The Perfect Christmas Gift for Your Dog

Christmas is only 2 weeks away! Make your list, check it twice, buy something for your dog no matter if he
was naughty, or nice. Let your dog enjoy the holiday season just as much as you do. I bet he has his own ideas of what he would like for Christmas. Here are a few ideas to help make the holidays special for your dog too.

• Buy your dog a special ornament to hang on the tree
• Hang a stocking with your dog's name on it and stuff it with his favorite treats
• Find a new toy he will love and wrap it up
• Take him for a walk in a Winter Wonderland (around the block with do)
• Bring your fur-kid along when heading to the tree lot for the family Christmas Tree
• Find Santa that will take a picture with your dog
• Let him have a special dinner with you on Christmas Day 
• Pick out a new collar or ID Tag so your dog is the hit of the party or talk of the town on his daily walk

How to Help Your Arthritic Dog

Here are a few simple things you can do at home to help your arthritic dog:

• Invest in an orthopedic bed that your dog can easily get in and out of. This type of bed with help cushion painful joints.
• Keep your dog in shape. Added weight will only add more pressure to the joints.
• Trim your dog's nails to keep him walking comfortably.
• Give your dog a nightly massage to ease his pain and stiffness.
• If your dog has trouble going up stairs, provide a ramp for him.
• Use pet steps to help him up on furniture or in the car.
• Ask your vet for exercises you can do with your dog to build strong muscles.

A Thanksgiving Meal Fit For Your Dog

As you prepare for Thanksgiving next week, make room for one more at the table.....your dog! After all, your dog is family too.

If you decide to let your dog feast with you next Thursday, decide if you will make him a special meal of his own or share your meal with him. You want to make him something out of the ordinary just as your meal will be that day. If you choose to share your meal, turkey can be given to your dog in small quantities and make sure there are no bones. Limit your use of salt and butter when making mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes and veggies. All good for your furry friend, but again in small amounts.

After you have finished eating, take your dog for a walk. Odds are you both ate a little heavier than usual and a walk will help with digestion. It is also a good time to give your dog a break from your family members and/or small children. You may need a breather from your family and what better way to get out of the house on Thanksgiving Day?

Just remember: Stuff the Turkey....NOT THE DOG!

Here is a link of the Top 10 Thanksgiving Foods that your dog should not eat.

http://www.ilovedogs.com/2011/10/10-thanksgiving-foods-dangerous-to-your-dog/#.Uo1bosSThIE

Cool Christmas Toys for your Dog

LiveLoveAndBark.com loves the soft fleece toys that we carry. Check out our special Christmas edition. 

     


Our toys are tuff, durable, soft and easy for a dog to carry around. You will love the way this toy flies across a room or in the air when playing fetch outside. Dogs can even take this toy to the beach or in the pool because it floats. 

Why LiveLoveAndBark loves these Christmas Dog Toys:

• It's light weight, interactive and is washable.

• Great for indoor play or outdoor play.

• It's cute, soft, and it floats.

• The squeakers are encased in pouches and sewn onto the toy for safety.

Your Dog and Winter Weather

It is starting to get colder and colder and the winter weather will be here before we know it. Here are a few tips to keep your dog safe this winter.

•  Antifreeze is very dangerous to all pets. It tastes sweet to them, but is very poisonous if consumed. Store your antifreeze in a place where your pet will not get into it.

• If your dog has a water bowl outside check it regularly to make sure it is not frozen.

• When it falls below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it's best to keep your pet indoors.

• If your dog stays inside more when it is cold outside she is getting less exercise and may need less food. 

• Check paws regularly if you do a lot of walking in the cold or snow. I like to rub my dogs paws with paw cream before each walk.

• Keep your dog well groomed as matted hair will not protect your dog in the cold. 

• If you must keep your dog outside make sure he has a dog house that is large enough for him to sit and lay in. You want this house to be raised off the ground and cover the floor with straw or blankets. I would make sure the house faces away from the wind and has a heavy plastic door to keep out the rain and snow. 

Winter is a fun time of year for your dog, but we need to make sure they are protected from the cold just like we are. 

Training Your Dog with Hand Signals

Murphy is not only Sitting, he is Waiting too. 

People that know your dog probably think he is smart with the tricks you have taught him. What would they think if he understood your custom (made up by you) hand commands? If your dog already knows word commands, now you can teach hand signals.

When training my dog, I used a word command plus I added a hand signal. For example, I would say Sit and raise my hand out in front almost as if I was saying Stop. As we were training, I had my son push on his behind to get him to sit.This helped him associate the word with the command as well as the hand signal. Don't forget to reward with mini treats.

To teach Sit: Start by showing your dog a treat. Say, SIT and give the signal with your hand. Make sure he can see your hand command and with the treat in your other hand, raise it above his nose. This should force his head up and his behind should start to lower into a sitting position. If he stands, start over. When he does SIT, say Yes, and reward with the treat. Repeat these steps until he sits quicker. You want to phase out of showing the treat and just use the word and hand gesture. You can continue to reward with treats, but do not show them until he Sits.

