Tug-of-War Against Nature

Sage and Mr. N playing tug-of-war against nature (i.e. a tree root). Who will win?

Oh! You Dirty Dog!

A Feud Over Dr. Harvey's Power Patties? (Chewy.com Review)

Friendship is constant in all things

Save in the office and affairs of tripe.

Will two good friends come to blows over who gets the most fragrant raw green tripe crumbly bite first?

Tempting though the tripe might be, and ever so strong the smell, I am happy to report that Sage and Mr. N's friendship survived the obstacle. Sage still thinks it's unfair that Mr. N gets the first treat. For the humans, I advise a through hand washing afterwards as the tripe smell lingers on your fingers. Good if you want every dog following you around like a Pied Piper. Bad if you don't. 

This post was sponsored by Chewy. They are not responsible for the contents of this article. All opinions expressed are our own. 

#MixItUp with Instinct® Raw Boost® Mixers. Mr. N Would Eat Them in a Box. Mr. N Would Eat Them with a Fox.

This post is sponsored by Instinct® and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Instinct® Raw Boost® Mixers but Tenacious Little Terrier only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Instinct is not responsible for the content of this article.

Armed with the results of our shopping trip to Petsmart, we ventured out for a hike with Mr. N's friend Sage on a rare sunny day. The Instinct® Raw Boost® is ideal for high value treat  rewards on hikes as they are light to carry, tiny, the dogs love them and they ensure a speedy recall. I took a trial bag of the beef with me and Mr. N dashed back to me at intervals to check in and receive his just reward. 

The mixers are high in protein which Mr. N really needs because he burns all the calories running around after Sage and keeping warm after wading in the water. I gave him several pieces after he went in the water and he wanted to know if they were really all for him. I reassured him that yes, they were all his! 

Sage thought it was the most unfair thing in the world that Mr. N was being given treats and she wasn't. I promised her some after the photos but she couldn't wait. I accidentally dropped two of the pieces and she tore apart a log looking for them. Mr. N's friend, Sage ardently believes in the concept of #notreatleftbehind. I sent her home with a trial bag of the chicken mixers as Mr. N is allergic and she has proved her liking for them. 

Mr. N thinks it's dinner time and kindly pointed out where the mixers are being kept. I think we all get the message.

Mr. N is currently eating his pork raw food with the lamb topper. No need to add water which he appreciates. I think he doesn't like the texture change. He gobbles it down and leaves behind a clean plate. It's super easy to add it to your pet's food. We keep the bag by his dishes and I toss in a few pieces with his regular food at meal times. It's especially handy for us when we forget to thaw his normal food.

Eating raw has proved to be a boon for Mr. N. He's always had a a bit of a delicate stomach and raw helps with his digestive issues. They haven't completely gone away but are much reduced in frequency. He also has all the energy. People are always amazed when I tell them he's not a puppy but seven. He was chasing after a half-grown Lab puppy once and the Lab owner suggested he might mellow out when he grows up. She then asked me how old he was. I told her and she was like oh, I guess it's too late for that then. 

You can check out Instinct's website HERE and learn more about Instinct on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you want to try it, Petsmart is running a sale on the Raw Boost until the 31st. 20 percent off the 14 oz bag and 3/$5 for the trial bags. 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Nature's Variety. The opinions and text are all mine.

Sleeping Dog on Computer

Such Great Heights

Which view do you like better?

Do Dogs Really Need Clothing? Five Reasons Why Your Dog Benefits from Clothes.

Do dogs really need clothing? After all, don't dogs come with their own coat of fur ready-made? Some people would even argue that it's cruel. The RSPCA (an animal welfare charity in the UK) says that people who dress their dogs up could be prosecuted. As with most things in life, dressing your dog should be done with a healthy dose of common sense. If it's 90 degrees out, your dog does not need to be wearing anything. Your Husky does not need a jacket. If your dog can't move in their clothing, take it off!

But clothing can be extremely beneficial for dogs for the following reasons.

• Warmth

Small dogs, elderly and/or ill dogs, dogs with hair and dogs with little body fat definitely benefit from having extra protection against the elements in the form of a warm sweater or coat. These dogs can have trouble retraining or creating enough body warmth to stay warm. Having a single coat of hair and minimal body fat means that Mr. N has scant protection against cold. My usual rule of thumb for him is if I wear a coat, he wears a coat. Without a coat, he shivers and looks pathetic. With a coat, he goes chasing after ducks in the snow and interrupting people's selfies with snow people. 

