Disclaimer: this post is brought to you by Chewy.com. All opinions are my own and I received a product in exchange for my honest review. I only share products that I think you and your dogs will love.
With the Kibble Drop Toy you simply drop a few treats or dry kibble into the top opening where they fall to any of the 4 chambers. Your dog must then determine which chamber the treat has fallen into and which flap to lift in order to retrieve it. Scent holes on the chambers assist in your pup’s search for the reward!
Check out the video below to find out if the Kibble Drop was able to outsmart me…
My mom says this toy would be great for dogs that eat their meals too fast, because you could drop their kibble in it to slow them down at mealtime. It’s also good to know that it’s made with durable food-safe plastic and is BPA, PVC, & phthalate free.
So what do you think, do you think your pup would be outsmarted by the Kibble Drop Toy? Find out by snagging one from Chewy.comON SALE for $7.99!
Disclaimer: this post and giveaway is brought to you by Vimtag. All opinions are my own, and I only share products that I think you and your pets will love.
A few months ago I did something very bad. I know, it’s so out of character for me seeing as how I’m always on my best behavior (at least that’s what I tell everyone). In my defense though, I didn’t really feel like being left home alone with Trooper at his house.
I began to regret my unfortunate decision to leave my “mark” on Trooper’s brand-new door when mom announced that I would have to stay in my crate whenever I am left alone at my buddy’s house.
The crate?? But don’t they know how much I HATE being left in that thing!
So thus began the adventure of my mom conditioning me to enjoy (as much as one can) being in my crate at Trooper’s house.
You may remember a few weeks ago I introduced you to a new Wireless Camera that mom and dad used to keep an eye on me when they were away from home. Well the Vimtag Camera began to play an important role in my crate training as well.
After setting me up in my crate with a fun toy filled with peanut butter, mom would set up the Vimtag Camera before heading out the door.
With the ability to view my every move from the Vimtag Wireless App, mom would head out the stable to watch my progress with my buddy Boomerang.
Starting with short sessions to being with, she’d leave me in a crate for 10 – 15 minutes at a time.
With the ability to not only see what I was doing, but also hear whether I was crying or barking too, mom was able to time coming back into the house to release me from my crate at a moment when I had actually calmed down and relaxed.
Thus the Vimtag Camera made it possible for her to only release me when I was in a calm state, rewarding me for being quiet and patient.
Thanks to Vimtag, I’m getting more and more comfortable with being in my crate at Trooper’s house. Mom says it’s been invaluable to my training, and made the process go so much quicker!
TWO WINNERS WILL A VIMTAG WIRELESS SECURITY CAMERA!
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).
Disclaimer: this post is brought to you by The Honest Kitchen and does contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you and your dog will love.
My friends over at The Honest Kitchen recently came out with a warm broth for dogs that’s just the thing to heat up your pup this winter season!
Their Bone Broth can be mixed with warm water to make a nourishing, and irresistibly mouthwatering drink, that’s got a few health-promoting properties, too. It’s like a warm treat for your pet with lots of added health benefits too.
The Honest Kitchen Bone Broth is also made with Turmeric. Turmeric has been studied for its antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties and is great for both dogs and cats.
One of my mom’s favorite pet nutrition bloggers, Rodney Habib, has some great information on how Turmeric can be beneficial to your pets. Not only will it help prevent your pet from getting cancer, but it will also aid in the following:
Anti-Inflammatory
Detoxifier
Treatment of epilepsy
Relieves allergies
Prevents the formation of cataracts
Treats depression
Kills parasites
Heals stomach ailments, aids in digestive disorders, and reduces gas and bloating
Fat metabolism and weight management
High in fiber and rich in vitamins and minerals
So I don’t know about you, but I’m all for helping to prevent Cancer (among other ailments), and if it tastes as good as The Honest Kitchen’s Bone Broth, then count me in!
You can combine 1 tablespoon of Bone Broth with 1 cup of warm water to serve to your pet as a healthy treat.
Or you can do what my mom did and pour it onto your pet’s food at mealtime. Mom found that for the amount of food I eat, that half that amount seemed to work fine.
Since I had some dry dog food I’m using up, it was great to pour on top to add a special treat to my meals. I’d never say no to warm broth on my food, especially as the weather starts to get chilly here.
I’m looking forward to using it to re-hydrate my Honest Kitchen dehydrated raw food (Marvel) as well. It’s going to taste so yummy when I come in from playing in the snow this winter!
Disclosure: This post and giveaway is brought to you by Vimtag and does contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you and your dog will love!
Now if you thought my every move was documented on this blog, I’m about to take it to a whole new level thanks to my new friends over at Vimtag!
My new little companion here can connect to your ethernet or wifi network and records HD video of anything you would like.
