Dog Info Articles

Dog Info Articles

We've carefully chosen the products we carry.  Here are links to articles on The Camping Dog's Blog about dog health, product reviews, and the like. It's a way for you understand why specific products are offered here, and for you to learn some other dog facts and tips you might now know.

If there are specific topics you would like to read about, please email campingdog@earthlink.net with your suggestions!

Animal Shelters: Adopting Rescue Dogs
I firmly believe one of the best gifts you can give yourself is to adopt a shelter dog.  Both of my dogs are from shelters.  They have made me laugh and cry and I’m s-o-o-o happy I took the plunge with each of them.  What a gift! Are shelter dogs right for everyone?  Absolutely not.  [...]

Dog Care Tip: Massage for Bad Joints
If you’ve got a dog that has arthritis or stiffness issues, a simple treatment that dogs typically love is massage.  China, my lab, with her odd-ball bone growth issues, is often in pain. There are times where she can’t put her weight on all 4 feet.  She has so much bone growth on her back [...]

Dog Care Tip: Quick Clean-Up of a Dirty Dog
It’s a gray and rainy day here in the beautiful Pacific NW.  Mudville season will soon be here for many months.  I decided to mention a quick and easy clean-up tip that works v-e-r-y well. If you have dogs like mine, there is nothing more fun for them than running in the rain and splashing [...]

Dog Care Tips: Cold and Wet Weather
The season is definitely changing.  Here in the Pacific Northwest it’s been pouring rain -  mud season has begun.  In other parts of the country, that fall nip is in the air.  It’s time to think about rain, snow and cold and your dog.  Between ice, snow and mud in their paws and getting soaked [...]

Dog Parks: Where to find dog parks
As the owner of two very active dogs who love to go, I make it a point to try to find off leash dog parks to explore both in my area and whenever I’m on the road with them.  As more people are traveling with their dogs, and as more parts of the country are [...]

Dog Products: An Innovative Dog Leash – These are Cool!
You may know I don’t like flexi-leashes.  I just found a whole new kind of dog leash with the benefits of a flexi-leash and none of the problems.  These are cool!  It lets you walk your dog on a leash up to 6′ in length, but eliminates possibility of tangling up under your dog’s feet [...]

Dog Products: Eco Friendly Dog Beds
If you’ve read this blog, you may know that one of my dogs has bone and joint issues.  Keeping her healthy, happy, and comfortable is a constant challenge because she is a working dog who becomes completely miserable if she can’t play with her toy and run. For her health and safety, I can’t let [...]

Dog Products: West Paw Design
One of my favorite manufacturers is West Paw Design.  This is a U.S.-based company located in Bozeman, Montana and all of their products are produced in the U.S.  They have developed some of the most innovative pet products around.  They’re an eco-friendly company with a focus on using as many recycled materials as possible.  Their [...]

Dog Safety: Preventing Heat Stroke in Dogs
As the sun climbs higher in the sky and the temperature rises, it’s important to think about your dog’s safety under a hot sun.  Dogs can suffer from heatstroke,  just like people.   According to an article on About.com regarding dog hyperthermia, or heat stroke, common signs of heat stroke include: Increased rectal temperature (over 104° [...]

Dog Stories: One Ball Dog vs. Deer
I just howled when I saw this video!  This is such a lab thing!  At least, it’s certainly like my lab.  You can hear the little voice in his head saying, “I will play with you, but I will not give up my ball for anything!” Enjoy!

Dog Stories: China and Her Favorite Toy
This is just too funny not to share.  China, my lab, is completely and totally in love with her giant red horse ball.  It’s her favorite toy in the world.  I finally got a bit of very rough video of her playing  with it.  Watch two things — her tail, which says that she’s the [...]

Dog Stories: Dealing With Pet Loss – Giving a Pet Away
If you’ve ever had a pet die, you know the feeling of grief and loss. But what about when circumstances in life force you to find a new home for a perfectly healthy, happy pet?  It’s a very different kind of pain.  This personal post is to share my experience with loss of a pet [...]

Dog Stories: Great Hearts
China, my 7-year old lab, has taught me SO much about heart.  She’s an American Field Lab and is one of the most work-focused dogs I have ever known.  It’s not just about chasing and retrieving a toy – it’s all the time.  If we’re walking in the park, she’s only happy if she can [...]

