Friday, December 12, 2014

12 DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog! Water Bottle Crinkle Toy

 If you have a dog that loves the sound of crinkles, your dog will love this DIY Water Bottle Crinkle Toy.

It’s very easy to make, and you can use any soft fabric and plastic water bottles that you haven’t recycled yet.

Thanks to Irresistible Pets, you can discover here just how easy this toy is to make.

Photo courtesy of Irresistible Pets






This information is brought to you by Earth Heart’s Canine Calm,
helping your dog stay calm during the winter holiday season and beyond!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

12 DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog! Felt Ornament of Your Dog

Photo courtesy of Classic Hound

Creating memories is one thing the holidays are about.

One way to hold onto those memories is to make an ornament in the likeness of your dog!


Classic Hound shares detailed instructions here using a little felt, ribbon, pillow fill, thin cardboard, and some sewing and ironing skills.


This information is brought to you by Earth Heart’s Canine Calm,
helping your dog stay calm during the winter holiday season and beyond!

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

12 DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog! Bottle Game and Slow-Down Treat Dispenser

Whether you have a thinker or a food gobbler, this Homemade Bottle Game and Slow-Down Treat Dispenser is a great holiday gift for your dog!

Daily Dog Tag and Alice G Patterson originally made this to enrich the lives of dogs in rescues, and they have shared a detailed photo tutorial here.

It takes a few tools and about $14 in supplies – the result is beautiful as well as fun and functional!

Photos by Alice G Patterson Photography (agpphoto.com)





This information is brought to you
by Earth Heart’s Canine Calm,
helping your dog stay calm during
the winter holiday season and beyond!


Tuesday, December 9, 2014

12 DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog! Low-Cal Apple Pumpkin Jerky

If you have extra apples and pumpkin on hand, you can make some easy low calorie Apple Pumpkin Jerky treats for your dog’s holiday stocking!

These can be made in the oven or dehydrator with canned or pureed fresh apples and pumpkin.
Photo courtesy of Raise A Green Dog

Thanks to Raise A Green Dog for sharing instructions here.




This information is brought to you by Earth Heart’s Canine Calm,
helping your dog stay calm during the winter holiday season and beyond!

Monday, December 8, 2014

12 DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog! Fun Indoor Games

Photo by Raise A Green Dog
Dogs love nothing better than a great play session with their humans!

During the frigid or extremely wet days of winter, and the frenzy of the holiday season, everybody can get bored and restless.

From Hide and Seek to the Muffin Tin Game, there are some wonderful, easy and fun games you can play with your dog indoors!  Our friends at Raise A Green Dog have shared their favorites  here.

 
This information is brought to you by Earth Heart’s Canine Calm,
helping your dog stay calm during the winter holiday season and beyond!

Sunday, December 7, 2014

12 DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog! No Sew Bed


Dogs love their beds, and they make wonderful holiday gifts for your dog.

Don’t have a sewing machine? No problem!

Photo Courtesy of Pretty Fluffy
Pretty Fluffy has a great tutorial here to make your dog a wonderful, cozy bed without sewing.

You can use fabric or clothing scraps you already have to make it more personal and smell like you (because your body's scent can work like aromatherapy).
 

This information is brought to you by Earth Heart’s Canine Calm,
helping your dog stay calm during the winter holiday season and beyond!

Saturday, December 6, 2014

12 DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog! Upcycled Dog Coat

When it’s cold outside, it’s important that your dog stays warm when venturing out in the frigid temperatures.

If you’ve got a worn out winter coat, you can upcycle it into a unique and warm dog coat.

Fine Diving has complete instructions and an actual size pattern here.
Photo courtesy of Fine Diving





This information is brought to you by Earth Heart’s Canine Calm,
helping your dog stay calm during the winter holiday season and beyond!

Friday, December 5, 2014

12 DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog! Braided Tug Toy

Dogs love to tug and it’s a great game you can play with them.

Photo by Raise A Green Dog
Cut 4-inch wide strips from your old t-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans, or fleece to twist and braid into a tug toy, and get ready to have some serious fun with your dog!