Wearing: Doggie Design. 

Living in a city where rain is the primary mode for three seasons, a raincoat is vital for both of us on walks. If Mr. N didn't have a raincoat, he wouldn't be able to go for walks for the majority of the year. Which is cruel in his opinion. 

Massive flooding! Mr. N doesn't know if he should walk or swim.

• Cleanliness

Wearing clothing can be beneficial to both humans and dogs in terms of keeping them (and their environment) clean. Less dirt means fewer baths. Because Mr. N is low to the ground and his hair is a magnet to attract all the things, a jacket helps ensure that he drags a minimal amount of the outdoors around with him. It's also helpful when he decides that he wants to roll in something disgusting. The clothing gets the brunt of it.

Wearing: Double Fleece by Gold Paw

• Visibility

Visibility is key to keeping your dog safe during nighttime walks, hunting season and off-leash hikes. Mr. N is tan-colored and blends in with sand, dry grass, and dirt so I have him wear colorful clothing when he is off-leash so I can keep track of where he is roaming. He also has a visibility vest for walking in the dark and so he doesn't get mistaken for a rabbit.

Wearing: Sun Shield Tee by Gold Paw

• Health

Clothing can help dogs with allergies by preventing them from licking, chewing and scratching and proving a barrier between them and allergens. It can also prevent dogs from getting sunburn or from bothering their incisions. Boots can save your dogs from having salt in their paws and walking on abrasive or hot surfaces. A cooling vest can help them cool off.

Wearing: Cool Vest by Gramercy Pets

• Fashion

Dressing your dog up for holiday and special occasions can be a fun way to include them in the festivities if the dog doesn't mind. Pawing at the clothing or freezing in place is a sure sign that they want it off asap. If they are strongly opposed to clothes, you can still have them wear a decorative bandanna or a bow-tie. Mr. N basks in the additional attention he gets from wearing special outfits and will actually help me get him dressed and undressed. He is not fond of hats, however, and those are only worn for a minute or two at a time for a quick photo and he is rewarded heavily.

Wearing: Pearls and Boa provided by photographer

Does your dog wear clothes? Do you do it for fun or practical reasons? If your dog doesn't, why not?

This post was sponsored by Gold Paw. They are not responsible for the contents of this article. All opinions expressed are our own. 

Dog Sticking His Tongue Out

2016 Pet Blogger Challenge

1. How long have you been blogging? And, for anyone who is visiting for the first time, please give a quick description of the subject of your blog.

I started the blog in August of 2013. Tenacious Little Terrier follows Mr. N's adventures in Portland beyond. I blog about training, hiking with a small dog, and various escapades from Mr. N's life.

2. What is the one thing that you accomplished during 2015, either on your blog or because of it, that made you most proud?
Mr. N became certified as a therapy dog and earned his first therapy dog title! I also went to ClickerExpo and it was an awesome experience. Mr. N was also the demo dog for a dog safety class to help a kid get over his fear of dogs.

3. Which of your blog posts was your favorite this year and why? (Please include a link.)
http://tenaciouslittleterrier.blogspot.com/2015/10/how-to-train-your-leash-reactive-dog.html
I struggle a lot with Mr. N's reactivity. He's improved a lot and I feel like this was my way of giving back what I learned and what helped.

4. A common theme from last year’s challenge was that many of us wanted to increase the size of our audiences. Whether or not we intend to monetize our blogs, it seems we’d all like to reach more people. It feels good to know that we’re connecting with others, sharing a laugh or supporting a cause, and it’s motivating to see those numbers grow! What is one thing you’ve done in the past year that has brought more traffic to your blog?
Been more active on social media! I've been focusing on Twitter. I'd like to get my Instagram numbers up and post more regularly and work on pinning on Pinterest.

5. Which of your blog posts got the most traffic this year? Why do you think it was so popular? (Please include a link.)
Tenacious Little Terrier: The Three Secrets to Positive Dog Training
I think it got some traction on social media and people are always looking for tips on how to train their dogs. Keywords helped too.

6. What is one blog that you read religiously – other than your own – and what makes you such a devoted reader? (Please include a link.)
I have a ton of pet blogs that I follow on Feedly. I can't choose one!

