Emmy turns three

Emmy's a good sport about wearing a party hat, but sharing her Frosty Paws with her playpals is not her idea of a birthday!  Happy 3rd, anyway, sweet Emmy!

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Watch Gabe Woof his Birthday Treat

Gabe loves his birthday treat. Doesn't even mind the party hat 'cause he's totally focused. Brother Sam lies nearby trying very hard not to look over to stare at Gabe's bounty!

Dog Safety over Hanukkah

5 Safety Tips For Hanukkah

December 21, 2011

Tags: hanukkah safety tips for pets

It’s crazy right now, have you been to the mall? Absolutely nuts! As we prepare to ring in the holidays, we are bombarded with making plans to see family, buy gifts, and celebrate. Hanukkah started last night and will last for 7 more days. During this time, it’s important to remember to keep our pets safe from harmful items and food.
Here are 5 tips to avoid the emergency vet and have a peaceful and calm Hanukkah:
1: Sufganiyot – Otherwise known as doughnuts, are filled with artificial sugars, jelly, and heavy on fat and calories. They are a wonderfully delicious treat for us but can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetites in our pets. Be very careful to not let your canine buddy get any of these doughnuts and make sure your cat isn’t counter surfing and licking up any ingredients that are laying about in the sink.
2: Latkes – They are savory and taste amazing but they have onion in them. Onions can cause anemia in dogs and cats and are dangerous for them to ingest. Also, the fried oil, sour cream, and other ingredients used to make them can make your dog and cat’s digestive system extremely upset.
3: Chocolate coins – This is a traditional candy that children receive each year and they are wrapped in shiny gold and silver foil. The foil, chocolate, and netting that they come in can be dangerous for your pets. Chocolate contains caffeine and theobromine. Dogs cannot digest these two ingredients well at all and in extreme cases it can be fatal. If your pet eats and swallows the foil and net bag, they can experience extremely uncomfortable bowel movements and may end up having blockages in extreme cases. Keep these away from your pets.
4: Dreidels – They look like toys to dogs. Cats may smack them a little and then leave them alone but dogs might think they are a toy for them and pick them up in their mouths. If your dog swallows a dreidel or other small objects, it could cause blockages in their digestive tracts. Keep these and other game pieces out of reach of your pet and small children.
5: The Menorah – This is an essential symbol for Hanukkah. The candles that are lit as each night passes can pose a danger if you have a pet that leaps, bounds, and runs around the house. The menorah could fall over or your pet might singe their fur sniffing it. Keep the menorah high and away from where your pet can reach it. Make sure it’s on a stand or stable surface so if your dog comes galloping into the room, s/he doesn’t shake it off and risk starting a fire.

by Kathy— Filed under: Advice — Comments (0)

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Canine Influenza

A relatively new disease, canine influenza was first reported in Florida in 2004, but has now spread to 30 states and the district of Columbia.  Most dogs have no natural immunity to it because it is a newcomer on the infectious virus scene.  It's transmitted by direct contact, like licking and nuzzling; and through the air via coughs or sneezes.  Your dog can also get it as a result of contact with contaminated surfaces, such as the hands or clothing of a person or the coat of another dog.  So if your dog is exposed to a multi-dog setting (daycare, kennel, dog park, dog classes), you should talk to your veterinarian ASAP.  There is a vaccine, but only your vet can advise you as to whether you should vaccinate your pup.

The symptoms of canine influenza are a lot other respiratory diseases: cough, nasal discharge, watery eyes, loss of energy and/or appetite.    

However, the canine influenza cough can be persistent and sometimes leads to pneumonia, which can be fatal.  The vaccine should be administered along with a bordatella (kennel cough) vaccine.  Neither of the two preventatives can protect your dog from 100% of respiratory diseases, but together they go a long way; and if  your dog does develop kennel cough or canine influenza, he or she is likely to have a milder case than an unvaccinated dog.

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Twin Bagels

Lady and Quinn are our beagle sisters; they're sweet as can be and share everything with one another.  We call them our twin bagels.   Lady was woofing her way through her birthday Frosty Paws when Quinn stood up to partake. 

