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Category: Dog Activities

Bark-for-Treat!

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DIY Goodies To Offer Trick-Or-Treating Dogs On Halloween

Halloween night is full of frights and fun. As you prepare your candy bowl for costumed kiddos, don’t forget that there might be some tail-waggers tagging along!

If you live in a dog-friendly city or neighborhood, consider keeping some goodies on hand to offer to any pups who are trick-or-treating with their families. Since there’s going to be lots of candy around that they shouldn’t be eating, these treats are safe ways to keep them happy while they join in on the fun! Just make sure to ask if it’s alright to give Fido a snack, and make sure that no one in the paw family has food allergies.

 

1. Peanut Butter Apple Treatsdog sitters near me Elk River, doggy day care Elk River, indoor dog kennels Elk River, overnight dog boarding Elk River, overnight dog care Elk River, puppy daycare Elk River, dog boarding Otsego, dog boarding Rogers, boarding kennels Elk River, canine massage Elk River

Here are a few things to keep in mind: make sure that the apple pieces you use don’t include any bits of core or seeds, which contain cyanide. Also, if you choose to use sprinkles, make sure that they are not chocolate, and only use a tiny bit to avoid feeding your pup too much sugar. If this concerns you, we would suggest using crushed salt-free peanuts to roll the coated apples in, instead!

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Peanut Butter (xylitol free)

1/4 Cup Peanut butter Chips

12 Pretzel Sticks (low sodium or no salt)

3 Apples

Watch this easy how-to video:

 

Don’t those look great?! We bet your pooch would love to gobble up these tasty treats, and share them with all of his friends! Heck–we might try a bite or two, as well!

*Canines certainly can’t have caramel apples, but these coated apples-on-a-stick are the perfect pup-sized substitute.

 

2. Canine-Friendly Candy Corn overnight dog care Elk River, puppy daycare Elk River, dog boarding Otsego, dog boarding Rogers, dog boarding facilities Elk River, dog boarding near me Elk River, dog care near me Elk River, dog kennels Elk River, boarding kennels Elk River, canine massage Elk River

INGREDIENTS
– 1 1/2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
-1/2 Cup Oatmeal
– 1/2 Cup Chicken Brooth
– 1 Egg

For Coloring the Candy Corn
3 Tbsp All Purpose Flour
6 Tbsp Water
1 Tbsp Canned Pumpkin
1/2 Tbsp Coconut Oil
1/2 tsp Turmeric

DIRECTIONS
Preheat your oven to 350 Degrees. Mix together all of the main ingredients in a bowl.  Form a nice dough.  If you need to add a bit more flour, or water, to make it more dough like, go ahead and do that.  Once you have a nice dough ball, spread a bit of flour on your surface and roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thick.  If you have Candy Corn Cookie Cutters  I would suggest using those, otherwise you can make a big circle, and cut your dough into pizza slices.  Lay cookies onto a lined cookie sheet.

Now onto the coloring.  The first color you want to do is the white.  Mix together 1 Tablespoon of Flour, 2 Tablespoons of water, and 1/2 of a Tablespoon of coconut oil.  Stir together, and then paint on the top portion of your cookies.
The next color we are going to make is the Yellow.  Mix together 1 Tablespoon of Flour, 2 Tablespoons of water, and 1/2 of a Tablespoon Turmeric. Stir together and paint the bottom portion of the cookies.
Now the Orange.  Mix together 1 Tablespoon of Flour, 2 Tablespoons of water, and 1 Tablespoon of canned pumpkin (you may need to add a bit more flour to thicken this one).  Paint the center parts of the cookies.

 

Place the cookies into the oven for about 20 minutes.  If you want your cookies to have a shine, after 20 mins, take the cookies out, and brush them with egg whites, then place them back into the oven for an additional 5 minutes. Enjoy!

Heck, these may even be better than the real thing! Treat visiting pups to one of these oatmeal-and-wheat cookies instead of the waxy, sugary candy.

