The Daily Sniff

Outdoor Activities To Do With Your Dog

August 29, 2023

by: Cait Lauria

As a proud dog owner, you know that one of the greatest joys in life is spending quality time with your four-legged companion. And what better way to bond and keep both of you healthy than by enjoying the great outdoors together? From hiking trails to sunny beaches, there’s a world of adventure awaiting you and your furry friend. Here are some exhilarating outdoor activities that will have tails wagging and hearts racing:

Tail-Wagging Hikes:
There’s nothing quite like hitting the trails with your pup. Whether you’re tackling a rugged mountain path or strolling through a serene forest, hiking is an excellent way to bond with your dog while getting some exercise. Just be sure to research dog-friendly trails in advance and pack enough water for both of you.
Splashing Good Time at the Beach:
If your dog loves water, a trip to the beach is a must. Whether it’s a game of fetch in the surf or a leisurely stroll along the shoreline, the beach offers endless opportunities for fun. Remember to bring a dog-safe sunscreen if your pup has sensitive skin.
Fetch and Frisbee Fun:
Head to a local park or an open field for a game of fetch or frisbee. These classic games are not only great for exercise but also provide mental stimulation for your dog. Plus, watching your pup gleefully chase after the ball or frisbee is sure to put a smile on your face.
Pawsitive Agility Courses:
If you and your dog are up for a challenge, consider trying out an agility course. These obstacle courses are not only a fantastic way to boost your dog’s confidence and coordination, but they also provide a platform for you to bond through training and teamwork.
Treasure Hunt with Sniffing Games:
Tap into your dog’s incredible sense of smell with scent games. Hide treats or toys around your backyard or a park and let your dog’s nose lead the way. This engaging activity taps into your dog’s natural instincts and keeps their minds sharp.
Leisurely Picnics:
Sometimes, the simplest activities can be the most enjoyable. Pack a dog-friendly picnic and head to a grassy spot in a park. While you relax and soak in the surroundings, your pup can enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors.
Doggy Playdates:
Invite your friends and their dogs for a playdate in a secure, fenced area. This is a wonderful opportunity for your dog to socialize and burn off energy while you catch up with fellow dog lovers.
Exploring Nature Trails:
Explore nature trails together, taking time to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors. Let your dog’s curiosity guide you as you discover hidden gems, wildlife, and scents that spark their interest.
Camping Under the Stars:
For the ultimate adventure, consider a dog-friendly camping trip. Roasting marshmallows by the campfire and sleeping under the stars will create lasting memories for both you and your furry companion.

Remember, safety and comfort come first. Always bring water, snacks, waste bags, and any necessary gear for your dog. Keep an eye on their behavior and energy levels, making sure they’re not overexerting themselves. Lastly, check the local regulations and guidelines for dogs in the outdoor spaces you plan to visit. With a bit of planning, you and your dog can embark on countless outdoor escapades that will deepen your bond and create unforgettable moments. So, leash up, grab your adventure gear, and get ready for a tail-wagging good time!

The Benefits of Starting Agility with Your Dog

April 29, 2021

*A Shetland Sheepdog and a Jack Russell Terrier on the agility field.*

Does your dog have a lot of energy? Is your dog bored at home after all this covid hoopla? Looking for a new and fun way to not only bond with your pup but exercise as well?

WHAT ABOUT AGILITY?

Dog agility is a sport where you direct your dog through a series of pre-set obstacle course within a certain time limit. Each course typically will have between 14-20 obstacles including tunnels, weave poles, tire jumps, seesaws and pause tables where each dog must stop and stay for a set amount of time. Think of ninja warrior but with cute fluffy dogs instead of muscle-bound men and women. Agility is very much an athletic challenge that keeps dogs fit, helps prevent obesity, increases endurance and strengthens bones and joints. Agility courses are also great mental stimulation for pet giving them the opportunity to problem solve.

What Types of Dogs can do agility?

