I think it goes without saying that I am a huge dog lover. All the special moments I’ve had with my dogs and all of the ways they’ve brought my family closer together have made me love them like family. It seems only natural that I share these experiences with others who might resonate with my stories, or who might benefit from my advice as new dog owners. My motivation behind why I started this blog really has two main pillars: passion and experience.
A telltale sign that you’re passionate about something is when minutes somehow bleed into hours, and you find yourself marveling at how you’ve spent your whole day doing something, but want to keep going nonetheless! When I’m spending time with my dogs, time just seems to just fly by. Even just talking about dog-related topics with someone hooks my attention faster than a gym bro is drawn to talking about their max bench press. That is to say, I love these conversations by their very nature, and my own. This dog blog is a way for me to continue doing something that I love while connecting with others who share a similar interest in all things dog-related. The number of dogs that have joined my family speaks to my love for them, which has only grown over the years.
Having been a dog owner since I was 8 (over 12 years ago), I’ve learned so many different things from my experiences that I want to share with the world. I’ve developed a rich understanding of dog-parenting that I want to break down into discrete topics in each blog to help other dog owners in their journeys, new and experienced alike. From the significant life lessons my dogs have taught me, to the smallest of details that make a huge difference in my day, I think my insights have something to offer for any dog owner, no matter their experience. As this blog grows, so too will your knowledge about being a dog owner, along with your appreciation for all the little things that entails.
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Most of you probably know a picky eater in your life—whether it’s a friend, a sibling, or you yourself—and there’s nothing wrong with that! Some foods just don’t sit well with us, while others we just can’t get enough of. Our parents have had to learn our preferences and adapt their grocery lists to accommodate us, but no one can truly appreciate the struggle our parents go through until they’ve experienced it themselves, either with children of their own or with their dogs.
My dogs have always been picky eaters. I remember having to hand feed my dog Emmie every morning, one Kibble at a time, or else she wouldn’t eat it. You can imagine how relieved I was when we switched all of our dogs to a raw diet and they became 100% obsessed with their food. Personally, we use Sojos for the wiener dogs, while our Great Dane eats Rocky Mountain raw patties and cubes for her meals. They also each get some barbecued meats like chicken breasts or thighs, pork chops or steak every now and then.
All of our dogs have maintained a healthy weight on this diet, with a healthy metabolism and no skin issues. However, one important thing to keep in mind is to make sure to feed your dogs some hard chews or give them chewing toys to keep their teeth working, as raw foods tend to be on the softer side.
There are many advantages and disadvantages cited for raw diets when compared to grain-based commercial pet foods. Your dog may exhibit healthier coats and skin, higher energy levels, cleaner teeth and/or smaller stools. However, some risks to consider with a raw dog food diet include a higher risk of harmful bacteria or choking on whole bones present in the meat. However, if your dogs are picky eaters, then a raw dog food diet might just be what they need to get them motivated to eat their food, which made the switch more than worth it for our family.
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Due to nature or nurture, or some blend of them both, many of us adopt the qualities of our parents. Sure, we’ll often look like them—share the same eye colour or nose—but our similarities go far beyond our physical appearances into qualities that we often overlook. When I consider it, everything from the way I speak to the way I fold my laundry has been influenced by my parents to some degree. The other day, it dawned on me that even the parenting style that I use with my dogs resembles the way my parents raised me, which I find super interesting, but also pretty strange!
I was at a wiener dog festival last weekend and we entered Koa for the races. It wasn’t until after I was done cheering, with Koa panting beside me, that I realized how much my competitive spirit comes out with my dogs! The funniest part is that my parents had the exact same competitive spirit raising me! Back when I used to dance, my parents were always there to cheer and support me on the stage, and their exhilaration when I saw them afterwards was always so heartwarming. I think of how all these moments conditioned my competitive nature, which would explain why I am the most enthusiastic cheerer to ever walk this earth when it comes to my dogs. No doubt, this probably also says something about what my nature will be like as a parent.
Take a moment to reflect on your own parenting style with your dogs. Does it look a lot like how your parents parented you (as mine surely does), or do you have just the slightest hints of your parents’ parenting styles mixed into your own. Reflect thoughtfully. We sometimes become so used to our own nature that it feels like the most ordinary thing, until we consider how unique our behaviours are compared to other dog owners, and from where these special qualities originate.
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I’ve always found it amazing how diverse dogs are. It astounds me that, despite their huge variability, all domestic dogs are a part of the same species! This realization sneaks up on me sometimes when I’m looking at my dogs – Koa, Emmie and Zoey, who are all wiener dogs, and my Great Dane, Ursula. Being the owner of these two very different dog breeds, I’ve come to learn that the dramatic differences between them go beyond their physical characteristics. They have such unique personalities as well, which my family has completely fallen in love with. Here are the key things I’ve learned about my wiener dogs and my Great Dane.
