Before you met your first dog, you probably had some preconceived notions about what life with dogs must look like. You may have imagined long walks, lots of kisses, and playing fetch in the park. But for some dogs, whether you throw a ball, a rope, or a frisbee, playing fetch just doesn’t seem to hold their interest. 

First of all, this is totally fine! Just like humans, every dog has a unique personality. Some dogs are active and easy to entertain with some physical activity, while others find more enjoyment from laying in a sunbeam or snoozing on the couch. 

If you have your heart set on getting your dog to play a game of fetch with you, it’s definitely possible to train your dog to enjoy the game. Here are a few reasons why your dog might not instinctively play fetch and how to overcome them: 

Your dog picks up the toy, but doesn’t bring it back

According to the AKC, one of the most common issues dog owners encounter in the quest for fetch is that your dog will chase after the toy but doesn’t bring it back. This can be frustrating for pet parents who wind up spending more time at the park collecting their dogs’ toys than actually playing with them.

Luckily, this is a fairly easy issue to overcome. Your dog already knows how to track the item they’re fetching -- they just need some extra encouragement to return it home. If this is happening for you, keep a second toy or a few treats on hand. Your dog will have an incentive to bring their toy back to where it came from. 

Your dog doesn’t like the toy you’re throwing

Think about your dog’s everyday playtime. We’re sure you’ve identified their favorite kinds of toys and objects to play with. Some dogs prefer durable rope toys that are fun to tug, while others like soft stuffed animals to play with. 

There’s a chance your dog just doesn’t like the kind of toy you chose to play fetch with. Some dogs are just picky like that! Before you give up on playing fetch, try out a variety of different toys and objects to see if one sparks their interest more than others.

Your dog doesn’t know how the game is played

Some dog breeds, like Retrievers and German Shepherds, instinctively play fetch. That’s because they’ve been bred to do so! Over generations, they have been taught to pick up items and return them to their owners -- that’s why Retrievers are called Retrievers. 

Just like with other tricks, you can teach your dog to play fetch with you! Start by encouraging your dog to pick up their favorite toy. Then, move on to teaching your dog to “drop it,” or give the item back to you. Over time, you can show your dog how to retrieve items from longer distances; before you know it, they’ll be a fetch champion. 

April is Active Dog Month, and playing fetch is a wonderful way to include cardiovascular activity in your dog’s daily routine. Exercise -- including mental exercise -- is so important for your dog’s overall health, wellness, and longevity. To help your dog maintain the energy levels they need to play, switch them to an all natural food that supports gut health and weight management. Shop Pawsitively Pure’s line of human grade dog food and treats here. 

Picture this: You open your pantry to figure out what to make for dinner. To your dismay, your pantry is stocked with a lifetime supply of a “nutrient cereal” that doesn’t taste great and doesn’t make you feel very good, either. But day after day, meal after meal, you pour yourself bowls of this cereal, because it’s all you have.

Sounds pretty dismal, right? 

It turns out that your dogs might find it dismal, too. 

The Raw Feeding Revolution

In 2015, 37% of pet owners noted interest in raw or human-grade diets for their dogs, according to PetFoodIndustry.com. An additional 13% were already providing their dogs with raw diets. Those percentages have only continued to grow. Many pet parents begin their journey to human-grade feeding after they realize the risks associated with feeding mass-produced foods. 

We created Pawsitively Pure dog food for that very reason: After a major pet food recall in 2007, we knew we needed to take our dogs’ dietary health more seriously. We consulted with veterinarians to learn about nutritional balance and used that knowledge to develop our own dog food. Since we started feeding our dogs lightly-cooked, human-grade food, we’ve noticed significant improvements in their energy levels, coat condition, and weight management.

Don’t just take it from us, though. Here are a few reasons why you should ditch the kibble ASAP.

How do you know what’s in your kibble?

Sure, the front label of your store-bought kibble says that it’s “Beef and Vegetables Flavor,” but that doesn’t mean there’s much beef or many vegetables to be found. Many major pet food manufacturers use clever verbiage like “dinner,” “flavor,” and “entree” to make you think it’s packed with good stuff, but usually, kibble contains a lot of filler.

Often, the meat used for kibble is deemed unfit for human consumption. Manufacturers select low-quality ingredients to help save on costs. Many times, your dog is also eating bones, feathers, and other byproducts in their kibble. Not only is this gross, it doesn’t give your dog any positive nutritional value.

Can your dog digest kibble properly?

