If you’ve been keeping up with us on social media, you’ve probably seen a couple videos of our dog Jackson at his hydrotherapy sessions. It’s hard for us to believe that our boy is already 11 years old, and when you see the sparkle in his eye and the pep in his step, it might be hard for you to believe as well! Of course, we attribute a lot of his health and happiness to his human-grade dog food diet, but hydrotherapy plays a huge part in keeping him spry for his age.

Jackson loves his hydrotherapy sessions with Dip’n Dogs Hydrotherapy in Orlando. Hydrotherapy is great exercise for all dogs, especially senior dogs or those recovering from surgery or injuries. Here are just a handful of the big benefits it’ll bring to your pups: 

• No dog is too big or too small. At Dip’n Dogs and many other hydrotherapy facilities like it, the therapy session takes place in a pool, often assisted by a floatation vest. Dogs of any size are able to hop in and take a lap around the pool or to complete the exercises set out for them by their therapists. Under supervision, they’ll be able to carry out several exercises designed to target their problem points.

• Swimming has less impact than out-of-water exercises. Joint health is so important for older dogs. Often, the reason why they start to slow down with age is that their joints become stiff and painful. Water therapy offers enough resistance for a dog to get a good workout without jostling or impacting their joints. This is also important for dogs healing from injuries!

• Water-based activities can easily target any number of joints, muscles, or problem areas. Therapists design their activities based on your dog’s individual needs. By simply tilting your dog to one side or another, they can put the focus on the areas that need it most. Activities like swimming in figure-8’s are very helpful for spine strength and conditioning. Often, therapeutic pools have jets that they can turn on for an additional challenge or more resistance.

We highly recommend hydrotherapy for any senior dog. Even if your dog is young and in great shape, swimming is one of the best ways to help your dog stay active, build critical strengths, and get a good cardiovascular workout in. To learn more about Dip’n Dogs, click here. To browse through our selection of human-grade dog food, treats, and bone broth, click here. 

It’s already getting pretty hot outside! We love the summer months here in Florida as they give us lots of opportunities to take our dogs to the park or the beach for an afternoon of fun. But when you’re outside for a long time, you probably notice that you’re sweating a lot and need plenty of water to maintain your fluid levels. Even though your dog doesn’t sweat, he or she needs just as much water as you to stay hydrated and happy!

Dehydration in dogs can cause some serious health issues, including lethargy and shock. It can be easy to lose track of time when you’re playing fetch in the hot sun, but make sure you include plenty of water breaks during play time. Here are some tips to help you keep your dog hydrated this summer:

• Keep a clean water bowl on hand at all times. Cleaning your dog’s bowl daily is a necessity, especially during the summer when they’ll be drinking a lot. Sometimes, when bacteria and other buildup remains in the water bowl, your dog won’t want to drink from it. We like to clean our dogs’ water bowls every morning when we give them fresh water. You can also keep collapsible travel bowls on hand for park and beach visits.

• Don’t let your dog drink too much water too quickly. Gulping down a lot of water may seem like the right solution to dehydration, but doing so can cause stomach upset and cause your dog to vomit. Vomiting and other stomach upsets can leave your dog even more dehydrated than they were to begin with. It’s best to offer small amounts of water at regular intervals to keep their fluids up.

• Especially if you’re not home during the day, provide your dog with a bowl that he can’t knock over and is suitable for his face shape. Tall bowls are great for dogs with long ears, like basset hounds, to help prevent ear infections. However, a bowl that’s too tall for a small dog can leave them unable to drink all the way to the bottom. Make sure your active dog has a bowl with a weighted bottom so it can stand up to any roughhousing and play time.

When you give your dog outside time this summer, never leave him or her chained or tied up to a tree or post. Their ties can get wrapped around the post and prevent them from being able to reach their water sources. Always make sure you supervise play time and intersperse rest and water intervals to keep them safe and healthy. To learn more, send us an email today!

Beyond basic potty training, socializing your dog is one of the most important things you can do for them as a puppy. Proper socialization will give your dog opportunities to play with other dogs, to be calm and cool around new people, and to adapt to new environments without stress or upset. But there’s more to socializing than simply introducing your dog to a situation and letting them do their thing.

Socializing an older dog is more difficult than socializing a puppy, so we recommend you take care of socialization earlier on in your pet’s life. However, sometimes in the case of rescues or extenuating circumstances, you’re unable to take care of these tasks in puppyhood. In any case, making sure your dog is socialized will help reduce fear and aggression, eliminate excitability, and make playtime, walks, and new circumstances more pleasant for both you and your dog. Here are some tips on socializing your dog the right way:

• Make sure you include lots of things your dog loves, like treats and toys. Socializing is stressful by nature - you’re exposing your dog to common stressors so they can get over them easily! Any time you go out for a socializing mission, bring plenty of your dog’s favorite treats and toys to reward them for positive behavior. Any time they get off track, readjust their behavior and reward them when they respond in the intended way.

