Noblecanine's Blog

Did You Know Dogs Test Twice the Toxicity Than Humans?

noblecanine — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 05:04:06 +0000

We are living in a highly toxic manufactured world and we are all concerned about the effects on human health. Our pets are affected in the very same ways but are exposed more to sources that are causing our animals to become more toxic than humans are.

As we learn more about the chemicals and toxins allowed in our environment and begin to protect ourselves with this knowledge, we need to extend this protection to our pets as well.

It is difficult to keep up with new products when some manufacturers are more concerned about money than the health of our dogs and cats. We must stay vigilant by staying well informed and demand that manufacturers bring up the standard of their products or we will not buy from them. Unethical manufacturers work very hard at keeping information from us and government policies are not always in effect to force them to reveal ingredients, particularly potentially harmful ingredients. So we must take it upon ourselves to protect our families including our canine family members.

So let’s share the dangers we are currently aware of to prevent poisoning our dogs, cats and other pets we love.

*If a food is not good for humans, it is not good for our dogs. We’ve learned preservatives such as BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) and ethoxyquin are toxic to humans and dogs. Read your labels. Serve organic and free-range pet foods to eliminate exposure to these toxic chemicals.

*Change your cat’s food often to lessen the chance of increased exposure to mercury in seafood.

*Tap water is a game of roulette. Serve your dogs, cats, birds, etc., the same filtered water you drink yourself.

*Be aware of what is in your dogs’ beds. Many fillers are flame-retardant but those chemicals are toxic to your dogs. Educate yourselves and replace your dogs and cats beds with sustainable fabrics and non-toxic fillers. There are some very healthy, mite-free fillers that have been used for centuries.

*We know that wood is treated with arsenic. If you have arsenic treated decks be sure to seal the wood at minimum every 6 months. And don’t clean your decks with power-washers as this erodes the sealant and arsenic is released through touch and in the air. Instead, wash down your deck with mild soap and water. Do not allow your dogs or cats to sleep on or under your deck. The more exposure the higher the toxicity they accumulate in their bodies.

*Many of us have used stain retardant on couches, carpets, etc., to prevent stains from our pets. However, they are full of toxic chemicals and should be avoided. Find other ways to protect your furniture and carpets, such as dog blankets and washable rugs. And clean your carpets as they become stained. Recently I was told that using diluted Listerine on urine in carpets and rugs. I haven’t had the opportunity to test this out yet. As soon as I do, I’ll let you know.

*Did you know that if you cook in an overheated non-stick pan, the chemicals that are released into the air are bad for you but can kill your pet birds? Switch to cast iron. Good for you, good for your home and good for your pets.

*Most of us vacuum often and we should. Use a HEPA filter to eliminate more health hazards that fall to the floor and work their way down into the nap of rugs and carpets.

*We all love green lawns. However our dogs walk directly on the grass and eat grass. If you are treating your lawn with insecticides your dogs’ paw pads absorb the insecticides. Clue: If your dog is continually licking its paws, this is a sign of allergies or insecticide exposure. Also dogs do eat grass now and then and the chemicals have caused neurological damage. Surprisingly, your dogs can even breathe in the chemicals while walking, laying and playing on the lawn.

*Sorry but flea collars are ineffective and jam packed with chemicals. Do not use them. They are a waste of money and toxic to your pets. And sadly, pet food manufacturers are allowed to use euthanized pets in making dog foods and do not bother to remove flea collars before the bodies are added to the “meat sources” they use to feed your dogs. There are better ways to repel fleas, ticks, mosquitos and flies. Ask your vet.

*Pet Products are not required to list any harmful ingredients on labels. Play it safe and use baby shampoo on your dog, even if you use a groomer.

*This will cause an outcry! But the truth has to be said. We need to use kitty/cat litter made from plant sources, such as wheat, buckwheat or recycled newspaper. Clay-based litter may not directly harm your cat, but it does extreme damage to the environment as clay is collected through strip mining.

We must all remain informed, demand higher standards from pet manufacturers and press the government to force manufacturers to follow safe guidelines for preparing products for our pets. These steps will all help in reducing the accumulated toxicity in our pets.

Research shows that dogs are testing at about 80% toxicity as opposed to 39% in humans. Now that we have that knowledge we can begin to protect our dogs and cats from such high environmental poisoning.

Keep your eyes open for new research so we can keep our canine family members as healthy as our human families. And share with others so the information is spread to all of us who need to know to protect our beloved pets.