 

3. Pumpkin Pup Bites

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YOU’LL NEED

1 Cup Fresh Pumpkin
1 and ½ Cups Rice Flour
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
½ Tablespoon Freshly Ground Ginger
1 Free Range Egg
1 Cup Honey
1 Cup Vegetable Oil

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TO MAKE

1. Preheat oven to 175 Degrees Celsius. Line a flat baking tray with baking paper.

2. Peel and dice pumpkin into cubes and bring to boil in saucepan of water. Drain pumpkin and allow to cool. Puree in blender or food processor (or if you want to be old school, mash your pumpkin to a fine puree). Chill in refrigerator.

3. Combine flour, cinnamon and ginger in bowl and mix well.

4. Combine egg, honey and vegetable oil in large bowl and whisk until well combined.

5. Add the chilled pumpkin puree to the wet ingredients and whisk until well combined.

6. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, whisking well until all ingredients are combined.

7. With teaspoons, spoon the batter onto the lined tray spacing about one inch apart to make mini cake patties.

8. Bake for 15 minutes. To test, insert a toothpick into the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is ready and can be removed from the oven. Allow cakes to cool and serve.

Makes approximately 30 pumpkin dog treats. Best consumed fresh, so freeze any leftovers not consumed within 72 hours.

To dress up your dog pumpkin treats with our Halloween Flag, download your free printable here:

Happy Halloween Pretty Fluffies!

Pooches love pumpkin, plus it’s good for them! (In moderation, of course.) Pass out these perfectly orange goodies, and keep the recipe for when Thanksgiving rolls around.

 

4. Burlap Barker Bags

This Halloween, be prepared with treats for the kids and the furry friends who come to our door – with these Halloween Treat Bags for Dogs which are so super simple to make!

All you need is some small burlap bags {frugal buy at the dollar store}, a black permanent marker, festive Halloween ribbon, and some Big Heart Pet Brands {Milk-Bone, Pup-Peroni and/or Milo’s Kitchen} dog treats.

Take each burlap bag and using the black permanent marker, draw some paw prints on the front. Easy peesy!

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Then, fill each bag with some delicious dog treats. Our Charlie loves Milk-Bone, Pup-Peroni and Milo’s Kitchen – so I chose both the hard Milk-Bone biscuits and the soft treats, as well as some Pup-Peroni. You might have to snap the Pup-Peroni in half to fit into the bag.

Your pet may be very curious as to what you are doing with their favorite treats; they will make sure to supervise your project!  Their assistance in this easy DIY project will be rewarded! Mmmm!

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Give your four-legged visitors a whole bag full of goodies! Pop a few nuggets into this easy-to-make drawstring bag for a few treats that can be enjoyed now and later.

Of course, you can always keep a simple box of dog treats near the door–costumed canines will enjoy them, just the same! 

To schedule doggy daycare, overnight dog boarding, grooming or canine massage, pre-register online at https://www.dakotahsdoggydaycare.com or call us today at 763-777-9590.   

 

 

*Re-posted by: https://iheartdogs.com/6-diy-goodies-to-offer-trick-or-treating-dogs-on-halloween/

Don’t Toy It Away

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Since 2012, pet lovers and crafters have come together to enrich the lives of shelter pets through National Craft For Your Local Shelters Day (July 21). On this day, people make beds, toys, clothes, “Adopt Me” bandannas, etc., to give to their local shelters. You don’t have to be a master crafter to help pets – the following three toys are sure to be a big hit at the shelter and are easy to make for a novice. Don’t worry if you can’t cut straight or measure exactly, the pets don’t care!

 

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This toy is easy to make with basic sewing skills and can be altered to be a dog chew toy or a cat kicker!

Step 1. Cut the legs of a pair of Jeans into 9” sections.

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Step 2. Turn inside out and sew up one side completely. Reinforce by stitching twice or using a reinforcement stitch.

Note: Be sure to stitch over the seams on the sides, to lock them.

Step 3. Sew the other side in the same manner as above, but leave a 2” gap.

Note: if you are adding a squeaker, be sure you leave a big enough gap that it will fit.

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For a cat kicker toy, stuff with stuffing and catnip. You may decide to make it narrower by cutting the jeans down on one side, which means you will need to sew up three sides instead of two.