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Things to think about before getting that puppy

Basic Dog Care     


There are lots of responsibilities in acquiring a dog,and you should probably consider them before making your decision. Taking care of them is not easy. You need to be very careful and responsible in taking care of them so you will not unwittingly harm them, or find yourself a victim of their destructiveness or their
expensive health problems.  Being a dog owner is daunting, though lots of fun.

You need to do some research to learn the basic needs of your prospective dog. For example you need to know you can keep up with his or her grooming needs. You don’t have to worry, because these basic grooming needs are not hard to meet; you only need to make sure that you won’t neglect anything since the basic ones are the most important.  Here are some  things to keep in mind:

1.  Do not leave your dog alone for long periods of time.   This should be the most important factor in your decision whether or not to get a dog.  Particularly as puppies, but all through their lives, dogs are bored, anxious and/or depressed when they're alone.  They are pack animals and pets see their people as their pack.  If your life style obliges you to be away from home for 10-12 hours a day, don't get a dog!  It's not fair to him or her;and you're likely to find yourself stuck with behavioral problems like chewing on furniture, soiling the house, chewing on themselves, excessive barking and on and on.

2. Clipping your dog’s nails – it is very important to get your dog’s nails clipped every couple of months.  If you do it yourself, make sure that you know how.  Cutting into your dog's vein is painful and will cause him or her to bleed profusely and to avoid you in the future if you have a clipper in your hand.

 You can get a good clipper from a grooming shop but if you are hesitant, you can also bring your dog to a dog salon or to a veterinarian but of course, you will be spending a few dollars on it. A well manicured dog can walk easily, without hindrances.  A dog with long nails has to constantly compensate for the awkward angle his toes are forced to assume.

3. A good bath every 6-8 weeks – it is important to bathe your dog to make his fur shiny and clean. It will also Keep him/her free from diseases and pests.  You shouldn’t forget to wash your dog’s face, eyes, and ears since these areas are the most important ones to keep them healthy and free from pests.

4. Keep a balanced diet – there are dogs that eat anything they see, which will eventually make them sick. You need to watch what your dog eats; make sure that he or she gets an adequate type and amount of food. If you only rely on processed foods, you need to very particular about the brand, since these foods usually contain unhealthy preservatives. READ THE LABEL and remember that most of the food is made up of the first two or three ingredients listed.  You should look for dog foods that contain vitamins, minerals, pro-biotics and antioxidants. These are good because they boost the canine immune system, helping to keep dogs healthy throughout their lives.   Most of all do not overfeed your dog!!! 

5. Exercise your dog - this is the one people slack off on over the months and years.  Yet it may be the most important thing you can do to keep your pet physically and psychologically well.   Dogs with behavior problems often get better with increased exercise, because the lack of it makes many breeds nervous, bored, anxious and generally prone to bad behavior.  Long, brisk walks on-leash are excellent, as are unleashed workouts in a fenced-in area where you can play fetch or just encourage your dog to run around for half an hour or so.   If your budget allow, put your pup in doggie daycare a couple of days a week.

Information provided by Kelly Dawson - for more dog information by Kelly, take a look at airline approved dog carriers & labrador retriever from animal-world.com.


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Atrayu turns 3!

Atrayu is one of a pair of Icelandic sheepdog brothers who are Doggie Den regulars. Today we sang happy birthday to celebrate his 3rd, and he reluctantly allowed the birthday hat routine in return for a delicious peanut butter Frosty Paws treat. You may be able to tell from the look in his eye that he was not sharing if he had to wear that stupid hat. Fair's fair.

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Tick Tock!

Warm weather has come to the northeast United States and about time! But wait! It's also tick time!! Oh, no. Those disgusting parasites that dig in and blow up and look gross and you have to pull them out with your fingernails and kill them in rubbling alcohol or hydrogen paroxide or something. And like all their parasite friends, they lay zillions of eggs that get in your carpeting and your furniture and your car. There's a huge list of pet owners who want to ask God, was he the one who created ticks... and if so, why???

