Bloggy Doggie needs Guest Posts!

I  don't know how many of you know that I have several businesses but I do. I am an Niche Marketer and have multiple sites for that. But I also have a long running craft business specializing in personalized Christmas ornaments. You can check them out here: Personalized Ornaments

Anyway, the reason why I mention this is that every year starting in late August and ending in early January, I get swamped! I sell online and do multiple craft shows and some days, I'm working 20 hour days.

Which means for the past several years that I have owned Bloggy Doggies, I have let it go dormant during those months. This blog has been a labor of love. I don't make any money off of it . So I tend to put it at the bottom of my list when I have so much going on.

This year, I don't want to let it go dormant. Soooo, if anyone would like to submit guest posts for next 4 months, I would be very grateful and glad to run your article. All I ask is please no spam or the same article you have used elsewhere.

Send your submissions to me at doggymom@bloggydoggies.com

The End of Summer

Summer is ending and that means one thing: Back to School. For most people right now, images of school supplies, homework and a new fall wardrobe are dancing in parent’s heads. But there’s one thing people often forget about: the family pet.

It’s not abnormal for dogs and cats to get depressed when kids leave the house to head back to school – or go off to college.

Paul Mann, the Founder of Fetch! Pet Care gives the following tips to take right now to help avoid the Back-to-School funk for pets.

• Lots of exercise is a key. If you can exercise pets in the morning before you head to work, they’ll be so tired that there will be less time to think about the empty house they’re sitting in.

• Don't make a big deal about your leaving. If you smother the dog or cat in kisses, they’ll be able to tell that something’s up and will get anxious while you’re away.

• Consider hiring a professional pet sitter for a mid-day dog walk or cat visit to break up the day. Even a half-hour walk or visit will give your pet the one-on-one personal attention they deserve, not to mention tire them out.

• Give your pet an old T-Shirt while you’re gone so that he can cuddle up with it and have a familiar smell.

• Get into a routine where you let the kids walk the dog after they get home from school – and before they start on homework. That way, the dog will look forward to the kids getting home from school.

• If one of the kids usually feeds and plays with the cats, try switching up the routine so that the cat gets used to other people in the house. Also consider having the cat sleep with a different family member so they’re less attached to the kids.

Paul has graciously offered my readers a discount on pet sitting services through Fetch! Pet Care, the nation’s leader in pet sitting and dog walking – a wise alternative to asking the neighbors to watch your pet while you’re on vacation.

Just click on this link:  http://tinyurl.com/2575ocj

When you click on it, you’ll see the photo on the right and you can click to get your 10 percent off coupon for Fetch! Pet Care’s services. In the meantime, pet lovers can also check out the Fetch! Pet Care Fan Page on Facebook where for the next several months, there will be some great contests going on where fans can win prizes by uploading photos.

Traveling with a Crate

Today we have a guest post from the folks at WoodDogCrate.com . Check out their cool end table dog crates. Why didn't someone think of this before??

While it's great to use a crate at home for your dog, don't underestimate their benefits when you and your dog are traveling together. Let's look at some ways in which crates make life easier when you are on the move.

In some places, it is illegal to let your dog move around unrestrained in a car. They may want to sit or lie on your lap for a better view, and make it hard for you to see other vehicles on the road. They can get in the way of the steering wheel and the gear shift, and that's not safe either.

If you were to have an accident, your dog could be thrown across the inside of your car and severely injured. Emergency services may also be more relaxed about moving them to safety if they are securely confined in their crate. They won't be worried about getting bitten by a frightened canine.

If you are flying with your dog, they will definitely need to be kept crated for the duration of the trip. There is no alternative. If they are used to spending time in their crate, it will make air travel less stressful for them. They won't need to adapt to being put in a crate, at the same time as they have to deal with airports and their unfamiliar sights and sounds.

Many dog owners like to take their dog on vacation with them. It is often easier to find dog friendly accommodation if you can let the owner know that your dog has been trained to settle in a crate. They will know that your dog has a safe place to sleep, and won't make their way onto the furniture or soil the carpet when you are not watching them.

Do you prefer spending your vacation in a tent? Crates are still very useful when you take your dog camping. They will be safe from predators in their crate, and they're not going to get underfoot when you are cooking on a gas stove. While you can tie your dog to a post outside your tent, they can easily get tangled in the ropes. Having them in a crate when you are not able to keep an eye on them makes life much easier for you.