Pamela Mayer

Noble Canine Pet Boutique

Feb 21, 2011

About the Author

Pamela S Mayer, creator and owner of Noble Canine Pet Boutique is a lifelong dog lover and activist for humane treatment of all animals. It is her passion to locate or design new and unique pet products to enrich dogs’ lives and make pet life more convenient and safe to include your dogs in more family activities.

http://www.noblecanine.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pamela_Mayer

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5964414

Aren’t All Dog Collars the Same?

noblecanine — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 03:36:23 +0000

All dog collars are the same…aren’t they? The answer is “absolutely not!”

Allow me to introduce each type of collar and the purpose of each and the dangers of some.

1) Flat Everyday Dog Collar

You can express your style with a flat dog collar available in every color and design imaginable. There are 2 differences in the clasps. One type is a quick release, which has become very popular and they are good collars. However you must be aware that the quick release dog collars are not as durable and can release allowing your dog to flee. The second type of course leaves the standard buckle. The buckle is perhaps not quite as easy to remove but it is much more durable and does not unclasp if the dog pulls on the leash.

If you have a large or stronger dog, I recommend you use the buckle type. And a collar should be left on the dog at all times with contact information and rabies tag. If they do get away, make it simple for the person who took responsibility in returning your dog to you quickly and easily. Don’t put the collar on too tight and be sure you can put 2 fingers between the dog and the collar. And check the collar frequently when they are puppies to be sure they have not grown out of their collar and slowly strangling.

2) Martingale Dog Collars

Martingale collars, aka limited slip collars or Greyhound collars are used to prevent dogs from slipping out of their collars during a walk on a leash. The collar tightens with a gentle tug of the leash with a safety to keep it from complete closing around the neck of the dog, which can cause airway or neck injuries. They are typically made from nylon or similar material in a variety of colors and designs to suit every dog’s personality.

3) Dog Harnesses

Why a harness? Well there are several reasons for harnesses. The harness is constructed to hold the dog at the chest, abdomen and up over the back where you will find one or two loops to attach your leash. Dogs with airway problems, ie Pomeranians tend to have problems with collapsed trachea, should use the harness over a collar. And with new ingenious dog products we can now travel with our dogs in the car/RV/Boats and have them carefully restrained. For larger dogs, the harness is rugged and sometimes padded with sheepskin for comfort and you merely attach the car’s seat belt to the harness. For smaller dogs, we have the Auto Booster Seats which are wonderful for traveling with dogs. The Booster seats are held securely in place with the car’s seat belt. When you place your harnessed dog in the booster seat there is a short lead attached to the back of the booster seat to attach to their harness. So in case of a sudden stop or even an accident, dogs do not fly around in the car, end up on the floor, nor are they injured from being held by a collar just around the neck. This gives you a great peace of mind and helps you control your dogs while driving.

*Remember never put a dog in the front seat with Airbags. The force is too much for an infant and most of our dogs are even smaller than babies and can cause severe injury, even death.

Harnesses should also be used when dogs are restrained in a stroller or a pet carrier. If your puppy jumps out the risk of injury is high while in a collar. But in a harness they are supported in several areas of the body and if the dog was to jump out, he would just dangle without injury until put back in their carrier/stroller.

4) Rolled Dog Collars

Rolled dog collars are typically made of leather. The collar is thin and works well on dogs with lots of fur as the collar does not part the hair or flatten it down. Rolled Collars also have the more secure buckle clasp and attaching your contact info and rabies tag. If the dog does get out of the yard and the dog catcher picks him up, they will use the contact info &/or tag info to inform you that they have your precious pooch.

5) Head Dog Collars

Head collars or halters look similar to muzzles, except their purpose is very different. Head collars are like a dog harness for the head of the dog. It assists in training a dog to walk on a leash properly, without pulling. If the dog does pull, the halter causes their head to turn which they do not like therefore deterring the dog from pulling. Dogs associate very quickly and this is a valuable tool to teach dogs to walk on a leash with manners. DO NOT use a long lead with this collar as some dogs can back out of the halter altogether and you have a chase on your hands. And NEVER leave a Head Collar on any dog when unattended.

6) Break-away Dog Collars (also for Cats)

These collars are used for everyday use, but have a special safety feature whereas if the collar or clasp gets caught up on something, when the dog or cat pulls the clasp opens and allows the pet to be free. You can still use this collar to walk your dog on a leash. Most of these have two available D-rings for leash attachment. When you walk the dog secure both D-rings and the clasp cannot break-away if the dog pulls on the leash.

