We all know that dog is man’s best friend, and why wouldn’t they be? They unconditionally love you, treat every activity like it’s the best activity and provide you with countless fun and funny moments.

Besides giving you a companion around the house and an extra member of your family, dogs have proven health benefits for you as well. Not only do they make you happier and lower stress, but they are also highly beneficial for your heart. Those with dogs (or cats for that matter) have a higher probability of surviving a heart attack.

So you love your furry friend and wish you could spend more time with them. There are countless fun things to do with your dog and some of them are below, check them out!


Pamper Your Dog
There have definitely been times in your life where you may “just need a spa day” or “could really use a relaxing massage”. Even though it may not look like it, dogs need those too!

You could do this a few different ways. After a long day of playing outside, give your dog a great bath, making sure to clean all their fur. After you’re finished, be sure to brush their fur and perform other housekeeping things, like cutting their nails. If you have small children, this could also be a perfect time to teach them about care and responsibility.

If maybe you don’t have sufficient space for a home dog spa, you could always take your dog to a pet groomer. That way, they’re sure to come back nice and clean, looking great with their new haircut.

Take Them on a Trip
Drive around long enough and you’re bound to see someone driving with their dog in the passenger seat, its head sticking out and the tongue flopping around in the air. It’s a funny sight to see, as the dog has never looked happier being caught in the wind.

A great activity for your dog is to take them on a trip somewhere different. If you live in the city, try to find a park or field outside the city limits to let your dog run around. Some dogs love rolling around in the mud while others relish the idea to romp around in the snow.

If you’re looking for something a bit longer term, you could take them on your next vacation. Just make sure your accommodation has pet-friendly options. Some hotels advertise themselves as pet hotels and make the experience all about the owner and the dog spending time together.

You might walk into your hotel room to find a chocolate on your pillow and a dog treat on their doggy bed!


Becoming an Internet Celebrity
You know that your dog is the best boy or best girl out there, along with being the cutest, so why not let the world know? Many people have made social media accounts for their animals, showing off their fun side by dressing them up or posting videos of their daily activities.

Maybe you have different plans, like running a travel blog about your adventures with your dog or providing pet tips. You’ll want to get started on social media, but you may also want to start a website.

Whatever you end up doing, make sure you’re pushing out content on a regular basis as that’s the best way everyone can enjoy your dog just as much as you can!


Find a Hobby Together

While your dog may not be as skilled as your with an Xbox controller or be able to offer their insights on the latest Game of Thrones episode, you can still find a fun hobby to do together on a regular basis.

The hobby doesn’t have to be anything too complicated, it can be a run every day after work or playing fetch for half an hour each day. If you’re looking for something else, you can start training your dog for certain events or simply teaching them lots of unique tricks to do. Everyone tries to teach their dog “sit”, but you can take it further with “roll-over” or “play-dead”.

If you’re looking for something really unique, some dog owners have started practicing dog yoga, or doga. It’s exactly what it sounds like, doing yoga with your dog. You might have mixed results, but it could definitely be worth giving it a try!

Instagram is an amazing little pocket world, full of the most awe-inspiring and creative photographs. I know I am not alone when I say I can spend hours browsing my Insta-feed! I may be a little biased, but I think all of my fellow dog lovers can agree that the dogs of Instagram are by far the best part of the app!

I went within the community to dig up some of the most beautiful dogs I could find, and asked fellow canine Instagrammers which Instadogs they were currently drooling over! This list is by no means exclusive - if it were, it would include every single dog on planet Earth!

I hope you enjoy this glimpse into some of the incredible beauty and passion of dogs on Instagram! I encourage you to follow these wonderful dogs, I am certain you won't regret it!

You are what you eat. That is why nutrition plays an extremely important role in the health and well being of our dogs. Whatever you put into your dog's body will directly impact their wellness. The number one thing pet parents can do to dramatically improve the health of their dog is to switch to a fresh food diet.

