Great Giveaway Week- #2 Duck Dynasty

Quack! Quack!
It seems like Duck Dynasty is EVERYWHERE. Duck Dynasty t-shirts, Duck Dynasty glasses, Duck Dynasty camo bracelet, Duck Dynasty bobbleheads, even Duck Dynasty chia pets! And now, you can get Duck Dynasty dog toys and licensed apparel for dogs!!


We were sent a great variety of items to sample, review and GIVE AWAY!

Kelly and Ike sampled the duck toys. As usual, Ike ignored them because they weren't tennis balls.

Kelly immediately gutted and dismembered the toy. But she had a lot of fun doing so!
They also modeled some of the apparel.

If you're a fan of the show, the Duck Dynasty products are lots of fun. Enter our giveaway to win some for your dogs!

PRIZES:
1st place- Duck Dynasty dog Jacket, size Sm-Med. (about 12 inches long, not counting the hood).

2nd place- Duck Dynasty sm-med black t-shirt and 1 Duck Dynasty hat/beard

3rd place- Duck Dynasty sm-med pink t-shirt and 1 Duck Dynasty hat/beard

***Note: all shirts/jackets are about 12 inches long. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

"Family Certified, Redneck Approved."

Full Disclosure: I received one a variety of Duck Dynasty plush toys, apparel and hats/beards to review and giveaway. This in no way influenced my review. The opinions here are 100% my own. 

Want more positive pet tips, good news, and special offers? Fetch my free newsletter, Pawsitively Pets. Kelly and Ike hope to see you there!

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FitDog Friday- Dismembered Toys

Play is an important part of keeping fit. Kelly and Ike like their toys as much as any dog. But Kelly, especially has a serious problem--she dismembers her toys. Just look at this collection of hands, ears and tails.

A stuffie doesn't last 2 minutes in the house before it's de-squeaked, unstuffed and on it's way to being decapitated.

Ike, on the other hand, isn't terribly interested in stuffies. He loves tennis balls, and recently he's discovered a new toy that he's chewed on for weeks without any damage. I'm super impressed with Planet Dog's Snowball. It holds up to chewing, and it must retain it's yummy taste because Ike still licks it and mouths it. He even throws it in the air and catches it himself.

What is your dog's toy-playing style? Do they rip them apart like Kelly, or savor them like Ike?

Join our blog hop, co-hosted by Peggy's Pet Place, Slimdoggy, and To Dog with Love!

Want more positive pet tips, good news, and special offers? Fetch my free newsletter, Pawsitively Pets. Kelly and Ike hope to see you there!

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Wednesday Pet Roundup- Look Where we See Fit Dogs!

Hi and welcome to Wednesday Pet Roundup, K9 Kamp Edition.

Look where we found dogs getting fit:

* Dog in the Gym: Here's a great exercise you can do along with your dog, from K9Kamp Official Trainers, K9 Fit Club!

Diana Ozimek and Zeus

* Dog in the Kayak- Honey is helping her mom get fit by joining her in the kayak!

Pamela and Honey, Something Wagging this Way Comes

* Dog on the Agility Course: The To Dog With Love team is practicing their moves.

Rocco flies through the tunnel!

* Dog on a Trail- Charlie is an expert hiker and backpacker!

Photo: A Novice In All Things

Dog in the Woods- Kolchak explores the great outdoors.

K9Kamp co-coach Koly

* Have you been using your Slimdoggy app? It's a great companion to K9Kamp. You can track your dog's daily activities and calories burned, as well as how many calories they're eating. One cool tool is the GPS tracking. You can click, take a walk, and the app automatically tracks how far you've gone and how many calories you've burned your walk. No need to do any head-numbing calculating yourself. The app's food list is also impressive. Click on your dog's food and you'll see how it ranks from 1(low) to 10 (high) pawprints, how many calories per cup, and the list of ingredients. Our dog food, Innova Senior Plus ranked 9.9 pawprints! yay!

There's also a Slimdoggy widget available for your website! We have ours here.


* Don't forget the Grrrreat K9Kamp prizes! Enter for our prize package worth $200! Prizes include:

Nitelze glowing LED fetch ball

Spotlit LED collar light

EZ Dog Vario6 Leash


EZDog Fold-a-Bowl

Only Natural Pet chemical free pest tag

Kol's Veggie snacks
Kol's Green bean crunchers

Dieting with my Dog paperback book

Dieting with my Dog Guide to Weight Loss and Maintenance e-book (coming soon!)

and more toys!  Enter for our prize package worth $200!