This training is truly amazing and you may make up any hand signal for the command you wish your dog to do. I have various tricks that my dog can do with the sign language I have created for him and our family.

Dental Care for Your Dog

Periodontal disease is very common among dogs and cats. Plaque can build quickly on teeth and bad breath is the first sign that something is going on in your dog's mouth. It is easy to forget about our pets' oral needs, but it is something we should take care of regularly.

I use a doggy dental solution called Pearly Whites that is simple to give to your dog each day. I put 1 (one) teaspoon of the solution in 1 (one) cup of water each day for Murphy. This keeps the plaque from building up on his teeth and keeps his breath fresh. He also has his teeth brushed twice a year as yearly maintenance.

Home dental care is essential for your dog's overall health and fresh breath.

Friday The 13th - Doggie Style

Would you be scared if you saw this tonight? 

Happy Friday the 13th from LiveLoveAndBark.com and Murphy!! 

#Throwback Thursday

Have you heard of Throwback Thursday? If you use Twitter, I am sure you have seen the hashtag #throwbackthursday or #tbt. The idea is to post a picture of yourself from a different era in your life to Twitter or Facebook. This is Murphy's #tbt picture!

#throwbackthursday Murphy

What Motivates Your Dog?

When you begin to train your dog you need to know what motivates him. Every dog is motivated in a different way and figuring out what moves your dog will make your training efforts a success.

You will find your dog to be motivated with food, play and/or praise. Figuring out what makes your puppy pay attention to your commands will make training much easier for the both of you.

My dog responded to play and food, but treats really seemed to grab his attention. I used small, bite size treats when teaching commands such as sit, stay, bark and hi-five. He learned that if  I gave a command and he responded, he was rewarded with food. He loves to play with his favorite toys as a way of being rewarded too. This type of reward must be quick. Grab a toy and tug or have him fetch. If you play too long your pup will forget what initiated the play time.

Try all the motivators mentioned when you begin training your pup and watch how he responds. This will help you to motivate your dog!

To Crate or Not to Crate

Crating your puppy may not seem like a natural thing to do, but dogs like to feel secure in their own space. Have you ever noticed your dog laying under the table, behind the couch or under your feet? He is seeking a spot that makes him feel safe. You should take advantage of this natural preference and crate train your dog.

It may make you a bit uncomfortable at first, but your dog does not mind his new home. He will feel safe and will stay out of trouble when you are sleeping or when you are not home. Give him a special blanket or crate mat along with a few toys to really make it feel like home.

You want to give your dog's special place a name. Every time I put Murphy in his crate I would say, "Time To Go To Bed." You can say: Go Home, Go to Your Room or Go to Your Place. This will help him understand what you would like him to do in time. Using a treat to get your dog into his crate will also help with the training process. Before you know it, you will give your command and in the crate your dog will go.

As unnatural as crating may seem to us, dogs really do enjoy it!

Skyenimals

GoldenDoodle Bailey

Check out this cool website! Skyenimals, pronounced "sky-nimals" is about kids, animals and imagination!

On Skyenimals.com children can learn about animals, play animal themed activities, and even create their own mixed species animals, called Skyenimals. Children can upload their own artwork or draw animals using an online drawing tool on the site.

Skyenimals is a kid friendly web site, as all the pictures and user supplied drawings are reviewed by the skyenimals admin team before being allowed to appear on the public web site.

Skyenimals has pictures, information and facts on 1,000 of real animals. Every picture on the site, including the ones you draw or upload, can be used in various mini activities and puzzles.

Other interesting things you will find on Skyenimals include

  o Online Skyenimals board and picture books for kids

  o An animal blog for kids that covers various animal themed topics, including zoo reviews, animal ownership, etc.

  o Animal and Nature wallpaper images

Skyenimals can also be found on the Facebook, Twitter and Instagram social networks.

How to Stop A Dog from Jumping Up on You

Does your dog jump on your guests when they walk into your house? Does your friend have a dog that jumps on you when you go to visit? The best way to let the dog know you want his behavior to stop is to be a tree.

When you enter your friends house and the dog greets you along with his owner, you want to stay still. Put your arms at your sides or clasp your hands in front of you and stand still. Look at the wall or down at the floor, but do not look at the dog. This simple pose will show the dog that you are not playing or interacting right now. I like to turn my back to the dog and stand still for a minute until he calms down.

If you continue to train your dog with tree pose he will learn not to jump on your family and friends when they come to visit. It is also a great technique to teach children that are nervous around dogs.

Is Your Dog Feeling Blue As The Kids Go Back To School?

