Tasty Treats are Helpful Tools

Think of the last time you got a little treat for yourself. Maybe it was that pair of shoes you’ve been looking at, or maybe it was a slice of chocolate cake–either way, treats for us are often just indulgences. In your dogs’ case, however, treats are so much more than just fun snacks; they’re essential tools for your dog’s training. 

Dog treats come in a variety of types and sizes: some crunchy, some soft, some bite-sized, some long-lasting. No matter what your dog’s favorite flavor is, choosing high-quality treats can make all the difference when it comes to the success of your training program. 

So, how can you use treats to help your dog’s progress?

The Psychology of Positive Reinforcement

As a dog owner, you’re probably familiar with the term “positive reinforcement.” According to the AKC, positive reinforcement uses praise and rewards to encourage desired behaviors. For example, giving your dog a treat for sitting properly encourages that behavior and makes them more likely to do it again in the future. 

Edible treats are among the most effective motivators for dogs. Biologically speaking, the necessity of food has determined many of modern dogs’ drives and behaviors, and thus, receiving food with minimal effort comes across as a huge reward. Once your dogs know that they’ll receive food for repeated good behavior, you’re likely to find that training is a breeze.

Furthermore, rewarding your dog with treats is a great way to build trust between the two of you. Your dog will easily identify you as a provider and a reliable source of healthy snacks; they’ll look forward to training sessions and be eager to continue learning.

Why Healthy Treats Matter

Here at Pawsitively Pure Dog Food, we believe that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks. Training your dog can be a lifelong pursuit, with your dog continuing to learn good behaviors year after year. What’s more, you should continue to positively reinforce learned behaviors over time to ensure your dog is still invested in repeating those good habits. That’s why offering your dog healthy treats is so important. 

• Avoid harmful ingredients. Low-quality, mass-produced dog treats often include a number of preservatives and fillers that can cause health problems over time or if treats are offered too frequently. Such health issues can include weight gain, digestive problems, allergies, and beyond. 

• Bring on the good stuff. On the other hand, healthy, all-natural treats not only avoid the negative health effects, but they can also offer a nutritional boost to your dog’s daily diet. After switching to all-natural dog food and treats, many dog owners notice improved skin and coat, higher energy levels, and improved digestion. Ingredients like blueberries and sweet potatoes are both nutrient dense and delicious!

• Don’t forget about portion control. Being mindful of your dog’s treat intake is important in maintaining their weight. If your training schedule is intensive, it’s a good idea to break treats into smaller pieces to make bite-sized rewards for correct behavior. 

Choosing the Right Treats for Your Training Sessions

When it comes down to it, the right treat for your dog is a matter of taste. Soft, chewy treats are easy for dogs to consume while they’re busy with a new task, but some dogs prefer the crunch of a chicken crisp or a biscuit. It can be a good idea to have a couple different treats on hand to keep your dog from getting bored and losing interest when it’s time for training and rewards. Experiment with different ingredients, textures, and flavors to find out what makes your dog’s tail wag the hardest. 

Now is the perfect time to stock up on some new, healthy treats to help make your dog’s training sessions a breeze. Selecting a treat that’s low on fillers and high on nutritional value not only makes training fun, but also provides your dog with critical nutrients and improves their overall quality of life. Pawsitively Pure Dog Food offers all-natural, soft biscuits and all-meat, crunchy chicken crisps so your dogs have a variety of tasty treats to choose from. Head over to our shop to order yours today.

Who Doesn’t Love Dog Paws?

No one can deny just how precious dog paws are. Long-haired or short, fluffy or sleek, each dog’s paw is unique and beautiful. But dog paws aren’t just there for our admiration; your dog’s paws are important for your dog’s overall quality of life, as they allow your dog to walk, run, play, jump, and perform tricks. They even assist with temperature regulation, stability, and protection. 

