It's a dog blog, a cat blog, a cat and dog blog. Fun, reviews, dog training tips . . .

Monday, May 31, 2010

Dog Training tips -- With Bonus Whipped Cream

Who stole the dog treats from the cookie jar? Who me? Then who? Well, in a few words, we all did. Thanks to my successful dog training tips, Frankie, the chiweenie, Linguini, the geriatric german shorthaired pointer and dalmatian mix, and I, the tiny three legged teacup chihuahua got to enjoy and devour our favorite human dog treats.

Dog training tip #1
Stoic anticipation
Look pitifully but in a reserved manner at the bipeds' treats
Do not get too close for the humans' comfort

Dog Training Tip #2
While practicing your anticipation technique, try your best to look as pathetic as possible

Dog Training Tip #3
Always wait for your turn

I said, "Wait your turn!"

Now, do you believe me?

Dog training tip #4
Savor every last dollop otherwise next time your bipeds will think you didn't like it much

Every lick counts

Dog Training Tip # 5
Do not gloat!

Follow my tips and you too will be in heaven

Twinkie


Sunday, May 30, 2010

Sunday's Action Shots

And . . . action!



Freeze frame

Chihuawars


Twinkie

Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Cat Litter Scoop

The cat litter reviews are in and I'm here to share with you the results of my extensive research and trial and error experience. 

CAT LITTER BOXES
There are plenty of cat litter boxes to chose from today in the market. You can go the traditional cost effective route of a simple box with or without a cover. You can also pick an inexpensive, non mechanical, self cleaning litter box like the Omega Paw Self-Cleaning Litter Box, Green and Beige. We tried it and found it to be too messy and inconvenient. 
If you are willing and able to spend more money, you can opt for an automatic self-cleaning litter box such as the LitterMaid LM900 Mega Self-Cleaning Litter Box, or the ScoopFree® Self-Cleaning Litter Box, the Litter Robot LRII Automatic Self-Cleaning Litter Box, Beige, and even the CatGenie 120 Self-Washing Self-Flushing Cat Box. All those are pricey though, and sometimes, when not introduced properly to your cat, can create more issues than solutions. The best automated cat litter box reviews go to the Litter Robot. 
Because I live in a mixed, dog and cat, household, and because I have had mechanical malfunction issues when I attempted to test the automated self-cleaning litter boxes, my personal favorite is the Clevercat Top Entry Litter Box. It costs only $28 and it's the most dog proof cat litter box we've used. It's simple, inexpensive, effective, and your dogs don't get to use its contents as dog food! You can pick any type of cat litter to use with the Clevercat Top Entry Litter Box.

CAT LITTER SCOOP
A new product to hit the market is the Absolutely New Scoop 'N Bag Pivoting Head Blue Litter Scoop for Cats. This cat litter scoop sells for $16 and boasts that it can scoop up waste from hard to reach angles using an adjustable five position head. It even holds a roll (included in the order) of biodegradable waste bags. An older favorite, is the $9 Booda Scoop'N Hide Litter Scoop which has the added convenience of self storage and a built-in rake for easy cleaning. It's also available in many colors to suit your style. My personal favorite is the basic, but sturdy and convenient while inexpensive, Litter-Lifter Kitty Scoop. It does it's job and it does it well. 

CAT LITTER
So many options available once more, but I urge everyone to opt for an eco friendly brand. Flushable cat litter not only can occasionally cause plumbing problems, in some states, as in California, it should NOT be flushed. Apparently, in California, flushable cat litter has caused damage to sea otters. Check with your state before purchasing flushable cat litter. Overall, cat lovers and experts are not fond of crystal cat litter either. Chrystal cat litter is made out of silica gel and is super absorbent and convenient, if your cat does not mind the texture. Because of its super absorbency, this type of litter comes in more manageable size bags that are easier to carry. Crystal cat litter has been labeled dangerous by the less savvy. They are not. They only contain silica sand, water, and oxygen. They are supposedly safe enough to eat. Currently, because we live in a multicast household, we are using Scoop Away Multiple-Pet Cat Litter - 28 lbs. because it's easy to use, easy to clean, all the cats got used to it without any adjustment period, and because we can also find it at our local Costco, a great source for discountd pet products.

This concludes todays overview of cat toilet paraphernalia. Stay tuned for future individual and more specialized product reviews and tips.

Twinkie








Friday, May 28, 2010

Who Wants Homemade dog Treats?


I was at a horse show the other day and I wanted to share with you what my friends Boomer, the teacup chihuahua, and Tigger, the chiweenie, did! Tsk, tsk.

