Disclaimer: this post is brought to you by Chewy.com. All opinions are my own and I received a product in exchange for my honest review. I only share products that I think you and your dogs will love.
Sometimes at work I get a little bored (as evident by the video above). Let’s be honest, I can’t run the machinery at the shop or actually frame a picture (these darn paws), and unless there is a constant flow of customers coming in the door I get a little restless without someone available to play with me 24/7.
So when my friends over at Chewy.com sent me this Outward Hound Star Spinner Toy mom thought it might be a fun distraction for me at work when she’s too busy to play.
All you need are a few yummy treats to get started. Mom used some of my kibble.
Pop them into the Star Spinner and you’re ready for business.
Mom closed it all up so that it would be more of a challenge before giving it to me.
It also has a knob on the bottom that you can use to adjust the difficulty (how easily the star spins open), and since I’m such a smarty pants I started on the hardest setting.
Since I’m pretty used to playing puzzles and games this particular toy was a bit too easy for me, but it was still fun to play with! Mom thought it would be really great for dogs who eat their meals too quickly, because this would really slow them down.
Disclaimer: this post is brought to you by Chewy.com. All opinions are my own and I received a product in exchange for my honest review. I only share products that I think you and your dogs will love.
With the Kibble Drop Toy you simply drop a few treats or dry kibble into the top opening where they fall to any of the 4 chambers. Your dog must then determine which chamber the treat has fallen into and which flap to lift in order to retrieve it. Scent holes on the chambers assist in your pup’s search for the reward!
Check out the video below to find out if the Kibble Drop was able to outsmart me…
My mom says this toy would be great for dogs that eat their meals too fast, because you could drop their kibble in it to slow them down at mealtime. It’s also good to know that it’s made with durable food-safe plastic and is BPA, PVC, & phthalate free.
So what do you think, do you think your pup would be outsmarted by the Kibble Drop Toy? Find out by snagging one from Chewy.comON SALE for $7.99!
Disclaimer: This post is brought to you by Chewy. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you and your dog will love!
When it comes to treat dispensing toys, I have to say, I’ve pretty much tried them all! Toys you have to roll around, toys you have to chew, and toys that are just too frustrating that you can’t get one single treat out of.
I have some that I loathe and some that I love, and now thanks to my friends at Chewy.com I can add another one to the love pile!
..then simply twist them together creating space for your dog to get the treats out. Twist the sides close together for a more challenging game, and keep it wider apart for an easier game.
I like mine in the middle, not too hard, but not too easy.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some treat dispensing to work on!
Disclaimer: this post is brought to you by Chewy. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you and your dog will love.
Raise of paws, who likes having their nails trimmed? Raise of hands, who likes trimming their pet’s nails? Just as I thought, no one.
It’s a necessary evil though, because having long nails can cause your pet to walk irregularly which can lead to skeletal problems. And we all know that us dachshunds don’t need any more reasons to have back trouble!
Now if your dog has black nails like I do, I’m sure you spend your life in constant fear of cutting them too short and hitting the quick (a soft cuticle rich in blood vessels and nerves that grows in the center of your dog’s nail). If you nick that tiny little quick your dog will scream out in pain, and yes, there may be blood!
My mom used to trim my nails at home, but over the years I got progressively worse at having them trimmed – so she started to take me to the vet to have them done every few months. Then a few months ago she decided it was high time I got better at having my nails done, so she set out to condition me to actually enjoy having them done!
Interestingly, this new nail trimming method was not with the traditional nail clippers, but instead with a dremel!
Over the past 2 months my mom has been working with me to make me more comfortable with the use of the dremel on my nails. While I wouldn’t say I LOVE it, I tolerate it. It saves me from having to make more trips than necessary to the vet or groomer, saves my mom money, and keeps my nails at a healthy length. It’s a win – win!
So since I’m sure you’re all curious just how my mom trained me to be better about having my nails trimmed, here’s how she did it….
Starting with the nail file, mom used it EVERY SINGLE DAY for 3 weeks to get me used to having my feet and nails handled. She started by picking up a foot and gently sanding my nails for just a few seconds at a time.
