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Time To Vote for October Pet of the Month

Gibson

Here is a character who adores fall and has no trouble embracing the falling leaves! Meet Gibson, a three-year-old schnauzer who was named after the guitar brand. He has been selected as the Pet of the Week, which means we now have four finalists and it is time to vote! Here are the nominees!

Deuce
Eleanor
Garmin
To vote simply write the pet’s name on our Facebook wall. Only one vote per person will be counted and voting closes on Sunday, October 30th at midnight.  The pet with the most votes will win the title ‘October Pet of the Month’ and a fabulous collar from Zuzutopia!
Also, remember it’s never too late to email us your favourite pet photos for next month’s contest! Happy Thursday everyone! xo

Creative Peeps 04: Kyley and Ammo

Ever wonder what it’s like to run a custom framing shop? Well today, all the way from Downingtown, Pennsylvania, Kyley and Ammo from Studio 3 are here to tell us exactly what it’s like from the human and doggy perspective. Plus they share tips so you can frame your own photos with ease!

1)  What do you and Ammo love about the custom framing business and why?
I really love working with my hands and being able to be creative, getting to see a lot of different artist’s work is also a really fun part of the business. Ammo definitely loves the customers, especially our regulars who never fail to bring him dog cookies.
2)  Could you please describe your typical day in the shop and what Ammo gets up to?
After opening up shop we usually break out the dog toys for a tug-of-war session to get the day started. Then Ammo passes out on his dog bed in the back for several hours while I get to framing and tending to other business matters. He usually only emerges from his blanket fortress to greet customers and play with the mailman. Ammo has a little bell that he rings when he needs to go outside, so some days we take a mid-day walk or a trip to see Ammo’s friends at the bank (who always have cookies). I’m pretty sure that Ammo thinks I work for him, as he lives the life of leisure when we’re at the shop.
3)  How do you keep your framing solutions fresh and inspired?
I like to keep up with all of the new framing trends through magazines and industry publications. I also read a lot of design blogs to get inspiration with colors and see what’s in style right now in home decor. Pinterest is also a fun way to see what’s popular in the world of art, color, and design.
4)  On a scale of one to ten (ten being the highest) how helpful is Ammo around the shop?
Ammo is great at his job as store greeter, he even helps to entertain our customer’s children so their parents can focus on framing. But there are those occasions when he gets a wild look in his eye which will prompt him to shred a piece of cardboard or drag all of his toys out all over the shop. Most of the time his naughty antics are directed towards me as a way to get me to stop framing and pay attention to him. Most times it works.
5)  What is your favourite work lunch and Ammo’s?
Ham and cheese sandwiches are our staple – and since Ammo was a pup he’s become a master at stealing my lunch if I am interrupted to answer the phone or help a customer. I think subconsciously I sometimes pretend not to notice so we can order takeout!
6)  Who is more of a morning person, you or Ammo?
Probably me. Most mornings I have to drag Ammo out of bed, as he’d sleep in until well past noon if I let him. Some days if we’re running late he gets carried straight from bed into the car, and has to eat his breakfast at the shop. It’s just so difficult to be a working dog!
7)  What would be your advice for people trying to frame their pet photos on their own?
I always recommend choosing framing options that compliment your photos vs. framing for the room you will be putting it in. Adding mating to your framing also helps to not only protect your pet’s photo, but it visually adds to the overall piece. When framing memories of your pets sometimes it helps to think outside the box, like adding collars, id tags or even plaques with your pet’s name.
8)  If you and Ammo were to travel the world, where would be your first stop and why?
I think it would be fun to take a trip across the country to San Diego, California. Granted it’s not some huge exotic trip destination, but being able to visit some dog friendly beaches and restaurants that offer their own doggie menus sounds like a really fun time for both Ammo and I.
9) How do you two like to spend your days off? 
Most days after we close up shop we head out to my family’s horse farm. Ammo loves to help me train our trick ponies and play with the cats on the farm. We also love to travel and camp and Ammo’s been having a blast getting started in agility classes lately.
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Thank you Kyley and Ammo for taking us into your studio! Would you like to see your profession and pet featured on Pawsh? Send an email to [email protected] and introduce yourself! We don’t bite — promise!