All the details are available from Raise a Green Dog here.



This information is brought to you by Earth Heart’s Canine Calm,
helping your dog stay calm during the winter holiday season and beyond!
 

Thursday, December 4, 2014

12 DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog! Leftover Turkey Jerky

Did you know that your leftover turkey can be made into jerky?

It’s a great way to use up any leftovers hanging around, and so easy to make.

Just marinate leftover turkey slices in olive oil and parsley before finishing in your oven or dehydrator.
Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography.

Get Kol's Notes here on how to make this crispy treat for your dog!



This information is brought to you by Earth Heart’s Canine Calm,
helping your dog stay calm during the winter holiday season and beyond!

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

12 DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog! Seed-Filled Heating Pad

After a nice romp in the snow, it’s great to come inside to get nice and warm.

You can make your dog a heating pad for their favorite cuddle spot or dog bed.

Some soft fabric filled with dried cherry pits, buckwheat, rice or (our favorite) flax seed holds the heat.

Photo Courtesy of Martha Stewart
Your dog will thank you for it!

You can Find Martha Stewart’s DIY heating pad instructions here.




This information is brought to you by Earth Heart’s Canine Calm,
helping your dog stay calm during the winter holiday season and beyond!

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

12 DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog! Dog Paw Boots

This time of year is tough on a dog’s paws with the cold, the road salt, and the hard, frozen ground.

You can help keep their paws warm and safe with a set of homemade dog boots!

All you need is some fabric, Velcro and a sewing machine.
Photo courtesy of Uberpest

The complete instructions are available from Uberpest.com here.

 

This information is brought to you by Earth Heart’s Canine Calm,
helping your dog stay calm during the winter holiday season and beyond!

Monday, December 1, 2014

12 DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog! Sweet Potato Chews

With sweet potatoes very handy during the holiday season, you can easily make your dog a yummy nutritious treat!

Sweet Potato Chews are very easy to make! Just peel and slice a sweet potato very thin lengthwise, and bake in the oven for about 3 hours!
Photo courtesy of Raise A Green Dog

Get the complete instructions from Raise a Green Dog here.




This information is brought to you by Earth Heart’s Canine Calm,
helping your dog stay calm during the winter holiday season and beyond!

Monday, November 24, 2014

12 DIY Holiday Gifts for Your Dog! 12 Days of Easy, Homemade Projects

Earth Heart is excited to share fun, easy, warm, yummy gifts you can make for your dog this holiday season.

Beginning December 1st, we’ll post a DIY project each day for 12 days. These DIY projects include treats, toys, gear and fun for all types and sizes of dogs.

Homemade gifts can be the best gifts you give this holiday season! Check back here each day starting December 1st to find 12 fun and easy homemade items that can help make your dog’s holiday the best ever!


This information is brought to you by Earth Heart’s Canine Calm,
helping your dog stay calm during the winter holiday season and beyond!

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

10 things you can do to help your dog be more safe and comfortable this Halloween.




Halloween is one of the most dangerous and stressful times of the year for dogs. Many dogs find all the festivities, costumes, decorations, the hustle and bustle very stressful; some to the point of being extremely fearful. That’s why Earth Heart Inc., has put together the following information to help dog lovers understand how they can help their dog be more comfortable and happy during this busy, frightful time of year.



Did you know?

·         Halloween is the second most dangerous holiday for dogs.

·         Many stray dogs and cats found in shelters across the country are lost pets who were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.

·         More than 10 million pets are reported lost every year.

·         Dogs without collars have a decreased chance of being reunited with their families.

·         Roughly 17% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats ever find their owners.

·         During the week of Halloween, calls to the veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline increase by 12 percent, making it the call center’s busiest time of year, and most often, these calls involve pets accidentally ingesting Halloween candy or dĂ©cor.


How can you help your dog be safer this Halloween?

Tips to help your dog be safer this Halloween season:

·         Those scary costumes can be very scary to your dog. All but the most social dogs should be kept in a separate room when greeting trick-or-treaters.

