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Do’s and Don’ts of Introducing the Family Dog to a New Baby

Relieve the Stress of Introducing Dog to Baby with These Tips to Make the Experience Memorable

Dogs are innately attuned to their owners. Most likely, as the nine months has progressed, your dog has felt the change in the air. Whether you have a nervous dog, a temperamental one, or a lover—using good judgment when it comes time for introducing the dog to your baby will help relieve stress. Studies have shown that a dog’s dander is actually good for an infant’s immune system! Yet making sure your dog is ready for the transition is important. This is for your child’s safety and the dog’s too. There are a few tricks and behavioral approaches you can use with your dog to ready them for the change.

Once a baby enters the house, inevitably, the dog will lose the spotlight as the center of attention. Your newly born child is going to take up much of your time. Your dog might exhibit some jealousy. Dogs can become confused with the new stimulus—the sight and smells of a little human creature might throw him off. As the family’s routine changes, adjusting to the new baby, your dog’s schedule will change too.

Preparing for this can be a smooth transition with careful preparation. A few dog training techniques and a peaceful introduction will support the bonding experience between your dog and the baby.

Start Before You Bring Home the Baby

Before the baby arrives is the best time to begin the acclimation process. Gradual changes to your dog’s routine will help prepare him. The trick is for the dog not to associate these changes with the baby. This will alleviate any tension.

You might need to change when your dog sleeps or introduce a dog crate if you don’t already have one. If your dog likes to jump up, blocking him off from the baby’s room will be helpful. Teaching your dog the trick “go to your place,” will also be extremely helpful. During times when you need your dog to be relaxed and out of the way use this command.

You don’t need to “wean your dog off affection” but be aware that if your time spent with the dog lessens, he might get jealous or anxious. The best way to handle this is to not have any abrupt changes when the baby comes home. You want to establish a positive association with the arrival of the baby.

You can play baby sounds at increasing intervals for your dog to adjust to the new sounds. It might seem excessive, but remember a dog’s hearing is much more acute than humans. A dog can hear a frequency range between 67-45,000 Hz compared with a human’s range at 64-23,000. This means that a baby’s crying might be frightening for a dog or at the very least unfamiliar and strange.

This same positive association exercise applies to smells. Before introducing the dog to your baby, take an article of the baby’s clothing and let your dog sniff to get accustomed to the scent. Give him a few treats for the positive association.

How to Handle the First Day

Just to be on the safe side, it’s a good idea to introduce your two children—one four legged, one two—a few days after you bring the two legged one home. Greet your dog alone first. You don’t want him to get excited and jump up on the baby. Of course, your dog is going to know something’s up, but this gives you and your spouse time to prepare, and time for the dog to adjust. A meeting in closer proximity should happen a few days later, especially if your dog is anxious.

When the time arrives put your dog on the leash first and allow him to sniff the baby. Praise, treats, and pets! Make sure your dog feels the love so that he can associate this with the baby. Most dogs have no trouble adapting, but being precautious never hurt. If everything goes smoothly, next time, you can have the two meet without the leash. Always allow your dog to approach the baby—invites prevent bites. If your dog has the choice to interact, they will respond better.

As the family settles down, don’t forget to continue to give plenty of affection when the baby is around. You don’t want him to identify good things with the baby’s absence. Once your baby begins to crawl make sure you are always close by watching. Dogs are tolerant but babies are exploring the world for the first time. They might pull on a dog’s tail or ears. Natural canine behaviors for communicating warnings could be snapping or growling.

Most of these tips are provisions. More than likely your dog and baby will be pals at first sight. Your dog will recognize your baby as one of the family and even be protective of your child!

Get Your Dog Relaxed

One of the best ways to have your dog be in the calmest state is treating them to a day of luxury at the pet spa. Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique offers tons of therapeutic and cleansing services for all dogs. Not only will your dog be nice and clean for the first day they will be relaxed.

Splash and Dash has an aromatherapy relax treatment with Canary Islands Lavender and Soothing Chamomile. Lavender is used as a tonic for healing burns and deters fleas as a strong antiseptic while Chamomile has pure fatty aromas which work as a natural sedative with exfoliating properties.

The Splash and Dash signature service is also something to consider with a newborn. Most of your time will be preoccupied with caring for your two-legged child. You don’t want to neglect the ‘pupperoni.’ With the signature service, you can drop the dog off for unlimited bathing and brushing at your convenience. This will free up your time for the more fun parts of having a dog.

 

Splash and Dash Services Include:

  • Standard & Showroom Style Grooming
  • Bath & Brush
  • Teeth Brushing
  • Nail Trimming
  • Aromatherapy
  • Facials
  • Pawdicures
  • De-Matting
  • De-Shedding
  • Ear Cleaning
  • And More!

 

We hope you new parents found this article helpful and we wish you congratulations and best wishes! Play Dirty. Live Clean!

 

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Five Delicious Homemade Frozen Treats for Dogs

Chill Out With These Frozen Treats for Dogs That Provide a Refreshing Boost of Nutrients

Giving your frozen treats to your dog is great for a bunch of reasons! One, it helps them cool down from the pervading heat of the summer. Summer’s great for iced coffees for you and chilled treats for dogs. Everyone stays cool! It’s also a great way to sneak in some extra tasty nutrients that your dog needs. Stuffing frozen treats for dogs into a KONG ball will keep them preoccupied with some mental stimulation. The best part is they’re super simple and super cheap!

At Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique we are big fans of the rotational diet. Meaning we like to give our own dogs at home a diverse menu of dry kibble, raw food, canned food, and fresh foods. Switching up your dog’s diet provides for their holistic needs. Frozen dog treats for dogs offer a delicious snack that fits into every element of the rotational diet! We’ll show you how.

Here are five recipes to keep the summer heat and the doggie ailments at bay!

*All Recipes included are 100% safe and nutritious for dogs.

1. Frozen Peanut Butter Banana Pops

These are so good you’ll want to eat them!

Take three, six-oz containers of plain low-fat yogurt,  ½ cup of low-sodium peanut butter (No Xylitol!), one, four-oz. jar of banana baby food (a fresh banana works too), and one tablespoon of honey. Blend all these ingredients together and pour into a small paper cup. Place a small bone to work as a handle and put them in the freezer.

Once frozen, you can peel the paper cups away and serve them up!

2. Freeze the Kibble

This one’s best for the summer scorchers and is a simple way to get your panting pup some relief from the sun’s rays.

All you have to do is soak his kibble in a low-sodium broth. First, take a bowl and pour broth about halfway up. A protein broth is a great natural dietary supplement for dogs! Once the kibble has absorbed the broth go ahead and stick it in the freezer. (Some kibbles will start to disintegrate so you might want to keep your eye on it).

Before the tasty concoction freezes stuff the treat into his KONG ball. As the slush melts, your dog will have hours of entertainment and healthy frozen treats.

3. Doggie Mentos

This frozen treat for dogs is one that lets you have your cake and eat it too! Fun for the dog. Check! Gets rid of bad breath. Check!

You will need peppermint leaves or pure peppermint oil, a pinch of parsley, and plain old water. If you use peppermint leaves, finely mince these with the parsley and sprinkle the herbs into each cube. Freeze the tray and put the cubes into your dog’s water bowl.  

