Naughty Dog's Day

Swift Run Dog Park Grand Opening

While these aren't dog park dogs, they're my daycare dogs playing in the yard, your dog will have even MORE fun at the Grand Opening of the Swift Run Dog Park than this happy little group shown here!

To be held August 1, 2008 from 2 - 4 pm, the grand opening is an event your dog-friendly buddy just won't want to miss.  What a great way to start the weekend!
There will be a raffle and other prizes, games, and of course, lots and lots of other happy dogs to meet and play with.

So head on over to the corner of Platt and Ellsworth Rds. (dog park entrance is on Platt Rd.), and let your dog indulge himself in some good, old fashioned fun!

Greatest American Dog

Well, I wasn't gonna watch it but I did, and now I fear I'm hooked.  I was sure that ding dong Brandy, and her poor little schnauzer, Beacon, were gonna get dumped.  Or maybe even Beth Joy and Bella Starlet.  But Michael and Ezzy?  Oh no, now that was just wrong.  Not that he wasn't annoying as all get out, but really.  No way was he worse than Brandy.  Maybe it's just that I find Brandy more annoying. Don't have a favorite yet.  Maybe Bill and Star.  Or Ron and Tillman. But then again...
Tell me who you liked.  Vote here.

Party Games for Dogs

    Planning a birthday party for little Cesar?  Going all out with a cake and treats (just a little plug - we make beautiful birthday cakes, favor boxes, and dog hors d' oeuvres which can be picked up or shipped, just send us an e-mail!)?  Now that you've got the menu set and festive decorations in place, it's time to think about what you'll do while Cesars friends are there.  Here are a few great games to play with your dogs:

• "What will your dog eat?" - simply set a variety of dog safe (but not necessarily dog-loved) foods on paper plates.  Each dog and owner team makes the round, trying to get their dog to eat what's on the plate.  Whoever has the most indiscriminating palate wins!  Some foods to try?  Pickles, sliced orange, bell pepper strips, celery, pitted olives, raw broccoli or cauliflower, sliced mushrooms; the list is endless.  Just make sure they are dog safe.  It's very important to intersperse your "yuck, I'm not eating that!" treats with some most dog's love - cheese, treats, cooked liver or chicken breast.  Again, the list is endless.  Labs almost always win this game!!
• Bobbing for hot dogs - first, most dogs prefer cooked hot dogs, so that's what I'd use here, cut each one into several pieces.  This game requires a small plastic tub or two.  Fill them with water, then float pieces of hot dog on the top.  Some dog's catch onto this right away, some need a little encouragement.  If your dog is getting frustrated, give him a break - hold the hot dog so he can grab it.  What fun is a game if you never win? 
• Spoon and potato race - for this little gem, set up 2 chairs about 20' away from the starting line (you can set them farther away, then the game just becomes more challenging).  Each handler is given a spoon, which must be held in the same hand as the leash.  Into the spoon is placed a potato.  Handler and dog must move down and around the chair, coming back to the starting line. Dropped potatoes must be picked up and put back in the spoon.  This game is a riot.
• Hot dog relay - Divide dogs and handlers up into 2 teams.  Place 2 hot dogs about 10' away (if you have small dogs, cut them in half).  A dog and handler from each team race to the hot dog.  The goal is for the dog to grab the hot dog, at which point dog and handler race back to the finish line, where the dog gives whatever is left of the hot dog to the handler; meanwhile, a new piece of hot dog is put down for the next dog.  The second pair in the team can't start until the first dog relinquishes his treasure.  This game is a lot of fun for both dogs and their owners, even if the "win" is garnered from one tiny little piece of uneaten hot dog!
• "Paw Painting" - This is lots of fun, and everybody goes home with something to stick up on their fridge.  It's definitely an outside activity!  Using dog friendly homemade "paw paint", put down sheets of freezer paper (available at your friendly neighborhood grocery), shiny side up.  Using a sponge, apply paint to dog's paws, then have him walk over sheet or hold his paw and "paint".  When done, wipe or hose feet off, and let dog's play for awhile.  The recipe for the paint follows
• • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 6 tablespoons sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 cups cold water
  • food coloring

                In a large saucepan, mix dry ingredients together.  Gradually add water.  Cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until thickened and smooth.  Divide into storage containers, add food coloring until desired shade is reached.

    Disposable camera's are a great invention, and perfect for a party like this. Just leave a couple out and invite guests to snap away.  Who knows, you might just get a great shot!

Summer Fun for your Dog

Now that summer heat is here, keeping our buddies cool can be a chore. They've still got energy to burn, but it's just too hot!  Here's an easy way to entertain your dog while keeping her cool at the same time. I tried it as an experiment with my daycare dogs last week, and it was such a hit I've been making a couple of them every day!

Take a plastic container - for my big dogs and the daycare dogs, I use a small plastic bucket.  Deli containers are a good option for single dogs or those of a more petite variety.  You just need something with straight sides so your dog can roll it around.  Toss in a kong, squeak toy, or, if your dogs are like mine, some fruit.  Fill the container with water, diluted apple juice, or diluted chicken stock.  Place in the freezer until frozen solid.

Once your giant ice cube is completely frozen, unmold it (you may need to run a little hot water on the outside or just let it sit out for a few minutes). Take your dog and her cool new toy outside.  Set the ice cube down on the ground.  Let your dog give it a nudge with her nose.  You may have to give it a little nudge, too, to get the fun started. Chances are very good that within a few minutes your dog will be licking and rolling her cube around, trying to get to the good stuff, having a great time, entertaining herself, and, most importantly, keeping her cool while wearing herself out!