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My worst nightmare had come true. It was 7:00pm on Tuesday evening when I went to feed the dogs, Jake our lab, and Kona, our German Shepherd. Jake who never misses a meal was Jonny on the spot, or Jake on the Spot as it were.  However Kona is not food motivated and prefers to keep guard over the backyard and all things moving, living or not. However after repeated calls, no Kona. Turns out, my two young children 2 & 4 had been playing with Kona in the front yard around 5:00 and had then come inside, just without Kona. By the time I got the full story after returning from work, Kona had been missing for 2 hours. Heaven help me.

I spent 2 hours on a bike, another hour on foot, and a half a tank of gas in the truck until 2:00am. No sight of dear Kona, the muse for the creation of Dublin Dog Co, my private confidant and partner in crime. The morning began with more calls to Animal Care and Control, vet hospitals, and local community websites. NOTHING. After having passed out 150 flyers to neighboring homes I was about to crash at 5:00pm Wednesday. Then it came....a phone call and a jovial yet slightly trepidatious voice saying, “I just saw your flyer on my door and I think I have your dog”. Turns out a woman had seen Kona in front of her house and her young black lab went to play with Kona. She brought Kona inside and apparently kept her through the evening and then went to work on Wednesday before seeing my flyer when she returned home. Note, the caller lived less than 10 houses away down a side street.

The moral of the story, a simple dog tag would have solved that problem within the first 2 minutes of finding her. As the owner of a dog products company, my very own dogs have not had tags on simply because I change out their collars all the time. My rational was that they are always with me, be it at work or at home. Foolish thought! Accidents are just that, accidents and you need to be prepared for when they arise. So with about 5,000 dog tags just a few steps away in our warehouse, Jake and Kona will be getting some new swag today for their collars. Hell, I should be forced to wear one for the next two weeks that says “Foolish Owner”. Don’t be foolish, get your dog some sort of Pet ID, because even though our dogs are micro-chipped, this well intentioned person never called Animal Control to check. My phone number on a piece of metal would have fixed that. GET THE DIGITS ON THE DOG.

It's early, there's a nip in the air and your bed feels like one giant Snuggie, keeping you snug as a bug in a rug. However one four-legged family member keeps reminding you in a no uncertain terms that nature calls, and it's time to rise and shine sleepyhead. However, don't let the cold morning air discourage you from getting out there. Check out this article from Fit Sugar with some of the hottest trends (get it, keeps you warm..nevermind go back to bed) in keeping those ears toasty when taking that morning jaunt.

At the Dublin Dog Co., we're all about getting out there and being active with your dog(s). But hey, we understand that sometimes work obligations, kids, errands, etc get in the way of the hike, the game of fetch, or the run around the neighborhood. Well just take a page from our parents when we were young, "just go outside and play. Use your imagination, and get your finger out of your nose", something like that anyways. Well this little guy has done just that. Lacking an active participant, this dog finds a clever way to enjoy a game of fetch old school style. There's no Chuckit, no auto-feeding, ball-dispensing gadget, just a dog, a ball and a willingness to make it work. Cheers to having fun....now go PLAY!

This is a heartwarming ending to what has become a tragic story that is being told, day after day in cities across the United States. 5-year old Beagle mix "Daniel" was set to be put to sleep via a gas chamber on Oct. 3rd at an Alabama shelter along with 18 other dogs. However, after the procedure was completed, one tail-wagging Daniel came waltzing out of the chamber as if nothing had happened. What's more incredible is that after tests and evaluations by local veterinarians, Daniel received a clean bill of health. Daniel received his name from his foster family, who drew inspiration from the biblical story of Daniel who walked out of the lion's den unscathed.

Unfortunately, miracles like these don't happen as often as we would hope. According to the Human Society of America, over 4 million dogs and cats will be euthanized this year, that's one animal every 8 seconds. Please consider adoption when looking for your next pet, so great little guys like Daniel won't need a miracle to keep them alive. Check out www.petfinder.com as well for a possible love connection in your area.

It’s funny, as the owner the Dublin Dog company I get asked all the time what’s the best way to train a dog, as though by my ability to make cool collars, leashes, and toys I automatically have the answers to all things dog related....hardly. The way in which you train your dog is a very personal choice, and one that needs thoughtful consideration. One must consider their amount of time with the dog, the age and breed of the dog, and the desired results you are trying to achieve.

There are countless methods, and each has it’s merits and drawbacks, from reward-based training, clicker training, RCC or radio controlled collar training, negative punishment, and on, and on. And for each of these examples, there are small nuances and philosophies that go along with each.

As a parent of two small children, I can see a lot of correlation with my kids and my dogs and the way I promote certain behaviors and try to eliminate others.

With each:

1. I promote with love, praise when I see good things and verbally correct when I see things going astray.
2. When danger/harm is imminent: ie. going into traffic, biting, or all out craziness, I correct with more stern resolve but patience, and my response is consistent each time I witness the error. The result, I don’t send mixed signals and everybody knows why I’m giving the correction.
3. Yes, kids and dogs are not the same thing! No question. However both learn from experience, both thrive from love and praise, and more patience means less stress for all involved.

Bottom line, do your research when thinking about how you want to interact with your dog and what behaviors you want to create and/or eliminate. There are a lot of options, and there are a lot of “experts”, but consider your dog, your situation, and your goals. Once you have that nailed down, be consistent and do it with love and respect. You’ll both get more out of it.