There may be times when you need to go away and your dog can't come with you. Under these circumstances, you may want to leave them in a boarding facility. Even though the kennel may be quite comfortable, your dog will be confined more so than they would at home. If they are crate trained, they will be happier and less stressed when they are in their kennel. Even if using a wood dog crate at home, your dog will still be more comfortable in any crate if they are used to being in one.

Unless you are traveling by plane, it's quite possible to travel with your dog without needing a crate. However, they do make life simpler and less stressful, and your dog will appreciate having a familiar place to rest while they are away from home.

Dogs really do eat anything

Today's guest post is by Ellie Smith of Pet Pals Direct.

Dogs really do eat anything

I recently read an article about Lola the underwear eating dog, who outrageously consumed three pairs of pants and developed a keen taste for all things unsuitable for a dog’s palate. The next temptation was chocolate brownies as the smell of freshly made, chocolaty delights proved simply irresistible. Lola devoured the whole lot along with the shattered glass of the container. Luckily the recently consumed underwear protected Lola’s stomach from cutting her – things could have been a whole lot worse.

This story actually brought back memories, as my border collie Meg decided to help herself to a whole packet of Nurofen (a painkiller) when she was only two years old. After a couple of hours running around the house like a maniac, my partner spotted the empty packet and panic stations hit. The tablets contained Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal drug that works as a pain relieving as well as an anti-inflammatory drug. When we rushed Meg to the vets we were told that her brain was abnormal from the chemical reaction and this had caused her to behave rather strangely. This reaction is most common when a dog eats slug or snail pellets. After a night of unpleasant surgery at the vets Meg recovered quite quickly but we were told that if she was any older her body may not have been able to cope with the shock.

So why are dogs tempted to everything that is not dog friendly?

• Dogs are scavengers by nature and may eat anything they come across
• A dog who eats something peculiar may be acting out of boredom, anxiety or dissatisfaction
• If your dog is left alone most of the day, he or she is probably bored and lonely

We need to remember the animal system is much more delicate to that of a human and these products can prove to be highly harmful.

The best advice I could give to people is to make sure you put all objects away out of pet sniffing reach and mischievous paws. Make sure you reward your dog on a regular basis and give him/ her lots of treats so that temptation of anything unfriendly is prevented. Regular attention and exercise also ensures your dog remains obedient and listens to your commands.

I would also recommend you cover yourself with pet insurance as immediate help from the vet can be extremely costly. We paid out over £300 (editor's note: the author said that they ended up spending about $1000 in total care) for Meg to have her stomach pumped which was a struggle to pay at the time.

Top Five Signs Youre Too Into Your Pet

Today's guest post is by Paul Mann, founder of Fetch! Pet Care, a national franchise of professional pet sitters.

Top Five Signs You’re Too Into Your Pet:

1. Your Christmas card spotlights your cats — not the kids.

2. You formally invited your coworkers to your dog’s annual birthday bash.

3. You pick accessories to match the pet hair stuck on your shirt or pants.

4. You know your neighbors solely by their pets’ name.

5. Your screensaver at work is a picture of your pet.

Tips to Reduce Separation Anxiety

1. When on business or personal travel, leaving your pet behind can be difficult. Consider in-home pet care versus boarding or kenneling. In-home pet sitters can help maintain normal activities and allow your pet to be nurtured in familiar, safe surroundings.

2. All pet sitters are not created equal. Diligently check all of the company’s references – at least three should be voluntarily provided. It’s important to ensure that the pet sitting company is fully bonded and insured.

3. Prior to leaving, make sure your pet has plenty to play with. A new bone or toy will distract your pet from your absence and take their mind off your departure.

4. Leave your pet with an item of your clothing that has your scent to they can remember you and be comforted while you are away.

5. Make sure that you assemble a list of emergency contacts with your veterinarian’s phone number. If your pet has any health issues, inform the sitter of this properly prior to your departure.

What You Should Know About Dog Training

Today we have a guest post from Nicole and your friends at Chazhound, the dog bed store; find cool dog toys.