Animals digest significantly more protein from raw and lightly cooked diets than they do from kibble, according to a recent study. As a result, kibble-fed dogs often have to poop more than their raw-fed counterparts to get rid of all that excess waste. 

In the same way that processed foods are less nutritious for humans than whole, unprocessed foods, processed kibble offers little real nutritional value to your dog. Often, kibble is packed with carbohydrates, and unless your dog is particularly active, an abundance of carbohydrates can lead to obesity. 

Have you ever noticed that kibble never goes bad?

If you leave a bag of kibble open to the air, it won’t go bad the way real food does. Of course, you’ll probably attract some ants and roaches, but that’s a different story. Commercially produced kibble doesn’t have an expiration date because it’s packed with preservatives. According to Cali Raw on Medium.com, many of these preservatives can be toxic when consumed in large amounts. 

We understand that it may be more convenient to be able to buy one large bag of food and not worrying about it going bad before it runs out; however, we believe that a dog’s nutrition should take precedence over convenience! Besides, with next-day doorstep delivery in Florida from Pawsitively Pure, you’ll never have to worry about running out of food when you need it.

Visitors, we would love to hear from you. If you haven’t started feeding a human-grade diet, what’s holding you back? If you have, how has it changed your dogs’ lives? Join us on Facebook to let us know.

From Start to Finish, Techs Make Your Vet Appointments Smooth and Easy

Remember the last time you took your dog to the vet? You were probably greeted by a vet tech at the front door who helped you lead your dog onto the scale and checked you in for your appointment. You may not have realized it, but that same vet tech played a huge part in ensuring your dog’s appointment was easy and successful. 

Just like nurses do at a typical doctor appointment, vet techs take on a lot of responsibilities both in front of the patients and behind the scenes. According to VetStreet.com, “It’s easier to list what they can’t do: make diagnoses, perform surgery, or prescribe medication.”

With so many necessary tasks to take care of, you may be surprised to learn that the vet tech position didn’t exist before the 1960s. Previously, veterinary offices, animal hospitals, and zoos relied on average office workers to handle administrative and regular care tasks. As technology developed and the knowledge base of animal healthcare grew, veterinary professionals realized the need for skilled assistance. 

Since the 1960s, vet techs have made pet parents’ lives better in so many ways. Be sure to thank your vet tech for all of these things at your next appointment:

Vet techs set the tone for the whole appointment

As we mentioned above, vet techs are the first face you see when you enter your veterinarian’s office, and they’re often the last faces you see when you check out and leave. Having a vet tech who can greet your dog and make them feel comfortable from the start can set the tone for the whole appointment. 

Lots of dogs display anxiety at the vet’s office. You can’t blame them: often, we only visit the vet’s office once or twice a year, if that. Your dog isn’t used to those surroundings or the new sounds and smells that come along with them. Having a vet tech who is used to handing anxious dogs can help keep them calm enough to get through their tests and procedures and get back to the treats. 

Vet techs can help you with at-home care

Vet techs take care of the technical tasks so that the lead veterinarian can handle diagnoses, procedures, and prescriptions. They’re also your link for questions and tips about at-home care and administration of medications.

Senior dog parents especially know that it can be overwhelming to leave the vet’s office with a handful of new pills and prescriptions. Your vet tech can give you their own tried and true tips for administering medications, even for dogs who try to avoid them. As you develop a working relationship with your vet tech over time, they’ll get to know your dog’s unique needs and quirks so they can help you take better care of them at home. 

Vet techs love your animals when you’re not there

Nobody likes leaving their dogs at the vet’s office overnight. For someone like me who works from home with my boy Jackson always at my side, being at home without him there for just a day can seem like an agonizing eternity. Knowing that he is with vet techs who will love and care for him makes things a little easier. 

The third week in October is National Vet Tech Appreciation Week, but we think they should be celebrated year-round! If there’s a special place in your heart for your vet techs, leave them a positive review on Google or social media and share the love.

Every Saturday morning, the Pawsitively Pure crew heads over to the Lake Mary Farmers Market to set up our booth. These days, there’s nothing quite as refreshing as enjoying a few peaceful moments outside, and Central Park in Lake Mary offers the perfect place to safely enjoy a Saturday morning with your dog.

COVID-19 took away many people’s in-person shopping options and eliminated shopping for fun as an activity. So when farmers markets reopened in the summer of 2020 under special safety guidelines, we rejoiced! With vendors maintaining their distance and enforced masks and hand sanitizer stations, the Lake Mary Farmers Market is safe and fun for responsible shoppers and their friendly dogs. 