The good part is that enterprising humans have created spot-on liquids that you dribble onto your pet's skin and the ticks AND fleas stay away. Even their eggs become useless. The treatments (Frontline Plus, Program, Advantix, to name a few) make your pet's blood toxic to the parasites without hurting him/her. You can buy the treatments in pet stores. Or, hey, at The Doggie Den!! The brighter ticks and fleas "smell" the substance through the dog's skin and head for the hills. I don't know how they sense things, never met a tick that could explain it in plain English. Anyway, after you dribble the medicine onto your dog's skin, it's absorbed into his/her bloodstream and stays effective for 60-80 days. So about once a month throughout the warm seasons, apply a recognized treatment and your life will become blessedly tickless. Flealess too.

The bad part is that if you don't do something, you and your family are at risk for flea and tick-borne diseases, especially lyme disease. Can you imagine? You're sick AND you have to pull those gross lumps out of your pet's coat? Not an option, if you ask me. Make sure your family and your pets are protected.

Last thing: it's also mosquito season which we used to think was annoying but harmless. Come to find out mosquitos spread heartworm, a horrible parasite that entwines itself in the heart tissue of dogs and cats! It's hard to cure an animal that contracts heart worm, so be sure to ask your vet to test your pet then prescribe the right medicine. Don't wait! Unlike treatments for fleas and ticks, most heartworm medicine has to be prescribed by a veterinarian.

Happy 1st Birthday Raven!

Raven turned 1 today! She was as sweet as can be with her peanut butter Frosty Paws treat.

She ate slowly like a lady and shared willingly with
Her sister Java, as well as others. She was

even nice about the party hat! Many happy
returns, Raven!!

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Hi! I'm Bobby and I LOVE DOGS!

I'm Bobby and I work at The Doggie Den when I'm not in class at Quinsigamund Community College. It's a great place to work 'cause the other employees are mellow and the dogs are the best!

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Ebby turns 6 years old

Ebby is our coolest, calmest, most collected lab mix. She's socialable but kind of private. She'll only eat her lunch by herself, in a separate room, 'cause the competive commotion of other interested parties is beneath her.

When we put Ebby's birthday hat on, she lost interest in her treat and gave us the look you see. "You want me to wear WHAT?" After the photo we took her hat off and she proceded to taste her Frosty Paws. She's a delicate eater, so there was some left for her chocolate lab mix friend, Fern. Fern was most appreciative.

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Tucker Turns Two

What's with this hat, Susan?? How'm I supposed to eat my treat? I'm a dog, we don't wear hats, ok? Susan... SUSAN.!!

Gawd this is embarassing.

Right, that's better. Thought you'd never get it. What flavor is this, anyway? Peanut butter? Not bad. But next time, NO HATS.

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Sweet June Birthday

Zack is the elder of our golden retriever pups.  He's the sweetest, gentlest guy EVER.    We just adore cuddling him and he reciprocates by rolling onto his back for more belly rubs.  Today we celebrated Zack's 10th birthday!   And he's been coming to The Doggie Den for almost that long.  We remember what a heart-breaker of a puppy he was (sigh!).

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Molly the Lab's 1st Birthday

Molly was able to slurp her Frosty Paws treat in peace, though she did have attentive friends in Floyd the basset, Atrayu the sheepdog, Crosby the puggle, and Benny the cocker.


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Zack the Handsomest Golden

Zack was 8 years old on Saturday and he's been coming to The Doggie Den since he was a puppy. He's the friendliest, most cuddly boy you can imagine. He was so happy to have his birthday Frosty Paws treat that he put up with the party hat without a single complaint! Zack loves everybody, plays with everybody and generally enjoys life to the fullest. We are so grateful to have him in our big dog play group!

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Doggie It's Cold Outside!

Doggie paws get cold too! Just a hint - salt and dry cold damage pup's pads. You might notice him/her licking the pads; or perhaps you'll see little cracks. In deep cold it's a good idea to periodically lubricate pup's paw pads with Bag Balm, vasoline, or vitamin E oil. Baby oil and mineral oil work okay too. Rub it in to each pad well so s/he can't eat it. And if he or she lifts one or more feet up while outside, bring him/her indoors right away. Lifted paws mean "Ouch!"

