October 2014 | Splash and Dash For Dogs

Pet Look-A-Like Contest Sponsored by Splash and Dash

Working in an office does not always have to be boring. Some companies are trying to make the office more exciting for employees. This is one of the reasons why Splash and Dash sponsored a Pet Look Alike Contest for the employees.

What it Entailed

Employees were notified about this contest and were told to submit a photo of them with their pet. These would then be judged to determine a first place winner along with runners up. The winner of the contest received a gift basket with dog treats and toys from Splash and Dash as well as a $50 gift card. The first runner up received a $100 gift card and the second runner up received a $50 gift card.

Who Won?

After the judging ended there were several good attempts and the winners were selected. These were the top three for the contest:

Winner

While this pup named Daisy does not have on glasses, it is easy to see the similarities here. The golden color of the pups face and ears is a perfect match for Kelli’s golden hair- the wave in the hair is also perfect!

First Runner Up

This pit bull named Kratos shares a distinctly serious facial expression with his pet parent Antonio. It is easy to see the love between the two as well.

Second Runner Up

We’re not sure who looks more like who in this side by side picture. Hollie the dog shares the same expression as her owner Paul. While it may not be as close a match as the other two it is adorably funny!

About Splash and Dash and the Contest

Splash and Dash is a fun company that has the vision of making pet ownership easier and more fun while also improving the lives of dogs the world over. If your company is interested in having a contest sponsored by Splash and Dash, give us a call today. For those that do not own their own company but think this would be fun for their office, talk with your boss and have them give us a call. We love to get involved in the community. Those interested in opening their own pet franchise can feel free to contact us as well. There are plenty of opportunities to expand your desire and love for pets.

October 17, 2014/by Dan J. Barton

Dog Food

Healthy Dog Treats You Can Make at Home

Dog treats are a necessary part of every pet parent’s life. There are many options you will find when you go to the pet store, but there are times when you want to whip up something special for your sweet pet. This is why it is helpful to have a few recipes for healthy dog treats.

Homemade Frosty Paws

What dog doesn’t like the creamy, cold deliciousness that is Frosty Paws? If you want to make these at home, it can be done quickly and easily. All you need is an empty ice cube tray and the following ingredients:

2 cups plain yogurt
1 ripe banana mashed
3 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tablespoons honey

Simply combine these ingredients and put into the ice tray. Allow them to sit for a few hours so they can harden and you will have delicious treats your pup will love on a hot day. You can also choose to put the mixture in an icing bag and put small dogs on wax paper to freeze so you have smaller dog treats which are perfect for training.

Peanut Butter Pumpkin Dog Treats

This is the perfect treat for fall but you can use it all year long. You simply need to grab a rolling pin, your favorite cookie cutter and following ingredients:

15oz can pureed pumpkin
2 eggs
3 cups flour
3 tablespoons peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350. Mix ingredients to form dough and place on a floured surface. Roll the dough to ½ inch thickness and then use cookie cutter to cut out pieces. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. The dog treats will harden as they cool.

Baby Food Treats

While this sounds weird it is actually quite easy to make. You just need to find a flavor of pureed baby food that your dog will love. You can choose beef, chicken, blueberries and many others. Just make sure there is no onion in the mix as this is toxic to dogs. Since this recipe calls for two jars you can even mix and match with complimenting flavors. Here are the directions:

Combine 2 jars of 4oz baby food with 2 cups of flour after preheating your oven to 350
Mix the ingredients to form a stiff dough which you will put on a floured surface
Roll the mixture until it is ¼ inch thick
Use a pizza cutter or cookie cutter to cut out treats
Put these treats on a parchment paper lined baking sheet ½ inch apart
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes and then allow the treats to cool.

Apple Cinnamon Chips

Apples are a delicious and healthy food for your dog. If your dog loves sweets then this can be a great way to give them what they crave. To make these chips simply quarter an apple and remove the core. Then use a paring knife to cut thin pieces of apple. Place these apple pieces on a cookie sheet and sprinkle with a light coat of cinnamon as this is non-toxic for dogs. Bake at 200 until they are dehydrated. Word of warning: These dog treats are just as tasty and addictive for people as they are for dogs. You may want to make a large batch so you have something to snack on yourself!

October 15, 2014/by Dan J. Barton

Easy Trick or Treating Tips to Get the Best Dog Food

For many, Halloween is the best day of the year. You get to dress up as your favorite character and go for a walk to get delicious treats. More and more people are involving their pets in the Halloween festivities. If you are planning on doing this, then there are some tips you will want to keep in mind from dog food to costumes and everything in between.