Beyond making the important decision to feed our dogs high quality food, there are several things we can add into our dog's food bowl that can make a significant difference in their health for a variety of reasons. These "dietary powerhouses" are ingredients every single dog should get with their food to help promote disease resistance, longevity and vibrancy of life.

In this article, I want to discuss 3 of the most important things any pet parent can give to their dog.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential in any diet, because they are necessary for optimal function of your dog's body. The three types include ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). The majority of ALA comes from plants, where DHA and EPA come mostly from animal sources.

Omega fatty acids are HIGHLY beneficial for a variety of reasons. They promote a healthy, lustrous coat. They nourish the brain, and promote healthy brain function. They also are vitally important in the growth and development of puppies and young dogs, while also being equally vital for maintaining health in seniors. Studies (1, 2, 3, 4) have shown that omega fatty acids help fight age related mental decline.

A recent study has shown that omega fatty acids play a role in the prevention and treatment of lymphoma in dogs! You can read that study here. More studies have been done regarding the role of omega fatty acids in cancer prevention: 5, 6, 7, 8.

Dosage: 150 mg per 10lbs of body weight.

Probiotics
The gut's microbiome is the collection of bacteria found within your dog's digestive tract. A healthy gut microbiome means your dog's digestive tract is full of beneficial bacteria that play multiple important roles in the health of your dog. Beneficial bacteria can even help extend your dog's life by years!

A healthy gut microbiome will contain all of the bacteria essential to optimal digestion and absorption of the food your dog eats, but it also acts as the first line of defense against any ingested pathogens (9, 10). The gut microbiome can even have an effect on the brain (that study is here)!

So how do you help nourish your dog's beneficial bacteria? By feeding high quality pre- and probiotics! Prebiotics are essentially food for the beneficial bacteria, and the probiotics are the bacteria themselves! Make sure you choose a probiotic formulated for dogs, as human probiotics are not nearly are beneficial, and rotate brands so that your dog can get the benefit of a wide variety of bacteria species!

Dosage: Follow instructions per product guidelines.

Turmeric (Curcumin)
There are over 5000 peer-reviewed and published biomedical studies proving that the amazing benefits of turmeric are real. Turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory properties (11, 12) and can help prevent and fight cancer (13, 14, 15)! Turmeric can improve brain function (16) and promote a healthy heart (17) while fighting against the negative effects of aging (18, 19).

Turmeric is 100% safe for dogs, and is highly beneficial in fighting MANY diseases (2o).

Dosage: 1/4 of a teaspoon per 10lbs of body weight.

We LOVE our dogs, with all of our hearts. They are family to us, not just animals sharing our living space. We want them to live long, happy lives. We want many happy years together, and as low of a risk of illness and diseases like cancer as we can possibly get! With nutrition, we can make a significant impact on the health of our furry family members. Instead of simply surviving, we can help our dogs truly THRIVE in this life!

Every species on earth has evolved to eat a specific diet that will fuel their physical body and maintain their health and wellness, allowing them to thrive in their native environment. Dogs, as a species, are quite special. They have evolved to be able to take a lot of abuse in terms of poor nutrition. They may not die immediately, but they will absolutely experience a decline in vitality and experience degenerative changes that will make them much more susceptible to illness and disease. Dogs can survive on a poor quality food, but most of them will not live as long as their real food fed counterparts, and will be much more susceptible to disease.

The University of Helsinki in Finland (click here to visit them) has a research group called DogRisk that has been actively studying diet, environment and disease in the domestic dog. They have been busy collecting data that proves dogs are healthiest when fed a raw food diet... food that is not processed, is high in fat and is low in carbohydrates.

