How to make an easy skirt for your dog this Halloween

I'm not big on costumes, but there is something amusing about a dog in a puffy skirt (like a tutu).

So when I had to come up with a Tinker Bell, I knew I needed a skirt. But I couldn't find one in the stores, and I didn't want to buy one online.

Turns out making a skirt is pretty easy!

Thongs, couches and light bulbs: Crazy things dogs will eat

Lulu once ate (or tried to eat) a burrito full of ants.

I was walking her in my old apartment complex. Now normally, I try to keep a weather eye out to make sure Lulu doesn't get anything she's not supposed to. But I missed this burrito. She grabbed it before I had the chance. And then she dropped it, scrunched up her nose and pawed at her mouth as a million ants poured out of the wrap.

I wish I could say that ended her habit of grabbing things off the sidewalk.

Now, we've all heard of dogs eating crazy things. Lulu and Jasmine have never really strayed from food, and cat poop -- including cat poop left by outdoor cats. SO GROSS!

I remember a story about a beagle in the Tampa area that ate money. 

This dog apparently ate stone -- 109 stones, to be precise! Vets have the Xrays to prove it! 

Sometimes dogs eat strange things because of a mineral deficiency, or pica. But some experts think dogs mouth objects out of curiosity. It may be a behavioral issue too. Here's some more info on that from VetStreet.

I asked our friends on Facebook and Twitter what the weird items their dogs ate were. And here are some of the responses.

Why I will continue to hug my dog (and she'll hug me)

Confession time: I hug my dogs. 

Or rather, they seem to want to hug me. 

Earlier this month, a story by a popular writer on dog behavior threw my habit of hugging into question, as bloggers and websites everywhere treated this writer's "study" as absolutely gospel.

Well guess what? I'm not going to pay this writer any mind. And if you and your dog like to hug, you shouldn't either. 

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Tax day for you and your dog

It's April 15! Have you filed your taxes yet?

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY: Grass-rolling beagle

Yesterday was St. Patrick's Day. But this is about as green as it gets around here:

Spring has definitely sprung!

By the way, have you signed up for our newsletter yet? Get the latest news from the beagle world!

Subscribe to the Life With Beagle Howler

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name

Last Name

Last Name

Email Format

• html
• text

Dog Parent Confessions: 5 bad habits to avoid

Ever let your dog get away with murder (not literally, of course)?

Today, after Lulu ate a whole bowl of breakfast, she somehow knocked the cat's bowl off the counter. Wet kitty food pieces flung all over a pile of dirty laundry I had on the floor.

And instead of cleaning up the mess myself, I scolded Lulu as she picked the pieces off the clothes (I did pick up the clothes and threw them in the wash after).

It got me thinking about what other bad habits I let Lulu and Jasmine get away with. This is my confession. Do as I say, not as I do.

1. Eating off the floor... or the table... or other surfaces... especially if they make the mess. My back is bothering me and I didn't feel like cleaning up the mess myself. Why is this a problem? I basically rewarded her for knocking the cat's dish over. Normally this would not happen.

But that's not the only time I let the dogs get away with things. Like if I'm cooking dinner and broccoli falls on the floor, I call the dogs. We all probably do it. But it's not necessarily a good idea.

2. Walking on the furniture.

It started as letting the dogs in the bed. And the couch. Then Jasmine got into walking on the couch and jumping over the couch -- and I kinda let her do it because the picture opportunities are awesome. I took the one above just today. But it's not good for the couch.

3. Not making Lulu take treats gently.

"Gentle" is an important command every pet should make sure their dog knows. It will save your fingers when giving your dog a treat. But I sometimes I let Lulu get away with it mostly because I'm being inconsistent (my trainer would smack me).

4. I bathe Lulu and Jasmine less than I probably should. To be fair, beagle parents love to say that you can go months without bathing a beagle. Still, I'm pretty sure Lulu and Jasmine could use baths slightly more frequently than that. Especially since Lulu has a habit of rolling in the grass (though it doesn't look like she rolls in anything gross).