Other herbs that are great for dogs you could consider using: oregano, rosemary, basil, and parsley. Just don’t go overboard or your dog may not like the taste.

4. Carrot Sticks

I had had a dog that went crazy for carrots and a dog that was not the biggest fan. Either way, carrots are great for dogs for the same reason they’re a healthy snack for humans. If your dog is a picky eater when it comes to carrots, this might get him on the carrot band wagon.

Take a low-sodium broth and fill an ice cube tray or a paper cup. If your dog already loves carrots (most dogs do), then use the carrot as a handle. If your dog’s on the skeptical side you can blend the carrot into a pulp and go from there.

5. Bahama Mama

This recipe won a KONG Connect Recipe Contest for frozen dog treats for dogs! The Bahama mama is the brainchild of Nina Garcia of Orlando, Florida.

First, gather your ingredients. You will need one cup of shredded coconut (No Added Sugar), one cup of granola (No Raisins!),  ½  cup of fresh pineapple,  ½  cup of peanut butter (No Xylitol). Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl until all ingredients mesh together consistently. Spoon the Bahama Mama into a KONG and freeze. The leftovers can be frozen and stored for up to six months!

Once frozen, give the tropical delicacy to your dog and watch him enjoy!

For other tips to keep your dog cool in the summer heat click here.

 

 

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Best Dog Friendly Camping in Southern California

As the mercury rises and the sweltering summer temperatures urge us all to head to the fairer coastal climates of Southern California, the idea of camping sounds like an enticing cool down. Time to pack the kids, including the four-legged ones, in the car and head out. California is a gorgeous state! There is no shortage of dog friendly camping in Southern California. There are options for dog owners who really want to rough it and hike, to the ‘glamping’ crowd who want to camp and shop.

Pitching a tent in the great outdoors is a blast and a refreshing vacation spent away from our modern conveniences. Bringing the dog can help you tap into your primordial self. Also, he’ll probably bark if a bear shows up to the party. Getting the dog dirty is guilt free with the Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique membership. Get Fido nice and muddy then drop him off for a luxurious scrubbing afterwards. Easier than getting the pop up gazebo set up in the woods!

Here are Splash and Dash’s Top Ten favorite spots for dog friendly camping in Southern California.

1. Circle X Ranch

Circle X Ranch has beginnings as a Boy Scout camp and has not lost its rustic flair after opening to the public. Dog owners looking to camp under the stars and do some serious hiking should really check this place out. The novelties of this coastal Mediterranean ecosystem are abundant and Santa Monica Mountains offer adventurous sights for city dwellers’ sore eyes. Dogs will need to be kept on their leash while on the trails but are more than welcome at the ranch.

Visitors can enjoy hiking to the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains with a view of the Channel Islands on clear days. You can explore the native plants along one of the six different trails including the Grotto Trail. The best part of about Circle X is it’s only $2 a night!

2. Campland on the Bay

For pet parents looking for more a theme park style of camping, AKA a place with WIFI, Campland is the place to go. This place is the vacation spot. Campland offers all kinds of exciting features like water sports, volleyball, arcades, live music & dancing, and even a skatepark. The park is tucked into the shores of Mission Bay close enough to Seaworld that you can see the nightly firework show from your campsite.

There is a $37 dollar pet free but the amenities of this place make it worth the added cost.

3. Fremont Campground

This site is a piece of land salvaged from the times before skyscrapers and concrete—an outdoor prize in dog friendly camping in Southern California. Fremont is simple, lush, and has a watering hole fed by the Santa Ynez River. Visitors can also enjoy horseback rides, hiking, and biking on the National Recreation trail which is a 2.5-mile loop, or the more challenging 18-mile Santa Cruz Trail. The land is open and dogs are free to roam.

4. Kirk Creek Campground

Whether you just finished Jack Kerouac’s Big Sur, or you and your pooch are in the mood for an oceanside paradise, Kirk Creek will give you that view over the bluff you’ve dreamed of. Standing on the coast at sunrise, watching the waves crash against the coast is an amazing experience. The campground is a short walk away from the area’s largest sandy beach and trails into Los Padres National Forest. Beach lovers and fans of fishing, surfing, and sunbathing will have a blast here! Dogs can splash in the shallows and run down the beach at their leisure.

5. Serrano Campground

Part of the San Bernardino National Forest and the stunning mountains scenes that accompany the park are Serrano’s claim to fame. Big Bear Lake is teeming with trout, bass, catfish, carp, bluegill, and more so if you’re an angler, this is the spot for you, and your dog. Serrano also is close to hiking and mountain biking trails like Cougar Crest Trail and Alpine Pedal Path. Dogs will have no problems adjusting from the cushy couch life to the wildness at Serrano.

6. Boulder Basin Campground

Boulder Basin is a sister campsite to the dog friendly camping in Southern California tucked in the San Bernardino Mountains. Dog owners looking for the solitude and peaceful stillness of a mixed conifer forest will find it here. The views here are serene and overlook the Banning Pass and Mt. San Gorgonio. You can take your pup hiking on the Black Mountain trail in the 7,300-foot elevation into thin air.

7. Cathedral Palms Resort

The 65-and-up RV crowd looking to for a great place to park and relax need to check out Cathedral Palms. It’s open to all species and ages of course, but this is definitely a lounging place. The RV resort has a pool, spa, and clubhouse for the less outdoorsy type. For those looking to get a little deeper into the environment, the resort is a close ride to Palm Desert and snow-capped Mt. San Jacinto. Cathedral Palms resort is pet friendly and very accommodating.

8.  Sequoia National Forest Campgrounds

Finding dog friendly camping in Southern California brings to the mind the images of gigantic red Sequoia trees and deep canyons that show the layers of the Earth. Yup, that’s exactly the scenery at the Sequoia Campgrounds! Not only are there tons of hiking trails, rivers, and rock climbing spots, but you can also explore an underground crystal cave! Keeping the kids distracted is also easy. The ranger programs where you and your young ones can take an informative tour of the park. Fido’s all set to enjoy the fresh air with you here!

9. Dorst Creek Campground

Part of the impressive landscape of the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National park is the site, Dorst Creek. After visiting you’ll want to keep this site top secret to keep it as untouched as possible. The cabins are charming, the road to get there is winding, and the air smells of alpine. This is your dog’s chance to get in touch with his ancestral wolf brethren. For hiking, there’s the Big Trees Trail and Moro Rock, a granite dome with a beautiful view of the Great Western Divide.

10. Jalama Beach County Park

The world is breathtaking and camping here reminds you of that. The land bordered by Jalama Creek was once a Chumash Indian settlement the natives called ‘Halama.’ The dog friendly camping spot has eye-candy for whale and bird watchers. Fishers will also love it here as the water has sweet spots for Perch, Bass, Halibut and the interesting-looking Cabezon. The dog fee goes toward park upkeep so that more humans and dogs can enjoy Jalama. This campsite is a postcard brought to life!

 

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High Tech Pet Gear You Didn’t Know You Needed

High Tech Pet Gear & Gadgets

One of the best times to own a pet is right now. Today’s innovation makes way for modern pet gadgets that can make your dog’s life better, and your life easier. High tech pet gear first started taking off in 2009 when the category first became popular on Amazon. Since then, inventors and pet enthusiasts have collaborated on some really cutting-edge pet products.

