“Yappy Hour” for You and Your Well-behaved Pooch

March 29, 2013 by DallasDogLife

Date/Time
Date(s) - Saturday, March 30, 2013
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Henderson hangout The Gin Mill and The Greyhound Adoption League of Texas (GALT) pair-up on the patio for an all-breed “Yappy Hour” Saturday, March 30, from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Bring your well-behaved, people and dog-friendly, leashed pooches to the patio for an afternoon of libations and fun benefitting a good cause. Cost is $10 per person and includes your first brew of local draught rotators, $5 Greyhound cocktails and happy hour prices ($1 off cocktails, wine by the glass and beer).

Full menu is available and tickets will be available at the door.
Price: $10

DFW Pup Patrol Fundraiser Yard Sale

March 29, 2013 by DallasDogLife Leave a Comment

Date/Time
Date(s) - Saturday, March 30, 2013
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
DFW Pup Patrol (an all volunteer dog rescue) is having a Yard Sale to raise money for vetting costs for our pups! Saturday we will have available dogs up for adoption also. For more information, please contact DFW Pup Patrol at lisa.arion@dfwpuppatrol.com or (847) 917-7013.

Pet Pawlooza 2013 -3/29/2013

Pet Pawlooza 2013

March 29, 2013 by DallasDogLife

Date/Time
Date(s) - Saturday, March 30, 2013
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

For more information, please contact event organizers at (972) 271-7788 or visit http://www.dfwhumane.com.

Easter in the Park Pooch Parade at Lee Park

Easter in the Park Festival and Pooch Parade

Date/Time
Date(s) - Sunday, March 31, 2013
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

 

The annual Easter in the Park Festival and Pooch Parade is held at Robert E. Lee Park in Dallas, Texas on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013. For more information, schedules, and vendor applications visit www.thestriponcedarsprings.com.

It’s Easter in the Park, what better way to spend the holiday. Come join us for music, food, friends, drinks, and man’s best friend.NEW THIS YEAR – Reserve your space online. Each space allocation is 10′ x 10′. Perfect for your pop-up tent or picnic spread. Each space is $25 each and reserved on a first-come basis. Pick your spot from the park layout. Reserve now before spaces sell out.

 Click here to reserve your space on-line.

Entertainment Schedule:
10:00 AM – Park Opens (remember, no glass containers)
11:00 AM – Pooch Parade and Bonnet Contest Registrations Open
12:00 PM – Adoptable Pooch Parade followed by Judged Pooch Parade
02:00 PM – Live Entertainment Starts (being scheduled now)
05:00 PM – Food & Beverage Ends (please clean up after yourselves)

Pooch Parade registration will be located by the statue and available on-site only. Registration is $10 for the first category and $5 for each after. (May go online, check back here for details.) Categories are: small dog, medium dog, large dog, owner-look-alike, and best overall.
Please check back often and invite your friends. As always, rain or shine, Easter in the Park will continue.

This is the most fun you can have on a holiday! Come to Robert E. Lee Park in Dallas, Texas for the Easter in the Park Festival and Annual Pooch Parade. Remember, you can not bring glass into the public park.

For more photos from last year’s event, please visit the Dallas Dog Life Facebook album!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150661868931270.394485.44330216269&type=3

Category(ies)

• Dog Day/Event

Lee Park
3333 Turtle Creek Blvd - Dallas
Details

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Homemade Dog-Treat Recipes

Easter isn't just for people. Show your four-legged friend some love with these tasty homemade dog treats.

