Frosty Entertainment

10 Indoor Games and Activities For Cold Winter Days 

         Hello all, this week because of the already decreasing temperatures and the appearance of snow...I figured I'd create a list of games, toys and overall distractions that you can make or give to your dog as something to do when the weather is dreadfully (and dangerously) cold. Every year there are a few days during the Winter season where it is just too cold to spend a significant amount of time outside. Its dangerous for you and its dangerous for your four-legged best friend. Short outings will not tire out your dog, so here is a list of things to do to get your dog's brain working and tire them out mentally. Enjoy and have fun!

1. Firstly, we at CompleteK9 LOVE to play Hide-And-Go-Seek with our dogs because it allows you to interact with your dog (which you will both love) while still stimulating your dog's brain and getting them to a mentally exhausted state. Here's how you play: get your dog into a sit or lay down possition and get them to stay, then quickly run and hide somewhere in another room and call them once maybe twice. Now wait for them to find you and watch as they do, its unbelievably entertaining for all involved! NOTE: include your two-legged AND four-legged children and get both to try to find you! This game is Brooks the German Short Haired Pointer, tested and approved!
2. An awesome patience and mentally stimulating game to play with your dog inside is Double Toy Retrieving. For this game you take two of your dog's favourtie toys and place them (or gently throw them) apart from one another or in separate rooms. While you are placing or throwing the toys you make sure your dog is sitting patiently and waiting for you to give the command for them to retrieve! Once the command is given, you let your dog locate both toys and bring them back to you! This game is Scout the German Short Haired Pointer, tested and approved!
3. Another fun way to keep your dog entertained and stimulated is to create an interactive puzzle game for your dog! One example of this is to get a muffin tin pan (or a container with different compartments) and put your dog's favourite snack in a few random tins, then take dog safe balls (avoid tennis balls because they are like allowing your dog to chew on sand paper and will grind down your dog's teeth) and place them into each tin or compartment. Finally, let your dog go nuts and try to find the snack by removing the balls! NOTE: you can change the size of the tin and the size of the balls to challenge your dog and change it up for them! This game is Georgia the Yellow Lab, tested and approved!
4. Too cold to go outside for a long walk? No problem! Take your dog shopping with you! This is an awesome way to stimulate your dog mentally while exposing them to new environments. Here is a few stores that we know you can bring your dog into: Storage Solutions, almost any bank, Home Depot, Home Sense, Marshals, Adventure Guide, all pet stores, some sporting goods stores, Hobby Lobby, Sephora, Bath and Body Works, Hallmark, Macys, Pottery Barn, Bass Pro Shop, Lush Cosmetics, The Gap, Foot Locker, Old Navy, The Apple Store, some craft breweries AND some malls! Let us know if you know of any other places that allow dogs! NOTE: not all of these store will let your dog in everywhere, each store has a different policy. We always suggest asking, the worst they can say is no! This activity is Hershey the Yorkshire Terrier, tested and approved!
   
5. Indoor Puppy Play Dates are awesome for socializing and stimulating your dog! Your dog gets to interact with a fellow doggy best friend and you get to socialize with the owner! Its a win-win situation and its sure to tire out both dogs! This activity is Moose the German Shepherd, tested and approved!
6. A super fun and delicious way to keep your dog entertained and occupied is to create an Edible Kong! You can do this by removing the core from an apple (making sure you remove the seeds because they are not safe for your dog to eat) then add...well anything you want inside! We suggest natural unsweetened peanut butter, bits of carrot, spinach, pureed pure pumpkin or a fun combination of all! The fun part of this is that once your dog has gotten all the goodness...MORE GOODNESS REMAINS, meaning your dog can EAT the apple! This delicious activity is Mijah the Golden Retriever, tested and approved!
7.  Raw Bones are a great way to keep your dog entertained AND clean their teeth at the same time. Raw (never smoked or cooked) bones are great for your dog because they often have left over meat on the bones that the dog can rip and tear into. This action is great because it acts as a form of floss for your dog's gums! NOTE: we suggest using raw knuckle bones because they are softer for your dog to chew on. This activity is Oakley the Hound Shepherd, tested and approved!
8. Hidden Toy Hide-And-Go-Seek is yet another great option for entertaining and stimulating your dog inside. This game is played by taking your dog's favourite toy and wrapping it up in an old blanket or towel. You then let your dog try to uncover their toy! Super fun and adorable to watch! This game is Domino the Toy Poodle, tested and approved!
   