Dogs are omnivores only because we are forcing them to be omnivores by completely controlling what they eat. If you want to know what they should be eating, look at their digestive tract. If you look at the teeth of the dog, you will see the teeth of a wolf. Canis lupus familiaris (the dog) and Canis lupus lupus (the wolf) share more than their scientific nomenclature, they share 98.8% of their DNA. That includes their digestive tract, and such, their diet and nutritional needs. Both species, although different through our selective evolution of the dog, have identical dietary needs. Dogs are facultative carnivores, they are primarily meat-eaters, but can survive on plant material alone if necessary. It is important to note that surviving is very different from thriving.

Humans are the only species on earth that cook their food, and they are the only species that eats highly processed food. Facts don't lie... 1 out of 4 dogs will develop cancer, and those risks simply do not exist in other species. The only factor that is different between dogs and other animals, is the fact that we force a diet on them... a diet that does not promote health or wellness based on their natural dietary requirements.

Rather than forcing an unnatural diet on our dogs, we should be both understanding and respecting what they need to eat based on the reality of their digestive system, and what they are biologically designed to eat.

WHAT IS A RAW FOOD DIET?
A raw food diet is non-processed food that consists of raw meat, raw edible bone, and raw organs. Raw food can also contain dog-safe fruits, vegetables and supplements (such as fish oil, seeds, and other supplements to fill nutritional gaps). A raw food diet is successful when it is nutritionally balanced appropriately, which takes some research, learning and attention to detail. It can seem intimidating at first, but once you understand how a meal is balanced it gets MUCH easier!

Our dogs are suffering. Cancer, obesity, diabetes, allergies, and so many more diseases are plaguing our beloved four-legged family members. Now more than ever, dogs are getting sicker and sicker. Research is coming out that proves a raw, fresh food diet is the greatest tool in your toolbox to help your dogs THRIVE instead of simply survive.

The power is in your hands to make a change to your dogs diet and promote health, longevity, and disease resistance. You can make a difference, just by changing what goes into your dogs body. It's easier than you think!

If you cannot afford to completely make the change to a fresh food diet, or you are interested in starting slowly... Remove 25% of your dog's kibble from their bowl, and replace it with fresh food like sardines, meat, mussels, or vegetables (such as broccoli, red cabbage, kale, spinach, red pepper, carrots, etc) and it WILL make a difference!

Are you aware that failure to trim your dog’s nail can affect its health? Well, now you know. Perfectly trimmed nails does not only help save your furniture and upholstery from a dog’s scratches and ripping. It is also meant to ensure that the pain and pressure on the toes and paws associated with long and curved nails is eliminated. Joint and bone issues will be kept at bay if the nails are trimmed in a way that the pet can walk properly.  More so, you will be glad to show off your appealing pet to your guests and family. For best results, consider the following: 

• Understand the Basics of a Dog’s Nail Growth  

The average time for a dog’s nail growth is six to eight weeks. The groomers at hair clippers club add that some breeds may have long nails even before the sixth week. As such, you must pay close attention. For instance, you must go for trimming if you can hear the nails clicking on the floor or other surfaces. Nails that protrude from the paws and touch the ground when the pet stands must be trimmed.  

• Know the Tricks of Nail Trimming  
  
  

Many dogs are not thrilled by nail trimming processes. They would rather be playing or sleeping. You must not only prepare the dog, but you must also achieve perfect results. Starting when the pet is younger is always advised because it will get used to the process easily. However, you must still trim an older dog’s nails by offering rewards and praises before and after grooming. For the extremely restless dogs, trimming one nail at a time will be your ideal option. A dog wearing a happy hood is likely to be distracted and shielded from the noise of the trimmers.  
Cutting tiny bits of the nails is more rewarding that doing one cut. You will have avoided accidents and at the same time get a perfect nail’s shape and texture. Push the nails through a sock if you want to be completely sure that you leave the hairs around the paws intact. This will only leave the nails exposed for a cut.  