Here’s the thing: since most dogs generally don’t wear shoes outside, their feet are exposed to many more irritants and potentially harmful obstacles than our own feet. Whether your dog picks up traces of pesticides in their paws or gets scrapes and cuts from sharp rocks and detritus, their overall wellness can be at risk if their paws aren’t treated with proper care and attention. Keeping an eye on the condition of your dog's paws can give you important information about their overall health.

Pay Attention to the Paws

Take a close look at your dog’s paws. Are they smelly? Are the nails overgrown? Are they matted or covered in hitchhikers? Is there a pinkish color to them? Each of these conditions can give you a heads up that your dog may need a medical checkup. As is the case when you have injuries or skin conditions on your feet, your dog will find difficulty walking and carrying out their day-to-day activities with unhealthy paws. 

Keep in mind that most dogs aren’t comfortable having their paws handled without a little preliminary acclimation. According to Wag Walking, your dog’s paws are important receptors of sensory information, so it can make them feel vulnerable to have their paws touched or held. What’s more, they can be reluctant to offer their paws if they’ve been injured during grooming or nail trimming. To help put your dogs at ease, start training as soon as possible and reward them with high-value treats for staying calm when you touch and hold their paws.

How to Keep Your Dog’s Paws Healthy

There are a number of prevention and maintenance tasks you can perform at home to keep your dog’s paws in great shape.

Protect Paws in Extreme Temperatures

Here in Central Florida, our summers get exceptionally hot; so far, our hottest day in Orlando was June 15 when temperatures reached 98 degrees. Our hot summer days heat asphalt and concrete to temperatures that may be uncomfortable for our dog's paws and can even cause burns, leaving them prone to infection. Do what you can to avoid walking on the road during peak temperatures, and if you have to travel at those times, get a set of protective shoes for your dog. Similarly, if you’re in an area that gets lots of snow and ice, a set of protective booties can protect your dog’s paws from injury and discomfort.

Monitor Excessive Licking

When your dog licks their paws, they may be trying to soothe a sore or itchy spot that’s bothering them. Excessive paw licking can be a sign that your dog has food allergies, environmental allergies, or an open wound. What’s more, that licking can lead to further issues since the damp paw creates the perfect environment for fungal infections to take root. If you notice your dog licking their paws more than usual, it might be a good idea to schedule a vet appointment.

Take Special Care When Trimming Nails

Trimming your dog’s nails helps to keep them comfortable during their daily activities as overgrown nails affect the way their paws rest on the ground. However, if you’re not careful when you trim or your dog squirms too much, you may wind up nicking the quick and causing bleeding and pain. If you’re nervous about trimming your dog’s nails, your vet probably offers a nail trimming service at a reasonable price.

Additionally, keep an eye on the quality of your dog’s nails. Dewclaws especially tend to get caught in fabrics and may crack or rip. For us humans, a broken nail is an inconvenience that can cause some tenderness, but for dogs, nails are integral parts of the claw and damage can cause severe pain and further health complications. It’s important that you address nail damage as soon as possible with the help of your vet. 

Clean and Pamper Your Dog’s Paws

As we mentioned above, your dog’s paws tend to collect traces of pesticides, fertilizers, and other environmental hazards that can make life less comfortable for humans and dogs alike. While all dogs aren’t susceptible to environmental allergies, accumulated pollutants can still cause itching and discomfort and can also cause a health hazard for your human family. To help eliminate this issue, give your dog a pawdicure! Regularly clean and bathe your dog’s paws with a gentle but effective cleanser, and try to wipe their feet each time they come inside. When their paws are dry, you can apply a paw balm for extra soothing and protective effects. 

Love Your Dog From Snout to Paws!

Canine health care involves taking care of every part of your dog from head to paws! Proper paw care can help your dog maintain their overall quality of life and keep them active and comfortable. Visit our online shop to get our organic paw balm to keep your dog’s paws feeling their best!