Dog Stories: Those Rare and Special Bonds
I’ve had the chance recently to watch a human-dog relationship that is beyond anything I’ve ever seen.  If you’ve ever seen one like this (or better, had one) I would love to hear about it. An elderly gentleman who walks with a cane has come to the dog park every morning for the past few [...]

Dog Stories: When a Dog’s Great Heart Breaks Your Heart
If you’ve read this blog in the past, you’ve probably read about my amazing field lab, China.  She has a genetic disorder that causes her to grow bone, causes her great pain and severe lameness at times, and yet she never, never quits.  This dog has a heart that brings me to tears. Her pain [...]

Dog Toys: Durable Dog Toys for the Squeaker-Loving Tugging Pup
Finding durable dog tug toys that last longer than 5 minutes can be a real challenge!  But I’ve done it!  I’m thrilled with these – my dogs adore them, they’re eco-friendly dog toys, they’re funny and fun, and they last an amazing amount of time. Doggles, the maker of the ever-popular Doggles dog goggles, has [...]

Dog Safety: Keeping Your Dog Safe in the Water
Do Dog Life Jackets Make Sense? With the spring thaw now, and with the hot and steamy of summer days coming, it might be time to think about the time you’re planning to spend on the water with your dog.  I’ve had a couple of experiences as the owner of water-loving, ball retrieving lab, that’s [...]

Dog Toys: Give Your Dog A Puzzle!
As you know, dogs love to play.  The odds are good that, no matter what kind of dog you have, they’re at their most happy when they’re playing with something – whether it’s chewing on something, chasing something, or trying to figure out something.  Like people, dogs love a good challenge. Even the slowest dog [...]

Dog Toys: My Favorite Indestructible Fetch and Tug Toys
I have two hard-working dogs – one, in particular, is very hard on her toys.  As much as I love her, I got tired of constantly replacing toys she’d chewed into tiny bits.  It gets expensive!  While there’s no such thing as an indestructible dog toy, there are some toys on the market now that [...]

Dog Toys: Selecting Safe Toys
If you’re like me, many of the people in your life are dog lovers.  Perhaps you like to buy new and fun toys for your own dog, but you might also give gifts to your friends’ dogs during gift giving seasons.  After all, how can you possibly get a gift for those special people and [...]

Dog Toys: Squeaker Mega-Mat Toys – 16 squeakers!
If your dogs are like mine, they go wonky for squeaker toys. Some of the coolest squeaker toys I’ve seen in a long time are made by Kyjen (the folks who make the well-respected Outward Hound brand of travel gear for dogs).  These seriously cool toys have an entire mat of squeakies – 16 of [...]

Dog Toys: The Best Squeaky Toy and Tug Toy I’ve Seen
I make it a point to try out as many products as possible before I offer them on Camping Dog Supplies.  The latest toy from Kyjen is  the most innovative and coolest squeaky toy and tug toy combination I’ve ever seen.  They are really clever and both of my dogs love them! They come in [...]

Dog Training: Canine Agility
Do you want to have a well-behaved and relaxed dog who pays attention to your commands and is a joy to be around?  One of the best ways I’ve found to do that is to teach them agility.  Both of my dogs have gone through agility training after having received basic dog training and, hands [...]

Dog Training: Cute Dogs and Their Wiley Ways
This is a personal post about Chelsea, my flirty little border collie mix and talks about the challenge of developing a consistently well-behaved dog when you’ve got a smart one.   She knows how to be so cute and sweet that I can not get people to ignore her when she displays bad behavior such as [...]

Dog Training: Leashes for a Well-Behaved Walk
I’m amazed more people don’t use leashes that help their dog be better behaved when they’re walking on leash.  Maybe it’s because many don’t realize there are leashes out there that let you walk your dog(s) hands free and are also very, very versatile.  So I decided to write this article about dog leashes.  After [...]

Dog Training: Why do it and how to do it
A well-behaved dog is a wonderful addition to any home.  Spending just a few minutes a day helps build a bond between you and is great fun!  If you have a family, learning to train a dog is wonderful for the kids, too.  And once you start, it gets addicting!  Both you and your dog [...]