Homemade Dog Biscuits

(from Martha Stewart)

Ingredients
Makes about 5 dozen
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup brewer's yeast
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup low-sodium canned chicken stock, plus more for brushing

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, wheat germ, yeast, and salt; set aside
2. Place oil in a large bowl. Add stock and flour mixture in three alternating batches, beginning and ending with stock. Mix well.
3. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to about 3/8-inch thick. Shape biscuits using a dog-bone-shaped cookie cutter or by cutting around a store-bought dog bone with a butter knife.(Make biscuits that are appropriate for your dog's size.)
4. If desired, you can spell out your dog's name or a holiday message in the dough with a toothpick (wet the toothpick first so it won't stick).
5. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheets. Repeat with remaining dough.
6. Bake biscuits 10 minutes. Brush with stock; rotate baking sheets, and bake 10 minutes more. Turn off oven, leaving door closed. Let dog biscuits stand in oven to dry completely, about 1 1/2 hours. Wrap as a gift, or store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Blueberry Dog Biscuits

(from Martha Stewart)
Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups oat flour
• 2 1/2 cups quinoa flour
• 3/4 cup flax meal
• 1/2 cup frozen, organic, unsweetened blueberries
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 large egg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients with 1 cup water to form a dough. Roll out mixture between two sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thick; remove plastic wrap and cut out biscuits with a 3 1/2-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter. Reroll scraps and continue cutting out biscuits.
3. Space biscuits 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until nicely browned and firm.
4. Transfer biscuits to a wire rack. Turn off oven and place biscuits on wire rack in oven overnight. Remove from oven and store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.

Apple-Cheddar Dog Biscuits

(from Martha Stewart)
Ingredients

• 2 cups barley flour
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1/3 cup shredded cheddar
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. 
   Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment paper; set aside.
   
2. 
   In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients and about 3 tablespoons water to form a dough. Roll out mixture between two sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thick; remove plastic wrap and cut out biscuits with a 3 1/2-inch bone-shaped cookie cutter. Reroll scraps and continue cutting out biscuits.
   
3. 
   Space biscuits 1 inch apart on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes until nicely browned and firm.
   
4. 
   Transfer biscuits to a wire rack. Turn off oven and place biscuits on wire rack in oven overnight. Remove from oven and store in an airtight container up to 2 weeks.
   

good information to know- A Growl is a Good Thing

A Growl is a Good Thing | Cold Nose College

www.coldnosecollege.com

 

Has your dog ever growled?  If so, you’re not alone.  Whether it’s in one of our group classes or in an in-home behav­ior con­sul­ta­tion, peo­ple seem to be either embar­rassed or angry because their dog has growled.  Just as it’s unre­al­is­tic for a per­son to go through their entire life and never raise their voice, it’s also unre­al­is­tic to expect your dog never to growl.
In real­ity, a growl is a good thing!  A growl is your dog’s way of say­ing they’re not com­fort­able with what­ever it is that’s occur­ring at the moment they growled.  Whether it’s growl­ing at another dog, a per­son or per­haps you’re not even sure exactly what the dog is react­ing to, from the dog’s point of view, there “is” a reason.
Unfor­tu­nately, in response to the dog say­ing “Help! I’m not com­fort­able with this sit­u­a­tion,” most often, the owner’s response is to shout at the dog or put their hands over the dog’s muz­zle in an attempt to keep them quiet, adding an addi­tional layer of stress on top of an already stressed dog. Think about it.  If you were already uncom­fort­able with a spe­cific sit­u­a­tion and were try­ing to let your friend know by rais­ing your voice and your friend slapped their hand over your mouth in an attempt to quiet you, would that make you more com­fort­able?  I doubt it.
Here are five things you can do if your dog growls:

• Embrace the sit­u­a­tion.  Real­ize your dog’s vocal­iza­tion is a sign your dog is uncom­fort­able.  Don’t be embarrassed.
• Assess the sit­u­a­tion.  Look around and attempt to deter­mine what the trig­ger (the stim­u­lus) was that caused your dog to growl.
• Increase dis­tance between your dog and the stim­u­lus.  Some­times dis­tance alone will help your dog become more comfortable.
• Be pre­pared to remove your dog from the sit­u­a­tion if increas­ing dis­tance didn’t help. Don’t be tempted to make the dog endure an already uncom­fort­able envi­ron­ment which can increase stress and also exac­er­bate the dog’s behavior.
• Change your dog’s opin­ion about the thing that made them growl.  Per­haps it’s a small child and the dog hasn’t been around chil­dren.  Instead of a dog think­ing “child = bad thing!” you want them to think “child = good thing!”  Counter con­di­tion­ing and desen­si­ti­za­tion is the appro­pri­ate way to accom­plish this and very effec­tive when imple­mented slowly and con­sis­tently over time. If you feel you’re over your head, call in the help of a dog trainer who uses pos­i­tive tech­niques and who is also skilled in behav­ior mod­i­fi­ca­tion.  Here’s info on how to choose a dog trainer.

