health

Is your dog tired of his regular treats? Are you looking for a healthy option to use for training? Or do you just want to pamper your pup with homemade recipes that will make her smile? The DogWatch team has pulled together some yummy dog treat recipes for you to try at home, featuring fresh spring and summer ingredients!
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Fleas. Even saying the word makes us itch. These tiny creatures can make your pet miserable, and in turn make you miserable. Plus, once they latch on to your pet and make a home in your house, they are very hard to get rid of. Bottom line, fleas are a pain. Here are some tips to help you avoid this pain and avoid flea infestations in the future.
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Spring is finally here, and we are excited! At DogWatch Hidden Fences headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, we are enjoying the warmer weather, longer days and, of course, the absence of snow. Yet even if you didn’t just emerge from a long, cold, snowy winter, we still think spring is a time to celebrate. And who better to celebrate with than your dog! Our suggestions: pencil in some extra playtime in the backyard, take your dog to a nearby park or waterfront, schedule a doggie playdate, or try one of our yummy dog treat recipes, featuring fresh spring ingredients!

A Strawberry Smoothie for Spot?

A dog smoothie? Won’t that be messy? Not if you try Doggy Dessert Chef’s appealing recipe, which takes all of the irresistible and healthy goodness of this warm-weather treat and packs it into biscuit form. Strawberries are typically in season in late spring/early summer, so now is the time to try this out. Plus, bananas are another healthy, safe fruit for dogs. Pair these with a smoothie of your own, and you’ve got a relaxing treat for the both of you to enjoy!

The recipe can be found here. Cooking time is 15-20 minutes, and you’ll need a blender. (Note: these treats contains milk, so they are not suitable for lactose intolerant dogs.)

Give Peas a Chance!

Fresh peas – from English to snow to sugar snap – are also in season. Peas are healthy for dogs, providing them with a good source of the B vitamin Thiamin, phosphorous, and potassium. Plus, many dogs love them! Peas make a good treat for training because of their small size. For a more filling snack, you can try this easy-to-make “salad” recipe from CrazyCrumb-Dog-Treats, featuring peas, apples, broccoli, carrots, chicken and more. All you need to do is chop and serve – making this the perfect recipe for busy or cooking-phobic dog owners. This treat is also gluten-free, making it a great option for dogs that are allergic to wheat.

Is Your’s Dog’s Breath in Mint Condition?

Did you know mint is also in season in spring? The popular herb is also a great ingredient for dog treats, since it adds flavor while also helping freshen your dog’s often-stinky breath. We found two recipes featuring mint that we are looking forward to trying out. The simpler recipe, from the blog The Daily Bark, needs only three ingredients: fresh mint, water and unsalted crushed crackers. After mixing these ingredients together, pop them in the freezer until frozen and voila, a quick, cool snack for your pup!

The second recipe, found on eHow.com, is a bit more complex, and requires one unusual ingredient – activated charcoal. This ingredient is found at most drugstores, in tablet or powder form. Other than this unusual additive, these treats are easy to make, will last up to six weeks, and your dog will love them. Try the recipe out here, and tell us if it works!

Do you have any favorite homemade dog treat recipes? We’d love to try them out. Share them in the comments below, or via Facebook or Twitter. We wish you all good luck in the kitchen, and a happy spring to you and your dog!

Strawberry image: jcmar.net via Flickr.

Pea image: timlewisnm via Flickr.

Mint image: Quinn Dombrowski via Flickr.

We’re approaching the end of January. How are your New Year’s resolutions going? Need an extra boost to keep it up during the rest of 2011? Why not include your dog in the action?

The DogWatch Hidden Fences team thinks that dogs make everything more fun – and we’ve come up with some ideas to energize your resolutions with the help of man’s (and woman’s) best friend!

Exercise With A Smile

Starting an exercise routine is a perennially popular resolution. Dog owners who take on this task can not only improve their own health but also the health of their pet. Bring your dog along on your walks and runs.  Your dog will get some much needed extra exercise, and their happy faces will encourage you to fight through those tough hills and that painful last mile.

If you prefer to exercise indoors, incorporate some fetching games into your warms up and cool downs. It will help you start and end your workout on a happy note. Furthermore, by including your dog in your routine, it will give you one more reason to stick with it. You don’t want to disappoint Max or Bella, right?

Flex Your Mind Muscles

If you’re anything like us, you love curling up on the couch next to your sleeping pup. While we all love these precious moments of relaxation, sometimes we also crave some fun activities that challenge us to think in new ways. These activities range from reading that new novel your co-worker raved about, mastering the New York Times crossword puzzle, or building that bookshelf that is still in pieces in the basement.

How do you find the time for these tasks? Get the whole family involved, including the family pet. Establish “puzzle hour” or “reading night,” and ask that everyone disconnect from their phones and computers and TVs during this brief period of relaxing “brain time.” As for the dog, give her her own learning activity. Stuff a KONG toy with her favorite snack, or place treats inside a “puzzle” toy (read about some examples here). She’ll be occupied and energized – just like the rest of the family.

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