Dog owners are increasingly realizing the benefits of proper dog training and are becoming more involved in training their dogs. Forget the expression “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”, dogs can learn at any age and with the proper patience and skills you can train virtually any dog. The important thing is to be clear and consistent in your training so as not to confuse your dog or puppy. Establishing trust with your dog is also very important as a dog that trusts you will do his best to please you.

Knowing how to handle your dog is very important and you will need to learn how to understand your dog’s behavior and language. You should also research your dog’s breed to understand any characteristics that are particular to that breed. The first thing you should teach your dog is that you are the pack leader or alpha dog in the house. One of the first things you may find yourself teaching your dog is how to be housetrained. Puppies generally get an idea of what’s desirable behavior and what isn’t if you use a lot of praise and reward. Harsh punishments will only succeed in confusing your pup and making him fearful of you.

Once your dog begins to view you as his pack leader, he will do his best to please you, dogs love to please their masters and using a positive reinforcement method of training will be the best way of using this eagerness to please that all dogs seem to have.

If you feel you are unable to train your dog yourself because you don’t have the time or you lack the expertise and knowledge to do so, you may consider enlisting the services of a professional dog trainer. Ideally you should be involved in your dog’s training even if you don’t do it yourself. Being actively involved with your dog while he’s being trained will teach you how to understand your dog and how to deal with him properly. Always do your homework before hiring a dog trainer, ask for recommendations from friends and family who may have used the services of a dog trainer before and always choose a trainer who is certified or licensed. Don’t be shy about asking a dog trainer for a list of former clients. You can talk to these people to see if they were satisfied with the trainer’s services. A reputable trainer will never be averse to providing a customer list that you can use in your research.

Regardless of whether you decide to train your dog yourself or if you use a dog trainer, you should do your research to learn about the best options for your dog. Take some time to consider which training techniques you want to use on your dog and research trainers as well as their training facilities before enlisting their services. Bad training methods or disreputable trainers can cause your dog more harm than good, and an emotionally scarred dog may take a long time to rehabilitate.

Dog Adoption – Know If It Is Right For You

Today's guest post is provided by David Duane Wilson from   Adopt Shelter Dogs

Adopting a dog is a big decision, you must be willing to commit your time and money for at least 10 to
15 years. In other words for the lifetime of your dog. Such a long term commitment may keep some
dog lovers from adopting. One of the best ways to find out if dog ownership is right for you is to
become a volunteer at a rescue club. There are many activities that you can help with such as, training
assistant, dog handler, and fostering.

When a dog is taken in by a rescue organization it is observed by a professional dog trainer and its
behavior assessed. Once in the opinion of the trainer that the dog is ready to start training and
socialization, the position of volunteer assistant trainer comes in to play. Under the guidance of the
trainer, you will begin to teach the dog basic commands and work with him. What an opportunity this
is for you. You get to learn the proper techniques of dog training while at the same time helping the
dog.

As the dog learns basic commands and demonstrates his willingness to socialize, he can be taken to
public functions and shown for adoption. As a handler, you will be responsible for taking the dogs to
public showings sponsored by the rescue club. Another task of the handler is the transportation of the
dogs to and from the vet. Fun for the dog and the handler is the important job of exercise and play.
Becoming a foster home for a rescued dog can be the most rewarding and fulfilling. The rescue club
will have you fill out an application and interview you. They will assess your home and yard and try to
match you with a dog that is right in size and activity level for what you have to offer. Some of the
rescue clubs will supply food, leash, collar, and other basic supplies that are needed. All you supply is
time and love.

You can volunteer for all three jobs or just do what you feel comfortable with. By volunteering you
can find out if dog ownership is right for you at little cost. You do not have to make that long term
commitment up front. In this process everybody wins, the dog is rescued, the rescue club operates at
lower expense and your community's stray dog issue is addressed. You can work with the dogs until
you find the special one that is a match for you and then start the adoption process.

Chew Toys That Are Not Safe For Your Dog

We give our dogs things to chew on for so many reasons; often we have ulterior motives, to keep them busy and not looking for our favorite sneakers to gnaw or opening the bathroom cabinet and pulling out three rolls of toilet paper to string through the house before settling on the bed to do a thorough job of shredding (don't ask me how I know this), or to keep them quiet for awhile at night when we're trying to sleep and the neighbor's cat is sitting below the window taunting your Terrier. Something deliciously chewy can buy you a few hours of sleep.

