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Spend the Day Outdoors: Advice Roundup!

PetSugar — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:00:16 -0700

Since I'm spending time at home for Labor Day, I've gathered up some of my favorite outdoor ideas for a fabulous holiday. I got so psyched for the fun activities, I've rediscovered enough ideas to overflow to the remaining weekends of Summer. Check out the slideshow by hitting the start button!

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Do Tell: How Do You Enjoy Days Off With Your Pets?

PetSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:30:15 -0700

Wow, North and I had such a relaxing Labor Day – an extra long stroll ending with a frolic at our favorite beach! What are your favorite activities to do with your furry friends, indoors and out, on your time off? Share how you spent yesterday (or any days off this Summer) in the comments below!

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Busy Bees: Disc-Dog-in-Training

PetSugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:00:53 -0800

In disc dog competitions, pups and their people bond and work together while getting some exercise in the process. The doggies and disc throwers compete in events such as distance catching and somewhat choreographed freestyle catching. There are many different organizations that host competitions and championships around the world – and offer local training groups to get started. If you think your pup is ready to try out this sport, check out my disc dog tips to start at home when you read more.

Choose a disc that matches his size – most little pups don't want to see a huge platter flying at their heads and will have trouble catching it midair. Although many dogs will use traditional frisbees, discs created for dogs can be softer and easier for them to catch.
Get your pet interested in the disc. Introduce the disc as a new fun toy. It can help to practice outside to save your lamps, and make it easier for doggies to pick up the discs off soft ground over hardwood floors.
Make sure your pet has mastered fetch or else your game will be very short-lived. Start by just teaching your pets to "go get" and "give back" before focusing on catching.
The easiest way to start is to have your pup in front facing you and then gently throw the disc in his direction. Based on your height (and his height) adjust the height you throw the disc at. Some pups are better at looking up and judging where to go and others can outrun to catch a low flyer.
After your pooch has mastered that game, have your pup stand (or sit) at your side watching you. When you throw the disc, he has to watch, run, and catch it.
Many competitions tally score based on the number of consecutive catches a pup makes and his ability to run far out in different directions. When you've mastered the sport, buy some spare discs. Then you can teach your pet to catch, drop, and start again.

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Busy Bees: Nighttime Walk Time

PetSugar — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:45:21 -0800

Chances are your pup will have to go out sometime after dark – he can't hold it 'til morning! Some lucky people have fenced-in backyards to let their pup frolic and do his business in, but many of us have to pick up a reflective leash and collar and walk him ourselves. When you jog or walk at night, there are reflective clothing choices . . . and there's no shortage of safe-pet gear, too!
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To see my picks for keeping your pooch safe read more

Busy Bees: Dogs Across America

PetSugar — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 07:00:25 -0800

Dogs Across America is a special outdoorsy activity for pets and their humans demonstrating the amazing, natural pulling ability of pups. Dogs can tow humans on anything from scooters to skateboards, wagons to wheelchairs for this annual, countrywide relay event. The goal is to reach at least 3,000 total miles in a single weekend... so dogs will have technically "crossed" the U.S., state by state. In some locations, coordinators establish routes and relays and participants work with four to six dogs pulling four-wheel rigs and, in other states (with spread out duos), people and their pups total all mileage together from their local trails to create a state total. The event is broken up over three weekends, with pooches from Alaska and Canada participating on October 20 and 21. On November 10 and 11, dogs from the Northern states will strive for their 3,000 miles and, on December 15 and 16, dogs from the Southern states get their chance. If it sounds like something you and your pooches could get into, start doing research on the proper training and equipment that you'll need – it's a great way to interact (and stay fit) with your pet.

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Busy Bees: All-She-Can-Eat Kitty Salad Bar

PetSugar — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 08:00:09 -0700

Despite a French fries habit, you recognize the importance of fresh greens in your daily diet, but what about your pets? Grow a salad bar in your house and offer your cats the vitamins, minerals, and live enzymes found in raw foods and also aid their digestion and hairball control. Start with seeds like wheatgrass and oatgrass ($4.50 each, six oz. of seeds), or check with the vet for other feline-safe plants. Place the seedlings in a sunny spot where kitty can easily reach them. Mix up offerings with the modern Mesa Herb Planter, including three pots and stylish tray set from Chiasso ($38). Grow a small amount of catnip
there too-they’ll purr with delight!

2009 Westminster Winners: Sporting Group

PetSugar — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:00:24 -0800

Welcome to Day Two of Westminster kicking off with the Sporting group. Made up of dogs that point the game with their noses (i.e., the pointers), flush the game out (i.e., the spaniels), and then retrieve the game (i.e., the retrievers), these pooches are bred to be busy bees. Bonus points for getting my movie joke there. But I digress. There are some stunners in this group with two of the country's most popular breeds making the final cut. Who came out on top? Find out and read more.

The super-cute Sussex Spaniel was the big winner! I have to say the cute fella won me over with his name – I dare you to look at this pup or try to say "Stump" without smiling. Impossible.

Rounding out the group placement:

Sussex Spaniel: Ch Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee. Male born Dec. 1, 1998.
Golden Retriever: Ch Toasty's Treasure Island. Female born June 12, 2004.
English Setter: Ch Chebaco Blames It On Trabeiz. Male born Aug. 14, 2002.
Labrador Retriever: Ch Beechcroft Study's Top Secret. Male born July 11, 2005.

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What Happened on PetSugar This Week (8/10-8/15)?

PetSugar — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 09:00:48 -0700

It was a busy bee week on PetSugar! We explored why LilPeaPod trains her dog, Samson, with treats (yes, that's him in the adorable photo below!). We had exclusive interviews with Greatest American Dog cast-offs Brandy and Laura. And, we featured photos of five of your darling furry friends! What else happened on PetSugar this week? Test your elephant brain and see what you remember!

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2008 Westminster Winners: Sporting Group

PetSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:49 -0800

We kicked off Day Two of Westminster with the Sporting group. Made up of dogs that point the game with their noses (i.e., the pointers), flush the game out (i.e., the spaniels), and then retrieve the game (i.e., the retrievers), these pooches are bred to be busy bees. With all those spaniels in the group, it's no surprise that a couple were finalists here. Ranging from the biggest, the Clumber Spaniel, to last year's Best in Show, James (the English Springer Spaniel), they're certainly popular and both the English Cocker and the A.S.C.O.B. made the Sporting group's short list last night. Curious to learn what an A.S.C.O.B is (oh, and see who won the group), just read more.

The A.S.C.O.B Cocker Spaniel stands for "any solid color other than black" and is represented by Dylan, seen at the bottom right. Neither he, nor the English Cocker (top left), captured the Sporting group title. It went to the grey ghost – Marge, the Weimaraner.

Rounding up the group placement:

Weimaraner: Ch Colsidex Seabreeze Perfect Fit. Female born Sept. 3, 2003.
Pointer: Ch Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry. Female born Dec. 20, 2005.
Spaniel (Cocker) A.S.C.O.B.: Ch Lydgate Rise N' Shine. Male born Jan. 2, 2005.
Spaniel (English Cocker): Ch Chestnuts Selling The Drama. Male born Apr. 4, 2002.

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