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Winter Blah-Busting for You and Your Pet | Dogs and Cats

Dec 13, 2021

Are you getting that sad eyes look more and more these days? Winter officially arrives this month and, whether your pup is a snoozing-potato-on-the-couch or one who thinks that playing in the white stuff is the best, chances are that at least one of you isn’t thrilled about dropping temps. Of course, here in Canada, Winter is our middle name. In Toronto, every day is different – we run the gamut of beautiful white snow and milder temps all the way through to those icy, cold days when no one wants to venture out. And sometimes all those types of weather happen in the same day!

No matter what your Winter looks like, it can be tempting to spend these months holed up watching movies and cuddling on the couch. And there’s nothing at all wrong with that – until you and your dog are ready for it to be done. So, whenever that hits this winter, here’s a handy list of blah-busting winter activities you and your pup can enjoy together!

1. Play Hide-And-Seek

Remember playing this as a kid? (99,100…ready of not here I come…!) If you’ve never tried this with your pup you are both in for a treat! Plus, it’s fantastic practice for recall and can be played anywhere your dog is able to be off-leash – even indoors.

It’s simple: Have your dog stay in one room of the house while you go and hide in another. Call your dog and see how long it takes for him or her to find you. When they do, ensure they get lots of praise and treats.

If you are going to do this outside, hide behind an object like a tree. If you are not in an off-leash area, have a friend hold the leash, but let the dog lead the way to find you.

Did you know cats can play this too? I’ve often played hide-and-seek with our cat, Panda, who loves to show off how smart she is when she easily finds us!

pet photography session in winter with snow

2. Be Nosey

Dog noses are amazing things and can be the path to great adventures! Letting dogs sniff freely is a great way to let them explore and can lead you both to unexpected places and sights. So when the winter blahs get you, consider taking a short trip outside and letting your dog’s nose lead the way. You might be surprised where you end up!

3. Be Crafty

I never considered myself a ‘crafty’ person, but months of lockdown proved me wrong. I also learned that we can all express our creative side in different ways. No matter your personal crafting abilities, winter is a fun time to let those creative ideas flow.

For me, I experimented with artist materials like resin, alcohol ink, watercolour, and card stock which led me to begin Posh Pets® Ink! (You can see all the lovely pet-inspired goods here.)

So, if there is something you have wanted to try, dark nights spent indoors might be the time to try. Looking for ideas? Find some fun ones along with instructions here

4. Create a Tunnel Maze

So many of us shop online and you can feel a little guilty when you see how much packaging goes to waste. Why not get some extra mileage out of your boxes laying around and extend the joy? Dogs love dens, so you can encourage them with a few treats and cozy blankets and they should love their temporary digs pretty quickly. And cats…well, just put the box down. We built a 3-story maze with entrances and exits last winter and the cats had a ball!

Have I left anything out? Email me and tell me how you and your dog and cat beat the Winter Blahs.

Winter Snow Sessions are a thing! Where would you like to go with your pup?

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Before You Go | Tips for a Better Visit to the Vet

Apr 25, 2018

Toronto commercial photographer vet visit tips

Spring has sprung! A sure sign that Spring is here in the Posh Pets® household is that we plan our annual vet visit with our favourite veterinarian. Yesterday, I made the phone call – I always phone early, long before the reminder in mail arrives – because their vet is one of the best and is in great demand. If we want to see her specifically, we need to book early.

I realize that I am very fortunate to have two kitties who do not seem to mind their visit to their docotr. To them, the vet visit is a new place to explore and to be made a fuss of. It may be a product of the fact that, although being rescues, they have always been healthy. Sure, there is the occasional needle, but Baxter is far too much a gentleman to complain and Panda purrs through the whole thing.

However, every dog and cat is an individual and, just like the people, there are so many of us that can get a bit nervous for a simple and routine check-up. I am one of those people, so I can completely sympathize with our furry family members who just do. not. want. to. go.

So, for those cat mums and dog dads who struggle with their pet’s anxiety before you even walk in the door, here are a few ideas to make the vet visit as stress-free as possible.

1. Start with the car

Make sure your pets are familiar and comfortable with riding in the car. Take them on errands or play days at the park so that they associate your car with fun and harmless activities. If they associate riding in the car with more than a trip to the vet, their anxiety will not start as early or be as prolonged. While this may be a simple idea for dogs, consider also getting your cat to go on short trips with you in their carrier. It will depend on their character and if they enjoy such things, but a car ride that is just that – a short trip with no stress – can be a great start to a stress-free vet visit.

2. Choose the right veterinarian/clinic

A good relationship with your veterinarian is a must! If you are uneasy or do not trust your current vet, it makes for a stressful situation for you. Do not underestimate how much in tune your pet is with your emotions; if you’re uneasy they will be too. In most cities, there are a number of veterinary clinics and hospitals, so you will often have a choice. If car rides are already fun for your dog or cat, you can expand your area of search. I know that for the first few years, we drove an hour to get to a vet that we felt comfortable with.

3. Be social

Call ahead and arrange for a visit to your chosen vet just to say hello. If their first few visit are fun, easy events with lots of attention and treats and, most importantly, without the poking and prodding that a normal visit entails, they will be at ease when it comes time for a real visit. Most veterinarian offices are more than happy to accommodate these visits. The staff at our clinic love meeting new puppies and kittens as well as the older, but new family members.

4. Gather the evidence

It might seem like a small thing, but have all of the information regarding your pet’s health ready for when you go for the vet visit. Bring in any samples you need. Keep good records of any changes in their behaviour. For example, there is a great difference between telling your veterinarian that your dog has experienced diarrhea a ‘few times’ and providing very specific times and dates. I have found that it can assist them in diagnosing a potential problem more quickly, perhaps avoiding costly additional tests if they feel they are simply trying to narrow it down a cause to some common symptoms.

