Let’s get real for a sec – puppies? They’re cute bundles of energy that can sometimes test our patience. But hold onto your squeaky toys, because we’ve got your back! Here are 10 woof-tastic tips and tricks to keep the peace, the tails wagging, and your sanity intact.

10- Timeout, Anyone? Okay, let’s admit it – even puppies need a breather sometimes. When your furball decides your laptop cord is the ultimate chew toy, don’t sweat it. Give a firm “DROP”, but if you’re about to pull your hair out, pop them in their crate and take a breather. It’s a mini vacation for both of you.

8- Bye-bye Boredom Blues: Say hello to puzzle toys, Kongs stuffed with treats, and snuffle rugs. These genius inventions keep your pup’s brain buzzing and their paws away from trouble. Whip ’em out during timeouts or whenever you need a snack break.

7- Energy Drain = Cuddle Gains: Ever heard the phrase “a tired dog is a good dog”? Yep, applies to puppies too. If your fur-nado won’t stop, add a few extra walks to their schedule or hire a pro walker. You’ll be rewarded with post-walk snuggle sessions that are pure bliss.

6- Turf Protection: Protect your turf with mattress and sofa covers. Because who wants to find out that their pup turned their prized possessions into chew toys? Keep enzymatic cleaner on standby just in case – but here’s to hoping you’ll never need it!

5- Play + Train = Double the Fun: Why choose between playtime and training when you can have both? Set up a relay race with chairs and call your pup back and forth. They get tired, you get to sit and enjoy the show. Win-win!

4- No Chew on You: Nibbling on your fingers? Tug-of-war with your shoelaces? Time for a swap! Trade those precious body parts for actual toys, or if all else fails, dramatically exit the play scene. Your pup will learn that you’re not a chew toy, and you’ll have a hilarious story to share.

3- Crate Comfort Zone: Crate time isn’t punishment – it’s a puppy paradise! Fill it with toys and treats, and your pup will think of it as their personal puppy palace. Quick nap or timeout? Just plop them in, and they’ll snooze away or bounce back, full of energy.

1- Prevention Party: Remember, pups are on a curiosity spree. So, outsmart them by removing tempting chew targets. Anything with a cool texture is like a siren’s call for a teething pup. Stay one step ahead and keep your belongings safe and sound.

Puppy parenting isn’t always a walk in the dog park, but with these tips, you’re armed and ready. Embrace the chaos, capture the cuteness, and savor the journey of raising your adorable, mischievous furball. It’s all about finding the tail-wagging balance!

Can we take a minute to talk about something almost every pet parent deals with? 

Although pet hair and odors are a small price to pay to have our fluffy ones at home with us, the fuzz and funky smells can sometimes seem overwhelming!

Our lovely pets get hair everywhere. Our sofas, chairs, beds, curtains, and all corners of every inch of our homes can be COVERED in pet hair. And if I’m being totally honest, they also leave an odor from time to time! 

I know enough pet parents to know I’m not the only one dealing with this.  (I’m looking at you!)

Over the years, I’ve found some of the easy ways to keep my home as fur and odor-free as possible.

Here are a few of the things I do to tackle pet odor and hair in my home:

Tip #1: Keep your Carpets and Floors squeaky clean

One important thing to remember with pets (and maybe you have some human kids as well) be sure to check the labels of any chemicals you use to make sure they’re safe for your furry friend. Some “clean-smelling” products have pine oil or other oils or acids that can be dangerous to pets. Choose products designed with your pet in mind, like the pet care collection found at  www.tackletinkle.com. These products can also be used in the laundry room for your wash!

Tip # 2: Throw your pet’s linens in the washer. 

Does your pet have a fav towel, stuffy toy, or blanky they drag around the house and sleep with?

I have invested in washer-safe fabrics and sturdy bedding that can easily be washed. Most of the big-name brands have ratings and when I shop online for new stuff I check for good ratings. They MUST be washable if they want to live in my house and so that means they must be durable.

Pro tip: Use pet-friendly, odor-busting detergent.  Don’t forget to wash your own bed linens, too, especially if your buddy loves lounging on them. 

Tip #3: Blacklight investigation! 

If you’ve thoroughly cleaned everything but still struggle with odors, you may have missed an accident! A black light can help you find that hidden treasure that needs extra attention. 

Use the blacklight to investigate floors, furniture, and even the lower part of your walls. Counter-surfers may even mark high surfaces!

Tip #4: Every pet home needs a great lint brush

Lint rollers are amazing at picking up your pet’s hair.