5. I enjoy watching Lulu when she gets clever. Lulu has quick reflexes and a sharp mind -- mostly when she wants something. At my last birthday party no one was watching when Lulu swiped a piece of chicken from the food table (boneless and skinless). She moved so fast no one could even get it from her. I grabbed her to bring her inside, but then I stopped and asked someone to take those pictures. I wasn't happy she did it, but I marveled at how she did it. We beagle lovers know our dogs can use their skills in a blink of an eye to get a piece of food. But lets be honest -- we probably should do a little less of this and a little more of making sure it doesn't happen.

These are some of my bad habits. What are some of yours?

New Year, new pet: An audit for 2015

For Howl'd Lang Syne, me dogs, 

For Howl'd Lang Syne.

We'll lick a bowl of kindness yet,

For Howl'd Lang Syne!

Happy New Year!

Here comes 2015! Are you ready? How about your pet?  

Now is a great time to take stock of your pet(s), and your relationship with your pet(s). If the new year is a good time to renew yourself, It's also a good time to renew your pet.

I've broken down some pretty basic categories into questions you should ask as we head into the new year.

• FOOD: How is your pet's food? Is your dog getting enough food? Do they look healthy (shiny fur, bright eyes, healthy poop)? Now is a great time to think about whether you should look for a better food or different food for your pet.
• WEIGHT. Is your dog's weight ok? Remember this chart:

 Now's a good time to check your pet's weight and see if they need to lose weight. Are they getting enough exercise? I learned this year that just letting Lulu out the backyard was not enough to get her a workout. The vets say her weight is ok, but I'd like her a little more slim, just on the safe side.

• PHYSICAL/MENTAL STIMULATION. It's time to play! Your dogs need more than a squeaky toy though. Are you taking them out to play? Are you giving them things to figure out? Are you getting them new experiences? Teach them new tricks, take them walks to new places. It keeps them young and healthy! Not to mention yourself. It's better for them than just lounging around (though that's good too).
• VETS/BOARDING/GROOMING. Are you happy with your vet or the other people who handle your pet services? Now is the time to research another one if you are in the market. That way you are ready when it's physical time.
• COMFORT. How's that dog bed looking? The crate? The collar? Now is a great time to look into new ones -- inventory time for stores is a great time for clearance sales.

Take stock of your pet, and have a great new year!

American Beagle Outfitters is real! Check out the new line

Rejoice doggy parents who dress up their pups: American Beagle Outfitters is real.

You may remember that last April American Eagle Outfitters released a line of clothes for dogs called American Beagle. Well it was released on April Fools Day, and while the joke line helped raise $100,000 for ASPCA, the clothes were not real (in my personal opinion, thank God).

Don't you wish your dog was hot like this? Courtesy American Eagle Outfitters

 Considering the overwhelming demand, AEO decided to make American Beagle Outfitters for the fall.

ABO is a selection of winter wear designed for dogs, including hats, sweaters and puffer (pupper) jackets.

Courtesy American Eagle Outfitters

The pupper jackets come in three colors: red, navy blue and silver. They are quilted microfiber with velcro fastenings. They run about $39.95, and the biggest size they come in is large.

Courtesy American Eagle Outfitters

I really like the sweaters, personally. It's full body, so it's more likely to keep a dog warm at the chest than the pupper is. A dog's heat escapes from the chest area. Unfortunately, the largest the sweater is made in is medium, which is disappointing, because I don't think the medium will fit Lulu. The sweater is also $39.95.

Finally there are the hats -- right now there are only two on the ABO page, but there are four in the media kit American Eagle provided me, so maybe more is coming out. As you can see the hats are basically what AEO showed us back in April. They run $15.95 a hat.

While the outfits are, for the most part, for style over substance, they do also match the fall line for humans -- so you and your pup can match.

American Beagle Outfitters outfits are available at some stores, and also online.

7 truths about shelter or rescue dogs

A few months ago the Washington Post published an editorial on why one person would "never adopt another shelter dog."