This may be a tough time of year for your dog as the kids head back to school. The kids are probably not thrilled to head back to class and your dog may be sad to see them gone all day. My kids have been home all summer and I have used vacation time to be home more this summer. Now the summer fun is over and the kids will head back to school. This means my dog will be home alone all day again. This can be a tough adjustment for your dog as dogs love to be with their family (pack).

I am very lucky that my dog, Murphy is a good dog. He adapts well when we return to school and work in September.  I do try to make this transition as easy for him as possible. Before everyone in the house is gone for day, Murphy gets a 30 minute walk with one of us. This way he will burn some energy and lounge around during the day. I also hide mini dog treats each morning. Not only does this keep him busy, but I know exactly where he has been each day if he finds each treat. Some days I leave the radio or TV on for a little bit of noise to make it feel like someone is home.

As soon as I get home, Murphy is at the door waiting to say, "Yeah, You are Home!". We head outside for a few minutes to play as I know he has been waiting for me all day. We also take a nightly walk to visit friends, spend time together and burn more energy.

Give your dog an extra few minutes of play time in the morning and when you get home from work the next couple of weeks as he adjusts to staying home alone again.

The Perfect Collar for Your Dog

Dogs come in many different sizes and so do their collars. The perfect collar for your dog is one that fits properly. You can buy a designer collar, preppy collar, or even a cool collar, but if it is not the right size, then it is not the perfect collar for your dog. A collar that is too small will cause your dog to be uncomfortable and one that is too big may put him in danger.

To find the perfect collar for your dog, measure his neck where the collar would sit with a soft tape measure. If you do not have one, use a piece of string and simply measure the string. Once you have measured around your dog's neck, add two inches, you now have your dog's neck size.

Check your new collar by trying it on your dog. It should be snug, but there should be room for you to slide two fingers between your dog's neck and the collar. Your dog should be comfortable wearing his collar and at no time should it be too tight or too loose.

Most dogs wear one of four sized collars;  Small, Medium, Large or X-Large. Puppies may go through a few sizes as they grow, especially large breed puppies. Your dog may gain or lose weight over time and it is up to you to see that he is wearing the perfect dog collar.

Dog Paws

Dogs grow hair between their toes and foot pads. The softer coated dogs are more likely to form mats in the foot area. This mat is a clump of hair that gets stuck together and can trap in dirt. It can be very uncomfortable for your furry friend to walk with a mat between his toes. It would be like walking with a rock in your shoe.

You want to keep the hair around the foot area trimmed and you can do this with hair scissors. Simply, trim just a bit at a time. Hold the paw out in front and trim the hair you see sticking out between the pad. You do not need to trim all the way down, nor do you need to do all four paws at one time.

If you find mats while checking your dog's paws, I would have them removed by your groomer.

Frozen Dog Treats with Two Ingredients

It was going to be a warm weekend so I made my dog, Murphy, a frozen treat with Greek yogurt and bananas.

I used two bananas and two 5.3 oz containers of Greek yogurt. After mashing the bananas I added the yogurt, mixed and dropped spoonfuls of the mixture into a silicone ice cube tray. The tray I bought makes smaller cubes than normal. It also allows you to "pop" out the yogurt cubes. They are the perfect size for a small dog or a large one.

He loved them and so did my niece, Hannah! She was over and wanted to give Mr. Murphy (that is what she calls him) a treat. Before I knew it she was asking if she could try one. It was only frozen yogurt and bananas, so I thought....Sure go ahead! She must have enjoyed it because she asked for another one.

It is a quick, low fat and inexpensive treat for all!

Walk, Wags and Wine Wednesday

Some people call it Hump Day....but we like to call it Walk and Wine Wednesday.

Meet Murphy and his girlfriend, Summer. Tonight we took the dogs for a walk and while we got our exercise, so did they. 30 minutes of walking followed up with some wagging around the yard equals a glass of wine and girl talk.

Pick one night a week to get together for a walk. It is a great way to socialize your dog and catch up with your friends. Walking is a great way for you and your dog to exercise together!

Wag along.....tomorrow is Thursday! My favorite day of the week.

Life With A New Furry Friend

Congratulations on your new puppy or adopted new friend! They sure are cute, but they require a lot of your time and are sure to keep you busy

This is Murphy when he was a puppy

I bet you find yourself asking, "How do I get my housework done without using the crate all the time?" You need to run your errands and clean the house without allowing your dog too much unsupervised freedom. Whether your new furry friend is a puppy or an adopted dog, he is still in a new environment and will require supervision to avoid accidents and mischief.

I found the best way to give my puppy attention while I was cleaning the house was to keep him close to me! How did I do that? I used a leash. He was able to explore a bit and I was able to easily keep an eye on him. The leash I have is 6 feet long and has a handle that you can slip over your wrist. You could also attach the leash to your belt if you like. I was able to get my work done, the puppy was safe and I did not feel guilty about putting him in his crate.

