Dogs

The Snuggie For Dogs to Keep Warm

2009-12-05T00:49:00.001-08:00

Many Dog owners find that they keep needing to wrap up their pooch to keep warm. Well, the Dog Snuggie is the answer to this all too common of problems.

With this animal version of the very popular blanket with sleeves you can very easily and very effectively keep the Dog warm with a minimum off fuss. The design is such that ti is very easy for the pet to simply step in to the nice warm fleece and feel really warm once it is fitted. You then simply do up the very easy to fasten velcro straps and the blanket is fitted.

The velcro is adjustable so you can ensure that it has a nice snug fit. You will also be pleased to know that they come in a variety of sizes so there is one for all types of breeds and weight of pet. There is a choice of two colors, one for male and one for female, so unlike the human version you will not have to spend ages trying to decide just which one to choose.

Once you have decided to purchase you will be very happy indeed to know that they are extremely low in price so there is no need to panic about if you can afford one or not. Any pet owner can easily buy one and you will see that your best friend will absolutely love wearing it.

You will find that it is perfect to keep them nice and warm in the house but also great for trips in to the garden. The Dog Snuggie can actually be worn anywhere at all so they can even keep it on when being taken for a walk. Keep the little guys and girls nice and warm this winter with a lovely snug fleece that is easy to wear and very affordable indeed.

How to Sell Hot Dogs - A Simple Explanation

2009-12-05T00:48:00.001-08:00

If you are curious about how to sell hot dogs, you've come to the right place. This is a surprisingly lucrative business opportunity that many people overlook because it's not very "glamorous." It may come as a surprise to you, but did you know that Americans consume over 18 billion of these delicious meals in a year? That is on average at least 50 million being sold per day!

What more is needed to convince you of the earning potentials of this career path? The evidence speaks for itself, so I've included some simple yet effective tips on your marketing and sales strategy, and how to offer food and drinks that will provide a high, steady income stream.

Here are 4 tips on how to sell hot dogs effectively.

Location, location, location

Where you set up your cart is crucial, because in the food industry, volume is everything. You're not an employee; you don't get paid by the hour just for sitting around. Whether or not you can choose a good location is often the make or break in hot dog sales.
Select a location carefully by observing the amount of traffic and customers such as outside parks, in a theme park, near office buildings and even within construction sites. These are the hottest places to get maximum earnings as a food vendor, plus many customers will be paying you in cash, avoid credit card fees.
Selective working hours

Now you're probably thinking to yourself, selective working hours? What does that have to do with how to sell hot dogs? My answer is: everything. Fortunately for you, a food vendor does not have to work 8 straight hours a day. All they have to do is ensure that their hot dog cart is available during the busiest time periods where people search for food.
This includes breakfast hours from 7.30 till 9.30 in the morning, lunch hours from 11.30 till 2 in the afternoon and dinner from 5 till 7.30 in the evening. If you take breaks in between, a full workday for you is not much longer than 7 hours a day, unlike the 8,9, and 10-hour workdays expected in corporate America.

8 Ways to Be Less Allergic to Dogs

2009-12-05T00:47:00.001-08:00

Are you one of those terribly unfortunate people who love dogs but have allergies? Maybe you love dogs, and do not have allergies to them, but your new boyfriend or girlfriend does and you would like to move in together. Or maybe a visiting relative has come who is allergic to dogs and you can not put your dog in boarding for a month. There are lots of things you can do so that someone with an allergy to dogs can live in the same house with a dog. Here are just a few ideas.

1) Designate "No-Dog" Zones

Pick a few rooms of your house or apartment where your dog is no longer allowed to go. The best and first choice should be the allergic person's bedroom. Do whatever you have to do -- put up a baby gate, keep the door closed, whatever- to keep the dog out of the room at all times, even when the allergic person is not there. Giving your allergic guest (or partner) a dog-free room will help a lot with keeping their symptoms down. If possible, do keep the door closed and if you have central heat, or vents between rooms, block off the vents to the dog-free areas. Also designate "dog-free" seating so your allergic guest does not have to recline back into dog hair.

