Brain Training is Not Just for Humans

On October 13, we celebrate National Train Your Brain Day, which promotes the idea that mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise. Have you ever heard the phrase “use it or lose it?” This rings true for our mental acuity just as much as our physical bodies: it’s been proven that our cognitive function is significantly reduced when we don’t challenge our brains on a regular basis. But did you know that brain training is just as important for dogs as it is for humans?

Mental exercises are often overlooked but incredibly important for your dog’s overall wellbeing. Enrichment activities that encourage your dog to develop problem solving and investigation skills can help prevent inappropriate behaviors, strengthen your bond, and just plain tire them out! 

So how exactly do you help your dog exercise their brain? If you’ve never tried before, you may be envisioning a dog college, or at the very least, an incredibly complicated tutoring program. Luckily, many brain training exercises for dogs involve simple sessions that you can set up with objects you already have at your home.

Brain Training for Dogs at Home

Minimal equipment is needed for these fun, at-home training games.

Hide Toys and Treats

Your dog is a natural-born finder. With his incredibly powerful sense of smell, your dog loves the challenge of finding and unearthing treasures. If you don’t want to make a mess by digging up holes in your backyard, you can hide your dog’s favorite toy or a couple of treats around your home. Simply put your dog in a “stay” position and let them watch you bury their squeaky toy between the couch cushions or underneath the coffee table. When you’re done, release them from their “stay” and encourage them to go find the object. After a few rounds of this, you and your dog will be having a great time together!

Make a Dig Pit or a Snuffle Mat

Some dogs just love to dig. This hearkens back to that natural finding ability they carry with them throughout their lives. You can indulge this activity while keeping your flower beds safe by making an in-house dig pit. To do so, simply find a shallow box that’s an appropriate size to accommodate your dog and fill it with soft materials like cut up rags, toilet paper rolls, and other dog-safe items. Hide a treat or two beneath the layers and watch your dog go nuts! You can also use a snuffle mat, which is a mat made of several layers of rug or cloth with several pockets for treats or bits of kibble. These activities are safe and relatively mess-free!

Teach a New Trick

You absolutely can teach an old dog new tricks with patience and preparation! Learning a new trick is the quintessential way to train your dog’s brain, and it can lead to better communication and understanding between you and your dog. Whatever trick you decide to learn, be sure to have plenty of high-value treats on hand to reward good behavior. Also, keep your training session relatively short; spending too much time may cause your dog to become bored and lead to some frustration for everyone involved.

Try a Puzzle Toy

Many innovative and exciting types of puzzle toys have appeared on the pet care scene, especially in recent years. Ranging from simple action-reward toys to more complicated, multi-step challenges, puzzle toys for dogs are readily available at most pet stores and can be fairly affordable based on complexity. Generally speaking, all you need to do is pop a few treats in the proper receptacles and encourage your dog to explore on their own! Even a Kong stuffed with kibble and treats can serve as a simple mental stimulator for your pup.

Brain Training for Dogs Outside

Looking for some brain training opportunities while you’re out and about? These activities are simple and effective.

Socialize Your Dog

Socialization is an incredibly important step in your dog’s upbringing, and it’s also a simple and fun way to train their brain. Best practices for socialization vary greatly based on your dog’s age and stage of development. While puppies and adolescent dogs may be comfortable learning by experience and encountering many new dogs and people at once, adult dogs need a much gentler approach as they may become overwhelmed by unfamiliar situations. Ask your veterinarian for some tips on the best ways to socialize your dog at their current age. No matter which methods you choose, always be sure your dog is in a safe play environment and can exit when they’re done with the activity. 

Mix Up Your Walking Paths

Do you and your dog take the same walking route every day? They may be getting bored of seeing the same landmarks and experiences every time. Simply changing up your walking route is a great way to stimulate your dog’s brain and body at the same time. Aim to take your dog through a wide variety of environments, from your neighborhood sidewalks to dirt roads and even forest trails. We bet your dog will be ready for a nice long nap once you make it back home!

