I’m so excited to share with you my latest project for my online shop, Flying Hero!
Due to your feedback, I’ve created my brand new 2016 Calendar in a new size and all new images!
Even though in today’s World everyone has calendars and organizers on their phones, it’s still nice to have a happy little calendar to hang on your wall.
And there’s nothing happier than looking at my face every single day!
My 2016 Calendar measures 6″ w x 12″ h and comes punched with a hole for easy hanging on your wall or cork board. (each photo of the calendar measures 6″ x 6″).
The very best part though? I will be DONATING $5 from every sale to the Chester County SPCA. Yay for helping animal rescues!
Each month features a different photograph of me and all photos are printed professionally on archival quality paper. At the end of the year/month the photos would be great for framing and hanging on your wall. (you know if you can’t get enough of me!)
Currently I’m taking pre-orders, and they will begin shipping just after Thanksgiving – with plenty of time for Holiday Gifts!
You can snag one of my 2016 Calendars from my online shop, but hurry, there are limited quantities of these and once they sell out I won’t have any more!
Disclaimer: This post and giveaway is brought to you by NuVet Labs®. All opinions are my own, and I only share products that I think you and your dog will love.
Vitamins, pills, supplements, those words alone are enough to strike fear into the hearts of many. Wether you’re a picky dog that can’t stand the taste of them, or an owner that is tired of your pet turning up a nose at the supplements you think will help them feel better, have no fear! I’ve found a product that not only is beneficial to your pet, but great tasting too!
NuVet Labs® has made it their mission help heal pets when they’re sick and then keep them healthy for years to come with their vitamins and supplements.
Their products are made in a FDA registered laboratory with natural, human-grade ingredients specially compounded to deliver the most effective nutritional health benefits. Utilizing the latest advances in medical and nutritional science, they apply state of the art manufacturing technologies to help maintain a standard of product quality and integrity that is virtually unheard of in the pet industry.
This time around I decided to test out NuJoint DS.
As you may recall, my best pal Trooper suffers from arthritis in his joints. While he’s never one to complain too much, a glucosamine joint supplement such as NuJoint DS can be great for his joint pain.
NuJoint DS supports optimal joint health and mobility, helping to keep your pet pain free for a longer, happier life.
Now the best part about the vitamins and supplements from NuVet is that you won’t need to hide these pills in peanut butter, stuff them inside cream cheese, or disguise them in your dog’s dinner, because these are the best tasting vitamins Trooper and I have ever had.
While this time around I let my buddy Trooper do all the actual taste testing (since I myself do not currently have arthritis), you can see by my desperate attempts to open the bottle that I was a bit jealous that he got to do the tasting.
In fact, they were so yummy (because they are flavored with real chicken liver) that Trooper used them as treats!
NuJoint DS has increased amounts of the active ingredients MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), Glucosamine, and Chondroitin. It also includes Vitamin C which is required for the synthesis of collagen (a component of joint cartilage), and it can also reduce free radical damage to cartilage.
So if you’ve got a pet that could benefit from a joint supplement, or even a nutritional supplement then you might want to check out what NuVet has to offer!
TWO WINNERS WILL A BOTTLE OF NUVET PLUS & NUJOINT DS!
Here’s HOW TO WIN:
No purchase necessary. To enter use the Rafflecopter widget below. You will be contacted via e-mail to claim your prize. All the winners will also be announced on this blog post once the giveaway ends. Open to USA readers only. Winners must claim their prizes within 48 hours of being notified or prize will be forfeited. By entering you are agreeing to the terms & conditions set forth in the Rafflecopter widget (see below).
This post is sponsored by Glandex and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about how Glandex – Natural Supplement for Anal Glands but AmmotheDachshund.com only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Glandex is not responsible for the content of this article.
I’m sure this image looks familiar, you suddenly look up from whatever you were doing to catch your dog dragging their bum on the carpet (and in my mom’s case, the nice WHITE carpet!).
Embarrassing, yes. But do you know why us dogs do this?
Dogs have two small internal glands on either side of their bum that typically release a few drops of scent marking fluid whenever your pet defecates. (It’s also why us dogs can tell a lot about each other by sniffing butts). In order for your dog’s anal glands to empty properly they need large firm stools to create pressure during defecation to allow them to empty naturally. (TMI right?)
But when they aren’t functioning properly, Anal gland issues arise and they become over-filled, blocked, or irritated. This is when you’ll typically catch your dog rubbing their butt across the carpet or licking.
Thanks to my friends at Glandex® there is a product that may be able to help!
Glandex is the only product that addresses all of the underlying causes of anal gland problems and works from the inside out to help maintain healthy anal glands.
Using a unique fiber blend, this anal gland supplement helps to create firm and bulky stools which help the anal glands empty naturally every time your pet defecates. Glandex also contains natural anti-inflammatories to help support healthy anal glands as well as probiotics and digestive enzymes to support a healthy gastrointestinal tract.
Glandex comes in two formulas, powder that can be added to your pet’s daily meal….
…and this soft chew formula with peanut butter flavor.