When most people think of agility, the first breeds that come to mind are the super-fast Border Collies, Australian Shepherds and Shelties. But truly, any healthy dog can take part in agility. Our business owner, Cait, does

agility with her Toy Poodle, Karl, and is preparing her Shetland Sheepdog, Keltie, to start agility soon. They all have a blast, and so will you and your pet!

What are the benefits of agility for dogs?

Outlet for physical and mental energy
Helps build your dog’s confidence
Great for developing self-control
Helps with distraction training
Strengthens your dog’s natural instincts
Seeing a confident and happy pup is a goal for all pet parents
You’ll develop greater trust & confidence in your dog

Agility helps build your bond with your dog, to develop an almost magical connection and lifelong friendship!

Wondering where to get involved with agility?

Our go to for all of our agility needs is Our Gang Pet Services in River Vale. Andrea and her staff have a vast knowledge for not only the sport but all types of dog behavior and will help you get your pet on the right path. Click here to visit their website! Don’t forget to check out their courses to see all the other great classes they offer.

Water Safety

April 11, 2021

DID YOU KNOW…..

Dog are not natural born swimmers! Many people think that dogs instinctually know how to swim but that’s not actually the case. It is important to make sure you know how to keep your pets safe around water during the warmer months.

If your pet is not familiar with swimming, follow these steps to help acclimate them:

Start as early as possible. Remember to keep the lessons positive and stress-free for them (and perhaps you too!)
Choose a quiet, shallow spot in the water
Keep your dog on a leash while they learn
Get in the water with them
Start at the edge of the water and stay as long as they enjoy it
If they don’t want to go into the water, don’t force them (especially if it’s deep)
When your dog begins to paddle with their front legs, lift their hind legs to show them how to float

Tips for the beach:

Watch out for strong currents and riptides! These can take you and your dog out to sea. Even the best swimmers can be in danger when the seas are ruff!
Don’t let your dog drink ocean water. It can make them sick. Remember to bring fresh H2O with you to keep them hydrated (and a beer for you!)
Keep your pal away from fish that have washed onto the shore. Dogs may think they have a great smell to them but the fish may make your dog ill.

Tips for the pool:

Put a fence or baby gates around your pool to keep your dog out when it is not time to swim. Do not allow unsupervised swimming sessions.
Keep a sturdy cover over the pool when you aren’t using it.
Teach your dog how to get in and out of the pool. Make sure there are steps or a ramp they can use to climb out.
Check the water temperature before letting your dog take a dip. Only a few breeds can handle extra cold water.
Always keep life vests on hand!

Tips for Lakes, Rivers and Ponds:

Consider getting your dog a life jacket. Especially if you take them out on a boat or a dock. Many pet stores have some really cute and fashionable ones!
Steer clear of bodies of water with blue green algae. It can make dogs sick.
Check the current of the river or creek. Make sure it isn’t too strong to let your dog swim. Again, even the best of swimmers can be put into life threatening situations in strong currents.
Keep your dog away from fishing gear! Sharp hooks and barbs can hurt them.

No matter where your pup makes a splash, follow these pointers:

Rinsing them off after they have been in any kind of water is important. Seawater minerals, salt, chlorine, algae and pollution can irritate or damage their skin and fur.
Remove their flea collar before they swim. Water can wash off it’s an active ingredients.
Dry your dog’s ears completely to help prevent ear infections. You can even try our ear cleaner sold (here).
If possible, learn canine CPR. Mouth-to-nose resuscitation and chest compressions could save a dog’s life in an emergency.
Never leave your dog alone in the water!
Teach your dog “wait” at the water’s edge or to use stairs. Using the stairs may help get them out of an emergent situation if they were to ever fall in.
Keep pool chemicals safely stored away and out of pet’s reach.

Witch Way To The Treats?

October 8, 2020

Howl-o-ween is right around the corner, are you ready!? We have gathered some great Halloween costumes from small businesses to help inspire your pet’s attire!