9. Chase is such a simple yet fun game for you and your dog to play together. Its simple, you run away and let your dog chase you, or you start chasing your dog around the house! NOTE: you can turn this into a hybrid form of hide-and-go-seek by ducking behind a couch or counter during chase so that your dog has to come find you. Once they find you, the chase continues! This game is Mason the Rottweiler, tested and approved!
10. Lastly, GET ON THE GROUND AND PLAY WITH YOUR DOG!!! This form of playing is soooooo simple that many people often forget about it. Playing with your dog does not absolutely have to have a toy or snack, just get on the ground and wrestle with your dog, fake them out, throw them between your legs, push them around a bit! The possibilities are endless and your dog will not only love it, they will listen to you better for it! This activity is tested and approved by the entire Completek9 four-legged team! 

        Remember that your dog still needs to get outside and have physical exercise, these games and activities are not an every day replacement for a good old walk or hike! However, on those -40 days when it is just too cold to be outside, they are a stimulating and fun substitution.


Tail wags from the CompleteK9 team!

Oh, The Places My Dog Sleeps

   

Working with dogs all day long has its many perks, one being that we get to catch them in the hilariously ridiculous positions that they some how manage to fall asleep in! Here's a few of our personal favourites, we hope you enjoy them as much as we dog!

Share your favourite sleeping picture of your dog in the comments! We love laughing at the cute positions our dogs' get themselves in when they are sleeping!

Taking Control

The Best Leashes, Collars and Tools For Your Dog!

        This is a very controversial and saturated subject because of the COUNTLESS options on the market, and of course, everyone has an opinion on which they believe will work the best. Due to this, it can be very difficult, and quite confusing, for someone to choose which dog tools and/or accessories will work best for you dog. Our goal as you read further, is to shed a bit of light on the subject, guiding our readers to choices that we KNOW, through personal AND profession experience, WORK!
 

1. At the very top of our list is the MARTINGALE COLLAR. As Shown in the image to the right, this collar is made mostly of nylon with a portion of it being chain. THIS IS NOT A CHOKE CHAIN!!! This collar works by using a pressure and release system. When used correctly, this collar allows the owner to take control of the dog in ways that are not physically possible when using any other collar. It prevents the dog from being able to slip or back out of the collar (something that happens often with almost every other type of collar) and it allows you to effectively communicate what you would like your dog to do by using the collar.
2. Next up is the SIX FOOT LEASH. This tool is the perfect length when walking your dog on leash.  The 6 ft in length provides the perfect amount of space between you and your dog, giving you control while still allowing your dog a bit of space to choose a side, smell or walk happily beside you. NOTE: be sure to check that the PSI of the clasp is strong enough for your dog. 
3. The Andis Pet Steel Grooming Comb is AMAZING for removing burrs, sticks or leaves you name it! It helps to keep the burr in tact upon removal (rather than the messy explosion that happens with most brushes or your fingers). Any metal comb will work though! TIP: When removing burrs without a brush or comb, pull the hair out of the burr rather than the burr out of the fur. This will make it less irritating for the dog and you have a better chance of pulling it out whole!
4. After a good run in the fields, dirt, dust, mudd, smelly water etc. SOOS dead sea spa products are AWESOME. We LOVE the Waterless Cat Bath Mousse (not just for cats!) because it smells awesome AND it helps get rid of any unpleasant odors your dog may bring home with them after a walk!
5. Lastly, the LED GLOW COLLAR. For anyone that likes to walk or take their dog out at night, these are fantastic! It allows you (and others) to be able to easily spot your dog, which can be a HUGE life saver if your dog likes to play hide and go seek! NOTE: this collar should be something that accompanies the martingale collar at night, it should not be use instead of or as a replacement to it. 

