I wear a mask. And that mask, it’s not to hide who I am, but to create what I am.
Collars: Dots vs. Doodles
Bark + Biscuit dog collar in Confetti
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Stunt Puppy Croakies® dog collar in Doodle Purple
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At ease, Waldo. We’re not talking about you.
Drip Module® for dogs
The Drip Module company is known for its modern designs for the home, inspired by the frozen shape of water droplets. They design everything from clocks to coffee tables…and now dog bowls.
These eye-catching bowls are made from custom-cut BirchPly and colorful acrylic; we love that they scream “modern minimalist” instead of “slobbery dog.” They’re not only functional, but also a perfect conversation piece for your home.
This office has gone to the dogs.
#SadBed
Is your dog sleeping on a bed that’s seen better days? Show us. Tag your photo on Instagram with #SadBed and @DomesticBeast. One winner will win a new bed of his/her choice: dbea.st/bedszz.
Entries accepted until Friday, May 24th.
Can all dogs swim?
Good question! The answer: Nope.
When it comes to swimming, dogs fall into three categories:
- Dogs that can doggie paddle.
- Dogs that can be taught to doggie paddle.
- Dogs that will sink like an anvil.
While dogs such as water spaniels, golden retrievers, Labs, Irish setters, standard poodles and Newfies are natural swimmers, some breeds are better off staying back onshore. It all comes down to anatomy…
For dogs with short muzzles, such as pugs, boxers and bulldogs, swimming is virtually impossible. When they get in the water, they have to lift their nose and mouth up in the air to breathe, which causes their backside to go down, putting them into a vertical position and causing them to sink.
Dogs with big heads and chests have a similar problem: Their upper body weight literally causes them to tip forward in the water and sink.
You’ll also want to watch out for dogs with super thick, heavy coats (imagine trying to swim with a gorilla suit on) and dogs with small legs, such as dachshunds or corgis (hello, exhaustion).
Here’s a list of dogs that are generally unable to swim:
- Bulldog
- Pug
- Pekingese
- Boxer
- Staffordshire bull terrier
- American bull terrier
- Basset hound
- Dachshund
- Corgi
Of course, if your dog isn’t on this list but has any of the physical characteristics mentioned above, use caution around the water. And if your dog is afraid of the water, don’t force them to get in. Some dogs may physically be able to swim but are so scared of the water that all they’ll do is panic when they’re submerged. As with humans, panic causes fatigue, which makes drowning much more likely.
If you’re planning to be around any body of water with your dog (including pools!), it’s a good idea to use a doggy life jacket, especially if your dog is skittish or unable to swim.
Time for spring training!
Does your dog need a crash course in outdoor etiquette now that spring is here? Help your dog get into tip-top shape with these easy tips from Just Paws dog trainer Molly Feeney.
Some dogs may have hibernated over the long winter months and their basic walking manners may have fallen to the wayside. Get back in stride by reestablishing some basic leash rules.
Before you hit the pavement, start indoors with threshold training. As you come to each doorway with your dog, use the Wait command before moving through.
Once you get out on the road, start out slowly with an easy walk, making more frequent stops. An all-time favorite game is the Stop and Go routine, a simple exercise you can do anywhere.
If your dog pulls on the leash, stop walking. When they stop pulling and look up at you, go forward. To make the game even more fun, give your dog the incentive of a tasty treat each time they stop and look at you. You can also keep working on your Heel command by making numerous U-turns, which will help your dog stay focused on you.
Bear in mind that as you walk you may encounter hazardous objects left behind from winter, so stay alert, keep your leash short and redirect your dog away from potentially dangerous stuff.
Is your dog more drawn to the yard than the sidewalk? New grass and gardening + pooches = a recipe for disaster, so avoid leaving your dog unattended in a freshly planted yard. If your dog loves frolicking around the yard but you worry they will begin re-landscaping, create a special digging pit area they can call their own. Fill the pit with scented chews to show your dog this special designated area is where they’re allowed to tunnel and burrow to their heart’s content.
Give your cheerful pet A Cheerful Pet
Truth: When you find the perfect fuzzy dog toy, you don’t let it go. (Well, except maybe for a game of fetch.)
A Cheerful Pet dog toys come in all shapes and sizes…and they are so. darn. cute. Dinosaurs? Carrots? Yes, please.
Did we mention that they’re handmade by artisans in Nepal from100% all-natural boiled wool? Oh yeah, they’re a keeper.