Full Disclosure: K9 Kamp is sponsored by Ezy Dog America, NiteIze and Only Natural Pet, who are providing the prizes for our winner. All links to these companies are affiliate links, but no other compensation has been provided.

Want PAWsitive pet tips, good news and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Fetch our free newsletter, Pawsitively Pets! Kelly and I can't wait to see you there!

Want pawsitive pet tips, good news, and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Subscribe to my free newsletter.  Kelly and I can't wait to see you there! - See more at: http://peggyfrezon.blogspot.com/#sthash.GkP8qlns.dpuf

Want pawsitive pet tips, good news, and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Subscribe to my free newsletter.  Kelly and I can't wait to see you there! - See more at: http://peggyfrezon.blogspot.com/#sthash.GkP8qlns.dpuf

Want pawsitive pet tips, good news, and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Subscribe to my free newsletter.  Kelly and I can't wait to see you there! - See more at: http://peggyfrezon.blogspot.com/#sthash.rZbJwfBs.dpuf

Want pawsitive pet tips, good news, and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Subscribe to my free newsletter.  Kelly and I can't wait to see you there! - See more at: http://peggyfrezon.blogspot.com/#sthash.rZbJwfBs.dpuf

Want pawsitive pet tips, good news, and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Subscribe to my free newsletter.  Kelly and I can't wait to see you there! - See more at: http://peggyfrezon.blogspot.com/#sthash.rZbJwfBs.dpuf

Want pawsitive pet tips, good news, and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Subscribe to my free newsletter.  Kelly and I can't wait to see you there! - See more at: http://peggyfrezon.blogspot.com/#sthash.rZbJwfBs.dpuf

Want pawsitive pet tips, good news, and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Subscribe to my free newsletter.  Kelly and I can't wait to see you there! - See more at: http://peggyfrezon.blogspot.com/#sthash.rZbJwfBs.dpuf

Want pawsitive pet tips, good news, and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Subscribe to my free newsletter.  Kelly and I can't wait to see you there! - See more at: http://peggyfrezon.blogspot.com/#sthash.rZbJwfBs.dpuf

Want pawsitive pet tips, good news, and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Subscribe to my free newsletter.  Kelly and I can't wait to see you there! - See more at: http://peggyfrezon.blogspot.com/#sthash.rZbJwfBs.dpuf

Want pawsitive pet tips, good news, and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Subscribe to my free newsletter.  Kelly and I can't wait to see you there! - See more at: http://peggyfrezon.blogspot.com/#sthash.rZbJwfBs.dpuf

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How to Spoil Your Pet - the Best Way

Is your pet “spoiled rotten?” The expression has undoubtedly become much more common among pet owners today, as we indulge our furry companions by treating them like part of the family with birthday parties, presents and treats galore.

Morris Animal Inn is proud to say we pamper your pets with our amenities, fitness programs and loving attention. Nat Geo Wild’s new show “Spoiled Rotten Pets” spotlights pets whose owners are proud to go above and beyond to give their pets the very best. The show is hosted by Beth Ostrosky Stern, an American television personality, actress and wife of radio personality Howard Stern. 

On Saturday, May 4th at 9 pm, “Spoiled Rotten Pets” will feature Morris Animal Inn as Stern tours our picturesque facility and follows one of our pampered guests on a customized fitness regimen. Read more about the upcoming broadcast here!

The best way to indulge your pet is to include many activities that responsible pet owners do regularly: buying premium foods, making regular vet and grooming appointments and giving your pet frequent exercise and training with a good, consistent program. But is it possible to spoil our pets too much? An article by Helium pet blogger Janet Farricelli acknowledges the fact that some behaviors, though rewarding, can at times be unhealthy for your dog. Keep an eye out for the following to make sure that your dog stays healthy, fit and happy:

• Begging followed by a reward – Rewarding barking, crying or pawing at you during dinner with table scraps can be bad for your dog because it enforces incorrect behavior, but more importantly  because a lot of human food also contains ingredients that can be unhealthy or even deadly for animals. Human indulgences like fatty foods or chocolate can lead to obesity, toxicity, pancreatitis or other dangerous reactions in your dog.