Treat Your Dog

What do you think of when you hear dog treat? I think of a cookie or bone that my dog loves. Every dog owner gives their dog some sort of treat and even has their own unique name for dog treats. Dogs love special food that is made just for them and we enjoy watching them eat yummy, healthy dog treats.

We can also treat our dogs in ways without food; such as, a trip to the dog park or walking around the neighborhood. This is a great time to spend with your dog and develop a special bond. He is able to socialize with other people and dogs, which is a real treat for him.

Hugs and praise are another great treat for your dog. He loves when you are super happy and only wants more of this affection so he will continue to do what he was doing to receive your attention.

Schedule a playtime with your dog every day even if it is only 15 minutes. Give your dog a real treat with your full attention on him for that 15 minutes. He will love it! Dogs sure do love treats....how will you treat your dog today?

The Best Dog Poop Bag

I love to walk my dog, but I hate carrying the bag of dog poop, so I came up with the Do-G-Bag! Now I can walk my dog and not worry about shoving my keys, dog poop bags, and cell phone in my pocket. This bag is hanging in my garage with fresh dog bags inside and on my way out I grab it and off we go! I have used this bag when running to the store. It is a cute accessory and my hands are free when shopping. 

The Do-G-Bag is a special designed bag by LiveLoveAndBark.com that is used while walking your dog. It holds your used dog poop bag as well as your unused bags, cell phone, keys and dog treats.

It keeps you walking in style even with that awful bag of dog poop that no one wants to carry. The Do-G-Bag is a cute cross-body style purse with a waterproof pocket (for the bag of dog poop) and an extra outer pocket for keys, treats, money, etc. Finally, a bag designed to safely hold your dog poop so you don't have to!!

This quilted bag is designed just like a cross-body bag. Made of high quality quilted fabric on the outside with a 100% waterproof liner on the inside. Insert your bag of dog waste into the pocket and seal with the velcro closure. There is plenty of room in the outer pocket for extra dog poop bags, cell phone, car keys, money and dog treats. This dog bag is a must have for all dog walkers and dog lovers!

The Do-G-Bag measures 8" x 10" with a strap of 52 inches long to fit across your body. You can easily wipe the inside down or place in the washing machine. (Lay flat to dry) Fabric is hand selected and each bag is hand made in Buffalo, New York! 

Walk your dog in style and never carry a bag of dog poop again.

Try our Healthy Dog Treats

As a special thanks to our awesome fans, sign up here and you'll be entered to win a bag of dog treats! We're picking three winners on 7/29/13! 

Enter today...your dog would like to try an all natural treat that is made in the USA!


https://www.facebook.com/Liveloveandbarkcom?v=app_194975693850063&rest=1

Spring Cleaning with a Dog

If you own a dog, I am sure there are "dog things" your dog does not like, or use any more. I seem to have various toys, collars, leashes, beds and blankets laying around that Murphy does not use any more. Just look around your garage, basement, living room, toy basket, and closets as I am sure you will find dog stuff!

Today, I decided to do a doggy clean-up at my house. I have created a list of things that I noticed have become clutter if you do not discard or donate these items that your dog is not using. Look for:

*Toys that are not played with or broken
*Small collars
*Leashes that are too short
*Small beds and lumpy ones
*Treats and Food that your dog will not eat

Call your local animal shelter to see if they will take the things your dog has grown out of or just doesn't like.

Dogs and the 4th of July

Murphy is ready with his cool bamboo collar and ID tags.

Did you know more dogs are lost on the 4th of July than any other day of the year? According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

If you think about this statement, it makes perfect sense. The night of 4th of July must be one of the worst days for a dog that does not like loud noises. Do not take your puppy to a fireworks show. If he does not like loud noises or firecrackers now, he may have a hard time recovering from what he hears.

My dog is 2 years old and fireworks have started to go off in our neighborhood and I noticed he tries to find a place close to me or tries to lay in-between pieces of furniture to feel safe. He did not act this way last year so we may have a change of plans this year. I will not feel comfortable leaving him home alone so we will be home when it starts to get dark or we will need to find a sitter!

This holiday weekend you will want to make sure your dog has his collar on with a current ID tag.

Happy 4th of July!!

Sharing Your Bed with Your Dog

This is Murphy in his Big Barker Dog Bed

Bed sharing with your dog does allow for warmth, comfort, security and bonding. It also comes with dog hair in your bed, muddy paws on your sheets and blankets and safety issues for you and your dog.

Your dog should be respectful when he is in your bed. Do not allow him to push you over or even out of your own bed. He needs to understand that when you give him the word....he needs to get out.

As much as I love when my dog jumps in bed to snuggle, I am so glad he loves his own space. When he has had enough or if it is time for me to go to bed, he will jump down and head to his bed. Maybe he just needs a few minutes of bonding or he really loves his Big Barker Bed. I have tried it and it sure is comfy!