How Dogs Get Into Tummy Troubles

Dogs are inquisitive by nature. Their sensitive snouts guide them to discover most of their information about the world around them, from food and toys to other dogs and human friends. However, that inquisitive nature sometimes means that might seem tasty at first sniff but doesn’t sit right on their stomachs. Some dogs are prone to stomach sensitivity; some dogs get upset stomachs in stressful situations; some dogs just like to put everything in their mouths. No matter your dog’s temperament, you’re likely to encounter an upset stomach at least once in their lifetime.

When you’re monitoring your dog’s upset stomach, a good first place to start is by getting in touch with your veterinarian. Some mild cases of tummy upset will pass on their own, but you need to be mindful of more severe symptoms including:

• Frequent vomiting

• Frequent diarrhea

• Bloody stool

• Total loss of appetite

• Lethargy

• Excessive drooling

How to Avoid Tummy Troubles

As is the case with humans, not every tasty-looking morsel our dogs see is good for them to eat. Even some foods that are perfectly healthy for humans can have serious negative consequences for dogs. Make sure your dog doesn’t get the opportunity to eat any of these human foods: 

• Grapes

• Avocado

• Chocolate

• Alcohol

• Onions and Garlic

• Caffeine

Furthermore, non-food items can also cause severe reactions in dogs. If you’re a plant lover, there are certain plants you’ll want to keep out of reach of your pets. Also, some dogs are bad at dropping items instead of swallowing them. Some dogs eat the stuffing or hard parts of their toys; others like to consume socks, dryer sheets, and other such items left in their paths on the floor. If this is the case, you’ll want to work with a trainer to break this habit as it can cause serious discomfort - or worse. 

Foods That Can Soothe a Sick Dog’s Stomach

If you’re nursing your sick dog’s stomach at home, it’s generally recommended to take a short break from their usual diets and give them foods that are gentle and soothing on their stomachs. Here are the best foods to feed your dog while they’re recovering from nausea. 

Bone broth

One of the symptoms of an upset stomach is a loss of appetite or lack of desire to eat. However, you still want your dog to have access to healthy nutrients when they’re not very hungry. A warm bowl of bone broth is enticing, light on the stomach, packed with vitamins and minerals, and provides liquid to help prevent dehydration. Make sure you select a bone broth that’s specifically formulated for dogs, meaning that it doesn’t have herbs, onions, or garlic that may irritate their stomach even more.

Pumpkin

We’ve discussed at length the wonders of pumpkin for your dog, so it should come as no surprise that pumpkin is a big helper for upset stomachs. Pumpkin is full of healthy fiber, which helps to settle upset stomachs. It also has Vitamin A, C, E, B6, iron, magnesium, potassium, folate, and so many other nutrients. When choosing pumpkin for your dog, be sure not to get pumpkin pie filling, which is packed with sugars and other additives. Instead, select a can of plain, pure pumpkin puree - or cook your own when it’s in season! 

Rice

Rice is often recommended for humans when they have upset stomachs, too! Plain white rice is low in nutrients, but it’s a good addition to your dog’s meals to keep them sated while they’re recovering from illness. Many veterinarians recommend giving sick dogs multiple small meals throughout the day, so rice is a great option when your dog just wants a little snack to tide them over. 

Plain chicken

We haven’t met a dog that can say no to a little nibble of chicken. Plain, boiled chicken (made without butter, oil, or spices) offers a great incentive for your dog to have a bite if they haven’t eaten all day. The AKC recommends offering small meals of plain chicken and white rice to make sure your dog has protein in their system to keep them energized. Be sure to serve the chicken in deboned, bite-sized pieces so your dog won’t choke if they’re hungry!

Always Check In With Your Veterinarian

As we mentioned before, it’s so important to check in with your veterinarian before you start treating stomach illness at home. You’ll want to let your vet know about your dog’s symptoms and do your best to determine the cause of their illness so they can give you the best plan of action for your dog’s health. If your vet gives you the OK to care for them at home, order a bag of Pawsitively Pure Bone Broth and give them lots of extra comfort and love while they recover.