 Step 5. sew up the opening. boarding kennels Elk River, canine massage Elk River, dog boarding facilities Elk River, dog boarding near me Elk River, dog care near me Elk River, dog kennels Elk River, dog sitters near me Elk River, doggy day care Elk River, indoor dog kennels Elk River, overnight dog boarding Elk River

#2 – Sock Tennis Ball Tug

No sewing required for this fun toy! Take an old sock (it’s okay if it has holes!), put a tennis ball inside and tie a double knot. In under a minute you have a fun toy that dogs can play with by themselves or with a volunteer.

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This is actually a favorite toy of my own dog….

It’s great because when the sock gets old, it can just be cut off and the ball played with by itself, or the sock can be replaced. For extra fun, buy tennis balls with squeakers in them.

Don’t have old socks? Long sleeve shirts work too – just cut the sleeves off, tie one end, drop the ball in and put not on the other side of the ball. You can then put knots throughout the rest of the open sleeve if desired.

#3 – No-Sew Catnip Squares

This is a great project to use up all those small pieces of scrap fleece or even clothes – as long as the material doesn’t fray. While many versions of catnip squares require you to sew, this one doesn’t!

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 Step 2. With two squares stacked together, cut slits into the edges approximately 2”. Do this around all the edges.

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Step 3. With right sides out, tie the squares together on all sides, leaving about 2” open on one side.

 

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Note: Make sure you pull tight so the catnip doesn’t leak.

Step 4. Fill with catnip and tie closed.

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To schedule doggy daycare, overnight dog boarding, grooming or canine massage, pre-register online at https://www.dakotahsdoggydaycare.com or call us today at 763-777-9590.   

 

 

 

*Re-posted by: https://iheartdogs.com/3-simple-diy-pet-toys-in-honor-of-craft-for-your-local-shelters-day/

Hot Dog

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Many people think of fetch or tug-of-war when it comes to games to play with your dogs. However, there are some pups who might be too old, nervous, or just not thrilled with the prospect of one of these standard dog games.

In fact, they might rather go for a long walk and track a scent, learn new tricks, or snuggle extra close to you.

It can be frustrating trying to find a game your dog enjoys, but it’s totally worth the effort. Games can be used to give your dog exercise, mental stimulation, and even a sense of purpose.

It’s also a great excuse to spend some time bonding with your dog. And that’s why you got a dog in the first place, right?

Here are six common styles of dog play and how to find the right game for your dog.

Games For The Jock Dog dog sitters near me Elk River, doggy day care Elk River, indoor dog kennels Elk River, overnight dog boarding Elk River, overnight dog care Elk River, puppy daycare Elk River, dog boarding Otsego, dog boarding Rogers, boarding kennels Elk River, canine massage Elk River

The jock dog is spunky and athletic. They are always excited when you come home, love bringing you toys for tug-of-war, and love exploring. If this is your dog, you can try out a lot of activities.

Favorite games include:

  • Fetch–the longer the throw, the better
  • Tug-of-war
  • Agility sports
  • Flyball
  • Frisbee
  • Long hikes
  • Jogging or even running
  • Trips to the dog park. Let the dogs play their own games and tire each other out!

Anything high energy–both mental and physical–will keep the jock dog entertained.

The Ball Hound

If your dog hides and retrieves toys, balls, and occasionally one of your socks, they are definitely a ball hound. Keeping these toy-obsessed doggies happy involves stepping up your standard fetch game.

If you have a Retriever, chances are they love the water as well. Try out fetch in a nearby lake, or try out one of these other ball hound activities.

The Couch Potato

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It can be hard to convince a coach potato pup to get their energy up, but it is vital to their health. Taking your leisurely pup out on a long stroll is a low-impact way of keeping them healthy and strong.

Here are a few other ways to keep your pup active if they prefer a more sedentary lifestyle:

  • Learn and practice basic commands. That may not seem like much of a game, but your pup will find it fun.
  • Play an indoor game of mini-fetch on a rug or carpet
  • Scatter their food in a few “hiding” places so they have to move and look for it
  • Get a puzzle feeder for some added stimulation at meal time
  • Have a doggy play date. Sometimes a more active friend can convince a pooch to play.

The Diggity Dog

Does your dog love to dig? Some dogs just feel the urge to paw and claw at furniture, in backyards, and in your dirty laundry more than others.

