PetSugar

Three Takes on Indoor Hide-and-Seek

PetSugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:30:21 -0800

There's no secret that hide-and-seek's a fun game to play indoors on wintry days for pets and kids alike. When I think of animal-friendly versions, a couple options come to mind – those where treats are hidden and sought out by nosy noses and those where family members are sniffed out . . . if you've got enough space to trick a doggie into playing, that is.

However, North's favorite take of this activity is a combination of all his favorite things – fetching, running, and yummies, of course. To get started, all you need is a toy your furball will want to chase – like a squeaky ball – and a tiny training treat. Get my four steps to fun when you read more.

Throw the toy.
As your pet chases it, run and hide (in my tiny apartment, this usually means next to the bed or in the closet).
When your pup goes to "fetch," call his name until he finds you.
Reward with a treat for letting go of the toy and repeat.

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Winter Walk Time? Grab the Cooking Spray First!

PetSugar — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 07:00:24 -0800

If your pet's still hesitant about wintertime walks, and not as willing to wear the booties as you'd hope, try the tip I was emailed just this week: Prevent those painful ice balls between paw pads and spritz the paws with a cooking spray before talking that next potty break. You'll still need to wash his feet when he gets back in (which you should be doing anyway because of the possible poisons on the sidewalks), but this will at least combat the pain that makes summertime scampering look more like slinking down the street these days.

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Leave No Stone, Make That "Potty Rock," Unturned

PetSugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:00:26 -0800

Snow keeps falling around much of the country, but here's a product that can prove useful whether your surroundings include snow, grass, or sand. Back when we talked about wintry bathroom breaks that some pets would prefer to avoid, I spotted this item mentioned in the comments (thanks, flyingroo).

Pups with problems deciding where to go, meet Potty Rock ($15). Since it's used for potty training, the stone has a special odor that makes dogs want to go. This means not only can you help fight urine spots and protect the lawn, you can also help a pet hone in on one spot by just clearing that area away and placing it there. Sounds like a win-win for your pets and your plants, too.

Will Your Dog Fetch Snowballs?

PetSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 07:15:40 -0800

North's happy to announce we're in the middle of a veritable heat wave in SF since he's not a cold weather fan! If you live in a colder climate where your snow bunnies can run and play (and hopefully pee) in the white stuff, try tossing them a snowball. Say you don't have the similarly-shaped toy at the ready, would your fetch loving pets chase a snowball in a pinch?

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I Need Your Help . . . My Dog Won't "Go" in the Snow!

PetSugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 07:30:56 -0800

Let's tackle a common problem with doggies in cold-weather climates – especially in cities where bathroom breaks come in the form of walks on snowy sidewalks. Even North was hesitant about potty time in Winter, preferring to do his business where there was the least amount of slush to trudge through (usually the curb). If you've also had (or still have!) this problem, let's come up with ways to help pups get over it or solutions to at least make it a lil easier on them in the meantime.

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Do Tell: How Do You Treat Icy Sidewalks?

PetSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:30:12 -0800

I've already mentioned the dangers of ice melts but what do you do when faced with steps full of snow?! I want to hear your best recommendations for environmentally (and pet) safe products to prevent slipping in wintry weather.

I know that some people use eco-tastic sand, grit, or gravel to add traction but keep plants and waterways safe, yet I imagine that can get kinda muddy, too. If you've made a home in a place with the white stuff, what will you sprinkle on the steps, driveway, and sidewalk this season?

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Do Tell: Furry Friends Frolic and Play or Curl Up by the Fire?

PetSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 04:30:15 -0800

Brrrrr, the temperatures are dropping and Winter's nearly here. Sigh. While we seemed a bit divided on the rain, how do your pets feel about the snow? Any of them as excited (or more!) than lil Lexi here? I wanna hear all about it in the comments below!

Bare Bones: Reflective Gear

PetSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:00:51 -0800

Now that it's nearly dark by the time I get home from work, it's time to start thinking about reflective gear for my four legged pal. Not only are there some pretty stylish and highly reflective rain jackets that pets can throw on before leaving the house for the evening potty walk, but if your pooch isn't the coat wearing type, you can always attach a safety light to his harness or collar to make sure he's seen even on the rainiest or darkest of nights.

