PAWSH MAGAZINE | A New Breed of Dog Magazine

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Dogs love to play (I know, duh!) In fact play is one of the most important elements of a dog’s life and behavioural development, because it teaches them respect in a pack mentality, how to interact with other dogs and provides mental stimulation. When you see dogs play together it can sometimes seem like they are fighting, the antics get so rough and tumble. So how do we mere mortals mimic that play at home?

I routinely ‘rough house’ with Rory. At least once a day I will get down on the floor with her and have an enthusiastic game without any toys or distractions — instead our focus is entirely upon each other, which is a wonderful way to strengthen our bond. (I find rough housing on an old yoga mat very helpful as it contains the play to a specific area so things don’t get too crazy and prevents Rory from sliding around on the floor and potentially hurting herself).

My version of ‘rough house’ consists of playfully batting at each other, pushing Rory around, allowing her to jump up at me and allowing her to mouth my forearms (mouthing is an action during play where a dog will seem to be ‘biting’ her opponent when in actual fact no pressure is exerted through the jaw). This might shock some of you and be perceived as encouraging aggressive or deviant behaviour, but in actual fact it is reinforcing a dog’s natural instinct to play as they would with their own kind.

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I personally find rough house to be a wonderful way to reinforce training at the same time and go over the buzz words Rory already knows. For example, if Rory gets a little too boisterous or rough, I say, “Gentle” and she will stop mouthing and start licking instead. If I need a time-out, I say, “Wait” and she will lie down patiently until I’m ready to resume. When I say, “Enough” it means the game is over and she will stop jumping up (or should — occasionally she needs a second reminder). Similarly, the game of rough house only commences when I say “Are you ready?” meaning that she does not initiate, merely responds.

The physical contact of this type of play can be very empowering for a dog and their human and bring them even closer together in their domestic ‘pack.’ It is an intimate game, builds trust and establishes a mutual respect for one another.

Keep in mind
Of course, rough house is not for everyone. This type of play is not advised for any dog who does not have strong recall commands or for young children who might not be able to distinguish the difference between playful gusto and aggressiveness. If you have never rough-housed with a dog before, I would advise speaking to a vet or a certified trainer before attempting this activity to ensure everybody’s well being.

I’m curious. Do you ever rough-house with your dog? What have your experiences with this type of play been? I’d love to hear your stories!

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Worried about how to maintain that luxurious and luscious mane? With all the playing and mischief that your dog gets in to, their fur can be quite the mess. Help keep their coat at its best by making sure they get the proper nutrients, such as…

1) PROTEIN
The best dog food should be at least 20-25% protein. Avoid any foods that list corn as one of the first ingredients. In fact, avoid corn all together. Food allergies can cause coats to become less than shiny and corn is a very common dog allergy. So make sure that beef, lamb or chicken is at the top of the list.

2) OMEGA-3
As an anti-inflammatory, these help with allergies or skin diseases. Flaxseed and fish oils are the best place to find omega-3s and can easily be added to puppy’s food.

3) OMEGA-6
These fatty acids add shine to your dog’s coat by helping replace oils in their skin. Sunflower or safflower oils are a great place to find these. Small dogs only need one teaspoon stirred into their food while larger dogs would need a tablespoon.

4) VITAMIN A
If your dog suffers from scaly skin, then add some extra vitamin A to their diets. Some crunchy carrots should do the trick.

5) ZINC
This mineral will help with any crusting on the skin that can occur. It’s found in chicken which makes it easier for both you and puppy.

Remember
It is important to always check with your vet before adding any nutritious dog-friendly supplements to a canine diet, as unbalanced nutrition can cause more problems than good. For example, over zincing is cause for concern.

Also remember that proper grooming is important for maintaining that shine and gloss. Regular brushing helps to stimulate the oil follicles and increase oil production to add shine. Don`t shampoo puppy too often as that will remove the oils that make his coat look so good, as long as you don’t let them get too greasy either.

Fire Hydrant Press has done it again! I can’t tell you how in love I am with this shop and their creative dog-inspired products! The latest addition to their already impressive collection is a series of personalized canvas wraps that showcases a doggy silhouette, your pup’s name and one of their mischievous habits (although I’m sure you could include any sort of text there).

“Rory — hogger of sheets” would be on mine! What would you say about your dog?

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The other evening I tweeted this picture announcing that I was off to yoga with my pup in tow and a lot of you asked me where exactly I was going that allowed pets in the studio. The answer is…

…I was not attending an actual studio, but instead a friend’s place. She has a lovely large dining room/living room which when you push the furniture to the sides creates a lovely space for finding your zen. We all decided to bring our pups along for the fun. Even if they weren’t into the actual art of Doga (yoga for dogs, read all about it here), they could at least have a playdate at the same time.

I would highly recommend that you too begin dog-friendly yoga nights with your friends and their canine counterparts. It was an absolute blast and towards the end of our session all of our pups had come to take a snooze or a cuddle on our mats. The best perk of this arrangement, besides spending time with your dogs, is that it costs nothing — perfect if you’re like me and have a budget to stick to.

Don’t feel comfortable without an instructor present? Simply pick up or download a yoga video (there are tons available these days) and follow along! It’s like you’re actually in class…expect of course, there is more fur present.

Anyway, just an idea for you all to try this weekend or whenever you have time. I for one cherish that hour or two to unwind, focus on myself and spend time with my best gals (Rory included!) each week.

Oh! Also, if you do try this, please, please, please tweet me your photos of pups on yoga mats!