You can read it here.

It's a nasty piece of work that is based on bad experience and not much more. And it hurts an entire group of pets who just desperately need homes as much as any other pet.

This month is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. Many have posted about the myths of shelter and rescue dogs. As the owner of two shelter dogs, I'm going to tell you about what's true.

1) They are often the victim of uninformed humans. How many dogs are left in shelters because they weren't potty trained, or the human didn't realize the dog's chewing on things had to do with the dog being bored? Or that some breeds need more exercise than others?

Darius is 3 and a half years old. He was recently sent Orange County Animal Services in Orlando.

This is true for all dogs. Do your research before you get a dog. Know what type of dog can fit your lifestyle. If you can't go out for long walks with a dog, you probably shouldn't get a dog who needs lots of exercise. Dogs require structure. You need to be prepared to give them that.

2)  They come in all colors, shapes and sizes. Don't think you can get the breed you want? Think again. There's a rescue for almost every breed of dog in the country. And if you can't find one close to you, you'd be surprised how many perfect strangers will take turns driving however far to bring you your dog. Sites like Petfinder and Adopt-a-Pet  will help you find the pet you're looking for.

Shelby is an adult beagle mix at Lake County Animal Services.

3) Older pets are better than puppies. Can you get a puppy in a shelter or a rescue? Of course. Especially during certain times of the year. But should you? Puppies are a lot of work, and they don't let you sleep through the night necessarily. And they may have to be housebroken.

The good thing about older dogs is they may be more mellow. They also may be housebroken. If you're not used to having a dog, consider an older dog.

4) All dogs can get sick. Sure breeders might offer a guarantee that their dogs don't have any problems. But more than half of golden retrievers get cancer.  Cocker spaniels are susceptible to a number of illnesses.  Beagles can get hip dysplasia and intrervertebral disc disease.  Any dog is capable of illness. And mix breeds may actually be less susceptible to certain illnesses.

5) Some shelter or rescue dogs may have training. When you are looking at dogs, be sure to ask the shelters and rescues what training the dogs have had. Some will train the dogs to make them more adoptable. Nothing fancy, just basic behavioral stuff.

Pup pup is a poodle mix at Pasco County Animal Services.

6) You don't HAVE to go to a shelter to see a shelter dog. Shelters make people sad or they scare people, and that's why some avoid the shelters. Think you're scared? You should see some of the dogs! They sit in a corner and won't look at anyone because they don't understand what's happening.

There are different ways to see a shelter dog. You can go online, look at the websites, or the Facebook pages (they all have them). Then you can go to the shelters and meet the dogs out of the cages. Some shelters have fenced in areas or rooms where you can meet the dog and see them come out of their shell. Or, you can visit an offsite location, like a pet store or a rescue event. PetSmart and Petco both host rescue events on the weekends.

7) Shelter and rescue dogs are grateful. I don't know how else to say it. I don't mean that dogs from breeders are not grateful to the people who adopt them. I just mean I hear lots of stories about shelter or rescue dogs saving their owners or their owners' children. They also become therapy dogs or medical alert dogs.

Here's some stories:

• Shelter Dog Turned Hero
• Rescue dog, Duke, saves 9-week-old baby from dying
• Newly adopted dog saves lives of owners 
• Dog adopted from Michigan shelter saves family's lives 2 weeks later
• Rescued dog saves sleeping family from a fire 

Tell me about your shelter dog! In the comments below, tell us about the dog you rescued, in honor of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.

5 rules on dog nail health

Jasmine fought the cat and lost.

I had just started to feed the dogs and I guess Jazzy got nervous when Galadriel walked in. All of a sudden there was snarling and hissing and shrieking and barking!

Naturally I checked the cat first after I separated them. There was blood in her fur but I found no actual wound. Jasmine, on the other hand, was licking her paw furiously. Her dewclaw nail was hanging by a thread, there was blood every where. 

Jasmine's paws, her damaged dewclaw, and the dewclaw on her other paw.