2) Get some HEPA air filters or air ionizers

These high-tech filters can pull pet dander out of the air and will reduce the overall amount of air-borne particles in the house. With fewer irritants, the less your allergic guest's nose will have to get inflamed about.

3) Get a HEPA vacuum cleaner - and vacuum a lot

There are vacuums made specifically for people with allergies. Get one. Use it at least twice a week. Change the filter as often as necessary. It will make a big difference.

4) Get rid of carpets and upholstery

This is an expensive request, but if you just can not live without your dog or your allergic partner, seriously consider having all carpets removed and replaced with tile. Carpets are sinks for pet dander, as is cloth upholstery. Switching to leather furniture will significantly reduce the pet dander in the house.

5) Wash both the person and the dog regularly

The person should wash their face and/or hands every time they touch the dog (a hassle, yes, but it is very effective). The dog should get a bath at least once a week. This can make all the difference, and if you're having someone over who is allergic to dogs, just washing the dog and doing a good vacuuming job before they arrive may be enough to minimize the reaction. If not, one Benadryl will reduce or block the allergy symptoms, though you may have a sleepy guest.

6) Try products specifically made to reduce dog allergens

You can get wet-wipes called Allerpet D for Dogs that will significantly reduce the allergens given off. The results are temporary, but they will work for an overnight guest. There are also sprays you can buy that purportedly deactivate pet allergens.

7) Reduce clutter

If you have fewer things in your house, there are fewer places for dog allergens to accumulate.

8) Air out the house

If it is a nice day out, and its not allergy season, definitely open up those windows, get a cross breeze going, and blow out all that dog dander.

Sell Hot Dogs - 4 Secrets to Selling Hot Dogs For Profit

2009-12-05T00:46:00.001-08:00

There are tons of secrets on how to sell hot dogs for maximum profits and return on your investment in your inventory and supplies. Many vendors make an income of up to $1000 a day just by selling hot dogs (maybe some drinks on the side, and maybe some fries or chips as well but it all comes from the same stand!).

Here are 4 secret tips on how to sell hot dogs effectively:

Tip 1: Know your location.

You want to be sure that the location you are about to set up your stand at does not have too much competition. The more the competition, the more difficult it is to generate sales. The ideal location for maximum sales would be a place where it is not crowded with food vendors however still has a good flow of people coming in and out such as a park, outside a school or office, near a construction site, etc.
Tip 2: Improvise your food!

Instead of selling normal, boring varieties, innovate by introducing some 'specials' made only by you. Experiment a little at home and try what is good with what and then mix them together! Add in things like onions, chili sauce, scrambled eggs to wrap your wieners in (which is very tasty believe you me!).
Tip 3: Have a very appealing atmosphere

The more attractive your menu is, the more likely people are going to buy from you! Attract people with pictures and colors. Smile at everyone, and make sure your cart is clean and colorful.
Tip 4: Delicious scents

Imagine walking past a food cart with the most delicious smell ever. How could you resist stopping to make a quick purchase? You probably can't! Have your roaster in plain sight so that potential customers can see right away that you have plenty of fresh hot dogs just waiting for them.

Dogs That Chew - 4 Steps to Teach Your Dog Constructive Chewing

2009-12-05T00:45:00.001-08:00

Dog Proof Your Home: Naturally the best cure is prevention so you really need to dog-proof your home. This is especially important for a puppy. Dogs are smarter than you think and they can really get creative with what they chew. If you have items in your house that cannot be removed, spray them with some sort of SAFE deterrent. Bitter apple spray or a mild hot sauce works well. They hate these smells and won't want to chew anywhere near them.

Teach Your Dog The "Drop" Command: You need to teach them the command for "drop." This will come in handy when you catch them taking something that should not be chewed whether it's in your home or someone else's. Don't yell, but be firm. Start by taking an old shoe you don't care about and put it somewhere in the house where he can get at it. As soon as he grabs it say; "Drop". Help him take it out of his mouth. After a while he'll get the picture that "drop" means he can't have it. Make sure you watch him closely. Dogs normally catch on to this very quickly. You will begin to love this command, especially when you're outside playing with your dog and he tries to pick up something that is very foul.