Each of my wiener dogs has such a personality, and each of their personalities is unique not only from other dogs’ but also from each other’s. Because of that, it’s been so interesting for us to get to know each one of them individually. All of my wiener dogs are quite clever, which has both positive and negative sides to it. For example, they NEVER forget things. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to never treat them poorly or taunt them, because if you do, you can bet that they’ll remember and resent you until the day they die. They tend to get bored easily and can get annoying at times, particularly when they get all barky and stubborn. Though they are all quite unpredictable, they will love you no matter what. In fact, I heard from somewhere that wiener dogs choose two people in their lives as their primary favourite people and then two more as their secondary favourites, whereas everyone else means nothing to them. It feels good to be chosen by your dog; you know they love you and will love you unconditionally.
My Great Dane, Ursula, has taught me much and more about this particular breed. Great Danes are the craziest goofs—they’re so big and clumsy, yet so cuddly and playful. They are big dogs just bursting with love — “gentle giants,” because as big as they are, they are also the sweetest, kindest, and most gentle dogs you’ll ever know. When she wants pets and attention, she’ll come and nudge my hand with her head, which I just think is the cutest thing ever. As they get older, Great Danes are super lazy and like to lie around all day, so they make for great apartment dogs. Ursula is five, and if I didn’t force her off the couch, she’d probably never get off it. Nonetheless, when I take her off-leash, she zooms around until she’s out of breath, running 10 times faster than I ever could. We rescued her when she was already 4 years old, but she seems to learn quickly and adjust to new living conditions relatively well.
Overall, wiener dogs and Great Danes are more dissimilar than they are alike. Despite that, I’ve fallen in love with both of these breeds and all of the quirks and traits that they bring to our family. If you’re looking to get a dog, I hope my experiences help you make the right choice because with all of the variability among different breeds, making a decision is no easy task. One thing’s for certain though: no matter what breed you choose, discovering your dog’s unique personality will be a journey that you’ll be sure to learn from and come to love.
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If you’re a dog person, chances are that dogs make you happy. And how could they not? They keep us active, they’re extremely loyal, and they’re so darn cute! Have you ever wondered what your dog thinks about you though? More specifically, do you wonder if you make your dog happy? Caring about this says a lot about you as a dog owner, and there are many things you can be doing to make sure that your dog’s happiness is flourishing under your care. Below, I’ll share my top 5 tips for keeping your dog happy.
Have you ever hung out with someone who is glued to their phone? Not very exciting, is it? When it comes to your dog, nothing shows you love them more than your undivided attention. All those scratches, cuddles, and belly rubs go a long way when it comes to making your dog happy.
This tip goes hand-in-hand with the previous one. Your relationship with your dog is what you build it up to be. Taking them out for walks in the park, going on road trips to the mountains, or even relaxing together at home is invaluable when it comes to bonding. Doing all these activities with your dog is sure to make them happy, and to make them feel a sense of belonging in your family.
Anyone in the dating world will tell you that food is the key to a man or a woman’s heart. As it turns out, this tip is also helpful when it comes to keeping your dog happy. By giving your dog a treat to reward positive behaviours, you’ll be making certain that both you and your dog are happy and getting the most out of your relationship together.
You’ve probably experienced first hand—either from your own dog or someone else’s—how excited dogs get when you come home. Just as you feel fulfilled when you spend time with people you care about, dogs need these interactions as well to be connected and happy. While it can be difficult to always be around your dog, try incorporating some time into their day where they can freely be around you and your family.
This last point touches on all of the previous ones. Similar to how your body’s internal clock is happiest when you stick to a sleep schedule, dogs are happiest when there is some structure in their day that makes their activities somewhat predictable. This means taking some time to consider activities and fall into a routine with your dog, such as walks in the morning and evening, or cuddle time right before bed. Help your dog know that you’ll be there for them, and they’ll love you all the more for it.
These are the top five tips that I use to keep my dogs happy. Of course, there are other factors that you may also want to consider from time to time. For instance, buying your dog a new toy can always fill them with excitement, and it’s especially useful for keeping them entertained when you’re not around. However, the 5 tips I’ve listed above are absolute essentials for keeping your dog happy day in and day out. Keep them in the back of your mind, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a conscientious dog owner that any pet would be lucky to have.
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As any parent will tell you, raising kids is a journey. There are several different milestones that parents reach that are the hallmarks of parenting, from hearing their baby’s first word, to potty training their toddlers and teaching their teenagers how to drive. Sure enough, there are also many important milestones that dog owners go through when they raise their first puppies. Some of these include their first birthday (or Gotcha day, if their birthday is unknown), their first holiday season (cue the adorable dog outfits), and the annual national dog day (August 26th, if you’re curious).
Nevertheless, all dog owners have unique stories with their pets, and some milestones will almost certainly be more meaningful to them than others. These are some of the most important ones that I’ve experienced with my dogs, and the stories that make them so special to me.
When it came to potty training Koa (my mini dachshund), my family used a bell. We’d have her touch the bell with her nose and then give her treats before taking her outside to pee or poo. We were very strict with making her touch it before she went outside, but she was a very quick learner and picked this up in no time. After realizing she could have a treat every time she rang the bell, she soon became very fond of going outside (even if sometimes it was just for the treat). Now, two years later, whenever she needs to go, she rings the bell, and we go open the door. She has never once peed or pooed inside the house after we taught her this. I moved into a new apartment this last month and brought the bell with us. She continues to ring it even in our new location, which is AMAZING. This bell has become somewhat of an icon for our family, a memory of the progress we’ve made in training Koa.