And a final note of cau­tion:  Never, ever pun­ish your dog for growl­ing.  Pun­ish­ment might make the dog stop growl­ing, but the under­ly­ing emo­tional stress is still there.  If you use pun­ish­ment, you’re merely tak­ing away the “warn­ing signal…..the growl” which is your dog’s way of say­ing, “I’m uncom­fort­able!” and the dog may go straight to a bite.
So, if your dog growls, con­sider it a good thing and do the work nec­es­sary to help your furry friend in the midst of a stress­ful situation.

Happy Easter!

everybody wants to be a bunny!

Dog Approved People Food

 

By Nicole Pajer
post found: http://www.cesarsway.com/dogcare/nutrition/Dog-Approved-People-Food#ixzz2Okk2PDfX

We try to keep our dogs on their canine diets but sometimes we just can’t resist slipping them an occasional human morsel. If you’d like to reward your pet with a table scrap, make sure that you choose people foods that are safe for canine tummies.

Here are a few “dog-approved” people foods:

1. Peanut butter. A favorite treat of many canines. Not only is it a good source of protein, but it also contains heart healthy fats, vitamin B, niacin, and vitamin E. Stuff peanut butter into a Kong to keep your dog busy for hours. Choose raw, unsalted peanut butter.

2. Cooked chicken. Can be slipped into the bowl along with your dog’s regular food to add a spice and extra protein to its diet. This also makes a good meal replacement if you’re in a pinch and out of dog food.

3. Cheese. A great treat for a dog as long as she isn’t lactose intolerant, which a small percentage are. Make sure to monitor your dog’s reaction. Opt for low or reduced fat varieties and don’t overfeed, as many cheeses can be high in fat. Cottage cheese is typically a good choice.

4. Baby carrots. Good for a dog’s teeth, carrots are low calorie and high in fiber and beta carotene/vitamin A.

5. Yogurt. High in calcium and protein. But make sure to only choose yogurts that do not contain artificial sweeteners or added sugars. Yogurts with active bacteria can act as a probiotic and are good for your dog’s digestive system.

6. Salmon. A good source of omega 3 fatty acids, which are responsible for keeping your dog’s coat healthy and shiny, as well as supporting your dog’s immune system. Feed your dog cooked salmon, add salmon oil to her food bowl, or slip him some of your unwanted fish skins.

7. Pumpkin. Good source of fiber as well as beta-carotene/vitamin A. It can help keep the GI tract moving and can aid with digestive issues.

8. Eggs. Scrambling up an egg for your pup is a great way to give her diet a protein boost. Eggs are also a source of easily digestible riboflavin and selenium, making them a healthy snack.

9. Green Beans.Make a great treat for your dog since they are filling and low in calories. Select beans that have no added salt.

10. Apple Slices. Help to clean residue off a dog’s teeth, which helps to freshen her breath. Apples are a good source of fiber as well as vitamin A and C. Make sure to take out the seeds and the core before feeding to your dog, as these can be choking hazards.

11. Oatmeal. A great source of soluble fiber, which can be especially beneficial to senior dogs with bowel irregularity issues. It is also a great alternate grain for dogs allergic to wheat. Make sure to cook oatmeal before serving it to your dog. Do not add any sugar or flavor additives.

These are just a few of the human foods that you can toss your dog’s way. Remember to try them in small amounts. If your dog experiences any sort of reaction, immediately consult a veterinarian. Before giving your dog any people food, do your research to make sure it’s safe. Never feed your dog toxic human items such as: chocolate, onions, grapes, raisins, yeast dough, artificial sweeteners, macadamia nuts, avocadoes, alcohol, or coffee. Consult your veterinarian with any questions on what is safe and what is harmful.