Your dog’s paws go through a lot! While we humans almost always wear shoes to keep our feet protected from the elements, our dogs’ paw pads have to stand up to concrete, dirt, sand, debris, and high temperatures, just to name a few. That’s why it’s so important to keep your dog’s paws clean and healthy - after all, a sore paw or infection will keep them from walking, playing, and doing all the things they love most in life!

That’s why we’ve developed an organic paw balm. We used all-natural ingredients to create a soothing, protective salve that keeps your dog comfortable and ready to go. We included ingredients with some really great benefits: 

• Coconut oil and olive oil: responsibly sourced oils are the main soothing ingredients in our salve. Did you know that coconut oil has been recognized as a natural antibacterial? Rubbing this on your dog’s paws will help keep any cuts and scratches from getting infected while keeping those toes comfy. It’ll help soothe itching and rubbing!!

• Shea butter: you’ve probably seen shea butter listed in some of your lotions and shower gels. It’s a great softening agent for your dogs’ skin, too! It does offer some natural sun protectant properties, and while the bottoms of your dogs’ paws probably aren’t getting a lot of sun exposure, this makes it a great option for irritated elbows and scaly patches. It’s soothing enough that it can help stop biting and scratching of irritated areas!

• Calendula: this is a super helpful medicinal flower, commonly known as the marigold! For centuries, people have turned to calendula to soothe irritation, relieve pain, and reduce inflammation and pain. It’s still proven as an effective healer and protector for dog and human skin alike! It’s great when it comes to promoting wound healing and has been a noted helper for many pet owners. 

Our paw balm is great for dogs that live in any climate! With the winter coming up, your dogs’ feet may be exposed to cold pavement, snow, and salt, depending on where you’re located. Dip their paws in our paw balm before your next walk to keep them comfortable and protected from debris! To learn more, join our Facebook group, Pawsitively Pure Living for Dogs. Join the conversation on healthy, organic living for dogs!

This month, our boy Jackson turns 11 years old! Senior dogs tend to slow down and run into issues like arthritis and lack of energy as they age, but our boy still loves running around outside and playing with his friends. We take him to Dip’n Dogs hydrotherapy to help keep his muscles strong and free from pain. We also feed him a wholesome diet that includes real, human-grade food and bone broth - and it’s been a great way to help keep Jackson healthy.

We think that your dog would love the addition of bone broth to their diet, and you’ll love the results it brings! Here are just a few reasons why you should add this tasty, nutritious supplement to your dog’s diet:

• It’s great for senior dogs. Just like our dog Jackson, senior dogs have different needs as they age. Joint support is a huge issue for older dogs - just like it is with humans! Bone broth is packed with the collagens and glucosamine your dog needs to keep his joints working smoothly and without pain. Plus, bone broth is a great way to get nutrients when your dog isn’t hungry.

• It helps eliminate harmful compounds from everyday life. Think about it - every day, your dog is exposed to plenty of harmful chemicals, from pesticides and fertilizers on the grass to cleaning solutions on the carpets they roll on. Your dog needs a little extra help getting rid of those harmful toxins and keeping their liver in good shape. Bone broth has glycine, which helps support an active liver and eliminate any harmful chemicals in the bloodstream.

• It’s a good food source for sick dogs. If you’ve ever had a sick dog or a dog with tummy troubles, you know how hard it can be to get them back on solid food. Sometimes when your dog is going through an illness, he won’t be up to processing solid foods. Offering your dog some bone broth when they’re not feeling their best is the easiest way to make sure they’re getting the nutrition they need without solids.

Our bone broth is made from 100% grass-fed, responsibly sourced beef or chicken bones. We simmer our organic bones over low heat for over 24 hours so your dog gets the best of the best nutrients from the bone broth. We recommend serving it over your dog’s food or warming it up and serving it on its own. To learn more, feel free to browse our site or send us a message!