To keep your dog’s digging behavior from becoming destructive, try giving them their own place to dig–and reward them with treats. You can provide them with a sandbox or a place in the yard with plenty of dirt.

You may also want to try tossing their toys under beds or low tables during a game of fetch. The feeling of tunneling may appeal to their digger roots.

Speaking of tunnels, some digger dogs love to play in a good kiddie tunnel, too. You can recycle your kids’ old tunnel toys or buy a tunnel just for your pooch!

The Nose

Dogs bred to track scents, like Beagles and hounds, tend to follow their nose wherever it leads them. They have an instinct to track down scents, which can be used for several different activities.

If you really want to go above and beyond, you can even train your scent hound how to be a search and rescue dog.

Or you can simply take scent work classes just for fun. Lots of doggy daycares and training facilities offer these fun classes that provide a great way for owners to bond with their dogs.

Another fun game to play might be a version of hide and seek. In this version, you hide a valuable item, like a toy or treat, then give your dog a command to sniff it out. Start with obvious locations, then move to more challenging ones.

Of course, a classic long walk can provide your dog with plenty of smells to sniff. Try walking somewhere you haven’t been before. The new odors will give your pup some mental stimulation.

The Smart Cookie boarding kennels Elk River, canine massage Elk River, dog boarding facilities Elk River, dog boarding near me Elk River, dog care near me Elk River, dog kennels Elk River, dog sitters near me Elk River, doggy day care Elk River, indoor dog kennels Elk River, overnight dog boarding Elk River

You know if you have a smart cookie pup. They tend to somehow be a step ahead of you, whether its grabbing the leash for a walk or chewing up your favorite shoe because you didn’t give them their dinner on time.

In order to keep your smart pup from becoming destructive out of boredom, play some mentally stimulating games with them.

If you have the ability to commit to agility lessons, your smart cookie dog would benefit immensely. If not, here are a few other challenging games to introduce to your pup:

  • Herding exercises. You don’t need to own sheep. Some trainers will offer classes or private lessons.
  • Learn new, creative tricks. Has your pup learned any Harry Potter spells?
  • Puzzle toys. Give them a mental workout.
  • Name game. Assign a name to each of your dog’s toys. When they bring the right one, reward them. Introduce new toys from time to time.
  • Maze or obstacle course. You can get really creative. Lots of people make mazes out of snow or obstacle courses out of pool noodles.

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Don’t forget the physical workout, too. Even many brainy dogs will have fun with jock dog games.

As always, before starting any new exercise regimen with your dog, run it by your vet. Keep safety in mind with all of your activities, and make sure to give your pup rest if they need it.

To schedule doggy daycare, overnight dog boarding, grooming or canine massage, pre-register online at https://www.dakotahsdoggydaycare.com or call us today at 763-777-9590.   

 

 

*Re-posted by: https://dogtime.com/lifestyle/dog-activities/1092-games-every-dog

Your Pet Will Get a Treat and You Will Get a Treat

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9 Best Homemade Dog Treats For Spoiling Your Pup

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#1 – Glazed Pumpkin and Peanut Butter Biscuits

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Biscuit ingredients

1 cup pumpkin
1/2 cup peanut butter
2 eggs
1/4 cup oil
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda

 

 

Glaze ingredients

2 tablespoons bacon grease, coconut oil, chicken fat, or any other fat that will solidify at room temperature, melted
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine pumpkin, peanut butter, eggs, and oil in a bowl. Add in baking soda and whole wheat flour. Stir until a stiff dough forms. Knead dough or mix just until flour is incorporated.
Roll out dough with a rolling pin and use a cookie cutter to cut out dog bone shapes, or just bake into little circles like cookies. Bake for 15 minutes.
Whisk the bacon grease and peanut butter until very smooth. Drizzle over the treats and cool till glaze hardens (it does best in the fridge or freezer).

#2 – Peanut Butter Coconut Oil Treats

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Ingredients

1 cup all-natural peanut butter
1 tablespoon unprocessed coconut oil
1 teaspoon cinnamon
silicon paw print tray

Instructions

Be sure the coconut oil is in liquid form. If not, place coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat and cook until melted.
Add peanut butter and cinnamon. Stir until mixture is completely smooth and thoroughly mixed. Mixture should be thick, but pourable.
Pour mixture into tray and freeze until set.
Carefully remove from tray and store in air-tight container in freezer (they soften quickly).