Where your dog sleeps has to be decided by you and your family. Each owner and dog is different. If having your dog in bed each night works for you, then go ahead and share your bed with your furry friend. If you like your space and a good night of sleep, then buy your dog his own comfy dog bed.

Which Brush Is Best for Your Dog?

There are various brushes and combs available for brushing your dog's hair and you will see they vary in price too. Don't be cheap, a good dog brush is an investment. Which one is the best? It all depends on your dog's hair. I have a Goldendoodle with soft wavy hair and I have found a comb works best for keeping his hair from matting.

I started with a pin brush and when I took him in for grooming I was shown all the mats I missed close to his skin. The pin brush was going over the matted hair and not through it. A pin brush is used to smooth a curly coat and can be used on dogs with long coats, just make sure to get a brush with longer pins.

A rake works well on dogs with thick coats. It will smooth and detangle a coat with its strong teeth.

The Furminator is a popular deshedding tool and if you use it often you will eliminate dog hair around the house. It works by removing your dog's loose undercoat.

A comb will help with tanlges, matting and loosen the undercoat.

When you brush your dog, be gentle and take your time. This is a great time to bond with your four legged furry friend. Brushing your dog often will prevent matting and tangles. Happy Brushing!

Take Your Dog to Work Day - 6/21/13

     Are you one of the lucky people that are able to take your dog to the office on June 21st? If so, here are a few tips so the both of you have a great day at work.

1.  Don't forget a leash. Keep your dog on a leash unless in your office.
2. Bring a bowl for water, treats, and a chew toy to keep him busy.
3. Take potty breaks to avoid accidents.
4. Set up a gate if you would like to leave your office door open. This way your dog can see what is going on without wandering.
5. Keep the lunch room pet free, do not bring your dog to lunch.
6. Be sure to have a back up plan in case things do not work out and you need to take your dog home. 

Hope everyone has a fun day at work with their dog!

Tips for Brushing Your Dog

Do you brush your dog often? I do. I have a Goldendoodle that is very wavy. I like to comb him  to prevent matting. Here are a few tips for keeping your dog's coat in good shape.

* Brush your dog good before you wash him because brushing a wet dog can break and damage his coat.

* Allow his coat to air dry and then brush again.

* If you notice matting, brush your dog good before bathing. Wet, matted hair just gets tighter as it drys.

My Dog Calls Me to Play Outside?

Murphy loves to play outside and does the most bizarre thing, he will bark to get me to come outside. I did not pick up on this behavior at first, but now I know how this game works. It goes a little something like this.

I usually let him outside to do his thing and when he is ready to come in he barks one time at the front door and I let him in. This time I hear him bark so I go to let him in and he grabs his toy and runs back on the front lawn. I figured he changed his mind so I turn around and leave him outside. As soon as I get  into the kitchen I hear him bark again. So I head back to the front of the house to let him in. I see he grabs his chicken toy and heads back down the stairs. This happens yet again and finally I walk out on the porch to figure out what is going on. When I sit down he brings his chicken to me and wants to play fetch. Now I know what he was doing...he was calling me to play outside with him!

There are times where we play this game and he will just lay on the front lawn. As soon as I go back in the house he is on the porch and lets out his bark again. He just wants me to sit on the porch while he sits on the lawn? Is this possible? I would have said it is not, but after doing this a few times, I realized that he just wants someone around. After 10-15 minutes he is content and I can go back to doing what I was doing.


Has anyone experienced anything like this with their dog?

Walking Your Dog with A Harness

Do you use a harness when walking your dog? I sure do. Each and every time we go out for a walk I slip his harness on. It allows me to have more control of him should he begin to pull at the sight of a rabbit or another dog.There is no worry about him slipping out of his collar either.

 A harness is just a safer way of walking your dog. It eliminates pressure from your dogs neck and prevents trachea damage should you need to pull him away or if he begins to pull you after something he finds interesting.

If you begin to use a harness at an early age you will teach your puppy not to pull because the pressure from the harness is evenly distributed around the dog's body. She may require a treat in the beginning to get her familiar with the feeling of the harness on her body. Soon enough she will associate the harness with a fun trip to the dog park or a walk around the block.

Harnesses are now a bit of a fashion statement with so many different styles to choose from. Pick up a cute harness today and safely walk your dog in style.

Does Your Dog Have Emotions?

Murphy is happy to sit outside! 

Does your dog have emotions? I don't know about you but I think they sure do.

All I need to do is say the word "walk" and my dog suddenly becomes excited. An excited, happy dog is what I see. Tail wags and dancing at the door shows me that he knows something fun is going to happen. I can almost hear him say, "Let's go! I want to go see my friends."

