Someone was talking about trying to get toys on a budget for their dog. I will always and forever recommend BarkBox to anyone who will listen, but I understand sometimes that $20/month may not be feasible, whether unexpected vet bills came into the picture or whatnot.
So here are some ideas for dog toys that can be useful:
1. Water Bottle (with no cap!) inside of a Sock. I up the ante on this one and put a little kibble in the bottle. The rattle and crinkle sounds are fantastic.
2. Rope Toys. As long as you use the correct kind (no flame retardants!), paracord can be woven into fantastic rope toys for pups. There are a lot of knot designs for rope toys. Here is one that is a ball that is amazingly fun!
3. Tennis Balls. There are a thousand things you can do with tennis balls. I like to take old dishrags, cut holes in the ball, and push the rag through. It makes a great tug toy! You can also use them for makeshift puzzle toys.
4. UN-stuffed animals. Go to goodwill. Buy a stuffed animal and open it along a seam. Pull out the stuffing (add a squeaker or some cellophane for crackle noises?) and sew up the toy.
5. Stuffed fabric scraps. Jeans are a good choice for this. Sew edges together with a thick thread (like embroidery) and stuff it with other scraps or stuffing.
6. Mini see-saw. All it takes is a piece of PVC pipe nailed to a wooden board. This can be fun if you do agility or want to get your puppy used to some basic agility equipment.
7. PVC pipe. A few pieces of this can make a puzzle toy or several different types of agility equipment.
Remember: always supervise your dog when playing with toys! Especially if they are heavy chewers.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Sunday, July 6, 2014
IAADP Training Requirements: Weekly Training Overview
Age: 4 Months
Week of: June 30 - July 6, 2014 Total Hours (3 hrs on Site) + (2 hrs Outings)
Week of: June 30 - July 6, 2014 Total Hours (3 hrs on Site) + (2 hrs Outings)
Health:
- Brushed Thursday
- Trimmed nails Saturday
- Trimmed nails Saturday
- Elsa got a bath on Sunday afternoon
Problems:
- There has been some improvement on the mouthing. I think her teething is beginning to slow down!
Outings:
- Tuesday evening daddy took Elsa and Britta to his game group and they got to play with those dogs
- The fireworks definitely didn't bother Elsa as much as I expected and now I have another idea for desensitization outings: taking the pups to the park next to the baseball field on nights they are going to have fireworks. She wasn't bothered at all by the fireworks and I want to keep it that way! As soon as I have earplugs (or whatever our vet recommends), we will start this tradition.
Socialization:
- Hoover Dog Park Friday afternoon
- Hoover Dog Park Friday afternoon
Obedience:
- As usual, we've spent once a day working on basic commands while eating
- We are slowly dragging out "stay"
- As usual, we've spent once a day working on basic commands while eating
- We are slowly dragging out "stay"
Service Dog Tasks:
- Beginner task games were practiced, as usual. Not much will change until she is a bit older.
- Beginner task games were practiced, as usual. Not much will change until she is a bit older.
Puppy Photos!
Excitement about momma's new peanut butter treats!!! It was all I could do to get her to wait and get this photo!
Overall, we stayed pretty chill this week. The heat was rough several days so we didn't have as many opportunities to get cute pics. More next week! =)
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Service Dogs for Adults
Adults with psychiatric disabilities need assistance too!
Somehow in our quest to make sure every child with special needs grows up in the best environment possible, we have forgotten the harsh reality that hits when they hit 18-20 years old: now they are an adult. Not only do they have to go through a lot of the same changes other young adults are facing, they have an entire list of extra struggles that they are dealing with.
A lot of the help and support they received growing up is gone. Fewer people are understanding of their condition; fewer organizations are there to support them into this sudden transition; fewer options are available to assist them with their necessary accommodations. It's a terribly scary world out there when everything is going your way... and when things aren't lining up for you, the adult world can be devastating.
We need to start a second wave of these special needs organizations for young post-secondary aged special needs students. Service dog, education, job training, etc. Special needs doesn't mean incapable and the world needs to begin seeing that. The more we help those who need accommodations, the better everyone's lives will be!
Somehow in our quest to make sure every child with special needs grows up in the best environment possible, we have forgotten the harsh reality that hits when they hit 18-20 years old: now they are an adult. Not only do they have to go through a lot of the same changes other young adults are facing, they have an entire list of extra struggles that they are dealing with.
