Canine Skin & Coat Formula

Maintaining skin health and a glossy coat is a challenge for many pet parents. In fact, skin and coat problems account for a large percentage of trips to the vet.   For all of the hair support systems to function properly, they require a variety of nutrients, including fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. The body delivers these nutrients to the primary organs (heart, lungs, liver) first, and the remainder is sent to the sebaceous glands in the skin. A healthy coat requires lots of protein. In fact, at optimum nutrition levels, almost 95% of the protein that’s ingested is used by the body to support hair production and maintenance. A nutritious food like Life’s Abundance provides the protein content necessary to supply your dog’s body with the protein necessary to help maintain a healthy coat. However, it is also advisable to give your companion animals a balanced supplement that provides the additional nutritional support necessary to achieve the utmost in a healthy coat and skin. Skin & Coat Formula is a unique formula that provides a perfect balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. These oils are certified-free of contaminants and are microencapsulated to increase absorption, so that your dog will receive the maximum nutritional benefit.

60 chewable tablets

Additionally, Skin & Coat Formula contains Vitamins A, D, and E, all of which are necessary for the maintenance of healthy skin and a glossy coat.   And, like all of our nutritional supplements, Skin & Coat is manufactured in a human pharmaceutical plant, so you can be confident that you are providing your pup with the highest quality product possible. Not only that, it also has a delicious roast beef flavor that canines love! No matter the season, Skin & Coat Formula can help to make your dog’s coat healthy, glossy and beautiful – and keep it that way, all year long. Visit HPNFlorida.com

Tips For Better Skin Care – Your Pets Health

 

One of the most common problem areas for dogs and cats is their skin.

While underappreciated or even unrecognized as an organ, skin has amazing properties. For starters, it’s the largest organ of the body. Both tough and pliable, skin has many functions, including regulating body temperature, helping to prevent dehydration and protecting against injury and disease. Without skin, our pets couldn’t have hair, and everything that was on the inside would be exposed, making snuggle sessions a little on the icky side!

Canine and feline skin shares many similarities with human skin, but there are significant differences. They do have three layers of their skin, with the same nerves and blood vessels running throughout. Even though the pigmented skin in dogs contains melanin, dogs do not have the ability to tan like humans do. Also, they have apocrine glands (similar to human sweat glands), however, dogs do not sweat like we do. Instead, dogs have eccrine glands in their paws, which secrete a watery substance like sweat, although this typically only occurs when they are nervous and under stress. Now you know how it is that they can sometimes leave little damp paw prints when exiting the veterinary office!

As the body’s first line of defense to environmental factors, the skin is subjected to all sorts of insults and injuries. Critters of all stripes, from fleas to ticks to parasites (like mange mites) bite and damage the skin. Additionally, skin is under repeated assault by foreign objects, nibbling teeth, scratching claws and constant licking, all of which can weaken and impair the skin’s protective barrier. Skin can also be affected from the inside out by infections, hormonal imbalances, allergies and immune disorders.

Young pets are particularly suspectible to skin problems because their skin is more sensitive and their immune systems are not fully developed. Kittens, for example, are prone to ringworm (fungal) infections and puppies are predisposed to demodectic mange. If your puppy or kitten develops a rash, loses hair, or has bumps or warts, consult with your veterinarian to determine if treatment is necessary.

The bottom line is, healthy skin is a vital part of pet health, and its condition is a reflection of a pet’s overall well-being. Vulnerable to attacks on all sides, it’s very important that pet parents regularly monitor their pet’s skin health. Skin normally does its job well as the body’s protector, but sometimes even skin needs an extra boost. Visit www.HPNFlorida to review some of the great skin care products for your pet

Skin and Coat supplements

DogSmith Reccomended Pet Care Products

Premier Products Busy Buddy line has recently released a great product that will provide hours of challenging fun and play for your pooch.

linkables™ toys & treats

Linkables are a great to keep your dog busy and happy because they feature treat openings with Premier’s patented Treat Meter that will randomly dispense treats (the Treat Meter consists of small fingers that control the treats so they come out randomly and not all at once).  Simply put treats into the linkable segments and let your dog figure out how to get the tasty treats.  Use a single link as a stand-alone toy or connect several links together for a greater challenge.  The two-part connection point on each toy segment lets you choose the difficulty level for your dog.  Use the first point for beginners and the second point for experts. As your dog becomes expert at getting treats from Linkables change the shape or add segments!

