In part one we discussed ‘human’ foods that your pup shouldn’t eat. In part two, we will go over common household items that should be kept out of reach of your pet!
Human and Animal medication: The Acetaminophen in Tylenol and other pain relievers may interfere with the animals oxygen flow and could severely harm their liver. Do not give any ‘human’ medication to your pet without consulting with your vet first. On the other hand veterinary pharmaceuticals should be given with caution as well. Just because they are prescribed to them, doesn’t mean they can’t overdose on them if given the wrong dosage. Always give medication of any kind under veterinary guidance.
Antifreeze: As many know, antifreeze gives off a sweet smell and taste. We as people of course know not to drink it, but our pets don’t and they may very well be tempted. Even a very small amount can be lethal for pets. Consumption can result in fatality for not only animals but humans as well.
Fertilizer: These contain harsh chemicals that are made to combat pest and weed problems. If your pet happens to eat some grass that has fertilizer on it, chances are he/she will probably be fine. The real problem is when it is ingested straight from the bag in its purest form. If this happens, it can result in tremors, seizures, and more.
Laundry Detergent: If detergent is ingested- this can cause gastrointestinal problems and lethargy in pets. The biggest concern is that the pet will begin to aspirate after the ingestion, which can result in aspiration pneumonititis (a type of lung infection) that can be very serious.
Plants: There are certain plants that are specifically poisonous to pets, while others are completely safe. Before purchasing a new house plant check to make sure they are pet-safe.
Rodenticides: These are specifically formulated to attract and exterminate small mammals. They may contain flavorings like fish, peanut butter, and more to attract the pest. However, these have a good chance of attracting your pet as well. Opt for baits that are considered ‘pet friendly’. These are created in a way that protects pets as they are resistant to tampering.
Insecticides: Just like with rodenticides, these are made with the purpose of extermination. If pesticides are necessary, there are a handful of safer options available.
Cleaning Products: Most cleaning products contain many harsh chemicals for removing dirt, grime, etc. With that being said- some of these products are of course harsher than others. It is just safer all around to keep all window cleaners, bleach, bathroom cleaners, etc. nice and tucked away.
Batteries: Because batteries are so acidic, if ingested they can cause mouth, throat, and stomach issues. When chewed or punctured alkaline batteries can leak a toxic substance that can potentially burn the inside of the mouth and throat. Not to mention- if swallowed whole they can cause blockages in the intestines.
Children’s toys: Any toy that isn’t specifically made for your pup, should not be given to your pup. Many children’s toys that have small bits and pieces can break off and potentially get lodged in the throat or intestines.
Dogs and pets in general tend to try to get into stuff every once in a while because they’re simply curious by nature. It is up to us to keep things secure and out of reach. This means locking up any potentially harmful substances that may be in our kitchens, bathrooms, etc. No one is perfect and accidents happen. Pets can be crafty little critters. If your pet ingests something that could possibly hurt them- contact your vet or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Center Hotline at 888-426-4435. Healthy pets are happy pets, and the more prepared we are the better!
Don’t have a date for Valentine’s Day this year? No need to fear, your pup is here to save the day! Sound silly? Well, there are actually quite a few reasons why dogs can make better Valentines than people do. Here we have just a few of the reasons your pup should be your date this year!
1. Dogs aren’t picky.
They truly can have a blast doing just about anything. You won’t have to worry about a fussy date, as they will be more than happy just spending the day with you!
2. You’ll have the cutest date.
Without a doubt, all your friends will be jealous you’ve got the cutest date in town! What’s cuter than a furry face and a sweet set of puppy dog eyes?! Definitely not that boy you’ve been chasing after.
3. You won’t have to get all fancied up.
You know that pair of heels that are just so cute, but you can’t help but dread wearing them? No worries! Your dog would love nothing more than for you to throw on your comfiest sweatpants and stay in for the night.
4. You don’t have to worry about buying extravagant gifts.
Instead of buying a diamond necklace or an expensive pair of shoes, you can just pick up some treats or a cute little toy! The best part is they will love it- no matter how big or small the gift is.
5. No chance of a sweet Valentine’s Day turning sour.
You won’t have to worry about any cancelled plans or anyone picking a fight. Dogs are notorious for being happy-go-lucky critters, so you’re in luck! You’ll be sure to have a great day with no complaints.
6. Dogs make the best cuddle buddies.
Because they are covered in fluff, and are just naturally warmer than people, they make the best snuggle buddies! So, when your Valentine’s Day comes to an end, you should end the night cuddled up to your best friend.