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Chester Draws a Crowd

A guy gets popular fast when it's birthday ice cream time.  Chester was hard to get focused, but once he got the jist, he was 100% party boy!  And he had LOTS of friends.

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What to do about excessive barking?

Many frustrated dog owners find themselves trying to decode the reason for their dog’s excessive barking. It's a lot like decoding the crying of an infant. Breeds such as terriers can make themselves sick from excessive barking, which may even be a part of their nature. Other breeds just bark without apparent hard wiring for it. Often the dog senses danger; is joining in with unseen barking dogs that the human ear doesn't hear; is attempting to capture the owner’s attention; or the dog has a need and the owner is not addressing it.


Familiarizing any breed of dog with the noise environment he or she is likely to encounter routinely can be a long process; yet it’s required if a dog owner wants to get any sleep. Neighbors, neighbors' pets and other animals should become so familiar to your pup that he or she doesn't feel the need to bark when they make known noises. The best way to "desensitize" your dog to safe noises is to take her or him to the source of the noise and praise them when they calm down. Neighbors can help by greeting your dog quietly each time - they don't want her or him barking excessively either!  Another way to deal with barking at routine noise is to establish a release word which, when you say it and your dog stops barking, gains him or her a reward.

On the other hand, dogs usually feel threatened by strangers, which is a good thing, for they can alert their owners to potential intruders. These instances should cause you to praise your dog, then say the release word when you want him or her to stop. In additon, barking often signals an attempt to capture your attention in order to engage you in activity or just get some affection. It should be noted that many breeds require more attention than owners are able or willing to provide. For this reason it is suggested you research your breed of choice before purchasing. Owners with children may find this less of a problem if the children regularly engage with the animal.

Some breeds require extensive exercise and activity. An owner may be unaware of the dog’s need to run outside of a confined area, resulting in the dog barking excessively. This is easy to recognize; your dog will run back and forth barking; or try to escape. Owners are advised to provide at lease one hour of exercise daily to ensure that their dog is receiving the exercise he or she requires. Exercise provides a dog with a greatly needed outlet for huge amounts of energy which otherwise would get used through barking.

A last ditch method of controlling barking may be to keep the dog indoors except during exercise and potty times. There is also the option of using an anti-bark collar. However, with these strategies, you run the risk of the dog associating being indoors with barking. Or, in the case of the collar, confusing the dog when he/she wants to bark to alert you to a potential intruder, or to tell you he needs to go out. The best way to solve this problem may be training classes or consultation with an expert of the particular breed.

Content provided by Gary Hamilton of ohmydogsupplies.com, the top ranked store to find unique dog collars online.   Redaction and editing by Susan LaDue.
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Just Say No to Halloween Candy

Trick or treat, and here come the kids with satchels full of candy. Zillions of mini-portions: Snickers, Charleston chews, Almond Joy, Milky Way, Milk Duds, Smores, Twix, Hersheys, and on and on. It's the beginning of the most fattening time of year, and I'm as much of a junky as anyone else.

It's also time to JUST SAY NO to your dog, who's drooling over the Halloween booty. Not because dogs should eat better and exercise, but because excessive sugar, fat and chocolate can make him very sick! Veterinarians' journals are replete with cases of dogs that need hospitalization after finding Junior's Halloween stash. Dog's digestive systems can't handle all that fat and sugar, and chocolate can be fatal if a dog eats too much of it. At the very least, you will get the same behavioral problems that your daugter's poor school teacher has to deal with after Halloween: hyper activity, inability to focus, crankiness, and generally unruly conduct.

So PLEASE, keep the candy away from the dog, and tell your kids that it can make El Poocho very sick. Keep aromatic, upscale dog treats on hand so pup can have a taste treat along with the kids. For home-baked dog treats, check out www.dogfatherbakery.com, or www.boneappetit.com. Help the pups have a safe Halloween!!

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