• Invest In the Right Tools  

You need a pair of sharp nail clippers for trimming. Human clippers do not work in dog’s trimming because the shape is inappropriate. You will easily damage and hurt the nails. Styptic powder is also an important part of trimming. The nail may, by accident, bleed and you must address the issue immediately. Home remedies such as corn starch mixed with baking powder or use of flour will also come in handy. It is also worth noting that a nail file can be used instead of a clipper. It helps leave a smooth finish on the nails. However, it may take longer than it is the case with using a nail clipper. You and your dog must be patient to get positive outcomes.  

• Relax  

Good results are impossible to achieve if you are too tensed to trim the nails. Take the right position such sitting on the floor. You must also find a time when you are not easily distracted or tired. If this does not work, find a friend or family to hold the dog firmly as you do the trimming. Still, have confidence that you can get the job done. As you get used to it, you will realize that it is not such a tough process. All you need is practice and perfect results will inevitably come by.  

• Ensure That Your Dog Is Healthy  

Brittle and weak nails will always show even when you have given your dog perfect trimming. Find nutrients that encourage the growth of strong nails. Calcium is one of the nutrients associated with excellent growth of nails and bones. Go for foods rich in the nutrient. A balanced diet and proper hydration will also ensure that your pet’s body functions accordingly, stimulating strong nail’s growth. Beyond this, a trip to the veterinarian’s office is always advisable. They will check the dog for medical complications and suggest the ideal way forward. Don’t forget to take your faithful companion for walks and jogs on a regular basis.  

Ultimately, giving your dog perfect nails is achievable. All you need is right nail trimming tips, good diet, and practice. 

WEBSITE: http://www.halolightsusa.com/
FACEBOOK PAGE:  https://www.facebook.com/HaloLights

I received two of the Halo Lights LED dog collars in exchange for an honest review, one of each series (L and S). I received one of the L-series collars in frosted black (as shown in the image to the left of my boy Hunter wearing it) and one of the S-series in rose pink for my girl Zenna.  

In order to properly review these collars, I used them for walks in the day and during the night. I also took both of my dogs out at night for several run and play session with toys and each other. Since both of my dogs are very active working dogs, we were able to really put these collars to the test! 

I am extremely pleased to announce that this is BY FAR, my absolute favorite light up dog collar. I highly recommend this company and this product for anyone who wants a high quality LED light up dog collar that is resilient and sturdy.

The Halo Lights LED collars came in great, secure packaging with a USB charger. They take approximately 15 minutes to charge and last about 4 hours depending on which setting you use (steady light or flashing). They come in one length, allowing you to cut the collars to size - and it is very easy to size (they come in 27.5 inches) , cut and fit these collars! They hold together extremely well, and despite all the activities my dogs did while wearing these collars they never even started to come apart. 

The collars are water resistant, and they are water proof up to 3m in depth. On top of that, they are extremely easy to clean and are even repel the dirt to a degree. My two Halo Lights collars barely got dirty during play sessions in dry conditions. 

The lights themselves are very bright, but not bright enough to hurt my eyes OR the dog's eyes. Both my dogs showed absolutely no negative reaction to the collars, they really didn't notice them at all. They are bright enough to provide extra visibility during the day and bright enough to make them impossible to miss at night. I felt very good using the collars at night, their visibility improved drastically. This will help keep your dogs safe in traffic and from people who either cannot see them or might mistake them for a wild animal. 

In conclusion, I highly recommend these LED dog collars. They are a fantastic price for the amazing quality you get, they are bright enough for day and night use, they are water resistant, they are so easy to cut and size, super easy to use, and very easy to clean! Plus, they are multi-purpose! You can even wear them yourself! 

In honor of my German Shepherd Hunter's 4th Birthday, I decided to come up with a savory grain free pupcake recipe for dogs that love cheese as much as my dog does. This recipe is healthy, wholesome and full of delicious cheesy flavor. This recipe uses natural ingredients and no preservatives. It is the perfect pupcake for any dog-related birthday or celebration!

This pupcake recipe is grain free, using a mix of coconut flour and arrowroot flour! You will also need applesauce, cottage cheese, cream cheese, yogurt, cheddar cheese and a touch of honey!