7) Metal Prong Collars

These dog collars look scary but are quite helpful in teaching larger, stronger or more stubborn dogs to walk on a leash with manners. However they should be used with great caution and a soft tug should do the trick as the dog associates the prongs with the teeth of their pack leader. In the best circumstances, these collars really should be used by trainers or highly experienced dog owners. NEVER leave a dog in a Pronged Collar after the walk. They pose a major hazard of strangulation. So always remove this collar and replace with the everyday collar with contact info and rabies tag.
Chain Slip Collars

These dog collars are also known by the name Choke Chain which is exactly what they are capable of doing. These collars are also best used by trainers and used correctly a quick snap tightens the collar to alert the dog to stop pulling. The Choke collar is never supposed to be completely closed off. And should never be used on a dog with inherited problems with neck, throat or airway. It’s best to leave this one to the professionals. Never leave the choke chain on the dog while unattended or tied up with a choke collar on. The everyday collar or harness should be put on the dog with contact info and rabies tag in case dog does manage to get out of yard or home.

I hope this helps everyone to understand the purpose of different dog collars and you have the appropriate collar for your K9 family member.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pamela_Mayer

Filed under: Uncategorized

What Do Guys Want in Collars, Leashes and Other Gear for Their Dogs?

noblecanine — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 03:30:40 +0000

We polled 500 random male dog owners and here are the results.

Masculine dog collars.
Sturdy, leather or faux leather collars, harnesses, leashes.
Heavy-duty metal buckles.
A wider variety of sizes for all dog collars and harnesses including larger sizes for Mastiffs, Great Danes, Great Pyrenees and other large breeds.
Sturdy breathable dog harnesses with metal clasps for hot weather to include their dog in their activities and prevent heat stroke.
Hands-free dog leads for exercise and hikes with their dog.

Men want masculine dog collars, harnesses and leashes. They want their pet’s gear to be without frills and represent their masculinity and make them feel comfortable while out with their pet. Dog restraints are seen as equipment and they expect equipment to be sturdy and capable of handling muscular, strong breeds, such as Pittbulls and Dobermans. Guys want good quality when they choose their dogs’ collars and leashes with strong material and high thread count because they do not like to shop and do expect to buy one time for the life-time of the dog.

Men look for heavy-duty metal buckles to strap on the collars, harnesses and leads. Plastic clasps just will not do as they can come apart. With enough tug even smaller dogs can unlatch a plastic clasp. A metal buckle is not going to open up and let their pets loose.

They would like to see sturdy dog gear more available in a wider variety of sizes. For those with a preference for larger canine breeds finding larger sizes should be readily available for the Bull Mastiffs, Great Danes, Great Pyrenees and other breeds in the 80lb plus weight range.

Our poll showed men mentioned that during hot weather or for those who live in areas of hot weather they would like to be able to keep their animals securely restrained but also cool with a sturdy yet breathable harness to help keep their dogs from overheating during hot weather especially when they reside in temperate areas of the world. Or if their activity is particularly rugged. A product to keep their pets cool is desired.

Guys also wanted hands-free dog leashes so they can exercise or hike and have their hands free for water, mobile phone or dumb bells. These hands-free leashes must meet all the above criteria of masculinity, sturdy with metal buckles to prevent accidental release while providing this extra convenience for the active guy and his dog.

Now we know what guys are looking for when they are gearing up their dogs for walks, hikes or any activities that include their dogs. They want “badass” gear that looks like a guy’s equipment.

Article by Pamela Mayer of Noble Canine, Inc Poll conducted by Pamela Mayer 500 random male dog owners 3/3/2011

About the Author

Pamela S Mayer, creator and owner of Noble Canine Pet Boutique is a lifelong dog lover and activist for humane treatment of all animals. It is her passion to locate or design new and unique pet products to enrich dogs’ lives and make pet ownership more convenient and stylish for the pet parent. Stop euthanism, puppy mills and exploitation of animals for profit.

http://www.noblecanine.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6037875

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: dog collars, high quality pet leashes, masculine dog gear, men

Dog Diet #2

noblecanine — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 05:23:38 +0000

We’re all busy. And we all want the best diet for our dogs to lengthen their lives, to keep them healthy and thriving. But if you do your own cooking you can add things like broth, meat, fresh vegetables and yes, fruits.

Veterinarian Joseph Demers suggests that even if you feed your dog quality, organic/natural kibble can be harmful to your dog over the long-term. Why? Well its dehydrated food which causes dehydrated dogs. Kibble is too dry, over processed and has added chemicals. This diet can lead to chronic disease caused by the “internal heat“ caused by a diet of only dry dog food. This will overload the kidneys over time and the spleen, the organ that directs the digestive system. It will begin to heat up the liver and you will begin seeing burping, throwing up bile in the morning and upset stomachs. The saliva will be thick, dry stools and panting after the evening meal in spite of surrounding temperature. You’ll notice your dog has dry, coarse hair and flaking dandruff who are also shedding a lot of fur.