         All of these products are ones that we at Completek9 swear by because they really do work. Not only do we use these product on client dogs, but we use them on our own dogs as well. Be sure to check them out! Stay tuned for next weeks post focusing on which products NOT to use.


Tail Wags from the CompleteK9 team!

Hot Car? Don't Go Far!

What To Do and What To Look For When You See a Dog in a Car

       With one of the hottest summers we have had in a while - temperatures scorching above 40 degrees and no cool breeze to cool you off - we need to keep our dogs safe and cool. Unfortunately, every summer their seems to be issues with dogs being left in hot cars. The dangers of leaving your dog in a car that is not running and even with window cracked, is that it creates a sauna where temperatures rise at a exponential rate. Just try sitting in you car without the AC on for even 10 minutes...and imagine a dog in that. When the car is actually off, without windows significantly down and in the blazing summer heat, something needs to be done right away to be sure that the dog is safe.

       Here is a list of precautions that each person should be sure to take when they see a dog in a car during high temperatures:

1. SEE IF THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING! Before you assume that a vehicle is off just because you see a dog in it check to see if the engine is still left running. With that being said, MAKE SURE YOU CHECK! If there is a dog in a car when it is hot out, you NEED to see that the vehicle is running. 
2. Look to see if the keys are in the ignition. if for some reason you cannot tell if the car is running or not, check to see if the keys are in the ignition or not. 
3. Are the doors unlocked? Check the handle and see if the door is open, this will also be a sign of a running vehicle. It will also allow you to slightly feel the temperature. (With this, be careful because you are opening a door with an animal in it that may not be friendly, be sure to only open it just a bit).
4. How is the dog acting? Aside from the barking that may be happening due to a stranger approaching their vehicle. Is the dog trying to get out? Is the dog heavily panting? Can you see white lines on the dog's tongue suggesting the dog is dehydrated? OR is the dog relaxed? Are they sleeping? Overall, does the dog seem distressed?
5. If there is a number on the vehicle, CALL IT! If there is a way to reach the owner directly and express your concern regarding their dog and to get them to get their dog out of the hot car.
6. Once you have done the above steps, and you see that the car is not running and the dog HAS been left in a hot car - search for the owner. Ask around if people say someone leave this car, go into the nearest building to the car and look for the owner.
7. If you cannot find the owner record the vehicle information and call the SPCA or the cops. Report the issue and wait by the car until help arrives and the dog is safely removed from the vehicle. (DO NOT resort to breaking a window until all prior steps have fully followed through)

During this whole en-devour keep track of the state of the dogs state and the length of time the dog is in the car. This is very important information!

       With this all being said, your dog should not be left in a car in this heat. If you absolutely must leave your dog in the car, keep it running with the AC and the windows cracked a bit. For extra security leave a sign on your window saying that the A/C is on. You should still not leave your dog for more than 10 minutes in car your even with the A/C on. To ensure that you do not have to worry about any of this, take your dog with you into the store where possible, or tie them up in a shady area outside of the car. This will eliminate any need for someone to be worried or unsure about the state of your dog.

Keep you dogs safe and cool this summer!

Tail wags from the Completek9 team!

How to Find the Right Dog Walker

What to Look for When Choosing a Dog Walker or Sitter

      We've all heard of someone or have experienced ourselves, horror stories regarding dog walkers. That's because very few people know what they are looking for or what they are looking at for that matter. In this post I am going to unravel the wrapping paper that many people add onto their websites to make it appear like they know what they are doing. Here are some things to watch out for when choosing who you should hire to look after your four-legged family member.