Recipe Notes

These were made for dogs in the 10-15 pound range. Adjust the amount of coconut oil accordingly. Rule of thumb is that you use 1 teaspoon of coconut oil per 10 pounds of your dog’s body weight.

#3 – DIY Frozen Watermelon Treats

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Watermelon and popsicles are both staples of a hot summer day. Your dog should be able to enjoy those things, too! These watermelon pupsicles are simple and your dog will love them.

Ingredients

A quarter of a watermelon [preferably seedless]
One can of coconut milk

Instructions

Scoop out about 1/4 of the melon
Blend together with the can of coconut milk – add more watermelon if you want a darker pink.
Pour into ice cube tray and freeze

#4 – Valentine Hearts Chicken Treats

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For the baked treats you need:

Silicone Heart Mold
1 cup cooked, finely diced chicken
1/2 cup rice, cooked & mashed
3 tablespoons rice flour
1 tablespoon parsley
1 egg

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix together all ingredients and stir well. Spoon into silicone molds. Bake for 20 – 30 minutes, until tops are golden brown. Allow to cool and remove from molds. Store in fridge.

For the frozen treats you need:

Silicone Heart Mold
1 cup cooked, finely diced chicken
1/2 cup rice, cooked
1 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon parsley

Directions

In a blender or food processor, blend together all ingredients. Spoon into the silicone molds and place in freezer until solid.

 

If you’re looking for a recipe that both you and your dog can enjoy, this recipe fits the bill! For those who don’t like the spices in the dog version, you can easily make half the batch with the dog spices and half with spices you’ll enjoy which may not be as dog-friendly.

Ingredients

1 Sweet Potato
1 tbsp Coconut Oil (melted)
Spices – Turmeric, Cinnamon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
Wash and peel the sweet potato
Cut the sweet potato into evenly sized long skinny (fry shaped) pieces
Coat with oil and spices – Mix in a large bowl or Ziploc bag
Place fries on baking sheet in one layer
Bake for 15 minutes
Flip over fries for even baking
Bake for another 10-15 minutes
Let cool before giving to your dog!

Other dog-safe spices you can use in this recipe include:

Basil
Cinnamon
Coriander
Dill
Garlic (in small amounts)
Ginger
Marjoram
Oregano
Parsley
Rosemary
Sage
Tarragon
Thyme
Turmeric

#6 – Ginger Apple Treats

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Ingredients

1 cup brown rice flour
½ cup apple, finely diced
⅔ cup Greek yogurt (plain)
½ tsp fresh ginger (finely minced) or 1 tsp ground ginger
1 tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Stir together until well combined. If necessary, thoroughly mix together with hands.
Turn mixture out onto a floured, flat surface and roll out with a rolling pin to approximately ¼”.
Cut into desired shapes and place on a baking sheet coated with nonstick spray.
Bake for 25 minutes, until golden brown.

#7 – Peanut Butter Pumpkin Treats

Nothing says fall like pumpkin treats. Pumpkin is also great for doggie digestion! Your pup will love these peanut butter pumpkin dog treats, and you can adjust the recipe to include or exclude grains as you see fit.

Ingredients

1 cup pumpkin puree
2 eggs
1/2 cup oats (optional if your dog is on a grain free diet, sub an extra 1/4 cup grain free flour)
3 cups whole wheat flour, brown rice flour, or gluten-free flour
3 tablespoons of all natural peanut butter
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)

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Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a small bowl, stir together the flour, oats, and cinnamon.
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, pumpkin and peanut butter until combined. Stir wet ingredients into dry.
Pour onto a floured surface and roll dough out to 1/2 thick. Cut out using cookie cutter.
The dough will be a little sticky, a dusting of flour for your hands and the rolling pin will help! Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until golden brown.
Place on cooling racks and let cool thoroughly. They will harden as they cool.

#8 – Salmon & Sweet Potato Treat

Not every dog can eat or enjoy crunchy dog treats. These soft treats are perfect for dogs with dental problems, small mouths, or who just don’t like crunchy dog treats.

