Go GRReen - Tip #9

9. Douse your pet with eco goodness. The pet industry is just brimming with eco-friendly products (we’re not biased or anything!). Outfit your pup in a hemp or bamboo collar. Tuck him into an organic cotton bed.  Now it’s easier than ever to find products made from recycled materials and sustainable fibers. Although they sometimes cost a little bit more, they generally last longer than other products, making them well worth the price – on multiple levels!

Go GRReen - Tip #8

 8.  Shop Local. Not only are local stores more fun, they help to sustain vibrant, compact, walkable towns, an essential part of the effort to reduce sprawl, automobile use, natural habitat loss, and air and water pollution.

Go GRReen - Tip #7

7. Adopt a Pet. Reduce, reuse, rewoof! According to SpayUSA (Woof Report, 3/18/09), 70,000 puppies and kittens are born in the U.S. every day. With these kinds of rates, there will never be enough homes for them all. Therefore, some believe that rescuing is the ultimate form of recycling.

Go GRReen - Tip #6

6. Leave your shoes at the door. When you wear your shoes indoors, you expose your pet (and the rest of your family) to petrol, pesticides, herbicides, lead and other chemicals as you track them in from the outside. You’d be amazed at all of the toxins your shoes pick up during your daily travels!

Go GRReen - Tip #5

5. Clean with green in mind. Have you ever stopped to think about how many products you use to take care of your pet? From pet shampoos to carpet cleaners, many of these products aren’t as earth friendly as you might think. Choose products that are delicate on the earth and your pet’s senses by avoiding those that contain sulfates, phosphates and other chemicals, and are instead made from natural environmentally-friendly ingredients.

Go GRReen - Tip #4

4. Spay & Neuter. Help control the overpopulation of pets that strain our shelters and natural resources. Spay or neuter your pet for greener living. Interested in finding out more about the important health benefits of spaying and neutering? Talk to your vet.

Go GRReen - Tip #3

3. Serve up natural nourishment. You probably try not to eat too many foods that have chemicals and preservatives, so why shouldn’t you do the same for your pet? Dogs deserve nutritious foods too! Most conventional pet-food brands you find at the supermarket consist of reconstituted animal by-products, otherwise known as low-grade wastes from the beef and poultry industries—food you wouldn’t even consider going near. Be selective…buy all natural dog foods and treats or make your own from local, sustainable ingredients.

Go GRReen - Tip #2

2. Be smart about the toys you buy. Not only are some dog toys toxic for your pet, they’re bad for the environment too. Purchase toys made out of recycled materials or ones that are recyclable. Or, turn your trash into a treasure! Old socks can easily be converted into dog toys – and empty plastic bottles can too (some people even stuff the empty bottle inside a sock and then knot it up for playtime fun!).

Go GRReen! 10 Tips for Living Greener with Dogs

Happy Earth Day! Over the next 10 days, we'll post 10 tips for living greener with your dog (some adapted from planetgreen.com and greenlivingideas.com).......

It’s so easy to reduce your carbon footprint – and your dog’s carbon pawprint – with these eco-friendly tips:

1. Use Biodegradable poop bags. Plastic bags are definitely out! For a greener approach, choose to scoop with a biodegradable poop bag and then compost the whole thing. Just want to throw out the bag? That’s fine too. But be aware about biodegradable poop bags. If they go to a landfill that is anaerobic “air-locked,” the bags will not break down the way you think in the absence of oxygen. Still not happy? The simple solution is the best one – according to most experts: flush the poop down your toilet. It’s environmentally sound and earth-friendly. Did you know that American dogs and cats generate 10 million tons of waste each year? Yowsas!

Train for Success

Keep the following tips in mind when training your dog and you’re sure to experience success:

- Train when your dog hasn’t eaten yet. Better yet, take his breakfast, put it in a small bag and use his meal as reward during your training sessions.
- Treat with only very small pieces…about the size of a pencil eraser.
- Keep your training sessions short and sweet. It’s better to train a behavior several times a day for very short periods of time than to train until your dog stops having fun.
- Learn to read your dog and when he is “turning off” or tuning out. It’s important
to keep the sessions fun and end them before your dog runs out of gas.
- Stop training if you feel your patience running short. Dogs pick up very quickly on your emotions.
-Keep the sessions light, short and most of all FUN!

Submitted by Polly Kaplan, local dog trainer and owner of Sirius Play, positively fun training for you and your canine partner. Call Polly at 845.797.1879 for more info.

Spring has Sprung!

Spring has sprung...and so has dog hair! It's the season for shedding. Did you know that shedding isn't a result of rising temperatures? It's actually based on light, not heat, so shedding is an issue for pets across the globe. Here are few tips to help you when the fur starts flying:

- Brush and comb dogs' coats regularly to remove loose hair.
- Bathe dogs every 6-8 weeks to moisturize the skin and minimize shedding. Use a high-quality shampoo designed specifically for dogs.
- Consider using a grooming spray between baths to help control static electricity.
- Feed a high-quality diet with high levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which help to condition the coat.
- Provide plenty of fresh drinking water.
- Offer healthy treats that are rich in antioxidants instead of junk food. Foods like salmon, tuna and duck help promote luxurious, healthy coats.
- Keep up with vet visits to help nip potential skin-coat loss problems such as allergies, parasitic infections and hormonal disorders - in the bud.

Source: Adapted from Pet Age (April 2009)

WE'RE MOVING!

Looks like our first day in our new location (Montgomery Row Plaza - 6423 Montgomery Row, Suite 8) will be on May 2nd! Stop in to see us!

A Trick for Removing Pet Hair

Have a shedder? Just swipe a lightly dampened sponge over fur-covered upholstery and carpets to remove pet hair - it works like a charm!

Our Online Store is Up and Running!

It's a big day for Pause Dog Boutique - we launched our online store today! Check it out at www.pausedogboutique.com. The first 10 people who place an order get a free gift with purchase! Check it out today!