I opted to test out the chewables this time around, and I found them to be super tasty. Mom started giving me one every day at breakfast in late September.
Promotes healthy anal gland function in dogs & cats
Guaranteed results within 3-5 weeks
Veterinarian formulated & approved
Great tasting & easy-to-use formula
All-natural premium ingredients
Made in the U.S.A.
Before I dive into the specifics on what I noticed while taking Glandex it’s important to note that anal gland issues are much more common in small dogs. Because of this I have always needed to have mine emptied manually by my veterinarian every 1 – 2 months roughly, which basically means mine are not emptying properly on their own.
Sometimes you may notice a horrid smell (like the worst of the worst) coming from your dog, this means that your dog just emptied their anal glands (hopefully not one your white carpet). My buddy Trooper used to do it all the time when he got really scared of something (sorry Trooper, had to spill the beans).
So starting in late September mom started giving me Glandex daily to see if it helped. Prior to this the last time I had had mine expressed by my vet was August 21st. Click on the image above to see a detailed report on my daily business.
General notes – while on Glandex my stools became much firmer, larger, and more regular. And by very late October I started to scoot on the carpet again, but seeing as I was due for my annual vet exam mom decided to have my anal glands expressed at the visit. They ended up being very full (as they normally are).
I did learn while at my vet that some dogs have glands that don’t sit as close to the edge of the bum, and no matter what they will never be able to express them on their own. Some dogs may be able to get some help expressing them with this fiber supplement for dogs from Glandex.
In my case I felt like Glandex definitely did what it said it would, firmed up my stool to help naturally empty my glands, and it seemed to prolong my visits to have them expressed manually. I also noticed I had less gas (unless I eat jerky….that always does it to me!) I’ll probably forever be the type of dog that has to have them manually done, but with Glandex at least I can help avoid those visits a little bit longer.
So if you notice your dog having an anal glad issue, don’t wait to add a fiber supplement such as Glandex to their diet. The alternative to not taking care of the issue can be costly surgeries, and if the anal glands are blocked or overfilled they may not be able to empty on their own, thus requiring expressing by a veterinarian.
Have you noticed your pet scooting on the carpet? Have you ever tried a fiber supplement? Share your stories with us on social media and the hashtag #BootTheScoot or leave a comment below.
Last week a box filled with packing materials made its way into the shop.
Since I’m never one to pass up the opportunity to play in a box (don’t knock it until you try it!), I wasted no time in jumping right in.
Then I had a thought! Hey mom, since I’m already all packed up you might as well ship me to the nearest pet store. I’ll make sure to tell them to ship me back before dinner!
When the new FURminator Comfort Edge DeShedding Tool arrived at my door a few weeks ago, I knew just who would be getting a major grooming, my buddy Trooper!
I have to admit, I’m a wee bit jealous of all of Trooper’s glorious hair (he claims he gets his good hair from his mom, the Australian Shepherd). I on the other hand am plagued with Dachshund pattern baldness (it’s a real thing, look it up!), and have to wear coats and sweaters all winter long to keep warm on the farm.
Thanks to our new FURminator mom collected enough Trooper hair to make me a sweater from it! Now who’s good with a loom?
You can check out more great grooming products for pets from FURminator!
I can hardly believe we are so close to the end of 2015! Seriously? Not to worry though, November is going to hold some fun adventures for me….so make sure you stay tuned!
But before we dive into November, I always like to look back at all the fun I had the previous month. First though, let me give a shoutout to my special sponsors & affiliates! Thanks to them I’m able to bring you exciting posts, so make sure you give them some love and check out what great products they carry!
Barkbox is a monthly subscription service for your dog. Starting as low as $19 a month (shipping included) you can get a box of the finest treats and toys sent right to your front door every month! Choose from packages for small, medium, and large dogs and as a bonus 10% of their sales go to supporting rescue groups! You can check out just what goodies your dog could be getting every month by reading my reviews!
Ruffwear carries performance dog gear designed to enhance and inspire outdoor adventures for dogs and their human companions. Totally my kind of company that carries anything from dog hiking packs, harnesses, camping essentials and more! You can check out my review of their dog boots (that even work for dachshund’s too) as well as the Ruffwear Swamp Cooler to keep your pup cool in the summer and one of my favorites, the Ruffwear Front Range Harness!
The Honest Kitchen makes dehydrated pet food with all human grade ingredients. I’ve been making the Honest Kitchen part of my daily meals for some time now, and I have to say that I very much look forward to mealtime now. You can check out my review of their Revel Recipe as well as their Brave Recipe. Visit their website to snag a FREE SAMPLE BUNDLE of Honest Kitchen food for your dog or cat for just $1 in shipping (a $10 Value) – discount is applied at checkout.
If you would like to find out more about advertising with me, visit my advertising page. And thanks again to all of my wonderful sponsors, I couldn’t do it without you!
So it’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for, the reveal of my 2015 Halloween costume! All you Guardians of the Galaxy fans are going to love me as…..
Incase you didn’t catch the movie yet, don’t worry, I won’t give away any spoilers here.
Just know this…..
