Play With Me!!!

The 10 Best Toys and Chews For Your Dog

         Last week we covered the 10 worst toys and chews for your dog, so in the spirit of this holiday season, we thought we would share a list of the 10 BEST toys and chews for your dog. Heres is our list:

1. Kong toys are great entertainment for your dog when you just do not have quite the time to stimulate them. By adding peanut butter or treats to the Kong it forces your dog to use their brain to figure out how to get the goodies out. This can provide stimulation for your dog AND they are made in different strengths to be "indestructible" for all different sizes of dog. 
2. The Ball Treat Dispenser is a great toy for not only stimulating your dog, but it also allows for slow eater for those dogs that forget to chew their food. The treats for kibble goes into the ball and the dog must roll it around in different directions to get the kibble or treats out. Its also a great way to keep them entertained while you are busy. 
3. The Chuckit is lots of fun for your dog and easier on your throwing shoulder. It allows you to throw a ball at a farther distance with less strain on your body, keep your dog moving longer and the fun lasting!
   
4. Hide-A-Squirrel is another toy that allows your dog to use their brain as they try to figure out how to get the stuffed squirrels out of the toy log. This is a super fun toy for your dog and quite entertaining to watch!
   
5. A Ball can be a great toy, as long as it is more on the flexible squishy side. Balls can provide lots of fun for both you and your dog. 
6. The Dogobie is a frisbee like toy toy that flies through the air when thrown. It is made of a softer, yet puncture resistant, material that is tons of fun and can involve the whole family in a fun game of frisbee. 
7. Puzzle toys are very interactive and mentally stimulating for your dog. They test your dog's memory and recall skills. These are great for keeping your dog thinking.
   
8. No Stuffing Animals are lots of fun with way less mess! They normal have squeakers in them that your dogs senses will love to play with. NOTE: this is a toy that should be supervised to ensure that if the dog manages to get the squeaker out that they do not swallow it, toy should be thrown away if it gets to that point. 
9. Tug Toys can be lots of fun for you and your dog to play with together. Just be sure that when you say "enough" or "let go" or "no" whatever your command is, that the dog follows. This way the dog is only playing and not testing or challenging your authority. 
10. Dried Sweet Potatoes are a great chew for your dog because they are completely natural, most with no additives or preservatives. They are a healthy snack for your dog to chew on and enjoy!

         Remember that your dog needs lots of not only physical stimulation, but mental as well. Get toys that allow your dog to keep their brain working. This will not only keep them entertained, but it will also tire them out. Have fun playing with your dog!

Tail Wags From.

The CompleteK9 Team!

Keep That Away From Me!!!

10 of the WORST Toys and Chews For Your Dogs 

       Often, people are asking and questioning what toys or chews they should purchase for their four legged family member, so this post is dedicated to what toys to stay away from for either harmfulness or their easy destructibility. So, here is a list of the 10 WORST dog toys and chews that you could purchase for your dog. 

1. Raw Hide Bones or Chews are terrible for your dog. Rawhide bones do not easily break down in your dog's stomach, making digestion  and the passing of this product extremely difficult for your dog. 
2. Tennis Balls although seem like a harmless, fun and cheap toy for your pet, are actually quite harmful and destructive towards your dog's teeth. The material that tennis balls are made out of act like sandpaper against your dog's teeth, shaving them down with every clench of your dog's jaw! The loner they chew, the more likely it is you'll be making a visiting to your Veterinarian or possibly dental surgery for your poor pooch. 
3. Hard Plastic Toys can lead to fractured teeth, infections, and the need to either get a tooth pulled or replaced. Regardless, it is one extra trip to the vet you do not want to take!
4. Cow and Beef Hooves are similar to hard plastic toys, due to their density and hardness, they can result in fractured teeth. 
5. Pig Ears are a very greasy product and can cause your dog to get an upset stomach, which is no fun for your dog!
6. Cooked Bones are very dangerous to give your dog. The cooked bone is firstly unnatural to the dog and their both has a hard time digesting it properly, which leads to upset stomach and the runs. BUT the most dangerous part of cooked bones is that they often splinter, which could scratch your dogs throat or puncture and organ. It is best to just completely STAY AWAY from cooked bones, regardless of how much your dog may want it. 
7. Stuffed Toys may seem like great fun, but if your dog is one of the many that likes to rip them to pieces and pull out the stuffing, then this is not the best option for your pet. The stuffing can be toxic if swallowed by your dog, which would lead to another expensive vet visit. Also, Stuffed toys ofen have pieces that can be easily ripped off and chocked on (such as the eyes). Try to remove anything such as this on your dog's toy or refrain from purchasing it altogether. 
   