1. Read what people have posted about that person/company's service. With social media being as commonly used as it is, you are bound to find out the truth. Read the Reviews!
2. Look what that person/company is posting and how they are portraying themselves professionally, online. 
3. If the company is not insured, keep looking for someone that is. 
4. Look to see if the company has a certified dog trainer, this will tell you if the person really knows what they are doing. 
5. What kind and how much experience do they have? Have they worked with dog before and to what extent? You want to know that your dog is with someone who has the knowledge of dogs and how they work - how to work with a nervous or scared dog, how to manage a hyper active dog, etc. Ask the company many questions to get a clear understanding of all of this.
6. Become a spy! Look to see if that person is posting pictures of the dogs on their social media pages, (instagram, twitter, facebook etc.). Although this may seem trivial, it shows how much they care/love their job. Which, is a good indicator of the care that your dog is receiving. 
7. Do not get sucked in by the pretty wrapping paper that many people include on their sites. Know that anyone can proclaim themselves to be a dog walker/trainer. Look for the facts.
8. The "bonded" title is one that anyone off the street can pay for, it says nothing of that person's certification or qualification to take care of and/or walk your dog. 
9. If that person has a dog/dogs how are they with their dog/dogs? Do they have control? If that person cannot control their own dog/dogs, you should not trust them with your own. The last thing you want is for someone to start teaching your dog bad habits. 
10. Ask about training, what type of training do they believe in? What type of training does their staff complete before they are trusted with your dog? These are not stupid questions and the answers can tell you a lot.
11. Are they pet first aid trained? I know accidents happen, be it a branch to the side or glass in the paw. Each person looking after your dog should know what to do in these circumstances.

     It is amazing and awesome that so many people want to be a part of this thriving industry, however not everyone is suited for it. Know what to look for and who to look for when choosing someone to look after or walk your dog. Be aware that just because someone is a dog lover, it does not mean that they know dogs.  On the bright side, there are many qualified companies and professionals that are helping to make the lives of dogs better in every way possible, you just have to find them!

Tail wags from the Completek9 team!

A Raving Fan - The Reason I Do What I Do

A Raving Fan - The Reason I Do What I Do

When I receive a testimonial that shares the many changes that I've have made in a families life I can't help but feel so proud and happy that I was able to change another client and their furry friend's life! The story about Leica is one that makes me so unbelievable happy and gives inspiration to continue educating owner and their dogs everyday!