If you spend a lot of time with your dog you should see a variety of emotions. When I was sick, my dog sat at my feet all day while I was on the couch. He did not bring me toys or gesture to go outside often. He knew I wasn't feeling like myself that day. If he takes something he is not suppose to have and I say, "Who took my stuff?" He puts his head down and slithers away slowly. He knows he is wrong and that is his way of saying, "It was me, I did it."

Scientists have debated this topic for years and I believe dogs are a lot like us. Some dogs are very outgoing while others are more subdued. Either way, dogs have a way of being happy. Just like humans, dogs seem to have their own personalities. Every dog owner can agree there is no better way to be happy than to live life with a dog. Live, Love and Bark with your dog today.

Does Your Dog Like to Ride in the Car with You?

Does your dog like to tag along for the ride? My dog sure does! He loves to sit in the front seat and hang out the window. I know this is not the safest way for him to travel with me but it makes him so happy. Every time you see someone with their dog in the car, the dog always has his head out the window, right? Although dogs love the ride and fresh air, it is very unsafe for him to ride in the car with his head hanging out the window.

Most of the time we are just taking a quick drive to drop something off at friends house or pick up the boys, but things can happen even on a short drive. Small particles could get into your dog's eyes, he could jump out, or if there is an accident, he could be badly injured or even killed. Things we do not often think about when we ask, "Do you want to go for a ride?".

If we are cautious and careful, we can still take our dogs for a ride in the car.  Here are a few things I do with Murphy when we hit the road. I make sure he has his collar on and I always put a leash on him. I slip the leash on my wrist in order to have control of him if I should need to. I let him do his thing (hang out the window) as we depart slowly down our street. The window will go up slowly in order to prevent his upper body from hanging out the window. If we need to hit the Thruway, all windows go up!

If we are careful with our surroundings and take precautions with our dog, we can still allow him to take a ride in the car with us and get some fresh air.

Play Tug with Your Dog Instead of Tug of War

Tug of War sounds pretty cool but it could lead to bad habits with your puppy. If she likes to play tug with her toys there is nothing wrong with a good game of tug just be sure you are not teaching her to be rough and aggressive.

My dog loves to tug with his toys and we play tug all the time. If he brings me his toy and I see that he wants to play I take the toy from him and say, "Take it." He will grab the toy while I hold onto it and the game begins! We go back and forth and travel around the living room all while having fun. I am very careful in tugging as I would not want to hurt his mouth or teeth. I tell him to "drop it" or "give" and when he does I pick it up and toss it across the room. He will bring it back and the game begins all over.

If you are playing with a puppy, you will need to teach her how to play tug as described above. You can use a treat and praise her when she drops the toy in the middle of play. Treats usually reinforce a behavior quickly. It will also let her know that she is pleasing you and you will stay in charge of the game. When you are ready to end the game, YOU want to be the one with the toy in your hand.

I like to use a toy that is soft, sturdy and can be thrown easily in the house. Our favorite dog toy for this has been Larry, the mail man. Check him out...he is pretty cool dog toy.

A Dog Safe BBQ

Will you be hosting a BBQ this weekend? You sent your invites, and you are planning the menu now. Don't forget to make this party dog friendly too.

Here are a few pointers that will help keep your dog safe now that BBQ season is here.

*Bones and corn on the cob can be deadly to dogs. If these make it into your dogs mouth there is a chance it could pass through his small intestine which could be fatal. Keep these items in a secure garbage can or in a location where your dog will not be tempted to go.

*Skewers, foil, bottle caps, plastic wrap and pits from fruit can also cause harm to your dog.

*Provide fresh cold water and a place in the shade where he can lay down.

*Ask your friends not to feed your dog the food they do not want.

*If you dog is on a run, be sure he can not reach the grill. You would not want him to get tangled and tip the grill over.

Just a few simple BBQ dog rules for a fun and safe summer on the grill.

Cold And Healthy Dog Treats for Summer

This is another easy treat to make this summer for your dog.

It’s getting a little hot out and with those fur coats they always wear I’m sure your pups could use a cold and tasty treat. As you can see my dog couldn’t stay away.

You’ll  needLarge Bowl
Blender
Ice cube mold

Ingredients1 Chicken Breast, cooked and chopped
2 cups chopped Berries 
1 cup Water

Directions1. Mix all ingredients and puree in blender until smooth.
2. Pour into molds and place in freezer.
3. Freeze for 8 hours to allow them to fully set.
4. Run warm water around the mold to remove the pup-sicles.

This recipe has been carefully researched and tried and tested on various dogs. However, I cannot rule out the possibility of particular food intolerances in certain dogs and cannot be held liable in this case.

These recipes are intended for special occasions. They are meant as an addition to your dogs regular diet and should not replace a proper balanced diet.
It is essential to ask the advice of your veterinarian before feeding your dog any homemade food.

Tennille Tejeda, better known as the Doggy Dessert Chef, creates and develops recipes for dog treats and biscuits. You can find her two pups, treat and biscuit recipes, as well as other doggy fun at DoggyDessertChef.com. Woof!