Beast Friends: Penny
Recently we were excited to welcome a new addition to our office: One-year-old rescue dog Penelope, AKA Penny. Half boxer, half whippet, she has the uncanny ability to fist pump as well as run like a bat out of hell.
Likes: Playing tug. As in, “drag the opponent across the room” tug.
Dislikes: Watching other dogs get all the attention.
Hangs out with: Her owner, Marcie (our fave Domestic Beast buyer). Penny is still testing the office waters, but we can tell she reallllly wants to play
Known for: The socks.
As a puppy, Penny had mange (she’s fully cured now) and as a result she’s been passed from foster home to foster home since she was born. She tends to be stubborn, because, as Marcie puts it, “She doesn’t believe she’s staying with us, so why should she bother to listen?” Still, she sticks close to Marcie and is starting to listen more as the days go by.
When this sweet girl ventures away from Marcie’s desk, she is known for her gentle nudges and a tail so full of wags that it makes her whole body dance.
Penny uses the following Domestic Beast products:
Let’s play tug: Heads vs. tails
Naturally shed antlers from Minnesota elk
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100% all-natural boiled wool from New Zealand
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Why do dogs wag their tails?
Good question! The answer: It’s their way of communicating strong emotions with others. In fact, research shows that dogs don’t wag their tails when they are alone, because there is no need.
But a wagging tail doesn’t necessarily mean a happy dog; different types of tail wags actually mean different things.
Some studies have shown that dogs wag their tails to the right when they are happy and to the left when they are scared. A high wagging tail means your dog is really happy, whereas a horizontal tail means he’s just curious about something. A low tail wag means your dog is worried or feeling insecure. And of course, a tail between the legs means your dog is frightened or submissive.
Dogs also wag their tails as a way of spreading natural scent from their anal glands. An alpha dog holds his tail high to release more of his scent, while a submissive dog with his tail between his legs is trying to release as little scent as possible.
Dogs are not born knowing how to wag their tails, but most puppies learn how to use their tails to communicate by the time they’re around a month old. Since tails are such an important communication tool, dogs without tails usually approach other dogs with caution, in order to avoid miscommunication.
Wish you had a tail to help you communicate with others? Thanks to this recent Kickstarter project, you might be in luck!
Uh oh…your dog’s packing on the pounds. Now what?
A long winter can be tough on both human and canine waistlines. If you’ve found yourself with a portly pooch this spring, here are a few tips from Megan the vet to help your dog regain his slim figure.
Increase exercise. Weight loss is a balance of reducing caloric intake and increasing activity. Most dogs will happily join you for an extra walk or two a day. For those dogs who have difficulty walking, find other activities they enjoy such as swimming or playing with toys in the yard. Dogs who are overweight or obese are at higher risk of injuries such as cruciate ligament tears, so it is safer for an obese dog to engage in more frequent low-intensity exercise than for him to be a “weekend warrior” who spends a few hours every Saturday running or jumping after frisbees at the dog park.
Reduce kibble and shift to canned or whole food diets. Kibble, especially higher-quality and high-protein kibble, can be surprisingly energy dense. Canned foods or whole food diets such as freeze dried or frozen foods, contain much more water than kibble, allowing dogs to eat larger volumes without ingesting as many calories and keeping them feeling full. Alternately, you can accomplish the same thing by cutting back on the amount of kibble you offer and soaking it in water for a few minutes to help fill up the bowl.
Replace high-calorie treats with healthy alternatives. Fruits and veggies are just as healthy for dogs as for people. Apples, carrots, green beans and sweet potatoes all make great treats and contain fewer calories than dog biscuits. Make sure to avoid grapes, raisins and onions, which can be toxic to dogs.
Make feeding an active event. The longer it takes your dog to eat, the more full he will feel by the end of the meal. For those who need to cut back on the amount of food, active feeding toys or bowls can help keep your dog from noticing the smaller number of kibbles.
Weigh your dog every two to three weeks while working on weight loss. Regular check-ins help you to know if your efforts are paying off or if your dog is losing weight faster than recommended. Dogs should lose no more than one percent of their body weight per week.
Still having a hard time getting the extra pounds off? Ask your veterinarian for more information or for specific guidelines to help your pet lose weight.
Sometimes simple is best.
Modeled after the classic Bauer line of vintage American pottery, these glazed ceramic bowls come in a rainbow of bright, cheery colors. Eye-catching and simply perfect.
