Archives for June 2016

Wellness-Inspired BlogPaws Highlights

June 29, 2016 Leave a Comment

Wellness-Inspired BlogPaws Highlights

It has been one crazy month, but we are finally home and beginning to get settled in. All of our household goods arrived yesterday, so it was the perfect time to get home from BlogPaws. While BlogPaws came and went far too quickly, we had an absolute blast and can’t thank our sponsor, Wellness, enough for the amazing opportunity.

Wellness VIP Breakfast

If I’m being completely honest, there were a few things we were looking forward to more than others during the BlogPaws conference. One event we were really looking forward to (but had to keep hush hush about for awhile) was the Wellness VIP breakfast!

Over the past three months, It’s Dog or Nothing, along with several other amazing bloggers, has been participating in the #GrainFreeForMe Wellness campaign. Wellness recently debuted their new grain-free Complete Health line and we were extremely eager to try it out. So far, I have nothing but positive things to say about the fluffies’ experience on the food. The VIP breakfast was an opportunity for us to finally meet the other participating bloggers in person.

Not only did Wellness provide us with a delicious breakfast and copious amounts of oh so necessary coffee, but we also left with swag bags full of Wellness products. Atka wasted no time in seeking out his new tennis ball and searching for someone to feed him some treats.

The Wellness Booth

We made frequent trips into the exhibit hall to meet new friends, but Atka always made sure we visited the Wellness booth before making any other stops. He knew a trip to their booth meant treats and belly rubs – what more could a dog ask for? It didn’t matter what else was going on; Atka pulled me directly to the Wellness booth every time.

If you stopped to visit Wellness, I’m sure you saw their fun, Instagram-inspired photobooth. We tried to get both fluffies to pose behind the Instagram cut out, but poor Mauja was absolutely terrified of it. Thankfully, Atka didn’t seem to mind 😉 If you got a picture at the Wellness booth, be sure to share it with us on social media – we’d love it see it!

The Wellness Experience

I know that BlogPaws can get pretty crazy, so if you attended the conference and didn’t make it to the Wellness booth, please let me know! Wellness had some samples of their awesome, new and improved, grain-free Complete Health line. We’ve been loving the food and know your dog (or cat!) will find a Wellness product that suits their specific needs. Let us help you find that perfect formula!

Don’t forget – you can search #OperationDesertFluffies on Instagram for all our fun BlogPaws pictures! If you attended BlogPaws, did you get a chance to stop by the Wellness booth and grab some samples?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of BlogPaws Pet Influencer Network. The opinions and text are all mine.

Sticking to a Schedule During the Move

June 27, 2016 Leave a Comment

As you well know, things have been absolutely crazy for us recently. We just moved to Washington and almost immediately after getting the keys to our new home, we hit the road for BlogPaws.

In the past month, Mauja and Atka have been in 8 different hotels/homes. Talk about a lot! I can’t even begin to tell you how proud of them I’ve been. While they’re stressed and a bit clingy, we haven’t had any issues. No random snarkiness, no destruction, and no throwing up from stress (Mauja has done that a few times).

Atka still won’t let us leave him alone, but after we get our household goods and settle in for a week or two, we’ll begin to work on that. Their life has been far too hectic recently for me to expect him to be okay with us leaving. For now, Nick and I just take turns going places or the fluffies travel with us. Their schedule is completely thrown off!

Atka likes a schedule. He is the most routine-driven dog I have ever met. He clings to a schedule and gets visibly upset and confused when you attempt to change it on him. Moving his blanket five feet to the left from its normal spot is a huge no-no!

Being in 8 different ‘homes’, we really haven’t been able to give him the routine he prefers. However, we have tried to keep their overall schedule the same. I think this has really helped Mauja as well.

They still eat at the same times, we go outside at the same times, and they get their daily walk like they’re used to. Keeping all of these things the same has definitely helped them from going absolutely insane during all this travel!

