Dog Activities

What do you do when the weather is frightful and you just can’t exercise your dog outside? That’s when you pull out your bag of tricks and have fun with indoor play for dogs.  My dog, Henry, loves indoor activities. He’s even invented a few games of his own that he enjoys when the weather … Read more

Fall households mean kids going back to school, crisp air, crunchy leaves, and pumpkin spice everything, which can be a difficult adjustment for your pup. It’s a great time to show your dog a bit of fun with a few fun fall activities you and your buddy will love.  If you’re like me, as fall … Read more

Do you know your dog’s brain exercise needs? Simply providing your dog with enough mental stimulation improves mental health, boosts cognitive functions, reduces anxiety, while decreasing undesired behaviors and boredom. With all these benefits, it seems like a no-brainer that dogs need mental stimulation. I’m sure that you’ve seen many medical reports that state humans need … Read more

You may wait all year for summer weather and then curse it when it arrives. When you have a pup, finding summertime dog activities you can do on a budget is important in a down economy. I know I love spending more time with my dog, Henry, outside as the temperatures permit. But doing that … Read more

Do you know that 77% of pet parents celebrate their buddy’s birthday? But in a down economy and uncertain times, how do you celebrate your dog’s birthday on the cheap? I love celebrating my dog, Henry’s, birthday. While I’m certain he would be happy with whatever I did for him, it’s fun to spoil him … Read more

It may not be surprising that 97% of pet owners consider their furry buddies family members. But suppose you can’t solve a nagging issue like aggression, leash pulling, or digging with your fur kid. In that case, you may start wondering about the differences between a dog trainer vs behaviorist.  While we all love our … Read more

Pet parents can spend a ton on food and treats for their furry buddies. So, what is the best dog treat jar? I mean who likes anything stale? Sure your dog might eat gross things found on a walk, but a stale cookie – never! Maybe you just made some amazing doggie treats and need … Read more

Behaviorists for dogs solve issues where everything else seems to fail. Before you throw in the towel on your dog digging, barking, licking, or jumping, think about a canine behaviorist specialist. Every year dogs are surrendered when dog parents can’t solve issues like escaping, marking, furniture destruction, biting, or nipping. Perhaps all that’s needed is … Read more

Hot doggy days of summer can be fun and dangerous for our pets. According to PetMeds, over 5,000 pets drown each year. Yet, most dog parents want to include their dogs in water activities. This then begs the question, “What are the best dog water safety tips for our pups and wallets?” Let’s dive in … Read more

Do you know about dog lick mat benefits? I recently discovered how a licking mat for my dog, Henry, actually helps him. It’s a simple and relatively cheap item with a lot of health benefits. If you have an anxious dog, a barking pup, a furry friend who hates baths, or a fast-eating canine, then you may want to … Read more

Is trying to entertain your dog on a budget a never-ending activity? While it is a good idea to not let your dog get bored as that’s when disaster can strike.  Moreover, a bored dog is often when your budget can take a major hit in the form of a pricey vet bill or replacement … Read more

Often when you see a dog stealing food or simply spotting a dog stealing things, it can be funny. But it can also be a costly incident. Yep! There can be a price to that behavior. Does your dog know about boundaries? Or does your pup snoop into purses, bags, and wherever he or she … Read more

Dogs don’t just need physical exercise. They need mental workouts, too. In fact, just 10–15 minutes of mind games for dogs can tire them out as much as a long walk (yes, really). It helps my dog, Henry. If your dog is: Then it might not be a behavior problem, but rather it could be … Read more

Do you like things out of the ordinary? Often they can add some spice to the ordinary day. Actually, I like to include, my dog, Henry in what I do, even if it’s a bit unusual. He always seems up for almost anything. Is your dog the same way? I think it’s the love of … Read more

Do you know that basic dog training reduces expenses? I know I can hear you say it sounds like a sales pitch. Nope. There’s no sales pitch. But it does work. I know with my dog, Henry I’ve seen the benefits. It’s actually very simple. So, today, let’s dig in and learn the secrets of … Read more

I’ve been asked many times about the best way to give a dog as a gift. You might be surprised, but you don’t want to give a dog as a gift. Not the answer you wanted to hear? Well, wait just a minute. You can give a great gift with the idea of a dog … Read more

How can I turn my bored dog into a happy dog? That can sound impossible to keep a bored dog entertained especially if you need to bring home the kibble and work within a tight budget. I’ve heard it a lot. Heck, my dog, Henry has even been bored while I’ve been working. But his … Read more