TY Beanie Baby $8.99

Shake your Boo-ty Shirt $17.80

Dinosaur Mask $13.00

Sunflower $49.99

Turtle $35.99

Unicorn Hat $14.00

Here Comes Santa Paws $32.39

Jedi Master Hat $25.00

Chinese New Year Dragon $17.00

Tutu $18.00

Tips on Helping Pets Cope with Fireworks

June 29, 2020

Try and keep your pets away from fireworks as much as possible
Try a THUNDERSHIRT or try making your own: Thundershirts are a garment made for dogs to help with calming through the use gentle pressure. Many owners swear by the power of a Thundershirt! You can also try making your own DIY Thundershirt following these instructions.
Consider giving your dog Focus Hemp CBD: FTipsocus Hemp CBD Companion Care was created specifically for pets. Sometimes just taking the edge off is enough to help with fireworks. CBD oil can be put on your pet’s food, directly in their mouths or put inside pill pockets. Please keep in mind CBD is most effective when used continually opposed to a one time ordeal. You can purchase Focus Hemp CBD Companion Care here.
Create a safe haven for your dog: A safe haven is a place where your dog feels most comfortable. Bring your pet to their safe haven beforehand. Dogs are den animals, so they are looking for a comfortable cave to get away from it all. Great areas to think about setting up as a safe haven includes underneath stairways, basements, large closets, anywhere where your pet can not see or hear the fireworks. Make sure to provide your pet with their favorite blanket, toys and treats. Some pets LOVE their crates and those are always great spaces for them as well.
Play white noise: You can try running a fan, TV or radio to help mask the sound of the fireworks. Classical music is always a great choice too!
Long walks before the fireworks start: “A tired dog is a happy dog.” Venture out for a long walk and lots of exercise before the sun sets to increase the chances that you’ll avoid fireworks while out and about. Please be sure your dog is secured on a leash with proper ID tags prior to heading out.
Work on desensitizing your dog to the sounds of fireworks: If you suspect your dog will freak out over the sound of fireworks, try playing sounds of fireworks softly so your dog is used to hearing them. Try positively reinforcing good reactions to the sounds with their favorite treats. This video is a great starting point.
Distracting toys are great: Why not give your dog something better to worry about! Puzzle toys, frozen kongs with peanut butter, and many other interactive toys are a great choice! Some dogs will be too overwhelmed but other may be very welcoming to the idea of a happy alternative.
Consider hiring a trainer: If the fear is negatively impacting your pup’s life, consider enlisting the advice of an expert. You can work with a trainer to desensitize your pet for general issues including fireworks.
Consult your Veterinarian: If you’ve exhausted all of your options and not having positive outcomes, try consulting your veterinarian about medications to help soothe your dog’s anxiety.

Make sure your dog’s collar and tags are up to date in the event your pet bolts. It is also a good idea to have a recent photo of your dog on hand in the event you need to notify local shelters of your missing pet. When possible, please consider staying home to help comfort your pet.

Sources: www.AKC.org and www.k9ofmine.com

How Pet Owners Can Make Moving a Stress-Free Success

January 16, 2020

Young couple in new apartment with small dog

Guest Post by: Penny Martin

Looking for a home can often feel an overwhelmingly exhausting experience. As a pet owner, however, you have an additional responsibility that could add to your workload. Thankfully, with a little planning, you can make your moving experience run smoothly.

Picking the Perfect House

Our companions are an important part of our lives, and their happiness is vital to us. To ensure they stay safe and content, we must consider them when looking for a home. Of course, you’ll want a community that is accepting of pets, so look for features like dog parks, vets, and pet supply stores to guide your choices; the more there are, the more likely it will be a pet-friendly place. As an added precaution, check local laws regarding pets, particularly breed limits. Once you’ve done your research, you can start looking for a house to fulfill your needs and those of your pet. For instance, an animal with short legs or one who is getting on in years may need a single-story home. In contrast, a larger dog might require a big yard and plenty of room to play. What’s more, you may need to install a fence to keep them safe and secure, which could add another $1,641 to $3,972 to your expenses. At the end of the day, however, It’s up to you to decide what will serve your companion best.