Linkables are made from thick, durable, natural rubber that can be linked together in a variety of ways to create unique shapes.  The natural rubber massages and stimulates gums while your dog chews.  As with any toys, your dog should be supervised while chewing on Linkables.

Thanks to the unique, patented design, you can mix and match the Links to create a variety of toy combinations for your dog. Dishwasher safe in the top rack.

For more information go to: Dog training products that we recommend from Pet Expertise, or contact your local DogSmith.



Keep Your Dog Cool In The Summer – Fun Water Obstacles

Check out some of these great inexpensive water games you can set up for your dogs to play with.  We use them at The DogSmith National Training Center in Florida, the dogs just love em

For more information on Affordable Agility Items for Dogs Click Here

Water Obstacles

Looking for fun, interesting agility obstacles with a twist? Think you’ve seen and done them all? Wait until you try our new water obstacles!

Why water obstacles? Because they’re so much fun! Fun for your dog, fun for you, and fun for anyone watching you perform. And for serious agility competitors, water obstacles offer a unique and rewarding challenge to both the dog and the trainer. So if your dog performs well with water obstacles, imagine how great they’ll perform on ordinary obstacles!

Agility is hot! So stay cool this summer with water obstacles from Affordable Agility. Order from the shopping cart below, or click on an individual item to find out more.

Hydro Hoop… $45.95 Details »

Puddle Jumper… $34.95 Details »

Doggie Drencher… $26.95 Details »

Aqua Hurdle (24″)… $19.95 Details »

For more information on Affordable Agility Items for Dogs Click Here

How To Get A Great Pet Photo

Follow some simple rules to get a great photograph of your pet. These ideas work even if a family member is also in the photo.

• Keep the background simple. Eliminate clutter or a detailed background — it distracts from the pet.  The colors of the background should contrast with the color of the pet. (Shoot dark pets against lighter backgrounds and light pets against dark backgrounds.)

• Get your pet’s attention for a great expression — make a noise, use a phrase the pet understands (Want to go for a ride?), toss or squeak a toy. Cats will often watch a swinging object in midair. Be careful to keep these accessories out of the line of the camera lens.

• Enlist help — get someone else to toss toys, whistle, and help position the pet. It can be hard to hold the camera and keep the pet in place at the same time! Sometimes pets can be restless and jump at the sound of a shutter click, so adjust your camera accordingly by increasing your shutter speed to freeze the subject. Use a high-speed film such as ISO 400 or 800 if you are going to be photographing indoors with minimal available light.

• Shoot photos outdoors. Natural lighting is always best. Filtered sunlight can provide a more natural looking photograph than a shot in bright daylight. Do not face the camera into the sun (avoid sun glare).

• Black or white pets are the hardest to photograph — back and side lighting can help add dimension and highlight eyes and hair. With black animals especially, it is important to give them lots of light from all sides to bring out their features and detail. Exposure should be a little generous, because fur texture is important.

• For smaller pets such as reptiles or pocket pets that you may not want to take outside, try using natural light from a window. Fluorescent lighting and the use of a flash can distort the colors in your photo.

• Get down to their level — position the camera at their height rather than shooting down from your standing position.

Copyright ABKA 2005

What you feed your pets is an important part of pet ownership

What you feed your pets is an important part of pet ownership. And like most things there are two ways to look at it. 1. Is to buy a commercial grade food that is okay and 2. Is the option to buy a premium based food that may potentially save you money in the long term?