No matter how you choose to spend your day, be sure to have fun and stay safe! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Puppies are just the best, aren’t they? Who doesn’t love a cute, happy, little puppy face?! Although they are undeniably adorable, they can be a real handful. There are many things one should consider before rushing to adopt a puppy. You want to make sure you are prepared to take on another full-time job. Here are a few things you should think about if you’re going to adopt a puppy!
What kind of dog you get is one, if not the most, important thing for you to think about before adopting. In fact, it is crucial that you do your research on different breeds to help you determine what will best fit into your life. For example, a 10-pound Chihuahua would be fine living in a small apartment. However, a 180-pound English Mastiff would need much more space. You also want to look at the breed’s coat-type, because some dog’s coats will require regular maintenance. Dogs with tight-curly coats must be brushed out regularly, or they can end up with some painful matting that will eventually have to be shaved off. On the other hand, short/straight-haired dogs require little to no grooming maintenance, aside from the usual bathing and nail trimming.
The next thing you should definitely consider is your lifestyle. Do you have a demanding job that calls for you to work long hours? Because to train a new puppy, you are going to need lots of time and patience. You also will have to make time to keep up with their vet appointments for annual vaccines and check-ups. Not to mention, most puppies can’t just be left home alone with no supervision. If you choose not to crate train, you will need someone there to watch them or find a doggie daycare/hotel that can watch them for you while you’re gone. It will make things much easier for you if you set these things up before you bring home your new pup!
Lastly, you will just want to make sure your home is ready to welcome a puppy. Puppies are curious, and they will more than likely be ready to get into stuff. You will want to puppy-proof your home to ensure his or her safety. This means keeping the trash put away, covering electrical cords, getting rid of any poisonous plants, etc. Also, if you have children or other pets, you will want to make sure they are ready to welcome a new pet into the home. It’s never a bad idea to educate yourself on the proper ways to introduce a new pup to your family, that way you can have peace of mind when leaving them alone together. Other than that, you will just need the basic dog supplies such as water/food bowls, toys, bedding, etc. Now you’re on your way to bringing home your new furry friend!
By no means is this written to deter you from adopting a puppy, puppies are great and they truly become part of your family. It is more so to simply educate on the fact the puppies aren’t just all fun and games. There is a lot of responsibility and work that comes with bringing home a new fur baby. As long as you are prepared, things will be great. To bring things to an end, we’d like to feature a few of the new puppies we’ve recently met here at Good Dog!
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Each year when the holidays come around, we all start thinking of fun and useful gifts we could get for our loved ones. We start filling the stores trying to find something thoughtful for our mom, dad, kids, spouse, and more. In all the holiday chaos, we can’t forget about our furry friends! Luckily, they don’t tend to be too hard to please. Here we have compiled a list of awesome gifts for dogs in 2019. Ranging from classic toys to high-tech gifts, you’ll be sure to find something that your pup will love!
#1. Smart Dog Collar:
We as people can hardly live without our smart phones. With the LinkAKC Smart Dog Collar, you can track your dog’s location, store records and appointments, and even know when temperatures are too hot or cold for your dog, all from your phone! The smart collar can record adventures and it can also light up in the nighttime. It can be used on dogs of many different sizes and breeds so if you’re looking to splurge on your pup this year, this may just be the gift for you!
#2. Warm Coat:
A new, warm, fuzzy coat is always great to have for the winter! The great thing is you can find dog coats at many places including Walmart, PetSmart, Petco, Amazon, and lots more! Small short haired and senior dogs get chilly during the colder months and can always use a good coat!
#3. Dog DNA Test:
Have you ever wondered just what kind of dog you have? Many times, we adopt dogs from shelters, and it can be hard to pin-point just what breed they are. The ‘Embark’ dog DNA test is known as the most accurate and it captures over 200,000 genetic markers when testing. Although it is on the pricey side, this can be a fun one for the whole family!
#4. Classic Kong Toy:
Kong’s are durable, reusable, and they keep your pup busy! You can stuff their favorite treats, peanut butter, or cheese inside and just leave them to it. Kong’s are affordable and they come in different colors and sizes, something to fit each dog!
#5. Cozy Bed:
What dog doesn’t love to snuggle up and get comfy? Dog beds are one of the easier gifts you can get for your dog, as they are super easy to find, and they vary in pricing and sizes. They are typically affordable, and your dog can get tons of use out of them! Some lasting for years.
#6. Dog Subscription Box:
This is the gift that keeps on giving! Doggie subscription boxes are tons of fun, and they come once a month full of surprises. There are a variety of plans you can choose from and you can personalize the things you get based on your pup’s interests.