I managed to find a vet open early enough on a Saturday morning. But I was freaking out. I don't deal with my dog's nails. I take them to the groomer. So seeing the nail like that had me panicking.

I asked groomer Brenda Cox from Blue Ribbon Pet Grooming in Oregon.  She helped me learn five new things about nail health.

1) You should have the nails cut every month, three weeks if you need them shorter.
Brenda says the hard and fast rule is if you can hear the nails as the dog walks, they need to get cut.

"Nails are very important to keep up on for the dog," Brenda said. "When the nail gets too long it's like wearing shoes too small and in time the nail will twist or toe will turn which can lead to early arthritis, but always will have a sore painful foot."

2) Watch for the quick (kwick).
"Every nail has a quick or vein in them," Brenda said. "Depending on how the dog walks or level of activity will say where to trim, but always just to the quick."

This diagram below gives you a good idea what the quick look like. This also shows you that if you let the nail get too long, the quick will get longer too.

3. Dark or black nails are as difficult as they look.
An experienced eye can better see where the vein is. For the rest of us, Brenda offered this advice.

"If there are some clear or pink nails, one can sort of judge the same amount trimmed off," Brenda said.

Which only makes me more determined to stick with my groomer.

4. Clipping or grinding is more preference than anything.
"Either is fine, but dremeling will get closer to the quick or vein in nail," Brenda said. "Also for thin skin people dremel is better."

5.  Treat a broken nail immediately. And yes, lots of bleeding is expected.
"If it is hanging on still, then trim if off immediately," Brenda said. "Vet would be ok but expensive. Your local groomer can also just have to hold the nail in a towel till it stops bleeding enough to put quick stop on."

Also, just know that just because your dog doesn't like having his nails cut, doesn't mean you should cut the nails less.

"Most people take that as "the dog doesn't like his feet messed with" and will do it less," Brenda said. "The opposite needs to happen and keep it up more to keep dogs paws out of pain!"

We are taking part in the Caring for Critters Round Robin.

 Head to the Heart Like a Dog community page to learn more about pet health.

#Sponsored Whole body health: What it means for your dog or cat

When we say Whole Body Heallth, what does it mean to you?

Exercise and diet? Clean fur? Brushing your pet's teeth?

Natural Balance wants to know what you think.

They dog and cat food company is hosting a survey right now, and it's a short one. They are asking pet parents what whole body health means to them.

It's only five questions. The information will be used for a new infographic next month.

Want to take the survey? I have a link right here: #WholeBodyHealth Survey.

The survey only runs through Sept. 28, so hurry. And thanks.

I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the Natural Balance #WholeBodyHealth survey, but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. Natural Balance is not responsible for the content of this article.

#SummerofPets: Cool pet products and Pet 360's summer pet tips

The Dog Days of Summer are upon us -- which has nothing to do with dogs and everything to do with Sirius the DogStar.

And while for many of you the summer is half over, in Florida the summer goes on... and on... and on...

So how can you keep your pet cool and safe this summer while everyone is having fun? We've got a few ideas.

PET COOLING MAT

Time for a ride, but do you find your car is a bit hot?

The inside of a car is always hotter than the outside during the summer. Other surfaces can be hot in summer too, like maybe your pool deck, for instance.

The Cool Pet Mat is from the Green Pet Shop. The light blue pad has a non-toxic gel inside that, when pressure activated, cools you down. It lasts up to four hours, and it recharges itself once you're done. It doesn't need to be refrigerated, though you can put it in the freezer if you need recharge it faster.

The dogs weren't quite sure what to make of it at first, but eventually Jasmine sat on it. The pad comes in several sizes, and are great for cars, crates and other areas. I'm thinking of getting one for myself. Cars are hot for people too!

You can find the Cool Pet Mats at PetSmart, Amazon.com or on the Green Pet Shop website.

PAWZ

If you're like me and you have no choice but to take your dogs out between noon and two every day before work, you know that pavement can get pretty hot. Plus, when you're dog is outside on grass at parks or other place, lord knows what they can trod on.