Rawhide has held a place in the array of chews we've given our dogs for years, decades even, and most of us have gotten by with it. Truthfully, the rawhide of years past probably didn't have as many potential hazards as it does now, not being as highly processed or treated as the stuff we now see.

First there's the toxicity issue. Nothing has ever been really tested as specifically toxic in rawhide chews, but as we use more chemicals to shorten processing times it surely has to cross our minds that some of that gunk is just plain old out and out bad for our dogs. There have been some scares involving imported rawhides, finding traces of arsenic
contamination. Rawhide chews aren't regulated so contamination is always a possibility, especially with imported products. You may find the product heavily dosed with antibiotics, hormones, insecticides, lead, even insecticides.

The stuff also doesn't digest readily. It can sit in the gut, swelling, not breaking down, getting larger until it creates a painful obstruction and needs veterinary intervention. This is especially dangerous if you have one who tears it off in larger chunks. These bigger pieces cause obstructions more easily, and as hard as the rawhide is, it can even cut the esophagus, the stomach and even the intestines.

A dog that consumes rawhide too fast can also end up with vomiting and diarrhea, there are substances in it that can cause stomach irritation and the stiffness of large chunks
can add that dimension of damaging the esophagus and stomach as they're being jettisoned back out. Choking is also a hazard, whether the rawhide is on its way down or back up.

Pig ears can cause similar problems to the rawhides, except they aren't shaped in solid chunks and therefore aren't as likely to cause obstructions. They can, however, be gastric irritants in many of the same ways as the rawhides, plus more bacterial infections have been associated with pig ears.

Hooves are hard enough to break some dogs' teeth, as well as splintering and posing a real threat of choking and internal damage.

Greenies seem to be more hazardous to small dogs than to large ones, causing obstructions and lacerations, some fatal, especially when they're broken off in small chunks and not chewed.

Some dogs just love stuffed toys, but as a general rule shouldn't be left unsupervised with them for any time. It's too easy to rip fabric or split seams and gut the fluff, even
getting down to the squeaker, which isn't something you want to land in your dog's stomach. If you are going to let your dog play with stuffies, and buy the ones made for dogs, familiarize yourself with the company that manufactures them, making sure they aren't imported from China, since those toys will sometimes be stuffed with small pellets, beads or toxic foam. The safest bet is to buy toys made for human children, since they have to pass rigorous safety tests, are made from safe, non-toxic materials, and won't have things like sewn on eyes that can be chewed off and ingested.

Brought to you by Sherrie Calimen of www.pet-super-store.com: Come to his site for a huge selection of dog beds and invisible dog fence.

Life Saving Dogs-Two Stories

Life Saving Dogs: Two Stories

Eve.  Rottweiler and extraordinary service dog. When her owner, Kathie, a paraplegic with multiple sclerosis realized the used truck she had just purchased was on fire as she drove it home faced a fiery death, Eve ignored every natural instinct to save Kathie's life.

The truck had suddenly begun fishtailing as Kathie was on her way home with it. She got it stopped and pulled over, then realized the cab was filling with black smoke. Kathie pushed Eve out of the cab, then shoved her wheelchair out of the door, but then couldn't find the wheelchair in all the smoke.

Instead of running from the fire, Eve stayed with Kathie, grabbing her ankle and pulling her from the truck as Kathie was about to pass out from the smoke. She continued to tug Kathie farther from danger, ignoring the now raging flames, not stopping until they were in a ditch about ten feet from the truck.

Emergency personnel arrived and, seeing that the fire was about to reach the gas tank, shouted for Kathie to move farther away from the huge blast that was about to happen. She tried, in desperation, but couldn't move herself.

Even with the proximity of the flames, Eve stayed with Kathie. She calmly positioned herself at Kathie's side, putting her collar in easy reach. Once Kathie had a good grip on the collar, Eve dragged her another forty feet to safety as policemen and emergency personnel looked on.

Eve received an award for bravery, well earned!

