In addition to training our canine friends, we all need training in how to use our dog poop bags for picking up dog waste. We have been using dog waste bags for so long and always in the same way, that we can’t even imagine something different. However, there is a better way! And we must be trained in order to make our lives easier, safer and certainly healthier. So let’s begin right now.

First of all we need to be trained in the proper way to remember to bring our poop bags every time we venture out with our pets. By having a supply always available in our poop pouch, we no longer need to remember every time to grab the waste bags as we head out the door. We no longer need to remember to stuff them in our pockets with the real possibility of tearing them. Now they will always be available in our pouch which is designed to safely and securely carry dog poop bags and other needed items. So we need to occasionally remember to place a supply in our accessory pouch. We also need to always have the dog pouch attached to our leash or sitting nearby to quickly grab as we head out the door. New awareness, but easy!

Secondly, we must be trained in our methods of picking up and then carrying dog poop. The pick-up part is rather simple – we all know this. Invert the bag, scoop, re-invert the bag, tie it and we think we are done. But we are not! The new training is to now realize the huge load of germs present in this bag. These include bacteria, parasites, worms and their eggs. It is a load that must be protected. So casually carrying dog waste bags down the street will no longer be acceptable. We must safely and securely protect this load of feces and germs, and the best way to do so is to gently place it in an interior pocket of a poop pouch. This will also remove the ugly bag from the view of everyone, including ourselves. New and safer view, but easy!

Thirdly, we must be trained in what to do next. We thought we were done? No! What do we do after using toilet facilities, even if we didn’t touch anything? We wash our hands. Canine feces carry a much larger load of pathogens than human feces, so washing our hands after handling dog poop is only simple common sense. Even if we didn’t touch anything. Since we are not near soap and water, hand sanitizer is our only available option. Having a small bottle always available in our poop pouch that carries our dog poop bags is our best option. This new training is very healthy, but easy!

Finally, we must be trained in realizing that there are accessory pouches that will carry more than our dog waste bags. Some not only carry our hand sanitizer which is, of course, always needed. They also have room for dog training supplies, treats, park passes, wallets, cell phones, keys, and even a dog poop bags dispenser. Evaluating the many fashionable and available options is training worth considering. This new training for picking up dog waste will make our lives more convenient, and it is easy!

The post Dog Poop Bags And Training On Picking Up Dog Waste first appeared on Puppy Blog.

Summer may be your favorite time of year, but with it comes the heat, humidity and summer storms-all of which can be very hard on your dog. When planning your summer, it is important to remember your canine family members to make sure they make it through the summer happy and healthy.

“We see and hear of so many dogs every summer that get dangerously ill, or worse, by being placed in completely avoidable situations,” stated Liam Crowe, Bark Busters’ president, CEO and master trainer. “Many times the owners just don’t know any better, so educations is the first step in preventing our dogs from getting heat stroke, dehydration and other heat-related maladies.”

Depending on your experience level with dogs, below are either some new tips or some important reminders to keep your canine friends happy and safe during the summer months.

Heat

Heat can kill…and very quickly. Make sure your pet has plenty of cool, clean water. Do not dehydrate your pup by exercising it in the heat of the day. Save the run or long walk for early morning or late evening when it is cooler. Bring plenty of water with you and give him a drink whenever you take one. Be aware, too, that hot pavement can burn your dog’s paws. So if the pavement feels warm or hot to your hand, your dog will not like it. Dogs don’t have shoes to insulate their feet!

If your dog is spending time outside, make sure he has shade available to him along with plenty of cool, clean water. Provide two or more sources of water in case one gets knocked over. Your dog will also need shelter in the event of a sudden storm. He does not want to be out in the storm any more than you do. For his shelter, be sure to provide adequate ventilation because heat is a major cause of death in pets in the summer.

Cars and Trucks

Do not leave your dog in the car, even with the windows open. Heat buildup is tremendous, and it will not take long for him to overheat and suffer heat stroke. In less than 10 minutes, a car can reach over 120 degrees when it is only 80 degrees outside. Remember, your dog is wearing a fur coat. Think how you would feel if you were wearing fur at this time of the year!

Some dogs love to stick their heads out of the window to catch a breeze. It may look cute to you, but flying objects can injure your dog’s eyes and the constant flapping of his ears in the wind can harm them. Instead, crate or harness your dog to keep him safe. The back of a pickup is not a safe place for him. If untethered, he can jump or fall out, and even if he is tethered, he may get jerked around and injured during turns or sudden stops. He could also be hurt from the intense heat on the bed of a pickup.

Water

If your dog loves the water and loves to jump into the pool, make sure he knows how to get out safely. Dogs will instinctively try to get out at the same place they went in, so it is important to teach your dog or puppy where and how to get out of the pool regardless of where he went in. It is also important for you to keep an eye on him when he is in the pool because swimming is very tiring for a dog.

Be aware of the surrounding area if you take your dog to the beach, lake or pond. Watch for trouble and make sure your dog will come to you as soon as you call. Recall is one of the most important lessons you can teach your dog. It can literally save his life.

With a little planning and thought, we can help our dogs enjoy the summer and make it through without incident. We love our pets and want them to be with us for as long as possible.

The post Making the ‘Dog Days’ of Summer Easier on Your Pet first appeared on Puppy Blog.

There is a discussion all around the world concerning whether athletes live longer or shorter than other people. Whenever a famous athlete dies at young age, the debate becomes heated. If we listen to what each side is saying about the issue, we can learn valuable lessons applicable for our canine friends.

One side of the discussion would say athletes drink a lot, use drugs and other chemicals for their performance. We can safely say that using the wrong drugs and performance enhancers are also harmful for dogs and other pets. Instead of these we can always use dog supplements, dog vitamins or nutritional supplements for dogs.

One of the reasons of athletes to die young is not supplementing the lost minerals while sweating. Human athletes, lose lots of essential minerals by sweating. The belief that dogs don’t sweat is not true. They also sweat from their footpads. However they regulate the heat of their body by panting. K9 athletes lose more minerals than less active dogs. So they need more pet supplements or pet vitamins. For an athlete dog to have a full and healthy life it must receive all the dog health supplements its body needs.

Athletes force their muscles to perform more and when muscles are forced they may start to ache. An athlete can tell you that the back of his leg is hurting but a dog can’t. A winning race hound starts lose races, or a show dog starts to perform poorly. All of these can be cured by pain killers in the short run. However, in the long run the health of the dog will start to deteriorate. It is not easy to breed a winning dog. Therefore dog nutrition supplements and K9 vitamins must be used for dogs with aching muscles. These canine nutritional supplements make dogs stronger and help them recover from fatigue faster.

For humans and their pets the secret of a long life is the balance of diet with activity. If a dog is more active, it must have more canine supplements. Just like humans.

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