A lot of the help and support they received growing up is gone. Fewer people are understanding of their condition; fewer organizations are there to support them into this sudden transition; fewer options are available to assist them with their necessary accommodations. It's a terribly scary world out there when everything is going your way... and when things aren't lining up for you, the adult world can be devastating.
We need to start a second wave of these special needs organizations for young post-secondary aged special needs students. Service dog, education, job training, etc. Special needs doesn't mean incapable and the world needs to begin seeing that. The more we help those who need accommodations, the better everyone's lives will be!
Friday, July 4, 2014
How to get (Play)Dates for Your Dog
Elsa and I have a variety of friends that she hangs out with. We work to have play-dates with several different types of dogs and I have really had to overcome my social anxieties to make sure she continues to meet new pups.
Here is a list of ways you can expand your doggy social circle:
1. Dog Classes: whether it is obedience, agility, or any other specialty, you can meet dog owners who are striving toward the same thing with their dogs. This can be nice because it will give you something specific to talk about with the other human while your dogs interact.
2. Dog Park: did your dog get along extremely well with one of the other pups? Try to set up a time to meet at the park again!
3. Local Dog Events: here in Birmingham, we have Doo Dah Day. We also have other dog-friendly events throughout the year. These are awesome opportunities to find like-minded dogs for your baby.
4. Just Ask Friends: your friends probably have dogs and probably need playmates. They may feel awkward about asking, they may not have ever taken the time to think about getting your pups together, or they may not realize you are open to the idea!
5. Volunteer with a Local Animal Group: do you have a local humane society or shelter, a local therapy dog group, or other dog-related group that you can volunteer with? Get involved and find some like-minded doggy parents who want to get together!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: safety first!! Make sure you are careful about your privacy and always respect someone else if they are uncomfortable giving out any private information.
What other items would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments! I'm always looking for new ways to get my dog some playmates.
Here is a list of ways you can expand your doggy social circle:
1. Dog Classes: whether it is obedience, agility, or any other specialty, you can meet dog owners who are striving toward the same thing with their dogs. This can be nice because it will give you something specific to talk about with the other human while your dogs interact.
2. Dog Park: did your dog get along extremely well with one of the other pups? Try to set up a time to meet at the park again!
3. Local Dog Events: here in Birmingham, we have Doo Dah Day. We also have other dog-friendly events throughout the year. These are awesome opportunities to find like-minded dogs for your baby.
4. Just Ask Friends: your friends probably have dogs and probably need playmates. They may feel awkward about asking, they may not have ever taken the time to think about getting your pups together, or they may not realize you are open to the idea!
5. Volunteer with a Local Animal Group: do you have a local humane society or shelter, a local therapy dog group, or other dog-related group that you can volunteer with? Get involved and find some like-minded doggy parents who want to get together!
ALWAYS REMEMBER: safety first!! Make sure you are careful about your privacy and always respect someone else if they are uncomfortable giving out any private information.
What other items would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments! I'm always looking for new ways to get my dog some playmates.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Practicing Grooming/First Aid Habits
I started working Elsa from day one to become used to me touching her face, legs, and tail. Anything I thought she might be uncomfortable with later on, I eased her into. Some things were easy, like leave it and roll over, but here is a list of things we do together weekly in an attempt to help her be ready for grooming and care that doesn't come from every day play.
- Brush her teeth once a week. She is a big dog and is still young, but we practice this once a week because I don't want to hit a point down the road where she needs dental cleanings at home and she isn't comfortable.
- Have comfortable friends check her teeth. This was pointed out on reddit by user expibotou as an important skill for pups to have. Elsa may be comfortable with me checking, but not the vet or another stranger checking her mouth.
- File her nails a couple of times a week. Her nails are growing FAST! Even with outdoor activities, we still need to trim a little bit. She knows "shake" and "other" and that helps with the process as well.
- Pick her up in her "easy carry" position. Usually, she will sit on one of my arms while the other helps her balance, but a few times a week I will pick her up with my arms wrapped around her so that her legs dangle down. If she is injured, this position may be easier/safer to carry her in (depending on the injury).
- Learn to wear a muzzle even though she's not the least bit aggressive. In case of an injury, a muzzle may be useful to keep her from lashing out at caretakers. Learning about the muzzle in a happy, comfortable environment allows her to not have added anxiety at the introduction of a muzzle if a high stress situation arises later.
- Wash her ears with witch hazel to help stave off ear infections and get her used to strange sensations in her ear in case she ever needs eardrops/cleaning for infection. (thanks to reddit user whitewhitewine for this one)
What other items would you add to this list?