There is a simple solution thankfully. If you still want to feed kibble and don’t have a lot of time preparing homemade dog food, simply make the food wetter by adding beef or chicken broth. Try to aim for 30% moisture compared to the amount of dry food.

Another simple addition to your dogs dry food is a good digestive enzyme product to aid digestion and a fatty acid supplement, such as flaxseed oil; which by the way is also very good for you. Begin with 1 drop of oil for small dogs and 3 drops for large. Increase gradually until you can give your dog to a level of 1 teaspoon per 15 pounds of body weight. Flaxseed oil is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

This plan fits very well in a busy schedule and still enrich your dog’s diet, correctly and quickly.

If you organize yourself and you cook for your family it really is not difficult to make your dog food yourself. I pull out chicken thighs the night before to defrost. I essentially make chicken soup. I add carrots, kale, cranberries (not dried) or apple pieces, green beans, peas, much of which I can get from leftovers. I pour a small amount of brown rice or couscous, a little olive oil. The largest percentage is the meat.

Once it is done I allow it to come to room temperature. It usually lasts 2 days and I have 4 dogs, a German Shepherd and 3 Pomeranians. I serve the homemade food at room temperature with a little aloe vera sprinkled over. I also put out Blue Buffalo dry food for their second meal.

If you make it ahead of time which is what I do, I let it stay at room temp and they love it. My vet tells me that is a perfect diet. I do change it up for variety but everything I use goes into one big pot. So easy.

As you educate yourself on what dogs can eat and what is good for them, you will discover more recipes. Also know there are some foods that are toxic to dogs. They are onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, and chocolate.

If you can find the time your pets will be healthy and happy and it is a great feeling knowing you’ve prepared a wonderful meal for your canine family members. And everything I put into my dogs “chicken soup” can be eaten by human beings as well.

I pour the recommended dosage of liquid vitamins with iron over the top and mix into the food. They know when I pull out four bowls and serve them up they head to my home office and go crazy because they love the food I make them. And that makes me feel so good.

By Pamela Mayer, lifelong dog owner, cook, advocate and owner of Noble Canine, Inc.

Filed under: commercial dog food, decrease illness, Dog Food, dog nutrition, healthy thriving pets, Natural Dog Foods, no chemicals, no hormones, no preservatives, reduce vet bills Tagged: Animal, Digestion, Dog, Dog food, dog health, dog longevity, dogfood, dogs, enrich dog diet, Food, Health, Nutrition, Pet, Pet food, simple additions to dog food

Pamela Mayer on Quora

noblecanine — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 03:34:45 +0000

Ask Pamela Mayer anything on Quora

Filed under: Uncategorized

Dog Parks of the United States

noblecanine — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 04:49:07 +0000

Birmingham, AlabamaCherokee Campground
2800 H 93
Helena, Alabama 35080
205-428-8339Birmingham South Campground
222 H 33
Pelham, Alabama 35124
205-664-8832Anchorage, Alaska

Golden Nugget Camper Park
4100 DeBarr Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99508
907-333-2012

Ship Creek Landing’s RV Park
150 N Ingra
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
907-277-0877

Phoenix, Arizona

North Mountain Area
7th Street
Phoenix, Arizona
602-262-6862

South Mountain Park
10919 S. Central Avenue
Phoenix, Arizona 85040
602-534-6324

Little Rock, Arkansas

Little Rock North/Jct I 40 KOA
7820 Crystal Hill Road
N Little Rock, Arkansas 72118
501-758-4598
800-562-4598

Burns Park Campground
4101 Arlene Laman Drive
North Little Rock, Arkansas 72118
501-771-0702

Los Angeles, California

Griffith Park
Los Feliz Blvd.
Los Angeles, California

Runyon Canyon Park
Mulholland Hwy
Los Angeles, California 90046

Denver, Colorado

Cherry Creek State Park
4201 South Parker Road
Aurora, Colorado
303-699-3860

City Park
17th Avenue
Denver, Colorado
303-964-2580

Salem, Conneticut

Salem Farms Campground
39 Alexander Road
Salem, Connecticut 06420
860-859-2320

Witch Meadow Lake Campground
139 Witch Meadow Road
Salem, Connecticut 06420
860-859-1542

Lewes, Delaware

Cape Henlopen State Park
42 Cape Henlopen Drive
Lewes, Delaware 19958
302-645-2103
877-987-2757