The Lake Mary Farmers Market is one of our favorites. Here’s why: 

There’s a Wonderful Variety of Vendors

Since we started attending this market years ago, we’ve connected with a wonderful group of vendors offering an array of goods. Find your traditional farmers market offerings, like fresh fruits and vegetables, amongst other local makers, artists, and producers. Many stalls have handmade meals and treats; others feature art and home decor. It’s like a mall you can bring your dog to in the beautiful open air!

Precautions are in Place to Keep Attendees Safe

The organizers of the Lake Mary Farmers Market have taken the necessary precautions to keep vendors and attendees safe during the coronavirus outbreak. First of all, vendors maintain at least 6’ of space between their stalls to prevent crowds from forming. Secondly, all in attendance are required to wear masks. Additionally, many vendors and organizers offer hand sanitizer and extra cleaning supplies to prevent the spread of germs. 

The atmosphere is pleasant and attendees are all respectful of the rules. We have felt safe during every appearance, and have done our parts to promote the safety of those around us!

Special Events Make Saturdays Fun

The Lake Mary Farmers Market frequently hosts special events, so you can get a healthy dose of holiday fun while staying safe! This month, we’re offering some Pawsitively Pure goodies as prizes for the Halloween Pet Costume Contest, an annual favorite of ours. Organizers have lots of fun and treats in store for the upcoming holidays to make your season just a little brighter! 

The Lake Mary Farmers Market takes place at 100 N. Country Club Road in Lake Mary, FL, every Saturday (with exceptions) from 9 AM to 1:30 PM. To learn more about the other vendors and the market in general, follow Lake Mary Farmers Market on Facebook.

Finding Balance for Your Furry Friends and Your Fronds

2020 has left a lot of people looking for companionship. Many have adopted dogs, with several animal shelters reporting their kennels empty because of massively increased adoption rates. Others have decided to liven up their spaces with houseplants, which have been making their way into millennial homes at rapid rates. If you’re anything like us, you credit both your pets and your plants with helping you survive this difficult year!

If you’ve got a green thumb and you’re eager to add a dog to your growing family, we say go for it. Likewise, if you’ve got a full fur family and you want to add some fronds to the mix, you should! All it takes is a little planning and forethought to make sure both your pets and your plants stay healthy and coexist peacefully. 

Put your dogs’ health first

Your dogs’ health should always take priority in your houseplant considerations. Why? We’ll put it this way: Most plants can survive a few torn leaves or broken stems and keep on growing without issue. However, treating plant-related illnesses and injuries on your dog brings a great deal of stress, discomfort, and even pain for all involved parties. 

Know your dogs’ behavior before you introduce houseplants to their environment. If you’re just bringing a dog home for the first time, we recommend keeping your plants far out of reach until you know how your dog interacts with them. Most dogs show minimal interest in houseplants, but certainty never hurts. 

Understand which houseplants are toxic

If you find that most houseplants you research are listed as toxic to dogs and cats, don’t fret: there’s a much smaller list of plants that can cause serious health issues. In your houseplants’ defense (literally), toxicity is a defense mechanism against herbivores and omnivores who find themselves in the mood for a salad. Most often, these plants will cause upset stomach, lethargy, vomiting, or diarrhea in dogs. 

If your dog is uninterested in your houseplants and respects the boundaries you set, you should have no problem safely growing common tropical plants in your home. However, if the risk seems too great, there are a number of nontoxic plants you can choose, like: 

Ferns are beautiful nontoxic houseplants, perfect for homes with dogs.

• Ferns

• Calatheas

• Spider Plants

• Hoyas

• Peperomias

It’s still important to discourage them from eating your plants, since any foreign material can upset their stomachs.

You should avoid certain plants entirely, especially sago palms, foxgloves, and dieffenbachias. These and a number of other plants cause more severe reactions when ingested and can occasionally be fatal, according to the Pet Poison Helpline. 

Know what to do if your dog digs up trouble

If your dog is a little too curious one afternoon and munches on a houseplant, it may be a good idea to give your vet a call; certain plants cause problems that don’t appear for a few days. Keep an eye out for any of the above symptoms we mentioned, namely gastrointestinal problems. 

We mount and hang our plants or perch them on shelves so that they’re well out of reach of our dogs, and everyone has been happy and healthy. If you’re a dog owner with plants, we want to know your tips: what plants do you have around your home? How do you keep your dogs safe? Send your pictures and stories to us on Facebook.