The Misbegotten Diet

Much like bakers who can accurately measure out a pound of flour using the heft as a guide instead of a scale, I can usually tell if Mr. N has lost or gained weight by picking him up. He seemed a little heavier than normal and so said the scale. I consulted with the vet who concurred and said she wanted him back at his pre-winter weight. So he went on a diet which he did not approve of.

Because of his dental last year (and growing out shaved legs), he was probably the fluffiest hair-wise he has been for a long while. Well he got groomed and lost almost a half-pound of hair. Who would have thought the extra hair would weigh so much? He is back to his normal weight. And demands restitution.

If only all our diets were that simple.

Only a Pawn in Their Game

Pretty sure Mr. N thinks he should be the Queen.

Raw Pet Food Delivery to Your Door with #BalancedBlends

Mr. N was never a member of the clean plate club until we started feeding him raw food. He insists on eating a species-appropriate diet and turns his little nose up at eating anything else regularly. We sometimes have to make a mad scramble to the pet store because we're out of raw food and he is affronted by the thought of having to skip a meal. But now there may be a solution so Mr. N never has to worry about starving again! 

This post is sponsored by Balanced Blends. Tenacious Little Terrier only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. And we only review food and treats that Mr. N will eat which is a short, short list. 

Balanced Blends is a raw food delivery company that sells convenient raw diets for cats and dogs. You can manage your subscription on their website and edit, change, pause or cancel your order as needed or you can also order without subscribing.They sent us a box of food to try out. It comes packaged with dry ice and all the food was still solidly frozen when we received it. The one-pound bars are in a plastic wrapping. Mr. N examined the package to make sure everything was there and the food to his satisfaction. 

The Boulder-based company was founded on the principles of providing species-appropriate diets for cats and dogs. The three founders initially started off making raw food for their own pets then decided to make their efforts commercially available for other pet parents. They worked with veterinarians and a PhD nutritionist to create a complete and balanced natural diet with fresh raw meat, bones, organs (fruits and vegetables for dogs only) and a minimal amount of vitamins and minerals. 

Currently, they have a beef and chicken recipe.We were provided with the beef recipe to try out (Mr. N is allergic to chicken). He carefully inspected the label. 

Ingredients: Beef, Beef Livers, Beef Hearts, Cabbage, Carrots, Peppers, Bone Meal, Berries, Salmon Oil, Psyllium Husks.

Vitamins: Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, D-Calcium Panthotenate, Biotin, Riboflavin, Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Vitamin B12, Pyridoxine HCL, Folic Acid.

Trace Minerals: Salt, Iron Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Zinc Oxide, Sodium Selenite, Copper Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate.

All of Balanced Blends' recipes are made in the USA and formulated to meet the AAFCO nutrient profile for all life stages. The high-quality ingredients include organic fruits and vegetables, naturally raised beef (USDA approved, antibiotic-free, no added hormones), cage-free chicken (USDA Grade A, antibiotic-free, no added hormones).

Nothing is sourced from China. All of the main ingredients (meat, fruits and vegetables) are US-sourced, the vitamins and minerals from North America and Europe and the psyllium husks from India.

Balanced Blends prides itself on their transparency and welcomes any questions you may have about their food, ingredients and operations. They also take special precautions to make sure their food is safe including high pressure processing (HPP) which kills pathogenic bacteria through a water-based process that uses high pressure, lab testing by third-party laboratories before sale and pouch packaging to eliminate the risk of re-contamination after the HPP process.

Mr. N took to the food right away without any hesitation and licked his plate clean. He is always ready and eager for dinner and this is a dog that will starve himself if he feels like the food is not up to par. He thinks if he does his best Oliver Twist impersonation, someone might take pity on him and add some extra food to his bowl. "Please, sir, I want some more." 

Balanced Blends is launching a Kickstarter campaign on April 26th so pet parents can try out their food at an early cat/dog special price. If you want the early special price, be sure to purchase on the first day as the special price is limited. All backers will get five pounds extra for every twenty pound order of the same item for three or six months (depending on the reward tier) after the campaign ends. There is also free shipping for all pre-orders. The company has also added a risk-free, money back guarantee so if you're not satisfied, you can get a refund.