7. What resources do you rely on to enhance your technical, writing, photography, social media, or other skills that improve your blog?
I'm always reading something. I keep meaning to track the number of books I've read in a year but haven't gotten around to it. I took an online photography class this year.

8. What is the best piece of advice you can offer other bloggers?
Write about what you care about. Not what you think you should be writing about.

9. What is your vision for your blog in 2016? Do you have specific goals?
I'd like to improve my photography skills, learn more about social media and SEO and set up a newsletter.

10. You have the attention of the pet blogging community – is there one blogging challenge you’d like help with, or one aspect of your blog that you’d like input on?
Which topics would you like to see more of on my blog? What would you like to see less of?

#MixItUp with Instinct® Raw Boost® Mixers and Add Raw to Your Dog's Diet

If Mr. N were King of the Forest, he would decree that all dogs be fed raw. Sadly (for him anyway), he is not. He declines to eat kibble and has been thriving on raw food. Raw-fed dogs can experience benefits like better digestion, healthy skin and coat, and more energy and vitality. But feeding raw can be time-consuming and burdensome and take over all your freezer space. Especially if you don't have a separate chest freezer, even for small dogs like Mr. N.

This post is sponsored by Instinct® and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Instinct® Raw Boost® Mixers but Tenacious Little Terrier only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Instinct is not responsible for the content of this article.

If you want to try out raw food without sacrificing all your freezer space, Instinct® Raw Boost® Mixers is an easy way to add raw to your dog's diet. It is grain-free, gluten-free and can be used as a mixer or topper for your dog's normal canned or dry food. No need to add water. You can check out their website HERE. 

At Petsmart, Mr. N's nose led him right to the raw food section. The Raw Boost mixers are located with the other Instinct products, next to the freezer. It comes in three different sizes (1 oz, 6 oz, 14 oz). The trial-sized bags are great for picky pups like You-Know-Who and are 1.99 each or 3 for $5. The large bags are currently on sale for 20 percent off. The protein choices include chicken, beef, turkey and lamb for dogs and rabbit and chicken for cats. We picked up a bag of the lamb for Mr. N. I like to rotate proteins as much as possible and lamb is the hardest out of those to find.

We first started feeding freeze-dried raw as a convenient way to feed raw during travel. The Raw Boost Mixers are handy for travel as you just open the bag and serve. You store them at room temperature and they're good to go. Mr. N will taste test the food and give his gourmand opinion in a few weeks. I hope to train a new trick with them as well. 

Are you thinking about adding raw food to your dog's diet or do you feed raw already? You can learn more about Instinct on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Nature's Variety. The opinions and text are all mine.

Striking a Pose

Mr. N giving the puppy posing lessons

Six Training Tips from a Dog's Perspective

To celebrate National Dog Training Month, Mr. N would like to offer some training tips from his perspective.

1. Reward generously and often. And with a wide variety of rewards: cheese, tripe, fuzzy toys, getting to chase a squirrel! Don't forget jackpots for a job well done. Squirrels, cats, other dogs are really, really hard to ignore.

2. Even if you make a mistake, the dog still gets rewarded. It's not the dog's fault. If you click the clicker at the wrong time, the dog gets a treat. If a visiting child picks up the clicker and clicks ten times, ten treats!

3. Dogs forget things too. You should reinforce good behavior occasionally even for things they already know.

4. Recall time should be a party! Bacon  hors-d'oeuvres, meatballs, and lots of noise/praise and excitement. Think of all the other things dogs could be doing. Digging holes, chasing squirrels, peeing over another dog's mark. Are you more fun than dirt?

5. It's easier to avoid temptation than to resist temptation. It's easier to pick up things you don't want to get chewed and not leave food on the counter than deal with the aftermath.

6. Training should be fun for everyone. Dogs have a sense of humor too! Do you look forward to training sessions or dread them?

What would your dog offer as a training tip?

Welcome to First Monday's Positive Pet Training Blog Hop hosted by Cascadian Nomads, Tenacious Little Terrier and Rubicon Days. Please share your responsible pet owner positive pet training tips by linking a blog post or leaving a comment below. Any positive reinforcement training posts or comments are also always welcome. The Positive Pet Training Blog Hop goes all week long. Our next hop will begin Monday, Feb 1st and continues for a week. 

Mr. N demonstrating his posing and stay skills. He got tripe for sitting in the snow.