Happy Halloween everybody. Today's the day we're able to sneak a few treats under the guise that's it's just part of the holiday. However, for our four-legged friends, those treats could be tragic if you're not careful. Here's a short list of some of the foods you should never feed your dogs, no matter how much they beg you with those sweet brown eyes.

Avocado- Contains a substance called persin which can can be fatal to dogs in large amounts. Persin is found on the leaves, stems, and fruit of the avocado, so be careful when planting with overly curious dogs.

Onions & Garlic- Both have been found to destroy red blood cells in dogs, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and lead to anemia. An occasional small amount would be ok, however one large quantity, or feeding your dog small amounts on a more regular basis could have serious consequences. This is true of all forms of onion and garlic, fresh, powdered, dehydrated, etc.

Grapes and Raisins- Although research has not been able to tell us exactly why, Grapes and Raisins can cause kidney failure. Despite the fact that grapes could cause a choking hazard, avoid them regardless for the more dire side effect.

Caffeine- Yes, that mid afternoon Red Bull to pick you up is a big No No for Fido. With no antidote, caffeine in large quantities for dogs can be fatal, regardless of what form it comes in; coffee, tea, chocolate, etc.

Chocolate- Since it's Halloween today, we should all be mindful of the candy grab bag, or Bowl of Goodness probably sitting on an entry table right about now. Most everybody knows that chocolate in all forms is bad for a dog, however, dark chocolate, chocolate mulch, and unsweetened bakers chocolate are the major offenders. Chocolate contains theobromine which can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, abnormal heart rhythms, tremors, seizures, and even......

Should your dog get tricked by these or any other food items that are potentially dangerous, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

Dogs can and do provide real health benefits

It almost goes without saying that our dogs make us feel better throughout the day, however did you realize that owning a dog can literally make you feel better, as in providing real health benefits? They can and do.

-When interacting with a dog for 15-30 minutes, a hormone in our bodies called cortisol, which is associated with stress will actually lower. Conversely, the amount of serotonin which is associated with feeling good will naturally increase.

-In a study of 240 married couples, pet owners had a lower blood pressure and lower heart rates than did those of couples who did not own pets. (so you may be better off in the dog house after all)

-Children that grow up with dogs in the house, often grow to have less allergies and a stronger immune system than their non-dog owning counterparts. Even with a marvelous Dublin Dog, All Style, No Stink dog collar on, our four legged friends still offer a plethora of not so sanitary surprises in their fur, paws, and mouths.

-As the owner of a therapy dog, I can testify to the healing, comfort, and unconditional love that dogs often provide to our elderly family and community members. In fact, it’s not uncommon for therapists to prescribe owning a dog to folks suffering from depression or isolation. Sometimes nothing makes you feel better than open ears, a closed mouth, and quiet companionship. Note to self...open ears, closed mouth. Got it.

For more health benefits, visit: http://pets.webmd.com/ss/slideshow-pets-improve-your-health

Here's a fun little video that showcases the Roxxter dog toy from Dublin Dog Co. The design is meant to keep your dog active and on their paws if you will. The toy has a clever counter balance moulded in the bottom, so it will have wibble, wobble, whacky fun. The toy is best suited for medium chewers, yet having said that our resident 70lb German Shepherd Dog has been gnawing on one for the last 6 months with no issues. Made in the USA from recyclable materials.

You’ve heard it a thousand times, that over time, owners and their dog(s) start to look alike. True? Who knows? What I do know is that dogs will start to match the energy level of their owners, be that for good or bad. So if you live a sedentary lifestyle, then over time your dog too will learn to adapt to that lifestyle, as will their metabolism. With that comes an expanding waistline and a whole host of related issues.

The solution: Get Active! Not all of us are in the best shape of our lives, however there are tons of ways to get back into it, especially now that the weather is finally getting cooler in some parts of the US. Here are a few quick ideas to step it up in the energy department.

1. Human’s best friend- the dog; A Dog’s best friend- the walk. That’s right, one of the best things you can offer your dog is a brisk 20-30 minute walk. Not only do you get exercise during the walk, but you establish pack rules and obedience training opportunities while your buddy’s behind (not in front of you pulling) the leash. Use that time to reconnect with your dog and to use stop signs, other dogs, and all things furry that scurry out in front of you as training opportunities.
2. Get involved in various types of obedience & agility trials. There are so many wonderful groups that can be found on sites like Meetup or local blogs that can direct you to well established groups. This week alone I have heard of two great classes,  one was on agility and the other was an urban scent class. How much fun would that be! One class even had a “bring me a beer” retrieval command. I saw it first hand and was so envious!
3. Finally try something brand new. You don’t have to walk laps around your neighborhood, those sights and sounds can get old after awhile. Go for a hike at a new park, make a go of Dock Diving, or take your dog geocaching for the first time. Keep it fun & fresh and the experience will be great for both of you. Just remember, if your heading to the water, just grab your Original All Style, No Stink collar to stay as fresh as your new found spirit for exercise.
   

   dock diving fun

Join the Dublin Dog Foundation, along with a whole host of celebrated artists from around the country to participate in Luck. Powerful Art. Positive Purpose. Artists were commission to create an original piece of artwork around the theme of "luck" or good fortune. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of these original pieces will go towards our goal of raising $25,000 in order to help 10-year old Clarke get a service dog. Clarke was born with a genetic disorder that has left him without the ability to speak or walk, however with the use of a service dog we hope to increase his capabilities.Please check out this video of Clarke and artist Edwin Gil, as together they create one of the cornerstone pieces for the Art Show taking place on August 25th, 2011 at the Gil Gallery in Charlotte, NC.