Play With Me!!!

The 10 Best Toys and Chews For Your Dog

         Last week we covered the 10 worst toys and chews for your dog, so in the spirit of this holiday season, we thought we would share a list of the 10 BEST toys and chews for your dog. Heres is our list:

1. Kong toys are great entertainment for your dog when you just do not have quite the time to stimulate them. By adding peanut butter or treats to the Kong it forces your dog to use their brain to figure out how to get the goodies out. This can provide stimulation for your dog AND they are made in different strengths to be "indestructible" for all different sizes of dog. 
2. The Ball Treat Dispenser is a great toy for not only stimulating your dog, but it also allows for slow eater for those dogs that forget to chew their food. The treats for kibble goes into the ball and the dog must roll it around in different directions to get the kibble or treats out. Its also a great way to keep them entertained while you are busy. 
3. The Chuckit is lots of fun for your dog and easier on your throwing shoulder. It allows you to throw a ball at a farther distance with less strain on your body, keep your dog moving longer and the fun lasting!
   
4. Hide-A-Squirrel is another toy that allows your dog to use their brain as they try to figure out how to get the stuffed squirrels out of the toy log. This is a super fun toy for your dog and quite entertaining to watch!
   
5. A Ball can be a great toy, as long as it is more on the flexible squishy side. Balls can provide lots of fun for both you and your dog. 
6. The Dogobie is a frisbee like toy toy that flies through the air when thrown. It is made of a softer, yet puncture resistant, material that is tons of fun and can involve the whole family in a fun game of frisbee. 
7. Puzzle toys are very interactive and mentally stimulating for your dog. They test your dog's memory and recall skills. These are great for keeping your dog thinking.
   
8. No Stuffing Animals are lots of fun with way less mess! They normal have squeakers in them that your dogs senses will love to play with. NOTE: this is a toy that should be supervised to ensure that if the dog manages to get the squeaker out that they do not swallow it, toy should be thrown away if it gets to that point. 
9. Tug Toys can be lots of fun for you and your dog to play with together. Just be sure that when you say "enough" or "let go" or "no" whatever your command is, that the dog follows. This way the dog is only playing and not testing or challenging your authority. 
10. Dried Sweet Potatoes are a great chew for your dog because they are completely natural, most with no additives or preservatives. They are a healthy snack for your dog to chew on and enjoy!

         Remember that your dog needs lots of not only physical stimulation, but mental as well. Get toys that allow your dog to keep their brain working. This will not only keep them entertained, but it will also tire them out. Have fun playing with your dog!

Tail Wags From.

The CompleteK9 Team!

Keep That Away From Me!!!

10 of the WORST Toys and Chews For Your Dogs 

       Often, people are asking and questioning what toys or chews they should purchase for their four legged family member, so this post is dedicated to what toys to stay away from for either harmfulness or their easy destructibility. So, here is a list of the 10 WORST dog toys and chews that you could purchase for your dog. 

1. Raw Hide Bones or Chews are terrible for your dog. Rawhide bones do not easily break down in your dog's stomach, making digestion  and the passing of this product extremely difficult for your dog. 
2. Tennis Balls although seem like a harmless, fun and cheap toy for your pet, are actually quite harmful and destructive towards your dog's teeth. The material that tennis balls are made out of act like sandpaper against your dog's teeth, shaving them down with every clench of your dog's jaw! The loner they chew, the more likely it is you'll be making a visiting to your Veterinarian or possibly dental surgery for your poor pooch. 
3. Hard Plastic Toys can lead to fractured teeth, infections, and the need to either get a tooth pulled or replaced. Regardless, it is one extra trip to the vet you do not want to take!
4. Cow and Beef Hooves are similar to hard plastic toys, due to their density and hardness, they can result in fractured teeth. 
5. Pig Ears are a very greasy product and can cause your dog to get an upset stomach, which is no fun for your dog!
6. Cooked Bones are very dangerous to give your dog. The cooked bone is firstly unnatural to the dog and their both has a hard time digesting it properly, which leads to upset stomach and the runs. BUT the most dangerous part of cooked bones is that they often splinter, which could scratch your dogs throat or puncture and organ. It is best to just completely STAY AWAY from cooked bones, regardless of how much your dog may want it. 
7. Stuffed Toys may seem like great fun, but if your dog is one of the many that likes to rip them to pieces and pull out the stuffing, then this is not the best option for your pet. The stuffing can be toxic if swallowed by your dog, which would lead to another expensive vet visit. Also, Stuffed toys ofen have pieces that can be easily ripped off and chocked on (such as the eyes). Try to remove anything such as this on your dog's toy or refrain from purchasing it altogether. 
   