And I bet you can guess what my mom decided to record with my Vimtag….me! I am the star of this show after all.
So after a simple 4 step setup (mom didn’t even finish reading all the directions before she had it up and running), my Vimtag was ready to record some video.
From the Vimtag online portal mom can monitor what I’m doing in the other room, as well as have access to a whole slew of other features!
But the absolute best part (for your mom and dad at least) is that the Vimtag goes mobile with the FREE Vimtag App! From here your video monitoring is totally on the go, with access to a live view of your pet whenever you’re away from them.
From the app you can even tilt and pan the camera, listen in to exactly what you pet is doing, record picture snap shots and video (for viewing later) and even TALK TO YOUR PET!
You can also set up motion alerts for the camera, so if your pet enters the room (or maybe jumps on the bed if they aren’t supposed to) you can get a notification on your phone. With the addition of a mini sd card you can even set it up to auto-record when the camera detects movement. I guess my days of being sneaky while mom and dad are gone are over!
So a few weeks ago mom and dad set up the Vimtag camera in the bedroom (where I tend to nap a lot) on a night they were headed out of the house without me.
Then my parents headed off to a local football game (can you believe they didn’t take me!), but checked on me several times throughout the night with the Vimtag mobile app. Even though it had gotten dark at home, the camera has night vision so they were still able to see what I was up to crystal clear.
Here’s a fun little playback of some of the video mom and dad saved from that evening…
Being that this is the first time ever mom and dad got to see what I did when they were away from home they noticed that I was on high alert to every little sound. So next time they said they’ll leave a TV on for me so some of the outside noise is drowned out. And when I heard them talk to me through the camera for the first time, boy did I cry! I may be a tough dog, but I always miss my mom and dad when they’re away. (P.S. don’t worry, they were only 5 minutes from home when they decided to test out the voice feature)
My mom and dad thought the Vimtag Wireless Video Monitoring Camera was a great way to give them peace of mind while they were away from me, and with a cost of $99, it’s a great price for adding several to your home – to capture anything you can imagine! (Hopefully they didn’t catch me trying to sneak onto the dining table the other night!) They even work for a whole slew of other things like Nanny Cam, Business Monitoring, Security, Vacation Home Monitoring, and Senior Monitoring.
TWO WINNERS WILL A VIMTAG WIRELESS SECURITY CAMERA!
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).
The coolest part is this giveaway will be running for a month! So you’ve got plenty of time to spread the word to all your friends so they can have a chance to win too!
Never want to miss any of the adventures (or giveaways) on my blog? Make sure you sign-up for e-mail updates!
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!
When it comes to treat dispensing toys, I have to say, I’ve pretty much tried them all! Toys you have to roll around, toys you have to chew, and toys that are just too frustrating that you can’t get one single treat out of.
I have some that I loathe and some that I love, and now thanks to my friends at Chewy.com I can add another one to the love pile!
..then simply twist them together creating space for your dog to get the treats out. Twist the sides close together for a more challenging game, and keep it wider apart for an easier game.
I like mine in the middle, not too hard, but not too easy.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have some treat dispensing to work on!
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.
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.
Disclaimer: This post and giveaway is brought to you by Martha Stewart Pets®. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you will love.
It’s that time of year when the ghosts and goblins begin to come out, or in my case, the witches! Since I’m sure you want to help your pets get into the Halloween Spirit too, my friends over at Martha Stewart Pets® have launched their brand new Halloween line to help you get started!
From toys to treats and adorably cute costumes, these are the kinds of pet products that get me super excited for Halloween.
You may have caught a sneak peak of some of the Halloween toys that made their way to my house on my Birthday. They have quickly become my new best friends!
…and even floppy tug toys! This little fox is actually my very favorite from the line, I’m a master tugger that’s for sure.
One toy in particular brought out the little devil in me, because of course I’m always the sweetest boy ever, and normally I would NEVER do anything naughty.
But with a little coaxing from my new friend, I decided to scare mom and dad by blending into my new toy pile (just like in the movie E.T.) and popped out just at the right moment to scare them! After all, that’s what Halloween is all about!
The Martha Stewart Pets Halloween Line not only has spooky toys, but they also have some adorable pet bowls too.
They’re all adorable, but I have to say the Eyeball Pet Bowl is my favorite!
Martha Stewart Pets also sent along one of their fun Halloween Costumes too, but since it was a little too snug on me, my friend Bones here decided to help model it.
Bones was looking a little chilly (I think he lost weight), so he was thrilled to have a Vampire costume to help cover him up a bit.
ONE WINNER WILL A HALLOWEEN PRIZE PACK FROM MARTHA STEWART PETS!
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 & CANADA 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).
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.