Dog Travel: Taking a trip? Take a Wireless Fence!
If you’re planning a long trip with your pooch this summer, why not take a fence along so Fido has room to roam, too?  If you’re a camper and have access to power (such as in an RV or you have a portable generator), it’s really easy to set up camp and create an invisible [...]

Dog Travel: Are we going somewhere???
One of the things I love about dogs is how little it takes to make them happy.  My two dogs get so excited when they see me reaching for their leashes.  You can see telling each other, ” oh boy!  We get to g-o-o-o-o-o!” And if I start walking towards the car with them, they [...]

Dog Travel: Biking or Camping With a Small Pet
If you’re doing much biking or camping this summer and you have a small dog, it’s easy these days to take them along!  There are so many products available these days that make it easy, comfortable and safe to bring along your small friend. If you’re taking a trip that involves travel,  there are several [...]

Dog Travel: Dog Camping – Do it!
If you’ve never taken your dog to a dog camp, it’s definitely something you want to put on your to-do list.  It is SO much fun! I live in western Washington state, and there are some local dog lovers who get together a couple of times each year to rent a place to go for [...]

Dog Travel: Keep Your Dog Cool and Safe in the Car
I recently wrote about treating heat stroke in dogs and how to recognize and treat it.  But you have thought about the danger of heat stroke when your dog is in the car with you?  If you’re planning to travel with your pet, this is an important thing to consider when preparing for your trip. [...]

Dog Travel: The Value of Dog Backpacks
Dog backpacks are a great invention for SO many reasons.  If you’re going on walks or hikes, life is simpler when your dog can carry their own gear.  In addition, there are many dogs such as Huskies, Malamutes, Mastiffs and many of the large dog breeds, who were  bred to carry or haul – they [...]

Interesting Pet Allergy in People Facts
his post is a section of a post called “Allergic to Pets?” by Shirlee Kalstone, Bantam Dell 2006.  When I read this, I was surprised about some of the details regarding pet allergies.  The section below is from her article that specifically addresses what causes allergic reactions, and which types of pet is more likely [...]

Nutrition: Home Made Dog Food Recipes and Tips
Why Your Dog’s Diet Might Need Help Research has shown that, for both pets and people, eating the same diet every day can result in missing nutrients, development of allergies, toxic kidneys and liver, and chronic health conditions.  There are great information sources on pet nutrition that are worth reading. Signs of a nutrient-poor diet [...]

Nutrition: Quick, Easy & Affordable Home Made Dog Food
There is a big debate in the pet industry about the quality of foods we feed our dogs. For sure, inexpensive kibble can wreak havoc on your dog, weaken their immune systems, and leave them vulnerable to diseases and infections. Signs of a nutrient-poor diet include: dry skin, dull coat, dandruff, and shedding. This condition [...]

Nutrition: The Diabetes Epidemic in Pets
We’ve heard about the diabetes epidemic in adults and children.  But are you aware this is an equally important issue for our pets?  According to Dr. John Heinerman, research shows that diabetes tops the list of health issues in every vet clinic he contacted. What’s the cause?  Sugar – exactly the same as with people.  [...]

Pet Rescues: Tailwagger’s USA – a great nonprofit group!
I just reconnected with a friend I hadn’t spoken to in a while who is heavily involved in Tailwagger’s USA.  When I looked at their mission and their goals, I was really impressed with what they’re doing and what they’re out to achieve.  If you’re looking for a good animal group to donate to, this [...]

Pet Rescues: What the Shelter System Does & Adoption Rules to Change
This post is a rant – so if you’re looking for “niceness,” read no further. I recently read an article about a local rescue place that has me in awe.  I love what is happening here.  Essentially, they take dogs deemed “unadoptable and aggressive” and give them a place to live.  A story recently appeared [...]

The importance of large off leash dog parks
It’s fascinating how much emotion gets generated when dog people and non-dog people start discussing the possibility of opening a park specifically for dogs and their owners.   And I do know some dog owners who swear they will never take their dog to an off leash park because their vet or their dog trainer discourages [...]

Winter Weather and Dog Readiness
China, Chelsea and I are preparing for a big life change.  We are moving from the temperate and damp Pacific Northwest to the cold and sunny midwest in November.  Preparing for this move got me thinking about the effects of weather and environmental changes on our pets. Like us, dogs adapt to where they live.  [...]