Moving with a Pet

One of the most difficult aspects of moving with a pet is the process of getting them to their new home. Thankfully, dogs can be crated, given toys and snacks to calm them, and taken out for breaks to help tire them out. Yet, other pets, such as birds, can be more difficult and could make travel by plane potentially challenging. First, you need to find an airline that will accept them, and then you should ensure you have the right cage. Then, you must supply them with enough food, water, and comforting objects to keep them calm during the trip. If possible, travel by car so that you can use a familiar cage, take breaks, and limit their overall stress.

Make Moving Day Easy

Moving day is going to be stressful regardless, but you can make it easier by keeping your pet safe. After all, we cannot explain to them why strangers are inside their home, and movers cannot haul stuff out in silence. So, to let you focus on the move, as well as to minimize your pet’s stress, consider having a friend take them away for the day. Otherwise, you could hire a pet sitter — yes, even for a bird. If you don’t know where to find one, your vet may have a list of reliable organizations or individuals to check out. However, do meet them first, ensure they know first aid, and have the right temperament so you feel confident on the big day.

Introducing Your Pet to the Neighborhood

For most animals, such as cats and birds, they’ll only need to get used to an unfamiliar home. Yet, dogs will need an introduction to their new surroundings. Take it slowly by first showing them around the neighborhood before branching out farther. As you go, always keep them on a strong lead, even if there are no leash laws in your city. Not only will your pup stay safe from traffic and other dogs, but a leash prevents them from bolting and becoming lost in strange surroundings. If you’re still using the same old leash you’ve had for years, now’s a perfect time to get a new one (you can find great leashes at Chewy starting at around $6.25)

Helping Them Adjust to Changes

Pets often have a difficult time handling change, so the best thing you can do is to shield them from the unpacking process. Indeed, birds, in particular, can become extremely agitated from seeing lots of activity, as they tend to thrive in quiet and peaceful environments. Given this, look for somewhere away from the noise and chaos, and avoid anywhere with a window. Whether you have a pug or a parakeet, make sure their private space has all their favorite toys, and don’t hold back on treats to keep them in good spirits.

Don’t end up with a home that doesn’t suit your entire family, including your pets. Do a little digging into your new community, prepare for moving day, and help your companion adjust to their new surroundings. After all, this should be something to celebrate!

How First-Time Dog Owners Can Benefit from These Apps

October 20, 2019

Guest Post by: Penny Martin

Owning a dog can be one of the most beautiful and rewarding things you’ll ever do. Pets can help us relieve stress, find joy in everyday events, and feel healthier overall. However, it’s important to keep in mind that pets are also a lot of work. Keeping up with your dog’s feeding and exercise schedule is only one part of the responsibilities you’ll be taking on when you bring a pup home; you also have to help him get accustomed to your home, learn about his personality, and prepare yourself for his medical needs. Pets have emergencies, too, just like humans, so it’s essential to think about pet insurance and how you’ll handle an injury or other emergency.

Fortunately, there are several apps available that can help you stay on top of your pet’s needs as the two of you get used to each other. From a service that will deliver pet food right to your door to an app that will help you keep track of his exercise routine, there are many tools you can use on your smartphone that will give you peace of mind as a new pet owner.

Here are a few of the best apps for dog owners and how you can benefit from them.

First things first: your phone

Before you start thinking about the apps you’ll need to help care for your pet, it’s important to make sure your phone is up-to-date and has a fast internet connection. Check out the specs for some of the apps you’re interested in to make sure your phone is compatible; if it’s not, consider an upgrade. Look for a model with a longer battery life like the new iPhone 11 Pro, which also features a high-end camera. For Android users, choose one that provides a large screen for ease of use, like the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+.