Ranging from the practical to the strange, tons of high tech pet gear is available for you and your doggo. Even those who can’t own a pet due to allergies or living-facility restrictions may have options soon. Robotics researcher, Steve Yohana, developed what he calls the Haptic Creature—a robot designed to re-create touch based communication. The robot looks like a rabbit, with short fur on its belly and two ears. The Haptic Creature simulates purring, breathing, and ear twitching. Peculiar, yes, but Yohana says he’s had enough requests to make him interested marketing the product after his research is completed.

The availability of the quirkier gadgets makes sense as the pet industry continues to swell. More people own pets in the U.S. now more than ever. Meaning, more dogs to care for with high tech pet gear. In 2016, pet owners spent $66.75 billion. As the Millennials replace the older generations as the primary pet owners, many want their dog to have the best care available. This means going outside of the traditional toy box to find some updates on old classics and new gadgets to teach an old dog new tricks.

High Tech Novelty Items

Market experts say that high-tech novelty items are the most widely sought after products from pet parents. Items like gear that translates your cat’s meows into human languages. Or, treat feeders that give you the power to launch treats across the room like a T-shirt cannon at a baseball game are filling up aisles at pet stores.

  1. The Woofer

Putting clothes on dogs is cute, but it’s old news. Most pet boutiques have all the stylish clothing your dog needs, but few have clothes that are also speakers. The Woofer is a dog jacket that plays music! Now you can play music as you run with your dog or even turn the dog park into a dance party.

Yes, we’re thinking what you’re thinking. Veterinarian specialists have approved The Woofer as safe for your dog’s acute sense of hearing. The speaker is located on the backside of your dog, away from their ears, and volume levels are in the safe zone. The jacket comes in four sizes to fit breeds from a Jack Russell to a German Shepherd.

  1. Pet Snack Launcher

There are few companies making these hand held pet treat launchers that make giving your dog a treat make you feel like you’re in Kubrick’s “2001 Space Odyssey.” Most treat launchers are pretty cheap, but not all function the same, so ask your pet groomer or read reviews to get the highest-quality launcher.

Simply load up your dog’s favorite treats into the top cartridge and push the button. This interactive toy makes treat-time more of a game. You can master launching the treats into the eager jaws of your doggo for a seamless chomp.

  1. The CATTERBOX

There are a bunch of apps available on smartphones to help you decipher your dog’s bark, or your cat’s meow, into human languages. The most popular of all these devices is a collar called CATTERBOX. The collar translates your cat’s meows and generates a human voice deciphering the point your cat’s trying to get across. Usually, feed me. The collar works with the developer’s app and gives you various options for your cat’s new reproduced voice.

Cats aren’t the only ones having fun. There are dog translator apps available on the smartphones and the What’s Yapp dog collar is in beta version. These items combine hard science, imagination, and a fun ability to suspend your skepticism.

Functional Items & Practical Gadgets

Novelty products aren’t the only things you might consider getting for your dog. A variety of new high tech pet gear designed to make tedious parts of owning a dog less effortful are entering the marketplace too. For therapy dogs working with owners that have limited mobility, there are products that perform the physical parts of fetch for you.

  1. GoDogGo

This is automatic ball launcher is the world’s first fetch machine. The launcher has been around since 1999 and is now in its fourth generation of development. The way it works is simple. Train your dog to place the ball into the upper bucket part of the toy. The ball is then launched into the air for Fido to catch. Different weighted balls determine how high the ball will fly. A tennis ball will launch 6 feet high and be propelled about 11 feet from the device. A weighted GoDogGo ball will launch up to 15 feet away at the same vertical height.

This piece of high tech pet gear is perfect for dogs that are obsessed with fetch and demand that ball is thrown every minute of every second of the day.

  1. MagneClip

This is a low tech innovation with high tech functionality. This is one of those products that’s so simple you’re hitting yourself in the head for not thinking of it yourself. The MagneClip is a clip that attaches your dog’s collar to their leash. It uses a magnet instead of a spring loaded latch. Simple, but very handy!

Many dog owners know the struggle of holding waste bags in one hand, a water bottle in the other while trying to finagle the leash clip onto their dog’s collar. With spring loaded latches, the process becomes painstaking. Spring loaded clips jam and are meticulous. The MagneClip makes attaching a leash to a collar one fluid motion.

  1. Litter Robot II

This litter box looks more like a part of a space shuttle than high tech pet gear. But trust us, if you get one for your house, you’ll never go back to the low-tech life.  The Litter-Robot is a litter chamber that that has an upward-facing entryway where your cat can enter to do his business. The litter is sifted after every use and is automatically deposited into a drawer for reduced spilling and easy disposal which conserves litter.  A self-adjusting weight sensor detects a cat’s’ weight so every cat you own can use the Litter Robot. 

Pet Safety Items

Having a pet is almost the same amount of responsibility as having a child. Fortunately, there are awesome products out there to help pet owners mitigate that responsibility. As the future becomes the present, pet owners can care for their pets even when they’re not home.

  1. Petcube

This company is pioneering the ability for pet owners to interact with their pets remotely. Both the Petcube play and Petcube bite feature 2-way audio that lets your pet hear you and vice versa. Each also streams 1080p HD video equipped to rotate on a 138°  wide angle view with 3x zoom capability.

These features make it so that you can see your pet wherever he is in the room. Motion detection helps the family keep in touch and alerts you when your pet wakes up or if there are any disturbances in your home. The Petcube play comes with a built-in laser toy while the Petcube bites allow you to give your dog a treat from your phone.

  1. Komfort Pets Climate-Controlled Pet Carrier

For pet owners who find themselves frequently traveling with their animals, this climate-controlled pet carrier will keep their dogs cool even in scorching temperatures. The carrier can hold dogs up to 150 lbs and will cool and heat as needed with an LED monitor used to control the temperature.

  1. Voyce Dog Collar

The Voyce dog collar is a non-invasive and autonomous data health metric tracker. The collar uses IoT technology to give owners analytics on their dog’s health in real-time. It’s like a Fitbit for your dog!

Voyce Measures the following:

  • Heart Rate Variability
  • Blood Pressure
  • Quality of Rest
  • Resting Respiratory Rate
  • Resting Heart Rate
  • Distance Traveled
  • Calories Burned
  • Activity & Intensity
  • Light
  • Core Body Temperature

The data Voyce collects is seamlessly delivered in adaptable integration options with easy-to-navigate viewing dashboards. Voyce can also be integrated into other sensor technologies. Now pet owners have access to clinical data at all times which is backed up on the cloud.

The Future of High Tech Pet Gear

Every day engineers and inventors are dreaming up even cooler high tech pet gear every day. Stay posted to Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique for even more updates and reviews!

 

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10 Best Dog Breeds for Kids

Sometimes the difference between a home and a house are the rising crayon-drawn lines on the wall marking your kid’s age. As the lines move up, the next natural move is to get a dog. Dog’s are great for the whole family! Your kids can learn some responsibility, there will be an extra incentive to get out of the house, and studies have even suggested a dog can boost a child’s immune system. Dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and demeanor. Doing some research on the best dog breeds for kids can help your family find the perfect match.