You can also use our referral link for a discount on your first order ($20 off). Disclaimer: we do get a small incentive if you purchase through our link.

Never Run Out of Bully Sticks with #BullyBundles

Mr. N dreamed a dream. He dreamed that bully sticks would be plentiful and never-ending. He dreamed about diving into a pool full of bully sticks. 

The pool idea sounds a little painful (he thinks it would be worth it) but the first part of his dream can become reality! Bully Bundles is a subscription service that delivers monthly packages of bully sticks. All of their bully sticks are sourced from free-range, grass-fed Brazilian cattle that are raised without the use of antibiotics or growth hormones. No preservatives or chemicals are used and they're made in a USDA approved facility.

The bully sticks are 5/8" - 7/8" thick and you can choose between the 6'' or 12'' length. They're also cooked longer to reduce the odor. I can't smell the bully sticks unless I'm right next to Mr. N while he is chewing his stick.

Ordering

1. Choose a size: 6'' (small and medium dogs) or 12'' (large dogs and big chewers)
2. Pick a quantity: For six-inch sticks you pick between 6, 10, 15, 30, or 60. For twelve-inch sticks, pick between 5, 10, 15, or 30. 
3. Checkout: Shipping is free in the US and low cost internationally. Package will be delivered by USPS 3-7 business days after processing. The bully sticks come with a satisfaction guarantee so if you're not happy, you can ask for a refund. 

Why Bully Sticks

• Safety: 100 percent digestible
• Healthy: Single-ingredient (beef) chew that is made with no pesticides or chemicals
• Teeth cleaning: They help get rid of tartar and keep bacteria off their teeth due to extended saliva production. 
• Longevity: Bully sticks take a few days for Mr. N to chew. Results may vary depending on the dog.
• Happiness: See that look on his face? 

Chews are a must in our household as they are key for Mr. N having his settle time. After greeting guests, he will run for his bully stick and chew happily away. He uses them to wind down and he gets upset if he can't find his stick. We had to hide them away for a day as he had a stomachache and he thought it was very unfair. 

Mr. N votes yes in favor of proposition Bully Bundles and he thinks it's the best idea since squeaky toys. What greater bliss could a dog ask for than being surrounded by bully sticks and basking in the sun? 

If your dog would like to partake in this bliss (sunny weather not included), here's your chance. We're giving away a bundle of 15 6'' bully sticks to one lucky dog! Bully Bundles has also generously provided a coupon code. Save ten percent with "tenaciouslittleterrier." 

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

Who Disturbs My Slumber?

Walking on the Wild Side

Mr. N has a penchant for the precarious. He adores walking on steep ledges and peering over. Being part mountain goat, he has never yet taken a tumble but he wears a sturdy harness and leash so that I can pull him up if need be.

I've never had to save him from falling but being able to haul him up by his harness and leash has come in handy a number of times when I've had to rescue him from aggressive dogs and bikes about to run him over.

Isn't he ALL legs?

He decided it would be an excellent idea to walk on the rocks outlining the ledge instead of the path. Past the rocks? Probably a hundred-foot drop to the water. We made sure to hang onto his leash very tightly. He loves peering down at the water and scrambling onto rocks so we let him have his fun as long as we have a safeguard in place.

When we were hiking Beacon Rock which is all switchbacks with Sage, we had to keep admonishing Sage not to get too close to the edge because we certainly couldn't haul her back up if she fell (size + equipment + lack of strength). Mr. N took a certain glee in being able to explore where she couldn't.

Which precautions do you take to save your dog from themselves?

A Quest to Defeat the Villainous Flea, Heartworms and Other Foes #SentinelSpectrum

Once upon a time, there was a canine knight who suffered from a terrible curse. The villainous flea and his brethren took great delight in biting his tender skin and sucking his blood without cease. No matter what Sir N tried and wherever he went, his torment never ended. He consulted the wise dogs of his village who counseled him to seek a magical elixir known as Virbac® Sentinel® Spectrum®. 