G and R Campground
4075 Gun and Rod Club Road
Houston, Delaware 19954
302-398-8108

Orlando, Florida

Cady Way Trail
Bennett Rd and Corrine Dr.
Orlando, Florida
407-836-6200

Lower Wekiva River State Preserve
S.R. 46
Sanford, Florida
407-884-2008

Atlanta, Georgia

Chattahoochee River National Rec Area
1978 Island Ford Parkway
Atlanta, Georgia 30350
678-538-1200

Piedmont Park
400 Park Drive Northeast
Atlanta, Georgia
404-875-7275

Hawaii, Hawaii

Haleakala National Park
It is located off Hana Highway
Hawaii, Hawaii
808-572-4400

Boise, Idaho

On the River RV Park
6000 Glenwood
Boise, Idaho 83714
208-375-7432

Military Reserve Off-Leash Park
Mountain Cove Road and Reserve St
Boise, Idaho
208-384-4240

Chicago, Illinois

Grant Park
Congress and Columbus
Chicago, Illinois
312-742-7529

The Lakefront Trail
Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois
312-742-7529

Indianapolis, Indiana

Eagle Creek Park and Nature Preserve
7840 W. 56th St
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
317-327-7110

White River State Park
801 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
317-630-2001

Des Moines, Iowa

Rolling Acres RV Park
1601 E 36th Street
Newton, Iowa 50208
641-792-2428

Adventureland Campground
2600 Adventureland Drive
Altoona, Iowa 50009
512-265-7384

Kansas City, Kansas

Loose Park
Wornall Rd and 51st Street
Kansas City, Kansas
816-784-5300

Theis Park
Oak St and 47th St
Kansas City, Kansas
816-513-7500

Lexington, Kentucky

Kentucky Horse Park Campground
4089 Iron Works Parkway
Lexington, Kentucky 40511
859-259-4257

Elkhorn Campground
165 N Scruggs Lane
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
502-695-9154

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans City Park
1 Palm Drive
New Orleans, Louisiana 70124
504-483-1700

New Orleans/Hammond KOA
14154 Club Deluxe Road
Hammond, Louisiana 70403
985-542-8094
800-562-9394

Portland, Maine

Capisic Pond Park
Capisic Street
Portland, Maine
207-874-8793

University Park
Harvard Street
Portland, Maine
207-874-8793

Baltimore, Maryland

Cromwell Valley Park
2175 Cromwell Bridge Rd
Baltimore, Maryland
410-887-2503

Canton Dog Park
Clinton & Toone Streets
Baltimore, Maryland
410-396-7900

Boston, Massachusetts

Arnold Arboretum
125 Arborway
Boston, Massachusetts
617-524-1718

Boston Harbor Islands
408 Atlantic Avenue Ste 228
Boston, Massachusetts 02110
617-223-8666

Detroit, MichiganLower Huron Metropark
Haggerty Rd and Huron River Dr.
Belleville, Michigan
800-477-3182Maybury State Park
20145 Beck Road
Northville, Michigan 48167
248-349-8390

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Bloomington Off-leash Recreation Area
111th Street
Bloomington, Minnesota
952-563-8892

Greenwood Campground
13797 190th Street E
Hastings, Minnesota 55033
651-437-5269

Jackson, Mississippi

LeFleur’s Bluff State Park
2140 Riverside Drive
Jackson, Mississippi 39202
601-987-3923
800-GOPARKS (467-2757)

Columbia, Missouri

Rock Bridge Memorial Park
5901 S H 163
Columbia, Missouri 65203
573-449-7402

Shelter Insurance Gardens
1817 West Broadway
Columbia, Missouri 65218
573-445-8441

West Yellowstone, Montana

Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park
210 S Electric Street
West Yellowstone, Montana 59758
406-646-4466

Lionshead RV Resort
1545 Targhee Pass H
W Yellowstone, Montana 59758
406-646-7662

Lincoln, Nebraska

Camp A Way
200 Camper’s Circle
Lincoln, Nebraska 68521
866-719-2267

Holmes Lake Dog Run
70th Street
Lincoln, Nebraska
402-441-7847

Las Vegas, Nevada

Lloyd Lamb State Park
9200 Tule Springs Road
Las Vegas, Nevada 89131
702-486-5413

Red Rock Canyon National Area
Charleston Blvd/159
Las Vegas, Nevada
702-363-1921

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Portsmouth Dog Park
South Mill Pond
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
603-431-2000

North Shore, New Jersey

Thompson Park Dog Park
805 Newman Springs Road
Lincroft, New Jersey
732-842-4000×4256

