It’s hard to believe that the holidays are just around the corner, isn’t it? It seems like just yesterday we were writing about how to keep your dogs’ paws safe on hot sidewalks during the summer. While the holidays won’t be as crowded this year--we’re sending our greetings to out-of-town relatives via snail mail and FaceTime chats--we will definitely be indulging in some of our favorite holiday traditions. 

For many people, those holiday traditions involve indulging in delicious, seasonal food and treats. While chocolates and holiday spices and delicious seasonal coffees are on our “favorite things” list most years, we can’t say the same for our dogs. There are some common holiday treats that your dogs should avoid at all costs. 

Caffeine

Who doesn’t love going to Starbucks for a pumpkin spice latte or a peppermint mocha frappuccino when the season calls for it? Unfortunately, though, all sources of caffeine are no-gos for your dogs. That’s everything from coffee to energy drinks and even tea. Caffeine can affect your dog’s heart and nervous system. Think about it: if a cup of coffee can give you the jitters, just think about how negatively it will affect your dog’s system. 

Alcohol

We know that we’ll be raising our glasses to a better year and to each others’ health this holiday season. However, your dog should not partake in these festivities. It should go without saying, but keep alcohol away for your dogs. Intoxication can cause seizures or respiratory failure in your dogs. Many holiday treats are baked with alcohol in the recipe; while you shouldn’t be feeding your dog cakes and pastries anyway, make doubly sure that you’re not giving them a taste of something that’s been soaked in liqueurs. 

Spices

Some common spices, like turmeric, can be beneficial to your dog’s health. But before you start administering items from your spice rack to your dog, make sure you know which ones are on the no-go list. Nutmeg ranks as the top spice to avoid, as it can cause extreme fatigue, seizures, and extreme stomach upset. Garlic and onion should also stay away from your dog’s dinner, as they’re known culprits of serious stomach upset.

There are so many great ways to involve our dogs in the holidays with us, but inviting them to the dinner table isn’t one of them. The best treats for your dogs are the ones that will ensure they’ll stay happy, healthy, and active for years to come. To get your dog started on a high-quality, human-grade diet, browse through the Pawsitively Pure Dog Food shop. Click here to get in touch with us!

Did you know that September is National Service Dog Month? The first service dogs were trained in the 1920s, and since then, they have been important support systems for people with disabilities, military veterans, and many others in many different ways. In fact, you may remember the team of service dogs that arrived in Orlando in 2016 shortly after the Pulse tragedy to comfort survivors and their families and friends. Dogs are incredible companions, and when they’re trained to carry out a duty, they perform it to the fullest of their abilities. 

Service dogs provide incredibly important services for individuals and groups around the world. Here are just some of the reasons why they deserve to be celebrated this month and every month.

Service Dogs Serve as Alert Systems

Many people with epilepsy and other such conditions that may leave them incapacitated have service dogs who act as monitors and alert systems. Some dogs are trained to lay in certain positions to help stabilize their owners during an emergency; others know how to alert other humans in the house if their owners are in trouble. Incredibly, dogs have the innate ability to sense a seizure before it happens, so they are able to alert their owners ahead of time so they can position themselves away from danger.

Service Dogs Serve as Extra Hands

Service dogs are also steadfast companions for people struggling with injuries or chronic illnesses that make walking a difficult task. Dogs can be trained to provide stability if falling is a pressing concern. They can also help pull or carry items that their owners are unable to handle on their own. Some dogs can even carry out more complex tasks like operating light switches, fetching specific items, and opening and closing doors. For people with limited mobility, they’re helpful friends to have around.

Service Dogs Offer Emotional Support, Too

While the AKC has had strong data about the physical support abilities of service dogs for a long time, the emotional benefits of service dogs have only been a topic of discussion in more recent years. In surveys conducted by the AKC, they found that service dog owners reported higher levels of confidence, “a higher overall quality of life and better emotional, social, and work or school experiences,” according to the AKC study. 

We know that non-service dogs make the best companions; likewise, service dogs provide loving companionship for those who are differently abled. Life just wouldn’t be the same without dogs, and we think they deserve to be celebrated today and every day! Do you own a service dog? How has your life changed since they joined your family?

When the COVID-19 quarantine began early this year, we pet parents were certainly thankful for the company of our furry friends. Many people brought home a new dog or cat for their companionship, giving animal shelters across the country record adoption numbers. Our pets have helped reduce our feelings of loneliness when we’ve been self-isolating, reminded us to stay active, and given us an outlet to snuggle and pet and laugh the stress away. 

Still, it can be monotonous for both you and your dog to see the same scenery day after day. Now that some health and safety restrictions have been lightened, we have the opportunity to take part in a few different public activities. Your health and safety is of the utmost importance, so if you do choose to participate in any activities, be sure to follow all of their stated safety rules, maintain a 6’ distance from other people at all times, and keep hand sanitizer and masks handy. With that in mind, here are some of our favorite dog-friendly social distancing activities in Orlando. 

Parks

Many dog parks around Orlando have reopened. Lake Baldwin Park is one of our favorites; it’s big enough to give everyone plenty of room to stay distant and offers lots of different activities in one place. Lake Baldwin Park is famous for its dog beach, but it also has a wooded trail area and lots of open grassy areas for dogs who love to fetch. 