While initially I was more worried about Mauja’s anxiety during the move, Atka has had the tougher time. Mauja is clingy and wants to be where we are, but we can leave the house without any issues. For the most part, she just sleeps all day.

Atka, however, has been much more stressed. He’s not quite as clingy when we’re home (although he does try to make sure he can always see us), but he absolutely will not let us leave him. Before we got the house keys, we were just hanging out in the backyard to pass time. I went out of the gate to grab something from the car and Atka lost it – barking, crying, and pawing at the gate. He was not a happy camper!

Moving and traveling with two giant breed dogs definitely hasn’t been easy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way <3

Great Pyrenees Statements I Don’t Know How To Respond To

June 20, 2016 43 Comments

It’s inevitable that people are going to want to talk to me about Mauja and Atka when we’re out and about, and I absolutely love it. However, sometimes people make comments that I really don’t know how to respond to. Sometimes, the comments are obvious, and other times, they’re slightly offensive.

Fair warning: After rereading the post, I realized I was feeling slightly sarcastic when I wrote it.

“Those are some big dogs!”

Yes, yes they are quite large; no, they’re not “white Newfoundlands;” and no, they’re not polar bears.

“They’re SO FLUFFY!”

Yes, they’re fluffy; yes, they require a lot of brushing; and no, I don’t shave them.

“Those dogs are bigger than you!”

No, they don’t drag me down the street; no, I don’t need help with them; and yes, they outweigh me.

Related: Great Pyrenees Tips (from people who know the breed)

“They’re so white!”

Yes, they are; and no, I don’t have to bathe them all the time.

“My aunt’s friend’s sister had one of those.”

Cool! I love meeting other pyr lovers, but calling them “one of those” means you’re probably not one of them. Can I meet your aunt’s friend’s sister?

“Put a saddle on that thing and you could ride it!”

First, please don’t refer to my dog as “that thing”. Second, that’s a terrible idea. I know sometimes people are joking, but children don’t typically recognize that. Then we end up with kids sitting on dog’s backs, injuring the dog, and sometimes getting themselves injured.

“How can you afford to feed them?”

I really don’t even know where to go with this one. Do I look like I don’t have money to care for my dog or do you assume I’m making a lot of money because I have giant breed dogs? What are you insinuating here?

Related: 5 Must-Have Tools for Grooming Great Pyrenees

“How much did they cost?”

Maybe it’s just me, but I really don’t feel like this is an appropriate question to ask anyone. Usually, I respond with a range that I’ve seen for Great Pyrenees from rescues and breeders. This question always makes me uncomfortable.

“Oh, I had a insert random breed here growing up too!”

That’s really awesome, but these are actually Great Pyrenees. Often followed by, “Oh, yeah! Great Pyrenees. That’s what I had.”

“Will you be having puppies soon?”

This question usually arises shortly after I tell people what breed Mauja and Atka are. They know nothing about the breed (except that they are stunning) and now want their own. I have to gently calm people down so we can discuss breed traits before they impulsively buy a Great Pyrenees. Also, no – they are both fixed.

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Feeding a Great Pyrenees is Expensive #GrainFreeForMe

June 17, 2016 14 Comments

Feeding a Great Pyrenees is Expensive

“Feeding a Great Pyrenees is expensive.”

This is a comment I hear all the time from people who are not familiar with the breed. I’m often greeted with comments like,

“Did you get a second job to feed those two?”

“I can’t imagine your food bill.”

“Must be like feeding a horse!”

These comments couldn’t be further from the truth. Feeding a Great Pyrenees is not nearly as expensive as you would imagine.

Slow Metabolism

The biggest reason that Great Pyrenees do not eat as much as expected is because they have a slow metabolism for their size. In fact, they will typically eat the same amount as your average medium-large sized dog.

