bow wow haus vancouver blog

Teaching your dog to "Watch Me"

2012-01-05T23:40:00.000-08:00

Here's a great article from Shannon Malmberg at Zen Dog Training - a great foundation command to teach your doggie:

This exercise is the precursor to all dog training. It teaches the dog calm focus and attention to his handler. Without teaching your dog the "watch me" command, you are competing with the world (ie. squirrels, children, other dogs) for his attention - and without his attention, you can't properly reach him through training. Once your dog understands this command, use it before giving him anything he adores - going through the door for a walk outside; being let off leash in a park; getting his dinner; etc. By looking into your face before receiving something wonderful, he learns that all heaven comes through you.

Start with your dog on leash, in a sit-stay, if possible. Draw his attention to a food treat (make it yummy - like wiener bits) in your hand. As he focuses on the food, draw your hand up to your mouth and lean so that you are a few inches above your dog. As his eyes come into your face, give praise with "good watch me" and drop the food into his mouth. Make this easy for him - you want him to catch the food from your mouth the first few times, so get as close to his face as you need to. Repeat repeat repeat. Remember to drop the food the instant he looks into your face - you are rewarding his eye contact. Always attach the words "good watch me" with your actions.

As your dog becomes proficient at catching food from your hand, move a few inches up above your dog's head, making the exercise slightly more difficult. Should a piece of food not make it into his mouth, do not let him eat it off the floor - this is where holding his leash comes into play. He is not to learn that "watch me" means to start looking around on the floor for food. If you need to, keep the leash taut.

Once you are about 6 inches above your dog, remove your hand from this exercise. Draw your dog's attention to the food and then place it in your mouth. Hide your hand behind your back. If you need to, make smacking or kissing noises to get your dog's focus back on your mouth (and realizing where the food is). Again, watch for the eyes coming into your face and then reward by dropping the food from your mouth.
Most likely your dog will miss the food drop at this point because you have changed from hand to mouth feeding. Be persistent. Do not let him eat off the floor. Instead, repeat the exercise until he wins. Then BIG praise and a jackpot of a few extra pieces from your hand. Give it a break and try again in a few hours.

As your dog gets better with catching food from your mouth, move further and further back from his face. At the conclusion of this exercise, unless you have a toy breed, you should be able to stand up straight.

An easy no-recipe recipe...

2011-11-21T22:51:00.000-08:00

Many of you will have tried the amazing meaty "muffins" we carry. I often use the same specialty muffin mix to create quick & easy healthy treats for my dogs with whatever else I happen to have on hand - with no measurements needed.

First, gather whatever healthy ingredients you have on hand to create the wet base. I mashed up a couple ripe bananas and mixed in some natural peanut butter (thinned with some warm water to loosen it up!), coconut flour, chia seeds, cinnamon, and olive oil. (In the past, I've also used mashed up leftover cooked butternut squash or canned pumpkin, grated apples, some ground flax or even a can of salmon whizzed up in the blender with some water instead...)

Add a few cups of the wheat-free Canine Life muffin mix until you get your mixture into a firm cookie dough consistency - and your dough looks like the picture below. Then roll the dough out on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet (or just push it relatively flat with your fingers) until about 1-2 cm thick.

Bake in a 350 oven for about 20-25 minutes until it feels dry to the touch - but still soft - then cut into strips then cross-wise into little squares. Sweep the squares back into the pan and return to a 220 degree oven for 2-4 hours to make them dry and crunchy. Leave treats in oven, but shut the oven off and let them be until completely cool... I often just leave them in overnight.

My doggies really seem to know that homemade treats are special - and they love these little biscuits!

Find the West Coast Canine Life Muffin Mix and other quality ingredients at bow wow haus - or if you're feeling a tad too busy to bake, we of course have lots of ready-to-go tasty (and v. healthy) treat options for your pooch in-store!

Encouraging Play with your Pooch!

2011-11-08T22:33:00.000-08:00

While I grew up with dogs in my childhood, Lucie, my golden retriever, was my first dog that was all mine and as an adult. Looking back, I see that I was awkward in my new dog parent role - I remember feeling like I had two left feet at my first group class, trying to maneuver a wiggly pup on a leash, and feeling self-conscious using my "happy voice" to praise effusively when she pooped outside... But most of all, I didn't really know how to get Lucie to play with me, and I often felt silly playing fetch with myself in the park.

Luckily, a friend recommended a great dog trainer and I booked a few private sessions (on a sidebar note, puppy training was the BEST investment I've made towards the sweet, happy, playful dog I have today!!!) - and I realized that I had to learn how to play with my dog AND that I had to teach my dog how to play. Sounds simple, I realize... but it was a lightbulb moment.

At the shop, we often hear customers say that their dogs don't like toys or that they don't like to play. But especially for our urban dogs, play exercise is a must for keeping them physically and mentally stimulated... and just like we train our dogs to learn any other command or behaviour, we can teach and encourage dogs of all ages to find joy in play. Play sessions can help tone muscles, maintain a healthy heart, reduce stress, and alleviate boredom. When dogs are under-stimulated, it can contribute to behavioural problems (excessive barking, food guarding, separation anxiety) and destructive behaviours (chewing, digging). All dog people know: a tired dog is a good dog!

A few tips on encouraging play:

* Have a couple SUPER special toys: It's great to have a few toys that your dogs can play with anytime, but get a couple new toys that are only pulled out when you are playing with your dog. With Lucie, I chose a ball on a rope and a big stuffed animal - both of which she showed no interest in at first.

* Be enthusiastic: A couple times a day, I pulled out one of the toys and played with it by myself - having an exaggeratedly fun time throwing the ball in the air and catching it with glee, chasing it down the hallway with energetic flair (did I mention I felt v. self-conscious??!!) then when she started to express interest, I let her get close enough to sniff for a second - then put the toy away while her interest was still piqued.

* Once they're playing, keep it short: After a few days of feeling silly by myself, I started snaking the toy on the ground in front of her until she started wanting to chase it then we'd play for a minute or two until she was really, really into the game - then at the height of her interest, I'd stop and put the toy away. The key was for ME to end the play, rather than playing until she lost interest. After a week or so, when a special toy was pulled out, she was raring to go!

* Signal the start of playtime: Once she was starting getting consistently excited about our play times, before taking out the special toy, I marked the start of playtime by saying "ready, ready, READY??" in a super-happy, excited voice. Now at the park, when I'm ready to play fetch, I just have to ask "ready, ready, READY?" to have my dogs happily leaping expectantly.

* Not all play has to involve toys either - they can play with just YOU: For me, our playtime tends to involve reinforcing a training command, which also keeps the dogs enthusiastic about responding to them. Here's a couple of my simple faves:

a) COME :: You'll need about 20 small but super-tasty treats for this. If you have a pup, I'd recommend starting indoors (long hallways work well) - but unoccupied tennis courts work well too. Start by standing on one end of the hall with your dog, making sure that she is watching you, throw one treat a couple feet behind you. While your dog chases the treat, run towards the other end saying "Lucie, come" in a happy, fun voice (really, the voice makes a big difference). She should naturally start chasing you. At the other end, praise quickly and happily with a "GOOD COME!" and a little pet, then without any delay, throw another treat a couple feet away, and run back to where you started, again while saying "Come". Continue until you get tired, or your dog appears to start losing interest. Remember you always want to end your play sessions while your dog still wants more.

b) SIT-STAY :: This works well for dogs that already have a pretty good sit stay, but with a second person, it can work with pups too. Find a space with not too many other distractions initially, then work up to a busier space to test their sit-stay! Sit and stay your dog - walk away however far away you can leave your dog before she jumps up to follow. If she hops up, remember to walk them back to where they were supposed to be sitting and make them sit and stay again (and don't walk away as far). Ideally, you should be at least 10-15 feet away. Wait for 30 seconds, then in an excited voice, ask your dog to COME! They should come racing to you - then happily fuss and praise. Lucie has always been a fairly low-energy dog, and this is one of the only ways I can get a full-fledged RUN out of her (usually when I'm so far away from her at the park that I have to use hand signals to get her to come). If your dog doesn't have a good stay, you can ask a friend to hold at one end (and maintain a sit) - until you call from the other side.

If you have any tips on how you encouraged play with your dog, we'd love to hear them. bow wow haus carries a great selection of engaging toys for doggies of all sizes. Come by one of our locations and let us show you some of our dogs' favourites!

The scoop on poop...

2011-11-03T12:03:00.000-07:00

When I got a dog, never did I think I'd spend so much time talking about (and I admit, thinking about) poop! In the shop, I also spend a lot of time talking to customers about it too. Though to a non-dog owner it may seem strange, it actually does make a lot of sense since their poop is a good indicator of how well their doing on their current food, responding to a new kind of treat - or even as a sign of their general health.

For me personally, I've been thinking about doggie poop more this week because I've been trying our newest line of food with my own dogs. Unlike the other dehydrated/freeze-dried raw foods we've been carrying, K9 Natural includes ground bone in their food - so even with the convenience of a freeze-dried food, they've been having the perfect, small poops they usually only have with the frozen raw diet. I really do deeply appreciate the dry, hard (and much, much less odorous) poops that my dogs have on their raw diets!

Also, here's a great article I came across on dealing with doggie constipation naturally that I wanted to share with you.

Hello, Monday :: Meet Punk!

2011-10-31T00:51:00.000-07:00

This week, we're introducing Punk - one of the store doggies at our 4th+Pine location! He's really the friendliest little guy who loves to play with all doggies - and would love for you & your doggie to come say hello...

Tell us a bit about Punk! What kind of doggie is he - and where did he come from?

Punk is a mix of breeds. Definitely poodle but after that it is a guess. Where did he get those ears? I call him a punkydoodle. Punk was a stray in California and landed in the Los Banos shelter where a plea to have him saved was issued – it was a place where he had little chance of being adopted. Pamela McKenzie (http://www.Pamelasdogs.com) scooped him up in a dog rescue transport in February 2011. He arrived in rough condition with a badly matted coat with dead fleas and other terrible things embedded in it. After he had an extreme hair cut and a little vet care he became a happy and charming dog! That is when he came to me.

What is Punk's fave toy?

Punk has two favorite toys. The very best is a plush tree-stump with 3 little squirrels that he can pull out. It is a game we can play over and over. I put the squirrels in he takes them out! The other is an odd ball with an eye legs and hair. He likes to chase it and then shake it in his mouth like he is killing it! So much fun!

His best trick?

Punk dances really well. Sometimes we have little dance parties.

What is one thing you wish you knew before adopting a doggie?

I agreed to foster Punk while I was looking for a dog that I wanted. I thought I wanted a bigger dog, maybe black or brown. I did not think I wanted a small white fluff dog whose happiest place is being held. What I did not know was how loving and how sweet adopted doggies can be. I think he knows how lucky he was to be saved from the high-kill shelters in California. After having Punk for about 3 hours I knew he was not going to any other home. Like all shelter dogs, he had learned to do his ‘business’ where he ate & slept. It took about 2 weeks of work to train him not to do his “business” inside.

Does Punk have a guilty pleasure?

Punk is a calm dog and loves nothing more than being held. He will snuggle into the arms of pretty much anyone. Holding him and scratching the sweet spot on the top of his head is the best way into his heart! He also loves to play with other doggies. No day is complete if he has not met someone to have a good romp with.

His fave spot for a walk?

His favorite walks are through the neighbourhood. He likes to check keep track of this favorite spots. He gets very excited about it all and we have to run sometimes to get there really really fast!

Getting ready for Howl-O-Ween!

2011-10-27T21:08:00.000-07:00

Not sure how the dogs can tell, but somehow they seem to know when I'm baking doggie snacks and not people snacks. Tonight, I baked up some roasted sweet potato mini cupcakes for our Howl-O-Ween party happening at all the BWH locations (Friday, Oct 28 @ 6:30p :: All friendly doggies & their people are welcome!) The dogs love it when I bake treats for them at home - and I love that they love it! It's really easy, and you don't have to be super accurate - I'm sure your doggie won't mind if a cupcake turns out a bit denser sometimes!

Now for the recipe:

2 cups oat flour

3 eggs, separated

1 t cinnamon

1/2 t baking soda

1/3 c olive oil or melted coconut oil

1 T berry supplement - I used Cranimals cranberry supplement

1-2 sweet potato or yam (approx 2 cups) - or sub in canned pumpkin

To start, I washed sweet potatoes and roasted it on a baking sheet at 375 degrees until soft - about 60-90 minutes. Peel and mash with a fork - let cool. Turn down oven to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, beat egg whites to soft peaks and set aside. Mix all other ingredients in large bowl until well mixed. Fold in about 1/3 of the egg whites and fold in gently until incorporated. Then fold in remaining egg whites.