Before You Adopt a Dog

 

By Cesar Millan
Post from: http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/yournewdog/Before-You-Adopt
With the overpopulation in shelters around the country and the high numbers of euthanization (4.5 million pets a year), adopting a dog is one of the best things you can do to help this problem.
But, before you go out and adopt a dog, there are some important steps you need to take and questions to ask yourself to make sure you are ready. From knowing how to choose the right dog to being armed with the information you need to develop a harmonious relationship with your new dog, these tips will help prepare you to step up as the pack leader from day one!

• Take your family and children feelings about adopting a dog into consideration. Kids recently returned to school. Do you have a routine in place? Do you have structure in your life? The environment we bring a dog into is very important. Who is going to be doing the dog walking, feeding him, taking him to the vet? Is everyone on board with bringing a dog into the home? If not, trust me, your new dog will know and sense the resentment.

• Are you honestly ready for the responsibility of a dog? Open your mind and determine where your state of mind is. Do you know what if feels like to be calm and assertive? Why do you want to adopt a dog? Be honest! Your own behavior will be a direct reflection in the dog’s behavior, so look at clues in your life that tell you where your head is. For example, take a look at your closet. Is it neat and organized? Does that have any clues as to how you live your life? Your actions tell a story. No matter how many people I’ve consulted over the years, the state of the closet has always been a true test of their ability to provide a dog with a structured life that has rules, boundaries, and limitations.

• Figure out how well you can schedule your dog into your life. What is your work life like? How punctual are you? If you can’t be honest with yourself, ask your friends and ask them to be honest. If you are not reliable or a good manager of time or if you make excuses for being late, you might be one of those people who makes excuses for why they didn’t go on a dog walk that day or didn’t make time to go to the park. It might seem like a small minor detail, but when it comes to fulfilling your new dog and keeping him balanced, these oversights matter!

• Check out how dog-friendly your neighborhood is. How are the dogs that live near you? Is there a park or hiking trails nearby? Where’s the closest vet and 24-hour emergency? Do you have relationships with your neighbors? How socialized your neighbors’ dogs are is an indication of how your own may be – of course, this is up to you as the pack leader, and if your neighborhood doesn’t provide socialization opportunities, you will need to find other ways to properly socialize your new dog.

• Choose a dog with an energy level equal to or lower than your own. Never adopt a dog with higher energy. Consider their age and your own. Make sure you evaluate the dog when he’s been out of the cage for some time and has had a walk. Take him out and see how he behaves. A dog in a cage is not going to give you the reality of their natural energy.

• Don’t generalize based on a dog's breed, but do consider the characteristics of that breed. Just because you loved German Shepherds as a child doesn’t mean you are at a stage or place in your life to properly care for, stimulate, and exercise such a smart and powerful dog.

• Consider Fostering a Dog First. If you’re unsure of whether the new dog you’ve chosen is right for your family and lifestyle, consider fostering before making a commitment. Fostering is incredibly important part of rescuing dog. It’s also a responsible way to know whether you’re ready to take on a new dog in your life and properly care for it. Plus, fostering takes them out of the shelter and if you are armed with the proper information, you can help transition the dog from shelter life to home life. Even if you decide that this particular dog isn’t a match for you, he may be the perfect dog for someone else who better matches his energy level or lack thereof. If you have a cat, fostering is a great way to test the waters to see if the cat is ready or able to live happily with a dog in the home. Tread lightly and take baby steps in the beginning!

• Don’t overlook the senior dogs. Senior dogs need homes just as badly as the cute puppies. They may not be suited to a home with very young children, as they’re not as accustomed to being around kids’ high energy. But they are wonderful companions for homes that are not as active. They may need less exercise and more health care, but the love they give in return is the reward.

• Don’t make an emotional decision when choosing a dog. When you decide the time is right, leave your emotions at the door. Going into a shelter is devastating and sad. But if you let your weaker emotions control your brain and feel sorry for the dog, you may end up adopting a dog that isn’t right for you, your family, or your environment. Save yourself the heartache and struggles later by being methodical and aware now.

