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DogGeek Originals

10 Trendiest Dog Names of the Year

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It’s finally out. We wait for it every year to see if our pup made the list. VetStreet.com came out with the top 10 trendiest dog names this week and here they are:

#10: Hazel (female) and Marley (male)
#9: Cali and Ruger
#8: Charlie and Brody
#7: Marley and Gunner
#6: Athena and Leo
#5: Nala and King
#4: Willow and Loki
#3: Luna and Dexter
#2: Elsa and Thor
#1: Piper and Jax

Well, none of our pack’s names made the list. How about your’s?

January 20, 2015 | DogGeek

Dog Wants to Play With Dog in the Laptop Screen

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A video of a dog being confused by a squeaky toy has gone viral in recent weeks. Annie had the brilliant idea of showing her own dog the video in order to see if she, too, was confused. Josie seems delighted to have discovered a new friend as she puts her two front paws on the table in order to watch the entire video through. At one point she even attempts to bat at the other dog on-screen. Credit: YouTube/Annie Britton

January 20, 2015 | DogGeek

DogGeek Originals

4 Outdoorsy Vacations Your Pooch Will Love

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Going on vacation is something to look forward to. If you have dogs at home, planning a trip can be stressful. Making kennel arrangements or pet sitting arrangements can be difficult. But don’t fret—there are plenty of great outdoorsy vacations you can take with your dog in-tow. Consider these outdoorsy and dog friendly destinations for your next trip:

A Trip to the Mountains

Travel to the mountains for a vacation filled with outdoor fun and activities. For a diverse experience no matter where you go, one of the best places to visit is Colorado. Breathe in fresh air as you and your pup go for a hike or simply relax by a cozy cabin fireplace.

Journey to the rugged Colorado Rockies and stay at a peaceful ranch like the Whistling Elk Ranch. Go hiking, mountain biking, wildlife tours, horse trail rides or go fishing. Dogs are allowed on the property with proof of vaccinations from the last year. Heading to the mountains is a great way to escape the mundane and experience the beauty of nature.

If you are into snowboarding or skiing, you should check out Winter Park Colorado for an upscale romp in the snow. Winter Park Lodging Company offers you a pet friendly getaway the whole family can enjoy.

The Land of 10,000 Lakes

Boating, jet skiing, tubing, fishing, swimming—you name it and they’ve got. Rent out a cabin by a lake, soak up the sun on a pontoon and fall asleep to the sound of singing loons.

Duck hunting is a popular sport in Minnesota. You can go on guided tours or venture off on your own. Waterfowl hunting is the perfect activity for you and your faithful hound. It is exciting for you and it helps your dog expel extra energy. If you want to try your hand at hunting, be sure to get your Minnesota hunting license. You can easily get your hunting certification online before your trip so you can get straight to the fun once you arrive.

Posh Beach Vacation

If you are all about rest and relaxation travelling to Nassau in the Bahamas might be just what you need. Nassau is a vibrant, spicy city full of culture and spirit. Find private vacation rentals in Nassau that are pet friendly using resources like DogGeek. You can also bring your dog to the beautiful, one of a kind Cabbage Beach. It is secluded and often not crowded. Your dog can run in the surf, go for a swim or relax with you under the palm trees. It is a luxurious getaway that anyone can enjoy.

Take a Trip to West Yellowstone

West Yellowstone has plenty of pet friendly hotels you can visit with your family and furry friend. Take a guided tour in Yellowstone National Park or take a kayak or white river rafting trip with the entire family. Go on a Gravelly Range trip through Montana’s Serengetti and see the beauty of Yellowstone all around you.

Remember, you don’t have to leave your dogs behind.

You can easily take your dogs to new locations and see the world. Depending on your interests, you can immerse yourself in the wilderness and partake in all of your favorite outdoor activities or take a luxurious trip to the beach. It’s easy to find a destination with pet friendly hotels, resorts or private property rentals and attractions.

January 14, 2015 | DogGeek

Easy Ways to Pet-Proof Your Home

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If you’re a pet owner, you already know that half the battle in creating a pet-friendly home is choosing the right furniture for your lifestyle. Let’s face it, that gorgeous white suede sofa just won’t work well with two dogs and a cat. But, just because you share your home doesn’t mean you don’t have options for living safely, comfortably and even stylishly. You don’t have to put up with shredded upholstery and hair-covered rugs when you use the following guidelines.

Keep It Clean

Keeping your house clean with cats, dogs and other pets is a matter of maintenance and some strategic planning. Some of the biggest cleanliness issues with pets are hair and bathroom habits.