Monmouth Battlefield State Park
347 Freehold-Englishtown Rd
Manalapan, New Jersey 07726
732-462-9616

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Frank Ortiz Park Off-Leash Area
Camino Las Crucitas
Santa Fe, New Mexico
505-955-2100

Trail of Tears National Historic Park
1100 Old Santa Fe Trail
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504
505-988-6888

New York, New York

Central Park
Central Park W & Fifth Ave.
New York, New York

Manhattan Sites National Park Service
26 Wall Street
New York, New York 10005
212-825-6888

Charlotte, North Carolina

Mallard and Clark’s Creek Greenway
9801 Mallard Creek Road
Charlotte, North Carolina
704-336-8866

Upper Little Sugar Creek Trail
2100 North Davidson Street
Charlotte, North Carolina
704-336-3367

Bismarck, North Dakota

Bismarck KOA
3720 Centennial Road
Bismarck, North Dakota 58503
701-222-2662
800-562-2636

Columbus, Ohio

Blendon Woods Metro Park
4265 East Dublin-Granville Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43229
614-891-0700

Three Creeks Metro Park
3860 Bixby Road
Groveport, Ohio 43125
614-891-0700

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Abe’s RV Park
12115 N I 35 Service Road
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73131
405-478-0278

Rockwell RV Park
720 S Rockwell
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73128
405-787-5992

Portland, Oregon

Portland Rose Gardens
various locations
Portland, Oregon
503-823-7529

Tom McCall Waterfront Park
Naito Parkway
Portland, Oregon
503-823-7529

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Independence National Historical Park
143 South Third Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19106
215-965-2305

Washington Square Park
Walnut St and 6th St
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Newport, Rhode Island

Fort Adams State Park
Adams Drive off Harrison Avenue
Newport, Rhode Island 02840
401-847-2400

Newport Dog Park
Connell Highway
Newport, Rhode Island
401-845-5800

Charleston, South Carolina

Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site
1500 Old Town Road
Charleston, South Carolina 29407
843-852-4200

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
3550 Ashley River Road
Charleston, South Carolina 29410
843-571-1266

Black Hills, South Dakota

Black Hills National Forest
Highway 244
Hill City, South Dakota
605-673-9200

Custer State Park
Highway 16A
Custer, South Dakota
605-255-4515

Nashville, Tennesse

Grand Ole Opry Park
2804 Opryland Dr
Nashville, Tennessee

Shelby Park
2021 Fatherland St
Nashville, Tennessee 37206
615-862-8474

San Antonio, TexasBrackenridge Park
3910 N. St. Marys Street
San Antonio, Texas
210-207-3000Eisenhower Park
19399 Northwest Military Drive
San Antonio, Texas
210-207-3000

Salt Lake City, Utah

Big Water Trail
Mill Creek Canyon Road
Salt Lake City, Utah
801-466-6411

Memory Grove Park
300 N. Canyon Road/130 East
Salt Lake City, Utah
801-972-7800

Burlington, Vermont

Burlington Bike Path
Lake Champlain Shoreline
Burlington, Vermont
802-864-0123

Starr Farm Dog Park
Starr Farm Rd
Burlington, Vermont
802-864-0123

Williamsburg, Virginia

Quarterpath Park
Quarterpath Road and Rt 60 East
Williamsburg, Virginia
757-220-6170

Waller Mill Park
Airport Road
Williamsburg, Virginia
757-220-6178

Seattle, Washington

Discovery Park
3801 W. Government Way
Seattle, Washington
206-386-4236

Sand Point Magnuson Park
7400 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, Washington
206-684-4075

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Harpers Ferry/Washington DC NW KOA
343 Campground Road
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425
304-535-6895
800-562-9497

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
PO Box B
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425
202-619-7222

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Havenwoods State Forest
6141 N Hopkins
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53209
414-527-0232

Harrington Beach State Park
531 H D
Belgium, Wisconsin 53004
262-285-3015

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone National Park
various
Yellowstone National Park,
Wyoming
307-344-7381

Bridger-Teton National Forest
various
Jackson, Wyoming
307-739-5500

Compiled by Noble Canine , Pamela Mayer

Filed under: dog exercise, Dog Parks, dog parks near you, travelling dogs, United States Tagged: Campgrounds, Camping, Outdoors, Recreation, Recreational vehicle, Travel and Tourism, United States

Consumers Demand Higher Quality Dog Foods

noblecanine — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 07:45:04 +0000

Did you know that just about anything qualifies for use in pet food? You may be thinking all sorts of meat and cartilage goes into our beloved pets’ food. Think again!

