“A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” – Josh Billings
Happy Wednesday! Here's the scoop:
This dog and his owner have taken 8 laps around the sun and one literal lap around the earth together
DIY indoor dog agility courses
Candles + dogs: what you need to know
Did you know?
Shih Tzus are known as one of the most affectionate breeds in the world. They were originally bred as companion dogs for Chinese royalty, and members of the royal court would often place the dogs at their feet to keep them warm during the colder months!
Alaska man and his dog walk the distance of a lap around the earth in 8 years
Going on walks is one of the more pleasurable activities for dog parents and their dogs alike, but have you ever calculated how far you’ve walked together?
Mike Mitchell and his dog Chance have walked a total 34,901 miles – the equivalent of a lap around planet earth. Yep, you read that right.
Mitchell adopted his Shih Tzu eight years ago, on his 60th birthday. Chance and Mitchell now walk through the Alaskan woods an average of 3,000 miles a year. “I think it’s remarkable,” Mitchell told an Alaskan news source. We do, too.
Check out Chance and Mitchell’s story here!
Do(g)-It-Yourself
If you find yourself staying home a lot this month, you may want to get creative when it comes to keeping your dog active. Thankfully, it’s easy to set up an agility course for your dog right in your living room!
Agility training is great exercise and mental stimulation, plus it promotes good behavior in your pup. Of course, the size and intricacy of your agility course will depend on the size of your dog and the size of your space. Take a look at what household items you have to get started.
Make your own at-home dog agility course:
First, set up your course. You can incorporate:
A play tunnel – Simply throw a blanket over your coffee table or cut out the ends of a cardboard box.
Weave poles – Fashion your own poles out of broomsticks or plastic flower pots, or splurge on competition-grade weave poles.
Jumping agility equipment – A rolled up blanket or a low shelf work great for jumping practice.
A teeter-totter – If you don’t have a seesaw, you can make one out of a PVC pipe and a board.
Tire jump – Start with an easier hoop, like a hula hoop.
Once your course is set up, be sure to use lots of encouragement and praise to help your pup along!
Are candles bad for dogs?
Although candles are a great way to cozy up your space - especially during these chillier months - surprisingly, not all candles are great for dogs. Why is that? Essential oils can be dangerous for dogs, depending on how concentrated they are and what ingredients they contain.
How can you make sure your candles won’t interfere with your dog’s well-being? Here are three hot tips:
To avoid injuries, be sure to keep lit candles where your dog can’t accidentally get to them.
Stick with unscented candles. Plain soy, beeswax, or vegetable wax-based won’t irritate your pup.
Swap out traditional candles for LED votives to achieve cozy vibes without the risk.
Share the puppy love
Know a fellow dog lover whose day would be brighter with a dose of Daily Dig? Forward this email or refer them to dailydigdogs.com!