To help with shedding, supplement regular sweeping and vacuuming with robovacs like Roomba. You should keep your animals off the furniture or train them to only use areas of the couch or chairs that are covered with pet covers. Furthermore, the ASPCA says frequency of brushing dogs and cats depends on how much hair they have. Brush short-haired animals once a week and longer-haired ones daily or every few days. Bathe dogs every three months, but do not bathe cats. If you have any problems grooming, consider asking your vet about the best way to do it and the right tools to use.

Make sure you tend to litter boxes daily to reduce odors and to prevent your cat from tracking litter through the house. Take the dog outside as often as possible, and train him or her to ask to go out.

Decrease the Damage

Chewing, scratching and digging cause damage to furniture, window treatments, table legs and door frames. The ASPCA recommends redirecting pet activities that cause damage to different, more acceptable items such as scratching posts or chew toys. Cover furniture with pet-proof covers, and restrict pets’ access to areas where they chew or scratch when you’re not home. Use baby gates or put them in a comfortable, enclosed area with toys and a bed. If your drapes or curtains are irresistible, consider replacing them with wooden or vertical blinds. Avoid broken collectibles, bric-a-brac and other décor by putting it out of reach of your pets. Use a sturdy display case or attractive, clear storage bins to keep them safely off tabletops and shelves.

Put It Away

Animals are curious and can get bored easily. When this happens, they often get into things. Keep your pets safe by putting away items that may be harmful to them, such as medications, lotions, wires, chemicals and clothing that has buttons or strings that can be swallowed. The American Humane Association recommends using childproof latches on cabinet doors to keep curious pets from getting into them. Keep trash cans covered or put away to keep pets away from odors and food scraps that may attract them.

Make a place to store your pet food that’s covered. Store pet toys and gear like leashes in a safe place. The more you organize and put things away in a house with pets, the better you’ll be able to manage your pet’s activity.

January 6, 2015 | DogGeek

Most Search Dog Questions on Google in 2014

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Top Dog Questions searched in 2014 according to Google are:

Why do dogs eat grass?
Do dogs dream?
Why do dogs howl?
Why do dogs have whiskers?
How to clean dog’s ears?
Why are dog’s noses wet?
How to stop dogs from digging?
How to introduce dogs
Why do dogs bury bones?

What question did you Google about dogs this year?

December 17, 2014 | DogGeek

Top Tips to Keep Pets & Wildlife Safe Around Your Pool

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While many pool owners are understandably concerned about keeping children safe around their pool, they aren’t the only ones who must be monitored. We also need to watch our four-legged friends around water. To keep our beloved pets (and any other critters that might wander into the yard) safe around the pool, consider the following tips:

Never Assume

Although most believe all dogs know how to swim, this isn’t true. Certain breeds of dogs have trouble swimming, Petwave reports, as do elderly dogs and those with health issues like blindness or hearing problems. Just like you watch your kids closely when they are swimming, keep a sharp eye on your precious pooch. Never assume that he or she will know what to do in the water. Even puppies who liked to swim may grow up to be arthritic dogs who are frightened and unsure in the water.

Secure the Area

If you have two-legged kids, chances are good your pool is already fenced. But if you are the proud parent of only four-legged kids, you might not have considered putting a barrier around the pool. Pet parents should keep their pool area safe and secure too, and you may wish to purchase some products that can assist getting your pets out of the water should they fall in. As Specialty Pool Products notes, a pool alarm is the number one safety product for pool owners. If anything that weighs 15 pounds or more falls into the water, a loud alarm will sound inside the house. Another great product is called Safety Turtle; this pet-specific alarm features a turtle-shaped device that goes on your pet’s collar; if the turtle gets submerged in water it will sound a loud alarm on the base station (not near your pet’s sensitive ears). This is a terrific safety feature that can be left on your pet’s collar at all times.

Teach Them How to Get Out

Even though the pool’s surface might look solid to dogs, they should be shown it is not something they can just walk on. Introduce your puppies or dogs to the water and then show them how to get out. Although they cannot typically see the steps, they can learn where to exit the pool. A great way to teach them how to get out is to keep a couple of small planters filled with flowers on the pool deck near the steps—this will give your dog the visual cue he or she needs to know where to get out of the pool.

Keeping other critters safe

Dogs are not the only animals that can end up in your pool; birds, frogs and even deer can end up in the water. As the Humane Society notes, smaller wild animals can usually be scooped to safety with a large pool net or even the bristled end of the broom. If a larger animal like a deer manages to somehow get past the pool fence, you can use a chaise lounge or a pool float as a ramp that will assist the animal in leaving the water. Of course, you don’t want to get too close to wild animals to prevent getting bitten or scratched.

November 15, 2014 | DogGeek