Home Made Dog Treat Recipe

This is one of my favorite dog treat recipes for my dog. Murphy loves them and I am sure your dog will too! These are easy to make with simple and healthy ingredients.  I like to use a bone or heart shaped cookie cutter. These also make great gifts for all your doggy friends. 

Bacon Peanut Butter Dog Treats

Ingredients

4 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled

1/8 cup bacon grease

2 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup ground flax

1/4 cup wheat germ

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 egg, beaten

3/4 cup water

Directions

Preheat oven to 325. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, flax, wheat germ, baking powder. Stir in crumbled bacon.

Put peanut butter in a small microwave safe bowl and microwave just until warm, about 20 - 30 seconds.

In a medium bowl, lightly beat egg. Add in peanut butter, bacon grease, and water. Whisk together until combined.

Make a well in the dry ingredients, pour in the wet ingredients. Stir until combined. Knead lightly in the bowl with your hands.

Lightly flour your work surface. Roll out dough to about 1/2 inch thickness. Cut out with cookie cutters or with the rim of a drinking glass.

Place on prepared baking sheets. Bake at 325 for 15 minutes. Shut off oven and let treats stay in oven for at least 2 more hours, or overnight.

These will stay fresh in the fridge (in airtight container) for up to 2 weeks or freeze for up to 6 months. 

Earth Day with LiveLoveAndBark.com

Earth is our planet that we call home. We live here and need to keep it clean and pollution free. Everyday should be Earth Day!! We should all find one thing we can do to improve the Earth's environment.

Since we only celebrate this clean up day once a year, here are things we can do more regularly to keep our Earth clean.

* Buy all natural cleaners to replace those with chemicals.
* Shut off lights, unplug your laptop, and phone chargers when not in use.
* Buy energy efficient appliances for the house.
* Switch light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs.
* Recycle as much paper and plastic as you can.
* Try to use mass transit or carpool.


This is Murphy...and he is wearing his 100% Organic Bamboo Dog Collar. He is saving the planet one paw at a time.

Add Listing Preview | 1 800 Dog Pros | 1 800 Dog Pros - EVERYWHERE

Add Listing Preview | 1 800 Dog Pros | 1 800 Dog Pros - EVERYWHERE

Stay Flea Free this Season

Warmer weather is approaching and so are fleas, ticks and mosquitoes! Here are a few things you can do to keep the bugs away from your dog.                                          

• Start to use flea and tick protection sooner than later, or even year round. There are many different flea control products such as topical products, sprays, powders and shampoos. The monthly topical application seems to be most popular. Be sure to apply the product correctly in order to obtain its full effect on your dog. 
• Check your dog for fleas and ticks regularly. You can do this while he is laying down or when you are petting him. Simply part his fur and take a good look at the base of the ears,armpits, around the collar and backside.What exactly are you looking for? A flea is dark and about the size of a sesame seed.You may also find smaller specks that look like dirt and are the size of poppy seeds. Place this small piece of dirt on a wet paper towel and if it turns red, it is flea feces.
• Trim weeds and keep your lawn maintained so fleas will not want to camp out in your yard. Spraying the lawn, trees and bushes with yard sprays made to keep fleas and ticks away will also help keep your pooch flea free.
• Fleas love carpet! If you have carpeting in the house vacuum at least once a week during these warmer months to prevent fleas from breeding in your house. I also recommend washing your dogs bedding at least every other week in the warmer months. 

My Dog Love

Ever have a bad day and as soon as you walk in the house you are greeted by a happy dog and you cant help but smile? That is unconditional dog love!

When I get home Murphy is always at the door and happy as ever. His tail starts to wag, then his butt and as I step into the house he has the full body wag going. He dances along as I move into the kitchen to put my stuff down so I can give him the hello he has been waiting for. For some odd reason he must pass through my legs a few as I pet him. Then the sniffing and licking my hands begins. He must be trying to figure out where I was all day. What a great way to be greeted every time I come home.


Tell me how you are greeted by your best friend when you get home.

Should I Change My Dog's Food?

The more I read about dog food, nutrition and allergies it seems changing up or adding a little something special to my dog's bowl will give him a taste of things he may be craving as well as the nutrition he needs.I have always fed him the same brand of dog food and usually bought lamb and brown rice. It seemed healthy and gentle to digest.

We were back at the vet one day with another ear infection when his diet came up and I explained that he has been on lamb and rice the past few months.It was at that time the suggestion came up to try chicken or salmon as the doctor thought the ear infections could be allergy related. I am now feeding Murphy a chicken recipe and we have not had an ear infection in 3 months! (Knock on Wood) Was it the lamb? We are not really sure, but I am not going to take a chance and buy it any time soon.

A dog's diet can be diverse just like our diet is. I always thought the hard dog food was best because it helped with dental care. I never thought about eating the same food every day, day after day and never knew allergies could develop at any time.