Scoop batter into a mini muffin pan - about 3/4 full. Bake for about 11-13 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Since I was baking for a special occasion, I frosted them with a sugar-free yogurt based frosting developed for doggies.

We hope to see you & your doggies on Friday!

What exactly is green tripe??

2011-10-27T00:11:00.000-07:00

Most dog owners know that their doggies LOVE green tripe and that it smells gross... but do you know what it is and why it's a great thing to add to your doggies' diets?

We recently added K9 Naturals to our line-up of healthy foods - and they had a great overview of green tripe and we wanted to share some of the info with you:

"Tripe is the stomach of ruminating animals, such as sheep, cow, or deer. These animals have a stomach which consists of four chambers serving the purpose of regurgitating, chewing and mixing the food (grass in the case of New Zealand) with saliva. The final process then consists of breaking the food down further still; this is achieved by gastric juices and digestive enzymes. Green tripe is called so because of the fact that it hasn’t been cleaned or bleached. The colour is usually brown and can have a green tint to it from the grass the animal has eaten.

So how does this benefit a dog?

Well the same gastric juices and digestive enzymes which help the animal digest its food also help dogs do the same; this has the result in enabling a greater utilization of food. Furthermore green tripe is an excellent source of protein (60%) and fats (28%). In addition, Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) linoleic and linoleic acid are present in green tripe, thus helping in:

Well, the same gast

Reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease
Increasing energy production
Regulating skin and joint inflammatory responses
Improving general immune function

In addition, Lactic Acid Bacteria is also found in high levels within green tripe. Also known as lactobacillus Acidophilus, this so called “friendly bacteria,” is the main ingredient found in probiotics, helping break down complex food molecules and reducing the risk of developing coronary heart disease, Anderson, J, W and Gilliland S, E (1999).

By feeding green tripe to a dog, many associated health issues are successfully addressed primarily due to its ability to aid in the digestive process. These include not just general digestive conditions, but also symptoms associated with having Irritable bowel syndrome. In essence green tripe provides a dog with high quality protein, fats, essential fatty acids and an enhanced digestive system!

REFERENCES

Effect of fermented milk (yoghurt) containing lactobacillus acidophilus L1 on serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic Humans. Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Vol. 18, No. 1, 43-50 (1999)"

At bow wow haus, you'll find freeze-dried, raw green tripe, canned tripe, tripe snacks and raw frozen tripe. If you're new to tripe, we definitely recommend starting with the freeze-dried variety - even the pickiest dogs LOVE it - and we find the smell a bit easier to handle!! :)

*Interested in learning more about feeding raw to your dog or cat?

Here's a good video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3wLTlqnMMg - or you can also

contact us at info@bowwowhaus.ca to schedule a free, private consultation with one of our

raw food experts at any of our shops.

hello, monday :: Sofia!

2011-10-23T22:37:00.000-07:00

This week, we introduce you to Sofia - our daycare manager extraordinaire!

Why did you decide to run a doggie daycare?

They say if you follow your passion then it's not considered work! My passion is dogs & photography, I get both at the daycare, I pinch myself everyday! I feel very blessed.

Your fave part of the job?

There are a few, but the top three are:

1. Check-in time : the doggies are so happy to break into daycare, I just love how happy they are to see their friends, it always puts a big smile on my face, also I get morning kisses!

2. We love our 3 hour adventure walks, we go to Beaver Lake, the beautiful seawall etc as you can imagine, with so many adorable little dogs walking perfectly on-leash as a pack, we get photographed by many of the tourists that we pass by!

3. When we get home, it's time for treats, they all sit on the bed, it's the cutest thing ever! Then it's my time to send out all the lovely photos of our day to the doggie parents.

Tell us about your doggie, Sami. What are some of Sami's fave things?

Please, there's not enough time to talk about Sami, but I'll make it as short as possible! The love of my life, my sidekick, Sami is a 4 yr old Schmorkie, a Schnauzer mama & Morkie papa, very cute & very intelligent, her vocabulary is extensive! It will be a rare moment that you see me without her, she's very active, she loves to walk at least 4-5 hours a day, she loves to carry her frisbee everywhere, loves to retrieve her frisbee, loves to wrestle with Finn (a bestie at daycare), loves people, especially children, she has a very active social life, she loves all her BFF's at daycare, I'm very interested in agility for her, we hope to begin that very soon! It's all about Sami!

Best place for a dog walk?

We live in Coal Harbour, so the seawall is a block away, we can never get enough of the seawall, it also leads us into Beaver Lake & we are surrounded by endless trails, we love Stanley Park!

One piece of advice for someone considering getting a dog?

Do your homework & get a dog that fits into your lifestyle! How much time can you commit to walking & training? Will your dog be left home for the day? So many things to consider, when you have the right fit, it's the most rewarding feeling, it's a family member now! I wanted a dog that could go everywhere with me, walking was very important, Sami fits the bill perfectly!

What is Sami's fave thing/snack/toy in the world?

Her favourite snacks are the liver treats, dehydrated lamb lung, roasted yams & fresh red peppers. Her favourite toy is her Frisbee, can't live without it! however, she also loves the Happy Hippo, her hand puppet, as soon as we get in the door each day, she runs to the bed & says mom! Time to play with Happy Hippo & she's relentless, so I have to give her that special time...

Sofia can be reached at daycare@bowwowhaus.ca - and at our amazing doggie daycare that caters just to the little ones located at BWH West End.

RECIPE :: Leftover turkey? :)

2011-10-13T21:20:00.001-07:00

Do you still have some leftover turkey sitting around? Here's an easy, healthy recipe to whip up some tasty k9 treats:

what you'll need:

1 cup cooked turkey (all chopped up)

1 cup brown rice flour (plus a bit more for rolling)

1 egg

3/4 cup mashed, cooked yam/sweet potato/carrot (whatever you have - if not, you can sub in canned pure pumpkin)

2 T cranberry sauce (or honey)

1 t ground cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice

3 T dried cranberries (coarsely chopped) *optional*

what to do:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together until well combined and it forms into a ball. Lightly dust surface & rolling pin and roll out to about 1/4" thick to fit a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Bake for about 14-16 minutes - until dough is set (not sticky) but still somewhat soft. Take out of oven, then turn down oven to 250 degrees.

Cut into strips, then into little squares - whatever size you'd like. Pile all the pieces back on to the cookie sheet, spread out, and put back in oven to dry out and get crunchy.

After a couple hours, turn oven off and leave cookies in oven. Or if your dog prefers softer treats, you can take them out earlier - and keep in a sealed container in the fridge. If it's super dried out, they'll keep longer even just at room temp.

Enjoy!

Announcing BarkStar Daily Digs!

2011-10-13T10:29:00.000-07:00

We're excited to introduce BarkStar Daily Digs - limited edition deals for urban dogs in the know! When we come across amazing deals on great products, this is our way of sharing the love.

A few times a week, we'll be posting up a special offer that is valid for a limited amount of time. If you see something you like, just make the purchase right on the Daily Digs site, select which BWH location you'll be picking it up from, then just bring your receipt into the shop to pick up your find!

You won't see the special offer in the shop - just on Daily Digs. From time to time, we'll also offer deals from other doggie businesses too. If you'd like to be in the loop of what's going on on Daily Digs, be sure to join us on Facebook or to be notified by weekly e-mails, send a note to info@bowwowhaus.ca with "subscribe daily digs" in the subject line.

Have a look at what's available now on Daily Digs!

Hello, Monday :: Chelsea!

2011-10-10T21:18:00.001-07:00

Every Monday, we'll introduce you to one of the people (or doggies) that make up BWH - staff, owners, doggies, suppliers, service providers, designers & more. We kick off the series with Chelsea!

Tell us a bit about you! What do you do at BWH?

My name is Chelsea, I am the assistant manager of BWH West End, and I am also the owner of Confident Canine Obedience. As a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, I lead all of the obedience classes for all three Bow Wow Haus locations.

How did you decide to become a dog trainer? What do you like most about being a dog trainer?

That's a good question! When I finished my Bachelor's Degree at the U of A, I realised that I wasn't super excited to find work as a Lab Tech in Genetic research, so I started looking for other work related to the Life Sciences. By chance I started working in retail in pet stores, and absolutely fell in love with all the little four legged customers who came in! My own dog, Ruby (a 7 year old Golden) taught me that with a little patience and tons of consistency, you can really teach a dog a lot. Since then, I went to Canada West Canine Center to pursue certification as a Professional Pet Dog Trainer - and have been teaching dog obedience ever since! What I love most about training dogs is really the pride I see in their people when they watch their dogs learning new skills! It is such a rewarding feeling to know that people are graduating from my classes with a solid understanding and respect for how clever their little buddy truly is!

Tell us about your dog, Roxie!

Roxie is a little Chi mix who originally came from California. Pamela's Dogs, a local rescue group responsible for rescuing hundreds of little doggies from high-kill shelters in California rescued her. She was a stray, believe it or not?! I adopted her at the beginning of February this year. Her best trick is probably her Jump on command, and her best talent is definitely looking cute for treats!

What's Roxie's fave treat or toy?

Her favorite treats right now are the Merrick Lamb Lungs! She loves anything meaty! And her favorite toys are stuffies that she can practice her kill-shake... I think she thinks she's finally gonna get a squirrel one day and likes to stay in practice :)

Your fave dog-friendly spot in the city?

I really love walking along the sea-wall, hanging out at any of the Bow Wow Haus locations, and we really like meeting the other dogs at the Kits dog beach.

One thing you wish you knew before getting a dog?

I don't think anyone ever knows how much patience it is going to take to assimilate a dog into their life. I always think it will be easier than it ever is when I get a new dog, but it takes patience. Dogs don't operate on a schedule that is divided into days and weeks, but if you are kind and consistent your dog will settle into her new life with you and you will both find a great deal of happiness in each other.

Best training tip/advice?

Be patient! Your dog is smart, but learning can be tough for all of us! Be consistent and keep training sessions short and practice them frequently!

Volunteering... with your dog!

2011-10-05T23:37:00.000-07:00

Looking for volunteer positions that you can do with your doggie? Here are a few ideas:

1. BC Pets & Friends - Friendly Visiting Team
Some info from their website:
"What We Do
Pets and Friends provides free pet visitation, on an individual or group basis, to long-term care facilities in the Lower Mainland. We screen and train dogs and cats and their people to interact with the disabled, elderly, chronically ill and mentally ill in an institutional setting. Pet visitation helps relieve stress, increase optimism and address the basic human need for companionship (positive interaction, physical affection and acceptance). It also helps residents who have recently lost their independence to make the transition to facility living.

How It Works
Pets and Friends screens and trains volunteer pet-owner teams and then helps them select the facilities they will visit regularly for at least a year. During a typical visit, a volunteer team spends about an hour interacting with residents, who quickly form a heartfelt connection with the companion animal. Conversation flows and spirits are noticeably lifted. We make a point of visiting on a regular schedule to maximize residents’ sense of security and promote a positive outlook. "

2. St John Ambulance Therapy Dog Program

"St. John Ambulance knows, many people can benefit physically and emotionally from regular contact with the unconditional love of a dog.

St. John Ambulance’s Therapy Dog Services takes a volunteer and their dog into hospitals, seniors' residences or nursing homes on a weekly basis. Partnerships have been established in these kinds of settings, where people are often restricted from having pets, to make the Therapy Dog visitation easier and on a regular basis."

3. Become a Foster Home for a Rescued Dog

The small doggie rescue that we work with - Pamela's Dogs - is currently recruiting for loving foster homes for dogs while they wait to meet their forever homes. If you are able to provide patient, gentle care for a dog in need, your foster dog will be provided with all the food & veterinary care required. Several of us at bow wow haus have fostered dogs and have had them anywhere between 3 days to 3 weeks. Personally, we found that the presence of other happy, well-adjusted dogs in our family seemed to ease the stress for our foster dogs. An amazing experience to make a huge impact on a doggie's life.

Do you have any ideas to share on how to involve your doggie in your volunteer work? We'd love to hear your suggestions.