Don’t limit them to your clothes. They are great on any fabric and furniture. I use mine over anything with fabric in my house. Sofa, pillows, chairs. They are safe, quick and easy!

If the lint roller doesn’t work, you can try duct tape for any fabric surface, pumice stone for carpeting, or a damp dryer sheet for a dryer-face fabric.

Tip #5: Check your pet for any health issues

Having a pet means you will deal with hair and odors from time to time. It’s part of pet parenthood. What do you do around the home to deal with hair or odors? Let me in on your tips and tricks!

During this season of travel and holiday bliss, we sometimes just need to slow down a bit and make sure we are practicing safety when on the roads.

I am sharing of my favorite Ask Dr. Buckley columns about travel safety. It is inspired by a story of someone in my family who recently experienced a fender-bender that could have been much worse.

When traveling home from work my eldest was in traffic and sitting at a red light, when suddenly she felt a bump… She wasn’t sure what happened until she looked in her rearview mirror and saw the shocked face of a man looking at her. They pulled over and he immediately jumped out an apologized. His dog had jumped into his lap and startled him. This caused him to take his foot off the brake and well….. BUMP.

In this case, all was well, and no one was hurt but this is a lesson to all about what can happen, what has happened, and how you can be more careful in the future when traveling with your pets.

What Dr. Buckley, DVM has to say about pets in cars:

If your pet is riding in the front set and you have an accident not only is your pet unrestrained but if the accident causing the airbags to deploy we add another level of potential injury.  Air bags work best for what they were designed to do.  They are designed to help reduce the potential for serious injury to adult humans who are properly positioned and actively restrained in the front seat with a safety belt.  It is even recommended that children under 14 years of age (depending on your state) not ride in the front due to safety concerns associated with airbags.  An airbag is set to activate and inflate within milliseconds.  The force needed to fully inflate an airbag and protect a 200 lb. person is the same force that would happen if your 20 lb. dog was in the front passenger seat.  The potential for injury is great. 

#mydifference4animals

When you turn into the parking lot of Saving Grace NC you are immediately greeted by hot pink and turquoise signage that makes you feel like you have arrived at a cheerful place and it sets the mood as you walk through the carefully guarded gates that lead you to what many would consider puppy paradise.

Yes, this is a rescue, and there is the fact that these dogs are homeless, but you feel there is hope and love. On this day I was with my family and we were dropping off a carload of donations we had fundraised over the course of a month or so. I was thrilled by the overwhelming response to my request to give back!

After entering the gates, what lies in front of you is a charming Disneyland of sorts for dogs in need of homes. I met Molly who runs the shelter and she gave us a little background on the history of Saving Grace and what they are up to. It was impressive, to say the least.

Saving Grace NC is impeccably organized, using a 5 step process to keep things running smoothly.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Within this structure they have Foster programs, Volunteer opportunities, Host a Dog Sleepover weekends and the Donations section has been set up to perfection! If you have a favorite rescue group I would send them to this website for ideas on how to structure their programs and their website. Super easy to use, not to mention they are very responsive! Saving Grace NC is a leader in their field!

We are fairly new to North Carolina, so when selecting a group to give back to this year, I did what most people do. I asked around for recommendations and this is the name that came up almost every.single.time.

This particular donation concept was born of the amazing marketing group I work with called Working With Dog. It is a members-only group that helps small businesses in the pet industry get their marketing done at a small cost in both financial investment and time! (If you run a pet biz I highly recommend you check this group out) www.workingwithdog.com. This year the membership decided to find a local shelter, where ever in the world they might live, and raise donations for them. Because the membership is spread out over 3 continents it would be a local donation drive on an international level. This is the first year they are running it and a fair number of members jumped on board! If you check out the #mydifference4animals (on most social channels) you can follow along with all the amazing stuff that is going on!

We drove a carload over to Saving Grace and the response was overwhelming! Giving back feels so good! So many can not take in another pet, may not have time to volunteer but we can always find a way to help out. The appreciation is worth everything!

Seriously, have you P-L-A-Y-E-D with your pup today?! 

#doglife #dog #dogmom #dogdad #playtime

The summer holiday season is upon us! This year many of us are hitting the road and traveling to see family and friends. 

Fourth of July and Fireworks are fun, but pet parents around the world agree, they are also our worst nightmare!

As we prepare for the largest fireworks display of the season, we need to remember to ensure the safety of our pets – before, during, and after the shows. 

