Okay, with all of this rain we've had lately, we are assuming your dogs are going a bit stir crazy like ours. Anyone with a dog knows rainy weather poses a whole host of issues from the obvious....wet dogs, wet dog smells, hot spots, ear infections, etc...to the less obvious but equally problematic...boredom!
Here is a list of suggestions we have come up with to help alleviate "cabin fever." Not everything will appeal to everyone but hopefully you can take away one or two ideas to try out with your pack. Please add your own suggestions by commenting on this blog. And remember, sunny days are ahead!
RAINY DAY FUN WITH YOUR DOGS
Sit on the floor and play with your dog...kind of obvious but sometimes we forget or are too busy to make time to just sit and play with our dogs.
Play hide and seek in the house...take some of your dog's favorite toys or treats and hide them throughout the house or play peek-a-boo by running and hiding yourself.
Play fetch in the house...roll a ball along a long hallway and have your dog retrieve it. If the ball won't do any damage, you can even bounce it off the walls/doors to make it more exciting. A variation of this game is to have your dog stand at the top of a staircase (preferably carpeted) and you stand at the bottom. Throw the ball up to the landing and then encourage your dog to drop it down the stairs. The ball will bounce down the stairs and then you can throw it back up.
Play "school"...dogs like the challenge obedience training offers so a rainy day is the perfect time to practice your training lessons or commands. Pick one or two "rusty" commands and practice them.
Teach your dog a new trick...have you always wanted to teach your dog a new trick but haven't had the time? Well, a rainy day is a great opportunity to focus your dog on learning a new skill.
Watch a movie...some dogs are simply content to have a little cuddle time. Our lives are so hectic, we don't always get to spend quality "down time" with our loved ones and this includes our pups. Pop a movie in and invite your dog into your lap for some one-on-one time.
Groom your dog...give your dog the bath you have procrastinated giving her or spend a little extra time brushing your dog. Use this time to catch up on your dog's grooming.
Bake some dog cookies...yes, we know (most) dogs don't know how to bake but they can keep you company in the kitchen while you whip up a batch of their favorite homemade treats.
Go shopping...take your dog on an outing. Hit the bank or other local dog-friendly businesses where your dog will get some attention (and maybe a treat or two). Stop at your local dog boutique and let your dog pick out a special treat.
Embrace the rain....throw on your rain gear and just go out for a long walk in the rain. It is just water and if it is not cold outside, walking in the rain can be quite refreshing. And if your dog loves towel time, you'll have plenty of that when you get back home.
Have you ever thought about what your dog's paws come in contact with on a daily basis? We have. For the most part it is not a major concern but there are times when we wish we could provide them with a little extra paw protection. Now we can with Pawz Dog Boots.
Pawz is the world's only disposable and reusable, waterproof dog boot. Fashionable yet durable, Pawz offers serious paw protection. Pawz is the most natural-feeling boot your dog can wear because without padding your dog feels the ground, providing a needed sense of security. Like a sock, Pawz moves with your dog, allowing full paw motion and maximum comfort.
WATERPROOF - Protects paws against liquid hazards in addition to sand, hot pavement, snow, ice, and other irratants
REUSABLE - Pawz come 12 in a package and each boot may be worn many times
DISPOSABLE - Made of natural rubber, Pawz are 100% biodegradable
SLIPS ON, STAYS ON - Pawz go on easily (really!) and fit securely without zippers or straps
7 sizes for different size paws starting at $13.50 per package
Available in our Kennebunkport shop and in our online shop.
Does your dog like a good chew? If the answer is 'yes', you may want to try AntlerzTM dog chews.
Antlerz are a 100% natural, mineral rich, long lasting dog chew which comes from a completely renewable source...deer antlers! Wild deer shed their antlers once a year as part of a natural process, after which the deer re-grow another set (cool!). These shed antlers are gathered and cut to the appropriate size, cleaned, and packaged to produce Antlerz dog chews.
Antlerz hold up substantially longer (sometimes for months) than most traditional chews made from plastic, bone, or compacted starch. And, unlike processed livestock bones, Antlerz don't chip or splinter when they are being used by even the most aggressive chewing dogs. A dog's chewing action grinds Antlerz down slowly.
Our Kennebunkport store customers love Antlerz so we have added them to our online store as well. Antlerz are available in four sizes and prices start at $7.50.
We had some very special guests at Scalawags this week. Local author, Stuart R. Wisong, and "Baby Angel", his Maltese companion. Wisong's book, Angel Come Home, is described as "a love story about a dog born with extraordinary powers of communication, the man who shared her world and a lost love. By a twist of fate, the dog enters the lives of the rich and famous, the criminal and the redeemed, in parts of Paris few people know exist. Through her healing energy she changes the lives of all those she has touched." The books main canine character was the grandmother of Baby Angel. The pair was accompanied by the books photographer, Ryan Hadlock.
This is a great read for a great cause. It also makes a wonderful gift for any animal lover. Autographed copies of the book are available in our KPT store and at ScalawagsOnline.com shop.
Proceeds from the sale of the book are generously donated by the author to Humane Societies and other domestic animal welfare organizations throughout th United States.
Angel Come Home Author, Stuart R. Wisong and Baby Angel visit Scalawags in Kennebunkport, Maine
Check out these beautiful new ribbons from Up Country. This collection of eco-friendly dog collars and leashes are made from 100% recycled polyester ribbon and webbing. Jack and Rose have already called dibbs on these for the summer!
This year marks the 10th Anniversary of Take Your Dog To Work Day. Created by Pet Sitters International (PSI), the purpose of TYDTWD is to encourage and promote pet adoptions.
So why should your company agree to participate? Studies show that pets in the workplace boost employee morale, productivity and even sales! It also has the potential to become a huge PR opportunity for your company as well. Need even more ammunition to get the greenlight from your boss? Check out this list from PSI:
Top 10 Things to Say to Convince Your Boss to Take Part in TYDTWDay
10. The squirrels in the neighborhood deserve a break. 9. Wagging tails work great when the a/c is on the fritz. 8. With a dog as your passenger, you???ll be able to use the car pool lane. 7. It???s a great way to lick the work day blahs! 6. My dog thinks you???re grrrrrrreat! 5. Meetings end as soon as Rover starts staring at the conference room door. 4. You can blame those missing reports on one of your employees??? dogs. 3. It???s the leash you can do. 2. Finally, someone at your office will actually be working like a dog. AND THE NUMBER ONE REASON TO TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK??? 1. Friday, June 26, is Take Your Dog To Work Day®!
Go to www.takeyourdog.com to educate yourself about the event, get tips on how to run a successful event and to register your business to win prizes from the event's sponsors.
Start planning your company's first annual Take Your Dog To Work Day now!
Congratulations to Bibi at 4U2ReUSE for her recent feature in the summer issue of Modern Dog Magazine andplacement on the Today Showtoday! Bibi is the founder and designer of some of the coolest poop bag holders we've ever seen. With sustainability in mind, Bibi reuses kite sales, ribbon remnants and organic cotton to make these cool little bags which conveniently attach to a leash, belt loop, backpack, tote, you name it. You can find Bibi's iPickUp carriers in our Accessories Department. Keep up the good work Bibi!