#7. Treats from a Dog Bakery:
Grab a couple of festive treats from a local dog bakery! For example, here in Indiana we have ‘Three Dog’s Bakery’ which have locations in downtown Indianapolis, Broad Ripple, and Noblesville. They sell a variety of cute and yummy treats, including cakes, individual personalized treats, and bagged treats. Stop in your local doggie bakery today! Your pup won’t be disappointed. 
#8. Personalized Pet Stuff:
Although most customizable things must be made online, there are so many things we can get personalized for our pets. You can get collars, bowls, toy boxes, and more personalized with your pet’s name or face just to let them know they’re extra special.
#9. Durable Stuffed Toy:
So many of our pups love stuffed, squeaky toys. However, a lot of dogs love them a little too much and they end up ripped to shreds. ‘Fluff and Tuff’ toys are ultra-plush, and they are double stitched with a mesh liner to keep your pup from tearing into them. They come in different animals too, such as a raccoon, bear, sloth, and more!
#10. Custom Pet Portrait:
Let’s be honest, this one’s more for us than the dog. I mean, a good pet portrait is just too cute! You can find different companies and local artists to paint up an awesome portrait for you and your pet. This varies depending on your location of course, but whichever way you spin it, this just makes a great gift for the whole family!
The continuation of ‘Tiki’s Story’…
Although Tiki had spent so much time at the vet, he was only in the beginning stages of his recovery. For another month or so, Michelle, and some of the staff at that time, would take turns caring for Tiki. He still could not walk due to his injury, so they would carry him around on a large, sturdy platform in order to get him around for the time being. They would carry him inside and outside several times a day, and he would just hang out with Michelle in her office in his spare time. After almost two months of not being able to walk, they knew it was time. It was time to begin teaching him how to walk again. They could see it in his eyes just how much he wanted to walk, and he was determined to become mobile again. They would encourage him to walk by crouching down a small distance away from him, and they would call him to them. Although he would cry out at times due to the pain at first, he eventually began to drag himself using his front legs. He did this for some time to get around, but over time he finally began to use his back legs again. Of course, it wasn’t perfect at first. He would keep his back legs together and he would practically hop around. This was still so, so far from where he started. He was making so much progress then one day, in the blink of an eye, he began walking on all fours. It really goes to show you that with a little hope, you can truly do anything.
Originally, we thought Tiki would be adopted out, but we had grown far too close to him. He was apart of our family now, and everyone had so much love for him. He was simply the one, and he’s been with us ever-since. As you can see, this was not a story that could be summoned up in just a few sentences. Did you know that in the U.S alone, approximately 1.2 million dogs are hit on the roads each year? This is a staggering, heart-breaking number. This is just another reason why Tiki’s story was so important for us to tell. It is important for us to be reminded of how much power we have to help not only people, but animals too. We love you Tiki, and we thank you for bringing so much love and laughter to our lives each and every day. You inspire us, and our lives wouldn’t be the same without you!
Looking for a best friend? We have the perfect pup just for you!
When we updated our website, we lost our previous blog on Buddy. However, we think he’s ‘oh-so-perfect’ and decided to write another. If you don’t already know about Buddy, you’ll soon find out why we love him so much. Buddy has been through a lot but since the first day we met him he has been the sweetest, most loving, perfect boy. He came to a long-time client of ours as a stray & in need of immediate medical assistance. He had a skin infection and really bad teeth. After a few rounds of antibiotics we saw a huge change in his fur/skin. His coat went from brown to a deep, bright red and his demeanor is sweeter than ever (if that’s even possible.) As of recently, a miracle happened. Buddy had a donor step forward to pay for the removal of a few teeth. Everyone who meets Buddy falls in love immediately, we know we can find him a forever home.
–For more information about Buddy take a look at his bio: https://www.gooddoghotel.com/adoption/
Tilly is a 10-month-old boxer mix who is now spayed, up-to-date on shots and looking for her forever home. She was initially adopted quickly, but the sale of her adopters’ new home unfortunately fell through. She has been with us for quite some time, waiting for her rescuer, so we compiled a list of our favorite things about her … Here are our Top 10:
-Every dog in daycare loves her – she is one of the most social and playful pups!
-Her demeanor toward humans is shy, but loving and sweet.
-She has the biggest, most beautiful puppy-dog eyes.
-Loves companionship and is definitely ready to give her whole heart to her owner.
-Has the most beautiful brindle coat, to match those pretty eyes!
-While timid with people at first, once she gets to know you, she’s very loyal and loving.
-Her playful, energetic personality will make her the BEST sibling to any dog!
-She’s very sweet, smart and curious.