This post is sponsored by Virbac® Sentinel® Spectrum® and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer NetworkTM. I am being compensated to help create awareness about protection against common parasites found in dogs but we only share information we feel is relevant to our readers. More information about Sentinel Spectrum. Virbac is not responsible for the content of this article. 

With a hopeful heart, the brave knight departed and trotted North for many a day. He crossed high mountains and wide rivers and went through dense forests. Eventually, he came upon the magical tree that hid the elixir. 

After many years of torment and agony, could it be? Was a cure really in sight? Sir N licked his lips in anticipation as he gazed upon the elixir.

He swallowed the beef and bacon flavored elixir and his foe was no more. Sir N immediately pounced upon the flea and gave him a good thrashing in the name of dogkind. The flea's dying squeaks were heard throughout all of the canine kingdom. And Sir N lived happily ever after.

Note the magical elixir must be taken monthly and is quite palatable. It protects against the following foes: Heartworm, Fleas, Hookworm, Roundworm, Tapeworm, and Whipworm. 

Sir N would like to advise his canine friends that even if you only see one flea foe, there can be hundreds more of their children lurking and waiting to hatch in the environment. They can survive up to a year before finding a host. Only five percent of fleas are adults and the remainder are eggs and immature fleas biding their time. 

It doesn't matter if you are sleeping outdoors and going on quests or living indoors in a castle, dogs are susceptible to this itchy curse. If your dog would like to save the effort of making a long and arduous quest, you should consult the wise dogs (veterinarians) of your village so you can get a blood test and a prescription for the elixir (parasiticide). 

 An even more deadly enemy is the horrible heartworm. Nearly 300,000 dogs in the US contract heartworms each year from infected mosquitoes. Dogs that are inflicted show lack of energy, weight loss, and breathing problems. Without treatment, dogs can have damaged hearts and lungs and even die. Annual screenings with a simple blood test can help detect heartworm disease. 

There are many other enemies just waiting to invade. Intestinal parasites (hookworms, whipworms, roundworms, and tapeworms) can make dogs very ill. 

Join Sir N on his quest to eradicate these pests and talk to your wise dogs today. 

If you would like to learn more about Sentinel Spectrum, you can find more information at their website about parasites, a monthly email or text reminder or rebates.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Virbac® Sentinel®. The opinions and text are all mine.

See Squirrel Run

Mr. N holding his stand stay despite seeing a squirrel running!

Appropriate and Good Play Dog Behavior

Much like toddlers, dogs left to their own devices can turn things into a Lord of the Flies situation. I always supervise play especially with strange dogs. Does your dog play nicely? Or are they a bully? Dogs that play appropriately will take turns, have relaxed body language, self-handicap if need be, take little breaks and engage in consensual play.  

Taking Turns

Are the dogs taking turns playing different roles? Are they switching between chasing and being chased and pouncing and being pounced upon? Is it a give and take situation?

Relaxed Body Language

Dogs who are playing appropriately have relaxed body language. Lots of light, bouncy movements and posture. Relaxed faces and ears. Play bows. Big open grins. Or in Mr. N's case, blowing a raspberry!

Self-handicapping

Healthy play requires the stronger/faster/bigger dog to deliberately match the level of play of their play partner and tone down their speed and strength. Mr. N has a couple of big dog friends who will go into a down position and wrestle with him that way while he scrambles over them and plays bitey face. As odd as it may seem for Mr. N to be the "big dog," he is slightly bigger and stronger than the puppies he is playing with and he will let them win wrestling bouts.

Mini-Breaks

Are the dogs regulating themselves by taking frequent little breaks in between play? If the dogs are getting too excited and not stopping, you might have to impose a play break.

More, More!

Probably one of the best ways to distinguish if your dog is being a bully or not is calling your dog to you and restraining them and watching their playmate's reaction. Are they following your dog and eager for more play? Or are they ignoring your dog or moving away? If the latter, time to call it quits. Mr. N has been trampled and rolled over and he will still dash back into the fray to play. 

