"Happiness is a warm puppy." - Charles M. Shulz
Happy Wednesday! Here's the scoop:
“Our house just grew by four paws”
Spoil your pup with a spa day
The trick to making vet visits less stressful with "cooperative care"
Did you know?
March 23rd is National Puppy Day!
National Puppy Day was originally established in 2006. The day was created to not only celebrate the cutest animal offspring out there, but to encourage people to adopt. Its goal is to raise awareness of the cruel practice of puppy mills and encourage people to “Adopt. Don’t Shop.”
Are puppy announcements the new baby announcements?
Our dogs are a part of our families, and bringing home a new pup is a big deal! So it’s no surprise that puppy announcements have become the new baby announcements.
These days, it’s not uncommon to send out an email or letter to loved ones letting them know that you’re welcoming a new furry friend. Not only is this perfectly acceptable, it’s also totally adorable.
Looking for design ideas? Check out the adorable and creative ways that other dog parents-to-be have made their big announcement.
Do(g)-It-Yourself
We all benefit from self-care and just like humans, dogs love a spa day. You can treat your dog to a massage right from the comfort of your own home.
There are different kinds of massages, so if your pup is experiencing pain or recovering from an injury, be sure to consult your vet before wheeling out the massage table.
How to give your dog a relaxing massage:
What you’ll need: a towel and some treats. Cooling cucumbers over the eyes optional.
Have your dog lay down. You may need to use a treat to get your dog to stay still at first.
Use moderate pressure to massage their body, head, and ears. Remember: Don't press on anything weird.
Keep a close eye on your dog for any signs of pain or stress. If they start licking their lips or yawning – and especially if they whip their head around and look directly at you – stop what you’re doing.
If your pup seems content, keep the massage going for 15 minutes.
Making vet visits less stressful for your dog
A trip to the vet can be a stressful time for dogs. With all the new sounds and smells, they can learn to associate fear with the experience. How can you make your dog’s vet visits more manageable?
Experts recommend trying cooperative care, a new approach to training that makes a dog an active participant in their care and grooming. This approach is designed to allow you and your dog to work together, giving your dog the chance to “opt into” treatment.
How can you implement cooperative care into your dog’s routine?
One way to allow your dog to opt into treatment at the vet is to spread some peanut butter on a mat, giving them something enriching to focus on while they’re being examined. You can also teach your dog to rest their chin in your hand to help them hold still for a period of time.
If you need help training your dog in cooperative care techniques, there are classes and clinics to help you get started. With a little training, visits to the vet no longer need to be a stressful situation!
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!