Redirect an inappropriate item for an appropriate dog toy: When your dog puts something in his mouth that is inappropriate, tell him "drop" and then replace it with one of his chew toys. When he begins to chew on his own toy make sure you praise him so he understands that it's ok to chew only on specific things. It's what we call "constructive chewing". Make sure the toy he is chewing promotes healthy teeth and gums. Dogs need this daily. Dental chews are great and so are chew ropes. They will love these.

Go to the pet store and find a toy that is labeled "active toy". These type of toys will definitely keep your dog busy for a long time. A company by the name of "Kong" makes excellent chew toys that you can stuff with treats and will entertain your dog for quite a while.

Always Praise Them for a job well done: This is the last step, but is one you should never forget to do. Understand that dogs will eventually grow out of the destructive chewing stage. It just takes some dogs longer than others.

If for some reason your dog continues with his chewing problem, it is likely that he has nervous energy. This is usually caused by a lack of exercise. Please try to take your dog out for at least 30 - 60 minutes a day. With so many people having busy work schedules, some dog owners find it easier to give them a brisk 15 minute run in the morning and evening. However, this is NOT the best thing for your dog. You have to realize that he is going from "sleeping" to "running". Then he is going from "lying around" your house all day to "running" again. If they are not warmed up it can be very hard on their joints and this can cause arthritis. Try to do at least a 10 minute walk before running them.

Snuggie For Dogs - Review of the Dog Sweater

2009-12-05T00:44:00.001-08:00

No other invention has become as popular as quick as the Snuggie. For those that don't know, it all started when one day, a college student was trying to change the the channel with the remote under his blanket. Obviously the television sensors wouldn't be able to pick up the signal. So he cut a hole in his blanket to make it work. He then instructed his mom to make a blanket with sleeves. Soon enough, the Snuggie craze began.

As mentioned, a Snuggie is simply a blanket with sleeves. Why is this useful? Simply because your arms will be kept warm while at the same time, you can be free to use your hands for tasks such as grabbing items, changing the TV channel, or drinking a beverage.

Snuggie's quickly grew to fame after being seen on many TV shows being endorsed by celebrities. Ellen DeGeneres and the Today show helped bring publicity to it. On the other hand, comedians like Jay Leno and Jon Stewart poked fun at the concept.

Snuggie has recently launched a new version: Snuggie for dogs.

The Snuggie for dogs is a great invention for dog lovers. Dogs are known to be man's best friend. Why not treat your dog the same way you treat yourself? Snuggie for dogs looks like a normal dog sweater garment. It comes in the same colors as regular Snuggies and can match yours. Snuggie for dogs goes on in just seconds. Most pet clothing requires you to force your pet's head and feet into tiny sleeves. With Snuggie for dogs, it goes on from the bottom up and simply attaches by velcro. Machine washable so you can take your pet outside and no longer have to worry about your dog's clothing getting dirty! Any dog owner will know that dogs like to get under the blanket to keep warm. They will no longer need to do that with this. Let your dog watch TV with you!

Benefits of Snuggie For Dogs

- Easy to put on. No need to force your dog's head and feet into sleeves.

- Comes in red or blue. Perfect for either a male or female dog.

- Not for indoors only. Snuggies can be used outdoors

- Doesn't irritate your pet. Most clothing for pets are made of itchy material or contain exposed tags.

- Comes in 4 sizes. Fits any dog size.

- Can be used for cats too!