Get answers to your questions

Becoming a pet parent for the first time often comes with a ton of questions, so it’s no wonder that Petco developed an app to help individuals figure out how to help their pets. PetCoach allows you to talk to a certified specialist about a specific concern. Having a few answers to your most pressing questions right at your fingertips can give you peace of mind, especially if you plan on traveling with your dog. You can also download the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control app to help you stay on top of your dog’s health. Pups don’t always know what’s bad for them and can end up eating chocolate or certain types of fruit that are hazardous to dogs. This app will help you keep your pup safe.

Keep track of vet visits

Keeping up with your dog’s health can be challenging, especially if you also have children. It can be tricky to remember all the pertinent dates and vaccinations, but the Pawprint health tracker app can help you keep up with everything related to your dog’s health, from flea medication times to vaccination records. This is a great tool to have if you want to include your family in your pet’s care, since it lets you add them to your pet’s profile.

Keep an eye on things

If you’re going to be away from your pet for a large chunk of the day, it’s a good idea to look for a camera and monitoring system that will help you keep an eye on things. The pet monitor app by Annie is a pet sitter cam that allows you to check in on your pup while you’re away, with high-quality video and audio feed in real-time. Plus, it has features like a night-light that will allow you to see what’s going on even if you’re stuck working late.

Using technology to help you become a better pet parent can give you peace of mind as your new animal transitions to your family. Not only can you keep up with his health and wellbeing, you can ensure that you have all the tools you need to keep him happy and comfortable.

CBD Oil- Hemp Hemp Hooray!

August 25, 2019

We adopted Wilbur about a year and a half ago at the ripe age of 11. His physical health was fairly good for an elderly dog but we noticed that his anxiety was high. He couldn’t even look at my husband without stopping and urinating wherever he was. The weirdest things would make “Wilby” (as we call him) act skittish and hide for hours. We brought in an at home trainer in hopes to shed some light on what we should do. In comes CBD oil. Our trainer had suggested using CBD in hopes to help Wilby’s anxiety. Though the product has not been shy to the human market, CBD seemed to have been a newer product in the pet retail world which left me a little skeptical. Skeptical or not, we decided to give it a try knowing that we wanted Wilbur to live out the rest of his days as a happy, stress free dude.

Focus Hemp Co. Companion Care CBD Oil Available at the GCF Online store
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Like any good parent, before you make the plunge to give your pets anything new, you do hours upon hours of research first. Quickly I found myself overwhelmed as I didn’t understand half of what I was reading. Much of my confusion stemmed from knowing that CBD comes from the same plant as THC and THC recreationally is a big “no no” in most states. Despite being derived from hemp, much to my surprise, most CBD oils don’t contain any THC in them at all.

After trying several different brands, we decided on a product from Focus Hemp Co. Focus is located in South Oregon and really “focuses” on a special method of extraction so that their products are as close to the plant origin as possible. This method, called ethanol extraction, makes the products completely safe for consumption and legal to purchase over the counter.

“The healing properties of the hemp plant comes from more than just CBD. Hemp contains over 100 cannabinoids that each produce a unique set of effects,” dotes the Focus Hemp Co. website. CBD oil in general can be used to treat the following ailments in pets (but is not limited to):

Seizures
Anxiety
Stress
Arthritis
Nausea
Pain
Gastrointestinal issues
Symptoms of Cancer

Before using any type of over the counter supplement, including CBD, please consult your veterinarian first.

Wilbur hanging out, waiting patiently for dinner.

So let’s get back to my dog, because every pet parent likes to brag lol. Since we started using the CBD oil with Wilbur on a regular basis; his accidents have stopped, he’s much more relaxed and will even from time to time, cuddle with my husband. We consider this to be a huge step in aiding in this little guy’s anxiety. We are so happy with the results that we have started carrying Focus Hemp CBD Companion Care in our flagship store and our online store. Since we have starting distributing Focus Hemp, it is the highest selling product out of all of our retail items. If you’d like to purchase Companion Care CBD Oil, Click Here!

We love hearing other success stories too! So if you have one, please feel free to send it to us! If you don’t, maybe now is a good time to try something new!