"What ___ think I do!"

Mild Winter = FLEAS!

Yes. You heard it. Fleas in Winter! 

Due to the unusually mild winter we've had, there's been a surge of dogs suffering from Fleas this winter. People who are used to not treating their animals during winter have found themselves infested due to the warmer than normal temperatures and lack of killing frost/snow. All it takes is one infested dog to visit the dog park, deposit some of his "friends" and next thing you know, your poor pets are itching and scratching themselves raw! As such, we're seeing more clients who's dogs are infested coming in to be groomed.

An additional fee of $10 applies for any dog requiring a flea bath/treatment. 

So please keep this in mind when booking a grooming appointment!

If your dog is suffering from fleas, we recommend seeing your Veterinarian and asking for K9 Advantix II, Advantage II, Frontline PLUS (regular Frontline does not control flea development), or Bio-Spot Defense.

Please do NOT use anything over-the-counter from the pet store (we know that saving a few bucks may be really tempting), like the stuff made by Hartz. Those products can be dangerous when applied incorrectly, and can cause severe side effects. Only get your pet's flea medications from a Veterinarian! Lastly, Flea Collars do not work so don't waste your money!


Here's hoping everyone has an itch-free winter!

Taffy's Favorite Home-Made Cookie Recipe!

This recipe is SIMPLE! If your dog has a grain allergy, supplement the white flour for something like Garbanzo or Fava Bean flour.

Here's what you need:

• 2 cups of Flour (White or grain-free, your preference).
• 3/4 cup of Natural or Organic Peanut Butter (Chunky or Smooth, your preference)
• 2 tablespoons of flax seed oil. (I use Organic flax seed oil, but if you don't want the benefit of Fatty Acids, Olive Oil works well too.)
• 1 cup of H2O.

Combine ingredients until everything is incorporated and forms a dough.
Roll dough out to a thickness roughly 1/2 to 1 cm (0.2- 0.4inch). The thinner, the crunchier the treat will be.
Cut using a cookie cutter, or into triangular strips with a knife.
Place on a cookie sheet, and bake at 325 for roughly 20 minutes. Keep in mind that the thinner the cookie, the faster it will cook, so keep an eye on things so it doesn't burn (not that most dogs would care)!
Remove from oven and let cool completely.
Place in baggies, or a container.




Total time from start to finish to make these cookies is under an hour!


I've found that this recipe yields about four cups of small cookies. Which lasts my dog a week or more. And what's great is that you can add things to make it specific to your dog's needs and tastes! Add herbs like rosemary, flax seeds for extra crunch, or Omega 3, etc!


Great for training exercises. And you know EXACTLY what's in them, because YOU made them! A much healthier alternative to store-bought toxin-filled dog teats like Milkbones. Not to mention cheaper than expensive store-bought treats, which is a big deal when you go through a lot of treats while training!


Hope this inspires other dog owners to give making their own dog cookies a try! Your dog will love you for it!

Home-made Dog Treat Recipes!

My new favorite website for ideas on dog treat/cookie recipes!

http://www.all-natural-dog-treat.com/

Given the terrifying amount of toxins and general garbage found in processed dog treats you buy at the pet or grocery store, and how fast and EASY home-made recipes are, there's no reason not to make your own!  Not only is home-made healthier for you beloved furry companion(s) because YOU decide what goes in them, it's cheaper than always buying box after box of  Milk-bones or  Beggin' Strips. A small bag of flour, a jar of natural peanut butter, some olive oil, and bam! You're set! And if your dog has allergies to wheat? No problem! There are tons of alternatives for dogs with allergies!

In the future, I'll share some of my own, favorite recipes on this blog! So keep an eye out for some great Taffy-Approved goodies that you can try for your own dog! :)

 

Killing our Pets with every Meal.

Here's a great article outlining why you should always read the label on your pet's treats and food!


http://goodnessgracioustreats.wordpress.com/2010/06/12/where%E2%80%99s-the-beef/


I used to feed my dog Milk-Bone products as training treats. But after reading the ingredients list carefully, and then reading this article, I now feed my dog home-made cookies instead!!

Are there really "Non-Shedding" and "Hypoallergenic" Dogs?

These are two of what I find to be the most annoying of all buzz-words out there today in the dog-related pet trade.  Flashy words coined by backyard breeders and brokers for puppy mills. Designed to make dog ownership more attractive to those who truly shouldn't own a dog. Mainly, people who are allergic to dogs, and people obsessed about preventing pet hair from landing on their expensive furniture or rugs.




Is there such a thing as a "Non-Shedding" dog? 


No. There isn't. All mammals with hair shed it. Humans shed around fifty to a hundred hairs a DAY. Stands to reason that if you've got hair or fur, at some point it falls out in order for the follicle to be able to grow the replacement. People who swear up and down that Poodles or poodle hybrids (mixes) don't shed, are completely wrong. They drop hair less, because instead of falling on the floor like it would with a dog that has straight hair like a Husky or a Lab', the curled shafts intertwine and get caught within the coat. The hair creates mats and knots instead of dropping onto the floor or sofa. Therefore it LOOKS like the dog isn't shedding, or is shedding less. But in truth it's shedding just like all other dogs shed, the only difference is in the shape of the hair shaft and the mats it creates, instead of falling straight out. So any time you see some "Breeder" swearing up and down that their Yorkie, Westie, Poodle, Cotton de Tullier, etc puppies "don't shed, or are "non-shedding". They're preying on the ignorance of the general public, and lack of education of most new dog owners. There is no such thing as a dog that doesn't shed. In truth, breeds known for shedding less (such as poodles) require MORE grooming and care for their coats to remain healthy and to prevent medical problems, than dogs that are perceived to shed more (like Pugs). Even the rare Mexican Hairless, aka Xoloitzcuintli... has hair on certain parts of it's body. Not much, but it's there, and there fore it will shed.


Now, is there such a thing as "Hypoallergenic" dog?

Hypoallergenic is defined as; "Designed to reduce or minimize the possibility of an allergic response, as by containing relatively few or no potentially irritating substances."

"The major dog allergen, called Can f 1, is primarily found in dog saliva. Unlike cat allergen, which is found in the dander from sebaceous glands in the skin, the skin of dogs does not appear to be a major source of Can f 1. Dog albumin, a protein found in the blood, is also an important allergen, and may cross-react with albumin from other mammals, including cats." 

Even if a dog is hairless (Like a Xolo', or Chinese Crested), it still produces allergens that can and DO cause allergic reactions in humans. Dogs lick themselves to groom, they drool, and they pant to regulate their body temperature. Therefore, they are perpetually spreading the allergens in their saliva over their bodies and their living environment. It's unavoidable. So no, there's no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic breed of dog. If a person has allergies to dogs, they should not own one unless they find a way to deal with the reactions, such as injections or medications that can be prescribed by a Doctor to minimize the effects. However, if the person's allergies are severe, ownership of any breed of dog should be avoided.

Great American-Made Amish Leather Dog Gear!

There is an amazing ebay store that I, and a trainer friend of my have come to love. They offer hand-made, Amish-American,  leather dog gear at AMAZING prices. A true American Treasure!

And this stuff is not only beautiful, but tough! Check it out!
http://stores.ebay.com/bflfcollectibles
(They sell other items too.)


Taffy has one of their 33foot lunge-line/schutzhund leashes, and it's been through everything. Water, sand, mud, grass, and has held up perfectly over the past six years!

And where else can you get a seven-foot leather Police Style dog lead for $17usd..? ;)

Feel free to contact the seller directly about the dog products. They're wonderful to work with and will sell items direct to you without you having to bid on items posted on ebay itself.