• Praising at the wrong moment – When training your dog, you often want to praise them every step of the way. Limiting your praise to when they are actually performing the requested behavior, like a sit or stay, will enforce the behavior better than cheering them on after the fact. This way, in your dog's mind, the good behavior is what makes you happy.

• Pampering that leads to laziness – If your dog does not receive proper exercise, nutrition or mental stimulation, it could lead an unhealthy environment for both yourself and your dog. Consider your dog’s breed and specific needs in your day-to-day pet activities.

This is not to say that you cannot go above and beyond for your furry friend; their health and behavior won’t change if you buy them that expensive collar or throw them a birthday party. By remembering your dog’s basic needs and making sure these needs are met, you can spoil your pet in the most positive way.

Does your dog need a bit more exercise? Call us today at 973-539-0377 to book your pet a spot in our upcoming “Week at the Races” Fit Camp, May 13-17. For an inside look at the fitness amenities we offer and the good ways we spoil our pets, be sure to tune in on Saturday, May 4th at 9 pm to watch us on Nat Geo Wild’s “Spoiled Rotten Pets!”

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4 Fun and Easy Crafts for Pets

4 Fun and Easy DIY Crafts Ideas for Pets
GUEST POST by Paisley Hansen



Crafting things that pets or animals can enjoy is one of the simple pleasures in life. Here is a list of four craft ideas that almost anyone can do easily on a budget. Most of them require simply recycling the old materials laying around and turning them into fun and creative crafts. On a slightly cautionary note, if you craft things that your pet chews, especially dogs, make sure your scent is not on them. If your dog gets used to chewing things that smell like his/her master, then you'll be sorry.

1) Milk Jug and Pine Needle Birdhouse

Time: 30 Minutes Ages: 6+ Supplies: Milk jug, Pine needles, Paint, Scissors

An old milk jug is a perfect home for a bird and a great way to recycle. Cut a hole in the side of the milk jug so that a bird can fit through. Then get creative and paint the milk jug to match the surroundings. Remember this is a pine needle bird feeder, so next you will want to gather lots of pine needles that you can use to cover the bird house with. The next step is to simply decorate the birdhouse with the pine needle you've collected to make it nice and home-y for a bird. Placed the bird feeder outside and add some food.
http://0.tqn.com/d/familycrafts/1/0/v/i/1/milkbirdhs.jpg

2) Personalized Pet Collar

Time: 30 Minutes Age: 5+ Supplies: Simple pet nylon collar, Dimensional paint, Embellishing bling, Craft glue, Scissors

Dimensional paint a.k.a. puff paint/puffy paint expands as it dries creating a pattern that is raised. It last for a very long time so it makes for a durable pet worthy paint. Take your dimensional paint and personalize it with your pets name. Once the paint dries embellish it with your stuff, like charms, beads, buttons, rhinestones, anything that bedazzles your pet collar. It is a simple and fun craft that the kids can enjoy.
http://familycrafts.about.com/od/petrelatedcrafts/a/PersonalizedPetCollar.htm

3) Small Dog Sweater

Time: 30 minutes Age: 6+ Supplies: Old baby/toddler/adult sweater, Yarn, Embellishments, Scissors

The price for a dog sweater can be outrageous. Purchasing one outright might end up costing between $30 and $100 for a really cute sweater. Save yourself some money and make one from an old sweater you can get your hands on or have laying around. Cut the sweater at least 1 inch from the paws. Next sew the cut pieces on the arms up so they don't unravel. Finally take some yarn and make a drawstring for the sweater so it doesn't drag all over the ground.
http://www.blogher.com/instant-dog-sweater

4) Dish Towel Dog Toy

Time: 15 minutes Age: 4+ Supplies: Old dish towels, scissors

Ever wonder what to do with your old dishtowels? Why not make them into a really easy and durable dog toy. Cut three strips down the length of the towel and stop about an inch from the end. Braid the strips extremely tightly. Take the loose ends and tie them into knots. This method is great for a small dog, but for a bigger dog just repeat the same process with three larger towels, jeans or other durable material.

 
About the Author: Paisley Hansen is a freelance writer and expert health, arts and crafts — especially fleece fabric. When she isn't writing she can usually be found reading a good book.










Thank you Paisley for joining us today and for these great tips. We're looking forward to trying out some of these projects.