8. Squeaky Toys can be lots of fun for your dog, however, dogs often become fixated on getting the noise out of the toy and so begins the destruction of the toy. If the dog get the noise maker out, they often swallow it, which could lead to chocking or blockages. Make sure that this is a supervised toy to make sure that your dog stays safe when playing. 
9. Rocks seem like something that wouldn't even need to be on the list, but many people just let their dog consume, carry the rock in their mouth, or chew on the rock and this is soooooo bad for your dog. Not only will it likely lead to fractured teeth, but if swallowed, it is very likely that your dog will not be able to pass it, making surgery necessary to remove the rock. 
10. Nylabone although this product can be good for younger teething puppies, it is advised that dogs with stronger jaws or larger breeds stay away from this toy because it is not indestructible and can be broken into pieces that you dog may chock on or get lodged in their stomach. It is very important that you read the warnings and disclaimers on the tag of a toy or chew before you purchase it so that you are aware what you are buying (here is what most people ignore about this product that the company puts right on the packaging): 
    

NON-EDIBLE CHEW PRODUCTS are made with plastic, rubber, or nylon. They are NOT intended for consumption. During normal chewing, tiny bristle-like projections are raised that help clean teeth. If these tiny pieces (no larger than a small grain of rice) are ingested, they should pass through. A dog should not be able to break off larger pieces of any Nylabone^® Non-Edible Chew.If you think that your dog swallowed a large piece of a Non-Edible Chew, take the chew away and contact your veterinarian for advice. No dog toy or chew is totally indestructible. Frequently inspect any chew before giving it to your dog to make sure it’s whole and intact, with no missing pieces. Replace a Non-Edible Chew when knuckle ends are worn down, or if it becomes too small to chew safely. Nylabone Chews and Toys should not be boiled, placed in a dishwasher, washing machine, or convection or microwave oven.”  

        Keep play time a safe time for your dog and make sure things that are potentially destructible are supervised or kept away from them! Keep up with #WoofWednesdays for next week's post about the top 10 best toys and chews for your dog!

Tails wags from the CompleteK9 Team!  

Tales From The Trails

Anyone who works with animals can tell you that it is almost never a dull moment, especially for the members of the CompleteK9 team. Animals are unpredictable and boy does each have their own distinct personality! This makes walking packs of dogs rewarding, at times challenging, and unbelievably hilarious. Here are a few of out #Talesfromthetrails we thought that it would be fun to share our stories and adventures with everyone, Enjoy!

A Few #Talesfromthetrails:

"It was a scorching hot summer and both myself and the dogs decided to go for a swim in river to cool off, of course, I managed to drop my phone into the water...no water protection what so ever! After 15 minutes of searching the dogs and I finally found it...low and behold it even worked still! Talk about luck." -Heidi

"It was one of my first times after my training was complete that I was alone on a trail with the dogs. It was raining terribly and I managed to get lost on the trail. While I was trying to figure out which direction the vehicle was (which I am sure the dogs already new the way) the dogs began swimming in the HUGE puddles of pure mud! Finally, we found our way out, wet, muddy, but with big smiles on our faces!" -Jackiy

"The day after a big rain I was walking on a trail with the dogs having a blast playing and splashing through the puddles. Well one big delightful looking puddle got the best of me when I went to splash into it, my rubber boot got stuck and down I went...face first into the puddle!" -Mary