We want to preface this article by saying that overgeneralizing any one breed can make problems. Some breeds like Pitbulls get a bad reputation from the media. The truth is, any dog that is trained with love will return the love. The same can be said of popular breeds. Just because a dog is a Labrador, or any of the dog breeds that make this list, doesn’t make that dog breed inherently good for your kids. It’s all situational. Every breed can be well-trained and a loving dog for your kids.

If you can avoid stereotypes and take a sincere look into the temperament of some dogs you can take a lot of guess work out of the equation. Finding the best dog breed for kids begins with researching the breed. Then visiting. Once the whole family’s on board it’s time to take home your doggo.

Some Characteristics to Consider

There a few questions to ask before getting a dog. How old are your kids? Is your family active and outdoorsy? Or, are you guys more mellow? Do you have a big backyard? Do you live in an apartment? All these questions will affect the best dog breed for your kids and lifestyle.

Size

With your kids, you will most likely want a dog with a medium-sized build. Sturdiness is a good for young kids who can be clumsy and are still figuring out ‘how to play gently.’ Rowdy kids and toy breeds aren’t always a good mix.

Energy Level

A perfect kid-friendly dog breed should match the energy level of your kids. If your kids love running around outside and your family goes on hiking trips on the weekends, go ahead and get a high-energy dog. Some dog breeds are more prone to lounging than hiking and you don’t want your dog to get over-exerted or irritated.

Intelligence

All dogs need training to learn their manners. This is for your kid’s safety and the dog’s too. Smarter dogs have less difficulty with training and can learn what ‘down’ means quicker. (They can also master tricks too!)

Friendly

Friendliness is a complicated thing to gauge. Most dogs are friendly but some breeds are known to be nervous or impatient. Adopted dogs with a bad past can also be problematic for kids. A few visits with your prospective dog should clear the air on friendliness.

The Best Dog Breeds for Kids

1. American Staffordshire Terrier

The Staffies are part of the terrier breeds and were originally used to control vermin like rabbits and rats. Unlike the Rat Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier has a more muscular build. This dog’s personality is confident, good-natured, and smart. The Staffie used to be the most popular dog in America in the early 1900s. They were the poster dog for WWI and more recently you’ve seen this dog play “Pete” from the “Little Rascals.”

A Staffies’ medium build pairs with the dog’s medium energy level. He’s going to need a good walk every day and can keep up with your kids but don’t feel like you’ll have to ‘wear him out.’ After a good walk, and run in the yard with the kids, Staffies are content to curl up and cuddle. These dogs are true sweethearts.

2. American Water Spaniel

The Water Spaniel is a truly happy dog. True to their name, yes, they do love the water. These guys are very active, eager, and charming. Some have said that Water Spaniel’s have a stubborn streak but this only adds to the aloofness of their personality. Many are eager to please which makes them fun to train. Introducing this dog breed to your kid as a puppy should not be a problem—the breed is great with kids!

The dog’s water-resistant double coat will need regular grooming maintenance so be aware of this. If you’re the ‘camping’ type, this dog is a great choice. They’ll be a loyal companion on hiking trips and with their medium build (30-40lbs.) makes them an agile rafting buddy.

3. Labrador Retriever

Everyone has a soft spot for Labs. These dogs are friendly, outgoing, and good-natured. The dogs come in three colors—yellow, black, and chocolate—and deriving from origins of hunting dogs these guys are super easy to train. Many Labradors become guide dogs for the blind or even use their sniffers for police work. We all first fell in love with these guys after seeing the loveable antics of Marley, from “Marley & Me” in the early 2000’s. 

A male Labrador can reach 70 lbs so you’ll want a big yard and enough room in the house for him to roam. Small apartments in big cities might get a little cramped. As America’s favorite dog your kids will have a blast playing fetch, tug-of-war, and maybe tackling agility courses.

4. Bulldog

“Spike,” the Bulldog from “Tom and Jerry” always was the one breaking up the fights. Or at least settling the fights. The English and French Bulldogs are very different dogs but both are great with kids. Frenchies and Bullies are both pretty low-energy. A brisk walk will keep them in shape but the rest of the time they’ll be lounging. These dogs are playful, intelligent, and calm.

A Bulldog can reach 50 lbs—short and stocky. While the Frenchie will at best make it to 28 lbs. Both types will need weekly grooming and can be trained easily. If you want a pupperoni to grace the couch cushions, these guys make one of the best dog breeds for kids.

5. Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherds are the more kid-friendly version of their German cousins (although I had a very sweet German Shepherd as a child). Aussies are mild in gentleness but spirited in activity. As a former herding dog, they’ll need to run around daily. They have beautiful eyes and beautiful coats with black, blue merle, and red merle markings.  

Aussies’ pretty coat fits their demeanor—smart, exuberant, and loving. They are the kind of dog you’ll wake up to with their nose inches from your face. Males can reach 70 lbs while females max out at 55 lbs. Despite a lush coat these dogs only need occasional grooming and respond well to training.

6. Boxer

A Boxer is great for kids because they are goofy, fun-loving, and loyal. They will be protective. I have met both bright Boxers and some, that, well let’s just say I wouldn’t use ‘bright’ to describe them. Still, a very loveable dog! Boxers are muscular athletes and will need some good physical challenges but will be content with daily walks.

A male Boxer can reach 80lbs while females will be at most 65 lbs and a few inches shorter. Part of the endearing quality of these dogs is that they do have a tendency to snore from the wrinkles in their snout. They also shed seasonally but this won’t be a problem with good brushing habits and grooming.

7. Beagle

Anyone who remembers “My Dog Skip” will remember the adorable little Beagle who won our hearts over alongside Frankie Muniz. These dogs are on the smaller side at under 20 lbs but what they don’t have in weight they make up for in playfulness. Beagles are comical, friendly, and inquisitive. They were bred to hunt in packs and pack bonding hasn’t left. They love to be around the family!

Because these dogs are energetic they’ll need long walks and plenty of exercise. They are known to be vocal and will need some loving training to stop excessive barking. As former hunting dogs, they are easily trained and loyal—perfect for family outings to the dog park.

8. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

This prestigious little bundle of tail-wagging joy first got its name from King Charles II who loved the dogs most likely because they shared the same hair style—long and curly. It’s easy to see why this breed is so popular. Cavies are affectionate, graceful, and delicate. Their frame never exceeds 18 lbs, making them the perfect ‘lap dog.’ They’re amazing with kids and will soon replace the stuffed animals.

If your kids are game for lots of affection this is the dog for your family. Training a Cavy is part of his eager to please disposition. Grooming is important with these guys so teaching your kids to gently brush the dog is a fun life-lesson, as they do shed seasonally.

9. Shetland Sheepdog

On a personal level, I love Shelties! These guys are stoic, intelligent, and energetic. As another from the herding group, they will need good runs, especially as a puppy. Like all dogs, they’ll become more and more of a couch potato as they age. Shelties are loyal and will probably follow your children around the house, protecting them.

A Sheltie I’ve met once could out perform most circus animals when it came to obedience training and cool tricks. Shelties shed seasonally and need weekly grooming. Some have a tendency to bark—staying true to their herding heritage—but the ones I’ve met were very calm.