Revisiting some of our fave Ask an Expert Q&As

2011-10-05T20:54:00.000-07:00

We're busily working on our fall/winter editorial calendar, and in planning our future posts, we got to reading some of our previous Q+A posts and found some gems! Here are a few that we especially liked:

Teaching your dog a great "Watch Me" command - useful for teaching focus, but also comes in handy for taking great pics! :)

Introducing a new baby to your doggie - some great tips for helping to ensure a smooth transition for your pooch and babe

Preventing happy pee leaks - enough said!

We sometimes hear from customers that their dogs don't like to play. If it doesn't come naturally for your pooch - here are some tips for encouraging play!

Finally, if our recent cool weather is inspiring you to bake, how about some treats for your doggie?

Enjoy - and we'll be back with a new post soon!

a little peek behind the scenes @ bwh

2011-10-01T22:50:00.000-07:00

This morning, I visited a well-established natural pet supply store in Seattle - a cute, small shop, but one of at least fifteen in their growing chain of stores. While I was browsing for a couple different treats to bring home for my doggies, I saw a great selection of natural remedies and healthy treats - but then came across icky rawhides and some green chews with a very questionable track record. When I commented on this to the store staff person, she agreed that they think it's crap but that lots of people buy them.

I drove away reflecting on how we choose what we sell or don't sell. Of course people can and will choose what they want for their own dogs. But, given that the shop had done a really great job of branding themselves as an authority on natural pet care, how many customers shop there trusting that there has been some product screening done for them? At BWH, we have a few set self-imposed "rules" - (ie. we don't sell food products that contain wheat, corn or soy, nor food products made in Asia)... but at the end of the day, our commitment to you is that we won't sell you things we wouldn't feel great about offering to our own canine family members.

Did you know that before (most) new products hit our shelves, we've been testing them in our homes for weeks and sometimes months?

'Tis the season of the largest trade shows in the pet industry, and my dresser at home

currently holds no fewer than 8 different all natural shampoos, samples from 6 or 7 new treat lines, and a huge basket of product brochures to review. We've been so busy attending shows, testing samples, reading reviews and chatting with designers, manufacturers & distributors so that we can feel confident and happy with what we have for all of you to pick from.

Tonight, I have a cosmopolitan cocktail-scented Leia (a not yet available sample) and a gleaming, extra-shiny Bruce Lee (bathed in our new black-coat enhancing shampoo - LOVE it!!) drying off next to me after their baths. I'd like to think our doggies take their product tester roles very seriously, but they most likely just love the constant stream of new treats and toys... maybe not so much the shampoos & ear washes... (here's Leia getting a bath - not looking impressed!).

We stay motivated because we love finding the next best thing for our dogs (and yours!) - and all of us get really excited when we find something really special. Keep an eye out for new goodies arriving in our shops every week!

Dog-friendly Seattle

2011-09-30T22:54:00.000-07:00

We're in Seattle for a wee mini-break - and we're missing our dogs like crazy already! It seems everywhere we go, there are dogs and even though Vancouver is a city of dog-lovers, I am so impressed (and to be honest, a bit jealous...) that dogs seem to be allowed in nearly everywhere.

After an afternoon of shopping in the adorable Queen Anne district (where dog treat jars seemed to grace every shop counter), I stopped by El Diablo Coffee Company for a snack and saw people sipping coffees, reading papers & working on their computer with their doggies hanging out by their feet. Totally my dream - especially in the wet weather months - I'd love to be able to visit with friends & hang out for coffees INDOORS with a pooch in tow. I know Bruce Lee would love it, and would sit nicely by my side, like the perfect gentleman he is.

(Sidebar: I ordered a 'limonada' at El Diablo - and they actually sliced & juiced a whole fresh lemon on the spot to make one for me - what a pleasant surprise... Mixed with sugar and topped off with fizzy water, it was super yummy & refreshing!)

Tomorrow, I plan on checking out a couple doggie shops... As I do a bit of research to narrow down options, I'm sad to see that a couple of the shops I had thought were uber-cool have closed down recently, not able to withstand the economic slowdown here.

Wanting the very best for our dogs...

2011-09-28T23:38:00.000-07:00

Many long-time BWH clients would know Lucie, my golden retriever, a.k.a. the love of my life! :) After many years of hoping, wanting and planning for my first very own dog (rather than a family dog from childhood) - Lucie chose me one summer, and as all dog-lovers would understand, it was absolutely life-changing. Within the first couple months of our life together, I decided that I was unwilling to be apart from her 9 hours a day, every day - and I took the leap and started bow wow haus.

It's been a truly wonderful journey, but hands-down one of the best parts of the job? Seeing dogs who are so loved by their people. It warms my heart and makes my day every time I interact with people who adore their k9 family members as much as I do mine. I want the very best of everything for Lucie and my other dogs, and for their everyday to be the best day ever - and that has inspired the growth & new directions of our business.

A couple examples... I only very rarely used to take Lucie for grooming appointments because I hated the idea that she had to hang around in a crate and be there for 3-6 hours, when I knew they'd only be actually working on her for an hour or so. With our new doggie spaw, we wanted a caring environment where we use the best products, shower them with undivided attention. As a result, we only schedule one doggie at a time so we don't keep them waiting in cages - yes, this means we fit in fewer dogs each day, but we really want the best for your doggie too!

As Lucie gets older, in addition to feeding the healthiest diet possible, therapeutic massage will also be a regular part of her health maintenance. Massage will help identify problems early on, and contribute to good muscle & joint health. Plus, she adores all the attention!

When it comes to giving our dogs the very best of everything - we understand that beautiful collars and adorable clothing are just the tip of the iceberg. We are expanding our network of services with some of the best people we could find - so keep an eye on our website, and check out our range of services: walking, training, photography, daycare, massage, socializing & grooming!

** Also, we want every dog to be loved like this, and donated our resources to create a website for the small dog rescue we've been supporting. Check out Pamela's Dogs for some adorable little ones looking for their forever families - your donations from our Healthy Food Club have helped make this possible!

We're Hiring!

2011-08-10T21:24:00.001-07:00

Like people... and LOVE dogs?

Then bow wow haus might be the perfect job for you!
We are hiring for a part-time sales associate to work 4 shifts per week (approx 16-20 hours) at our West End location (1340 Davie). Applicants must be available to work the following shifts:

Mondays 2:15-7:15p
Thursdays 2:15-7:15p
Saturdays 9:45-2:15p
Sundays 9:45-2:15p

We're looking for:
* dog lovers - definitely a HUGE bonus if you have a dog (or two)
* retail sales experience
* dependable + very punctual
* great people skills
* outgoing, happy personality

We offer:
* $10/hr starting wage
* great employee discounts + monthly spending account
* a respectful, friendly & positive work environment
* dog-friendly working environment (it does depend on your pooch though)
* find out more about us at www.bowwowhaus.ca

To apply, please e-mail your cover letter and resume to jobs (at) bowwowhaus.ca and tell us about your sales & dog experiences! We will contact shortlisted candidates by e-mail by August 15. Interviews will be held on August 17 & 18.

CONTEST :: A Spa-w Makeover & Photoshoot Giveaway!

2011-07-05T14:24:00.000-07:00

We're awarding one lucky doggie an amazing spa-w & phodography package (with a retail value of $300+)! The winning pooch will receive a head-to-tail spa-w visit for a full-on pampering session - a deep cleansing bath, dead sea salt scrub, fluff blowdry, a stylish fur-cut, pawdicure and more. After the makeover, we'll pick out something extra-special from our boutique to accessorize your pooch - and we'll capture your doggie's new look with a private in-haus studio photoshoot with Dawn Stenzel Photography!

To enter:

Send us ONE photo of your pooch, along with your dog's name, age, and a 2-3 sentence reason why your doggie deserves this makeover by e-mail to spaw@bowwowhaus.ca! BWH will review all the entries and create a shortlist by July 31, 2011. Our shortlisted candidates will be posted on Facebook - and we'll invite everyone to vote on the winning entry - and announce the winner sometime after August 21, 2011.

The fine print:

BWH will be selecting the shortlist at our full discretion. Spa-w makeover and phodography session will be provided at the BWH location of our choice, and will be scheduled in consultation with the doggie parent - they must be claimed by October 2011. BWH reserves the right to amend the prize package.

INTERVIEW :: Kris Robinson, Artist

2011-05-20T14:12:00.000-07:00

If you haven't already, come by 1340 Davie to view some of Kris' dog portraits - they beautifully capture each dog's personality. Also, check out an extra special offer for BWH customers at the bottom of this post! We love her work - and so wanted to share a bit more about the artist herself with you:

Q: Tell us a bit about yourself... when did you start painting?

From a very young age it was my dream to be an Artist, and so I have sketched and painted for as long as I can remember. Somewhere along the way I became interested in design and decided to study my masters degree in Scotland. I moved here to Vancouver afterwards and worked for a design studio, also doing freelance work for a number of years. I enjoyed what I was doing but was looking to do something a little more fulfilling, something that would give me the freedom to be creative on my own terms. So about 4 years ago I began painting much more seriously with the intent of pursuing my passion as my career.

Q: How did you decide to focus on painting dogs?

Firstly, it was my love of dogs. I quickly found that using dogs as my subject matter was extremely gratifying, it was pure pleasure seeing their personality come alive on the canvas in front of me. What was more important to me as an artist though was that whatever I was painting made people smile, and dogs have an amazing ability to do that. Also, I know that for many owners our pets are equal members of the family, they’re our kids! I felt that through painting I could honour this incredible bond between an owner and their dog by capturing a special moment in time, and do it in a way that’s full of soul and modern.

Q: Do you have a dog?
Funny thing…. I don’t actually have a dog. I just don’t have time to take care of a dog right now. One day I will have a one, in fact I hope to have many. As for what breed it will be? Well, I have a thing for dogs with flat faces; bulldogs, frenchies, and bostons. Though I’ll most likely end up getting a rescue dog and won’t be looking for a specific breed but more importantly a dog I connect with. I have spent a number of years volunteering with a shelter and see so many incredible dogs come in, so I look forward to the day that I can bring one (or more) home.

Q: Most dogs probably don't sit still for very long! How do you capture them on canvas? Tell us a bit about the process.

This is very true, especially considering that it takes a few weeks to do a painting from start to finish, so I work from a photograph. I always suggest that my clients send me a couple of their favourite photographs of their dog. The process starts with me consulting the client, almost like a brainstorming session. We go over details like preferred canvas size, background colour, and composition. If my client isn’t sure what they’re looking for that’s ok I can always offer suggestions. From there I work with the photographs to create digital samples so we can narrow down the options and decide which way to go, this also allows the client to get a solid idea of what their painting is going to look like in the end.

When I start painting I always begin with the eyes because that’s where the soul of the animal comes through. I try to capture all the details that make the dog unique, blending realism with my contemporary graphic style. It’s my goal to create a stunning and special piece of art that captures everything their pet means to them. I want people to look at the painting and see the familiarity of their dog smiling back.

Capture your Pet’s Love, Loyalty and Soul

in a Truly Eye-Catching Work of Art

Commission a painting of your beloved fur-kid! Or as a unique gift for any animal lover.

Until July 5, 2011 Kris Robinson is offering Bow Wow Haus customers 50% off a commissioned painting 2ft or larger, and 30% off a painting under 2ft. Paintings start at $560 for a 1’x1’ painting. To enquire, please contact kris@krisrobinsonstudio.com

a cool treat for sunny days

2011-05-20T14:06:00.001-07:00

Our dogs are soaking up the sun in the yard - so I whipped up some healthy doggie snacks by mixing:

3/4 cup plain, low fat yogurt

1/2 to 3/4 cup canned pumpkin or ripe mashed banana

1 T Whole Hound flax lecithin blend (or ground flaxseed)

1/4 t cinnamon

Spoon mixture into ice cube trays. I like to put a small cookie in each cube before freezing (a sprinkling of the tiny wheat-free Little Stars treats works well!).

Once they're frozen, I pop them out of the trays and keep them in a freezer bag - and hand them out for the dogs to lick at on the balcony or garden on sunny days.

a cool treat for sunny days

2011-05-20T14:06:00.000-07:00

Our dogs are soaking up the sun in the yard - so I whipped up some healthy doggie snacks by mixing:

3/4 cup plain, low fat yogurt

1/2 cup canned pumpkin or 1 ripe banana mashed

1 T Whole Hound flax lecithin blend (or ground flaxseed)

1/4 t cinnamon

Spoon mixture into ice cube trays. I like to put a small cookie in each cube before freezing (a sprinkling of the tiny wheat-free Little Stars treats works well!).