Miakoda.  44 pound fawn American Pit Bull Terrier. Family pet, nanny dog. Out for a walk — on a leash — with her owner and baby in a stroller in their own neighborhood, on their own street. Children were playing outside on a sunny September afternoon in 2007 when a neighborhood dog, a 100+ pound Labrador mix, over twice Miakoda's size and larger than the woman who owned her, charged out of a front door and straight for the baby in the stroller. He couldn't see Miakoda because she was on the other side of the stroller, out of his line of sight. He wasn't looking for a dog fight, he was after a baby in a stroller.

Miakoda was the only protection they had and she took her position between her family and the snarling dog.

When the Lab mix hit her, she flew up in the air and landed on her back and the dog attacked Miakoda instead of the baby. A couple of people came to help, one grabbing the baby out of harm's way, the other trying to separate the two dogs. Mia's owner told him to grab Miakoda, knowing that she wouldn't bite a human being, then she reached for the Lab mix, but before she could grab him, he bit down on her thigh and shook hard, leaving her with deep tissue bruises and puncture wounds.

When her owner was attacked, Miakoda launched herself at the big black dog again, hanging on for dear life as the dog over twice her size bit and shook her. The Lab mix' owner finally came out and instead of pulling his dog away, he began beating Miakoda, apparently trying to beat her to death. Others came to help, finally pulling the dogs apart and the Lab's owner off of Miakoda, but before anyone could catch their breath, he returned with a shotgun and, in front of a neighborhood full of children, right next to her owner, he shot and killed Miakoda. She screamed and went limp. And died. But the baby she had watched over since even before his birth was alive and safe.

Brought to you by Sherrie Calimen of www.pet-super-store.com: Come to her site and see the huge savings on dog beds and pet crates.

How to Choose a Halloween Costume for Your Dog

How to Choose a Halloween Costume for Your Dog

Do you love Halloween but your kids are too old to dress them up for trick-or-treat? No problem! Just pick out a costume for your canine best friend and you’re back in the spirit of the holiday.

Seriously, Halloween costumes for pets have become a big deal. If you think there are just sweaters and jackets to dress up your dog, think again! Check out some of the dog costumes in this list just to give you an idea of the vast array of costumes available:

Little Monkey
Lion
Pumpkin
Shark
Devil
Dragon
Black Cat
Frankenstein
Pirate
Skunk
Bumble Bee
Hot Dog (w/bun)
Prisoner
Witch
Bunny
Hippo
Whale
Dracula

Just like in human clothing, there seems to be more availability and variety of costumes available for small dogs than for larger dogs. Dog owners are much more likely to dress up their small dogs than larger ones. While people who don’t own dogs think it’s pretty silly to put clothes on a pet, those who do it think their little pooches look absolutely adorable decked out in rhinestones or other fashion-savvy outerwear.

Most pet owners who take part in dressing up their dogs in Halloween costumes do it because it’s just so much fun. Dog owners look forward to each year’s offerings waiting to see what new, fun, clever, or outrageous costumes are going to be available. We like the looks and smiles on others’ faces when they see our little loved ones dressed up as another character and treated like a child.

Not just for Halloween, but for all-year round, there are several theories as to why dog owners like to dress up their pets, as per the following list:

1.Just like clothes for humans are an expression of their personality and how they are feeling, so are outfits for our dogs. Pet owners can express their own personalities and that of their pets by selected the clothes that the dogs wear.

2.It’s just so darn cute! Men might not admit it, but both male and female dog owners find dressing up their pup in an outfit is just plain adorable.

3.It’s a way to draw attention to your dog or yourself and be a conversation starter to get to know new people. This way you and your pet can reach out and make new friends.

4.This isn’t a politically correct reason, but some pet owners feel as though their dogs are accessories to their own outfits and use their bows, carriers, clothes, etc. as a fashion statement.

Of course there are some dog clothes that are more functional in nature. Take, for example, hunting dogs. They often wear jackets with reflective colors or bright orange so that they’re easy to find, even at nighttime, and so other hunters don’t accidentally shoot them. Then there are life jackets for dogs who boat or fish with their owners. Dogs in colder climates are often outfitted with warm clothing to protect them from extreme temperatures.

Regardless of why we put clothes and costumes on our loyal dogs, it seems to be a growing rather than a declining trend. So have some fun with it and check out wardrobe and holiday costume opportunities for your pooch.

This article was written by Rebecca Bain of www.pet-super-store.com: visit her site to find deals on orthopedic dog beds and dog car seat covers.

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