"As I sit here writing this testimonial I currently have our 2 year old Golden-doodle stretched out on her bed napping in the sunshine, and our 7 year old Black Lab, Leica, laying by my feet dreaming. About 10 minutes ago the mailman came to the door and the dogs lifted their heads, yawned and rolled over. Flashback 2 years ago…my then boyfriend now husband, Jackson and I were living with the worst roommate ever. When we came home from work we often had to clean up garbage strewn across the kitchen, our fridge being raided, the stove being tipped over, paw prints all over the counters from counter surfing, hair all over our couches, leash pulling, lunging at other dogs and general rudeness. If you haven’t guessed our rowdy roommate was our dog Leica. Leica came from my side of the relationship when Jackson and I got together 2 years earlier and he was turning into the reason we nearly called it quits. Every day of bad behaviour from Leica added small but accumulating amounts of stress to us. We went to a training class in Kitchener. We graduated. We were given a Gold Certificate, but Leica’s behaviour did not change. In-fact NOTHING changed except I was $300 poorer. We were told to bring treats to class. As many dog owners know, most dogs will stand on their left ear when a treat is presented, but try telling your dog to ‘COME NOW!’ when there’s a potential threat and you don’t have a treat… Good Luck!The instructor made us use a gentle leader which is a type of harness that goes around the dog’s face. The gentle leader controlled his head therefore his body but it didn’t teach him to follow us and it definitely didn’t build a bond of trust or respect. The treats didn’t get Leica to do what he was told because we asked him to, he expected a reward. He turned into a weird robot dog. Sit. Treat. Stay. Treat. Stay longer. Treat. Down. Treat. Come. Treat. Sit. Treat. I finally reconnected with Heidi from Complete K9 and signed up for her Street Safety Training Class in Spring of 2014. Jackson and I were both fed up but we thought that we owed it to each other and to Leica that we do this training, give it a solid effort and if things didn’t improve then we could reevaluate after the 12 weeks. Heidi’s classes were the hardest but most rewarding thing we have ever accomplished. We had trained Leica to pay attention when we had treats and in Heidi’s classes treats were not allowed. We learned the importance of having our dog listen to us all of the time without negotiation or hesitation because when we are in the outside world it can be incredibly dangerous for dogs! Dogs get hit by cars, clipped by bikes, hurt in elevators, run over in parking lots when getting in and out of cars etc. Heidi taught us the importance and the skills to keep our dogs safe all of the time, and that we are their protectors and not the other way around. What we learned from Heidi is that humans set the expectations of their best dog friends. If we don’t challenge our dogs we end up with behaviours that we don’t like, simply because our dogs are BORED! Heidi’s training did not take place in a sterile classroom inside a building or warehouse it took place outside in the real world. We went to banks, malls, playgrounds, coffee shops, shoe shops, parking garages, elevators, stairs. Heidi brought so much experience to the table with all of her clients. She reminded us the pleasure of having a dog by showing us how clever, intuitive and capable they are. She taught us that our dogs should be looking to us for guidance in all situations and that comes through building trust and we have a responsibility to keep them safe, challenged and engaged. Dog training is not just course where you get a Gold Certificate saying you passed. Heidi’s classes teach you skills for everyday situations that you might find yourself in with your dog! It’s life skills for dog owners. It is a hardcore class but if you do the work, apply the lessons you are going to have not a dog, you are going to have the best dog ever! A dog that loves, respects, listens and trusts you! With Heidi’s help Leica’s behaviour has never been better. He still gets persnickety when meeting certain new dogs, but we have the skills and the tools to manage these types of interactions in a positive way so that Leica continues to relearn and readjust these behaviours without constantly crossing the street and avoiding everything! Leica is super polite now and gives us our personal space, he doesn’t push past on the stairs, he doesn’t jump up, steal food or pull us around on leash. He is an incredibly awesome dog that we didn’t even realize we had. We were so stuck on the bad behaviours but Heidi was able to pull our heads out of the sand and open our eyes to how much Leica had to offer us if we asked him for it. Heidi showed us that if you expect 110% from your dog they will give it to you no questions asked, no treats given, just a “good boy” and a pat on the chest. Thank you Heidi!!!"

The Easter Bunny is Coming!!!

Things to Know This Easter

          With Easter fast approaching, we figured that some Easter fun and safety tips for your dog are in order. This holiday is a great time to spend with your family, ALL of your family. Don't forget to include your dog in family outings whenever possible. They love to be with you so help make this Easter a great one for everyone! Below are a few tips on how to get the most out of your Easter with your four-legged friend!

1. The number one rule this Easter is to make sure that your Easter egg hunt is dog friendly and candy/chocolate free. As an alternative put little toys in the eggs or colour real ones and have the kids hunt for those! 
2. A fun alternative if you'd like your dog to participate in family gatherings, is to great "dog-friendly eggs". Basically, hide a few treats or dog toys or both, around the house or yard for your dog to hunt for. This is a great way to keep your dog involved while at the same time it allows you to get your dog's brain working. Perfect for helping to tire them out!
   
3. Take your family and your dog on a nice spring walk or hike. This will help to involve your dog, get everyone a little exercise, and even make a few memories! pick a new trail or area to explore!
4. Make sure that any candy or chocolate is kept up high or put away in a place that is not accessible to your dog. Sugar is terrible for dogs and can give them stomach aches, diarrhea, or nausea. Reminder: the darker the chocolate, the worse it is for your dog! 
   
5. Keep your dog in mind at large family gatherings, if you know your dog gets nervous, uneasy, or anxious around crowds, put them somewhere safe or leave them at home (after your hike of course). 

        Have fun this Easter Holiday and keep your dog stimulated and involved. They love to be with you, so whenever possible include them! Happy Easter everyone and enjoy the holiday!

Tail Wags from the CompleteK9 Team!