Once they're frozen, I pop them out of the trays and keep them in a freezer bag - and hand them out for the dogs to lick at on the balcony or garden on sunny days.

small doggie adoption fair

2011-04-29T15:51:00.000-07:00

Thank you to everyone for the overwhelming support of our small doggie adoption events. Since we started hosting them in February, these events have helped match loving families with some truly adorable small dogs rescued from high kill shelters in the Los Angeles area.

Each month, Pamela McKenzie, a local volunteer dog rescuer works with rescue groups in LA to identify, pull, and transport about 20 small dogs from shelters before they are euthanized. bow wow haus is lucky to be in a position where we can spread the word about these lovely animals and invite our friends and clients to help find the loving forever homes.

Although we don't have pictures yet of all the dogs, you can see some of them on our Facebook page. Many thanks again for all your help in spreading the word!

Our next adoption event will be held at:

SMALL DOGGIE ADOPTION FAIR

Saturday, August 6 :: 1-3 pm

2821 W Broadway (@ Macdonald)

Come by and meet some adorable little ones looking for new homes. If you would like to receive a copy of the adoption form in advance - just e-mail us at broadway@bowwowhaus.ca!

A very special little rescue :: Helen

2011-03-15T21:33:00.000-07:00

Helen is one of the little dogs rescued from high-kill shelters in LA in February. She is a ridiculously cute, happy, blind puppy. She has been in a fantastic foster home for the past couple weeks, and is now ready to meet her forever family. If you are interested in meeting Helen, please contact pamela@tobegfor.com.

Her foster mom had this to say about her:

About Helen

My name is Helen, but you can change it if you adopt me… my foster parents suggest Ella or Hannah since they sound similar and I respond to my name so well. I am a 5 month old blue fawn Chihuahua mix. I have already been spayed, microchipped, given rabies, DHLPP and wormed. I am so adorable you will fall in love with me right away.

I am fully blind, but don’t let that fool you. I rarely bump into things and can get around my house great. So great in fact you would swear I can see. That includes jumping on couches and a bed (if low enough) You have to supervise me as I am mischievous that way. Sometimes I get scared to jump down and I will whine for you to come help me.

I am very brave and curious. I love to run and play. I am good with all dogs and my best friend is a gentle golden retriever. I love stuffed toys and can even amuse myself if no one is around. I would prefer a home with another friendly dog so I can keep playing.

New people and noises do scare me and I bark until I feel safe again. It’s important you do not cater to me during this time or I will become worse about this. Please acknowledge I am scared, but do not coddle and comfort me. I am not a human child and this does not work on dogs. (my foster mommy is a trainer and is helping me with this)

I am not a helpless accessory Chihuahua. I am a dog. I prefer the floor so I can play and explore. I do snuggle when I am tired and will curl up on your lap and sleep in the evening before bed. I am happy to have a dog bed on the floor under your desk while you work (or wherever you spend your time)

I do my potty inside and mostly make it on to my pad. Being potty trained to go outside would require the right style of home and a very patient owner, but it might be possible. My new owners should be OK to let me potty inside though just in case. I will never go on walks, but a safe yard is fine.

We have been using a clicker and some treats and I am starting to learn sit and down, but have a ways to go. Like most dogs, I enjoy training and would like my new home to continue working with me. Just because I cant see doesn’t mean I cant learn! I am a VERY smart little girl. It would be a shame not to put these brains to work.

My foster parents love me SO much and want to keep me, but they already have three other dogs and want to have room to help more foster dogs like me. I want to stay with them too, especially Oliver! But I understand my own forever home will be just as nice. My foster mommy says I am welcome back anytime for daycare, boarding or training help if my new owners need it.

We're Hiring :: BWH West End

2011-02-12T22:16:00.000-08:00

Like people... and LOVE dogs?

Then bow wow haus might be the perfect job for you! We are hiring for a part-time sales associate to work 3-4 shifts per week (approx 14-18 hrs). Applicants must be available to work weekends.

We're looking for:

* dog lovers - definitely a HUGE bonus if you have a dog (or two)

* retail sales experience

* dependable + very punctual

* fantastic people skills

* outgoing, happy personality

We offer:

* $10/hr starting wage

* great employee discounts + monthly spending account

* a respectful, friendly & positive work environment

* dog-friendly working environment (it does depend on your pooch though)

To apply, please e-mail your cover letter and resume to jobs@bowwowhaus.ca and tell us about your sales & dog experiences!

A Night For Lucky!

2011-01-25T10:14:00.000-08:00

Join us for a night of some good doggie fun as we raise some much needed funds to provide Lucky with the veterinary care and front wheel cart he requires!

Thurs., Feb 10th

7 - 9 pm

1340 Davie St

Lucky is a chihuahua being rescued from a high-kill shelter in California. Read more about Lucky here. Check out how handsome he's looking now that he's in his temporary foster home - we're told he's doing fabulously, and we can't wait until he arrives in Vancouver at the end of January!

This special night will include goody bags for the first 30 guests, a silent auction, a ticketed draw for 20-40% merchandise discounts, lucky-tinis, super delish treats, a trainer's corner where your doggie can learn a new trick and more!

Hope you can join us with a friend!

Small Doggies Available for Adoption

2011-01-17T22:34:00.000-08:00

BOGART
Humphrey Bogart or Bogie (as his foster home affectionately calls him) is a little 6lb guy was slated to be euthanized at a shelter in California and was rescued just in time. He arrived in Vancouver in December, and is now in a foster home here. He appears to be a Min pin/Daschund X, and is probably 1.5 - 2 years of age. He is neutered, wormed, and has had his DHLPP & rabies shots. He has the cutest one ear up, and one ear down look (and looks a bit like Bruce Lee, we think!) He was in the shelter for over a month, and being in the shelter made the little guy a bit fearful, but he has come a long way in his foster home. The more situations introduced to him, the more confident he'll become! Since he was a stray, he does like to have his own separate food dish from other dogs.

BABY BEAUX
Beaux is a 16 week old terrier/daschund X rescued from a high-kill shelter in California (and being fostered in Vancouver). He has long legs, so will be more terrier in height and may grow to be about 20lbs. He has had his DHLPP, Rabies, and Bordetella shots, has been neutered , microchipped and wormed. He is full of energy, and puppy playfulness, but once you hold him he just melts into your arms. He is a very smart little dog, and goes round in round in circles when he needs to potty, which is an amazing alert for training him! He is learning how to walk on a leash, and loves being outside.

GENERAL LEE
General Lee is about 12 lbs and appears to be a tibetan spaniel/chihuahua X..... but, he could be a combination of anything! He is probably just under 2 years of age, and has been neutered, microchipped, is up to date on his shots. He arrived at a California animal shelter with a metal plant stand pierced through his mouth. Although he was initially very fearful of being picked up, his Vancouver foster family can pick him up and he is very affectionate when he is carried.

Here is a note from his foster mom about General Lee:
"He is really a sweet little dog that needs boundaries and guidance. So, a dog-savvy owner would benefit Lee. He can sit, does his business outside, but prefers to do his business while out on a walk. He is an active dog, and would require a daily walk. He would be good for someone whom even jogs or hikes. When he gets excited he does this jump and spins and spins in circles! He would probably be amazing at playing frisbee! He loves his squeaky toys, and takes his favorite ones to bed with him. He has also taken to dragging a cuddle blanket, or my older bath robe to snuggle with. He will actually pull my bathrobe up onto the bed to sleep on, and has even brought it all the way downstairs. It is the cutest thing ever. General Lee absolutely loves to just fall asleep in my lap. When I hold him at these times, you can see the sweet innocent little dog that now feels safe, and loved. It has taken some work, but he is now ready to find his forever home. I recommend a home with no children, no cats as he does like to chase my cat whom runs from him, BUT he leaves my cat alone whom doesn't run from him. Someone whom is active, he does love playing with other dogs, and if a potential adopter has a dog, a meet & greet would be important to see if there is a match. He will need some time to adjust to a new home and family. We are probably the first humans he has ever trusted, and loved. I want the General Lee to be raised with all the love and patience possible."

If you are interested in any of these dogs, please contact pamela@tobegfor.com. An adoption fee (that helps cover the costs of rescuing these pups from California) of about $300-350 will apply and a home check will be required.

A natural alternative to chemical pet pest prevention + treatment

2011-01-12T22:22:00.000-08:00

After having been in the doggie boutique biz for about five years, it's not often that I come across a product that seems entirely different and provides a natural solution that I hadn't come across before. Today, I learned about a new product that has be super excited (and of course, I immediately placed an order)!

The product is Wholistic Diatomaceous Earth (DE) - which consists of the dried skeletons of microscopic sea creatures called diatoms. Wholistic Diatomaceous Earth is a safe, non-chemical alternative to chemical dewormers and is an effective adjunct to any worming program. Wholistic Diatomaceous Earth (DE) works by mechanically destroying parasites and is a safe, non-chemical alternative to chemical pest control.

Composed of the fossilized remains of microscopic sea shells called DIATOMS, Wholistic Diatomaceous Earth (DE) kills insects by puncturing the insect’s exoskeleton (outer protective layer) eventually causing death. But being entirely created by mother nature, it poses no risk or harm to the environment or to our pets. It is designated foodgrade - and can be fed as a deworming agent, sprinkled on carpets & furniture for flea control, or used to bathe dogs with fleas. All entirely free of toxic chemicals - how cool is that?

Since (under the guidance of a holistic vet) I very, very sparingly use chemical pest control on my dogs - I am super excited about this find.

Wholistic Diatomaceous Earth will hit BWH shelves in a day or two. A 5oz container will be available for $12.95.

Lucky's Fund :: Fundraiser # 1

2011-01-09T00:10:00.000-08:00

Over the next few weeks, we will be introducing several fundraising activities to raise much-needed dollars to support Lucky, a 6-year old chihuahua in need of veterinary care and a front-wheel cart. You can read more about Lucky's Fund here.

To get the fundraising started, bow wow haus will donate $300 if we can get 300 new people to like us on Facebook by February 14, 2011.

Will you help us spread the word?

Let's Do Some Good :: Lucky's Fund

2011-01-07T22:20:00.000-08:00

Lucky is a 6 year old chihuahua born with a birth deformity that causes him discomfort and that also makes him hard to handle. He is at an animal shelter in California and due to his disability, he was almost immediately slated to be euthanized.

A local woman who has been rescuing dogs from high kill shelters in California and finding them loving adoptive homes in Vancouver has found him a foster home until he can be transported here at the end of January.

Once he gets here, Lucky will finally get the veterinary care he deserves, and also be measured for a front wheel dog cart. Once he is used to getting around on his new cart, we know that a new family will adopt Lucky and give him a chance at a pain-free, loved life - something he may not have known.

Lucky needs about $700 for this cart, as well as additional funds to help his foster mom cover some of his vet bills. In the next few weeks, we'll be introducing a series of fundraising activities to help raise what we need for this little guy. After having lived a life of neglect, we think it's about time he feels what it's like to have people see that he is special and worth the effort. In the meantime, please help us by sharing his story with others - and also the Chipin account that has been set up for him.

We will follow his journey on our blog over the next while until he comes to Vancouver, gets his new cart, and hopefully, find the perfect forever home. .

INTERVIEW :: Dina, our doggie muffin lady! :)

2010-11-27T18:54:00.001-08:00

Dina Correale is the owner and founder of Victoria-based Endless Pawsibilities - and the baker behind bow wow haus' ever-popular doggie muffins! The muffins are an easy way to feed a complete, balanced, unprocessed diet - and is loved by even the pickiest dogs. We also have a loyal following of doggie customers with sensitive tummies who do very well on the doggie muffins. If you haven't heard about the Westcoast Canine Life muffins before, ask us for a free sample next time.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your company. How did you get started?

Endless Pawsibilities is a labour of love for me. I started the company 5 years ago when I got my golden retriever, Annie. I wanted the very best for her and was concerned about what was going into commercial dog food and treats. I met the owner of West Coast Canine Life, who had Annie’s sister, and very soon after, I started distributing her amazing product. At the same time, I started working with a wonderful woman who has helped me develop my line of organic handmade treats and the new VaryBerry line of products.

The VaryBerry sprinkles smell so yummy! Can you tell us about them? How do I pick the one that would be best for my dog?