A Healthy Diet Supports a Healthy Brain

A healthy diet can give your dog the energy they need to carry out any brain training challenges you put in front of them. In honor of National Train Your Brain Day, make a commitment to giving your dog mental exercises 3-5 times a week. With so many simple and affordable options available for brain training, there’s no reason not to! As we mentioned above, short sessions are typically preferable to help avoid burnout and exhaustion. Finally, always have some healthy, tasty treats at the ready to reward great behavior. Head over to our online store or meet us at a weekend farmers market to stock up on your dog’s new favorite treats.

We Love Our Weekend Farmers Markets

Every weekend, we set up our tents at three of the most wonderful farmers markets in Central Florida. For us, these market weekends are a treat: we get to be outside in beautiful park settings, meet new people, and offer tasty treat samples to the happy pups that join their parents. We’re lucky to have so many great dog-friendly events in Orlando, and we know that you dog moms and dads feel the same!

As responsible pet parents, it’s important to make sure your dogs are on their best behavior at the farmers’ market to ensure a fun time for all attendees. Here are just a few guidelines to keep in mind before you bring your dogs to the Winter Park, Lake Mary, or Maitland Farmers Markets to stop by our booth.

Be Realistic About Your Dog’s Temperament

A bustling farmers’ market can be a high-stress environment for any dog. There are so many new sights, smells, people, and other dogs to encounter. While we know you want your dog to be included in all the fun, it’s so important to be realistic about your dog’s temperament and manners. Putting your dog in a situation where they’re unable to make the proper responses to a variety of situations can be dangerous for you and for those around you.

At a minimum, make sure your dog is comfortable around strangers, other dogs, and children. Your dog should also know commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “down.” As always, be sure you bring along some high-value treats to reward them for good behavior in new situations.

Make Sure Your Dog’s ID is Visible

The goal in bringing your dog to the farmers’ market with you is to have a great time, not to put them under stress! However, even the best-trained dog may become overwhelmed in a new situation. What’s more, there’s always the possibility that you lose control of the leash when you have a handful of shopping bags. Whatever the situation, you want to make sure that your dog is easily identifiable in case of emergency.

If you don’t already have an ID tag on your dog’s harness or collar, you should get one now. You can also get your dog’s information embroidered on their harness or collar so you can make sure it stays with them at all times. Additionally, if your dog is not already microchipped, now is the time to do it. 

Get the Right Gear

You’ve obviously taken your dog on a walk before, so we’re sure you have a good leash and a collar or harness that fits your dog comfortably and securely. The farmers’ market is not a place to go off-leash, so this equipment is non-negotiable for your outing. We strongly recommend using a standard, non-retractable leash when you’re bringing your dog to high-stress and high-excitement situations like a market. Remember: not everyone at the farmers’ market is there to see dogs, and some vendors (especially food vendors) may not want dogs near their merchandise. To keep everyone comfortable, keep the leash short and make sure your dog doesn’t stray. 

Bring Water and Snacks

Here in Florida, we experience hot daytime temperatures well through the month of October and beyond. Your dog will dehydrate quickly in these conditions, so you need to make sure you have a source of fresh water and a vessel for them to drink from. Additionally, you may want to offer them a few healthy snacks to keep them satiated while you’re away from home. Of course, you’ll want to make sure you have poop bags on hand to clean up any accidents and keep the market looking beautiful.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

It’s important to make sure you keep an eye on anyone who may be approaching your dog - dogs and children alike. While we always hope that people are responsible enough to ask permission before they pet your dog, not everyone knows these rules, and young children are likely to pet a cute puppy at their whim. If you notice someone approaching, put yourself between them and your dog and clearly state what kind of contact your dog is comfortable with, if any. You never want to put yourself or your dog in a position to be a liability.

Responsible Pet Ownership is Good for Everyone

When you follow these common-sense guidelines, you’re making sure that dog-friendly events are safe and fun for everyone. Farmers markets are great places for your dogs to socialize and explore. They’re also the perfect place for your dog to sample some of our tasty, healthy treats! To learn more, send us a message on Facebook or visit our online shop to order your dogs’ favorite food, treats, and bone broth. 

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!