Want more, pawsitive pet tips, good news, and special bonuses? Content not already on the blog? Subscribe to my free newsletter. (Brooks and Kelly say thank you!)

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What's a Woof Pack? and Woof Pack Giveaway!

It's always fun to get mail, especially when that mail is full of great treats for your best friend. Mary from Woof Pack Goodies recently asked me if I'd like to try her new service, and Kelly and Brooks readily agreed! And we're giving away one for your pampered pet too!

Woof Pack is a scheduled home delivery service for pet product. Each pack includes 3 to 6 items including toys, grooming supplies, treats (made in USA) and even special pet related items for pet parents.  And 10% of each purchase supports registered dog rescue groups, too.

Ideas for Woof Pack:
* New Puppy welcome gift
* Birthday gift (dog or pet parent!)
* Holidays
* Graduation from Obedience School!

We received our Woof Pack overflowing with goodies to try.
Our Woof Pack included:

1. SO Holistic duck recipe Holistic Baked Dog Treats 14 oz
2.  Large box of Get Naked Low Calorie chicken flavor biscuits (16 calories per biscuit, wheat free, corn free, soy free)  12oz
3. Durango jerky bites (Made in USA) 8 oz.
4. Wagatha's organic dog biscuits- Coconut Grove with tart cherries- 8 oz
5. Wagatha's organic dog biscuits- Bedtime Biscuit with chamomile and ginger- 8 oz
6. 2 Bark Bars cookie bar- Honey and Oats, Carob, 1.5 oz each
7. Book- I'll Wait in the Car by Marcie Jan Bronstien
8. Bone, doghouse, and hydrant shaped cookie cutters
9. sticky note pad
10. 4 prefilled toothbrushes
11. Cosmic Cone by Zanies- good for aggressive chewers
12. Invincibles gecko toy

 











I was impressed with the quality of the items. All items are full size, not samples. All the treats are made in the USA. I was excited to see the Wagatha's biscuits and the Get Naked cookies. One of Kelly's all-time favorite toys is her Invincibles snake, so I'm sure she'll love the Invincibles gecko (or, maybe I can convince her to let Brooks have it?) It was fun to see some items for pet parents in there too, such as the note pad and cookie cutters.

If you'd like to try some new products, and enjoy treating your dog, I recommend Woof Pack.

Now, the giveaway!  Enter to win a Woof Pack of your own. *Your own items may differ, but I'm sure they'll send you some great stuff. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Full Disclaimer: We were provided with one product to review, and one for giveaway. This did not affect my review, and the opinions expressed here are 100% my own.


Want more great pet news, fun content, and special bonuses? Subscribe to my free newsletter. Brooks and Kelly say thank you!

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You Be the Trainer- Mine All Mine!

Stuffie--mine, all mine!

I am not very intuitive about training. I've taught my dogs the basics--sit, stay, etc--but when it comes to solving basic household doggy dilemmas, I've got a lot to learn.

That's why I figured I'd go right to the experts--other dog lovers who have perhaps dealt with the same issues and found a solution. So, would you solve my training problem?







 Problem: Toy Hoarding

Toy Box--mine, all mine!

When we adopted Brooks, Kelly let it be known right away that she was the boss. Brooks respectfully backed off, which is really one of the main reasons why we are able to have two dogs. We've worked out most situations, such as feeding them in different rooms. But playtime is a problem. Kelly wants ALL the toys ALL the time. The only thing she'll let Brooks have is tennis balls, which he loves (and she's too girly to bother herself with chasing after them.) But when it comes to any other toys- chewing, tugging, dismembering stuffies or anything else, Kelly won't share.

At least I've got my tennis ball!

I've tried separating them for toys, but now that Kelly has asserted herself, Brooks won't touch the toys, even if she's out of the room. He takes it in his mouth and seems to want to play, but then drops it and lays down and looks at it. I really don't think that he's just disinterested in toys. I think he expects Kelly to come and take it away. I am happy that he at least has tennis balls to play with, but think he'd probably enjoy a variety.

So what do you think? How can I encourage Brooks to play with the toys? Will Kelly and Brooks ever be able to play with toys in the same room?

What would you do? You be the trainer!

Want more great pet news, fun content and special bonuses? Subscribe to my free newsletter. Brooks and Kelly hope to see you there! 

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Ho Ho Holiday Toys for Pets-- The Carrot

Ho ho Holiday Toys for Pets. Today we have...