"After a lovely walk on one of the trails I was just getting back to the vehicle, preparing to load the dogs into the Jeep when I realized my keys were no longer in my pocket! I looked at my phone to call for assistance, only to realize that I only had 1% battery left (of course). I quickly sent and SOS text with the trail location to Heidi who luckily assumed I needed help. The two of us searched the woods for my keys. We came across a man walking and he told us where he saw a pair of keys. We rushed off, but the keys were no longer there! We kept searching and came across someone else who also saw my keys! Finally we found them sitting on the bench at the beginning of the trail. Some kind person had brought the keys to the opening of the trail! Such a relief!" -Kelli

WHAT IS THAT...in your mouth!?!?
One of the most common phrases us dog walkers find ourselves saying is just that "what is that in your mouth???" The number of things that dogs have either brought to us, played keep away with, or ran from us with could be a book in itself, heres a few of the most memorable:

1. Tim Hortons Coffee Cup
2. Deer Leg
3. Animal Bones
4. Lost and Found Dog Toys
5. Mittens 
6. Dead Frozen Squirrels or "squirrelsicles" 
7. Entire Trees
8. Sticks of Numerous Shapes and Sizes
9. Leashes
10. Hat

Some Times, Things Get A Little Messy...
No matter how hard we may some times try to keep both ourselves and the dogs clean, one thing is for certain...it is a WASTE of time! Here are a few of our VERY dirty dogs! (its almost always the light coloured dogs).

I hope you enjoyed a few of our many #Talesfromthetrails!
Tail Wags from the CompleteK9 team!

Tis the Season: Kennel Cough and How to Recognize it

What You Need To Know

Tis the season for the dreaded Kennel Cough. Similar to our common flu, dogs have the ability to catch the animal equivalent, which is Kennel Cough. Kennel Cough is a build up of multiple infections and is HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS. It is spread through sneezing and coughing into the air, then being breathed in by other dog's or through direct mouth contact. 

Below is an example of what Kennel Cough sounds like, including coughing and reverse sneezing. 

Here is a video discussing the causes, symptoms, remedies, and other helpful tips for detecting and preventing Kennel Cough. 

The good news is, Kennel Cough will usually go away on it's own without any medication or veterinary assistance. If the cough persists for longer than three(3) weeks to one(1) month or worsens at all over time, then contact your veterinarian as it could be advancing into pneumonia. 

Watch the two videos above and get familiar with the sounds of Kennel Cough, knowing the signs will help to prevent the spreading of the disease/virus, helping to keep your pet healthy and happy!

Tail Wags from the CompleteK9 team.  

Happy Halloween!!!

How to Keep Your Dog Happy on Halloween

        Although Halloween festivities are fun and exciting for us, often dogs are filled with anxiety on this day. People constantly coming to the door, ringing the bell, dressed in scary costumes is confusing and disorienting for your dog. Here are a few things that you can do to keep your dog happy and comfortable on Halloween night. 

1. Give your dog lots of stimulation before the trick-or-treating festivities begin. Take them for a nice long walk/hike to help get out any extra energy they may have or take them around while you run errands. Either will help to expel your dog's energy and help to keep your dog cal, and relaxed for the evening.
2. There are TONS of FREE dog walking groups, events and clubs that you can be a part of on Halloween; such as the Kitchener/Waterloo Halloween Dog Pawrade! Its a fun event where you can bring the whole family for a walk in the park! There are fun prizes for best DOG Halloween costume.
1. Dog Costume ideas: Lobster, Spooky Ghost, Cowboy, Crayon, Bone, Pumpkin, Skeleton,Cat and the list goes on!
2. Get creative and no need to spend a bunch of money, grab an old T-shirt,markers, and some paper or whatever art or crafting supplies you have around the house and let your imagination run wild!
3. Keep human treats (such as candies or chocolate) out of reach from your dog to ensure that they do not get sick from ingesting anything that could be harmful to them. 
4. Once the trick-or-treating begins, make sure to keep your dog in a different room away from the door with the radio or television on, this will help to keep your dog calm when the door starts to continuously ring. 
5. Do NOT bring your dog out trick-or-treating with you, this will only stress them out and make them nervous, keep your dog safely at home this Halloween night. 
6. If having a Halloween get together, make sure that your pet is away from those festivities as well, the costumes could scare the dog, they could get out through the constantly opening door, or someone could feed the dog something that could make them sick. For your pet's safety and your peace of mind, leave them in their crate, in an off limits room to guests, or make other arrangements for your fur baby. 
   