The effect of their slow metabolism is exacerbated by their innate laziness. Pyrs will find a spot where they can easily keep watch and nap the day away, moving only when necessary. While they do require daily exercise, they are typically couch potatoes for the other 23 hours of the day 😉

Skipping Meals

It is very common, especially in the summertime, for a Great Pyrenees to skip meals. Mauja and Atka both have stretches during the summer where they just aren’t interested in eating, even when they’re feeling well. Last summer, Mauja didn’t eat for two days. Ultimately, I had to super entice her because I was worried she would go too long without eating.

Obviously, do not force your dog to skip meals. However, do not be alarmed if your Great Pyrenees loses interest in eating during the hot, summer months. It’s completely normal and his appetite will be back once the weather begins to cool!

Natural Weight Regulation

While there are definitely some food-crazed Great Pyrenees who inhale their food, the majority of pyrs will regulate their weight on their own. They can safely “free feed” because they typically will not overeat. We try and stick with mealtimes for consistency, but we often free fed in the summer when their appetites are lacking – they never clean their food bowls.

Great Pyrenees also tend to be finicky about their food. Mauja and Atka won’t eat just any food and can be very particular. Sometimes, I’ve thought I was making their meal more enticing and they looked at me like I was crazy. Try not to be too offended if your pyr snubs his meals on occasion 😉

High-Quality Food

The most important thing when feeding a Great Pyrenees is to feed a high-quality food. A high-quality food will be free of fillers and full of completely digestible natural ingredients. It’s also important that the food contains both prebiotics and probiotics to ensure your pyr is absorbing the nutrients and digesting the food properly. When you feed a protein-rich diet without fillers, you don’t need to feed as much!

Mauja and Atka have really been enjoying the Wellness® Complete Health™ grain-free line. It has settled Mauja’s tummy and relieved Atka’s itchies. We’re all happy about that! During the stress of the move, I’ve been supplementing their regular dry food with the Wellness® CORE® Air-Dried formula. The fluffies go absolutely NUTS for this stuff! The Air-Dried food is soft and chewy, so it’s a nice change from kibble. They think it’s a super special treat and Atka does his little happy dance when I grab the bag. I’ll just keep the fact that it’s wholesome to myself 😉

One of the first things I'm always asked about Great Pyrenees is, "How much do they eat?" Today, I'm answering that question and giving my recommendation for the perfect food. — A silly, candid photo of Mauja and Atka. I walked away to get something and found them both waiting by the bag!

Shop PetSmart Deals

The final reason our food bill isn’t ridiculous is because we shop for deals on Wellness dog food. With our recent move, PetSmart is easily accessible and I can always count on them having a great price. Even better, June and July have great deals on Wellness CORE and Complete Health products!

During the month of June, Core® dry dog food recipes are $2.00 off at PetSmart®.

Starting July 6th through the end of the month, Complete Health™ Grain Free recipes are $2.00 off at PetSmart®.

Take advantage of the deals above and be sure to follow Wellness on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest!

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Wellness® Natural Pet Food. The opinions and text are all mine.

Easy DIY Paw Print Art

June 14, 2016 4 Comments

Easy DIY Paw Print Art

I can’t believe I am doing a second DIY post in less than a month. I think that puts me at about 3 DIY posts in the past two years! I’m one of those people who wants to be crafty, but really just fails every time. However, I was pretty pleased with the result of this one.

Mauja and Atka steal the hearts of many people they meet. True to their breed, they form very strong bonds with certain people, usually their family members. However, sometimes they form an amazing bond with someone outside of their family.

This was especially true for Atka.

Atka bonded with our friend and dog trainer, Jessica. Sometimes, I think he likes her more than me! 😉 He would prance and whine when he knew we were going to visit her and could even smell if she was or wasn’t there. He completely misbehaved with her, but it was adorable.

When we found out we were moving, I knew I wanted to do something special for Jessica but couldn’t think of anything. Obviously, a picture of her and Atka would be sweet, but I didn’t feel like it was even close to representing their bond. Ultimately, I decided to create the following paw print art.