- Brush her teeth once a week. She is a big dog and is still young, but we practice this once a week because I don't want to hit a point down the road where she needs dental cleanings at home and she isn't comfortable.
- Have comfortable friends check her teeth. This was pointed out on reddit by user expibotou as an important skill for pups to have. Elsa may be comfortable with me checking, but not the vet or another stranger checking her mouth.
- File her nails a couple of times a week. Her nails are growing FAST! Even with outdoor activities, we still need to trim a little bit. She knows "shake" and "other" and that helps with the process as well.
- Pick her up in her "easy carry" position. Usually, she will sit on one of my arms while the other helps her balance, but a few times a week I will pick her up with my arms wrapped around her so that her legs dangle down. If she is injured, this position may be easier/safer to carry her in (depending on the injury).
- Learn to wear a muzzle even though she's not the least bit aggressive. In case of an injury, a muzzle may be useful to keep her from lashing out at caretakers. Learning about the muzzle in a happy, comfortable environment allows her to not have added anxiety at the introduction of a muzzle if a high stress situation arises later.
- Wash her ears with witch hazel to help stave off ear infections and get her used to strange sensations in her ear in case she ever needs eardrops/cleaning for infection. (thanks to reddit user whitewhitewine for this one)
What other items would you add to this list?
Sunday, June 29, 2014
IAADP Training Requirements: Weekly Training Overview
Age: 4 months
Week of: June 23-29, 2014 - hrs Total Hours (? hrs on Site) + (? hrs Outings)
Health:
- Bath Sunday night was as uneventful as always. So thrilled she behaves for this sort of thing!
- Vet visit on Monday went well. She loves our vet. It's fantastic. She got her last round of puppy shots and we discussed spaying. He says we are six to eight weeks out from a spay based on her teeth development.
- Heart-worm preventative was given on Wednesday.
- Bath Sunday night was as uneventful as always. So thrilled she behaves for this sort of thing!
- Vet visit on Monday went well. She loves our vet. It's fantastic. She got her last round of puppy shots and we discussed spaying. He says we are six to eight weeks out from a spay based on her teeth development.
- Heart-worm preventative was given on Wednesday.
Problems:
- Talked with the vet about the peeing problem. He stated this was very similar to how young dogs will sometimes just eat until they get sick. Now I am rationing her water at home and the peeing has just about gone away.
- She is still mouthing a LOT! Holding out hope that I am doing the right things and that she is just teething severely.
- Talked with the vet about the peeing problem. He stated this was very similar to how young dogs will sometimes just eat until they get sick. Now I am rationing her water at home and the peeing has just about gone away.
- She is still mouthing a LOT! Holding out hope that I am doing the right things and that she is just teething severely.
Outings:
- Oma and Opa took us to Joe Wheeler state park! We stayed two nights. Elsa is getting really good at traveling in the vehicle. While we were there, we walked and played a lot. She got used to being walked by Oma and Opa, which will be helpful for the CGC test. She loves going with Opa because he walks a lot further than I care to and wants to run quite a bit.
- Friday India came!
- Saturday we packed up with India, Daddy, and Britta and headed to Huntsville. There is a Dr. Who convention that we are attending! They met Peppy and J.J. (daddy's family dogs).
- Oma and Opa took us to Joe Wheeler state park! We stayed two nights. Elsa is getting really good at traveling in the vehicle. While we were there, we walked and played a lot. She got used to being walked by Oma and Opa, which will be helpful for the CGC test. She loves going with Opa because he walks a lot further than I care to and wants to run quite a bit.
- Friday India came!
- Saturday we packed up with India, Daddy, and Britta and headed to Huntsville. There is a Dr. Who convention that we are attending! They met Peppy and J.J. (daddy's family dogs).
- We got out at the Cullman dog park on the way to Huntsville and Elsa and Britta ran around for a bit.
- Nick's family has a pool. Elsa and I worked on swimming. She did well with the water, though it obviously bothered her to not be able to touch the bottom
- We also worked in South Huntsville's Petsmart for awhile.
- Nick's family has a pool. Elsa and I worked on swimming. She did well with the water, though it obviously bothered her to not be able to touch the bottom
- We also worked in South Huntsville's Petsmart for awhile.
Comments:
- I am in SO MUCH PAIN with this earache! However, there isn't a lot I can do about it. Didn't really keep up with anything. Hopefully these eardrops will put me back right.
- I am in SO MUCH PAIN with this earache! However, there isn't a lot I can do about it. Didn't really keep up with anything. Hopefully these eardrops will put me back right.
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