Stay Cool in the Hot Florida Summer

Summertime is a lifestyle here in Central Florida. Taking trips to the beach, strolling through botanical gardens, and splashing in the local springs are just a few of the things we do to embrace (or cool down from) the heat of the season. The summer is a great time to enjoy some outdoor activities with our dogs, too! Active and adventurous dogs can burn off some energy and get their exercise by joining you for your favorite outdoor activities.

As always, a little preparation and some safety considerations can help make your summer stress-free. Extreme summer temperatures can become uncomfortable for us humans, and the same goes for our pets! What’s more, the arrival of summer insects and other critters as well as crowded spaces mean that we may have some new situations to navigate with our furry friends. Keep a few dog health and safety tips in mind to help make this summer a season you won’t forget.

Summer Safety for Your Dog

Dogs of all ages, breeds, and life stages need some special summertime care. Most of these important summer safety tips for your dogs deal with regulating high temperatures and ensuring safety outdoors. Here are the safety precautions we use with our dogs before heading out for some summer fun. 

Avoid overheating in any situation

As we mentioned before, extreme summer temperatures can be uncomfortable for our dogs; in the worst-case scenarios, soaring heat can also have negative health effects on our pets. First and foremost, never, ever leave your dog unattended in a hot, parked car. According to the AKC, when outside temperatures reach 80 degrees, the temperature inside a car can reach 120 degrees in minutes. Exposing your dog to such temperatures can cause heat stroke, brain damage, and death. As a rule of thumb, we avoid taking our dogs on trips where we would have to park and leave them inside – it’s just easier and more comfortable for everyone involved.

Additionally, pay attention to the heat of the sidewalk or sand when you’re taking your dog for a walk. Avoid walking on asphalt as much as possible. Experts note that if a surface is uncomfortably hot on your own feet, it will be uncomfortable on your dog’s paws. Try getting your dog a set of summer walking booties for extra protection. Organic paw balm can provide great relief for your dog’s paws after a walk, too! 

Stay hydrated

Your dog might not sweat like we do, but they still lose plenty of hydration during the day through normal bodily functions, like panting, breathing, and going potty. Believe it or not, dogs even sweat through their paws, especially on hot summer days. Dehydration can cause serious health issues for your dog, like lethargy, weakness, and an elevated heart rate. According to Heaven at Home Pet Hospice, dogs can become severely ill after losing just 10-15% of their bodies’ water content. 

To prevent dehydration, always make sure you have a source of clean water and a dish for your dog to drink from when you plan on being outside and active for more than 20 minutes. Avoid any strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day; save your long walks for the mornings and evenings. If you take your dog to the beach, saltwater is NOT safe for dogs to consume for rehydration, even if it is cool and inviting. Some dogs don’t like drinking from shared water bowls or don’t drink when they’re overstimulated, so if this is your dog, you might want to cut your outside time short. 

Bring proper identification

The summer is full of lots of new stimuli. Your dog may be tempted to zoom off to chase other dogs in the park or a squirrel - or they may bolt at the sound of fireworks or thunder. Always make sure your dog is properly microchipped and has all the necessary tags with your information in case they zoom off. Additionally, always make sure you keep your dog on a leash unless you’re in a designated off-leash area. 

Let your dog set the pace

It’s so tempting to start running at full speed the second you hit the beach with your dog, but if your dog isn’t particularly active, this can leave them susceptible to injuries and discomfort. Let your dog set the pace of your activities and never, ever push them beyond their comfort level. Just like you need to warm up before you spend time at the gym, your dog needs to have their muscles warm and primed before they participate in any strenuous activity.

Fuel Your Summer with Wholesome Nutrition

A healthy, wholesome diet is the perfect fuel for any summertime activities! Pawsitively Pure Dog Food makes wholesome, gently-cooked dog food, treats, and bone broth that are packed with nutrients to keep your dog playing all summer long. Visit our online shop to order today!

Change Is Hard for Everyone

Moving can be stressful. Whether you’re moving down the road or across the country, and whether you’re moving for a new job, to be closer to friends and family, or to get settled in a larger or smaller space, there are so many tasks to check off your list along the way. If you have a dog coming along with you, it should come as no surprise that you’ll need to make additional considerations to keep them safe and happy along the way.