Like us, our animals benefit from good quality, fresh, natural ingredients that are free from grains, chemical preservatives and substances that can create food allergy problems and food sensitivity issues. I have experienced firsthand friends and clients that have made significant savings in veterinarian bills due to a change in dog food and the reduction of chemical preservatives and poor quality ingredients in their pet’s diets.

If you have an animal that suffers from allergies, skin problems, ear infections or digestive problems the first thing you should do is look at what you are feeding them. I know with my own diet that as soon as I increase my sugar intake it has a negative impact on my skin, scalp and general feeling of well being.  It must be the same for our animals.

When i first became educated on pet foods and the poor quality of ingredients in most commercial food I purchased for my dogs a premium brand on line, which was delivered to my door to ensure freshness.  At that time there were not many options. Now there are so many good quality dog and cat foods to choose from. They range from retail based suppliers to online suppliers. Good quality premium pet foods are now available in many flavors, kibble sizes and both wet and dry selections. Choosing the right pet food and having access to a good quality food is now much easier than it was a few years ago.

There are several brands I recommend and use. Like many pet dog owners I have more than one dog and their dietary needs are different.

One of my dogs is sensitive to chicken and the best food I have found that satisfies my quality control, is palatable for my dog and easy on my wallet is Wellness® CORE™ Ocean Dog Formula. I like this food as i can order it in smart paks; it arrives in daily packets so storage and portion control is easy.  Read about the ingredients here

I love the portion packs the food comes in, makes storage and feeding so each.

The second dog food I use and recommend is Life’s Abundance. The ingredient list is very similar and as with Wellness does not contain the wrong ingredients and does contain good quality proteins and important vitamins and minerals. Life’s Abundance has a unique selling point as Dr Jane the product formulator is available for customers to talk to on monthly conference calls. You can also listen to a FREE DVD of Dr Jane as she discusses the importance of pet nutrition and how foods should be formulated. I recommend anyone in the market for a new pet food product take the time to listen to this short informative DVD

Both food products are available online and on auto-ship so you will never again run out of dog or cat food. They both also offer great customer service which makes buying from these companies a pleasure. Staff are knowledgeable polite and keen to help.

To learn more about Life’s Abundance

To learn more about Wellness Products

The Honda Element Becomes The Vehicle of Choice For Professional Pet Care Providers

The Honda Element Becomes The Vehicle of Choice For Professional Pet Care Providers

The DogSmith, America’s Dog Training, Dog Walking and Pet Care Franchise endorse s  the Honda Element. Christina Horne, The DogSmith of East Pensacola has purchased and now raves about her new Honda Element.

“I love my new Element! I have had large dogs for years, and have toted them around in my trusty Toyota Corolla. For the first time Toyota did not have a vehicle to meet my needs, and as a DogSmith Franchisee, I need to be able to thoroughly clean and disinfect my vehicle in-between transporting clients pets! I also provide pet waste removal services to my clients, so it is imperative that I can transport pets back and forth in a safe clean environment! The versatility of this utility SUV makes it the best vehicle out there for professional pet care providers. Considering I was a diehard fan of Toyota, the Honda element gets a 5 star rating and loyal fan for life! “

The DogSmith Franchise Owners offer a wide selection of services to their clients. The health and safety of their four legged clients comes first and the Honda Element ensures the pets can be safe and secure during transit. The ability to clean and disinfect the vehicle makes sure that The DogSmith protects each and every client they care for.