• Know what it means to be your dog's pack leader. From day one, establish the relationship and bond with your new dog. Knowledge is power, so do your homework!

• Enjoy the Process of Adopting a Dog. Dogs have brought me more gifts and taught me more than I could have ever dreamed of. Balanced dogs bring us calm, peace, joy, and love, as much as we bring them. So get started on the right foot and you can look forward to a lifetime of happiness and fulfillment with them.

Is it Possible to Keep a Clean House with Pets?

 

By Leslie Garrett
post from:http://www.cesarsway.com/dogcare/Is-it-Possible-to-Keep-a-Clean-House-with-Pets

My brother hates fur.

You could dine on his kitchen floor. Wear head-to-toe black in his home and pick up nary a stray strand of pet hair. He keeps his home free of four-legged furry pets and that's the way he likes it.
At my home, he picks stray fur off his toddler's pants. Pulls the occasional strand from his preschooler's mouth. And shakes his head in thinly disguised disgust at the odd bit of dog or cat fur that makes its way into my meals. He does, however, continue to accept dinner invitations.

I, on the other hand, don't necessarily embrace the dog fur that seems to blanket every surface of my home so much as accept its inevitability.

I recently made cookies for an event. I pride myself on my cookies—a skill honed from a childhood of baking and a love of eating raw dough. And my own kids think nothing of a cookie held together by a bit of fur.

Other people? Not so much.

And though I try valiantly to ensure that the cookies I make for public consumption are fur-free—vacuuming my kitchen, scrubbing my counters, banishing the pets from the room until I'm done—it seems inevitable that one cookie, most likely the one selected by the most dedicated dog-hater, will contain fur.

Sigh.

Last year, when Polar, our three-legged bone-cancer survivor, was undergoing chemo, we were knee deep in fur. Polar would run/hop to greet me at the door—his white fur literally flying—and I would enter what felt like a snow globe. One that had just been given a mighty shake.

Polar is shedding slightly less now that chemo is over. But that's like saying the economy is slightly less volatile than it was. It's a matter of infinitesimal degrees.

And so we select our dinner guests carefully, invited as much for their ability to tolerate dog fur in their food as for their warmth, wit, and charm.

I choose my menu equally thoughtfully, given to casseroles that better disguise the occasional bit of fur.

I gave up cleanliness for dogliness. And I'm okay with that.
Mostly.

Housebreaking Your Puppy: Do's and Don'ts

By Cesar Millan
Post found:http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/puppytips/Housebreaking
The process of housebreaking often brings on feelings of nervousness and worry, but the process does not have to be stressful—for you or the puppy.

The truth is this is a situation in which you have Mother Nature working with you right from the start while puppy training. When the puppies are first born, they eat and they relieve themselves inside the den, but the mother always cleans them. There is never a scent of urine or feces where the puppies eat, sleep, and live. When they get old enough, they learn to use outside areas as they imitate their mother.

In this way, all dogs become conditioned never to eliminate in their dens. From two to four months of age, most pups pick up on the concept of housebreaking and crate training quite easily since it is part of their natural programming.
Another built-in plus when it comes to housebreaking is our puppy’s digestive tract, which is extremely quick and efficient. Five to 30 minutes after the puppy eats, she’ll want to defecate. So with a consistent eating schedule, and your attention to the clock, your puppy can maintain regular trips outside.

In the early days of housebreaking, you also want to make sure the puppy has a place to relieve herself where she feels safe; a place that seems and smells familiar. Have you noticed how dogs will often eliminate in the very same spot they’ve done so before? The scent acts like a trigger.
As always, remember that your own energy is a big factor in your housebreaking efforts. If you are feeling nervous or impatient or are trying to rush a puppy to relieve herself, that can also stress her out. Using a loud, high squeaky tone to encourage your puppy to “go potty” is a distraction to the dog, so try and avoid any conversation at all.

First thing every morning, bring your puppy outside to the same general area. It is important to remain consistent throughout the process so your puppy can learn the habit.

