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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Photo from DogTime.com

Former NFL player Michael Vick has been released from prison this week.  The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback was serving his federal sentence for dogfighting and animal cruelty, crimes which attracted media attention and angered animal lovers.

I caught a couple of episodes of Dogtown on the National Geographic Channel when they featured some of the Michael Vick dogs being rehabilitated at a Best Friends Sanctuary.  I was very shocked at how these Pitbulls were treated–one female champion had no teeth, evidently professionally extracted by a vet.  They also found “rape stands” at the dogfighting sites, devices that tie down females.  Removing the female dog’s teeth and using rape stands were practiced so that the dog owners can force the females to mate with other pitbulls without attacking them.

I live in the state of Virginia, where these fighting rings were located, and I have to say this was greatly embarrassing for my home state.

For further information about this topic, please visit the following webpages:

DogTime.com Blog

NFL News

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I realize I’m a little late in discovering this piece of news, but it just tickled me happy that I just had to share with others who have not heard of this.

We’ve all seen all kinds of animal odd couples, but these two are such great friends they’ve even landed a spot on the Oprah Winfrey show!

Suryia the orangutan and Roscoe the Bluetick Coonhound met in a sanctuary for endangered animals two years ago in South Carolina.

Roscoe was an underfed stray, but Suryia quickly took him under his wing.

Dr. Bhagavan Antle, founder of The Institute of Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (TIGERS) in Myrtle Beach, told the Daily Mail that Roscoe followed him and Suryia through the park’s gate one day. As soon as he saw Roscoe, Suryia ran over to him and they started playing,” Antle said “It was unusual because dogs are usually scared of primates; but they took to each other straight away.”

After a few unsuccessful phone calls to find an owner, Antle said they decided to let Roscoe stay.

Now the the pair have a ball frolicking around the park. “They will spend a few hours each day together rolling around, swimming,” Antle said. “Suryia will take Roscoe for walks around the enclosure and even feeds him some of his monkey biscuits.”

~ABC News

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This month ThingsForPups donated over 100 lbs. of dog biscuits to the Washington Humane Society.

Since undergoing store renovation, some of our inventory were due to “expire” (the packages were marked with “Best Before” dates) so we could no longer keep them for sale.  These dog biscuits were stored in a cool, dry place and we just could not bear to think of completely disposing them!  Instead, we contacted the Washington Humane Society and asked if they could use them. They were more than happy to accept them:

“Thank you so much for the abundance of dog treats, we were so excited to get them.  I wanted to let you know that we did receive them yesterday…They will certainly go to good use!”

~ Kathy Vellenga, Shelter Director
Washington Humane Society
7319 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, DC  20012

ThingsForPups donated both Newman’s Own Organics Dog Biscuits and Old Mother Hubbard All Natural Dog Treats in different flavors.  We hope these treats will not only help in the shelter dogs’ nourishment but also their training and overall well-being.

For more information about the Washington Humane Society including their programs, available animals, adoption events and blog, visit their website at:

http://washhumane.org/

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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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“One of the greatest virtues in life is having patience and wisdom.”

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