BlogForPups

1. They go to the bathroom outside, not inside the house.

Whether you’re house-training a new puppy, or managing “accidents” with an older dog, routinely taking your dog for a walk is still the best way to keep the mess outside.  Going for a walk can stimulate a dog’s body to “go to the bathroom” when you need him to.

2. It improves their social skills.

How would you feel if you were cooped up in the house all day, every day?  Your dog needs to be exposed to everything outside your home: nature, people, other dogs, traffic, whatever!  The more your dog is exposed to the world, the less likely they are to act out of fear or have unreasonable phobias.

3. It’s a chance for you to reinforce your role as their master.

Does your dog follow your commands, or does he/she dominate everyone in the household?  If you’ve got a dominant dog, chances are  you need to work on establishing your role as the “pack leader”.  Over thousands of years dogs have survived in packs with a hierarchy: there are leaders and there are followers.  If dogs don’t have anyone to “follow” they will naturally take the more superior role and will tend to get into all sorts of mischief or disagreeable behavior.  You, as their master, can easily practice leadership behavior by learning how to properly walk your dog on a leash.  With your shoulders, arms, and hands relaxed, lead your dog with confidence.  Do not let them pull you, keep the leash short and make them stay by your side at all times.  Ignore distractions and your dog will quickly pick up on this and follow.

4. Your dog burns calories, and so do you!

Have you ever heard the saying, “If your dog’s overweight, then you’re not getting enough exercise”?  It’s so true!  The benefits of daily exercise are priceless–for you and your dog.  Walking not only burns calories, but promotes positive mood and general health.  Combined with proper diet and nutrition, daily walks can help you find a balanced, healthy lifestyle–which is also the key to a long, happy life!  So, get your dog and get your butts out there!

5. It makes them happy, which makes you happy.

Unless you have a super lazy or laid back dog, most likely your canine friend gets über excited when you pull out the leash.  Can’t you just imagine them thinking, “Outside??  OMG, it’s so much fun going outside!!! Let’s go, let’s go, let’s goooooo!”  What dog owner can resist that joyous feeling of seeing your dog get super excited for something?  I can only imagine the things they enjoy about going on their walks…is it the smells, the sounds, the people and other dogs they see?  Is it the sunshine, the air, or just the pleasure of moving?  Whatever it is, going on walks makes your dog happy, and you reap the rewards as well.

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Sometimes it’s nice to bake a little love from your kitchen. These peanut butter biscuits are fun to make for your pooch and their doggie friends!

Peanut Butter Dog Treats

2 tbsp corn oil
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup water
1 cup whole wheat flour
2 cups white flour

Preheat oven to 350F. Combine oil, peanut butter, and water. Add flour 1 cup at a time, then knead into firm dough. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and cut with small bone shaped cookie cutter. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes. For hard and crunchy treats, leave them in the oven for a few hours after baking.  Makes about 3 dozen.

Recipe from www.dogaware.com

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Murphy, Male Shih Tzu, 6 years old

1) The tear stains under his eyes make his whole face stink.

2) When my husband says, “Give me a kiss!”, he growls.

3) He guards the bathroom door while I’m inside.

Sydney, Female Pug, 6 years old

1) She snuffles, snorts, sneezes, and will do anything for food.

2) She barks on command when you say, “Speak!”

3) She burrows and snuggles herself under the blanket with me everyday.

Peppermint, Female Pug, 1.5 years old

1) She snuffles, snorts, has bad breath, and will do anything for food.

2) She likes to eat ice.

3) She thinks everything is a game and won’t come when she’s called.

They’re not perfect, but I love them to death.

Why do you love your dog?

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How did your pooch rank this year?  The Lab still reigns and holds the top spot!

2008 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.

1. Labrador Retriever

2. Yorkshire Terrier

3. German Shepherd Dog

4. Golden Retriever

5. Beagle

6. Boxer

7. Dachshund

8. Bulldog

9. Poodle

10. Shih Tzu

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Look . . . I was thirsty man, deal with it.

Touch de duck… I keel you.

Weeeeeee!!! Look at me I'm Yoda!

You want a piece of me? Bring it....!

Kid . . . you're askin' the wrong guy.

I don't get it. Where's the milk?!

Wasssuuuuup!!

Bread! You're seriously giving me bread . . . ?

This stupid bird's about to get a snot bath.

Therrrz no way that was . . . . . . juzzt milk . . hiccup...hiccup!

I . . . hate . . you.

Hi!!! I'm Teddy, a wild little Gemini . . . . aaaaaannnd, I, like, long walks on the beach. Aaaannnd I just LOVE tennis balls. Byyeeee!!!

I'm not....yawn...tired, ok? I'm...just..... a little...sllleee..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

BUT I DON'T WANNA GO...!!!! AAAAaaaaaahahhhahh

It was only a little pee, why the 30-minute timeout?

Rrrrr.... I'm a Tiger. Rrrrrrr

Wow, dude... I went through your bag, man, and I found this stuff. So I totally ate it. Awesome. Got any more? I can't feel my tongue...

Note: If you or someone you know created any of these photos, please e-mail admin@thingsforpups.com so we may properly credit the work. Thanks.

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Got these from another forwarded e-mail…enjoy!

The reason a dog has so many friends Is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue. -Anonymous

There is no psychiatrist in the world Like a puppy licking your face. -Ben Williams

A dog is the only thing on earth That loves you more Than he loves himself. -Josh Billings

The average dog is a nicer person Than the average person. -Andy Rooney

Dogs love their friends and bite their enemies, Quite unlike people, Who are incapable of pure love and Always have to mix love & hate. -Anonymous

Anybody who doesn't know what soap tastes like Never washed a dog. -Franklin P. Jones

If your dog is fat, You aren't getting enough exercise. -Unknown

My dog is worried about the economy Because Alpo is up to $3.00 a can. That's almost $21.00 in dog money. -Joe Weinstein

Women and cats will do as they please. Men and dogs should relax And get used to the idea. -Robert A. Heinlein

If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous He will not bite you. That is the principal difference Between a dog and a man. -Mark Twain

Dogs are not our whole life, But they make our lives whole. -Roger Caras

If you think dogs can't count, Try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket And then give him only two of them. -Phil Pastoret

Note: If you or someone you know created any of these photos, please e-mail admin@thingsforpups.com so we may properly credit the work. Thanks.

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We attended our first Northern Virginia Pug Meet this weekend. It was held at A Dog’s Day Out doggie daycare (www.adogsdayout.com) in Vienna, VA.

Plenty of smushed up noses, snorts, curly pig tails, and one lonely Shih Tzu! (That’s our dog, Murphy, the only non-pug that attended).

It was great to meet everyone!

*Some photos courtesy of proud pug owner, Dottie =)

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DJ the Goldie pup from Florida

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Note: If you or someone you know created this photo, please e-mail admin@thingsforpups.com so we may properly credit the work. Thanks.

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Pepper and Kikko modeling their dog scarfs! Kona is the dachsund mix in the back =).

Pepper & Kikko

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