Davinci's Korner

You watch your young pup bounce across the lawn. You see your old dog lumber slowly to the food bowl. You take a brisk run with your young dog close at your heels. You slowly walk to the mailbox and your old dog still lags behind. ​ What a difference a few years make to your dog. You do not feel older, so why does your dog? Perhaps it is because what you and your dog consider “old” are vastly different. Comparing your human age to your furry friend’s canine age is rather complicated but, simply put, one year to Fido is not one year to you.   Doing the Math The most common theory comparing human and canine ages uses this equation: A dog’s age (in years) x 7 = Age in “dog years.” ​ For example, if your dog was born 7 years ago, he is 49 years old in “dog years.” (Or, stated differently, a 7-year-old dog is at a similar stage in aging to a 49-year-old human.) ​ This simple equation is only a rough estimate. A more accurate comparison of human vs. canine age takes into consideration th...

  Many people think it's cute when they sit down on a couch to eat a few chips or popcorn. But I bet you don't ever think that it could kill your dog!   Many people mistakenly believe that a dog can simply remove a chip bag from his head with his front paws or tear through it with his claws. This is just not the case.  Once the bag starts to seal around the dog’s neck, it’s extremely difficult to break the suction of the seal. ALL dogs are vulnerable to pet suffocation – no matter their size, breed, or age.  No dog, from a tiny teacup poodle to a massive Great Dane, can win a fight with a chip bag or other plastic bag over his head once the bag seals and he starts to lose oxygen.  Please review the preventive safety measures below to help keep your pets, both dogs and cats, safe from pet suffocation. Keep all chip/snack/pet food bags safely stored away from your pet. Tear or cut up all chip bags and food bags after use. Store chips/snacks/pet food in resealable ...

  There are many different ways to form a bond with your dog. You don't need to spend hours and hours playing with them to do it. 1. Communicate in a Consistent Way Communication is always key. Being consistent with what you are telling your dog helps lessen the confusion your dog may have when you are telling him or her. in return strengthen their trust in you. For example: allow them to greet you by jumping on you but when someone else comes over you scold them for jumping. ​ 2. Offer Comfort There's a myth that providing affection when your canine is scared like during thunderstorms, reinforces a pet's fearfulness. But Radosta says that's rubbish. "You can't positively reinforce fear," she says. "It's not possible. When a baby is crying and you hug her, she cries less, not more. The same for canines. You can't make the feeling of fear worse by loving somebody." So go ahead and give your pup some sympathy. ​ 3. Discover Your Dog's P...

1  Walk at cooler times of day     Early mornings are the best time or late evenings after the sun has gone down.     The hottest time of the day is around 3 - 5 pm ​ 2    Use Shoes/Boots or Pet Balm/Wax       Asphalt temperatures can reach as high as 56 degrees hotter than the air temperature!      Having your dog wear boots during the hottest time of day can help prevent burns, blisters, and other damage to their paw pads. But, if they are anything like us (Nubbies and Tails Crew) they might not be so forthcoming to wearing such things so the next best thing is Paw Balm/Wax. Paw balm/wax can help soothe and protect our paws from the heat, elements, and cracking ​ A few other quick tips to keep your pup’s pads safe in hot weather ​ Walk in the shade as much as possible Avoid black asphalt and try to walk on sidewalks and lighter-colored ground Walk on grass as much as possible, it’s much cooler than concrete or aspha...