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Spring into Action!
By Sheryl Matthys, The DogSexpert
For most of the country, wintertime is not as active for our dogs or us. I love the renewal of spring and along with that a fresh start on organizing, exercise, and health. Here are some tips! |
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Organize: Either create or tidy up a drawer/closet where you have your dog’s items. Have separate baskets for hygiene items like flea/tick medication, heartworm pills, and any nutrients/vitamins. Then in a different basket, place a toothbrush and paste. Ideally, it’s good to brush your dog’s teeth everyday as they get plaque just like we do. While I don’t necessarily get to it every day, I mark on the calendar Sun./Wed./Fri. as my dogs grooming days. While organizing their baskets, toss anything old and make a list of supplies needed (medications, new collar, new ID tag where your contact info is easily readable and up-to-date.)
Exercise: When it’s cold, it’s a challenge to stay in a routine. Spring is a great time to refresh a schedule. Designate a time of day, and select days for a nice walk – at least 30 minutes. I have on my calendar 30 - 45 minute walks on Monday, Thursday, and Saturdays. Fifteen minute walks on the alternate days. Plan out what’s best for you and your dog based on health and age. Aim to exercise either morning or evening hours avoiding the heat of the day. And, remember even little dogs need exercise. It’s easy to forget that the “purse dog” needs to stretch those legs too for optimum health.
Health: Do you know your dogs ideal weight? You should actually be able to feel your dogs ribs and see a waist tapering in front of the hips if your dog isn’t too furry. If not, guess what? Your dog probably needs to shed a few pounds. While it may look cute to have a somewhat pudgy pooch, this could lead to diabetes and arthritis.
About the
Author:
As the DogSexpert,
and Founder of www.LeashesandLovers.com, Sheryl
Matthys talks with dog lovers on how their dogs impact their personal relationships. Leashes and Lovers offers online connections (www.FetchaFriend.com) where dog lovers can search and connect around the world
for friendship, doggie playdates, same breed of dog, and possibly love!
Sheryl has two children, two greyhounds and is a certified dog trainer.
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 Have a Happy Hound Holiday!
By Sheryl, The DogSexpert
The Holidays
are in the air – It’s the time to reflect and express the joy of giving, hope, peace
and cheer.
It’s also
time to celebrate, visit family and friends, and share some yuletide joy in the
way of food, treats, and gifts! But
what to get everyone? Well, I’m here
to help at least offer some ideas for
your four-legged friend and some insight to keep it a safe holiday for all.
Why not
get Fido a new collar, portrait, or party hat! Photos and paintings are the perfect keepsake and here are some businesses
I can personally recommend to help you with just.
Photos
and Paintings: AmelieArt, JTYost, Arlene Horton, Fetching Dog Photos, Jimmy Dog, Petographs, PhoDOGraphy, Poochtography.
And, what
dog can’t use a fresh collar, clothing, bed, or chew toy for the New Year! Check out these sites to have one Posh Pooch this season.
Collars,
Clothing, Jewels: Andrea Levine Jewelry, Bully Ware NY, Buddy G’s, Bowchies, Charming Pet Products, Chic Paws, Dolores Piscotta, Doggy Apparel, The Salty Paw, Pet Centre, Petropolis, Puppy KIsses, TORU, Walters Pet Styles, Dog Bed Works
While many
of us love to decorate, eat sweets, and indulge in a tad too much drinking – the
festivities can pose hazards for our pooch. Chocolate can be dangerous, tinsel and other decorations can obstruct the bowels,
and splintered turkey bones can damage the intestine.
We’ve long heard Poinsettias
and Christmas Cactus could be poisonous to pets, but many vets say they will mostly
just cause an upset stomach. If your
pet does ingest either of these, don’t feed them much for the next day to help calm
their stomach.