*Updated: November 2, 2022 Need to train your dog, but just don’t have the time or budget to properly do it? While there is no magic dog training pill, what if there was a way to meet your budget and time restraints? I know time and budget are often the roadblocks to dog training. But … Read more

*UPDATE: August 26, 2025 Does anyone like walking their dog in the dark or at night? But when nature calls, pet parents respond. Honestly, I doubt if there’s anyone who enjoys walking their furry buddy in the dark. However, as the days get shorter our dog walking time gets shorter too. Thus, we are often … Read more

Dogs definitely make life better. I know my dog, Henry makes my life better. But there are a few aspects of being a dog parent that can be a challenge if you have a tight budget. It’s true the most costly dog expenses are generally, dog services. But there are a few dog expenses that … Read more

Do you love taking your pup on dog hiking trails? But you’re worried that dog hiking without back pain is a mere fantasy? Maybe you have a small dog and think he or she just can’t handle hiking. You may be shocked to learn that a small dog can hike just as well as a … Read more

As a dog owner, you are probably thinking or have thought that basic obedience training or some other dog lessons would be a good idea. I thought the same thing, when I rescued my dog, Henry. I quickly discovered that there are a lot of dog trainers out there. Above all, I rapidly learned a … Read more

Have you wanted to do more with your dog but are not sure what? Maybe you’re wondering about giving back in some way. I thought the same thing. Actually, I adopted my dog, Henry with this intent. So, what are the therapy dog requirements and what does your dog need to do in order to … Read more

Are you bemoaning having to leave your dog at home while you’re at the office all day? I understand. When I adopted my dog, Henry, I immediately started taking him to work with me. He loved it and so did everyone else. Well, I did as well. Today, let’s dig into how to bring your … Read more

Cold weather doesn’t mean a bored pup! Whether it’s snow on the ground or icy temperatures keeping you inside, there are plenty of ways to keep your dog mentally stimulated and physically active without dreading every walk. I’m happy to say there are simple, budget-friendly winter activities and that many cost little to nothing and … Read more

It seems like a natural thing for a dog to play with dog toys. But like most things in life, there are always exceptions. Are you confused because you have a dog who doesn’t like toys? I was. Admittedly, I was perplexed at first by my rescue dog, Henry’s dislike for dog toys. Moreover, I … Read more

Do you know your dog’s needs if you were deserted on a tropical island with your dog? What would your dog think or do? Sometimes it’s fun to explore the other side of the coin. Have you ever thought about how your dog feels about different things or situations? Do you think your dog is … Read more

If your space feels a little off, it’s probably not you. Many people turn to sage smudging to clear negative energy and reset the vibe. But what if you have a dog? Is there an alternative to sage smudging for dogs? Before you light anything, you should know that burning sage isn’t always dog-friendly. While … Read more

Amazingly, 200 – 500 million people worldwide meditate. Do you know the benefits of meditation with dogs and furry friends? You might be thinking this sounds a bit nutty. I’ve been meditating daily for most of my life. Meditation is so remarkable that many doctors recommend meditating to their patients. Interesting, huh? Let’s dig today … Read more

A gift to a rescue dog can be allowing the dog to pick a new name. How’s that possible? Well, what’s in a name? We have all fretted over picking just the right name for a child, pet, or even a car. A name needs to feel like it “fits” the thing or person to … Read more

Are dogs colorblind? That’s a fair question. I mean why would he be attracted to the most oddly colored or decorated toys? Maybe it’s the shape, smell, or noise. I have to admit, I have wondered this myself on occasion. Today, let’s dig in and discover if your dog really is colorblind. I used a … Read more

Are you looking for fun ways to switch up your workout routine? Have you ever worked out with your dog? There are many fun great exercises with dogs. Working out with your dog is a super way to help curb boredom, stay motivated, boost your mood, lower your blood pressure, and strengthen your bond with … Read more

Are you looking for ways to create a stronger bond with your dog? Maybe it was love at first wet nose kiss? Are you staring at your dog or puppy and wondering, “How do I bond with this adorable creature?”  *Updated: June 19, 2024 Budget Tip: You don’t have to spend any money to bond … Read more

Have you ever wondered about doggie daycare? Have you thought it was only for the rich and those that have overly pampered pooches? Well, let me open your eyes a bit. While it can be almost like Disneyland for your dog it may surprise you to learn the benefits and how affordable doggie daycare is … Read more

A good dog walker can put your mind at ease. But how do you find one? Maybe you’re asking why do you need a dog walker? Imagine this – you get just closed the big deal at work you’ve been working on for months. But you have to go out of town for most of … Read more