The VaryBery powders now come in 6 delicious flavours: Original, Banana Split, Pumpkin Pie, Apple Crisp, Tummy Rub and Mushroom Medley. They are so delicious and nutritious, you can eat them yourself! Sprinkle them on your yogurt or in a shake. I’d recommend you try them all for your dogs – mix them up! They are all extremely high in antioxidants, heart healthy, and blood sugar friendly.

Most of our clients feed a very healthful diet to their pets, and many already supplement with some kind of a multivitamin. Would they still benefit from adding VaryBerry? What kinds of benefits could they expect to see in their dog?

The great thing about the VaryBerry powders is that they are just pure fruits and vegetables. Some supplements contain added preservatives that aren’t necessarily beneficial to your dog’s health. By sprinkling VaryBerry on your pet’s food, you are adding a boost of completely natural antioxidants to each meal. Getting your nutrition from whole foods is always the best way to go. The best benefit of using all of the Endless Pawsibilities products is you will be making fewer trips to the vet!

What is your dog's favourite Endless Pawsibilities product?

Annie loves everything but I’d have to say that her favourite treat is the VaryBerry Bison Liver Brittle and her favourite VaryBerry powder is Banana Split! !

Do you have a simple doggie recipe or nutritional tip you can share with our readers?

Feed your dog whole foods as much as possible. Stay away from processed foods with additives and preservatives. Your dog is truly what s/he eats!

An Evening for Dog-Lovers!

2010-11-22T23:17:00.000-08:00

On Thursday, November 25, we are pleased to be hosting a fundraising event for A Better Life Dog Rescue. Two dedicated volunteers from this organization have been hard at work for weeks to put together a great event for a great cause.

In the next little while, A Better Life Dog Rescue are rescuing 11 perfectly adoptable dogs from overpopulated animal shelters in California that were slated to be 'euthanized' simply because there is no room to house them. By bringing the dogs to Vancouver, these hardworking volunteers are giving these animals a second chance at the lives they deserve with loving families.

We invite you to join us for an evening of delicious bevvies + desserts, lovely silent auction items (perhaps you'll find the perfect x-mas present for someone in your life?), shopping & socializing with other dog lovers. bow wow haus will donate a percentage of all sales made during the event to A Better Life Dog Rescue.

WHAT: An evening of sweet treats + silent auction

WHEN: Thursday, November 25 @ 7 pm

WHERE: bow wow haus - west end (1340 Davie)

Tickets to the event are just $10 - and 100% of the ticket price goes to the cause. I hope that you will join us for this event (doggies are welcome to attend, of course). If you can make it, please e-mail us at info@bowwowhaus.ca - and we will reserve a ticket for you at the door. Tickets are also available at our stores.

A little chihuahua boy is coming to Vancouver!

2010-11-22T00:40:00.001-08:00

So many perfectly lovely doggies are "euthanized" in California - and in response, several rescue groups and individuals bring dogs to Canada to give them a better chance of being adopted and finding the loving home they deserve.

This little boy - Joshua - is one lucky guy. He's expected to be flown to Vancouver later this week. He is a really sweet, neutered 3-year old boy who comes with all of his shots, and is microchipped.

If you have room in your life, heart & home for a loving little chihuahua, please e-mail info@bowwowhaus.ca and we'll connect you to Joshua's rescuer!

Baking for your pooch (and a great cookie recipe too!)

2010-11-13T22:55:00.000-08:00

I love to bake - and have always baked goodies for friends, family and - since Lucie, my golden retriever, came into my life five years ago - for doggies. Lately though, since I've sworn off sugar, gluten & dairy products for the foreseeable future on the advice of a naturopath, I've been channeling all my baking urges into experimenting with recipes for great doggie snacks.

Of course, this has made for some extra-happy pooches in our household who gamely (and encouragingly??) eat the results of recipes that clearly still need lots of work! However, I could tell from the moment that these coco-loco biscuits went in the oven that these were going to be a huge hit. I think these are my dogs' fave ones to date, so I wanted to share the recipe:

1 cup brown rice flour

1.5 cup oat flour

1 cup unsweetened shredded dehydrated coconut

1 egg

3/4 cup coconut milk

1/4 cup canned pumpkin

3 T Cocotherapy coconut oil (or olive oil)

3 T coconut flour (optional)

1 T baking powder

1 t baking soda

1 t powdered ginger (optional)

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine all dry ingredients together and mix well.

In 10 second spurts, melt coconut oil in microwave until just a few small lumps remain, then stir until all lumps are completely melted. Stir in coconut milk, then beat in the egg.

Add coconut milk mixture to dry ingredients and mix well. Should be a bit drier than the consistency of regular cookie dough. If it's too dry to roll out, then add a bit more coconut milk or water.

On a lightly oat-floured surface, roll out dough to about 1/4" thick. Cut shapes out with a small cookie cutter and lay on cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. These won't expand in size as they bake, so you can put them very close together.

Bake for 2o minutes, then without opening the oven door, shut the oven off and leave in until cooled completely. I just leave them overnight - this dries the cookies out so you can store them at room temp for a long time. Super-delish smelling!

If you try this recipe, let me know how it turns out for you - and of any tweaks you made!

A different idea for leftover turkey: thanksgiving biscuits!

2010-10-11T16:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's a recipe I've been working on - and it's perfect for your leftover turkey. To avoid any tummy troubles, I prefer to keep the fatty skins & such off before I grind the turkey in the food processor.

1 cup ground cooked turkey meat
1 cup brown rice flour
1 egg
3/4 cup mashed sweet potatoes or yams (cooked - ideally without any salt or cream)
1/2 t dried rosemary
1/2 t garlic powder or granulated garlic (not garlic salt)
1 t cinnamon
1/4 c dried cranberries (optional - as they are sweetened - but in small doses, it's a nice treat... or perhaps use a tablespoon or two of cranberry sauce)

1. If you're starting with a raw yam, peel, cut up in the hunks - and microwave in a covered bowl with a tablespoon of water until very soft, then mash up with a fork. (I also like to do a mix of yams & carrots - works well!)

Oh, and preheat oven to 375.

2. The rest is super simple. In a large bowl, mix everything together until it comes together into a dough (a soft cookie dough consistency). You may need to add a bit of water or chicken broth to thin, or perhaps add a bit more brown rice flour.

3. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface until about 1/4" thick. Use small cookie cutters to cut into shapes. Place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper of aluminum foil. (It's okay to crowd the pan a bit since these cookies don't really expand while baking).

4. Bake for about 25 minutes. As with all baking, it does depend a bit on your oven, so I'd recommend checking every couple minutes from the 20 minute point - it shouldn't be browning a lot, so if it is, just take it out sooner.

5. If you'd prefer a softer cookie, you're done. Cool a bit, and keep in an airtight container in your fridge for up to a week.

I prefer to keep the cookies longer, so once I finish baking all my batches, I turn off the oven, pile all the baked cookies on to a couple baking sheets, and let it dry out overnight in the remaining heat. (Or turn down oven to about 225 or so - and leave them in there for 5-6 hours or until dry and crisp.) Fully dried cookies won't require refrigeration!

Your doggies will love them!

Will you "Like" us on Facebook? :)

2010-10-02T19:18:00.000-07:00

After a bit of a hiatus, we're resurrecting our Facebook page!

To kick it off properly, here's a 48-hour contest - worth $99+HST! Every doggie could use a training refresher to reinforce basic commands, learn a few fun tricks, and also a great way to bond with your pooch. A lucky doggie will receive a FREE registration in our in-haus 5-week Basic Obedience - Level 1 class starting on October 6 (Wed) at 7:15 pm!

You'll receive an entry for each of the following:

1. "Like" us on Facebook

2. Tweet: "I entered to win a spot in @bowwowhaus dog training class. Here's how: http://bowwowhausvancouverblog.blogspot.com/"

3. Post a picture of your doggie on our Facebook page with a fave toy, outfit, treat, collar, bed - etc. (2 entries)

A winner will be randomly selected from all the entries on Monday evening at 8 pm - and contacted via Facebook or Twitter.

Good luck!

Bake up some doggie treats!

2010-09-05T17:30:00.000-07:00

I had a couple hours free to putter about at home this afternoon, so I pulled out a bowl and got baking, much to my doggies' delight!

Here are the couple recipes I made up on the spot - they could use some refining I suppose, but the treats turned out well... and got the Bruce Lee stamp of approval! :) Have fun experimenting!

tuna apple nibbles

1 egg

1 can water packed tuna

1/2 c water or any kind of stock/broth

1 small red apple

2 c brown rice flour

1-2 c oat flour

1 T garlic powder (not garlic salt)

In a blender or food processor, blend egg, tuna, water, and apple until smooth.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together all the brown rice flour, 1 cup of oat flour and garlic powder. Add tuna mixture to flours until well-mixed. Add more oat flour until the dough is firmer - about the consistency of regular cookie dough. (Brown rice & oat flours are both gluten-free so they won't firm up or begun sticky like wheat flour - they just have to be handled with a bit more care to avoid crumbling.)

Turn out mixture on to a piece of parchment paper and roll out until it's about 1/2" thick, keeping the size of your cookie sheet in mind.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove from oven and cut into 1/2" wide strips, then into smaller cubes. Turn down oven to about 250 degrees, and return cookie sheet with the treat cubes to dry out and harden.

======

pumpkin cinnamon bones

1 can pure pumpkin

1/2 c water

3 T organic coconut oil

2 T agave nectar or honey (optional)

1 T cinnamon

1 T baking powder

1 T vanilla

2 c brown rice flour

1 c oat flour

In a large mixing bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients. In a glass bowl, scoop out coconut oil and zap in microwave for 20-40 seconds until it is melted. Mix in pumpkin, water, vanilla, and agave nectar. Add wet ingredients to dry mixture. If the dough seems too soft to roll out, add a bit more oat flour and/or refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Turn out mixture on to a lightly floured surface (I prefer to use oat flour for this), bring dough together and roll until about 1/2" thick. Use cookie cutter to cut out into shapes and place on parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes. Turn down oven to 250 degrees and let dry out for a few hours. You could also just leave oven closed, shut it off, and let dry overnight. I like to sneak out a few cookies before the drying begins for the doggies to have a more moist, brownie-like soft treat... but it of course keeps better when it's completely dried.

Introducing the BWH Healthy Food Club!

2010-07-07T00:17:00.000-07:00

SAINTS is a local doggie charity close to our hearts - and every summer, we host a fundraising drive to raise some much-needed funds for this end-of-life animal sanctuary. This year, we're introducing the BWH healthy food club - with SAINTS as our first recipient! (Also, check out Griffin pictured here!)

Here's how it works:
1. Make a $10 donation to SAINTS at bow wow haus
2. We'll add your doggie's name to our list of club members
3. For one year, you'll receive 5% off all your purchases of food + supplements

Even if you just spend $50/month on doggie food & supplements, you'll have "paid off" your investment in just 4 months. This is a great opportunity to save money while helping an amazing charity! We hope many of you will join us - and also help us spread the word to other dog lovers too.

This includes all frozen & dehydrated raw food, kibbles, canned food, muffins and all nutritional supplements. It doesn't include treats, chews & other snack items.

We're Hiring... in Kits!

2010-05-27T22:47:00.000-07:00

Like people... and LOVE dogs?

Then bow wow haus might be the perfect job for you! We are looking for two fantastic individuals to join our staff team at our brand new shop in Kits on a part-time basis (15-20 hrs/week). We offer a friendly, fun work environment - with lots of perks for you and your doggie!

We're looking for:
* dog lovers - definitely a bonus if you have a dog
* retail sales experience
* dependable + very punctual
* great people skills
* outgoing, happy & approachable personality

We offer:
* $10/hr starting wage
* great employee discounts
* free merchandise through monthly spending allowances (after probation period) & participation in group obedience classes
* a respectful, friendly & positive work environment
* dog-friendly working environment (it does depend on your pooch though)

INTERVIEWS:
Interviews will be held on Sunday, October 24 - so you must be available for an interview then. To apply, please send your cover letter and resume outlining your experience and availability to bwhjobs@gmail.com

Please paste your resume into the body of your e-mail - no attachments please.

Kids' toys are not for doggies!

2010-04-20T17:58:00.000-07:00

This came to our attention today via Zen Dog Training and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief & Rescue Group, and we wanted to share with everyone. Please let other dog-lovers in your life know -

"Last night at agility class, a vet, who is a fellow agility student was telling us about a case she had this week. The dog ate a child's teddy bear and was very sick. When she opened the dog up to remove what she thought was an intestinal obstruction she found a huge gelatin type mess inside and the dogs intestines were black and the tissue dead. The dog will die no surgery can fix him up there was no living intestine left from stomach to colon.

