Bill's blog

Q: My dog eats Cesar's every day and I think we should switch him to one of your better foods, but it's just too expensive to switch to your canned food. What is a good compromise?

Feed the best canned food we have - Nature's Logic - no synthetic anything. Nothing from China. And cheaper than Cesar.

Cesar is $.75 or a 3.5oz container (purchased at Neighborhood Mega Mart). That works out to $.21/oz.

*Cesar Grilled Chicken Flavor ingredients listed by order of actual wegith: water, beef by-products, liver, meat by-products, beef, chicken, chicken by-products...and grilled chicken flavor. Contains no grilled chicken and is primarily water, by-products and synthetic vitamins & minerals. Those cute TV ads are clever and EXPENSIVE!!!

Nature's Logic Chicken, available at Happy tails, is $2.39 for a 13.2oz can - works out to be $.21/oz.

Q: I keep seeing Iams television ads promoting prebiotics for a healthy inside. What is it?

A: Destructive behavior is often a symptom of a deeper problem - boredom. When your dog isn't getting enough exercise and stimulation, he will resort to eating through walls, devouring books and, yes, chewing anything that fits into his mouth. No toy is completely indestructible, but there are many toys made for aggressive chewers and dogs who can't seem to get enough. First, make sure you're walking your dog, preferably every day. A good game of fetch is great for wearing out a hyper dog, but it's better to skip the tennis balls and use a solid rubber ball that is much tougher. We carry them for $4.79. For a dog who needs stimulation while you're away or busy, we carry two great items. The first is a brand new chew called the Everlasting Treat Ball. Made of incredibly resilient rubber, it has two large openings for tough treats or food. It is slightly rounded and wobbles all over the place. With food or treats inserted, it can keep your dog busy for hours.

We also carry black Kongs, which are great for stuffing with food and treats.

We only carry the black kongs because they are stronger and made for more aggressive chewers. Come by and talk with us for more ideas on toys and chews for your dog and be sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Q: My dog has been using your foods for about 6 months and he is still scratching. I thought diet was supposed to help? He doesn't get any table scraps, just his food and some of those T-Bone treats when he's a good boy. What gives?

A: While diet may not cure seasonal external allergies, like grass allergies, they should improve. More than that, however, you should probably take a closer look at the ingredients list of the treats you're giving. Keeping common allergens out of the food does no good if your dog's treats are loaded with things that make your dog itch! Check out the ingredients for Purina T-Bonz: Ground wheat, corn gluten meal, water, wheat flour, ground yellow corn, sugar, glycerin, beef, chicken by-product meal, hydrogenated starch hydrolysate, corn starch-modified, liver, soybean meal... Wheat and corn are very common allergens, and they are the primary ingredients of these treats. You should try to find treats that avoid all grains, such as Merrick's beef or lamb training treats, or Zuke's Z-Filets.

Healthy treats, packed with pure protein goodness. An added benefit of these meat-only treats is that they are great for dog's with weight issues and are very effective as training treats. This month, our Merrick treats are on sale as well as some of our most popular chews like flossies and Texas Toothpicks. I

f you'd like to get more information on upcoming sales, promotions and information, sign up for our Email Newsletter

Q: My dog has lots of digestive issues. Do you have ideas what I can do to help? He seems miserable and I'm afraid he's going to start losing too much weight.

A: There are lots of reason for digestive upset, but if your dog's issue seems to be chronic, it's time to try some different things. Inspect your dog's food and try to avoid grains like corn, wheat or soy, and foods that list a lot of grain ingredients. Nature's Logic would be an excellent choice, as it is bound with millet and is full of NATURAL vitamins and minerals, nothing synthetic.

An ideal diet would be a raw diet, as it is the most natural and easily digested form of food for a dog. You may also need to cut back a bit on how MUCH you're feeding. Feeding guides on the side of dog food bags are just general guidelines and you should always feed towards the lower end unless you are having issues with losing weight.