Old Dogs, New Products

None of us want to think about the reality that our pets are growing older. I for one am continually believing that Rory will remain a sprightly young thing forever; although I know in my heart of hearts that this will not be true. No matter how difficult it may be, preparing for those precious golden years can immensely help the quality and hopeful longevity of your canine chum. An important part of that preparation is researching quality products that are designed specifically with older dogs in mind. Check out these fab finds!

Starting from the top: a pair of Washable Wonders can work wonders! Yes, this is a fancy term for ‘doggy diaper’ and may seem wildly ridiculous, but the fact remains that many dogs (like people) lose bladder control when they become senior citizens. A pair of these bloomers helps avoid mess in your home and your dog’s environment.

Pet steps are another useful item, especially for dogs who suffer from arthritis or hip problems. These will help your dog to get up onto the couch or bed and back down again without risking a nasty fall should they try to jump up on their own. Similarly, Power Paws Dog Socks can help prevent falls and harmful sliding on surfaces that have little traction, such as wooden or tiled floors. They may look silly, but these socks provide a soft grip to keep your pooch on track. 

Adding a medical tag to your dog’s collar is always a good idea. Instead of having it inscribed with your contact information, put down your dog’s important medical information, such as any medication they may be on or health issues they are having. That way if your pooch is ever lost the person who finds him or her will be better informed to help.

The Orbee-Tuff Glow in the Dark Whistle Ball is an excellent addition to your aging dog’s toy-box. It makes a whirring sound when thrown to help dog’s with impaired vision to still play fetch. This is an excellent idea for any retrieving breed who may be getting on in years and as we all know, play helps keep pets young! Of course, being a senior citizen means your dog is likely to tire out more quickly so consider having them rest on a comfortable and therapeutic Orthopedic Pet Bed — designed to pamper your pooch with supportive comfort.

While it is sad to admit that our beloved dogs will not be young forever, by thinking ahead and sourcing new products for old dogs we can help preserve their quality of life. What are some of your favourite senior dog products? I would really love to know!

The Thing About Housetraining Is…

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The thing about house training is that it isn’t really a matter of training the dog at all. It is a matter of training the person to be attuned to the dog’s needs.

Think of it this way. A dog (regardless of their age) doesn’t know that doing their business on the living room rug or kitchen floor is a no-no. All they know is that mother nature is calling and they have to answer. A person, on the other hand, knows that a dog has to relieve itself every so often and knows that they want their canine friend to relieve themselves outside. So in a way it is all a matter of training the human to anticipate their dog’s needs.
If you’re bringing home a 10-week-old puppy for example, you should already know that a puppy’s bladder control (like a baby’s) is not great. They will need to go – a lot! So rather than waiting for the pup to piddle and then dealing with the mess, anticipate that your pup will have to go about every hour. Get them into the routine of going outside every hour and praise them when they water the flowers. Your pup will learn that outside is the place to be for that behaviour. As the pup matures their bathroom needs will lessen, meaning you can gradually cut back to going out every few hours. Dogs are creatures of habit, so if the human gets into the habit of taking them out regularly the dog will soon catch on and become scheduled, if you will.
Of course, such a technique is only practical if somebody is home all day with the puppy. If you’re not around during the day and decide to crate train your puppy, be sure to take them outside as soon as you get home. It is human nature to want to make a fuss and play right away, but all of that additional excitement won’t help your pup control their bladder. If this habit is repeated every time you come home, accompanied by regular outdoor outings in the evening, the puppy will again grow accustomed to this routine and soon be pestering you to go out.
Similarly getting older dogs into a bathroom routine can help make house-training a lot easier. The process is about creating a schedule and maintaining it thus avoiding accidents before they happen. Of course, this is simply one technique when it comes to house-training, but in my experience it has been very successful. What are your house-training tips?