…with me on duty the Galaxy just got a whole lot safer! Pew! Pew!
Thanks to my mom and her handy glue gun I bet you would never have known that I’m not the real Rocket Raccoon from the Guardians of the Galaxy. I probably had you fooled didn’t I?
Probably a bit more convincing when my best pal Groot shows up to the party though!
Now if you’ll excuse me, me and my pals Star-Lord, Gamora, and Groot need to break out of jail so we can go defend the galaxy.
Seeing as how Halloween is just a few short days away, I couldn’t help but come up with some funny spooky inspired memes!
So if you need a little laugh today, or your friend needs a laugh, or everyone you know needs a laugh….then pass these around to everyone you know!
Good for a fun chuckle, right?
Tomorrow is the day that I officially share my 2015 Halloween costume! I bet you can hardly wait! So stick around for even more spooky fun, and Happy Halloweenie!
Disclaimer: this post is brought to you by Chewy. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you and your dog will love.
Raise of paws, who likes having their nails trimmed? Raise of hands, who likes trimming their pet’s nails? Just as I thought, no one.
It’s a necessary evil though, because having long nails can cause your pet to walk irregularly which can lead to skeletal problems. And we all know that us dachshunds don’t need any more reasons to have back trouble!
Now if your dog has black nails like I do, I’m sure you spend your life in constant fear of cutting them too short and hitting the quick (a soft cuticle rich in blood vessels and nerves that grows in the center of your dog’s nail). If you nick that tiny little quick your dog will scream out in pain, and yes, there may be blood!
My mom used to trim my nails at home, but over the years I got progressively worse at having them trimmed – so she started to take me to the vet to have them done every few months. Then a few months ago she decided it was high time I got better at having my nails done, so she set out to condition me to actually enjoy having them done!
Interestingly, this new nail trimming method was not with the traditional nail clippers, but instead with a dremel!
Over the past 2 months my mom has been working with me to make me more comfortable with the use of the dremel on my nails. While I wouldn’t say I LOVE it, I tolerate it. It saves me from having to make more trips than necessary to the vet or groomer, saves my mom money, and keeps my nails at a healthy length. It’s a win – win!
So since I’m sure you’re all curious just how my mom trained me to be better about having my nails trimmed, here’s how she did it….
Starting with the nail file, mom used it EVERY SINGLE DAY for 3 weeks to get me used to having my feet and nails handled. She started by picking up a foot and gently sanding my nails for just a few seconds at a time.
Each time I didn’t resist she would use the clicker and then reward me with a small (but yummy treat).
The great thing about these chews is that not only do I love the taste, but they’re also helping to clean my teeth while rewarding me for having my nails done at the same time!
After several weeks of practice with the nail file, mom moved onto the dremel. This time she “sanded” my nails without even turning it on. Again, each time I didn’t resist on a nail she would click and reward me. At the end of the session I’d get my jackpot treat, a Natural Balance Dental Chew.
After another week or so it was time to turn on the dremel. Using a low speed to start she’d do just a few of my nails, making sure to reward me quickly for not resisting at all.
Now once you start using the dremel with it on it’s important to note that you can’t just quickly sand your dog’s nails down in one sitting to the desired length, even if they are ok with it. The quick inside grows with your dog’s nail. So my mom likes to only work on sanding my nails once a week to allow time for the quick of my nail to shorten after the last trimming. (see diagram above for more details)
How short should you keep your pet’s nails? According to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation they should be short enough that they don’t touch the ground when your dog is standing on a flat surface, but long enough to aid the dog when climbing up a hill or digging.
Hear that mom? I need them for digging!
While I still have a ways to go to get mine back to the ideal length, I’m happy to say that after weeks of practice I’m now much more tolerant of having my nails done by dremel. While I very much wish I had gotten a video of the “before”, here’s how good I am at it now…
How is your dog about having their nails trimmed? Have you ever trimmed your pet’s nails with a dremel? Do tell!
Handy Tip: If your dog is resistant to even having their feet touched start without the nail fail and just reward them for letting you touch their feet without pulling away. Also, using a treat that your dog goes crazy over helps too, the better the treat, the more willing they will be to try.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be informative, but please keep in mind, what works for me may not work for your own pet. Please consult an expert if you are unsure about how to train your pet. Use caution when using a dremel around your pet, and we are not responsible for any injuries that may occur.
So you might have already caught a sneak peek at my new pal, Mr. Bones, a few weeks ago when he helped out with my Martha Stewart Pets photoshoot.
Well, he actually came home to live with me in the very beginning of October. Mom says he’s from an “adoption place” called Target.
While I’m not quite sure how I feel about sharing my home and toys with another dog, the good news is he doesn’t eat very much!
And just for kicks, here’s what happened when I first met Mr. Bones….
Did you catch that little “jab” I gave him. I had to give him a big ole’ bite in the spine…you know, just so he remembers who’s in charge.
Want to see more Mr. Bones fun? You can follow the #skeletondachshund hashtag on Instagram to see all the fun the other Dachshunds out there are having with their Mr. Bones clones.