Each time I didn’t resist she would use the clicker and then reward me with a small (but yummy treat).
The great thing about these chews is that not only do I love the taste, but they’re also helping to clean my teeth while rewarding me for having my nails done at the same time!
After several weeks of practice with the nail file, mom moved onto the dremel. This time she “sanded” my nails without even turning it on. Again, each time I didn’t resist on a nail she would click and reward me. At the end of the session I’d get my jackpot treat, a Natural Balance Dental Chew.
After another week or so it was time to turn on the dremel. Using a low speed to start she’d do just a few of my nails, making sure to reward me quickly for not resisting at all.
Now once you start using the dremel with it on it’s important to note that you can’t just quickly sand your dog’s nails down in one sitting to the desired length, even if they are ok with it. The quick inside grows with your dog’s nail. So my mom likes to only work on sanding my nails once a week to allow time for the quick of my nail to shorten after the last trimming. (see diagram above for more details)
How short should you keep your pet’s nails? According to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation they should be short enough that they don’t touch the ground when your dog is standing on a flat surface, but long enough to aid the dog when climbing up a hill or digging.
Hear that mom? I need them for digging!
While I still have a ways to go to get mine back to the ideal length, I’m happy to say that after weeks of practice I’m now much more tolerant of having my nails done by dremel. While I very much wish I had gotten a video of the “before”, here’s how good I am at it now…
How is your dog about having their nails trimmed? Have you ever trimmed your pet’s nails with a dremel? Do tell!
Handy Tip: If your dog is resistant to even having their feet touched start without the nail fail and just reward them for letting you touch their feet without pulling away. Also, using a treat that your dog goes crazy over helps too, the better the treat, the more willing they will be to try.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be informative, but please keep in mind, what works for me may not work for your own pet. Please consult an expert if you are unsure about how to train your pet. Use caution when using a dremel around your pet, and we are not responsible for any injuries that may occur.
Disclaimer: This post and giveaway is brought to you by my friends at Chewy.com. All opinions are my own, and I only share products that I think you will love!
I bet you’re wondering why I’m wearing this spiffy yellow bandana that says American Journey.
Well, in actuality, it’s not a bandana. It’s a bib! A bib, because my pals over at Chewy.com sent me a bag, and not just any bag. A bag full of MEAT!
When you have a whole bag full of meat, you’re going to need a spiffy yellow bib!
Now this isn’t just any bag of meat. It’s the BRAND NEW American Journey line of treats, bones and chews available EXCLUSIVELY from my friends at Chewy.com. These goodies are sourced, packaged, and distributed right here in the USA!
Even through all the plastic I could smell just how yummy these meat products were. My mom is thrilled that they are high-quality, single-protein treats that she can feel good about letting me eat.
American Journey Chews also contain no artificial ingredients and no fillers.
But they did FILL ME UP! Yum!
My favorite though….munch, munch…..was the delicious….munch, munch, much…..bully sticks!
I’d totally recommend the American Journey line of chews to any of my furiends! And the folks over at Chewy.com even offer FREE SHIPPING on any order over $49+.
And now for the best part….
THREE WINNERS WILL WIN AN AMERICAN JOURNEY GOODIE BAG FROM CHEWY.COM (similar to what you see pictured)
Here’s HOW TO WIN:
No purchase necessary. To enter use the Rafflecopter widget below. You will be contacted via e-mail to claim your prize. All the winners will also be announced on this blog post once the giveaway ends. Open to USA residents only. Winners must claim their prizes within 48 hours of being notified or prize will be forfeited. By entering you are agreeing to the terms & conditions set forth in the Rafflecopter widget (see below)
Disclaimer: this post if brought to you by Chewy.com, but all opinions are my own and I only share products I think my readers will love!
My friends over at Chewy.com recently sent me a new toy. The KONG Squeezz Ball with Handle Dog Toy not only squeaks, but it’s perfect for tugging too! And even though it was well past my bed time….there was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity to take it for a spin.
Too tired to stand, but NEVER too tired to play with a new toy! How about your dog?