This includes condemned and contaminated material from slaughterhouses; road-kill, dead, diseased, disabled and dying animals. And although the industry vehemently denies it, euthanized companion animals.

Food Pets Die For-Shocking Facts About Pet Food was written by Ann Martin after a seven-year investigation of pet food. Author Ann Martin also revealed that labels did not reveal the potential hazards in every can or bag of dog food such as hormones, pesticides, pathogens, heavy metals, and drugs are just a few contaminates. Sodium pentobarbital, for example, is a barbiturate used to euthanize companion animals and livestock.

Even more horrifying to learn is that euthanized dogs and cats are included in the rendered material used for meat meal in commercial pet foods without removing collars, flea collars or harnesses. Commercial dog food is likely the most highly processed food in existence. Chemical additives used to create the finished product include, pH control, flavoring, firming, coloring, antimicrobial, anticaking, emulsifiers, texturizers, lubricants and sweeteners. The most common antioxidant preservative is ethoxyquin, which veterinarians claim is the major cause of disease, skin problems and infertility in dogs. In 1997, the FDA asked manufacturers to reduce the maximum level of ethoxyquin by half. Ethoxyquin is not approved for use as a preservative in human food.

So what do we do? What and how do we feed our pets a truly nutritious diet to produce thriving, healthy, happy pets?

Hippocrates said 2500 years ago: “Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food.” This is the perfect template to follow when deciding on your dogs’ food. So to feed our dog a diet he has evolved from we must understand what that diet consisted of. And we will learn more in subsequent articles about Dog Food.

Contrary to popular belief dogs do not eat an all-meat diet. Dogs eat everything, including the stomach contents of their prey. In other words, vegetables.

We will begin with the easiest option for those who are too busy to cook your dogs’ food. If all you have time for is filling your dog’s bowl with dry food, the best you can do is to be sure you have a superior food. But even these brands can miss a vitamin or mineral here and there, so alternate to be sure your dog is getting all the nutrients possible.

Veterinarians Most Recommended Dog Foods

Precise (800) 466.7148
Verus (800) 548.2899
Solid Gold (800) 364.4863
Wysong (800) 517.0009
Innova, California Natural (800) 532.7261
Cornucopia (800) 738.8280
Natural Life (800) 367.2391
Flint River Ranch (909) 682.5048
Lick Your Chops (800) 542.4677
Perfect Health Diet (800) 743.1502
Nature’s Recipe (800) 843.4008
Pet Guard (800) 874.3221
Nutro Natural Choice (800) 833.5330
Excel (800) 592.6687

This is a great start even for the busiest pet owners. Have piece of mind knowing you are giving your dog the best available commercial dog food.

Watch for next article for the next feeding option.

Filed under: commercial dog food, decrease illness, Dog Food, dog nutrition, healthy thriving pets, Natural Dog Foods, no chemicals, no hormones, no preservatives, reduce vet bills Tagged: commercial dog food and pet illness, Dog food, nutritious dog food recipes, Pet food, puppy health, thriving dogs

Puppy Toys are Not Just for Fun

noblecanine — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:15:48 +0000

Puppy toys and playing provides your puppy with more than just fun, which is also important. There are many benefits of a puppy toy. As soon as puppies are born puppies find their mother’s milk. Like human babies, puppies learn a lot through mouthing.

In the litter, puppies mouth and sometimes nip their litter mates. This teaches them not to be too rough and what playfulness is. If you want to avoid a “chewer” be sure your puppy stays with his mother and litter mates past 8 weeks.

As puppies grow their gums become sore as their puppy teeth come in. The perfect toy will massage the gums, which gives him/her relief and helps the teeth erupt more easily. Kong puppy chews are a great choice. A rope toy is another good choice as they also floss the teeth once they come in. Puppies can establish their strengths by competing with other puppies with a great tug-of-war. This helps them develop a sense of emotional well-being and confidence through puppy play. Be well-informed about your breed of dog. A harness for pulling is a perfect toy for a Husky puppy, a ball is a great puppy toy for many breeds, a good chew toy for teething puppies and dogs who love to chew and perhaps a back pack for a German Shepherd or Lab puppy. Be thoughtful of your choice of puppy toys to have a well-rounded, balanced dog.

Filed under: dog breeds, puppy chewers, puppy stays with litter over 8 weeks, puppy toy teethers, Puppy Toys, puppy toys help learning Tagged: Dog, Dog breed, dog toys, German Shepherd Dog, Kong, learning puppy toys, Pet, pet emotional well-being, Puppy, puppy chew toys, puppy toys, Recreation, Toy

All dog collars are the same…aren’t they?

noblecanine — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 23:36:50 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

All dog collars are the same…aren’t they? The answer is “absolutely not!”