8. Squeaky Toys can be lots of fun for your dog, however, dogs often become fixated on getting the noise out of the toy and so begins the destruction of the toy. If the dog get the noise maker out, they often swallow it, which could lead to chocking or blockages. Make sure that this is a supervised toy to make sure that your dog stays safe when playing. 
9. Rocks seem like something that wouldn't even need to be on the list, but many people just let their dog consume, carry the rock in their mouth, or chew on the rock and this is soooooo bad for your dog. Not only will it likely lead to fractured teeth, but if swallowed, it is very likely that your dog will not be able to pass it, making surgery necessary to remove the rock. 
10. Nylabone although this product can be good for younger teething puppies, it is advised that dogs with stronger jaws or larger breeds stay away from this toy because it is not indestructible and can be broken into pieces that you dog may chock on or get lodged in their stomach. It is very important that you read the warnings and disclaimers on the tag of a toy or chew before you purchase it so that you are aware what you are buying (here is what most people ignore about this product that the company puts right on the packaging): 
    

NON-EDIBLE CHEW PRODUCTS are made with plastic, rubber, or nylon. They are NOT intended for consumption. During normal chewing, tiny bristle-like projections are raised that help clean teeth. If these tiny pieces (no larger than a small grain of rice) are ingested, they should pass through. A dog should not be able to break off larger pieces of any Nylabone^® Non-Edible Chew.If you think that your dog swallowed a large piece of a Non-Edible Chew, take the chew away and contact your veterinarian for advice. No dog toy or chew is totally indestructible. Frequently inspect any chew before giving it to your dog to make sure it’s whole and intact, with no missing pieces. Replace a Non-Edible Chew when knuckle ends are worn down, or if it becomes too small to chew safely. Nylabone Chews and Toys should not be boiled, placed in a dishwasher, washing machine, or convection or microwave oven.”  

        Keep play time a safe time for your dog and make sure things that are potentially destructible are supervised or kept away from them! Keep up with #WoofWednesdays for next week's post about the top 10 best toys and chews for your dog!

Tails wags from the CompleteK9 Team!  

Tales From The Trails

Anyone who works with animals can tell you that it is almost never a dull moment, especially for the members of the CompleteK9 team. Animals are unpredictable and boy does each have their own distinct personality! This makes walking packs of dogs rewarding, at times challenging, and unbelievably hilarious. Here are a few of out #Talesfromthetrails we thought that it would be fun to share our stories and adventures with everyone, Enjoy!

A Few #Talesfromthetrails:

"It was a scorching hot summer and both myself and the dogs decided to go for a swim in river to cool off, of course, I managed to drop my phone into the water...no water protection what so ever! After 15 minutes of searching the dogs and I finally found it...low and behold it even worked still! Talk about luck." -Heidi

"It was one of my first times after my training was complete that I was alone on a trail with the dogs. It was raining terribly and I managed to get lost on the trail. While I was trying to figure out which direction the vehicle was (which I am sure the dogs already new the way) the dogs began swimming in the HUGE puddles of pure mud! Finally, we found our way out, wet, muddy, but with big smiles on our faces!" -Jackiy

"The day after a big rain I was walking on a trail with the dogs having a blast playing and splashing through the puddles. Well one big delightful looking puddle got the best of me when I went to splash into it, my rubber boot got stuck and down I went...face first into the puddle!" -Mary

"After a lovely walk on one of the trails I was just getting back to the vehicle, preparing to load the dogs into the Jeep when I realized my keys were no longer in my pocket! I looked at my phone to call for assistance, only to realize that I only had 1% battery left (of course). I quickly sent and SOS text with the trail location to Heidi who luckily assumed I needed help. The two of us searched the woods for my keys. We came across a man walking and he told us where he saw a pair of keys. We rushed off, but the keys were no longer there! We kept searching and came across someone else who also saw my keys! Finally we found them sitting on the bench at the beginning of the trail. Some kind person had brought the keys to the opening of the trail! Such a relief!" -Kelli

WHAT IS THAT...in your mouth!?!?
One of the most common phrases us dog walkers find ourselves saying is just that "what is that in your mouth???" The number of things that dogs have either brought to us, played keep away with, or ran from us with could be a book in itself, heres a few of the most memorable:

1. Tim Hortons Coffee Cup
2. Deer Leg
3. Animal Bones
4. Lost and Found Dog Toys
5. Mittens 
6. Dead Frozen Squirrels or "squirrelsicles" 
7. Entire Trees
8. Sticks of Numerous Shapes and Sizes
9. Leashes
10. Hat

Some Times, Things Get A Little Messy...
No matter how hard we may some times try to keep both ourselves and the dogs clean, one thing is for certain...it is a WASTE of time! Here are a few of our VERY dirty dogs! (its almost always the light coloured dogs).

I hope you enjoyed a few of our many #Talesfromthetrails!
Tail Wags from the CompleteK9 team!

Tis the Season: Kennel Cough and How to Recognize it

What You Need To Know

Tis the season for the dreaded Kennel Cough. Similar to our common flu, dogs have the ability to catch the animal equivalent, which is Kennel Cough. Kennel Cough is a build up of multiple infections and is HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS. It is spread through sneezing and coughing into the air, then being breathed in by other dog's or through direct mouth contact. 

Below is an example of what Kennel Cough sounds like, including coughing and reverse sneezing. 

Here is a video discussing the causes, symptoms, remedies, and other helpful tips for detecting and preventing Kennel Cough. 

The good news is, Kennel Cough will usually go away on it's own without any medication or veterinary assistance. If the cough persists for longer than three(3) weeks to one(1) month or worsens at all over time, then contact your veterinarian as it could be advancing into pneumonia. 

Watch the two videos above and get familiar with the sounds of Kennel Cough, knowing the signs will help to prevent the spreading of the disease/virus, helping to keep your pet healthy and happy!

Tail Wags from the CompleteK9 team.