This was not an obstruction. .... so she called the manufacturer of the Teddy Bear on a quest to find out what the gel was and what killed the dog. Turns out the stuffing in children's toys contains ingredients for flame retardants and mite control! It is designed to be come a gel. It is highly toxic. Now you would think a child's toy would be safe because it is for children, but they don't expect a child to eat the stuffing of the toys... huummmm that seems a bit scary too. But we all know dogs demolish stuffed toys.

So do not give or buy your dog any children's stuffed animals... some people get them at goodwill etc. The vet will be posting a warning and story and I will send any other facts as needed and as I learn more. Maybe some children's toys do not have this ingredient, but better to be safe than sorry. So meanwhile, make sure all your dog toys are for dogs. Please pass this on... it is a horrible death she described and one that can be avoided."

SAINTS :: a sanctuary for senior animals in need

2010-03-20T16:06:00.000-07:00

SAINTS is "an end-of-life sanctuary for senior and special needs animals that have nowhere else to go. We provide a special place to be loved, cherished, and receive proper medical care for the rest of their days. All animals deserve to have hope for a better tomorrow.

At various shelters throughout B.C., dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly to find these special animals a place to finish their journey in comfort and in love. Because of their infirmities and physical challenges, many homeless senior and special needs animals have very little chance of finding a new home. SAINTS exists to help senior and special needs animals when all else fails. If we can, in time, find them a special home of their own, then we do. If that very special home never comes, they will be safe and cherished until the end of their days."

We think the world of the super-dedicated volunteers at SAINTS. Many of you have generously supported our fundraisers for SAINTS in the past - and we'll be organizing another fundraiser for them this summer.

In the meantime, here is a free, easy way to support them:

"The Animal Rescue Site is hosting a special challenge for eligible Petfinder.com member shelter and rescue groups. Help us win! All you have to do is click to help rescued anim

als, and vote in The Animal Rescue Site $100,000 Shelter+ Challenge. Both of these actions ar

e absolutely free! You can vote once a day, every day, from Jan 18th through April 18th, 2010. Every time you vote, or tell a friend to vote, you are making a huge difference for us.

Help SAINTS win a $20,000 grant! Vote today and everyday!

Visit: www.theanimalrescuesite.com - Click on the ’Shelter Challenge’ tab - Type in S.A.I.N.T.S. -Select CAN -then select BC -then click search and VOTE - Repeat Daily!!"

10-month old German Shepherd needs love!

2010-03-02T13:56:00.000-08:00

We aren't always able to post stories of every doggie needing a home - but this girl needs some serious love! She is just a puppy, and sounds like she's had a hard start in life. If you know someone who'd be able to provide a loving home, please see contact information at end of the message we received below:

=======

Mariah is a 10 month old gorgeous unspayed female German Shepard. Jaw was fused on her right side due to trauma. She was only able to stick out the end of her tongue and has been hand fed since her injury. She was unable to pant.

Owner surrendered her to the SPCA. She is currently in the custody of West Coast Vet Dental Services. Jaw was operated on Friday afternoon at the TMJ site-pro bono. She is doing great.

The dental vet normally does not keep patients overnight but made an exception for Mariah. She is scheduled to return her to the SPCA on Wednesday if a home cannot be found for her.

Contact information:

West Coast Vet Dental Services
1350 Kootenay Street, Vancouver
604-473-3605

Be a BWH doggie star! :)

2010-02-04T19:52:00.000-08:00

Over the next few weeks, we'll be working on freshening up the BWH website - and we'd love to include photos of some of our local doggies!

The BWH team will pick 3 photos for use on the banner at the top of our website (possibly more if we have a super-hard time narrowing down our choices...) For each photo selected for the banner, we'll provide a $50 gift certificate with which to pick up some yummy treats or toys (or whatever else your doggie's heart desires) at bow wow haus.

We'll also put up all the submitted photos somewhere on our website - and enter everyone into a draw: 2 lucky winners will each receive a free Blanket ID tag & 1 year membership (retail value $24.99).

Simply send us an e-mail with ONE photo of your dog (or dogs) taken in a setting that reflects Vancouver to info@bowwowhaus.ca with PHOTO CONTEST in the subject line by February 15, 2010. One entry per doggie please.

our $20/10 boxing week offer!

2009-12-25T11:19:00.000-08:00

We hope that you + yours enjoyed another fab holiday season. This year for the first time, we're offering a special offer, on top of the usual sales!

From Dec 26 to 31, spend $60* or more, and receive a $10 coupon or spend $100* or more, and receive a $20 coupon. Coupons will be valid on any purchase (just like cash!) in January 2010.

(* On any purchase except food or training. Includes sale merchandise. Total calculated before taxes.)

Many thanks for all your support over the last year!

Our Holiday Giveback!

2009-12-01T11:25:00.000-08:00

Each year, we bring boxes of goodies for the dogs stuck at a local animal shelter over the holidays. With many of the usual volunteers that walk and play with them busy during the holidays, we want them to have a few extra treats, toys and chews to occupy their time.

Pick up a copy of Cesar Millan's latest book: How to Raise the Perfect Dog! at BWH for 10% off the cover price - and we'll donate 100% of the profits to our holiday donation fund!

Yes, You Can Raise the Perfect Dog!

For the millions of people every year who consider bringing a puppy into their lives-as well as those who have already brought a dog home - Cesar Millan says, "Yes, you can raise the perfect dog!" It all starts with the proper foundation in the early years. Here, Cesar tells you everything you need to know to create the best environment for a well-balanced dog in order to avoid behavior issues in the future, and shows you how to correct the most common behavior issues for young dogs.

You'll Learn
* What to expect from each stage of your puppy's development
* Quick and easy housebreaking
* The essentials of proper nutrition
* The importance of vaccinating-and of not over-vaccinating
* Creating perfect obedience from day one through rules, boundaries, and calm-assertive leadership
* How to avoid the most common mistakes owners make raising puppies and young dogs
* How to correct any issue before it becomes a problem
* Unique exercises and play to bring out the best in every breed

Buy this book at bow wow haus for just $29.99 (suggested cover price $32.99) before December 20 to support some of our local shelter doggies.

Young doggies looking for loving homes!

2009-11-25T14:21:00.001-08:00

All of these dogs sound absolutely wonderful - no issues.

There is a little baby in the bunch too. All were saved from a kill-shelter; however, the rescue group is very, very full at this time and are looking for foster/forever homes for these 4 dogs. The rep from the German Short-haired Pointer (GSP) rescue group sent around a description of the dogs - for more information, please e-mail directly: lichen-t@shaw.ca

Molly
The Best. 4 yr. old? I haven't cat-tested her yet, but she gets along with all dogs and just wants people to love her. She treats her toys with gentle affection. I'll be send her plush bone with her - she's so proud of it. She's a gentle loving little girl. She doesn't jump. I'm so glad I took her. She's definitely not a hunter.

Pepsi
She wants your attention so badly. She's probably only 7 months and spent the last two of them in a kennel, so she's afraid of other dogs when she first meets them. When I took her to daycare yesterday she was nippy with the other dogs and couldn't stay. Today the trainer worked with her for 15 minutes in the group and by the end of that time she was comfortable with 30 of her kin and running around wagging her little stump of a tail. She needs to be introduced to other dogs carefully and she'll be fine. Usually the daycare only allows rescue groups to have 2 dogs there at a time, but the trainer said it was OK to leave her there today with Molly and Lizzie.
She's a jumper. She jumps on people, other dogs, and can bounce on all four feet to a height of 5' from a standstill. She's a true purebred little GSP in every way. She wants to be a lap puppy and probably won't make a huntress.

Lizzie
What to say? She's a comical, loving, bundle of energy. She's 3/4 GWP and 1/4 GSP - the shelter knows the breeder. She's probably only 7 months as well, but both she and Pepsi are listed as 8 months on their health certificates.
She's had a very hard 7 months. She was sold by the breeder and then turned in by her parents - don't know why. She was skinny and sick a month ago, but is very healthy now. She'd also like to be a lap dog. She's a huge pup - tall and lanky.

Quincy
He's the cutest pup - truly a baby. I'm so sorry he won't be able to go to daycare and run around, but he'll be wearing a cone until he leaves. He loves to be loved. He hasn't had the hard life that the girls have. He's a bundle of energy but calms down nicely when you hold him. He might make a hunter but he'll also be a nice pet.

Gift ideas - Part 1!

2009-11-17T21:49:00.000-08:00

As a doggie shop, we sift through tons of catalogues to find the coolest gear from around the world - and then get to see lots of doggies interact with our selection in the shop. Here are some customer & staff faves - perhaps something a lucky pooch in your life might want?

* a super-cool nametag: Handcrafted in the US with .925 sterling silver, this guitar pick-inspired, crest initial tag is a regal way to display your pet's identity. These are custom-made to order, so order by the end of the month to ensure it arrives in plenty of time to make it under the x-mas tree!

* the perfect outdoor gear for the active k9: My golden retriever, Lucie, has had her Cloudchaser jacket for about 3 years - and it's still my fave jacket that we carry. It's rain- and wind-proof, and provides good tummy coverage. As much as she loves romping in the snow, she ends up getting uncomfortable ice balls on her belly fur when we hike in the winter - and this jacket prevents this while providing comfortable weather protection.

* biodegradable, gentle doggie wash: Collars and clothing can be tricky as presents for other people's doggies, but a decadent, super-yummy shampoo is a perfect gift for any dog. We love the Cookie Moon line - the Sugar, Sugar Cookie is my fave!

* the plushest doggie bed: We've had so many doggie beds in our home - but this plush donut bed has been the biggest hit! Totally washable, made in NYC, and available in sizes for dogs of all sizes - Lucie and BL vouch for it...

* smart puzzle toys: This is a huge sanity-saver in our house during the holidays! Given the uber-friendly (or is it over-friendly?) nature of my pooches, it can be a bit overwhelming when guests arrive - so I load up a Leo toy for Lucie the golden and a mini-Leo for Bruce Lee my chi-yorkie - and we have about 30-45 minutes of peace while they play... and by then, the new people in the house aren't quite so new anymore, so it all works out! :) It's also my go-to gift for new puppy parents...

More thoughts to come soon!

Work at bow wow haus!

2009-10-12T13:51:00.001-07:00

Like people... and LOVE dogs?

Then bow wow haus might be the perfect job for you! With some of our regular staffers heading back to school, we now have an opening for a part-time sales associate to join the BWH team at our shop in the West End.

Applicants must be available for the following shifts:

Mondays 3:30-7:15 pm
Fridays 10:45 -3:30 pm
Saturdays 8:45-1:45 pm (or 10:45 - 2:45 pm)
Sunday 10:45-2:30 pm

We're looking for:
* dog lovers - definitely a HUGE bonus if you have a dog (or two)
* retail sales experience
* dependable + very punctual
* great people skills
* outgoing, happy personality

We offer:
* $10/hr starting wage
* great employee discounts
* a respectful, friendly & positive work environment
* dog-friendly working environment (it does depend on your pooch though)

We're hiring ASAP - so please e-mail your resume & cover letter to info@bowwowhaus.ca!

We're hiring!

2009-08-28T19:42:00.000-07:00

Like people... and LOVE dogs?

Then bow wow haus might be the perfect job for you! We're looking for a part-time sales associate to join the BWH team at our shop in the West End. To start, we're looking to fill our Friday closing and Saturday opening shifts (about 4-6 hours per shift), and depending on your interest and availability, may grow to additional shifts.

We're looking for:
* dog lovers - definitely a HUGE bonus if you have a dog (or two)
* retail sales experience
* dependable + very punctual
* great people skills
* outgoing, happy personality

We offer:
* $10/hr starting wage
* great employee discounts
* a respectful, friendly & positive work environment
* dog-friendly working environment (it does depend on your pooch though)

We're hiring ASAP - so please e-mail your resume & cover letter to info@bowwowhaus.ca!

Dog Heatstroke Survival Guide

2009-07-15T17:24:00.000-07:00

Heatstroke: Know how to treat and prevent this dangerous condition!
Robert Newman
(Thanks to Shannon Malmberg, Zen Dog Training for passing this along!)

What is heatstroke?
In simple terms, heatstroke occurs when a dog loses its natural ability to regulate its body temperature. Dogs don't sweat all over their bodies the way humans do. Canine body temperature is primarily regulated through respiration (i.e., panting). If a dog's respiratory tract cannot evacuate heat quickly enough, heatstroke can occur.