I’ve had dogs around since birth and I often believe everyone knows all about dogs and products available. But that is far from the reality.

I was walking my dog and saw three male teens walking a medium-sized, docile dog. As I walked by I noticed the dog was wearing a choke chain. The young men weren’t using it properly, using it more as a punishment than a training tool as they were intended. I explained to the young men the difference between collars and they seemed receptive. The next time I saw them they had the same dog plus another and both dogs were wearing harnesses. They smiled wanting me to see that they had understood and made the necessary changes. Everyone was happy.

So I felt I would introduce each type of collar and the purpose and the dangers of some.

1) Flat everyday Dog Collar

2) Martingale Dog Collars

3) Dog Harnesses

Why a harness? Well there are several reasons for harnesses. The harness is constructed to hold the dog at the chest, abdomen and up over the back where you will find one or two loops to attach your leash. Dogs with airway problems, ie Pomeranians tend to have problems with collapsed trachea, should use the harness over a collar. And with new ingenious dog products we can now travel with our dogs in the car/RV/Boats and have them carefully restrained. For larger dogs, the harness is rugged and sometimes padded with sheepskin for comfort and you merely attach the car’s seat belt to the harness. For smaller dogs, we have the Auto Booster Seats which are wonderful for travelling with dogs. The Booster seats are held securely in place with the car’s seat belt. When you place your harnessed dog in the booster seat there is a short lead attached to the back of the booster seat to attach to their harness. So in case of a sudden stop or even an accident, dogs do not fly around in the car, end up on the floor, nor are they injured from being held by a collar just around the neck. This gives you a great peace of mind and helps you control your dogs while driving.

*Remember never put a dog in the front seat with Airbags. The force is too much for an infant and most of our dogs are even smaller than babies and can cause severe injury, even death.

Harnesses should also be used when dogs are restrained in a stroller or a pet carrier. If your puppy jumps out the risk of injury is high while in a collar. But in a harness they are supported in several areas and if the dog was to jump out, he would just dangle without injury until put back in their carrier/stroller.

4) Rolled Dog Collars

5) Head Dog Collars

Head collars or halters look similar to muzzles, except their purpose is very different. Head collars are like a dog harness for the head of the dog. It assists in training a dog to walk on a leash properly, without pulling. If the dog does pull , the halter causes their head to turn which they do not like therefore deterring the dog from pulling. Dogs associate very quickly and this is a valuable tool to teach dogs to walk on a leash with manners. DO NOT use a long lead with this collar as some dogs can back out of the halter altogether and you have a chase on your hands. And NEVER leave a Head Collar on any dog when unattended.

6) Break-away Dog Collars (also for Cats)

7) Metal Prong Collars

8) Chain Slip Collars

I hope this helps everyone to understand the purpose of different dog collars and you have the appropriate collar for your K9 family member.

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Airbag, Dog, Dog collar, Dog harness, Infant car seat, Leash, Martingale (collar), Seat belt

Dog Sweaters are not for Sissies!

noblecanine — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 03:55:54 +0000

If you were born in Florida and moved to Chicago and the temperature dropped into the 40s, would you put on a sweater or jacket? Of course you would. And you are no Sissie.

And that is exactly why some dogs need additional “gear” to deal with weather they were never bred to live in. The Chihuahua is a good example of this. And in the reverse, Pomeranians were bred for cold weather. Their needs for comfort need to be addressed when the temperatures get warm to hot.

Sweaters are not for Sissies! A hairless Chinese Crested dog is just what it sounds like. Hairless. The Chinese Crested Powderpuff will need some extra apparel in cooler weather.

I have many friends with dogs that live with annual snow and they love their dog sweaters and dog parkas,dog jackets and hoodies.

I receive more calls from men buying dog sweaters with their favorite college team or alma mater and favorite sports teams. Fun way to show support for their favorite sports team and keep their pups comfortable. But the entire family gets involved, even your pooches.

Dogs with two coats are very difficult to dry and you can’t leave them wet. I have 3 Pomeranians and I live in Florida. When they have to go out I do throw a Rain Coat over them with a hood. They are more willing to go out and I don’t have an added chore of drying 3 dogs.

So the next time you hear “Dog Sweaters are for Sissies” you can fully appreciate how practical they really are. Just use common sense as to the needs of your dog; then your dog is happy, you are happy and you can include your dog in more activities with the family.

And there is nothing wrong with fashionistas extending their creativity to their pups. You can smartly safeguard your dog and be creative too.

Dog Sweaters are not for Sissies!

Filed under: Uncategorized