Once your puppy has successfully gone outside, it is important to reward the good behavior. It doesn’t have to be a big, loud celebration, but a simple quiet approval or a treat can get the message across of a job well done.

Don’t punish your puppy for an accident or do anything to create a negative association with her bodily functions. Stay calm and assertive and quietly remove the puppy to the place where you want him to go.

Done correctly, housebreaking should not be a turbulent production but just a matter of putting a little extra work into getting your puppy on a schedule during the first weeks after she arrives at your home. Don’t let unnecessary stress over this very natural, uncomplicated process taint any of the joy surrounding the puppy training process and your new dog’s puppyhood.

Read more: http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/puppytips/Housebreaking#ixzz2Og9GAlCj

Support ARF at their event this Saturday, March 23rd, from 11a-5p at Verizon Wireless in Flower Mound.

Support ARF at their event this Saturday, March 23rd, from 11a-5p at Verizon Wireless in Flower Mound.

Spay/Neuter your pet for only $20 with the ABC Program! Check out below for more information.

Don't forget the ABC Program! Through the generosity of the Metroport Humane Society, you can sterilize up to 4 of your personal pets for just $20 each. This program is not available to shelters or rescue organizations. This great price includes a rabies vaccine! This program is only available at our Denton office and additional fees can apply if your pet is in heat, pregant or a crypt orchid. Please call our Denton office to schedule your pets for this amazing deal and be sure to mention the ABC program when you call us at 940-566-5551

Very interesting article on Veterinarians and Vaccines

Very interesting article on Veterinarians and Vaccines: “A Slow Learning Curve” by Nancy Kay, DVM on 3/17/2013. Check it out: http://www.healthypet.com/blog/post/Veterinarians-and-Vaccines-A-Slow-Learning-Curve.aspx

Life + Pet Blog | Veterinarians and Vaccines: A Slow Learning Curve

www.healthypet.com

Am I feeling frustrated and disappointed? You bet I am after reading an article titled, “Vets Slowly Move to 3-Year

**CONSUMER ALERT** (*SHARE*) **RECALL! Natura brands of **EVO**INNOVA**CALIF NATURAL**HEALTHWISE**

Consumer Alert

**CONSUMER ALERT** (*SHARE*) **RECALL! Natura brands of **EVO**INNOVA**CALIF NATURAL**HEALTHWISE** because, "the FDA confirmed the presence of salmonella in one of our products." PLEASE SHARE with all your friends and thank you to Truth About Pet Food for the alert and you can get all the recall info from Natura Pet's website at: http://www.naturapet.com/recall and the products being recalled at: http://www.naturapet.com/voluntary_recall/Natura%20-%20Affected%20Products.pdf (***SHARE****)

10 Best Family Dog Breeds

There are many important factors to consider about your family's lifestyle before deciding which breed will be the best fit. How much time do you have to devote to the dog? Will there be people around during the week, or is the house empty for most of the day? Coming up is a list of 10 great dogs for any family situation.

Beagle
Happy-go-lucky is a word that's thrown around a lot to describe beagles. They are sweet, adorable, and friendly. Beagles were originally bred as pack-hunting hounds, giving them a gregarious and cheerful nature that makes them perfect for larger families where they can get plenty of attention and feel like part of the team. Admittedly, beagles aren't the most brilliant dogs, which can make them slow to house train. But their friendly temperament, smallish size and good behavior around young children make them a popular choice for families.

Rough Collie
Rough collies are better suited for families with older children. As sheepdogs, they have thousands of years of trainability behind them, but also the instinct to herd whoever or whatever happens to be around, making them a poor match for a family with a young child. That is, unless you've got the type of kid who falls into a well, gets attacked by bobcats or is pinned under a fallen roof beam in a burning mill at least once a week. Collies should come standard with those kids.

Basset Hound
Sometimes, the best family dog is one that doesn't really do much. At the extreme end of the low-energy spectrum, we present the basset hound. With minimal activity to keep off the extra ounces, this dog has an energy level roughly equivalent to a potato. Though reasonably active in their youth, as basset hounds age, they're content to rest on the porch or in front of the fire. Over the years, this family dog becomes more like a much-loved piece of furniture than an active nuisance.