Take for example this Buddy Beacon ($13) from Ruffwear. Waterproof and reliable (the bulb has a lifetime guarantee to never need replacing), this flashing safety light will ensure that you and your pup are seen from up to a half a mile away.

Plus, Ruffwear is committed to making sure their manufacturing and packaging is as environmentally friendly as possible. Check out some of my other picks for reflective gear below!

Track Jacket ($30)	Adirondack Jacket ($55)
Dots Reflective Dog Leash ($18)	Reflector Rain Jacket ($29)
Cat Reflect Safety Collar ($5)	Rain Away Windbreaker ($29)
Reflective Retractable Dog Leash ($20)	Sun Shower Rain Jacket ($75)

Greatest American Dog Recap: "The Big Dig"

PetSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:15:28 -0700

I think the latest episode of Greatest American Dog should have been called puppies! It's like TV gold, just mix it up by adding over a dozen adorable Golden Retriever pups. I caught up with Beth Joy, who was eliminated this week, and she opened up about the last episode and her cute pooch, Bella Starlet Dog. Once again, I got some great behind-the-scenes clues and views – check out her answers below!

On the digging challenge:

Before every dog-bone challenge, we actually get a practice. All dogs dig differently – she actually digs with her nose – and she did so good that I thought she was gonna dig, find Mommy, and it would be awesome.
I'm completely claustrophobic but I said to myself "I'm going to do this, Bella did great on the dig and she's gonna find me . . . I'll sit for five minutes and have a panic attack for her to find me." But you have to understand when you watch the show, there's reasons why we choose things and I had a feeling but instead she said 'I'm going to be like Lassie and I'm going to bark for someone to come rescue my mom."
The thing with the dig is every time she did the practice, one of the trainers kept pulling the treats away from her after she found it and I think that upset her; she knew she wasn't going to get the treat again. That was all part of it – what you see is what you get on these shows, not the real experience.

On meeting the puppies:

Actually with this challenge, we did it the day before and Bella did great in the maze, she came out and went through it a few times but, when you film, there's hours and hours in between. So when Bella came out and greeted the puppies, she was excited but then it was three hours until we did the challenge. It was 105 degrees out that day. Bella overheated, Star overheated, and Presley overheated.

Where is Bella trying to go in that picture up top? Learn the surprising answer when you read more.

On her stopping to dig under the maze:

When she went into that hole that you see, that was where one of the cameras were. And they didn't cover it up, they should have covered it up, and she wasn't supposed to go in there. But they never restarted our clock. She saw somebody in there (there are little forts with cameras so that they can get those angles of the dogs running) and so she had gone in there thinking "hey, maybe Mommy's with this guy hanging out." And I couldn't see over the hedge so I was trying to go low to the ground to call her.

On pushing her dog:

By that time of the day, she was so overheated, it was like "whatever you want to do Bella, that's fine don't worry." Like "come on you want a biscuit, just come through, come to Mommy and we'll go jump in the pool." I would never push my dog the way that Bill pushed his dog, we were all scared at what he was doing to Star, it made me worry about Star. I would never push my dog to a limit like that, it was really insane and unfortunate. I really don't think we should have gone home. It was about citizenship, maybe she didn't lead the puppies out, but at least she didn't try to eat the puppies.

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Out and About: Winter in Vermont

PetSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 08:00:31 -0800

For a family of snow bunnies, why should Fido sit out? Meet skijoring: a winter sport where the (intermediate level) cross-country skier is pulled over the snow by a dog. With a name coming from the Inuit word for “Let’s Go,” Atii Sled Dogs will evaluate any breed that weighs at least 35 pounds and likes to run. Dress warmly and bring (or rent) your XC skis, and the Mad River Valley, Vt. company will provide all the skijoring gear and two-hour lessons for $100 per person-dog combo. Curious where to stay – and other fun, local activities in Vermont – read more.

Stay at the nearby PowderHound Inn with 25 two-room suites or, for an extra treat, check out the Pawhouse Inn about 60 miles away in West Rutland. Perfect for families who want to hit the nearby slopes of Killington (18 miles), this inn features a 1,200 sq. foot indoor facility where dogs play from 10a.m. to 4p.m. under the supervision of hotel staff at no extra charge. Grab a copy of Best Hikes With Dogs: New Hampshire and Vermont beforehand or the inn will provide maps and directions for nearby dog-friendly hiking trails for the entire family to enjoy as well.

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