- It will match your Snuggie

Games to Keep Your Dog Thinking

2009-11-22T17:21:00.001-08:00

It is important to keep your dogs well exercised in the warmer months, just as it is in the winter months. We know that sometimes as the colder weather arrives, people (and some dogs!) do not want to be out there in the snow. It is important to keep dogs busy in order to burn their excess energy. If dogs do not have an outlet to release their pent up energy, it will come out through bad behaviours. Good training and exercise are essential for your dog to be happy. Here are some games you can play to help keep your dog physically and mentally active.
Recognize the toy
Dogs learn by repetition and association. You should be able to teach your dog to recognize a few toys by name, and then you can keep him busy by asking him to fetch you certain toys. Start off by picking one toy and giving it a name. Each time you pick up that toy to play with your dog repeat the name and give the toy to your dog. Begin asking for that specific toy. If the dog brings you the wrong toy, do not accept the toy and ask for the one you want. You will need to repeat this until the dog "gets it". Remember to work in short bursts and make it FUN!
Hiding items
Hiding items such as toys or treats and asking your dog to seek them out is a lot of fun! Start of easy by showing your dog where you hid the item and then giving him a lot of praise for finding the item will show him what is expected of him. Then work your way up to hiding something in a different room, or even outside if you dog enjoys the cooler weather.
Fetch
Although this seems like a natural behaviour for a dog, not all dogs know how to fetch and then give up the toy. Some dogs will just bring the toy and then not drop it. An easy way to help your dog learn what you want from him is to use 3 tennis balls. Start by throwing one ball and encourage your dog to go and get it. Once he is on his way back, throw the second ball. Most dogs will drop the first ball as they see the second one fly overhead, as he drops the ball say "drop". If he does not drop the ball, encourage him to chase the second ball that you threw and he will most likely drop the first when trying to get the second. As he comes back throw the next ball and repeat.

Remember to always be positive, playing games with your dog should be fun and stress free!

What Dogs Know

2009-11-22T17:20:00.002-08:00

Dogs have a keen ability to recognize a human's body language or cues that a person gives off. This does not apply only to the dog's owner or the family, but to outsiders as well. Man's best friend has the uncanny sense of knowing when you are happy, angry, depressed, sad, or ill. If he feels that you are angry or in a bad mood, he will slink off and leave you alone until you get over it. However, if your dog senses that you are sad, he will stick close by and do what he can to show you that he cares about you.

That is one reason why it is such a good practice to take service dogs into hospitals and nursing homes, and to rehabilitation units. The service dogs that are trained to be used in this manner love their job, and do it so well. They bring joy and happiness to the patients and residents, and in turn they bask in the love and attention that is lavished upon them.

The dog's social needs are met by those visits, and just for a moment the persons that he visits forget all about their pain and suffering, so it is an ideal situation for both the animal and the humans that he checks in on.

During the course of performing this service job, a dog will, at times, come into contact with people that he senses are very ill, and coming to the end of their lives. The dog will respond to these folks with extra attention, to make sure they know that he cares about them.

It's heartwarming to know that dogs care enough about humans to comfort them and to help them make it through the difficult and sad times in life.
Everyone loves their pets, the care and feeding of any pet is a big responsibility.
Would you like more tips on caring for your pet, how to choose a vet and other things? Visit my lens on this subject

Training Two Puppies - 3 Tips You Must Follow When Training Two Puppies

2009-11-22T17:20:00.000-08:00

Training two puppies is a bit more difficult than one... but as you are about to find out, it's still not hard-when you do it right.

So what do you do? Here are 3 GUARANTEED tips for seeing nearly instant results.

TIP #1) You are the boss

First you need to remember that you are in control-and you MUST make that clear. Make sure from the second they get home that you establish your authority.

This doesn't mean being "mean" or "harsh"... simple that you aren't going to tolerate disobedience. If you let them get away with things at first such jumping on the furniture and LATER tell them they can't, they will be very confused.

TIP #2) Let them out OFTEN

Be certain either you or somebody else is around to let them out potty every 2 to 3 hours. Young dogs are only able to hold their pee for 3 hours AT MOST.

Don't worry-as they get older you can cut that number down to about 3 times a day. But make sure you do not let them out at the same time every-day... it takes diligence but the end result will be worth it.

Also don't let them out one at a time. This way they won't distract each other and will go much faster-this is one of the most important tips for training two puppies.

TIP #3) Get rid of house accidents INSTANTLY

If you let the smell hang around the dog will smell it and believe since they went there once, it must be okay. Just get a special cleaner (there are many available) and THOROUGHLY clean it.

Don't scold them for going-simply saying "no" and immediately letting them out in the right area is good enough.

TIP #4) Do NOT get a huge crate

This might be one of the biggest mistakes dog owners make. Why? Because If it's too big they will be able to pee in one area and walk around sleep in another.