Ingredients

1 can salmon

1 medium sweet potato, baked in the skin

2 eggs

1/3 c. coconut flour

Coconut oil for greasing a pan

 

Directions

 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, stir together coconut flour, eggs, and salmon. Allow the mix to “rest” for 10 minutes while the coconut soaks up the moisture. Remove the sweet potato from the skin and stir into the salmon mixture.

Grease a 9×9 cake pan or 9″ pie plate with coconut oil.

Press mix into the pan.

Bake for 60 – 70 minutes

Allow to cool and slice into squares. If you want a crunchy treat, you can return the squares to the oven on a baking sheet and bake at 150 for 3 -4 hours.

#9 – Heart-Shaped Cranberry Cookies For Dogs

These adorable cookies are a delicious way to show your dog how much you love them.

Ingredients

2 Eggs
1.5 Cups Almond Flour
1 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
3-4 Tablespoons Coconut Flour
1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries

Directionsboarding kennels Elk River, canine massage Elk River, dog boarding facilities Elk River, dog boarding near me Elk River, dog care near me Elk River, dog kennels Elk River, dog sitters near me Elk River, doggy day care Elk River, indoor dog kennels Elk River, overnight dog boarding Elk River

Preheat oven to 325 degrees
Beat the eggs and set aside
Combine almond flour, coconut oil, and dried cranberries in a bowl.
Add in the eggs and knead the ingredients with your hands. Dough will be wet and sticky.
Add in the coconut flour one tablespoon at a time to achieve a consistency that is easy to roll out and not overly sticky. This should take approximately 3-4 TBSP.
Roll out the dough and cut out the treats using heart-shaped cookie cutters.
Place the treats on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 15-18 minutes or until crisp.

To schedule doggy daycare, overnight dog boarding, grooming or canine massage, pre-register online at https://www.dakotahsdoggydaycare.com or call us today at 763-777-9590.   

 

Re-posted by: https://iheartdogs.com/9-best-homemade-dog-treats-for-spoiling-your-pup/

Summer Fun With Your Four Paws

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With the high temperatures we’ve had lately, you can feel that summer is almost here. And if you live near a school, you’ll know graduation season is in full swing.

Along with these hallmarks of summer come lazy days and more time to spend with your dog, hopefully. You might be wondering what activities you can actually do with your best furry friend this season.

Well, wonder no more! I’m going to share with you some of the awesome activities that are waiting for you and your dog in summer.

Before we dive in, one caveat: use common sense when you’re taking your dog outside for summertime fun. If the weather is really hot, it’s probably safer and more comfortable for your dog to stay home.

Remember to never leave your dog in a vehicle–it can heat up to a dangerous temperature in just a few minutes–and test the pavement with the back of your hand to make sure it’s not too hot for your dog’s paws before you walk with them.

By following these tips and using common sense, you can help make sure your dog stays safe and happy through all your summertime fun.

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A lot of dogs love cooling off on hot summer days by splashing around in the water.

Keep in mind that, while water activities can be a lot of fun for you and your dog, you should keep a close eye on them and make sure they aren’t taking in more water than their body can handle. This can lead to water intoxication, which can be fatal.

In particular, water intoxication can happen when dogs swallow too much water while swimming, playing in the ocean, or playing with a hose or sprinkler. Play safe and supervise.

If you live near water or you’re willing to take a trip to catch some waves, here are a few fun suggestions for you and your dog this summer.

1. Canoe With Your Pooch

Taking your dog out with you for a day of canoeing can be a fun and rewarding experience for both of you.

It’s best to take them where the water is clear and shallow so you can make sure the conditions are optimal for your canine pal. If your dog enjoys swimming, they can take a dip in the water with you to beat the heat.

Make sure your dog wears a doggy life vest at all times when they’re on the water.

2. Make A Day At The Dog Beach

If you’re lucky enough to live close to a dog beach–I live relatively close to the dog beach in Huntington Beach, California–then you and your pal might have a blast soaking up the rays and frolicking in the ocean.

Make sure you keep an eye on your dog, and make sure to bring fresh water for your pal.

Dog beaches can get crowded, so pay close attention to your friend and make sure they don’t get stressed or overwhelmed.