10. The Mixed breeds!

A list of the best dog breeds for kids would not be complete without some advocacy for the mutts! Some of the most amazing dogs I’ve owned and had the pleasure of meeting have been mixed-breeds. Genetic diversity is a good thing and mutts actually have a slight advantage in health over the purebred counterparts.

The best part of choosing a mixed breed is you get the chance to adopt. There are over 70 million animals entering shelters every year. These loving animals need a home! Often, adopted dogs make the best companions. Of course, you’ll want to bring your kids in to meet the dogs as you search. We at Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique encourage you to look at your local shelters for a dog that will change you and your kid’s lives!

Owning a dog on top of kids can be a little tricky at first. For some extra help with care, it’s always a good idea to visit your local Splash and Dash. The signature service membership can save your family time and money so that you can get back to enjoying the more fun parts of owning a dog.

 

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Best on the Go Water Bottles for Dogs

Providing water for your dog when walking, hiking, or camping is essential for their health. I remember in my younger (and dumber) days, using my own hands as a makeshift bowl for my dog to get a drink. We’ve come a long way since then. The market is full of awesome water bottles for dogs that makes traveling and exploring so much easier.

Instead of dragging around wasteful amounts of plastic bottles and pouring most of the water on the ground, instead of it being slurped up by your dog’s tongue, you can get an eco-friendly water bottle once and for all. This is much more efficient and convenient for everyone. Water bottles for dogs won’t take up valuable space while hiking and are better for the environment.

When it’s hot outside, even short walks around the neighborhood need to be punctuated with water breaks. If your pet becomes dehydrated this can lead to adverse health effects. Make sure your dog is adequately hydrated at all times. Know the signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion just in case.

Signs of Dehydration:

  • Tiredness/Lethargy
  • Excessive Panting
  • Sunken Eyes
  • Dry Mouth, Nose, Gums
  • Lack of Skin Elasticity

The best water bottle for your dog will ensure your dog can always get a cold drink if needed. This helps save the planet one plastic water bottle at a time. Now your dog can be hydrated, fashionable, and green! This list reviews our top favorite water bottles for dogs.

1. The H204K9

There is nothing worse than buying a new gadget—getting really excited about it—just to have it break after a few uses. This is not going to happen with the H204K9. This combo pack neosling and 25-ounce water bottle and travel bowl is very durable. The bottle is made of stainless steel and the twist top lid is BPA-free! The sling makes it easy to carry while walking or hiking.

Giving your dog a drink is easy with this water bottle. Simply unscrew the top and pour. The few downsides this product has is that you have to hold the bowl up for your dog. Some have also commented that the lid was too small for their large dog’s snout but we haven’t had any problems.

2. Water Rover Bowl and Bottle

The rover is awesome for walks to the dog park or around the neighborhood. We loved it because you can clip it to your belt, which makes this hands-free option convenient when you’re already holding a leash in one hand. This water bottle for dogs can also lay flat so you can put it down at the park without holding it.

If your dog doesn’t drink every drop in the bowl, all you have to do is tilt the water back toward the bottle and you won’t waste any water. The Rover comes in 10 different colors and four sizes for any dog breed. The only con of this product is that the plastic the bottle is made with doesn’t seem the most durable.

3. Aqua Dog Travel Water Bowl Bottle

This water bottle has one of the coolest designs. The Aqua dog is a BPA-free plastic squeeze bottle that fills the bowl that sits on top with pressure. Once a dog is done drinking, the water will drain back into the bottle. The water bottle holds 18-ounces of water and can fit easily into most cup holders.

The water bottle has a hard time staying vertical in the grass and can be easily knocked over by your dog, but other than this we loved this product.

4. Gulpy Dispenser for Dogs

This water bottle essentially works the same way as a gerbil’s water bottle dispenser—gravity. The bottle holds 20-ounces of water and transforms from a clip-on pack to a functional water bottle by flipping open.

The Gulpy is perfect for the outdoorsy type that likes to conquer hiking trails on the weekends. The collapsible bowl can easily clip onto a waistband or backpack and is mostly leak-free. The one downside is sturdiness. If you drop this product it might not make it.

5. Lixit Waterboy Travel Water Bowl

Lixit claims that this water bottle will not spill, even when flipped upside down. As long as you tighten the lid it didn’t seem like leakage would be a problem. This water bottle is perfect for road trips. The BPA-free plastic design lays flat so it can be set up in a car. This water bottle also works for dogs that like to knock their water bottle over.

The design of the bottle lets just enough liquid rush toward the bowl section of the bottle so that a dog can get a drink without leaking. The Lixit holds 3 quarts of water and ice can be added to keep water fresh and cool for your doggie!

Although we didn’t have any problems, some customer reviews said they had issues with the water bottle leaking.

We hope you and your dog get an awesome water bottle that keeps them from getting too thirsty and keeps the landfills free of plastic this summer.

 

Have fun and Play Dirty, Live Clean!

 

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Top 10 Dog Friendly Beaches, Los Angeles

Whether you’re a Los Angeles resident or soaking up the sun as a tourist, lounging on the beach is a must for the California summer. From the rocky west coast shores to the local surf spots, LA County beaches just have that salty magnetism we all crave. But who wants to leave the poor dog at home while we’re lying out at the beach? Our dogs deserve a good soak too! No worries, LA County, and the surrounding area have plenty of dog friendly beaches outside of the city.

Dog owners and their furry four-legged kids can both share the fun in the sun thanks to this list of off-leash dog beaches and leashed dog friendly beaches all species can enjoy!

Here are the top 8 dog friendly beaches in the LA County area. Enjoy!

1. Rosie’s Dog Beach

Rosie’s is the most popular off-leash dog beach in the LA County. The public art of “Dogs at Play” pretty much makes this stretch of sand the official canine hot spot to throw a Frisbee and build sand castles right off Ocean Boulevard.

Rosie’s is usually full of dogs but are never too packed that you’ll be cramped for space. The off-leash area is clearly marked off so you can rest assured your pooch will be fine while you tan. Dogs of all sizes and breeds are welcome here!

The beach has all the human and doggie amenities like trash cans, bags, scoops, and restrooms for the pet parents. Parking is 25 cents every 15 minutes (this is LA we’re talking about) and is free after 5 p.m. The only downfall is that during the summer months the place can be a little trashed. If you do choose to visit, please do your part and pick up after yourself and your dog.

2. Granada Beach

Also, a part of Belmont Shore Beach, like Rosie’s, is Granada Beach which shares the same dog friendly attitude that it’s sister beach does. The official dog beach zone is between Roycroft and Argonne avenues. This stretch runs along Ocean Boulevard. You can’t miss it. Sometimes the area is marked off by cones but it there is no clear fence to show the boundary lines.

Also just like Rosie’s, dogs can go without a leash—free to run and play along the shores beating the heat. The beach has lively spirits and has several large events year-round that draw in big crowds. On an average day, you can relax while your dog plays, play volleyball at one of the many courts, or ride bikes down the paved trails.