Even if your move is under happy circumstances, adapting to a new situation can be difficult. The very same goes for your dog! Your furry friends become familiar with and even attached to their homes over time. When you move to a new location, they’ll need to re-learn their routines and acclimate to new safe spaces for life to continue on as normal. The good thing is that you and your dog can learn to adapt to these changes together with some easy-to-implement tips.

How to Keep Your Dog Safe and Healthy While Moving

Keep Safe Spaces Intact Before You Move

Staying organized while you move can be difficult! We’ve all been there – after the second or third day of packing, it might look like a tornado hit your home. While you’re packing up, do your best to make sure a few of your dog’s favorite safe spaces stay intact and their favorite toys and comfort items are easy to reach. Don’t use these spaces as staging areas, either – do what you can to leave them alone.

It’s also a good idea to introduce your dog to all of your moving materials ahead of time so they can make a positive connection with them. All those strange boxes can be scary to your dog so you want to make sure they have the chance to sniff them out with lots of positive reinforcement. 

Get Your Travel Plans Set in Stone

Depending on how far you’re moving, you may be driving or you may need to take a plane to reach your destination. Traveling is often the most stressful part of the trip for your dog, so you’ll want to prepare for this part well ahead of time. If you’re taking a road trip, be sure you have your dog’s travel kennel set up with access to fresh water and plenty of comfort items; if they don’t use a travel kennel, ensure you have the right safety harnesses etc. to keep them secure during a long ride. Schedule in adequate time for potty and food breaks along the way.

Taking a flight with your dog is a whole different situation. Your chosen airline will have specific guidelines for how to pack up your dog and bring them with you. Talk to your vet before you embark on your journey, and do everything in your power to make your dog comfortable on this unfamiliar vessel.

Establish a Care Team at Your New Location

You don’t want to wait until disaster strikes to have a vet available for your dog. Before you arrive, research the best vets in your new location and see if they might be available for a phone or online consultation. Additionally, get familiar with the pet laws at your new space. You’ll want to know if you have any different licensing requirements or even breed restrictions in your new region. You should also microchip your dogs if you haven’t already done so, and get adequate identification tags for them.

Routines Are Your Friend

Dogs are creatures of habit, as you probably know by now. They thrive when they have the same routine for their walks, meal times, bedtime routines, and so on. Do your best to stick with that routine even though you’ll be doing it in a different location! It will probably take you some time to lay out your new space, but do your best to set up their feeding space in a similar location to where it was in your old house. 

Walks are particularly important, too. Keep up with your dog’s regular walking schedule and give them the opportunity to explore all the new sights and smells of your new neighborhood. Taking in regular exercise will also help your dog expend extra energy, giving them more motivation to sleep soundly in the evening. Don’t forget to pepper in regular play time for your dog, too – their favorite toys will give them the added benefit of extra comfort!

Don’t Refresh Everything Too Quickly

A fresh start can be so exciting, and it can be very tempting to get all new everything the minute you get situated in your new space. But with your dog already having to put in work to get acclimated to a new environment, you don’t want to force them to get used to a whole new set of smells, as well. Your old furniture can be a source of comfort for your dog, so do what you can keep it around for at least a couple of weeks. If possible, upgrade to new equipment a little bit at a time while your dog gets used to everything.

Act With Patience and Kindness

Moving can be hard on everyone and is absolutely a source of anxiety for your dog. Don’t get upset if you notice your dog falling back into old habits like separation anxiety or chewing. Show your dog lots of affection when they need it, but make sure you’re not presenting any anxious behaviors of your own, or you might reinforce their stress habits. You and your dog can both be sources of love and care for each other as you adjust to this new situation!

Moving Can Be Positive With the Right Preparation

Preparation is helpful in just about every new journey – moving included! Take the time to consider your dog’s needs and emotions along every step of the way and you’ll both be better for it. Be sure to stock up on plenty of healthy treats for the trip and for positive reinforcement when you arrive. Head to our online shop and get your dog’s favorite flavors before you depart!