 
PAWZ is a rubber bootie that looks like a balloon and slips on your dog's paws. I've tried other boots and Lulu was able to kick them off in seconds. But the PAWZ founder put them on Lulu at the last Global Pet Expo and ran with her. She didn't love them, but she couldn't get them off either.

They come in a lot of colors, and they can be reused over and over. But they are also disposable.

You can find PAWZ in most stores. 

KUMFYTAILZ

I've reviewed the Kumfytailz harness before.  It's a great harness designed to keep your pet hot or cold, depending on what you are needing.

The harness is designed with a pocket that comes with an ice pack that can also be heated in the microwave. The pouch is situated over the dogs chest, because that's where the dog's core is.

This year Kumfytailz improved their design, and it's even a better fit than it was before.

You get a Kumfytailz harness in a variety of sizes and colors. Head to the Kumfytailz website for more.

Now -- there's more to summer than just keeping cool. Pet360.com has created a great infographic with some helpful reminders:

 Head to Pet360.com for more tips PLUS -- they have a great giveaway going on with summer products for both dogs and cats. ENTER TODAY!

No shame in my dog's game: Yelling and remorse

I haven't been writing much in the last few weeks. See, my primary purpose here is to relate my experiences as a (relatively) new pet parent in the hopes that people will learn something from me.

The only problem is I've had so much trouble with the dogs that I feel like I have nothing to give you.

Does she mean us, Lulu?

I want to yell it from the rooftop! My dogs are driving me nuts! But does my yelling really matter to them? No! I'll explain why in a moment.

What's happening? They won't stop peeing and crapping in the house! And that's just the biggest problem.

Lulu is easier to deal with -- she just needs to get used to the new grounds. It's taking her longer to find the right spot. But she finds it eventually.

You call this easier? She rolls in the grass!

 Jasmine, on the other hand, has never been properly trained. She has something of a routine: Mom would wake up at 5, feed her and Buster in their crates around 6, and let them outside. And they would stay outside until Dad was ready to let them in before going to work. When they got home, the dogs would go out, sometimes hours at a time.

That's way different from my schedule: I wake up around 8, take them out on a walk, then feed them. And Jasmine won't follow that plan.  She won't go to the bathroom until she's been fed. And if I leave her in the crate while I walk Lulu, she'll just go there. And she doesn't tell me if she has to go!

Is that a dog in your iPad?

 And every time I find her mess I want to yell and scream at her, but what's point?

See, I yell to release frustration. I yell because my dog has pissed me off.

But what do they hear?

All the dog knows is they're being yelled at. If you're yelling because they JUST pooped on the carpet, they MIGHT know they messed up. But then how do you remedy it? Putting their nose in it is useless, trainers say. Immediately take them outside, but by then they've already gone.

If your dog pooped even 10 minutes before you find it, they won't even know why they're being yelled at, likely. A dog has maybe a 10 to 20 second short term memory.

And you can forget about remorse. Numerous studies have found that sad guilty look as little to do with their actions and everything to do with the tone of your voice, the energy your throwing off.

Again.

 

So... there's no point in yelling.

On Saturday, Jasmine starts class. We hope to iron the issues out. But what do you do when your dog is so stubborn that the usual measures to find a routine don't seem to work?

VIDEO: 5 things pet moms want for Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day weekend!

Do you have kids at home (the two-legged, non-furry kind)? If you're like me and you only have the furry kind, I think you deserve a little Mother's Day love.

Hey Galadriel? What did you get Mom for Mother's Day?

But what does that mean? If you live with someone, there better be a day off from doing pet chores!

1.  Someone to pick up the poop (I still want to walk Lulu, I just want someone to come up behind me with the poop bags).
2. Someone to feed the pets. There's a lot bending down and picking up and I don't like how canned food smells.
3. Clean the cat pan before I wake up. I want to wake up to a fresh smelling pan!
4. Wash the dog! Nothing like a clean doggy.
5. Day off from the rest of the chores so I can sit and enjoy my pets.

My cute and august presence isn't enough?