3. Del Mar Beach

The locals call the North side of this place the ‘the dog beach’ because it has an open coast line for all-things-Rover. Not only does Del Mar have an amazing beach, there are also two state parks tucked in its crevice—Seagrove Park and Powerhouse Park.

The North beach spans from 29th street to border with Solana Beach and dogs are fine to be off their leash in this area. The leash policy is dependent on the time of the year. Dogs must be leashed June 16th through Labor Day. Dogs able to run under ‘voice control of owner’ from the day after Labor Day through June 15th.

4. Huntington Dog Beach

A little further south, in Orange County, rests Hunting Dog Beach which is another amazing dog beach. Dogs are allowed between Seapoint Street and 21st Street. Although there are signs indicating the city ordinance of a six-foot leash requirement, locals know this is not enforced. The reality is, if you have a dangerous or rowdy dog then it will be a problem. If your dog knows how to play well—everything will be fine. Remember this is California!

Huntington dog beach is great because there is plenty of room for dogs to run and splash in the waves. A grassy park, picnic tables, restrooms & showers are all there for your enjoyment. In the rear, the Pacific Coast Highway is barricaded by palm trees and an eroding bluff. Purrfect weather!

If you get hungry, take a quick drive up Goldenwest and you will land at the Park Bench Cafe—a dog friendly joint that serves up some really delicious specialties.

5. Coronado Dog Beach

For vacationers willing to drive or already visiting San Diego County there is a picturesque beach called Coronado Dog Beach. Like all beaches in California, the scenery is gorgeous, but the Point Loma skyline floating on the horizon just makes the place feel special. On the other side is the elegant Hotel Del Coronado giving each periphery a great view. Trust us, your Pug appreciates the scenery.

The dog beach itself is off-leash and has plenty of room for dogs to run in the sand and in the shallows. Be prepared for a long walk from Ocean Boulevard, where parking is available to the beach, and make sure you keep your dog leashed until you get to the actual beach.

Leo Carrillo State Park

6. North Beach

Part of Leo Carrillo State Park is North Beach which lowers down into South Beach and finally Staircase Beach. The beaches are tucked into Western Malibu and are dog friendly so long as Fido stays on his leash. This a perfect place to take a lovely stroll with your dog and you can always use a life-hack method and tie their leash around your umbrella.

7. South Beach

Just a little further down in the Leo Carrillo State Park, beach visitors find a rockier point of the beach—South Beach. This area is also dog friendly but your dog still must remain on his leash. This area is really cool! There is a cavernous-rocky area known as Sequit point with tidal pools and caves to explore.

The best time to do this at low tide. If you take your dog with you to explore, make sure they have some doggie booties to protect their paws from the rough edges of the rocks. There are also some hiking trails you can take your pupper on to explore.

8. Staircase Beach

This beach is a famous spot for surfers to paddle out in the waters that parallel Malibu’s coast, but dogs are more than welcome too! There are two ways to access Staircase beach. The first is by parking at the state park’s manager residence and the other way is to park at North Beach’s parking lot and walk down the beach. There is a zigzag trail through the bluffs but this is a rocky area and might be tough for your dogs to walk through.

If it’s too rocky, keep heading south and it will turn into sand. Dogs are fine here as long as they are on the leash.

 

There you have it. The eight spots that have the California-citrusy-sun and have open arms to the dog friendly crowd. These dog friendly beaches in Los Angeles are fun for the whole family, even the furry ones.  Remember to wear sunscreen, bring extra water in a bowl for your dog, and enjoy the summer!

 

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Cute Summer Clothes for Dogs

Is Dressing Up My Dog A-OK? Or, Should Clothes for Dogs Stay On the Rack?

First, there’s National Dress Up Your Dog, Cat, Horse, Guinea Pig, Goat, Pig, Fish…Pet Day! Emphasis on dogs. Then there’s July 4th, Halloween, and somewhere in between the year, your dog’s birthday. All these days, plus when you get to hashtag pictures #weeklyfluff, are great excuses to grab some clothes for dogs and throw a fashion show!

What is cuter than a Dachshund dressed like a Hot Dog at a friend’s Barbecue? A French Bulldog dressed like a Frenchman or even French fries, yes! Or, what about a Chihuahua adorning a Taco Suit for Cinco De Mayo? A Pug dressed as a lion is always a hilarious sight!

Appareling clothes for dogs is too much fun! It’s a way to involve your pet in the holidays, get your Instagram game on point, and even represent your favorite sports teams. But, how do your pets feel about the charade? Before we tell you how to arrange clothes for dogs to create fabulously cute costumes, we’ll dive into the dog pile of ethics first.

Paws and Reflect: Should We Dress up the Dog?

You know your dog best! You know their temperament—what makes them comfortable, and what makes them go crazy. If your dog is anxious and hates unfamiliar experiences, you should probably opt out of dressing them up. If your dog doesn’t mind the shenanigans, we say go for it! Dogs have been putting up with human silliness for thousands of years. The only thing a dog loves more than treats is you! So if your dog has the personality to let themselves be safely wrapped in clothes for dogs, then sure, adapt your favorite wizard movie into your dog’s next Halloween costume—Harry Barker.

Pet parents also need to consider the weather. During the cold months, some dogs actually might benefit from being wrapped in a sweater. Ice melting chemicals and snow itself can be harmful to a dog, so booties over their paws will help their paws stay healthy. Not all dogs are genetically predisposed to cold northern weather and an extra layer will keep them warm. On the other side, Nordic dogs have an extra layer in their double coats. This keeps them naturally insulted and regulates temperature. Putting them in clothes could overheat them.

Safety First:

  • Take Measurements. Clothes that are too loose can’t trip your dog. Clothes for dogs that are too tight will be uncomfortable and possibly suffocating.
  • Materials. Wool, silk, and flannel will keep a dog warm, but cotton is more breathable. If if is snowing, cotton will also get wet. Keep these things in mind.
  • Be attentive. If your dog is showing signs of discomfort undress them!
  • No pants. Dogs can’t possibly walk with pants on. Plus this is not going to be fun when it’s time for them to use the bathroom.

Dog Anxiety Relief Clothing

Many pet parents swear by products like ThunderShirts—a vest that applies gentle swaddling pressure that comforts a dog. A dog’s evolution points to this gentle pressure giving them relief from fireworks or lightning. Similar to cave beds, some dogs like to be nestled. This replicates the burrowing habits of their ancestors. Clothes for dogs are designed to mimic this same sense of familiarity.

How to Style and Make Your Dog Fab in Clothes for Dogs

Dress your dog to fit their personality. If your bulldog has the bad to the bone biker attitude, put a Harley Davidson bandanna over him and spiky black collar.

Maybe your newly adopted mixed breed just has the air of stoicism calling you to dress them up like a philosopher. Some drapery to serve as a toga and a purple sash will have them looking like Socrates in no time. What about the sports? The summer baseball season is rounding home plate and you want to make your pup the most popular pooch at the tailgate!

Most sports teams have clip-on-hats that will sit comfortably on their head representing the Yankees, Cardinals, or the Cubs depending on your team. If you want to go neutral you can dress them like an umpire or even as the baseball itself. Nothing cuter than this!