Other parks that aren’t specifically dog parks offer a breath of fresh air for you and your dogs. Take a stroll around Lake Eola with your dog now that the temperature is finally starting to cool off. Or you can head to one of our frequent stops at Cranes’ Roost park near Altamonte Springs. Both offer opportunities for walking, playing, and relaxing safely.

Shopping

Nothing beats a morning of open-air shopping with your dog! Head over to Park Avenue in Winter Park to take in a little window shopping; many of the restaurants and stores in that area are dog-friendly. Farmers’ markets are another great option, and a handful of markets have resumed their normal operation with extra safety precautions in place. Pawsitively Pure has a booth at the Lake Mary Farmers’ Market every Saturday Morning at 9 AM. Friendly leashed dogs are always welcome. To keep everyone safe, booths have been spread out and all vendors wear masks.

Restaurants

If your dog loves coming with you to grab lunch, Orlando has plenty of options available with social distancing rules in place. Areas like Thornton Park, Mills50, and the Milk District have wonderful restaurants that serve everything from sandwiches to tacos. Best of all, many of these restaurants offer outdoor seating or takeout options so you and your dog can enjoy your favorites in a safe space. 

Rule number one for when you and your dog venture outside of the house: be smart! Following posted instructions and all possible safety precautions not only keeps you safe, it also helps keep those around you safe. In any new situation, it’s a great idea to keep some tasty treats handy for training and reward purposes. If you want to bring some extra special treats along with you, head over to our store and pick out your dog’s favorite flavors.

As we hope you’ve heard by now, we released our brand new Chicken Crisps over the summer! They’re the latest addition to our line of wholesome, human-grade treats for dogs. How do we make them? We dehydrate chicken--and that’s it. Nothing more than wholesome protein and a craveable crunch for your four-legged friends.

If you’re just entering the world of human-grade dog food and wholesome diets, knowing which proteins to choose for your dog might be difficult. After all, we know that some human foods--even healthy fruits and vegetables, like grapes and avocados--are dangerous to dogs. Luckily, most dogs can ingest a wide variety of proteins, from chicken to lamb, without too much difficulty beyond the normal food transition period.

A Lean, Healthy Protein

You’ve probably had a chicken-based or chicken-flavored food for your dog at some point. Most dogs find chicken pretty tasty, giving it instant appeal as a treat. Chicken is among the lean proteins, so it’s a great way to provide your dog with the energy he needs for a full day of fun without extra calories.

Vitamins and Minerals

Chicken is full of healthy vitamins and minerals that help your dog live her best life! First of all, it’s a great source of Omega-6 Fatty Acids, which are beneficial fats that give your dog a beautiful coat and healthy skin. It’s also packed with glucosamine, a natural substance that helps maintain healthy joints and reduce pain and stiffness from arthritis. The great thing about dehydrating the chicken, like we do for our Chicken Crisps, is that they keep all the added nutrients of chicken since they’re not heated or cooked.

A Word of Caution

Most people think that grain allergies are the most common food allergies in dogs, when in reality, dogs are more likely to have sensitivities to proteins they’re not used to. Before you feed your dog chicken and chicken-based products, give them a small amount and monitor them for any stomach upset or loose stools. 

Dogs go Crazy for Chicken Crisps!

So far, all the dogs we’ve seen that have gotten to try our Chicken Crisps gobble them up like there’s no tomorrow! They’re crunchy without being too hard on the teeth and just plain delicious. Purchase a bag for your dog here, or call Pawsitively Pure at 407-450-6151 for more information.

If you’ve ever trained a dog (and we hope you’ve spent some time training your own fur babies!) you’ve definitely encountered the term “positive reinforcement.” In simple terms, positive reinforcement is the act of rewarding good behavior with positive feedback, i.e. giving your dog a treat after he performs a trick. But why is it that this technique is so important and so highly praised by pet psychologists and trainers?

Of course, there’s the obvious answer: you love your dog, and your dog loves you too! It’s a much happier situation for everyone when you reward good behavior versus punishing bad behavior. But the importance of positive reinforcement in training goes deeper than that. Here are just a few reasons why this technique is the way to go for your training needs:

Positive Reinforcement Fosters Confidence

It may seem like just a human trait, but confidence is so important for dogs! Self-confidence affects every aspect of your dog’s life, from interacting with other dogs and humans to performing tasks correctly when under pressure. Dogs who are frequently punished rather than praised are often unsure of how to behave in specific situations and may display fear in their everyday interactions, which can lead to even more problems down the line.

Positivity Makes Training a Treat in Itself

If your dog knows that he’s going to get a lot of tasty treats during training time, he’s going to look forward to his training sessions! Giving your dog appropriate rewards can encourage them to view these sessions as times they enjoy rather than dread. Again, this goes back to building confidence. Just like a child who’s encouraged in school looks forward to their studies, your dog will be a willing participant when you set aside time to learn a new trick.

Positive Reinforcement is Fun for the Whole Family

Positive reinforcement can be administered by anyone in your house! This is great if you have young children in the house, as it gives them the opportunity to give your dog a treat or a belly rub when they see him performing good behaviors. When your dog notices praise coming from several different sources, they can take on whatever challenges face them with calmness and--you guessed it--confidence.

Positive reinforcement can come in many forms, like head pets, belly rubs, or tasty treats. If you rely mostly on treats for rewards, make sure you’re giving your dog something healthy, wholesome, and free from fillers. We humbly recommend Pawsitively Pure gourmet gluten-free treats or our new Chicken Crisps! Browse through our website to learn more, or give us a call at 407-450-6151 today.