• Dog Carrier
• Dog Carriers
• Dog Car Seats
• Dog Carrier Bags
• Dog Bike Trailers
• Dog Bike Carriers
• Designer Dog Carriers

Keeping your dog healthy includes a strict regimen of the correct diet and exercise. One way to make sure your dog is getting exercise is to combine your exercise routine with theirs. There are several ways for you dog to get exercise alone, but enjoying your company will make them willing to work harder and longer. Walking, jogging and biking are all options for exercising with your pup.

Walking and jogging are fairly easy ways to exercise with your dog. All you need is some good shoes and a leash. However, biking seems a little more precarious. Riding a bike while you’re also holding a leash is not safe for you or the dog. There are special devices that may attach to your bicycle that allow you to have both hands free to control your bike while also having your dog safely attached. These devices attach behind the pedal and away from the tires to help keep your dog safe.

Finding a bike leash that seems to suit your needs based on your dog and your type of bicycle is not a daunting task. Check online sources for reviews and your local bike shop for tips on the easiest leash to use. These sources can also help you determine the best price range to quality ratio since these leashes vary greatly in price. After purchasing this leash, read the manufacturer’s recommendations for what kind of harness to use for your dog while he is attached to the leash. Some of the leashes come with an adjustable harness. If not, you will need to purchase an additional harness to connect correctly to the leash.

Introduce your dog to the bike leash slowly. It might be very nerve racking for your pup at first and needs to be introduced with praise and encouragement. Attach your dog to the leash and then attach the leash to the bike. Then, without moving offer treats for praise. See how the dog reacts and take cues from him on how to proceed with the next steps.

Before riding the bike with the dog attached, walk slowly next to the bike holding on to the handlebars. The dog needs to get used to the bike moving with him so he can adjust his stride without being nervous. When you are sure he is comfortable with walking, increase the pace until you are slightly jogging. If your dog is not comfortable, slow back down to a walk until he is. If he seems ok with the faster pace, get on the bike and pedal slowly allowing the dog to walk comfortably by your side.

After you are able to ride the bike with your dog in tow, ride for short distances at first to gauge the dog’s stamina and to toughen his pads. Keep these distances short for a couple of weeks and slowly increase to longer distances. Be sure to pack water bottles for you and a water bowl for your pup and hit the bike trails!

• Dog Gifts
• Dog Beds
• Dog Collars
• Dog Crates
• Dog Strollers
• Dog Harnesses
• Unique Dog Gifts
• Personalized Dog Bowls
• Swarovski Dog Collars
• Pet Cremation Urns

Your dog is likely one of your most loyal companions. Your four-legged friend is always there to greed you with a wet nose and a wagging tail; so, you should do your part and do everything you can to make sure your dog is well kept. If you have, or are thinking of getting, a dog, there are a few important things you need to do to ensure your dogs health and safety.

One of the most important things you can do for your dog is to make sure you keep up with your yearly veterinary appointments. You are legally required to keep your pet’s vaccinations up-to-date, and it is a good idea to have a professional look over your dog for any possible signs of illness or problems with their teeth, joints, bones, or skin. It is also a good time to check your dogs weight to make sure they are at a health weight and to have their teeth evaluated for a possible cleaning.

A great safety measure you can take with your dog while you are at one of your routine veterinary appointments is to have your pet microchipped. This is a simple pain-free procedure that will identify your dog if he is ever lost. A tiny microchip the size of a grain of rice is implanted beneath the skin. Shelters and veterinary offices are equipped with handheld scanners that detect the chip with radio waves. Each chip is coded and when looked up, the owner’s information is stored in a database. If your dog is ever lost, he or she can be easily returned to you. Many dogs are lost every year and some end up in shelters and adopted out to new families or euthanized. This is easily preventable with a simple procedure.

Another way to make sure your pet is well taken care of is to be mindful of their grooming needs. Some dogs, like Yorkshier Terriers or poodles, will need regular grooming. Most people prefer to take their pets to a professional groomer for their grooming needs, but there are supplies and tools that you can purchase and groom your dog yourself. For dogs that do not need regular grooming, a good bath and brushing should be sufficient. It is important to bathe and brush your dog according to the needs of the particular breed and the type of coat they have. Nail clipping is one of the more arduous chores, but it is very important. Again, the frequency of nail clipping will depend on the type of dog that you have and the amount of time they spend outdoors. It is important to make sure your dog’s nails do not become overgrown.

A happy dog will help make a happy dog owner. Keeping these few easy tasks in mind is a great start to making sure your favorite pooch is well taken care of. Having a happy and healthy dog is going to make pet ownership an even more fulfilling experience.

• Small Dog Clothes
• Luxury Dog Beds
• Dog Bowls
• Small Dog Carriers
• Dog Grooming
• Dog Hair Accessories
• Dog Toys
• Dog Harness
• Yorkie Dog Clothing
• Small Dog Collars

Winter seems to always sneak up on us every year. It’s annoying that way. But while we are preparing ourselves for the coldest months of the year by buying new coats and sweaters and winterizing our homes and cars, are we forgetting about the smallest members of our families, our dogs? We know that all dogs get cold. Of course, dogs that have thick fur are more tolerant of cold weather. Dogs with short hair get cold more quickly and small dogs need extra care in the winter time. A vital thought to keep in mind is that if it is too cold for you to be outside without a coat, it is too cold for your small dog.

We sometimes forget the obvious. Smaller dogs have less body mass and therefore they have less protection against harsh winter weather. They are also closer to the ground (as are all dogs compared to humans) and therefore tend to get colder much faster than we would in the winter. So how do we protect our small furry family members this winter? Much more than just adorable decoration, dog boots, dog sweaters and dog coats are must haves. A raincoat in particular, helps protect your dog’s skin and coat from pelting rain and snow. Websites such as swankpets.com that specialize in clothing for small dogs would have a selection of outwear that will both fit your small dog’s personality and protect them from the elements.

A cozy dog sweater raises your pet’s body temperature and keeps them comfortable while they’re outdoors. Occasionally, we hear non dog owners complain about our care for our pets as unnecessary. They say that dogs weren’t born with coats and sweaters and have done just fine in nature all along and can continue to do so. That line of reasoning is slightly flawed. Humans aren’t born with sweaters and jackets and boots either, but we know they are something we need to invest in early on if we are to be comfortable in and survive through the harshest winters. You wouldn’t jog in winter without at least a sweatshirt. Why take your small dog for a walk through the snow without boots to protect her feet from the snow? It’s important to note that many of the most popular small breeds that we cherish aren’t common to colder regions or they are essentially “man-made” breeds not occurring in nature.

Though smaller breeds certainly need to be protected from the elements in the winter, small dogs aren’t the only ones in need of this extra warmth. Shorthaired breeds, dogs that are sick or older dogs may need a warm dog sweater or jacket. Puppies may also need this winter protection in cold weather, along with a blanket in their dog bed for extra warmth while sleeping. If you happen to have an “outdoor” dog, check the outside water periodically to ensure it is not frozen and switch to a ceramic or plastic dish to alleviate the danger of your dogs tongue sticking to a metal surface in cold weather. Of course, the best place for all dogs, small and large, in the winter is inside safe and warm with you.

SwankPets
3525 Lebon Drive, Unit A.
San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 272-9882