Let me share with you what I observed

Tigger and Boomer scheming

Boomer looking for the dog treat jar

Boomer: "There is always a dog treat jar!"

"I just know it."


"No, not the Canine Carry Outs! We want the homemade dog treats."



"These dog treats don't taste homemade to me, but they will have to do."

"Now that I think about it, they don't even look like homemade dog treats."

Even Trixie, the chimeanie, made fun of them.
"You two are doofuses."

Please don't mistake me for those two bozos. I'm a well trained Canine Good Citizen and I don't behave like a moron. At this stage in my dog training, I'm proud to tell you that my dog potty training days are behind me and I hardly ever use a leash even at busy horse shows. I heel and proudly accompany my mommy everywhere she goes. I am a brave chiweenie.

Have the bestest longest holiday weekend!
Frankie

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Small Dog Potty Training Tips

It is not a simple task getting a small dog potty trained. I would go as far as to suggest to skip outdoor potty training during cold weather, because your tiny dog will most likely pick a warm corner of your home, couch, bed ... During the cold winter months, you're better off using an indoor dog potty, such as the infamous wee pads or potty pads. You can purchase Four Paws Wee Wee Housebreaking Pads 100/Pkg in bulk and garnish your floors with them. There's really no point in lining your dog's crate with them because if you've decided to go with crate training, your dog will not use the bathroom in his enclosed tight quarters. There are numerous similar indoor dog potty inventions in the market, like the Mini Pup Head Indoor Portable Dog Potty (Toilet) and the UGODOG Indoor Dog Potty
Of course, you can also use cat litter boxes filled with commercial litter or shredded newspaper, or if you have floors that are easy to clean, just plain newspaper on the ground will suffice. The goal is to get your puppy potty trained as soon as possible.
Some people prefer using dog diapers, aka dog potty pads or wraps, such as Happy Jack Male Dog Belly Wrap especially with male dogs that like to mark. There are too many dog diaper options to choose from from disposable dog diapers to cloth washable ones.
To our issue now, how to potty train a puppy, especially when it's a small breed. Keep in mind that the main difference between potty training a regular sized dog and a small dog is the fact that small breeds' accidents go by undetected. That means that even though you can't see or smell the damage, your dog will continue to visit until the smell is eradicated. There are many methods to get rid of the odor, but my favorite is cheap ol' white vinegar (which I buy in bulk at my local Costco). It breaks down the enzymes in the urine that attract your dog. The other difference is the size of your dog's bladder. Need I say more?
Start by limiting your new puppy's living quarters, regardless of whether you'll be using a crate or not. Make sure his sleeping and eating quarters are kept clean and are separated from the designated potty area.
If you go the crate route, rest assured that your pooch's potty training will speed up. All dogs have an instinctive desire to do their business away from their den. Crate training a puppy is the way to go, in my opinion.
Use your puppy's pee. Soak up some on a towel and dab it on the area you designate as your dog's bathroom. The scent will help him find his way.
Supervise. Watch your dog like a hawk. The fewer initial accidents the better chance of success.
Use a schedule. This one is for you to figure out, based on your personal/work schedule and your dog's feeding schedule. A dog as young as four months may require a dozen trips to the bathroom. Usually, it's a good rule of thumb to take your puppy potty a few minutes after a meal. You can also opt to ration water and food during this phase of the potty training. This will give you more control of the schedule.
Patience and repetition are your best friends during dog potty training. Small dogs are more challenging to housebreak, and certain breeds like the chiweenie are notoriously difficult.
I would like to conclude today's potty training tips with a reminder. Regardless which route you pick, consistency is the main factor in dog potty training.

Twinkie

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

The Pink Dog Ball Saga

I'm about to share with you the pink dog ball photo story, starring Holly, the blue heeler, Tigger, the chiweenie, Frankie, the brindle chiweenie, and of course the pink dog ball itself!

Happy blue heeler finds pink dog ball

Chiweenie picks up ball when blue heeler looks away

He thinks he owns it

Not so fast, chiweenie must protect ball from blue heeler

The coast is clear and the chiweenie emerges with the pink dog ball

Brindle chiweenie approaches getting hopes up

She quickly retreats; after all, she's a Canine Good Citizen

Chiweenie devours and demolishes

And obliterates

Takes small breaks holding on to his possession

As soon as the coast is clear, the blue heeler makes her come back

The End

And they all lived happily ever after--except for the pink dog ball.

Twinkie


Related Posts with Thumbnails