To know whether or not your dog is suffering from heatstroke (as opposed to
merely heat exposure), it's important to know the signs of heatstroke. A dog's normal resting temperature is about 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Once a dog's temperature rises above 105 degrees, physiological changes start to take place, and the dog begins to experience the
effects of heatstroke. At 106 to 108 degrees, the dog begins to suffer irreversible damage to the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, heart and brain.

If a dog is experiencing heatstroke, you may observe excessive panting; hyperventilation; increased salivation; dry gums that become pale, grayish and tacky; rapid or erratic pulse; weakness; confusion; inattention; vomiting; diarrhea; and possible rectal bleeding. If the dog continues to overheat, breathing efforts become slowed or absent, and finally, seizures or coma can occur.

The amount of damage a dog sustains when stricken with heatstroke depends on the magnitude and duration of the exposure. The longer and more severe the exposure, the worse the damage will be.

What to do
* Pay attention to your dog. Recognizing the symptoms of heatstroke and responding quickly is essential for the best possible outcome.

* Get into the shade. If you think your dog is suffering from heatstroke, move it into a shaded area and out of direct sunlight. Apply cool water to the inner thighs and stomach of the dog, where there's a higher concentration of relatively superficial, large blood vessels. Apply cool water to the foot pads, as well.

* Use running water. A faucet or hose is the best way to wet down your dog's body. Never submerge your dog in water, such as in a pool or tub - this could cool the dog too rapidly, leading to further complications, including cardiac arrest and bloating.

* Use cool - not cold - water. Many people make the mistake of using cold water or ice to cool the dog. When faced with a dog suffering from heatstroke, remember that the goal is to cool the dog. Using ice or extremely cold water is actually counterproductive to this process because ice and cold water cause the blood vessels to constrict, which slows blood flow, thus slowing the cooling process.

* Don't cover the dog. One of the keys to successfully cooling your dog is ensuring the water being placed on the dog can evaporate. Never cover an overheated dog with a wet towel or blanket. This inhibits evaporation and creates a sauna effect around your dog's body. Likewise, don't wet the dog down and put it into an enclosed area, such as a kennel. Any air flow during the cooling process is helpful in reducing the dog's body temperature. Sitting with the wet dog in a running car with the air conditioner blowing is an ideal cooling situation.

* Keep the dog moving. It's important to try to encourage your dog to stand or walk slowly as it cools down. This is because the circulating blood tends to pool in certain areas if the dog is lying down, thus preventing the cooled blood from circulating back to the core.

* Allow the dog to drink small amounts of water. Cooling the dog is the first priority. Hydration is the next. Don't allow the dog to gulp water. Instead, offer small amounts of water that's cool, but not cold. If the dog drinks too much water too rapidly, it could lead to vomiting or bloat.

* Avoid giving human performance drinks. Performance beverages designed for humans are not recommended because they are not formulated with the canine's physiology in mind. If you can't get an overheated dog to drink water, try offering chicken- or beef-based broths.

See a veterinarian
Once your dog's temperature begins to drop, cease the cooling efforts and bring the dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Your dog's temperature should be allowed to slowly return to normal once cooling has begun. A dog that's cooled too quickly may become hypothermic. Even if your dog appears to be fully recovered, the veterinarian needs to check to determine if the heatstroke caused any damage to your dog's kidneys and liver. The effects of heatstroke can continue for 48 to 72 hours longer, even if your dog appears normal.

William Grant, DVM, a veterinarian for 20 years and former president of the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, has treated hundreds of cases of heatstroke, ranging from mild to fatal. According to Grant, the most common cause of death following heatstroke is disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (blood coagulating throughout the body), or DIC, which can occur hours or days after the heatstroke episode. DIC can also be caused by pyometra or septicemia, but Grant says heatstroke is the most common cause. "Once a dog develops DIC, it may bleed in the thorax, abdomen, nose and intestine," Grant says. "Once the blood-clotting factors are consumed, there is an inability of the blood vessels to prevent leaking; the condition is almost always fatal." For this reason, follow-up veterinary care is essential following a heatstroke episode, even if your dog seems to be completely fine.

Prevention is the best medicine
The best treatment for heatstroke is prevention. Especially during the summer months, it's essential to be aware of the potential for heatstroke. Knowing the signs of heatstroke, and taking the necessary steps to prevent it, will ensure your dog can have a safe and active life year-round.

'Stay Cool' Tips for Urban Doggies

2009-07-01T23:27:00.000-07:00

What a gorgeous Canada Day - it was so great to see so many doggies & their people out and about (and of course @ BWH!). While we all love the sunshine, the warm weather can be hard on some of our dogs - so here are a few tips on helping your dogs enjoy the summer!

1. our fave swimming spots: doggie beaches are great, but when we're

looking for a fresh water swim, we have 3 fave go-to places.

Macdonald Beach in Richmond, out by the airport is a great off-leash park with trails, grassy fields, and the Fraser River. When we're up for a bit more of a hike, we love the trail by the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve - from Hwy 1, take the Mt. Seymour Parkway exit and keep heading straight past Capilano College. Don't take the turnoff to Cap College, instead keep driving up and up, past the cemetery, and it becomes a gravel road. At the very top, you'll see a sign for "public parking". From the parking lot, facing the woods, take the path to the right to walk along the metal fencing and it'll take you into the woods. At this point, it's a loop so doesn't matter which trailhead you pick. At the bottom of the hill, you'll hit a gorgeous stream where your doggies (and on esp hot days - you!) can enjoy a refreshing swim. The loop takes about an hour, allowing for a bit of play time at the water. Finally, for when you don't have huge time or energy, but your doggie is craving a cool dip in the water, check out this little trail near Park & Tilford

shopping area in North Van. From Brooksbank, instead of turning west into the mall area, head east 1/2 a block, and you'll see a great little path and creek. I usually park right behind the John Henry bike shop - and you won't be able to miss it.

2. cool beds - is a cooling gel-filled cushioning mat that you fill with water - creating a cool, dry & comfy place for your doggie to relax. Many of our senior doggies enjoy this bed year round to help soothe sore joints. Available in 3 sizes at Bow Wow Haus. Read some customer reviews here.

3. swamp cooler - is a cooling vest for active dogs. Dogs can beat the heat,

staying cool while hiking and biking on the trails, playing on the beach, boating on open water under full sun, and waiting for their turn during outdoor agility trials in the heat. The swamp cooler uses evaporative cooling to keep dogs cool in the heat, exchanging the dog's heat with the coolness of the stored water and releasing the heat as the water evaporates through the specially designed layers.

4. cool treats - finally, try a cool, frozen treat for your lucky pooch. Over the summer, I feed cool raw bones and frozen doggie muffins on a mat on the patio. We also now have yummy smelling, super-healthy, non-dairy doggie 'ice-cream' in two fruity, nutritious flavours. They come in handy single serve cups that can go straight from the freezer or picnic cooler to your eagerly awaiting pooch.

VaryBerry: a powerful antioxidant for your pooch

2009-06-09T14:31:00.000-07:00

Just arrived at bow wow haus: VaryBerry is a whole foods burst of powerful antioxidants, made in Canada.

A 120 gram bag of VaryBerry contains about 18.5 lbs of certified organic blueberries, cranberries, and raspberries - so it's packed with antioxidants. It supports urinary tract health, promotes healthy teeth and gums, and even freshens breath.

Studies have shown that the phytochemicals found in berries, have anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial properties. VaryBerry helps to support urinary tract, dental, and eye health. VaryBerry contains a hint of cinnamon, which is widely recognized for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Cinnamon also acts as a digestive tonic. It's heart healthy and blood sugar friendly.

In fine powder form, it can be used it lots of ways: sprinkled directly on to dry, canned or raw food, baked into treats, or just mix it into some plain yogurt as a cool treat on a hot summer day. We made some yummy frozen yogurt ice cubes for our dogs - and they gobbled it up!

Every ingredient used in VaryBerry products, is guaranteed to be 100% free of GMO's, artificial colours, flavours, and preservatives. No chemicals or solvents are used in the production process, and only FDA approved packaging is used for VaryBerry products. No corn, no soy, no wheat, no yeast . . . ever! Great for you . . . made for your pets!

Sweet "bug" pup - HAS FOUND A HOME!! :)

2009-06-03T09:23:00.001-07:00

A message from our friends at the Beloved Dog Daycare:

"Carly is a Boston Terrier x pug. She is brindle and White and is an absolute sweetheart. The current owner finds it a handful to care for her because her family is not willing to share the responsibilities of taking care of a puppy and she cannot do it alone. There are no known health problems with Carly and she is 4 months old today. She loves dogs of all sizes and is highly socialized from being here at my daycare. She is loving, fearless and just a pure joy. I do not recommend cats in the home. A family fostered her for a night and she basically didn't leave them alone and the cats were very irritated with her. I would like to help this owner find a permanent home for her. Carly will come with a bed, toys and her food. Please call Lisa at 604-720-2953 for viewing. Please understand that taking care for a puppy is a life time commitment and I don't want to keep fostering her from home to home. She is up to date with shots for now but she is not spayed. I am not looking to re home her to a place who has interest in breeding her. Thank you."

Sharing the Love :: BC Chihuahua Rescue

2009-05-22T01:23:00.000-07:00

At our next Small Dog Mingle on Sunday, June 26 - we'll be collecting donations of new/used clothing, toys, and other supplies for the BC Chihuahua Rescue group.

Here are some of the items currently on their Wish List. If there's anything in your lucky pooch's closet you'd like to share, pls bring them along with you and we'll organize getting all the goodies out to the less fortunate chis still awaiting their forever homes.

Dog leashes, collars and sweaters New dog toys and/or accessories Doggy beds and blankets Pet carriers, new and like-new High quality dog food for small breeds and/or treats Canadian Tire money to buy dog supplies

URGENT - doggie needs foster home ASAP

2009-05-07T22:52:00.000-07:00

We received the following e-mail through our doggie networks. If you can help, please e-mail us and we'll pass along the contact info of the person who e-mailed us ASAP:

"I know its an odd request and mass emails aren't typical of me but this is a special case.

I've been involved working with a great dog with a troubled past at the Delta Animal Shelter for the past 6 months. The dog is an amazing mastiff/sheppard cross named Teresa. She's a BIG girl, close to 170 lbs. She was found abandoned and had been abused. As a result of this abuse, she was initially cautious of people and even aggressive at times towards men (her abuser was likely a man). In the past 6 months, I have watched her rehab into a well adjusted and very affectionate dog.

Unfortunately, because of her size and her troubled past, the shelter has so far been unable to find her a suitable home.

She will be put-down this weekend.

I have tried desperately to rescue her, even offering to financially support her at the shelter until a home can be found, but the shelter has made up its mind. In a last-ditch effort, I am asking for any assistance you might offer in terms of finding a home for Teresa. She needs lots of space and a family that is comfortable with big dogs.

Please contact me if you have a possible home in mind and I would be happy to answer any question you might have."

Please help us spread the word - and let's see if we can help give this doggie a second chance.

More doggies looking for homes!

2009-05-06T19:15:00.000-07:00

Weimaraner looking for calm, dog savvy home.

This beautiful 5 yr. old Weim has not had a happy life or stable environment. Because of many changes, and limited training, she is anxious and skittish. She needs security, consistent routine, exercise and love - a home with no shouting, kids, cats, dogs or loud noise. If you are experienced with dogs and are patient, this "work in progress" might be the companion for you. She is healthy, loves walks, good in the car and house-trained.

*DOGWOOD GUN DOG RESCUE *
*604-926-1842 *

4-Year Old German Short-Haired Pointer

I'm Chester and it my pleasure to introduce myself to you! I am a wonderful 4 year old German Shorthaired Pointer and I am needing to find a new home. My Mom and Dad just had a new baby and if you have ever had one you know how much work they are and they feel that I need more exercise and attention than they are able to give me right now. So I need to find a new forever home . I love to play fetch and am a bit of a fanatic about it and I really do need to have an active leader as I have a bit of energy. Although I do love to settle down at the end of the day for a good long cuddle and nap. I know that my mom and Dad love me as they have taken such amazing care of me and are heartbroken at having to give me up. I have done a couple levels of tracking, obedience classes and get daily walks and hikes. I am quite handsome and am a svelte 50 pounds of muscle.