But if it's small then this won't be an option... and they will be forced to hold it. Implement these tips for training two puppies and you should see results quickly.

Bulldog Puppy Care Basics For the First Weeks

2009-11-22T17:19:00.001-08:00

You probably spent ages finding the bulldog puppy of your dreams...and the big day comes when you can take him home, without an instruction manual! But just follow a few simple guidelines and you will be fine. The first night is usually hard on the bulldog puppy. He may cry all night and you can't really blame him. He is in a new environment without his mother.

When you bring your bulldog puppy home try and bring home a toy or towel that smells like his mom. This will go a long way in calming him down. Try not to run to him every time he cries...if so, you might be doing this for a long time. Pet him occasionally if you need to. Putting a sheet or cover over your puppy's sleeping area will also help him in getting used to bed time.

Bulldog puppies are as mischievous as all other breeds so expect that they'll get into everything. Puppy proof your house by putting away hazardous items like harmful plants, rocks, marbles or any other item that can hurt your puppy. You will scold your bulldog puppy like you would a child. With a firm "no" and then by showing him correct behavior. If he is chewing on a shoe instead of a toy...tell him "no" and replace the shoe with the toy. Praise him then for chewing the toy. Reward good behavior. Do not hit or spank...treats and positive reinforcement works much better.

Feed your bulldog puppy a dry food that is specifically for puppies. It is usually best to find out what food your puppy has been eating and continue from there. Adult food will be too hard for your puppy to tolerate. You will want to feed your puppy 2-3 times per day. Most puppies will eat in about 15 minutes. You can remove the food after that until the next time. Once your puppy is about 4 months old you can shorten feedings to twice per day.

Use this time where your puppy is missing his other family to form a special bond between the two of you. This can very quickly be a loving, happy situation for you AND for you bulldog puppy!

Caring For a Sick Dog - Important Frequently Asked Questions

2009-11-22T17:18:00.001-08:00

A lot of people are aware of the value of natural remedies when caring for a sick dog. However, not enough people actually take the time to get the remedies and then use them to bring their dog back to health. This is only because there is some confusion about what the actual natural remedies are and where to get them. In this article, I will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about using natural remedies when caring for a sick dog.

What can I do if my dog has an ear infection?

Some of the basic cooking oils that you have in your home can be used to treat this. Olive, almond or mineral oil are great natural remedies if your dog has an ear infection.

Is there a natural flea repellent for dogs?

Absolutely! Just as it will scare away the vampires, so will it scare away the blood sucking fleas. You guessed it - Garlic. It is a natural flea repellant. OK, so I can't actually guarantee the vampire part, but for kicking those fleas into never-never land, garlic does the trick.

My dog has itchy skin and is scratching all the time - what can I do?

I'm sure you've given your dog a bath before. Well, the next time you strap on the scuba gear to do a doggie wash, put a handful of oats in the bath water beforehand and then while you are giving your dog a bath, pour the bath water all over their skin, and it will help to soothe their irritated skin. Sure they'll shake all over the place to dry themselves off, so you'll most likely get to share part of the oat water, but that's OK. They're just trying to help your skin too.

What if my dog has dry skin patches - can I do something about that?

You bet there is. This is one of the simplest natural remedies that you can use when caring for a sick dog. It can be used after the oat water bath, or just by itself. Just as you can often use Vitamin E on a sun burn on your own skin to take that redness and soreness away, you can also use that same Vitamin to give them some fast relief by putting some on the dry skin area. Vitamin E works very fast to tackle the dry skin problem. And dogs, being the logical critters that they are, won't stop scratching until there is no more itch to scratch.

My dog seems to have sore feet sometimes - is there anything I can do?

Absolutely, and your dog will love you even more for it. There is nothing like a nice foot bath to take the soreness away from tired feet. And since dogs spend so much time on their feet every day, they sometimes end up having problems with them. Epsom salts added to water and then used to soak your dog's feet will give them huge relief. But there is a little trick to this -- you have to be very careful that your dog doesn't drink that water when you are done. Make sure they have cool, clean water available before the foot soaking so that they don't mistake the Epsom salts water for their own.