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Month: February 2011

High Paw for PAWZ

It may seem silly, but dogs do in fact need boots in the winter. Especially urban dogs who have to trudge through mounds of salt scattered along icy sidewalks every morning. The combination of freezing temperatures, harsh salt and hard concrete can be damaging to a dog’s paws, often drying out the pads and causing pain. But PAWZ Dog Boots are designed for the safety and protection of furry feet, and go above and beyond the call of duty. The best part is, they stay on even the fussiest of pups!

Resembling little balloons, these elasticated boots latch on to the foot in question so that they remain in place for the duration of any walk or run, but then slide off easily when pulled from the toe. In a word, brilliant! Plus, the lightweight design means that most dogs don’t even notice they’re sporting some flashy footwear.

But the benefits don’t end there! These rubbber boots are ideal for rainy seasons and extreme heat in the summer (concrete can get a little hot underfoot). Oh, and they are also a great idea for use in the pool, because they prevent sharp claws from tearing up the liner.

Biodegradable, reusable and inexpensive are three other things that make these booties a sensational choice! Available in teeny-tiny to super-duper sizes!


Clothes Encounter of the Knitted Kind

COACH Legacy Striped Sweater
So you have finally decided that an extra layer is a good idea for your pet this season. After all, frigid temperatures and unforgiving winds are enough to make even you shiver when bundled up to your eyeballs in a parka, scarf and hat. You’ve scoped out some brands, picked out a few cute wardrobe choices and proudly shown them off to your chilly dog. But no matter how much you try your little fur-ball refuses to put their sweater on. What do you do? Don’t sweat the sweater jitters! Just follow these tips!

Of course, most dogs would prefer to run around in the buff if given the choice. Alas, the Canadian climate doesn’t allow for that luxury and the all too real risk of frostbite makes teaching your pup not to fear their new coat very important for their well being.

The first thing to remember is that you must have patience. Your dog won’t understand why you’re trying to pull a strange cozy-knit something-or-other over his head, no matter how stylish it may be. So remember, make the introduction to clothes a gradual process, padded with lots of praise and delicious treats.

Gently ease your pup into his new duds, speaking in a calm soothing voice and handing out treats along the way. Pause if he starts to get nervous and wait until he is comfortable again before proceeding. Be warned, this may take some time, so be sure you have a clear schedule without distraction. Once you have successfully slipped the jersey on, embark on a game with your dog. The happy distraction will help him forget about what he’s wearing and thus by-pass the natural urge to fight it off.

It’s a good idea not to leave the sweater on for too long the first time. Ten minutes is long enough for a first encounter, especially if your dog is apprehensive about the whole clothing concept. Be sure to remove the garment in the same manner you put it on — calmly, slowly and with lots of treats. Over the next few weeks repeat this process, prolonging the actual ‘wear time’ each progressive day. If you are consistent with this process, your dog will soon enough be a clothes-horse and able to enjoy the crisp winter air without freezing their whiskers off!

RAWR Hoodie from Eco-Pup

Oh! And keep in mind that there are thousands of jacket, sweater and jersey styles available for winter! You can find any sort of style and fashion to suit your pup’s personality; everything from a couture Coach Legacy Stripe Dog Sweater (opening image) to the uber-cute dino-spiked RAWR Hoodie from Eco-Pup — a luxury organic and eco-friendly clothing line for dogs!

Valentine’s Party!

Rather than just wish you all lots of love and well wishes on this happy holiday (which we do!), we thought we’d share with you this oh-so fabulous Puppy Love Party blogged by the wonderful folks at Hostess With the Mostess and originally created and styled by Courtney Dial of Pizzazzerie.

Drenched in style and doused in rouge this party flawlessly combines all of our favourite things: pets, style and good times! From a vintage gumball machine choc-full of dog bones, sugar cookies for the human guests, luxury ‘doggie bags,’ a large glittering heart centerpiece and gorgeous baby red bows accenting absolutely everything, this gorgeous get together makes us swoon with delight! To learn about the complete party details, visit Pizzazzerie. Happy Valentine’s everyone!

Love love,
PAWSH
xo

The Weekend of Love!

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We know we’ve been going on and on (and possibly on?) about Valentine’s for the past week, but in our books it is a lovely little holiday designed to celebrate one of the greatest things in life – love. And while there are some that believe this red-hued holiday to be nothing more than a Hallmark occasion designed to make money from lovey-dovey couples everywhere, we know better. It is a time to enjoy togetherness with those you love the most. Pets are people too here at PAWSH, so here are some cute ways to unleash your amour and spend some quality time with your fur-baby.

  1. Take a Stroll!
    Yes, yes, a stroll in the park might seem rather ordinary, but the fact of the matter is dogs love going outside with their owners. Plus it is great exercise! Put a twist on this outing by taking your pooch somewhere new where they can savour exciting smells and run around like an excited maniac!
  1. Massage Time!
    Doggie massage is a terrific way to bond with your dog, because it is an activity that is calming, relaxing and lets them know that you entire focus is upon them. Also, dogs are very physical creatures, meaning they respond to touch and some studies show that dogs who are massaged regularly have better circulation and reduced stress. And bonus, the effect is contagious! Owners experience reduced stress too!
  1. Play!
    All a dog wants, besides a look-in at the table scraps, is to engage with their person and play is viewed as a prized activity in their chocolate brown eyes! So take a break from work and challenge your devoted dog to a game of tug-of-war, Frisbee or chase!
  1. Treats!
    Rarely do you find a dog who wouldn’t bend over backwards for a savoury treat! So treat them to a delicious biscuit or pupcake this year! Click here for a great DIY recipe we mentioned earlier this month, tested by some of the PAWSH pets and deemed gobble-up-worthy.
    From Rusty-Dawg Pet Products
  1. Valentine’s Collar and Leash!
    Silly? Perhaps. Cute? Most definitely! There are so many beautiful pink, red and heart decorated collar and leash designs floating around the pet world these days it seems a shame not to bestow a clever collar design upon your beloved canine friend. We love this large bones collar from Rusty Dawg Pet Products. And remember, Valentine’s is about love which can be worn on your sleeve (or on your collar!) all year round!
What are your plans for Valentine’s weekend? Share the love and let us know what you’re up to! Or send us your pics!