·         When greeting Halloween visitors, whether they be trick-or-treaters or party visitors, take great care that your dog doesn't dart outside.

·         Be certain that you provide identification for your dog with a collar and tag. Microchips can also be a lifesaver for your dog. Both of these will increase the likelihood of being reunited with your dogs should they become lost.

·         Make sure the information contained on your dog's tag and with your microchip service has the most up to date contact information.

·         Halloween is a holiday and with holidays come celebrations, including fireworks in some regions. Be sure to keep your dog inside, and utilize a leash and inescapable collar/harness when taking them outside to do their business. You never know when a loud noise, or goblin around the corner may spook them!

·         Dog Halloween costumes may be cute to you, but to many, many dogs they are a bother and can be very stressful. Unless your dog loves to dress up, forgo the costume for your dog's safety and comfort.

·         Little creatures in ghostly costumes, scary witches blowing in the breeze…you never know what may scare or spook your dog. Think twice about taking your dog trick-or-treating with you.

·         Keep your dog safely in the confines of your home in a place where it's quiet and comfortable. 

·         Help your dog be happier and more comfortable during Halloween with Canine Calm, a pure essential oil spray for dogs that helps create a calming environment simply by misting your dog’s favorite blanket, bandana or bedding.

·         And remember to keep the Halloween candy and dangerous decorations out of paws reach. 




Thursday, July 31, 2014

There is only one way to safely keep ticks off your dog: by making your dog less attractive.


Dangerous and deadly tick diseases are becoming more and more of a concern for dog lovers, especially in the spring, summer and fall. That’s why Earth Heart Inc., has put together the following information to help dog lovers better understand the importance of keeping ticks off your dog, while still enjoying the great outdoors.


 Did you know?
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) can be transmitted to a dog from an infected American Dog Tick or the Lone Star Tick in 2-5 hours?
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) can be fatal to your dog if not treated quickly?
  • Lyme disease can be transmitted to your dog from a bite by an infected Black-Legged Deer Tick or the Western Black-Legged Tick in less than 6 hours?
  • Lyme disease can present reoccurring symptoms over the life of your dog once they have been infected, reducing the dog’s quality of life?
  • Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis might be transmitted to your dog from an infected Brown Dog Tick or Lone Star Tick in 24-48 hours?
  • Little is known about a new tick disease, Canine Hepatozoonosis, found in the southeast regions of the United States, and is thought to infect your dog if it ingests an infected Gulf Coast Tick or Brown Dog Tick? 

Did you also know?
  • Chemical laden pesticide based topical, and flea/tick collars for dogs can take up to 2-3 days to kill a tick attached to your dog, rendering them ineffective in preventing an infected tick from infecting your dog with dangerous tick diseases?
  • If your dog ingests an infected Gulf Coast or Brown Dog tick, it is thought that no flea/tick preventative can help from potentially contracting Canine Hepatozoonosis?
  

How do you combat the nasties?

There is only one way to safely keep ticks off your dog: by making your dog less attractive to them.


Tips to keep dangerous tick diseases from being transmitted to your dog:
  • Treat your yard or lawn. Diatomaceous Earth (food grade only) is a wonderful, healthy and safe powder product that you can sprinkle in your yard to effectively kill tick.
  • In addition, concentrated Garlic Spray can be sprayed around your yard, effectively repelling ticks.
  • Ticks are attracted to a host by body heat, odor from the skin and carbon dioxide that people and dogs exhale. Using an essential oil based spray on your dog with neem seed oil as the main ingredient can make your dog unattractive by altering its scent.
  • Check your dog immediately after being outside, time is critical.
  • If you don’t immediately find a tick, check again after 1.5 hours, before several tick diseases can be transmitted.
  • If you find a tick, safely remove it by using round-tip tweezers. Grasp the tick firmly at the base of the head. Then gently and steadily pull on the tick. Be careful not to break the mouth parts of the tick off and leave them inside your dog because infection is likely.

Earth Heart strives to help you and your dogs live healthier, happier lives. We hope this information helps you understand and prepare for the second tick invasion during late summer and autumn.