PetSugar

I Need Your Help . . . Must Two Dogs Equal Two Leashes?

PetSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:00:27 -0700

Whether it's double trouble or two times the fun, two pups definitely provide twice the tangles when being walked together. I'm a fan of tandem leashes (like this one) in theory, but I've never had to hook North up with another furry friend.

Community Member Kelli Ann asks:

This is our second dog and we want to try out a dual leash. The pups are about 25 lbs each and are both good on a leash. Any insight/tips/recommendations would be much appreciated because two separate leashes can be a little tricky!

All of you multiple pet owners or generous dog walkers share any advice to not get your dogs' signals, and your leashes, crossed. (And, as always, feel free to private message me or post questions in our Pet Peeves group and we'll help you out ASAP.)

Do Tell: Who Does the Most Dog Duty in Your Family?

PetSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 04:00:10 -0700

Sloooow down there, Bo - I wanna get a good look at you! We've seen both Barack and the girls taking care of the first pooch, and here's Michelle walking (or getting walked by) this cute pup. It's great to have a family of humans to chip in for the dog walking (especially for early morning or late night duties) but who's left holding the leash most often in your household?

Bo's getting so big and sporting a different dog accessory than last time! See for yourself in the gallery when you read more.

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Top 5 Walk Time Distractions For Dogs

PetSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:00:49 -0700

Between potty stops and smell breaks, you can end up short on exercise and long on time when walking a pooch! To help us out, I've rounded up the five categories I'd consider the top distractions for dogs. Check out the slideshow to see my tips for dealing with each type. Happy trails to you!

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Chip In For Mother's Day!

PetSugar — Sun, 10 May 2009 03:00:11 -0700

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms of kiddies both human and furry! Since I'm no stranger to treating myself to a lil something extra for my year of hard work caring for North, I've got some ways you can treat the pet parenting pals of your own.

Stop by. Most dog owners would love to pass the leash off to a friend for QT walktime, so just ask - even if they say no, you can be the pet's indoor BFF for a couple hours instead.

Get two more ideas when you read more.

Pitch in. If you've got a sig-o who usually does the early a.m. or late p.m. doodie duty, offer to take it over for the day (or the whole week if you're generous).

Bring snacks. The way to any tummy and many hearts is through the mouth - save mom's time and bake up snacks for a furry friend (and maybe for the humans, too).

Now chime in with your own ideas in the comments below.

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To the Rescue: 9 Tips For Kitty Care and Conundrums

PetSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:30:59 -0700

I live in a dog house. That is to say, sometimes my dog, North, lets me in his territory. Though we don't share our space with any kitties, I know many of you do. Here are some simple tips and advice for all you feline fanatics out there.

Guide to Choosing a Shelter Cat	Help! Dog + You + Boyfriend + Cat = . . .	Try Kitty's Cute Outdoor Catwalk
Tips For Getting Kitty to Take a Pill	Can You Help Kitty Think Inside the Box?	How to Take Phenomenal Kitty Pics

Leashes Aren't Just For the Dogs

Can Kitty Be Obsessive and Compulsive?

Two Bathing Alternatives For Kitty Allergy Relief

Pet Peeves: I Need to Get a Grip on Walktime!

PetSugar — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:00:53 -0700

Q: Although we're working on training, my 100-pound dog still sometimes pulls on the leash. Since I'm not that much bigger than he is (weight-wise), I'm always worried I'll drop the lead. Do you have any tips on getting a better grip?

A: I'd definitely recommend to handle that leash with both hands since two's better than one. Remember to hold the looped part of the leash in the hand on the opposite side of your pet – right hand at the top to walk a dog on your left side and vice versa. One way to keep better control over pulling is to put the hand on the "dog-side" in the middle of the leash (as illustrated here). It allows twice the grip and the ability to control motion since you can use this hand to hold or redirect a pet to stay on the side you want him on.

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Pet Peeves: Does My Dog Really Need to Pee That Often?!

PetSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:15:28 -0700

Q: I love walking and jogging with my Pointer, Rosco – when he's ready to run, he totally keeps me in shape! But, unfortunately he wants to stop all the time, like a couple times each block, to pee. Eventually if I start jogging, he'll run as well, but if I'm just walking him on a potty break or slow the pace even a little, he takes it as his cue to go. Umm, and after the first five minutes, nothing's even coming out anymore! What's up with this?

A: I can definitely relate as my male dog looooves marking things and does the leg-lift-no-liquid thing, too. When walking, start out at a slow pace letting the pup stop to go. After a while, you'll notice a routine and be able to calculate how many breaks he needs to finish. Once you notice that there's nothing left inside, simply give your "finish" command (whatever that word is for your pet) and gently move him along. You should soon be able to limit the subsequent stops and have a dog down to three to five "pee/mark breaks" per short walk. Good luck!

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Do Tell: What's Your Favorite Workout With Furry Friends?

PetSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:30:09 -0700

Not only do they lift us up when we're feeling down, but our pets pretty much eliminate any excuse not to get at least some exercise. Rats. In addition to jogs around the park or rousing catch'n'chase games, many gyms (mine included) offer activities like this Ruff Yoga or Doga – what's your favorite workout to do with your pooches?

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Giovanni Ribisi Uses Both Hands . . . Would You?

PetSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:45:14 -0700

Whose lead would you follow? While Giovanni chooses a one-leash-per-hand tactic, his girlfriend uses a double duty, single-handed strategy. Now I've definitely seen dog walkers in my neighborhood with an armful of leashes, and it can result in some mighty tangles. I'm curious to know, even if you've got just one furry friend, how would you feel more comfortable walking two pooches at once?

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One in Five UK Dogs Miss Their Daily Walk, Pack on Pounds

PetSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:30:49 -0700

Chubster pets are on the rise in the UK because a fifth of dogs are missing out on their daily walks.

According to a recent survey of 3,000 pet owners, hectic work schedules and the fact that many people fail to appreciate how much exercise pets actually need to stay healthy have created a generation of unfit dogs. The study noted:

More than a quarter of study participants admitted they only exercised their dogs once a day or less.
The amount of exercise dogs are getting varies from breed to breed, but even the more active ones are struggling, with more than a quarter being taken for a walk less than once a day.
One in 10 dogs in the area go on “walkies” less than once a week.
Nearly two million dogs in Britain are suffering from obesity, with lack of exercise and over-feeding thought to be the cause, according to the PDSA.

In an ideal world dogs need daily exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy, but it's not always possible. What do you think of the statistics?

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