More Dog Costume Ideas:

  • BatDog
  • CornDog
  • Great White Bark
  • Yo-Dog (Yoda)
  • Beggin’ Bacon
  • Princess
  • Dog-Tini
  • Bark-O-Saurus-Rex
  • Baked Pugtatoe
  • Kissing Booth

If you decide to dress up your dog for any event be sure to play it safe! Your dog can’t slay the runway without being comfortable and content in their cool new attire. Sometimes all you can do is snap some pictures of your pooch in clothes for dogs then call it a day. For even more dog DIY costume ideas click here!

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Funky Fur Fashion With Pet Paint

One of the coolest waves to hit the pet grooming scene is pet paint! The product was originally brought to light from ABC’s Shark Tank, but since then has been featured all over the internet and dog’s backsides.

Pet paint really started getting popular after pet owner, and artist, Bryn Anderson first painted her dog Nixie. Anderson sprayed some white lines over her black German Shepherd and posted them on the internet. Nixie’s fame skyrocketed from there as it quickly went viral.  How could these pictures not explode over the internet? Nixie looked adorable as a doggie skeleton for Halloween! Her skeleton paint job was so cool, the now famous skeleton dog has her own Instagram and Facebook pages with thousands of followers.

Since Anderson first posted pictures of Nixie, pet parents from all over have been searching for a way to replicate this on their own dogs. Pet paint is a sensational twist on grooming that can give your pup a unique look for any occasion. Pet groomers have caught onto the trend and are offering a painting with your dog’s bath and haircut. Many groomers and artists have made stencils that make the pet painting process even easier.

Party with Pet Paint

Fourth of July? Spray some red, white, and blue stars over-and-down your dog’s coat and you’ll have the star spangled barker! Christmas? Spritz a few blue snowflakes on him, or maybe even design a Santa’s little elf costume without the hassle and discomfort of forcing your dog to get into a fabric costume. What about Halloween? With pet paint, you can make an artistic rendering of lions, tigers, and…a zombie! Numbered stencils make it easy for you to transform your dog into a football or baseball player. Or,  with some creativity, you can dress them as the ball itself.

The ideas are endless and even if you’re stumped, a few clicks around the internet open the doors for dozens of awesome ideas for your festive doggie.

Are There Any Safety Issues?

First off, pet paint is not house paint.

Regular oil-based paint contains a slew of chemicals and carcinogens like toluene and formaldehyde. These chemicals are downright toxic for dogs. While humans can endure through painting the house by opening windows for ventilation, this is not always the case for our four-legged companions. If you paint the house, be cautious with your dogs. You might even think about letting a friend watch them for the weekend or taking them to doggie boarding.

Non-toxic pet safe paint does not contain the same resins, pigment, additives, or solvents that household paint formulas have.  Make sure you’re using a safe non-toxic pet paint if you choose to decorate your dog!

Use a brand that is veterinarian approved and has been rigorously tested to ensure its ability to last and overall safety. Pay careful attention to customer reviews when purchasing pet paint. Most pet paint brands on the market are safe and non-toxic, but not all of them are easy to use. Products come in ink blow, marker pens, and spritzing paint forms.

Depending on your dog’s coat(wiry or silky), using marker pens for paint application can be difficult. You might want to consider letting your trained groomer handle the painting for your dog’s safety and for a professional quality paint job.

There are only a handful of trusted pet paints out there.

Trusted Brands:

  • PetPaint
  • PetPerri
  • Pony Paints (Grooming Chalk For Horses)
  • Bark Art

Safety Tips to Keep In Mind

Use pet safe paint!

We love our pets and it’s our duty to keep them safe. Most brands on the market are veterinarian approved but the specifics of this claim are vague. If you have questions about pet paint formulas ask your vet or groomer. You can always test the paint out on a small part of your dog’s body before applying to a whole costume.

Try spraying a small dot—let it dry–then wash it out. This will warm your pet up to the idea and confirm that the paint will not have adverse reactions.

Where is it safe to apply?

If your dog is a fan of licking their paws, groin area, or any other part of their body—be cautious! The idea that ‘what is safe for humans is also safe for our dogs’ is a false assumption. Many dogs like the Shetland Sheepdog and Yorkshire Terrier have sensitive stomachs. Even non-toxic pet paint can possibly make them sick.

Be careful around your dog’s face and hygienic areas too. You don’t want to accidentally spritz paint right into their eye or any other orifice.

Measure your dog’s patience.

If your dog is timid or anxious it might not be the best idea to paint them. Exotic grooming like this takes precision and they will need to stay still for a long time. Foreign experiences can be scary for all animals, and if your dog’s disposition makes them easily frightened, painting them might be too stressful. Consider their tolerance and go from there.

Professional Grooming is the Best Idea

Dogs require a lot of attention to detail when it comes to grooming. Groomers use equipment like clippers and dremmels which can be scary for a dog who’s not used to the grooming process. Reputable pet groomers are trained and certified to handle and groom animals.

This professionalism is especially important when it comes to painting our pets. Pet paint products are still relatively new. You never know what possibly dangerous ingredients comprise a pet paint formula that is beinging sold out there. Dog groomers will guarantee your pet’s safety.

Letting a dog groomer handle the painting also comes with the benefit of knowing the paint will come out looking great. Groomers have the hands for accuracy to turn your pooch into a tiger, clown, or even a billboard!

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Top 10 Reasons Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats

In this corner, weighing in at a lean 8 pounds, we have Smokey—the American Shorthair cat. Across the ring, we have Buddy weighing in at 65 pounds, the Golden Retriever. Our bets are on Buddy. That’s right! The age old debate is back on the table—why dogs better than cats!

The argument is as old as domestication itself. Starting before Odie and Garfield feuded over the affection of their owner Jon. There are a lot of opinions swirling around in the mix of claws, jaws, and furr when it comes to this debate. So we thought we could clue in readers on some history first.

Cats, Felis Catus,

The domestic cat is believed to have been domesticated as early as 4,000 years ago in Egypt. The culture was as obsessed with cats. The Egyptians worshiped a cat goddess named Bastet—the god of cats, protection, joy dance, music, and family. They even took it one step further and mummified their beloved pet cats to take the journey with them into the afterlife. They even mummified the remains of mice for the cats to snack on!

Cats were adopted from the wild for their abilities to hunt rodents that disrupted crops and home life. Cats are carnivorous and great hunters. The species has an intrinsic ability to stalk prey and pounce, striking to kill with their sharp claws and teeth. Just ask any cat owner who comes home to a dead mouse on their doorstep. Cats have light-reflecting eyes which give them excellent night vision.

Many animal behaviorists actually theorize that cats are nocturnal and since domestication, have adopted to our habits. Since food is readily available there is no need for cats to hunt. Now they have different sleeping habits than their wild counterparts. Cats will usually sleep all day and become more active as the house fills. Still, any cat owner will tell you, cats are night owls and perfectly content to swat at your face while you sleep.

According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), there are 47.1 million households that own at least one cat.

Dogs, Canis Lupus Familiaris

Dogs are first believed to have been domesticated around 15,000 years ago in Central Asia around modern day Nepal and Mongolia.  It is theorized that friendly Eurasian gray wolves actually approached humans first. Scientists believe that because humans wiped out other large mammals during the time period, dogs were spared because of their charm.

