Alternative methods to ease your pets anxiety would be our natural supplement, Happy Traveler, which contains all natural herbs and extracts- Valarian, Camomile, and St. John’s Wart. You could also adjust your pet’s surrounding our Comfort Zone Diffuser, which works with pet appeasing pheromones to calm their nerves.

This July 4th, keep your furry friends comfortable and happy!

Lolly Lamb

Cat Collars – Keep your feline safe with our new soy based collars. These cat collars are made of 100% soy fibers, a natural by-product of food production. Soft to the touch and kitty-friendly, featuring a safety bell and a breakaway buckle, designed to release when the collar gets caught. Soy fibers also have the added benefit of anti-bacterial properties.

Flea control – Did you know that you can protect your pets from fleas and other pests without chemicals? You can with the shoo!TAG. This revolutionary tag uses electromagnetic frequencies to create a protective barrier around your pets that last up to four months.

Dog Toys – We have the cutest and softest organic dog toys. These toys are made from organic cotton, and dyed using natural extracts from plants and minerals, such as gardenia seed, clove and chestnut bur. The larger sizes of our organic dog toys also come with a removable squeaker.

Waste Disposal – As a parent, waste disposal is a part of our everyday routine. Ensure that your kid’s waste isn’t around forever by switching to our biodegradable poop bags. These bags meet the highest biodegradable standards in all 50 states. If your baby is a cat and uses a litter box, we recommend the “World’s Best Cat Litter”. This corn based product is gentler on your cat’s pads and also controls odor the best by trapping that nasty ammonia smell in the naturally micro-porous structure of the corn, without adding any artificial perfumes or scents.

Our list is just a few items that can help you and your pets live a more eco-conscious life. We’d love to hear your suggestions too.

Labridoodle

The term “designer dog” is described in the Encyclopedia Britannica, which traces the term to the late 20th Century, when breeders began to crossbreed Poodles with other pure bred dogs in order to obtain a new breed. This new breed of dog would have the Poodles hypoallergenic coat (hair versus fur) and the desirable characteristics of the other breed. The popularity of these types of Poodle cross-bred dogs have made it possible for millions of households to be pet friendly, where it would have been otherwise impossible because of allergies to dog fur and pet dander.

At Best in Show we love a new puppy. Pure bred, mixed breed, mongrel or hybrid, we love them all! And if you’ve got a new puppy on the way, we’ve listed below what we believe are some of the essentials to “puppy-fying” your home. Once your new addition arrives, follow the words of the famous Bob Barker to spay or neuter your dog.

• Roc Lounger Bed – The Roc Lounger is professionally upholstered with high-quality micro-suede that will compliment any décor. Expertly crafted with an attention to detail, these beds come with an upholstered cover on the base and cushion which can be easily unzipped and removed for a cold-water machine wash, ensuring years of comfort and style. The cushion is generously stuffed with a down-like fiberfill and detailed with white welting on each side.

• Bentwood Feeder – This stylish dual food and water dish was made for “designer dogs”. Beautiful and functional, the stylish feeder is designed with a blend of science and art to provide your pet with a healthy feeding system. You can check out our blog update on raised feeding systems to learn about the many benefits of raising your dogs’ bowls. This beautiful feeder is made of sculpted plywood and veneer and comes in either a Walnut or Cherry finish.

• Companion Stairs - Ensure your dog’s joint health by making it easy for them to get up and down with stairs made of high density foam, strong enough to support a human’s weight. The cover is easily removed for a cool machine wash and cool dry. The stairs are also easily transported, because they’re light-weight, so that your pup never has to worry about hurting their legs from jumping.

• Madison Collar - When nothing but the best will do, the Madison Collar is for your baby. Full grain leather adorned with genuine Swarvoski crystals. Your new dog will be “best in show” wherever they go!

We could go on and on with our must-haves when bringing home a new dog. But no matter where you adopt, no matter if its purebred or mixed breed, treat them well and pamper them with all of the great stuff we carry at Best in Show!