WOOHOO….LOOK!
PLEEEEEASE vote for The Jumping Bulldog under “Your Favorite Pet Supply Store”…You have brought us this far. And Please SHARE & RE-POST…pretty please…
http://weheartastoria.com/2013/04/the-best-of-astoria-we-heart-astoria-reader-favorites-voting/
Dyland & Lenny and The Jumping Bulldog!
April 27, 2013 we were invited to attend the grand re-opening of the SONY store in Aventura. SONY celebrated this occasion with a HOT, Latin sensation, pop stars Dyland & Lenny…made me kind of weak in the knees. But, I had enough guts to go and get a autograph for my Zoe ☺ …and I can still do the Salsa 😉
My blog post of April 3rd “Improperly Fitted Harness is Dangerous” has generated a whole bunch of requests for more information, so, I followed the call.
Anyone out there who loves a soft harness? Somebody who prefers an H-harness to a traditional harness? How about a Buddy harness, a Rope-on the Go harness? Oh, yes, and how about a Halti, or an Easy-Walk harness, or a No-pull harness, or any other specialized harness?
Confused? I’m not surprised, because there are countless styles of dog harnesses available today, and making the right choice for your particular dog can pose an almost impossible challenge.
Bottom line is this, whatever type of restraint you chose for your dog, buying a harness is not just a matter of personal preference, because even dogs from the same breed come in different sizes, shapes, weight, girth and so forth. So, go and get help; the best way to fit your dog with a harness is to take him to the store with you! There, trained staff will assist you in finding the right style and fit, so you won’t pick form over function, or beauty over safety, and still end up with a rockin’ piece of safety gear for Fido. This may take some time and a few fittings, but any decent retailer will do this for you and your dog. All staff at The Jumping Bulldog are trained to fit a harness properly, and none of us will let a dog walk out of the store with an ill-fitting restraint because it’s dangerous.
A harness that is not fitted appropriately can cause chafing, bruising, chocking, it can affect a dog’s gait and posture, and a dog can simply slip out and run off.
As for Ozzie, he lives in all kinds of funky step-in harnesses. They are easy to use and adjust; they provide an even distribution of pressure around the dog’s chest and they are choke-free (no tracheal interference). Equally important is that he feels comfortable in them. How do I know this? No, he didn’t tell me. But I know my dog, and if he is a piece of gear that doesn’t fit right, or feels too stiff, or is itchy, or pinches him somewhere, he will not move –not even for a t-bone steak! But he loves his step-ins, and when it’s time for a walk I lay his harness on the floor, he steps into it on his own, and trots happily along my side -and that makes a mom happy.
Those are the facts.
Then there is my husband’s philosophy that says that Oskar’s harnesses should be pre-worn for a proper fit. Similar to those special people in England who hire someone to walk-in their shoes for six months, or wear their suits before personal use (No, I am not kidding!). So, my advice is to listen to me, instead of my husband 😉
To learn more check out this great article “Dog Harnesses – makes, models and colors explained” I found on Squidoo, or write to us at info@jumpingbulldog.com.
Woof, woof & meow
Images © The Jumping Bulldog
Walking along for Ozzie’s first walk early this morning, I noticed an elderly man struggling with his dachshund -the poor thing couldn’t breathe and was helplessly flailing its little limbs. We kicked into emergency mode and administered PET CPR, which helped the dog back on its paws enough to be taken to the vet. Everyone got a good scare, most of all the poor dog!
I feel that this is a good time to remind everyone that we can all learn basic Pet CPR and Pet First Aid to assist our cats and dogs in an emergency. Elizabeth Kemp, a contributor to Modern Dog Magazine, even teaches us how to make our own Canine First Aid Kit.
And for a little visual help, take a look at this diagram I found some time ago on care2.com:
Pet CPR
Article courtesy of Modern Dog Magazine
Diagram courtesy of Care2 make a difference
Every pet parent knows that trimming is an important part of a regular grooming routine for our dogs, and cat, and other critters (see G-Force, The Jumping Bulldog’s guinea pig – customer, who comes in for nail trims!).
Nails that are too long are not only uncomfortable for the pet but also dangerous, as they can cause injury and subsequent infection. Nails can break, which is painful, and sometimes long nails can also cause an irregular gait that leads to skeletal damage.
Here is what you can do to help your pup/ cat to be safe and more comfortable, other than having the vet or your local pet store do it for you.