• Don’t be afraid to use a muzzle. Cesar Chavez, who you may know as The Dog Whisperer, has recommended using a muzzle while socializing for the benefit of humans as well as dogs. Your dog can pick up on your emotions and the emotions of humans around him, so by putting other humans at ease, you’re making the environment less stressful.

• Don’t jump into any situation too quickly. We don’t recommend going into the dog park right off the bat. Instead, take your dog past the dog park a few times, letting them absorb the sights, sounds, and smells. Stay at a distance, working your way up to letting your dog sniff other dogs at the gates. If your dog reacts negatively, regain that distance and work your way back up. Socializing takes time.

As we mentioned before, try your hardest to take care of socialization tasks while your dog is a puppy instead of leaving him stressed out into adulthood. Be patient with your dog and let him feel what he’s feeling. He will set the schedule based on his comfort levels. Want to get your dog the tastiest treats for your socializing trips? Browse through our store today!

Courtesy of TripSavvy

A few weeks ago, we had the pleasure of setting up our tent at Blue Jacket Park for their annual Paws for Peace event. If you’ve been following us on social media, you probably know that we’ve been making appearances at park events like these all around Orlando and Central Florida. Even when events aren’t involved, we love taking Jackson and Finley out for a day of fun in the sun, and the best part about it is, we have a huge selection of locations to choose from.

One of the things we love the most about living in Central Florida is how many wonderful dog parks there are in our area. Here’s a list of some of our favorites:

• Crane’s Roost Park in Altamonte is pet-friendly in most areas. This beautiful park over the water has clearly designated pet walk areas and is open to on-leash pets. Just be sure to check their event schedule before you go - during big events, no pets are allowed unless otherwise specified.

• Blue Jacket Park in Winter Park is a popular spot for runners. Like Crane’s Roost, Blue Jacket is an on-leash park, but if you have an active dog that likes to join you for a jog, this is a great place to do it.

• Doctors Dog Park is located near Wekiwa Springs and has a number of fun amenities for you and your dog, like pet showers, benches, water fountains, and a bridge. This park is off-leash, so your dogs have plenty of room to run and play!

• Barber Dog Park is not far from the airport area, and it’s a great place for agility training! Barber includes a separate area for small dogs, so you can rest easy letting your little one run around with his buddies. Take your dog around the agility equipment and give them a few lessons on climbing and jumping - it’s sure to enrich and entertain them!

There are a number of other dog parks waiting for you to explore around the Orlando area. Check out this list from BringFido.com to see some of the top rated dog parks and beaches in the area. Keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram pages to find out where we’ll be next!

We’re guessing that Florida’s mild winter didn’t deter you from going outside entirely during the winter season, but still, there’s something magical and inviting about the way the sun shines when springtime rolls around. The birds are singing, the squirrels are chasing each other in the trees, and the days are getting longer and warmer. So how are you and your dog going to celebrate the season?

Just like you, your dog needs exercise to maintain a healthy weight and enjoy an active lifestyle. However, not everyone wants to go jogging with their pups - and not every pup wants to go jogging, either! Here are a few creative ways to get some exercise in for you and your dog as spring transforms into summer:

1. Try an agility class. Agility classes aren’t just for puppies! If your dog has a lot of energy to burn, try taking them to an agility course. A number of dog parks around the Orlando have agility and climbing equipment, but if you want your dog to get the most out of their playtime, there are plenty of places that offer classes and training. Take a look at Dog-On-It Agility Club of Central Florida, who take on any dog who wants to boost speed and have fun.

2. Play fetch. One of the best things about playing fetch with your dog is that you can do it just about anywhere! Most dogs love the opportunity to catch a frisbee, a ball, or their favorite toy. Just make sure the location you choose is dog-friendly and they aren’t in any risk of running into traffic or going somewhere dangerous. Try the park, the beach, or even just your backyard.

3. Let them spend some time with friends. Most animal behaviorists will tell you that the best exercise an animal can get is exercise that mimics what they would do in the wild. For dogs, this means running, playing, and wrestling with others in their pack! Social time is a great way for your dog to expend some energy while getting in some healthy socialization.

Be creative with how you schedule your exercise time with your dogs! If your dog is older or has bone or joint issues, something more gentle like hydrotherapy is a great choice. Still not sure what kind of exercise is best for your furry friend? Have a conversation with your veterinarian to see if they recommend any locations around Orlando. Get your dog started on a human-grade diet. Browse through the Pawsitively Pure shop here.