While we may be inclined
to sneak our dog some rich holiday food as a special treat, we’ll pay the price
later mostly with their unpleasant gas and diarrhea – not “a good thing” for your
guests! Chocolate and macadamia nuts
on the other hand can become toxic for your dog. While a little bit of chocolate won’t kill your dog, it’s the theobromine
in chocolate that can cause neurological and cardiac concerns. Baker’s chocolate is nearly 10 times more potent than milk chocolate. Vomiting and diarrhea are the first
signs of trouble to take your dog to your vet. Macadamia nuts too can bring on fever, vomiting and possibly rear leg paralysis. The severity
of the toxicity depends on the size of your dog and how much it consumed.
Here are
5 tips for Pooch Party Precautions:
- Decorate with your dog in mind – Leave the bottom tree branches
free of ornaments, tinsel, and lights up so your dog can’t damage them and hurt
themselves. Hide batteries so they
don’t become chew toys that can block the intestines or create an ulcer.
- Drink alone - Well, with other humans. Alcohol has the same effect on dogs as it does people, but dogs are even
more sensitive to it.
- Electrical Cords – Use a cord wrap and/or tuck cords out of
the way to prevent your dog from chomping on them.
- Make a Getaway - Create a special place for your dog to escape
when adult guests and children become too much.
- Spend time as well as money – A quality moment and walk will
help everyone feel better with all the activities, excitement and a tinge of stress
in the air. Time together is priceless.
About the
Author:
As the DogSexpert,
and Founder of www.LeashesandLovers.com, Sheryl
Matthys talks with dog lovers on how their dogs impact their personal relationships. Leashes and Lovers offers online connections (www.FetchaFriend.com) where dog lovers can search and connect around the world
for friendship, doggie playdates, same breed of dog, and possibly love!
Sheryl has two children, two greyhounds and is a certified dog trainer.
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Keep the Valentine’s chocolate and
macadamia nuts all to yourself!
Tip by Sheryl, The DogSexpert
We all know chocolate isn’t good for our
dog - theobromine in chocolate can cause
neurological and cardiac concerns.
Baker’s chocolate is nearly 10 times
more potent. Vomiting and diarrhea are
the first signs of trouble to see your
vet. Macadamia nuts can bring on fever,
vomiting and possibly rear leg
paralysis.
The severity of the toxicity depends on
the size of your dog and how much it
consumed.
Who has
your best interest at heart? Your
mother? Your friends? What about your
best friend - your dog. We all know our
dogs truly love us unconditionally. 
If you are wanting to make this your
year to really connect with someone and
find that love of your life – your furry
friend just may be your best source of
judgment. Sheryl, The DogSexpert
of Leashes and Lovers says give Fido a
shot.
Here are
6
easy steps
to get you there.
Date
Bait – Go Fetch
1. Let
your dog sniff out a good date
a. So even though dogs have 220 million
smell receptors to our 5 million, I’m
not talking literally sniff you a good
date, but trust your dog’s instincts.
Look for the receptiveness of your dog
being comfortable around your potential
date.
b. Let your pooch make the first move.
Your dog can be the perfect ice breaker
to help start the conversation toward
what may be your potential date
2. Animal
Instincts
a. Dog lovers are more sexy – radiate
your sexiness. The presence of a dog
makes everyone seem more approachable
and fun. So take your dog with you
everywhere you can in order to meet
people and pause when in view of a
potential date to make yourself
available for small talk.
b. Dress for yourself to feel good
about yourself. We feel more confident
when we feel good and first impressions
count, especially when your dog insists
on you dating only the “best in show!”
Play
Time
1. You
got the date! Begin your date with a
walk in the park
a. People
reveal more of themselves when there’s
no pressure. Do an activity with your
dog and your date where there’s no cost
involved and you each of you can just
relax in the conversation and enjoy the
moment.
b. Always
speak respectfully to your dog.
Berating or speaking down to your dog
may be viewed as how you may talk to
humans as well. And, if they have a
dog - see how they treat them as those
who have well trained dogs, might raise
well mannered children as well!
2.
Don’t
smooch your pooch or your date on the
first date
a. Especially
if you think this may be the one, some
things are better left for later. Even
though we all love to kiss our dogs,
kissing your dog before you kiss your
date, may leave a bad taste in
everyone’s mouth.