Dachshund
Unlike many other lapdogs, dachshunds are extremely playful, never boring, and absolutely adore being around their owners. Their coats are generally short, so shedding isn't an issue. And, the amount of exercise that even a highly energetic dachshund requires is still roughly proportional to its size. This is a dog that rewards doting, making it the perfect breed for less physically active families or empty nesters who want an animal that's low-maintenance but still has some personality.

Mutt
Every mutt is unique, and their hybrid vigor makes them much less prone to the health problems and personality quirks that often come with some inbred pedigreed dogs. Best of all, rescuing one literally means saving a life (and potentially saving a small fortune in vet bills). While mutts tend to be friendly, intelligent and excellent at dog sports, the one downside is that getting a mixed-breed puppy can be a bit like rolling the dice if space is an issue. All puppies are tiny, so it can be difficult to tell whether the dog will grow into a petite pooch or a pony-sized hound of the Baskervilles.

Labrador Retriever
Labrador retrievers are the most classic sense of the word. Friendly, loyal and enthusiastic, Labs work hard, play hard and eat like gangbusters when they get home at the end of the day. They need plenty of space and attention, but they also repay that care with the pure devotion and love that has been humbling humans since we first met our canine companions. Being good with children and highly intelligent, they're also one of the most popular service dogs in the world. Labs are a match for a family that needs a companion for outdoor activities, maybe has some small children and wants to make sure that their dog will go bananas when a stick or a Frisbee gets thrown.

Pug
Pugs, fall into the category of animals that are at once bizarre-looking and absolutely adorable. They are well-tempered, friendly and serene animals that are active enough to be fun, but still small enough not to require a 5-mile run every day. Most importantly, pugs are patient and sturdy little guys -- the perfect set of features for a family with either small children who may not play gently, or apartment-dwellers who need to ensure their pet won't wake the neighbors with constant yapping.

Golden Retriever
The golden retriever has been a staple family for a long time, and with good reason -- this dog is an absolute sweetheart that loves anyone and everyone. Perfect for large families, small families, toddlers or teenagers, golden retrievers are also one of the easiest breeds to train, as their combination of intelligence and eagerness to please makes them much better attuned to positive reinforcement than other dogs. Their one drawback is that, being universally adored, golden retrievers trustingly assume that everyone is their friend. As guard dogs, they're more likely to roll over on their back for a belly rub than bark out a warning when confronted with a shady character or a sneaky burglar.

Papillon
Often overlooked as mere lapdogs, papillons are perfect companion and make good pets for city-dwellers. Papillons aren't just a fashion accessory, so don't let their prettiness fool you. Unlike other toy breeds, papillons are spirited, highly intelligent, fun-loving and eager to please, making them ideal for the family without a lot of square footage to spare. For all their charm, papillons aren't recommended for families with small children -- not that they'll be a danger to the child, but the other way around. Though papillons have a personality bigger than their body, they're also more fragile than other breeds, which can make them injury-prone when playing with toddlers who haven't learned their own strength yet.

Newfoundland
Newfoundlands, which were originally bred to be working in the cold North Atlantic, consistently rank as the kindest, gentlest, best-tempered purebreds in the world. Newfs are also enormous (up to 150 pounds!) and one of the strongest dogs for their size, but their legendary patience makes them very suitable for families with small children. This is the dog to trust if your baby ever needs to be saved from an icy river. However, their sweetness comes with a price: maintenance. Their thick coat needs brushing at least once a week, and it's no use denying that Newfoundlands are slobber factories. They also need plenty of space -- a moderate daily walk will take care of their exercise requirements, but make sure to have enough room indoors for them to sprawl out on the floor afterward.

I love my dog

do you have a treat limit for your pup?

do you have a treat limit for your pup?

Let's start the week with good intentions!

Let's start the week with good intentions!

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Anyone listening? At Puppy School

Anyone listening?