Remember, not everyone loves this special day as much as we do, keep your pet safe this Halloween and have an awesome night of spooky fun!
 

Tails wags from the Completek9 Team 

Is My Dog Overweight?

Signs That Your Dog is Overweight

Often, people do not realize that their four-legged family member is putting on the pounds because many pet owners do not know what the signs of obesity in pets are. Obesity is common in all dogs of all ages, however it is most common in dogs that are middle-aged. A study showed that 52.7% of dogs in America are overweight or/and obese. Here are a few signs that your pet could be overweight, what the main causes of obesity in dogs is, and a few tricks to getting your dog (and as a bonus yourself) in good and healthy shape. 

Signs Your Pet is Overweight:

Main Causes of Obesity and Overweight Dogs:

1. Constant access to people food 
2. Being given treats often
3. Lack of exercise 
4. Being feed more than the suggested amount that is recommended
5. Imbalance between energy intake and energy use
6. High calorie foods

Getting Your Dog Into Shape:

1. Measure your dog's food
2. Cut out Snacks and stop given your dog table scraps
3. Create a walking schedule (start off walking every other day as to not cause problems to your dogs joints, then progress to more and more as you see progress)
4. Know what you are feeding your dog by reading the ingredients that are in your dog's food
5. Play time with either you and the family or other four-legged friends (better yet, BOTH!)

As irresistible as those puppy eye may be, remember that those daily table scraps and treats are doing more harm to your dog's health then they are benefitting them. Keep your dog healthy and go out and enjoy the outdoors!

Tails Wags from the CompleteK9 Team

Building Trust - A Personal Experience

Building Trust

Those of you who know Brooks, know the struggle I have had with him and water this summer. It's be a long time training and working together to find way to manage his obsession. Today I finally had a huge moment that made me realize how far we've come. 

Since the summer began I haven't let Brooks in the water off leash as he would swim away and not return. He loses all focus in the water and would shut me out. On top of that he would demand to be in the water screaming, pulling, nothing would snap him out of it. With training we worked on only allowing him on a long line in the water, calming him down before going in and having him use his brain in the water like with a surf board and certain toys.

Things have been getting better as the summer has gone on but I haven't had the trust built up to try him without a long line in the water. I was nervous that Brooks wouldn't come out of the water if I let him off leash. I was afraid of what might happen and I didn't trust him.

So now almost 7 months later I had a boost of confidence in mine and Brooks relationship. I decided today on our walk to let him show me that he can listen and I can trust him. When we got to the part of the walk that I usually call him to leash him up I let it be to see what would happen.

In the first few minutes, he ran to the water about 10 minutes before we got there but once we got to the lake he followed along in the water and came out within 15 minutes. Then he walked with us and was going in and out of the water happily with out fighting!

The feeling I had seeing him in and out of the water and following me and listening - it was so amazing. I've worked so hard to get this with Brooks and I saw the results for the first time today. Don't get me wrong, we still have a lot of work to do - when I am around rivers with him I am still to nervous because of the vastness and the heavy currents. But this was my glimpse of hope that we can cope with this water obsession and even get over it.

Brooks has been a huge lesson in patience for me the last almost 7 months. He has taught me to never give up and push even harder for what I want. He has showed me how important it is to give back to him and give him a chance to show me that he can be trusted.  I am over the moon excited about all the things we have accomplished together as well as how much we will accomplish in the years to come. 

Just a note for everyone, to make sure to give back to your dogs and give them a chance to show you what they can do. They will make you proud and if you work hard enough you will reach the goals made!

Thanks for listening!

Heidi - from the Complete K9 Team