You might also try sprinkling a food additive onto your dog's food called Solid Gold Sea Meal. It contains a various array of sea vegetation which aid in boosting the immune system to help combat allergies and it also contains a product called Prozyme. Prozyme contains natural plant enzymes that can help maximize nutrient absorbption. Don't be afraid to supplement your pet's food with canned pumpkin or non-fat yogurt. However if the diarrhea is very severe or is accompanied with any other symptoms such as lethargy, excessive vomiting or fever, consult with your vet ASAP. Sign up for our Email Newsletter for more tips, hints and coupons.

Q: My dog is putting scratches in my new hardwood floors. What do I do? My husband wants to keep the dog outside. I refuse, but I do not want my new floors all scratched up.

A: SOFT CLAWS!! They are rubber tips in various colors that are glued on your pet's nails. We offer this service when we groom or bathe the dogs. The cost is $25 per pet to install them or you can purchase them in our store and put them on yourself for $21.98 for 4 applications. Average time before needing to reapply Soft Claws is 6 weeks. So it costs about $4.25 per week if we apply them, or $1.25 per week if you do it yourself. It also helps save furniture and tender skin. Available in all sizes and a variety of colors (incuding clear and black). If there is enough interest we will order them for cats as an alternative to de-clawing. 

Do you have a question for Bill?  If so, email us and ask!

Q: I have a problem with my schnauzer running out the door every time it's open. He is so fast and he won't come back. What do I do?

A: Your dog learned a valuable (to him) lesson when he was young. He learned that he was faster than you and now he uses it to his advantage! Some training - for both of you - will go a long way. To work on the door, make sure you have a lightweight long line (6ft cotton check cord, $7.98 at Happy Tails), a regular collar and plenty of super exciting tasty treats. Merrick Training Treats are great and are currently on sale for $1.00 off! Hook the check cord to your dog's collar and let him drag it. Walk up to the door but before you touch the handle, ask your dog to sit and offer a treat. If you try to open the door and your dog gets unruly, close the door and move away until he settles down. The check cord is there in case he makes a break for it, you have a way to keep from getting too far. Practice this often, reward him lots, and don't get discouraged!

You should also enroll in a basic obedience class. Meeting one day a week for 45 minutes to an hour, we cover all kinds of behavior problems. Want a dog that listens to you without shouting, leash-yanking, or pleading, that doesn't jump on you when you walk in the door and can walk calmly on a leash and not drag you down the street? We'll cover heel, sit, down, stay, come when called (to name just a few). Our methods are simple and effective and everyone in the family can have the same level of control over the family dog. No choke chains or pinch collars required, just lots of treats and praise and an understanding of why your dog does what he does, and how to get him to see it "your way".  Call 452-3235 for more information or visit our training section here on the website.

Q: I am a puppy breeder and I am having problems with bloody stool and weak puppies. Because I have so many dogs I have to buy the cheapest food I can, so I buy it at Sam's.

A: Nutrition! Nutrition! Nutrition! If a daughter or wife was to become a mother would you advise her to buy the cheapest, poorest quality ntrition she can buy? NO you would not. You know she needs to feed herself and her unborn child quality, well-balanced nutrition. Member's Mark Performance Dog Food from SAMS $20.96 for a 50lb bag. Ingredients: Meat and Bone Meal, (typically 35% ash and 50% protein) ground yellow corn, ground wheat, corn gluten meal, animal fat (preserved with BHA and citric acid), wheat middlings, soybean meal, animal digest. Does this sound like something that would nourish healthy puppies? Compare to Diamond Naturals Beef & Rice, $20.98 for 40lb. Ingredients: beef meal, cracked pearled barley, ground rice, peas, egg product, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols). And better still Premium Edge Chicken and Rice, $30 in quantity of 10 for a 35lb bag. Ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, ocean fish meal, whole grain brown rice, cracked pearled barley, white rice, oatmeal, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), prebiotics and enhanced with DHA (critical for the development of puppy's brains and vision). The higher the quality of what you put into your dog, the greater the chances of healthy puppies and less complications. And it costs less per feeding. Cheap is cheap. I want the most for my hard earned money.