Stop Play Now

If one of the dogs is trying to end play by running away, hiding behind objects or people, yelping, or snapping or otherwise showing discomfort, the dogs should be separated. Stiff body language, slower and tense body movements, growling and staring are also indicators that play should stop and an interruption is called for.

Does your dog exhibit appropriate play behavior? 

Canine Construction Worker

Making An Emergency Dog Muzzle and Putting It On #PetFirstAid

In case of emergency like a car accident, it's important to be able to muzzle your dog safely. Dogs in pain can lash out while you're trying to help them. You can make an emergency muzzle with a lot of different materials that you have around (gauze, shoelace, leash, rope, pantyhose etc). I used my bathrobe cord because it was handy and a good width for Mr. N's face.

Mr. N is super tolerant of handling and grooming, both with me and other people. And now that we've finally almost conquered nails, I can do all the basics at home with him. But if something happened (he's allergic to bee stings for example), I'd want him to not freak out further because I had to muzzle him just in case. So we practiced putting one on. He's used to a lot of poking and prodding and adjusting because he is a grooming intensive dog plus he wears a lot of clothes so the process went quicker. 

It took me a few tries to figure out how to best position the cord. Not a lot of facial surface to work with here. Once I figured out how to adjust the cord so it wasn't covering his eyes, he was comfortable wearing it for short periods. And rewarded with a copious amount of cheese. Before... well, you can judge for yourself how he felt. 

Practice before your dog is frantic and in pain and moving is key. If your dog needs more help acclimating to a muzzle or if you're interested in other muzzle choices, here are some good tips from Karen Pryor's site. Be sure not to leave your muzzled dog alone and remember that the emergency muzzle is a short-term measure. They're not meant to be left on for a long time.

These are the instructions from the Merck Vet Manual on how to tie the cord into a muzzle: 

"Tie a knot in the center of the bandage. Make another loose knot several inches above the first knot. Slip the loop over the dog's muzzle and gently pull the knot tight (Step 1). Cross the ends of the bandage under the dog's jaw (Step 2). Firmly tie the crossed ends behind the dog's neck (Step 3)."

The final product. Mr. N chilling on an old boat with his emergency muzzle on. Is your dog comfortable wearing a muzzle? 

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.  Our theme for this month is  training for safety and emergencies for National Pet First Aid Awareness Month. but 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, May 2nd and continues for a week. The theme for May is play and trying out new training games.

Urban Dog Walking

Mr. N at Director Park

Every time we visit family in the suburbs, I'm reminded of how much more taxing it can be for urban dogs to walk in the city. I had to return some items to a dog-friendly store downtown so I took Mr. N with me. 

In our time downtown, we ran into scores of people and dogs, cops on horses, the light rail, a guide dog in training who was out on a socialization outing, street musicians and more. Tons of different sounds and smells and sights.When we're walking in the suburbs, we might see three or four people and a dog or two out walking during the course of an hour. Urban walking requires a lot out of dogs and their people.

I have to be extra careful that Mr. N does not get stepped on and I will pick him up and carry him if we are walking on a crowded sidewalk. There is also a lot more trash on the ground including foods that are dangerous to dogs and broken glass and needles to look out for. And this is Portland so there's always people in costumes or weird garb or otherwise odd and strange to dogs. 

Mr. N is used to tagging along with me around the city so most things he takes in his stride. He is crazy obsessed with horses but I made sure we stayed under his threshold (15 - 20ft?) and we did a little desensitization work. And he behaved himself. We were able to eat lunch from the food carts in the same little square the mounted police were patrolling. The guide dog puppy was also working on socializing and not reacting to the horses although he was much more blase about it than Mr. N.

At Director Park, we ran through a few tricks and practiced his stay amid distractions and the crowd. The table next to us was charmed by Mr. N's antics and invited him over to say hello to everyone. All the socializing made him decide that he needed a nap when we got home.

How does your dog do with urban distractions?