These nutrient-dense protein nuggets are packed with quality animal protein, without fillers or grains, and with wholesome superfoods. Their chewy size is easy to break apart into smaller doses to take my medication each night.
Mom cuts one of my Zyrtec pills in half – I weigh 20lbs and she’s been giving me a 5mg dose once a night – although my vet said I could take 10mg.
She then hides my pill inside my Wellness Protein Bars. I’m none the wiser (although don’t tell mom I’d probably eat anything she handed me) and mom feels better knowing I’m not only eating a 100% natural (made in the USA) treat that I go crazy for, but that I won’t be up all night sneezing either.
Disclaimer: this post is brought to you by Chewy. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you will love!
This month my friends at Chewy.com sent me the Furminator Dual Brush to take for a spin. As you know it’s Spring, which in the dog world can also be known as shedding season! While I’m not the kind of dog that needs a ton of de-shedding because of my short coat, I still need brushing occasionally. My buddy Trooper on the other hand, he sheds enough to clothe a whole other dog!
With the Furminator Dual Brush we get the best of both worlds. A pin brush on one side for longer coated dogs like Trooper, and a nylon bristle brush on the other side for shorter coated dogs like me.
Brushing 2 dogs with 2 very different coat types was never easier!
You can fetch the Furminator Dual Brush from Chewy.com where it’s on sale right now for under $10!
Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Chewy.com, but all opinions are entirely my own.
Now if you own a Dachshund are owned by a Dachshund then this might sound familiar to you. Picture this, you open your front door and your dog darts out after some scent or sound (or perhaps just the thought of all of the above) and no matter how many times you call them they won’t come. Frustrating right? Imagine how us Dachshunds feel with all that nagging!
So it seems the alternative to always worrying that your dog won’t come when called is to keep them safe and secure on a leash at all times. It’s not a bad option, but what happens if you drop the leash, it breaks, or your dog accidentally gets out of the house?
In my mom’s case, she was tired of having to always leash me just to walk out our front door and get into the car to go to work everyday.
So instead with a little help from some yummy treats, like these Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats from Chewy.com, mom has trained me to load into the car by myself. Or I guess depending on who you ask, I’ve trained my mom to give me a treat every single day for simply walking to the car (no one ever said dachshunds weren’t smart).
The key to the training method my mom has used with me is high value treats. High value just means it’s a treat that your dog LOVES. It has to be something your dog is willing to work for. These Blue Buffalo Wilderness Treats work great because they are nice and soft and meaty yet healthy enough that mom doesn’t feel guilty about giving me one everyday.
So in the beginning of my training mom kept me on the leash and put a treat in her hand. She’d lure me to the car every day with the goods and once she lifted me into the car I would get my reward. We did this EVERY SINGLE DAY for several weeks.
When I began to look forward to getting my treat in the car every morning (and seemed less interested in exploring the yard) mom removed my leash and continued to lure me to the car.
Another few weeks passed and mom stopped walking right next to me and instead went ahead of me to the car and cued me to come load up (and get my treat).
A few more weeks later mom stopped carrying the treats in her hand and instead left my Blue Buffalo Wilderness Treats in the car (the handy resealable bag is great for on-the-go-training). She also started allowing me out of the house in front of her.
And before she knew it I was running to the car (off leash) each morning and waiting to be lifted into my booster seat.
Now it’s not to say along the training route I didn’t occasionally try to wander off. But when I did mom was quick to retrieve me and return me to the car (without a treat reward for wandering). It didn’t take me long to realize that if I just went directly to the car I’d get a treat every single time.
The key here is routine, consistency, and very very yummy treats.
So if you’d like to give this training method a try, or if you simply want a great high-value treat to reward your dog with, I highly recommend the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Treats from Chewy.com.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Treats:
Grain-free treats
High-quality protein source
DHA to help support cognitive development
Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to promote skin and coat health
Great for training
No corn, wheat or soy
Made in the USA
How trustworthy is your dog off leash?
Disclaimer: My mom is not a professional trainer and these are just methods that have worked for me. They may not be suitable for all dogs and always exercise caution when allowing your dog off-leash especially near busy roads or dangerous areas. Happy Training!