Niki Tudge explained that  ” The DogSmith mission statement is to ‘ do no harm ‘  and emphasize s  a ‘holistic’ approach to dog training and pet care by attending to the physical, emotional, and environmental well being of pets in our care. The Honda Element helps us to achieve our mission while satisfying the needs of a busy professional. “

Give Your Dog A Squirrel Dude “Pup-Sicle” Great mental stimulation, great to reduce anxiety in your dog

DogSmith Product Review Squirrel Dude ‘Pup-sicle’

If you have a chewer or if you simply want to keep your dog entertained and engaged for extended periods try using the Squirrel Dude from Premier Pet Products.  The Squirrel Dude will randomly dispense treats while erratically bouncing around as your pup plays and is available in small, medium and large.  There is also a puppy version available in extra-small, small and medium which are made of softer rubber that are gentle for puppy teeth but durable enough for extended playtime.  The standard Squirrel Dude is highly durable and features a patented “treat meter” that controls how many kibbles or dry treats are dispensed as your dog plays and chews.  For even a greater challenge, and a cool treat all year long, mix your dog’s regular kibble with yogurt or water then stuff the mixture into the Squirrel Dude and pop into the freezer until well frozen.  You can even keep several in the freezer to be used on a rotating basis.  Your dog will delight in the mental and physical challenge of getting the tasty treat out of the Squirrel Dude.  You can even use this method to feed them their entire meal keeping them busy for hours. Contact your local DogSmith for other great ideas to keep your pup physically and mentally exercised.

The DogSmith January Dog Toy Review. The Pogo Plush

If you are tired of picking up the stuffing from your dog’s stuffed toys then you will love the new Pogo Plush™  from Premier.  Irresistible plush toys with no stuffing but dogs will love the unique “bounce-back” design.  Inner rubber frame and free-floating squeaker provides endless entertainment and durability.  Available in two sizes, large and small.

You can purchase these toys on The DogSmith website at www.dogsmith.com or contact your local DogSmith to place an order and get pricing for any of the premier products.  1-888-Dog-Smith

The DogSmith Home Made Treat Guide

By Catherine M. Zehner, CDT

The DogSmith of Florida’s Emerald Coast

Delta Society Pet Partner, Member, IAPDT

AKC CGC Evaluator, Member, APDT

As a dog trainer, I am constantly on the hunt for tasty, nutritious and affordable treats.  Unfortunately, I have found that “tasty,” “nutritious” and “affordable” rarely come in the same package.

Santa brought me the solution this holiday season – a food dehydrator!

Before you yawn, “ho-hum,” read on:  I can make a gallon freezer bag full of treats for less than $5 – with all human-grade ingredients right out of my pantry/refrigerator. (You can also make human treats too, such as beef jerky, dried fruits, fruit roll-ups, trail bars at a huge cost-savings.)

A dehydrator works by forcing hot air over food, removing the moisture. As a result, your treats are dried, so there is no refrigeration necessary.  This is a big bonus for avid dog people who might occasionally on a hot summer day leave the treat bag in the car.  With homemade dehydrated treats, you not only don’t have a stinky mess to remove – you can still use them!

And the best part is – your dogs will never know the treats are good for them!  But you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that only foods that meet your standards have gone into these treats. You’ll never have to worry about missing a pet food recall alert. I use these treats with so many different dogs, that I always use oats as the starch since many dogs are sensitive to corn, wheat and soy products.  Knowing what’s in my treats gives me great peace of mind when dealing with dogs that may have allergies.  However, if your dog isn’t sensitive to those ingredients, you can use flour or corn meal.

The sky is the limit as far as the recipes.  They can be as simple as dehydrating sliced deli meats to more elaborate recipes using cooked vegetables and meats.  The favorite so far is simply  chicken breast sliced through my food processor and dehydrated with nothing added.  Runner up was a leftover Boston butt roast that we smoked one weekend. Tired of eating barbecue, I sliced it up and dehydrated it. Instant dog treats out of leftovers! And I looked like the pied piper at the dog park the next day.

I’m still experimenting, but I’ve had about two dozen canine quality-control inspectors indicate to me that these also are favorite recipes.

Happy drying, and “Bone Apetit!”

For the recipes visit The DogSmith Website FREE E-Book Download