After
the date
1. Be
as gracious as your dog
a.
Your dog appreciates the time you spend
with him/her no matter what you did or
where you went, take their cue.
2. Dogs
don’t lie – so why should we
a. In
such a high tech communication world, if
you don’t hear back within a few days
after he/she said they’d call, it’s best
to let sleeping dogs lie. Move on to
see who else there is to meet, your dog
isn’t fretting about it.
b. Fido has paved the
way for you. Here’s a tip if your dog’s
size and looks can be a bit intimating
to others. Soften their appearance to
make him/her seem friendly. A sweater, a
cool leash or a bandana helps any dog
seem more approachable and lends to
conversation. Be sure to bring treats
and offer them to others so they can
become involved by rewarding your dog
and experience that your dog is really
just a sheep in wolves clothing.
About the Author: As the DogSexpert
and Creator of
LeashesandLovers Sheryl Matthys
talks with dog lovers about how their
dogs impact their personal
relationships.
Leashes and Lovers offers online
connections,
FetchaFriend where dog lovers can
make a FREE profile – then search and
connect around the world for friendship,
doggie playdates, same breed of dog, and
possibly love!
Sheryl has two children, two greyhounds
and is a certified dog trainer.
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New Pup to the Pack Is the baby a treat?
Written by Sheryl Matthys, Co-founder of Leashes and Lovers & The DogSexpert |
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A new addition to the family is always an exciting time, but it may draw mixed reactions
from your family pet. As co-founder of www.LeashesandLovers.com, I strive to strengthen
the bond between owner and pet, and those around them. And as the DogSexpert, I
talk to people about how their dogs affect their personal relationships.
So what about bringing your new baby home? Will your dog bark at the idea? I've
always had pets in my life so my story starts with the startling fact that I married
a man who just "wasn't into dogs." (People can change!) Then after years of marriage,
together we selected our 1st - a retired greyhound, Shiraz. I think it's important
not to force a dog onto a family member. And, because we made this decision together,
this dog improved our relationship on so many levels.
For one, Shiraz helped fill that void of a "baby" as it just never seemed like the
right time to have one. Secondly, in so many ways, a dog's and a baby's needs are
really quite the same. There are feedings, shelter, clothing, poo duty, cuddling,
loving, bathing, etc. After having Shiraz a few years, we decided to take the big
plunge. But, did we really want to end our freedom as my parents lead me to believe!
Then, nothing happened. So while we waited, we adopted another greyhound, Buffett.
Jump ahead to today, two children, and two greyhounds - we have become quite the
happy pack.
Here are my 10 tips as to how we handled a baby to the pack.
Before the baby arrives:
- Get the dog acquainted with the smells and sounds of a baby. Open baby items like
lotions and shake a rattle.
- It's a great time to take your dog to the vet for a vaccination against parasites
and other pertinent shots.
- Visit a friend with a baby so your dog is familiar with infant cries and smells.
While at the Hospital:
- Bringa couple of baby's items home prior to its arrival for the dogs to sniff
Arriving Home:
- If possible, have someone else carry in the new baby while you greet the dog to
prevent jealousy and create a positive first time interaction.
- Allow the dog to greet the baby on its own without forcing or calling the dog over.
- Create positive interactions between the dog and the baby such as being happy and
praising the dog's good behavior with words and a treat.
- Avoid negative associations between the dog and the baby such as yelling "no" when
the dog sniffs or goes near the baby.
- Don't leave the baby and dog together unattended.
- I learned this the hard way, don't leave a dirty diaper within your dogs reach!
Bio:
Sheryl Matthys
As the Co-founder of Leashes and Lovers, Sheryl wants your new love and/or friends
to be a part of your pack. Sheryl brings a unique blend of experience to her insights
as the "DogSexpert" 15 years as a professional spokesperson, actress, writer, TV
Show Host, TV/Radio news reporter, entrepreneur, and rescue greyhound owner. Sheryl
knows from experience what it means to deal with relationship challenges
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