-Loves to lay her head in your hand, which makes your heart melt!
-Favorite activity is sunbathing, especially with another canine or human friend.
Hank’s previous owners were devastated to part with him, through no fault of his own, and he is long overdue for a new forever family. Hank is a 9-month-old hound mix who is neutered and up-to-date on shots. Our staff adores him, so we compiled a list of our Top 10 reasons to love him:
-Hanky is so smart – he already knows sit, lay down and is ready to learn more.
-Loves to run … we can see him making a runner VERY happy.
-He’ll do anything for a treat, so he’d make a great trick dog!
-Great to take on walks, but would rather lay in the sun with you.
-Loves to eat blackberries.
-Hank not only adores cuddling, he is great at it!
-Is fantastic in daycare and gets along great with dogs and humans.
-Loooooves taking baths…Imagine that!
-Adorably playful and energetic — he’s the quintessential playful pup!
-Loves kids, especially older ones (still has some “puppy energy” that could be too much for toddlers).
-Bonus #11, because Hank is too cute to limit our list to 10: He has the most beautiful puppy-dog eyes that can make anyone smile, even on your worst day. Plus we’re pretty sure he’s going to have them forever.
A year after adopting our stray Buddy, his parents sent us an update on his new life.
Rudy’s First Year
When we first met Rudy (his name was Buddy at the time), it was love at first sight. He’s so incredibly sweet and immediately took to us. During his first drive home, he laid nervously on the backseat, a little anxious of the whole “moving tin can” thing and certainly scared of the open windows. He was also terrified of our staircase at first, but treat by treat, he found the way to his bed upstairs. He’s a quick learner; he nailed sit, stay, and lay down immediately. Now, he gives the best “high fives” and can finally “speak,” with bonus command “louder” … It took about four months to hear his first bark!
This spring, we bought Rudy a pass to the dog park, and his personality really shines amongst the other dogs. He loves playing chase and is happiest when sprinting directly toward us from the farthest corner of the park, usually covered in mud. He continues to work on “fetch” and usually prefers a game of keep-away first. At home, he is a lover. He loves cuddling on the couch but has been known to suddenly attack his stuffed gator from afar. Every bone or large treat he receives is painstakingly hidden before it’s enjoyed. His favorite spots are inside the couch, under his bed, and corners. We’ve even found him under our pillows a time or two!
We anxiously waited for the right time to get a dog, so when the stars aligned to adopt Rudy, we felt like we won the lottery! He is playful and affectionate, loves to make us laugh, and always greets us at the door. Rudy has brought a lot of love into our home, and he helps us to be more active. It has been a great experience watching Rudy grow and learn. You are most likely to see his smiling face at the dog park, getting pets from strangers on the Monon, or hanging out of the car window with his tongue out, on the way to visit friends.
Thank you, Good Dog Hotel, for playing matchmaker! We couldn’t be happier.
Mandi, Brendan & Rudy
For our 3rd installment in the Mini Me blog series, meet Hawkeye and Willow. Hawkeye is a 9-year-old weim who has been visiting us since he was a pup — his mini-me is a tiny 3-year-old dachshund spitfire named Willow. Here is a little more about each pup:
| Willow |
Hawkeye |
| Silver Dachshund |
Weimaraner |
| 4 pounds |
60ish pounds |
| Nickname: We lovingly call her Weeeeeeelow (you have to sound it out and smile when you say it). |
Hawkey, Hawkey-do, Handsome Boy. |
| She’s often spotted on the bed in our littles’ section. |
Often spotted on the bed in our littles’ section, despite his size. |
| Takes the shape of a tiny little cinnamon bun when napping on bed. |
Takes the shape of a giant cinnamon bun when napping on bed. |
| Willow is sassy and sweet. She rules the roost when in daycare, and gets lots of love and attention from humans. |
Hawkeye is noble, calm, mindful and loving. One of our oldest clients, he’s adored by everyone in our building. |
| When we first met Willow, she weighed barely a pound. She could actually fit in a pocket, which only made us want to put her in our pockets and run away with her. |
Hawkey’s routine is to run through our doors, dash into daycare, open the gates himself and plop down on the bed. He used to roll with the bigs when he was younger; he has since retired to the slower pace of our littles. |
| Willow’s mom and dad are originally from Spain and moved here to teach Spanish. |
Hawkeye comes from a big family of Iowa fans, hence his name. |
| Why we love her: all of the above, plus her parents are the nicest people on earth and her adopted sister Lola is a sweetpea! |
Why we love him: all of the above. Hawkey has been part of our family for almost a decade, and his mom and family are some of our favorite people! |