Image courtesy of wholelifepetsblog.com
Yesterday we brought Oskar, our French Bulldog, for his first visit to a real beach -and, of course, he loved it!
Just like their owners, many dogs love the beach, the sun and the ocean. As summer is rapidly approaching, this is a good time to remember that our pooches need special beach care, too.
Dogs can suffer from the ill effects of a day at the beach because the sun, sand and saltwater can have similar effects on their skin, eyes, ears and fur as it can have on humans.
Even after 5:00 PM the sun as well as the reflective rays from the ocean are strong. I wondered if Ozzie’s coat is enough to protects his skin against the heat of sun while we were sufficiently covered with a sun block. And what about his ears and nose?
Well, most importantly, to keep Oskar protected and comfortable in this rough environment we applied Musher’s Secret[1] to the inside of his ear flaps, the top of his nose and his paws, and even his belly. Then we strapped him into his life preserver, and off he went.
But keeping Fido comfy and safe at the beach, there are more things you can do:
It is just as important to keep in mind that a dog needs a bath after a day at the beach. While saltwater can have healing effects on certain skin conditions, it may actually be harmful, if saltwater and sand are not removed from a dog’s body. Best way to start is by giving Fido a good brush-out and then a soothing bath.
Taking these simple steps can help you and your dog enjoy a day at the beach and stay safe at the same time.
So, start checking out the dog beaches near you http://www.bringfido.com/attraction/beaches/ and prepare yourself for a long, fun summer with your dog!
For questions on this subject or product information please email info@jumpingbulldog.com.
We look forward to hearing from you!
[1] Amazing paw rub that can be used in the winter and the summer to protect various parts of your dog’s body!
[2] The fabric of a new collar may react to the saltwater and may shrink around your pup’s neck. This can make your dog feel uncomfortable; it can cause chafing around the neck area, or even pose a chocking hazard.
Why Do i Want a Puppy?
Dogs and all kinds of other pets surrounded me growing up, and many times my family made me take part of the responsibility for their care.
About seven years ago I felt that I was ready to raise my first puppy on my own. But before I jumped into the joy of puppy parenthood, I asked myself a bunch of important questions:
I am probably forgetting a topic or two, but knowing the answers to these questions were the basis for bringing Oskar, my French Bulldog home!
Getting Ready for my Puppy!
I am a huge believer in pet adoption! Alas, Oskar was a spur of the moment gift from my husband, a gift I have cherished every single day since we brought him home!
One day we strolled along Lexington Avenue and stopped by a pet store. We had no intention of buying a dog (all babies are cute and you want to take all of them home!), but holding Oskar in my arms, he suddenly began nuzzling my neck and wouldn’t let go. My husband sensed the immediate and deep bond between this dog and me, and the rest is history. We both knew that adoption was the way to go, but we consoled ourselves in the simple fact that even pet store animals needed “rescue” and a home.
Bringing home Oskar was a most amazing thing. But, there was also a huge drawback because aside from bringing home a new puppy, I ended up with over $800 worth of nonsense I didn’t need, including a $78 dog toy with a beating heart that Ozzie never even once looked at…yes; pet store staffers WILL prey on the emotions of a new pet owner!
When opened The Jumping Bulldog I promised that this was not something that would ever happen to my customers. It’s simple, having a pet of any kind, a puppy especially, is expensive, and dollars spent on unessential items are better spent elsewhere.
So, here is my “Need versus Want” list to help you save money, and still have everything you need for a comfy home for your new addition:
Contrary to popular belief you do not need to begin feeding your 10 or 12 week old puppy treats right away, nor do you need to bathe him; so, that’s money you can spend a little later. You also don’t need to buy clothes for your brand new puppy, even if you bring her home during the winter. An old blanket or beach towel will suffice.
Once you know that you are bringing home a new pet, it is always a good idea to set up an appointment with your veterinarian of choice for an initial check-up and consultation. The vet will tell you what you may need in addition to the items I mentioned above.
Having said that, happy pet parenthood, and relish in one of the greatest joys on God’s green earth 🙂
We are happy to announce that The Jumping Bulldog is publishing a new blog post series called “My dog and I”, providing tips, tricks and entertainment for dog owners; readers are always encouraged to seek help from a professional in the field in question.
We hope you will enjoy and share the material, and we encourage you to submit topic suggestions that interest YOU!
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