3. Take Your Dog For A Swim

If you have a pool or a place that allows dogs to swim, it’s worth seeing if they love taking a dip.

One of our dogs, Motley, absolutely loves swimming, and he’ll happily paddle in lakes, the ocean, and anywhere else there’s a natural body of water–he isn’t a fan of our pool. The other dogs don’t enjoy it as much, but they do like to wade out in shallow stretches of water.

Some dogs really love to swim, and some don’t. If you decide to take your buddy swimming, watch them to make sure they’re having fun and staying safe. You should never force your dog to swim if they’re scared or reluctant.

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If your dog loves to splash around but doesn’t like the idea of a full-on swim, bringing out a kiddie pool might be the perfect afternoon activity for them.

The kiddie pool provides a safe, non-intimidating place where they can get wet and cool off, stress-free.

For Land Lover Dogs And People

If your dog prefers to keep all paws on solid ground, there are plenty of land-based activities you can enjoy in summer.

Of course, that also means that your dog might not have the option of a swim to cool them off. No matter what activities you choose to do, make sure your dog has some shade and ways to stay cool.

Always provide them with plenty of cool drinking water.

Here are some of my favorite activities for land-lubber dogs and their humans.

5. Go Camping

Just last weekend, we took our three dogs camping in Anza-Borrego in Southern California. We had a blast, and the dogs loved being out with us–hearing the coyotes howling was especially exciting for them.

There are lots of campsites that allow dogs. Be sure to check the regulations before you go. For instance, some campsites allow dogs in the campsite, but not on the trails. Make sure to obey all leash laws.

6. Take Them For A Walk Or A Hike

Going for walks or hikes can be really fun for you and your dog, particularly if it’s a normal part of your routine.

Aim to walk or hike early in the morning or later in the evening when temperatures are cooler so nobody gets too hot.

7. Take Your Dog To The Drive-in

There’s nothing better than a drive-in movie, unless it’s a drive-in movie with your dog. Make sure to bring species-appropriate snacks for your dog, along with fresh water.

You can go to driveintheater.com to find drive-in movies close to you.

8. Go Wine Tastingcanine massage Rogers, dog boarding Ramsey, dog boarding Zimmerman, canine massage Elk River, canine massage Zimmerman, canine massage Otsego, canine massage Ramsey, dog boarding Otsego, dog boarding Rogers, dog grooming Otsego, dog grooming Ramsey, dog grooming Rogers, dog grooming Zimmerman

One of my favorite things to do in the summer–or anytime of year–is go to wineries. There are a lot of wineries that allow dogs—call ahead to see if you can bring your pooch with you.

I have some amazing memories of taking my English Shepherd with me when I went wine tasting with friends. Just remember to pack some fresh water and species-appropriate snacks for your dog, then hop in the car and go sip delicious wine in the company of your best friend.

Your pooch may not be able to drink with you, but they’ll be happy to come along. Seeing and smelling new things can help prevent boredom.

9. Join The Pup Scouts

Here’s one I haven’t tried yet, but I’m going to! Like kids with Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, your dog can earn badges as a Pup Scout!

Pup Scouts are only for dogs and their parents. Dogs can earn badges for hiking, beach clean-up, arts and crafts, swimming, and more. Check it out at pupscouts.org.

10. Take Your Dog To A Baseball Game

Lots of baseball franchises are sponsoring Bark in the Park and other dog-friendly events. Check out dog-friendly baseball games at gopetfriendly.com. canine massage Rogers, dog boarding Ramsey, dog boarding Zimmerman, canine massage Elk River, canine massage Zimmerman, canine massage Otsego, canine massage Ramsey, dog boarding Otsego, dog boarding Rogers, dog grooming Otsego, dog grooming Ramsey, dog grooming Rogers, dog grooming Zimmerman

So there you have it! Ten awesome activities you and your dog can both enjoy this summer! Now that the weather is getting warm, what are you waiting for? Get your pup and head out for summertime adventures! To schedule doggy daycare, overnight dog boarding, grooming or canine massage, pre-register online at https://www.dakotahsdoggydaycare.com or call us today at 763-777-9590.

 

 

*Reposted by DogTime at: https://dogtime.com/trending/65173-10-fun-summertime-activities-and-vacations-to-do-with-your-dog