Every dog has its day!

WHEN asked ‘What is a dog?’ one long-time dog owner had this reply: ‘Dogs are little angels in life. They keep us company, help us out of depression, give us a feeling of being needed,  keep us from loneliness, provide us with the purest form of unconditional love that most of us will ever know. They are more loyal than most people and dedicate their lives to loving us and pleasing us. They are God’s best work’.

Few animal lovers will argue with that and, as today is World Dog Day, this is the perfect time to spoil that special pooch with some extra love and care.

Most dogs love treats and will be willing to perform almost any crazy trick if they think a tasty reward is in the offing. The good news is there are doggy snacks which are quick and inexpensive to make. Here’s a recipe for peanut nibbles, guaranteed to drive your pet’s taste buds, erm, nuts!

• Mix two  cups of whole wheat flour with half a cup of oats and two teaspoons of cinnamon.
• Combine half a cup of smooth peanut butter, half a cup of water and half a cup of chicken broth.
• Microwave this for 15 to 30 seconds, just until it forms a smooth liquid.
• Add the mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until dough forms.
• Form the dough into small rounds and use your thumbs to press a well into each cookie as they flatten it.
• Place the nibbles on a baking sheet that’s been lightly coated with a non-stick spray.
• Bake at 325 degrees (160 degrees Celsius) for 15 minutes and allow the treats to cool in the oven.

Recipe taken from HowStuffWorks

Rare is the hound which does not enjoy a good walk. In addition to providing exercise and a chance to perform necessary ablutions,  walks are full of opportunities for your dog to learn about the world and develop good behaviors.

An enriching walk will also help tire out a dog out both mentally and physically. Huffington Post offers some ways to make walks as fun as possible for both master and mutt.

1. Play “Find It”

Most dogs  love the thrill of discovering something really great to put in their mouth. Toss treats periodically in front of you, and then give him the cue “Find it!” to let him know that the hunt should begin.

2. Encourage sniffing

It is hard for humans to even begin to comprehend what a dog’s sense of smell is like. It’s thought to be as much as 10,000 times better than ours.  So, when your dog stops to sniff yet another lamp post, let him have a moment to really fully enjoy it. Think of pee as a dog’s way of communicating with other canines it’s like he’s checking Facebook. It’s his pee-mail.

3. Walk fast and change directions

Let’s face it – a human on the end of a leash is B-O-R-I-N-G. Picking up the pace and changing direction periodically can help keep things interesting for both of you.

4. Talk to humans

Always ask other dog owners if it is safe for your dog to greet their dog, and speak up quickly if you don’t think your dog can politely say “hi.” When in doubt, keep greetings short and sweet. Keep an eye out for loose, wiggly body language. These are generally signs of friendliness; stiffness and staring are usually signs that one dog or the other isn’t comfortable.

This post originally appeared on SchoolForTheDogs.com

Regular grooming and bathing should be part of your pet’s routine.  Here are some useful hints on both from PetSafe.net

Grooming

Give your dog treats and praise as you work. It will make it more enjoyable for both of you. You can give him treats periodically or a long-lasting rawhide treat or toy with treats inside.

• It helps to start grooming when they’re young to get them used to it. You should also pay attention to what your dog does and doesn’t like. If your dog hates nail trims, do that part last. If he loves getting brushed, make sure to spend some extra time brushing his coat out. You can also add in a little massage time at the end.

Brushing

• You should brush your dog before the bath to get out any tangles or mats. Try out different combs and brushes until you find the best one for your dog’s coat.
• Brush out mats by holding your pet’s fur close to the skin and gently working out the mat.
• Cut out mats that can’t be brushed out. Keep in mind that long-haired dogs might need daily brushings, while short-haired dogs are often fine with a brushing once a week.

Bath Time

• Most dogs only need to be bathed once every week or two. As you’re bathing your dog, use plenty of warm water to keep him nice and wet, and make sure to work the soap into your dog’s fur and skin. Start at the top and work your way down. Spend some extra time on your dog’s neck, where his collar normally is; it’s very important to keep that area clean. During the bath, do a quick check all over your dog’s skin for cuts, ticks, or irritated skin.

• To protect your dog’s eyes, you can put a drop of mineral oil around each eye. A cotton ball placed in each ear will help keep water out.  Always rinse well to prevent your dog’s skin from drying out. If your dog has skin problems, use a shampoo that’s medicated or designed for sensitive skin and keep him in the tub to let the soap soak in for 15-30 minutes before rinsing. You can also buy coat conditioners that are either leave-in sprays or are rinsed out after.

• Let your dog drip dry for a few minutes, then towel him dry or  use a hair dryer on a cool setting. You can brush him out while you blow dry to help him dry faster. Be sure to dry your dog’s feet well. It is  recommended that you wait three days before or after bathing to apply flea and/or tick remedies.