Since then, hundreds of breeds have emerged from early wolves. Of the hundreds of breeds, the American Kennel Club currently recognizes 189 of them with mix breeds also making up a huge percent of the dog population. Dogs fist served as companions as working dogs. They helped herd livestock, hunt, guard homes, and use their noses for police work.

The Egyptians also worshiped dogs in the form of the god of cemeteries and embalming—Anubis. Anubis had the body of a man with the head of a dog. The Aztecs also have dogs as a prominent role of their religion. They also believed that the Mexican Hairless dog, or Xolotl, led the soul to the underworld. Dogs have appeared in myth, folklore, and regions countless times showing their kinship with humankind.

The APPA reports that 60 million households own a dog in the U.S.

Let’s take a look at why dogs are better than cats!

1. More Famous than Cats

Ok so, there’s Snoopy, Scooby Doo, Balto, Marley, Winn Dixie Wishbone, Beethoven, Old Yeller, Hooch, Airbud, Blue from Blue’s Clues, and everyone knows…All Dogs Go To Heaven.

Enough said.

2. Dogs Make you Laugh, It’s Science.

A study conducted by Department of Psychology at St. Bonaventure University reported that dog owners laughed more than cat owners.

Participants who owned a dog, cat, both, or none  were surveyed to see how frequently humans laugh and what provoked the laughter. It was found that dog owners laugh more than people who own both animals with cat owners laughing the least. This explains grumpy cat.

This prompted another study conducted by the Department of Psychology at Eastern Kentucky University. The researchers filmed people playing with dogs. The goal was to determine exactly what was provoking laughter. It’s no surprise that they found that people laugh most at dogs when they fail some aspect of playing. If you throw a dog a ball, and they trip in the process, we all burst out laughing.

The second situation that evoked laughter was when a dog did something unanticipated or exaggerated. AKA, they act goofy.  Still no surprise here. Any dog owner will tell you that it’s hilarious when their dog tries to guess cup the treats in.

Both studies concluded that laughter is a social interaction. Laughing reduces stress and gives you a higher quality of life. Our dogs are partners with us and help us to laugh making them better than the grumpy cat equivalent.

3. Dogs Help You Make Friends

Harvard University partnered with other academic institutions around the world to publish a series of studies scientifically proving how dogs provide human-to-human friendships.  Of course, dog parents already know this, and probably already know why dogs are better than cats.

Dog owners were found to be 60% more likely to get to know their neighbors through a pet related connection. People meet people while walking their dogs and are far more likely to befriend the people they met while walking or visiting parks. When was the last time you walked your cat?

There are also have been numerous studies showing dog ownership makes you seem more approachable and friendly. Researchers from a separate study surveyed 1,210 Match.com users. The studied showed women were twice as likely to be attracted to a guy because he had a dog, and also twice as likely to judge their date based on how they reacted to their dogs. Even more damning for the cat-people, 32% of women surveyed said that a guy with a cat was a potential deal-breaker. Ouch, get a dog!

Dogs making people more social and adventurous is also evident in dog meetups. Many cities have social media pages, dog bars, and even apps dedicated to getting dog owners together.

4. Dogs Can Smell Cancer

Everyone knows dogs have the best nose! Dogs like Bloodhounds possess up to 300 million olfactory receptors compared with about six million in humans. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Working Dog Center have trained dogs to put their sniffers to good work detecting cancer.

With a process called imprinting dogs are able to sniff out different chemicals present in ovarian cancer. Researchers spread the scents gathered from an ovarian tumor on a blanket. They have the dog target each scent over and over again. Each time, they reduce the size of the blanket, and increase the scent. Once the dog has mastered this, they remove the blanket entirely.

Scientists are using this data to build a device that will sense cancer. The chemical the dogs gravitate toward the most will be the chemical they base their sensor design on.

5. Dogs Keep Human in Shape

Everyone who has ever owned a dog can attest to this. Dogs need walks. Most of us get home at the end of the day and hit the couch. But after a few whines and earnest looks from Fido we take a nice healthy walk around the neighborhood.

A study published in the National Institute of Health showed that older people with dogs covered an average distance of a mile daily.  The study also found that dog owners with a backyard spent an average daily duration of 100 minutes walking the dog.

There you go, get grandma a dog!

6. Dogs Can be Trained and Do Cool Stuff, Cats Don’t

A study out of the University of Tokyo showed that cats actually do know their name and have the ability to come when called. They choose not to. Cats have selective hearing, just like your kids.

The study analyzed how cats responded to hearing the voice of their owners compared to the voices of strangers. They determined cats could recognize their owner’s voice and identified with their given  name. 10% of cats involved in the study displayed behavior of responsiveness when called.

Animal behaviorists theorize that because cats were used as independent creatures to hunt rats the strong bond didn’t develop the way it has with dogs. Cats have come closer since agrarian days, but the evolution of cat responsiveness is still antiquated.

Compare this with dogs. Dogs can be trained to sit, shake, lay down, play dead, roll over, and even open doors. These are just tricks for your average pooch. It’s not called the Westminster cat show now is it?

7. Dogs Help Humans from Developing Allergies and Asthma

This is reason six dogs are better than cats.

Dogs are saving the world one potentially asthmatic kid at a time. A study out of University of California, San Francisco, shows that exposure to infants exposed to dog dust—dried flakes of dog skin—help protect against developing allergies and asthma later on in life by altering intestinal bacteria. Mice that inhaled dog dust built a better immune response to cockroach allergens than their non-exposed counterpart.

So having a dog around not only protects your infant but helps build up their immunity. Not sure if the cat does either of these, but boy is he funny when gets his paws on that catnip!

8. The Dog House is Cleaner Than the Cat House

No scientific studies here. Just pure observation of having owned both cats and dogs over a lifetime.

Yes, while dogs are puppies they will tear up the house. But with some proper guidance and good dog training, this stops. Dogs learn to use the bathroom outside and respect the furniture. As long as they get their de-shed service the house is neat and orderly with the doggos.

Cats? Not so much.

You have to deal with the litter box. No matter where you put the thing, or what kind of litter you use, it still has a lingering smell. Also, cats claw everything…everything. Now some cats are good, but I had a cat once that had three scratch posts, but still preferred to maul the couch every time I left the house. Cats also vomit and cough up hairballs! They love to aim for your favorite rug too.

9. Dogs Can Take Selfies

Seriously! A dog training center in London now offers a class called iPad Masterclass. The trainers focus dogs on taking their own selfies and doodling. Dogs use their noses to swipe the screen to take candid shots of themselves for Instagram. The intention of dog training is based on animal behaviorists theories that animals trained to do something have a lower incidence of anxiety and aggression.

This might be true, but we have a feeling all the pet parents who have signed up their dog to take iPad Masterclass really just want a dog that can take their own picture. It’s a pretty cool cocktail party trick…

Dogs are also being trained to recognize and respond to typical commands written on an Ipad. The dog reads the command ‘sit” and then loyally takes a seat. What a time to be alive!

10. Dogs are Man’s Best Friend

Period.

All kidding aside, we at Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique love all animals of every shape and size. We just like to have a little fun every once in awhile. You can join in by commenting on our Facebook page who you think is better, cats or dogs?

 

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