DogBoy's Dog Blog

Ever wonder what shampoos we use here on the Ranch? Very often, we get questions from our clients, who really love the smell of our shampoo and want to know where to find it. We use two different shampoos here at DogBoy’s: Tropiclean’s SPA Pure Hypo shampoo and Cloudstar’s Buddy Wash 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner. We need high-quality products that are gentle on a dog’s skin for an affordable rate. Over the years we have tried out several different types of shampoos and have found that these two best fit our current needs. Both of the shampoos are soap free, use natural ingredients, and are gentle on dog’s skin and coats.

Not unlike parents, any dog owner is going to quickly become familiar with things that are toxic to dogs because just like kids, dogs love getting into things that are bad for them. It’s just a fact of life. Most of us know, for instance, to keep things like baker’s chocolate, antifreeze, and poinsettia plants up where our pups can’t get at them. But have you ever given much thought to sugar-free gum? What about sugar-free peppermints and breath mints?

This is a repost of an article we printed in 2011. The info is still important to remember each and every winter - Enjoy!

She is your pet's doctor, your trusted expert in your pet's medical care. But how do you find the best vet for your pet? Here are our tips for making sure the veterinarian you choose is the best fit for you and your pet.

We have all done it.  Our cute, little furry friend is practically smiling at us from beneath the kitchen table.  The ears are perked and the tail is wagging.  We know what our dog is after.  Just a tiny tidbit from dinner would be delightful, right?  What could it hurt?  It is just a bite or two after all. 

Longshanks, my imaginary everydog, had been napping around the house all week and really needed to get some fresh air. While he may have been thinking about a backyard potty break, I was thinking a grand hike at the lake! When we finished exploring, Longshanks was tired and ready for some rest, but he was limping a bit on his way back to the car. Did he sprain something? Roll or strain something? Step on a thorn? No, the poor boy’s pads were torn. Luckily, there’s something we can do about it.

Your dog is your very best friend.  Every single time you walk through the door your dog is so happy to see you that he wags his tail and practically smiles at you.  How can you show your pet how much they mean to you?  Well, one way is to take care of that smile for your pet.  Did you know that your dog's diet can influence their oral health?

Humans need to brush and floss their teeth regularly to keep their teeth, tongue, and gums in good condition.  Research has recently shown a link between good oral health in humans and a lower risk of heart disease.  If good oral health can have such a profound affect on people, then it only makes sense to consider the impact it can have on man's best friend.

It is important to brush your dog's teeth frequently to keep plaque and tartar from becoming an issue.  Even wiping his gums with a clean, damp cloth can be beneficial.  Annual (or even biannual) dental cleanings with your vet will go a long way to prolonging your dog's life.

Your dog's diet also plays a role in your pet's oral health.  Do you typically feed your dog canned or dry dog food?  What kind of treats and toys do you provide for your pet?  All of these things can affect the likelihood of trouble with your pet's teeth.

When your dog's diet is nutritionally sound, containing essential vitamins, nutrients, and enzymes, your pet's oral health will be at its very best.  Feeding dry dog food rather than a moist canned variety is best for your dog's teeth.  The tiny kibbles' hard surface rubs against the teeth to remove and reduce plaque.  The simple act of moistening the dry dog food with water or gravy eliminates this property from dry dog food.

The treats you give your pet are part of your dog's diet just like snacks are part of a person's diet.  As humans, we tend to want to overlook our snacking habits, so it can be easy to overlook the treats you give your dog.  This is not a good idea.  Carefully consider any and all items your dog will consume.  

Do you give your dog bones, rawhides, jerky treats, or dog biscuits?  Maybe your pet prefers greenies or corn starch chews.  You may not have considered it, but tossing Spot a rawhide chew is like giving him a candy bar.  The rawhide, for example, contains calories and is often provided between meals. We're not big fans of rawhide treats here at DogBoy's. They can get chewed down to a nub and present a real choking hazard for dogs. 

Many of the treats and snacks you provide in your dog's diet can be just empty wasted calories.  Some treats, alternatively, provide excellent opportunity to improve oral health.  Greenies (in small doses), nubby nylabones, and hard dog biscuits all help to keep tartar at bay.  The softer snacks, such as jerky treats, do not provide much relief from plaque.  The healthy treat, on occasion, will also prevent your dog from having bad breath. For even more help with doggy bad breath, try the new OraPup tongue brush for dogs! You can pour on their gravy-tasting enzyme and the dogs will lick the brush and get all that bad breath bacteria off of their tongues.  

Your dog's diet must be healthy to ensure excellent oral health.  A high quality dry dog food is best whenever possible.  Don't forget to select treats for your pet that will enhance your dog's diet.  Consciously monitoring your dog's diet will positively influence your best friend's oral health.

Find out more about what foods to avoid, what fruits and veggies are safe, and what foods we love the best by downloading our free handout!

I have been avoiding putting my dog on any type of conventional flea preventative for a while. I do not personally agree with the harsh poisons found in them. They do, after all, KILL bugs and are thus pesticides. I’ve had a very hard time rationalizing their use, especially since my dog has remained flea free. My train of thought had been, “Why mess with it until there’s a need to really do something about them?” I have been warned by the vet a couple of times, however, that waiting until I do see fleas is the wrong route to take. Once the fleas are present, they will be difficult to get rid of from my pup and my home.

We’re getting into the hottest part of the summer—the “dog days”—and the question I get more than any other at this time of year working the front desk is: “What do you do when it gets so hot to prevent heat stress in the dogs?” That’s a good question, especially since we’ve already seen the thermometer hit 108 this year and we’re barely into July. Dog safety is a big concern for us on the Ranch, because these are your best friends we're caring for!

My husband and I recently welcomed a new dog into the pack (oh, joy!). I won’t mention that brings the total pups to…umm…five in the Baker Prince household! Ok, I guess I will mention it.