Any other tips that you have found helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

2018 Colour of the Year: Ultra Violet

Jan 22, 2018

The start of a new year and the folks at Pantone have determined that Ultra Violet is the Color of the Year for 2018. If you have never checked out the Pantone page, you really should. Lots of resources and tools on how to incorporate the colour into your design, fashion and beauty lifestyle. Of course, because we are Posh Pets® Photography and love all things dog and cat, we have also scoured the city to come up with a few ways to ensure your dog or cat is current and on-trend in 2018.

1. The Fashion Accessory

A beautiful purple bow tie for the ever-fashionable dog or cat by Toronto’s own Rover Boutique. They have such a gorgeous selection of styles and colours for your pets and they are all designed and sewn in Toronto. They also have beautiful bandanas, coats and leashes.

2. The Winter Necessity

Another great Toronto company is Canada Pooch. Stylish and warm outwear, knits, and accessories will keep your dog cozy as they brave the elements on their daily adventures.

3. The Harness

I stumbled upon the designs of Bowl & Bone Republic one day and have been smitten ever since. They create luxurious bowls, beds and accessories for dogs.

4. The Silverware

This beautiful dog bowl by Snooty Pets features the ultra violet colour and silver. You’ll wish they created dishware for humans too.

5. The Home Decor

And do not forget about the kitties! A purple litter mat by Pet Safe will ensure that your feline is appropriately modern and your home is free of litter. What more could you ask for?

Any dog or cat accessories you love?

Feel free to let us know the details in the comments, below.

PS: There’s more! We have lots of other ultra violet ideas for your pet on our Pinterest page.

Join us…

Once you have purchased all of these stylish accessories, you’ll want to show them off with great photography. Sign up here for the Tips for Taking Drool-Worthy Pictures of Your Pet With Your Phone – a free pdf showing how to work with your phone to get awesome photographs. Have fun out there!

7 Ways to Make Your Dog Happy on a Consistent Basis

Dec 19, 2017

Here at Posh Pets®, we have always believed this one truth: Dogs are family. As dogs take their rightful place as full-fledged members of the family unit, we are always interested in the source of dog happiness and canine well-being. After all, there is nothing like a content and happy pup – it fills us with happiness just looking at them. Is bringing more happiness and joy into your pup’s life on the list of goals for 2018? Well, here are 7 ways to keep their tail wagging:

1. Spend time with your dog everyday

It goes without saying: our dogs love hanging out with their humans. They need and thrive in an environment where their people take an interest. So, the simplest way to make your dog happy is to spend some quality time with them. Every. Single. Day. What you do together will depend on your lifestyle and the breed of your pup: for some, simply cuddling them on the couch is enough; while others would love to go on epic adventures with you in the great outdoors. Daily walks are essential as it strengthens your bond and both of you get much needed exercise. If you love early morning walks, get up early and greet the sun together.

2. Keep your dog looking good (and posh)

Don’t you feel better when you know you look good? It’s the same with your dog. A good grooming routine is essential. However, some pups show a little apprehension with the whole grooming thing, so start with short brushing sessions and lots of positive reinforcement – praise, belly rubs and treats should never be in short supply. You can also make the session more relaxing by placing essential oils in the room and let the calming scents do their magic.

3. Make bath time fun

The simple state of being clean contributes much to your dog’s emotional and physical health, so rub-a-dub-dub! But, bath time can be another uneasy moment for some dogs. A main reason for that is the feeling of insecurity from the feel of the porcelain of your tub – when wet, that can be very slippery. So, consider getting a non-slip bath mat for your tub. It’s a simple solution that will help the dog feel more safe when in the bath.

There’s no need to hurry either. Move at a slow place, so your dog is relaxed and comfortable while being bathed. You can even massage their paws, shoulders and spine while in the bath so they can associate bath time with comfort.

4. Never skip meals

No one likes to be hungry, so make sure your pooch eats the recommended amount of food every day. If you’re unsure what is the exact amount they should be eating, ask the advice of a veterinarian or pet nutritionist.

Sticking to a feeding routine may be a challenge for working owners who sometimes come home late in the evening. Thanks to technology, feeding your dog is now a lot easier. If you are a busy owner, invest in automated pet feeders that can dispense food at designated times of the day. Or choose a dog sitter/walker that can come in and do it for you.

5. Make new buddies

It’s healthy for your pooch to play with other people or dogs once in a while. In fact, it should start socializing early on as a pup. Dogs need to be exposed to a variety of environments to develop self-confidence and avoid behaviours that manifest themselves when a dog is scared as a result of being exposed to new situations. A social dog experiences less stress, so be sure to introduce yours to new faces from time to time.

6. Give your dog gifts

Dogs can be very naughty when they’re bored, so don’t forget to leave out some chew toys and other play things to keep your dog occupied. When it comes to toys, there are so many new ones coming on the market all the time, including environmentally-conscious ones. A new toy is sure to keep your pup’s tail wagging for days, or at least a couple of minutes.

7. Teach and old dog a new trick

Teaching your dog something new makes for a fun bonding moment. Like humans, our four-legged friends are a curious bunch, and learning something new gives them mental stimulation as well as some physical exercise. The trick here is motivation: treats are great ways to reward your pup as they learn new things. If you want to go one step further, Go Fetch recommends seeking assistance from an animal behaviourist or trainer to show you how to properly train your dog. But do your research – you want to ensure that the trainer will use techniques that you are comfortable with – positive reinforcement is to be chosen over anything that frightens your dog. The goal is to make sessions fun for both you and your furry friend. A trained pup is a happy pup.

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