My great dane, Ursula, is a rescue that we got in January of 2020. For the first few months she was absolutely terrified of most things—all people, any loud noises, other dogs, and basically anything else you could think of. She wouldn’t eat her breakfasts or dinners and would just sit in one spot all day. After a few days she started bonding with my mom and would let her pet/walk her. My mom started to feed her some yummier food, like pasta and chicken for her meals, which she slowly started to enjoy. After weeks and months of caring for her and welcoming her to her new home, she started to get used to our family and her new environment. A big milestone for us as her owners was seeing her grow to love people again. She developed a deep bond with my mom and didn’t ever want to be apart from her, but she eventually started to like my sister and I as well. She began eating her food with a bit more excitement and she grew accustomed to seeing other dogs at the dog park. Now after a year and a half in our family, Ursula has completely regained her confidence. She goes up to every single person we see while walking or just in the elevator of my apartment building. She is way more food-motivated and will even drool for it now. She gained a bunch of weight (which she needed) and sometimes she even barks. This growth has been one of the most wonderful things to see as a dog owner. She came from an abusive home where I am not entirely sure what went down, but she never recovered after having puppies. Luckily, we were able to love her back to her true self.
Seeing your dog recover from an injury is one of the most rewarding things a dog owner can experience. My other dachshund, Emmie, has had back problems for a while now. She was diagnosed with intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) a few years ago when she hurt herself and couldn’t use her back legs. She was almost completely paralyzed. We kept her on crate rest for weeks at a time, gave her pain medication, and took her to dog acupuncture. She has had many episodes like this, but it is so wonderful to see her still thriving to date. Her back legs don’t work as well as a normal dog’s, but she manages to get around and we help her whenever we can. As heartbreaking as it is for your dog to get hurt in the first place, nurturing them back to health, no matter how long it takes, is a milestone that no dog owner should overlook.
Without a doubt, there are many, many more milestones that a dog owner will experience besides the ones listed here. As you raise your furry little friend, try to notice the many firsts you have together—from their first swim to their first hike or their first visit to the vet; you’ll get a sense of which ones were the biggest and most meaningful milestones for you and your dog’s journey together. Each and every one of these are moments to celebrate!
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Dogs bring joy and fulfillment to our lives—this isn’t anything new to dog owners. Less known are the numerous, science-backed health benefits that they provide their owners. Our furry little companions are acutely attuned to their owners’ emotions, and can significantly improve our wellbeing by reducing loneliness, depression, anxiety, and stress—states that are recently attributed largely to the pandemic and the social isolation that it has brought about.
If dogs were man’s best friend before the pandemic struck, they became more like man’s kin and even therapist afterwards. While social distancing prevented us from seeing some of our closest relations, dogs never left our side, helping many of us cope with the new stresses in our lives. The pandemic has ravaged the world and many parts of our lives, but we could always count on our little companions to cheer us up when things got tough.
My dogs have played an especially big role in supporting me over the past year. My mom passed away recently, after a 10-year battle with a very rare form of cancer, leaving a really big hole in my life. One thing that she and I always shared was a love for our doggos, which always brought her so much joy. It was extremely difficult losing her, and the degree to which I depended on my dogs for emotional support had never been so apparent as when that time came. Just as our dogs helped my mom cope while she was fighting cancer, they have helped me cope with the loss of my mom more than I can truly say.
I have overcome some of the worst days of my life thanks to my pups. Doing fun activities with them has a remarkable ability to cheer me up when I’m feeling down or make my good days even better. These are my top 5 favourite activities that you can do with your dog to brighten up your day.
Bring a camera and your dog to your favourite scenic place to take some stunning shots and create some lasting memories or fill the runway with your friends and all their puppy models!
Winter and spring, summerand fall, enjoy activities of the seasons with your dog in them all! Take your dog outdoors to play in the sprinkler, leaves, snow, or rain, and don’t be afraid to get a little dirty while you’re at it!
Invite your dog to do your favourite activities with you, whether that be hiking, swimming, running or working out! I like to do morning yoga with my dogs—hence “doga” sessions! Nobody can appreciate the downward dog more than your furry friend.
What do dogs and dancing have in common? They both release endorphins in our brain to make us feel good all over. Crank up the tunes with your furry friend and film your dance party to share on social media, or just to keep for your own memories. The best part? The source of endorphins is renewable whenever you press “play.”
No matter your goals, we all need our cheat days from time to time. Even our doggos! Treat yourself and your dog with a drive to your favourite take-out place for some quality one-on-one time. Don’t forget a chew for your furry friend!
In life, there are two things that I am certain of. The first is that life is filled with uncertainty, we will all have good days and bad days. The second is that no matter what kind of day it is, my dogs can make it so much better. I hope that this list of some of my favourite activities inspired you to try something new with your dog. Who knows, it might just become your new favourite way to brighten up your day! Share this post with a friend who might enjoy these activities. It might be just what they and their little companion needed 🙂
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