Festivities such as fireworks, picnics, and other activities can be great fun for people, but they can also be frightening or even dangerous for animals. Animals can run away from noisy fireworks and other celebrations; holiday foods can be unhealthy; heat and travel during summer can be hazardous, and potentially dangerous debris can end up lying on the ground where pets are able to consume it! 

Vet emergency room visits are on the rise this holiday season, but you can help protect your pet. Here’s how:

4 Tips to be Prepared:

1. If your pets aren’t already microchipped, talk with your vet about microchipping. This procedure can improve your chances of getting your pets back if they become lost. If your pets are microchipped, make sure your contact information in the microchip registry is up-to-date.
2. Double up and make sure they are wearing an ID tag for a quick more efficient pet return.. If your pet has a history of anxiety on this holiday. Some pets may need medication. Consult your veterinarian.
3. Make sure the environment is safe and secure. Keep your pets indoors when it is time for fireworks. Some people will set them off a little earlier than dark for young children. Be prepared for this and have your pet with you indoors, or a place where they feel safe and secure if you can’t be with them.
4. Have a current photo of all of your cats, dogs, and horses – just in case. (or scroll back about 2 images on your phone and make sure you have at least 100! – I know you!) 😉

7 Safety Tips during July 4 gatherings:

1. Keep pets away from the hot grill or open fires
2. Don’t feed your pets table scraps, ask any guests to respect this as well.
3. Keep them indoors if it is crazy hot that day. They can also suffer from heat exposure, and much more quickly than you and I. After all, they are wearing fur coats!
4. Consider leaving your pets at home – but in a safe place where they feel comfortable. While parties and fireworks are taking place, consider putting your pets in a safe room or crate
5. If you’re hosting, ask your guests to help keep an eye on your pets. Place notes on doors and gates as a reminder to make sure the pet stays put can help both of you immensely.
6. Keep sparklers, glow sticks, fireworks & other danger potentials away from curious pets.
7. No pets are left in cars. They are just safer at home. Or be in the car with them, with AC running for a very short period of time.

After the party:

1. Clean up your yard/beach/party area for fireworks debris before allowing pets outside to play or relax.
2. Check for food scraps and table waste. An innocent piece of plastic wrap that has remnants of food could be toxic as well as the pet may choke on the wrapper.

It’s a lot to keep in mind, but as we get back to enjoying our lives in some sense of normalcy, it is important to remember the safety of our fur buddies. They are always there to support us and have carried many of us through the tough times. Let’s show them the love they deserve and keep them protected.

Have a fantastic holiday weekend!  If you have any great tips and tricks, please share them in the comments below. We love to hear from you!

With spring fully sprung and the lovely weather on the way, my family and I are looking forward to spending long hours in the yard outside our home. Many of my houseplants seem to enjoy the jump from house to outdoors.  There really is no need to spend extra dollars on potted annuals to decorate my outdoor living space. These pet-friendly plants thrive both indoors and out and can join you and your pets on the porch or in your garden this spring.

I received a beautiful little sprout of a spider plant a few years ago, it was a gift from my neighbor who I love and adore, but she truly thinks I have no garden skills.  Okay, she may be right, but I do know dogs.

Prayer Plant will enjoy that breath of air. This plant’s beautiful maroon and green leaves fold up at night like hands in prayer. During the day it will add unusual color to your plant collection. It blossoms in spring or summer with delicate white or purple flowers (Maranta leuconeura, winter hardiness Zone 11–12).

The dignified Staghorn Fern, gets its name from wide, antler-like fronds with a velvety appearance. It is an epiphyte that normally clings to trees, getting nutrients and moisture from the air and rain. Your shade-loving Staghorn is probably attached to a plank or wooden crate-like container. It will make a statement hanging on the trunk of a tree in a shady section of your garden or tucked up in the corner of your porch or shaded patio. (Platycerium bifurcatum, winter hardiness Zone 9-12)

Let’s face it, our pets are curious and sometimes a bit of a pest when it comes to indoor and outdoor plants. Moving them from in to out will not go unnoticed. My advice is to keep an eye on them. They will get used to the new location and likely move on to more interesting things.  If you are not certain which houseplants you can leave within reach of your dog on the porch, or add to your cat’s catio be sure to check the ASPCA webpage of toxic and non-toxic plants. It’s mobile-friendly!

Find it here: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants.

Bring the whole living household outdoors this spring! 

Happy Spring….. AHHHHH CHOOOO! – oh dear, that’s a whole other post…