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It's St. Patricks Day

 

Kiss Me, I’m Irish! Meet 7 Popular Irish Dog Breeds

 

Whether it’s the luck of the Irish or the magical powers of the leprechaun, some of the greatest dog breeds stem from the Emerald Isle. For St. Patrick’s Day, take a moment to honor these 7 popular Irish dog breeds.

About the Nosey Dog

Hello All,

The Nosey Dog™ came into existence so we could share with others a few of the fabulous items we have found for our own canine companions. We searched near and far to offer a collection that not only has been field tested by our own dogs, but has exceeded our expectations in terms of quality and usability. We knew they were too good to keep a secret!

Whether looking for a snug place for your Yorkie to curl into or a comfy bed your Lab to stretch out on, we carry all the necessities of good living for the dogs and dog-lovers in your life. Everything we sell has been worn by, slept on, chewed on, played with, or eaten up by one of our own dogs. Check out their photos!

We strive to carry products made in the USA in support of our economy and made eco-friendly in support of our environment. Our foods and treats are holistic and made of natural and/or organic ingredients - all guaranteed to delight your pets and pet loving friends.

If there is something in particular that you are looking for, and don't see it in our store, please call us at 972-724-0101 or email us at bark@thenoseydog.com. We will be happy to help you find the perfect product to match your personal style or even your home’s décor.

We would love to hear your comments and feedback, so please contact us at bark@thenoseydog.com.

Thank you for shopping at The Nosey Dog - enjoy your visit!

The Nosey Dog Staff

bark@thenoseydog.com

Choosing a dog groomer, what to do

In choosing a professional to care for your dog, you’ll need to do a little research  to find the right person.

Ask your veterinarian, others that provide dog services, friends, family or even the National Dog Groomers Association of America (NDGAA) for a referral.

Questions to ask

Different groomers offer different services or specialize in certain breeds. You want to choose a groomer that’s right for both you and your dog. Here are the questions to ask:

Grooming experience:

• How long have they been grooming dogs?
• What level of training do they have? Are they certified by an organization?
• Do they specialize in a particular breed or size of dog? 
• Are there any restrictions?

Level of service offer:

• What’s the standard grooming fee for your dog’s breed and what’s included at that price?
• Do they clean your dog’s ears and pluck hair from the ear canal if it’s necessary for your dog’s breed?
• Do they check your dog’s anal glands and express them if needed?
• Do they offer different styles of cut for a particular breed?
• Do they offer special dog grooming “perks” such as natural soap products, painted toe nails, or bows? Do these cost extra?

Your dog's safety:

• Do they use a handheld dryer or a cage dryer? If a cage, is someone always present or, if not, how often do you check on the dogs?
• Do they sedate dogs for grooming?
• Where will your dog be kept when he’s not being groomed? 
• What about bathroom breaks for your dog?
• What happens if there’s an emergency or your dog is injured?
• Do they keep complete records including medical, vaccination, and grooming histories?

General:

• Get an estimate of how long an appointment lasts 
• Ask about the pick up policy, when you have to pick your dog up
• what, if any requirements the groomer has.

Make a Visit

Before you make your final choice go and visit the salons. 

Free spay/neuter for Fort Worth residents.

Free spay/neuter for Fort Worth residents. Spread the word!

Next spay/neuter event in Fort Worth. Vaccinations from 10-12 noon. Call for information

good information to know if you come across a lost dog

good information to know if you come across a lost dog

Does your dog love bath time as much as this guy?

Does your dog love bath time as much as this guy?

The Nosey Dog

Sniff out our cage-free dog grooming salon, DIY dog wash, holistic dog and cat foods and treats, and cool dog accessories & apparel.

Serving Flower Mound, Highland Village, Lewisville, Lantana, Double Oak, Copper Canyon, Bartonville, Argyle, and surrounding areas.
We are located at:
2321 Justin Road (FM 407), Suite 209
(SW corner of Justin and Morriss in the Tom Thumb Shopping Center)
Flower Mound, TX 75028

972-724-0101
bark@thenoseydog.com
Store Hours:

Monday - 1p to 4p Tuesday to Friday - 9a to 6p

Saturday - 9a to 5p Sunday - Closed