If you want to be the luckiest person ever and give me a new home please contact:

*Anne or Neil Henderson at 604-898-3345 or 604-317-6946

We're Hiring!

2009-05-05T15:47:00.001-07:00

bow wow haus is a great retail store in the West End offering cool gear and healthy food for the urban dog! We’re now accepting applications from dependable, organized, outgoing dog-lovers! Currently, we are recruiting for one part-time position - (approximately 15-20 hours/week).

If you are...
- friendly, outgoing, and energetic
- reliable and punctual
- LOVE dogs (and preferably have one... or two)
- have retail sales know-how

... then we'd love to meet you. Send in your resume to info@bowwowhaus.ca ASAP, or drop it off in person to our shop at 1340 Davie!

Starting hourly wage - $ 10.00
Great discounts on food & gear

info@bowwowhaus.ca
www.bowwowhaus.ca

PT Deux

2009-05-03T17:17:00.000-07:00

Another Weekend Photo Shoot PT1

2009-05-03T16:37:00.000-07:00

May 2/09
BWH spent the weekend hanging out at local dog hot spots lapping up the sunshine. Get it? "Lapping" up the sunshine, ha, ha.

Seawall Walkies

2009-04-26T21:27:00.000-07:00

The Bow Wow Haus crew spent the day on the seawall enjoying the spring sun. We met some great new friends. Hope next weekend is as good.

Little Dog Spring Fling!

2009-04-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

THIS FRIDAY - Apr. 24 @ 6:30 p
1340 Davie St (@ Jervis)

A great opportunity for the little ones to play indoors - and get them tired out before their bedtime!

Come early to give your pooch the maximum opportunity to socialize and play! As always, enjoy good company, doggie & people snacks - and have a browse through the newest finds @ BWH.

Our meetups are being really well attended - so it's lots more fun for everyone. Thanks to everyone for helping to spread the word!

Hope to see you there!

Emergency Preparedness for your Pooch

2009-04-21T23:36:00.000-07:00

Here are a few tips from the City of Vancouver on including your pooch in your emergency preparedness planning.

In a disaster, you and your pets could be on your own for 72 hours or more. If you have to leave your home during an emergency, don't leave your dog behind! Follow some simple steps and be prepared.

1. Get a license - and make sure it is up to date and securely fastened to your dog's collar.

2. Have a buddy system with a good friend or neighbour to heck on your animals if a disaster hits.

3. Prepare a disaster kit for each pet, including:
* a photo of your pet
* vet and vaccination records in a zip-locked bag
* if your dog is on medications, two weeks worth of meds in water-tight containers
* up to 2 weeks worth of food and water (canned food is better because the animals won't need to drink as much water - and don't forget a can opener)
* non-spill food and water bowls
* plastic pick-up bags
* pet first aid kit
* paper towels & disinfectants
* blankets
* toys and treats

For more information, visit www.vancouveranimalshelter.ca

Foster home urgently needed!

2009-04-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

A Foster Home is URGENTLY needed as soon as possible for a beautiful black female dog (lab shep cross) that has been thrown out in a dump - she has been nicknamed her Jennie Gem.

She is heavily pregnant and we cannot imagine her having her babies in this dump - if she does live. There are many coyotes around this dump and dogs like her will be taken down very quickly. There is also a risk that she could be shot to death as other dogs in the dump have died like this. This dog has been very abused by people and whines in fear when you come near her. She crawls/wriggles away from you and yet she is dying for attention. She was not able to stand up when the rescue group came near her because she was so submissive and scared. However, the worker got to pet her rump but she kept crying in fear. She will make an AWESOME pet for a family - she has such a sweet submissive nature. She is about 2 years old - at first glance.

Rescue for Life will supply all vet care, supplies (food, vaccinations, kennel, etc.), and will provide all training for the dog also. You will be walked through the process on how to help re-hab this dog and within in a couple weeks you will be shocked at the new personality you will see shining through.

Once her puppies are old enough to be adopted (8-10 weeks), they will go up for adoption.

Please forward this email to anyone who is animal lover. Through networking this deserving dog will find a foster home and get her second chance at life.

**Age:** 1-2 year old
**Sex:** Female, pregnant
**Weight:** 60 pounds (and furry)
**Breed:** Shep, Lab cross

Rescue for Life

http://www.rescue4life.org/

Co-existing with Coyotes

2009-04-16T12:48:00.000-07:00

So, it happened. We saw our first coyote of the season this morning - while hiking on our usual trails at the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve in North Vancouver.

Here are some tips from the Stanley Park Ecology Society on keeping you and your doggie safe:

If a coyote approaches, appear as large and threatening as possible. Make aggressive gestures (moving arms and legs), shout in a low voice, and throw rocks, sticks or objects. Never run or turn away; coyotes, like most canids, like to chase moving objects. Coyotes are naturally timid animals and will flee when confronted with aggression.

"Coyotes sometimes prey upon small dogs. Small dogs have even been taken directly off the leash. You can ensure your pet's safety by supervising it at all times when outside. Allow your dog off-leash only in enclosed areas. If you encounter a coyote while walking your dog, gather your dog in your arms. If this is not possible, keep it on a short leash as you move toward an area with increased activity. Shout, wave your arms, or throw objects at the coyote.

Large dogs rarely come into conflict with coyotes. Incidents generally occur during the late winter and early spring when coyotes mate and are more territorial. Do not let your dog to play or interact with coyotes.

Some other precautionary measures that can be taken include:

* Keep a whistle handy while walking your dog. The whistle may not scare the coyote directly (coyotes hear the same sirens, car alarms, and horns as we do), but it will alert other pedestrians in the area of your need for help.
* Walk your dog in areas of high pedestrian traffic such as busy streets, jogging and park trails. Walk during times of increased activity such as during daylight hours, around schools at arrival, dismissal, break or lunch periods, along transit routes as the work day begins or ends, and around parks when sporting events (e.g. soccer practice) are being held.
* Walk your dog with friends and family.
* Avoid walking along abandoned properties or densely vegetated areas.
* Make sure your dog is ahead of you and within sight at all times while walking.
* Any dog that is off leash should have an immediate recall response to eliminate potential conflict with coyotes, dogs, and people."

Organic, vegan + YUMMY doggie shampoo!

2009-04-16T12:19:00.000-07:00

We're bringing in a new line of the yummiest-smelling doggie shampoos and spritzes (arriving at BWH on April 21!) - in four cookie scents: Sugar Sugar, Strawberry Shortbread, Lemon Drop and Mint & Chip. (Also safe for our feline friends...)

Most importantly, Cookie Moon Doggie Wash provides your dog with a safe, gentle, non-irritating shampoo experience. Made from natural and organic ingredients without artificial colors or dyes, these shampoo do not incorporate harsh ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, DEA's, MEA's etc. Instead, Decyl Polyglucose is used as the cleansing agent.

Decyl Polyglucose is extremely gentle, fully biodegradable and derived truly from corn, glucose and starch. Many shampoo companies will label their surfactant (cleanser) as coconut derived or coconut based which is another way to say sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate derived. Sulfates are chemicals used in many of the shampoos on the market today and can also be found in products that strip paint off the walls or in products that clean the grease off engine parts. YUCK!

Combined with organic herbs to protect and calm, botanical extracts to promote and maintain hair growth, organic sweet almond oil to aid in moisturizing your doggie's coat, organic apple cider vinegar to naturally fight off pesky fleas, and organic aloe vera to soothe any skin irritations - this shampoo is an excellent choice for sensitive doggies.

The spritzes are equally yummy - made with purified water, vodka, aloe vera, almond oil - and other all-natural ingredients.

We're the first (and for now, only!) shop in Vancouver to carry this sweet line - so be sure to come check it out!

Getting started on raw...

2009-03-23T21:35:00.000-07:00

We had the cutest golden retriever puppy come by the store today, and as the new doggie papa and I were discussing diet options for his new pup, the concern about the raw diet being too complicated and time-consuming came up again.

Before I started feeding Lucie a raw diet, there was definitely concern about the ick factor - mostly since I'm vegetarian and hadn't handled meat in over 15 years. Having fed my dogs a raw diet for the last 3.5 years, I can honestly say that I spend about one minute of hands-on time per day feeding my dogs two meals each - and it really couldn't be much easier.

With the raw diet becoming increasingly mainstream, feeding a natural, fresh diet no longer has to involve tons of prep and elbow grease at home. Each night, I take out a frozen packet of food and move it to one of the fridge drawers to defrost. To feed the dogs, I take out one neat packet, cut open the top and divide the contents into two bowls. The dogs gobble it up in 20 seconds or so, and I pop the cleanly licked dishes into the dishwasher. There is much less mess and mucking about with raw meat than there would be making yourself dinner. (The prepared food is usually a mix of 75% meat - with bone and/or organ - and 25% juiced veggies... and usually better quality meat than what you might find at Safeway in that those we sell are usually made with non-medicated, hormone-free meats and organic veg.)

Because of the benefits of feeding raw bones, I try to feed them a bone (instead of the prepared ground meat) every night that I have dinner at home. Again, not messy. I have a stack of 'bone towels' that I keep under the sink. When I first started, I had to teach my dogs a "towel" command. I put the bone on the towel, and when she tried to walk away with the bone, I took the bone away and put it back on the towel and said "towel". After doing this a couple times, when she tried to move it again, I took the bone and put it back in the freezer for 10 minutes. After a couple times of this routine, she caught on very quickly what she had to do to hang on to her bone! (In the photo is my little chi-yorkie Bruce Lee gnawing on his lamb neck dinner).

If you're getting started, remember to start with one red meat for the first 5 days or so - buffalo is a good one to start with - and add a new protein one at a time. We would be happy to help you get started - come by the shop, or if you'd like a more in-depth, personal consultation, we're happy to arrange a complimentary consultation with you. Once we walk you through the process in about 15 minutes, you'll find it a breeze - and your doggie will thank you for it.

Bruce Lee's 2nd B-day Paw-ty!

2009-03-19T22:05:00.001-07:00

Our long-time clients will remember Bruce Lee from when he was just a not-quite-2 lb pup... so we thought it would be appropriate his entry into 'adulthood' with a birthday celebration at bow wow haus.

We had a great time - and as always, was super-impressed by the all the amazing doggies - big and small! A big thank you to everyone who came out to play.

Woof, woof!

Self-serve dog wash!

2009-03-15T19:20:00.000-07:00

Our dogs (like most) love to swim, but hate getting bathed.

Though it's easy enough to pop little BL in the kitchen sink for his bath, I find it too much work to bend over the tub to bathe Lucie, my golden retriever... Not to mention all the cleanup of the soap, water, and of course, fur.

The self-serve dog washes are very much worth the $20-30 wash fee, in my opinion. No reservation required, and they provide everything you need: the shampoo, conditioner, brushes, nail clippers, ear cleaners, towels, etc.

My two favourites: Dirty Doggz at Lonsdale & 3rd in North Van, and It's Still a Dog's Life on W. Broadway.

Doggie friendly homes in Vancouver

2009-03-11T22:29:00.000-07:00

We're not really sure why doggie-friendly housing is hard to come across in Vancouver. As far as I can tell, my doggies wreak far less havoc on a living space than a teenager. :)

If you have a dog-friendly space for rent - or know of one, drop us a note and we'll pop it up here.

Get your dog's coat "dreamy"...

2009-03-10T21:41:00.000-07:00

People always comment on the silkiness of Lucie's coat - and of course being the typical golden retriever, she just sucks up all the love and attention. I attribute a healthy raw food diet for her glowing coat - but in the last little while, we've been adding a bit of the Vitaglo food supplement to her meals, and I have to say it's been an AMAZING difference. Noticeable difference within a couple weeks of daily use!

Definitely worth a try. We have customers who swear by it - for dogs with dry, flaky skin in particular...

Super-soft bagel beds

2009-03-10T21:11:00.000-07:00

We love this bed. I guess more to the point, our dogs LOVE LOVE LOVE the bed. Here's a photo of my doggies snoozing in their new bed...

Made in New York, the bed is super well-made, completely washable, and unbelievably cozy and as the name says, super-super-super soft.

Macdonald Beach

2009-03-09T09:48:00.001-07:00

One of our spring/summer time favourite walks... Macdonald Beach (by YVR) is definitely on our doggies' schedules at least a couple times a week...

This park has a big off-leash area that is far from any roads/parking lots... Located along the Fraser River, there's lots of room for our dogs to swim and romp in the sand and grass. Best of all, there's no salty ocean water that I have to rinse off my golden!