But I don't live with someone. So I was thinking of what I want for Mother's Day. Here's 5 things I want from Lulu and Galadriel:

1. Try not to jump in any mud puddles or roll in any dirt, Lulu.
2. Galadriel -- stop being a messy eater -- and a messy litter box user.
3. Lulu, stop picking up stray items on our walk -- especially food!
4. Galadriel, please stop clawing the new couch.
5. And both of you -- be prepared for lots of love when I get home from BlogPaws.

You know what I want? My Mom to come home from BlogPaws!

I know this is kind of small thinking, but it's a starting point. So, what do you want for Mother's Day from your pets? I asked some pet bloggers that very question! See what they said, then tell me what you want below.

Lulu's Favorite Things GIVEAWAY: Quaker Pets' GoDog toys *SPONSORED*

Quaker Pet Group is one of the sponsors of the Lulu's Favorite Things Campaign, which raises money for Harbor House of Central Florida's Paws for Peace Walk. Please consider donating to our campaign here. 

The Paws for Peace Walk is Saturday, April 26  at 9 a.m. at Blue Jacket Park. Registration starts at 8 a.m. Please join Team Beagle!

In the meantime, check out this product and enter our GIVEAWAY for two special toys.
__________________________________________________________

Raise a virtual paw if your dog destroys their toys?

Lulu destroyed toys when she was young. DESTROYED. But since she's matured the destruction has stopped. For the most part.

This whale has a hole under a fin.

This bunny ear was found recently. I have not seen the bunny, but I'm sure it's around somewhere.

Then there's this.

Lulu's platypus. Lulu adores her this thing. But she also gets crazy frustrated with it because she can't pull the squeaker out.

It's a GoDog toy from Quaker Pet Group.

GoDog has Chew Guard Technology -- a tough mesh liner inside the toy, along with double-stitched seams. They are meant for dogs who are chew crazy.

Think your dog can destroy a GoDog? They will replace the toy! One free replacement, guaranteed.

This is Xena, and she is a champion chewer (she chewed an antler to a nub in a span of a week). Her mom gives her this goDog every once and while. As you can see -- still in good shape.

You can find goDog toys at boutique pet shops, at Petco and on Amazon.

GIVEAWAY:

RIGHT NOW, we are giving away two goDogs for one lucky person! The winner gets to choose what size and type they want!

All you have to do is comment below -- what kind do you want! Head to the goDog site and check out the toys. Maybe you could get the Dragons, or the Crazy Tugs, which stretchable arms! Or maybe you find the Zombiez too funny not to get!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
The fine print:
This post is sponsored by Quaker Pet Group. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Quaker Pet Group, but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. QPG is not responsible for the content of this article.

Home sweet dog house: Making your place a pets' home

What do you look for when you buy a home?

Right number of bedrooms? Open kitchen? Nice appliances? Good neighborhood?

Here's what I look for:

Good place to put a litter box? Fenced-in backyard? Flooring vs. carpets? Good place to put in a dog wash?

Yes, I'm buying a house. That's why I've been relatively quiet here the last month or so. 

It's my first house, so I'm kind of excited. I'm using Pinterest to find all kinds of great house decorating ideas. (By the way, are you following me on Pinterest? Check out my boards!)

Like this pet storage closet from Better Homes and Gardens:

Or this cat room. One house I looked at had custom shelves up high in the living room. Wouldn't they be perfect for something like this?

How about some great dog bed ideas? Like this Murphy Bed:

Though who am I kidding? Lulu will just sleep on the bed as always.

Here are a few more great ideas from Better Homes and Gardens. They include what type of paint to use, easy pet food storage and how to secure windows.

Meanwhile, check out this list of important things to consider when buying a house from Realtor.com.

Got any favorite pet-decor ideas for your home? Share them below!

Have you entered our Hill's Science Diet Metabolic Starter Kit? We are giving away 10 kits for cats or dogs, with your veterinarian's approval, to help your pet lose weight. Get all the details in my #HillsPet post here!