I have learned to incorporate small amounts of healthy, dog-safe food into Murphy's bowl. Every morning we start our day with 2 egg whites and sometimes we eat the entire egg! For dinner we start with a few pieces of plain grilled or broiled chicken and a spoonful of quinoa, brown rice or sweet potatoes followed with his kibble. He is not a fussy eater and always eats what I prepare for dinner. I have made frozen desserts for him with yogurt, baby food and bananas. These make great treats in the summertime!!

Bakery Fresh - All Natural Dog Treats

Finding the perfect treats for your best friend can be a challenge. I wanted something natural, low in fat, tasty and made in the USA. No Wheat, No Corn and No Soy were also added to my list of perfect treats for my pooch. 

There are so many reasons to reward your pooch and whatever reason it is I wanted a healthy and safe treat for him. I tend to give him quite a few cookies (that is what we call them in our house) when we are working on new tricks and especially when he comes in the house the first time I say, " Murphy,come".

The treats I now carry on my website, LiveLoveAndBark.com, are the treats he eats most. They are made with organic spelt and do not contain wheat, soy or corn. Spelt is a grain that is slightly sweet in flavor, has fewer calories and a bit more protein than wheat flour. They are sold in 10.5 ounce size in a variety of flavors such as Blueberry, Carob Chip, and Cheeseburger. All treats are made in the USA including all the packaging! Try some today, your pup is sure to love the bakery fresh taste.

Insect Shield Dog T-Shirt

Did you know there was such a thing? A dog shirt that repels bugs? Check out The Guardian Gear outdoor products for dogs.

The Guardian Gear outdoor apparel for your pets are treated with an invisible, odorless repellent that is effective in repelling fleas, ticks, ants, flies, and chiggers. The repellent in  Insect Shield is EPA-registered to last through 70 washes.  Machine wash in cold water on gentle and hang to dry. The shirts are stylish and reasonably priced. 

LiveLoveandBark.com recommends this shirt for pooches who spend time outdoors, hang out in the woods or plan to camp this summer. 

A Great Dog Collar for $20.

Have you ever noticed that when you take your dogs collar off, he/she is like, whoa...what are you doing?  What is that?  Can I sniff it?  Can I lick it? 

Selecting the perfect collar for your dog can be difficult. There are so many to choose from but you have to remember that the collar you choose for your dog is a statement about who he is and who you are. 

My dog, Murphy, wears the Preppy Whale dog collar from Tartan Hound.  (Sold on LiveLoveAndBark.com) This collar is not only well made, it's stylish, flexible and well worth the $20 bucks! It is one inch wide and available in sizes Small through X-Large. I love that it is made in the USA (Marion, MA to be specific) and the plastic buckle is actually made in NY!

Why put a solid color collar on your pooch when you can put whales, stars or even stripes on your best friend? Check out the Tartan Hound Collars today @ LiveLoveAndBark.com.

Does Your Dog Know That You Love Him?

We dress our dogs up, we buy stylish dog beds, healthy treats, toys and even carry them around in designer doggy bags. We treat our dogs as one of us, a human! Right, wrong or other, we are all guilty of loving our dogs.

 Dogs enjoy our affection and here are a few ways to give your dog affection that he can understand. Start by petting your dog around his neck and chest area. Let him sit on the couch with you and enjoy the comfort as much as he will. Try petting him for a bit, then stop. If he nudges you that means he liked it and would like more. 

Engage in a playful manner to give your dog, as well as yourself, a bit of exercise. If you are feeling up to it, take your fuzzy friend for a long walk. Dogs know you care when you say that 4 letter word....Walk!!

Doggy DNA Test

A DNA Test for your dog? Yes! Doggy DNA tests reveal the mix of your mixed breed dog. The Canine Heritage Breed Test is a kit you order, take a quick swab inside of your dogs mouth and mail it in! 

You will receive a certificate that tells you what your mutt is made of. Just remember, a dog's breed has a lot of influence on his needs and behavior.

Moving with Your Dog

Moving into a new house or apartment is a stressful time for us but we need to think about what our dog will go through as we move all of our stuff into a new place. The home they are leaving means leaving behind their territory.

To make a smooth transition, include your dog while you pack and move boxes so he can check things out. He is aware that something is going on with all these items piled around the house. 

When you are ready for the big day, it is probably best to have a dog sitter. It will allow you to get things done and not stress about where the dog is. It will also mean less stress on your dog. When the movers are gone-bring in Fido! He will need to make his rounds and check out the place. 

Sticking to his old routine is very important. Keeping him on the same schedule for eating and bedtime will allow him to acclimate even quicker. Dogs adjust faster than cats simply because we tend to socialize them more. 

Once you are in your new home, take your furry friend for a walk around his new neighborhood. Once he gets used to the new smells, the sooner he will feel at home.