THE CARROT!

I've had the pleasure of sampling various toys from PurrfectPlay, and they are consistently my dogs' favorites. Why? I think it's because of the material. It's natural. Organic. And it really seems that the natural fibers provide them excitement that I don't see with plastic toys and stuffies.

The carrot is PurrfectPlay's newest offering.

Squeaky Hemp Carrot

• Great for throwing and retrieving
• Squeaky Fun!
• Outer tough layer of hemp canvas
• Inner layer of hemp canvas contains stuffing & squeaker
• Topped with sturdy hemp braid "leaves"
• Stuffed with certified organic cotton batting
• No synthetic or plastics
• All seams are double sewn
• Tough and washable

Made in the USA 

Purrfectplay sent Kelly and Brooks each a carrot toy to test. They both absolutely loved this toy right away.  

These toys are very sturdy, they will hold up to a strong chewer. That being said, Kelly is a terror of a chewer. She did get through her carrot. But the thing I like about these toys are that if your dog does chew through the first layer, the stuffing is contained inside a second layer! And, the stuffing is natural cotton instead of yucky synthetic fiberfill.

Brooks is more of a gentle chewer and he did not get through the carrot toy. He did, however, chew a braids off from the end, so I cut the rest of them off to prevent him from swallowing them. It's funny how the two dogs are so different--Kelly didn't bother with the braids at all.

Brooks chewed off the braids.

I highly recommend Purrfectplay Squeaky Hemp Carrot. Your dog will be attracted to the natural fabric and love this toy!

All PurrfectPlay products are:

• Dye and toxin free
• Natural and organic
• Sustainable and fair trade
• 5% of annual sales shared with rescues

Please visit Purrfectplay and check out their toys for your dog...and while you're there, check out their cat toys too!

*We were given two toys to review. The opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

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The Brainy Bone Dog Toy Puzzle Challenge

Brainy Bones recently sent me 3 dog bone puzzle toys to test. See how they fared. And keep reading...at the end, you can WIN one of 3 Brainy Bones for your dog too!

THE BRAINY BONE DOG TOY PUZZLE CHALLENGE!
The competitors:
Kelly: Cocker Spaniel-Long-haired Dachshund mix, quick, clever, spunky
Brooks: Golden Retriever, lovable, agreeable, easy-going

The challenge:
Who can open their Brainy Bone Interactive Puzzle and eat the treat inside first?

Brainy Bones are anew line of dog brain stimulation toys from Jolly Pets. The toys are for interactive play only and not meant to be used as a chew toy.

They come in 3 different designs:

Peek-a- Bone, the easiest. Just stuff with a treat and close. Your dog works to open the cap and get out the treat.

Whirl-a-Bone- next most difficult. Place a treat inside and close. Your dog has to whirl the top around to open and reveal the treat.

Tug-a-Bone-- the most difficult. Fill inner cavity with a treat and close. Your dog has to tug the middle section, and rotate while continuing to pull to find the treat.

Both dogs were excited to play. Now, before you read the results, let me just say that we love Brooks. We adore Brooks. He's the sweetest dog in the world. Okay, I just had to say that.

I gave Brooks the easiest, Peek-a-Bone.
He worked

 And worked

 And worked

He did manage to get the cap open, but couldn't figure out how to get the biscuit out! Even when he had it upside down and the treat half sticking out, he didn't seem to get it.He spent a lot of time chewing on the back. Despite his lack of progress he didn't get discouraged, but seemed to enjoy the experience and  texture of the bone (While it is not a chew toy, there is no way to avoid them chewing on it during play. Just be sure to supervise your dog.). I had to "help" Brooks get his dog treat in the end!


Kelly, however, made quick work of the puzzles.
I gave her the Whirl-a-Bone first and she had it open in a matter of seconds.

The Tug-a-Bone took a little longer, but not too long. She did the puzzle 3 times while Brooks worked on his. And she thoroughly enjoyed the process.Her tail wagged the whole time, and she was happily engaged.

Brooks and Kelly give Brainy Bones 8 paws way up! I highly recommend these toys as a fun interactive way to challenge your dog. If you have a border collie or other clever breed, she will probably be like Kelly and make quick work of it. But if you have an Average Joe like Brooks, he will probably spend much happy time engaged in the toy.
Now, here is your chance to win! Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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