Tips for the Costume

The first thing you will want to think about is whether or not your dog is comfortable wearing a costume. There are many dogs who like to be au natural, which is perfectly fine. You do not want to force a dog who does not want to wear a costume to do so as this will cause undue stress which is never healthy for a dog (or person).

If you do choose to put your pup in a costume, make sure it fits them properly. Restrictive costumes can injure your dog when worn for long periods of time just as costumes that are too big can cause a tripping hazard for the dog. Be sure that their tags are on even with the costume in the event that they get loose. It is also helpful to have your dog wear the costume several times before the big night so they are comfortable in it.

Staying at Home

If you plan to stay at home with your pet and hand out candy you can still dress your dog up. Trick or treaters love to see your dog all dressed up as this is part of the fun with the holiday. Here are a few tips to consider:

Put down dog food before people start showing up. Eating the dog food beforehand can help to make your dog more calm.
Also, take your dog outside before as well so this is not an issue.
If you have pumpkins, be sure to use flameless candles in them to keep your dog from knocking them over.
Some people find it helpful to start working with their dog a few days before by continually knocking on the door or ringing the bell so the dog is not too stressed when the day arrives.
For dogs that are easily stressed out, create a calm space for them or even invest in a thundershirt.

Going Around the Neighborhood

When you go trick or treating, it can be a lot of fun to take your dog with you. While your dog cannot eat candy- especially the chocolate kind- this does not mean that they cannot enjoy the night themselves. Many pet parents choose to make small healthy treats for their dog. This dog food gives them something they can give to people who want to feed their dog during the night.

It is also a good idea to have someone go with you. This way there is one person watching the children and one watching the dogs. You want to make sure you are aware of your surroundings which is hard in the dark and two sets of eyes are better than one. Also, make sure you have doggie bags in the event that your pup has to potty while out.
Finally, having a well trained dog is imperative to creating a safe and fun environment on Halloween. Your dog should know basic commands, such as leave it in the event that they come across candy or other items they should not have. With the right dog food and attention to detail you can have a fun and safe night on Halloween.

All images in the blog are from our Pinterest board.

October 8, 2014/by Dan J. Barton

Fun With The Dog

8 Dogs Who Don’t Want to Share Their Dog Food

Dogs are known for their amazing personalities. Just as they can be sweet and endearing, there are some dogs who simply do not want to share. This may be with dog food, a favorite toy or something else. Here are the best videos we have found of these dogs.

Yorkie Refuses to Share with Cat

These happen to be the pets of Splash and Dash founder and CEO Dan J. Barton. Mercedes the Yorkie is seen here eating food off a plate. When Moxy the cat tries to share in the food, hilarity ensues.

This video even sparked this adorable dog shaming picture:

The Ice Cream Hog

In this dog’s defense, who doesn’t have a sweet tooth? Maybe he was hot and in need of something cold and creamy. Either way it is adorable the way he gobbles up this ice cream cone in one bite.

A Pug on a Rug

Not all dogs are possessive when it comes to dog food. This pug for instance has a square of carpet that must be his best friend. Not even people can touch it without him taking offense.

The Tiny Terrorizer

This video shows that size doesn’t determine whether you want to share or not. This puppy is only a fraction of the size of the other dog, yet the way he defends his dog food scares the bigger one!

Pug Won’t Share With the Baby

In all fairness, this pug is very well behaved with the baby. However, when the baby goes for the pug, things get silly. Maybe he doesn’t like to share or maybe he simply doesn’t think the little tyke can properly gum the cookie. Either way it is a cuteness overload.

Brave Dog Defends His Water Bowl

On one hand, we have to hand it to this dog for having the guts to stand up to a tiger, especially a baby tiger whose paws are about the size of the dogs head. On the other hand, the poor tiger cub just wants a little water and tries to get creative.

Dog with a Bone

This is a tale as old as time. Everyone knows that dogs love bones which is probably why this dog has no desire to share. It sounds like this dog is trying to tell him to get lost while defending his bone from his pet parents.

The Happy Ending

This video starts off with a dog that will not share its huge dog chew. He even jumps up next to the other dog to flaunt it in his face. At the end of the video the other dog has a piece of the chew. Whether the dog decided to share or the pet parents made him share is unknown, but yay for sharing!

October 4, 2014/by Dan J. Barton