Supplies

Picture frame
Sturdy paper (I used thick, scrapbook paper)
Non-toxic paint
Stencil (if you struggle with your handwriting like I do!)
Paint brush
Favorite photo
A way to trim your paper to the appropriate size

How To Do It

1.Trim your paper to the appropriate size. I used a 5″ x 7″ matted frame, so that’s how large I cut my paper. Pro tip – make sure your paper is actually big enough for your dog’s paw! I started out way too small… 😉

2. Clean and trim your dog’s paw. Atka had some long fur between his pads, which I trimmed to avoid excess paint.

3. While having your dog in a comfortable position (I had Atka “relax”), apply some paint to your dog’s paw pads.

4. Slowly and gently place your dog’s paw on your trimmed paper and press firmly. I did this a few times on practice paper to get it right.

5. Add your dog’s name or other text, if you’d like, to the paper. I used a stencil, but get creative!

6. Let dry for a few hours and then place in your frame.

7. Bask in the glory of your creativeness 😉

Overall, it’s a fairly easy DIY project and I’m really pleased with how the paw print art turned out. If I can do it, you can do it!

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The Fluffies Have an Announcement…

June 13, 2016 13 Comments

In less than 2 weeks, we will be hitting the road for BlogPaws. If you aren’t familiar BlogPaws is an absolutely AMAZING pet blogging conference. This 3-day conference is pet-friendly and packed full of great information. Last year, we attended for the first time and had a blast. We met tons of amazing people and brands and were completely exhausted by the end of it.

It was so worth it.

Since we had such a blast, I knew we had to come back for the 2016 BlogPaws Conference. With us being mid-move, things have been a bit crazy, but I knew we had to go. I was super excited, but became absolutely ecstatic when this arrived in my inbox:

Wellness is interested in sponsoring your trip to BlogPaws so that you can be an onsite Ambassador for them.

Say what, now?

I’m not going to lie – I may have let out a squeal when I read the email, which, of course, caused Mauja and Atka to bark.

I just pretended they were cheering along with me 😉

No, I wasn’t excited that someone was going to provide financial support for It’s Dog or Nothing (but I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t an added perk!). I was excited to create a deeper partnership with a brand we’ve been dedicated to for quite some time.

If you’ve been following us for awhile, you know that we love, love, love Wellness products – we’ve talked about them so many times! Wellness has always been my first recommendation when asked for dog food information (I know many of you can vouch for that!). Not only is Wellness food a staple to Mauja and Atka’s rotation diet, but the WellBites and TruFood CocoChia Bakes are two of their favorite treats.

We have several Wellness products in their rotation diet, but currently, two of their favorites are the CORE Ocean formula and the grain-free Complete Health Whitefish and Menhaden Fish Meal recipe. The new grain-free Complete Health line has helped eliminate Atka’s itchies and settle Mauja’s tummy. I really can’t say enough good things about our experience with the products from Wellness.

If you are coming to BlogPaws (you really should – more info here!), make sure you stop by the Wellness booth for a #GrainFreeForMe photo booth and tons of giveaways and prizes. We’ll be spending a lot of time there and the fluffies are always demanding snuggles!

Great Pyrenees and Wellness Dog Food — The fluffies with the Wellness girls at BlogPaws last year. Best friends!

It’s Dog or Nothing will also be giving away a year’s worth of dog food to another blogger at BlogPaws. If you are interested in the Complete Health line, come chat with us and you might be the lucky winner!

I cannot even begin to say how thrilled I am to have the opportunity to work more closely with Wellness. I have seen Mauja and Atka thrive on their products over the past few years and know other dogs will have the same experience.

Has your dog tried Wellness products? Will you be attending BlogPaws? Let us know in the comments!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of BlogPaws Pet Influencer Network. The opinions and text are all mine.

Vimtag: The Fluffy Monitoring System

June 10, 2016 4 Comments

Vimtag: The Fluffy Monitoring System

Want to read the first post in this series? Click here!

Currently, we are in the middle of a military move. We’ve packed up our home in Montana and are settling into our new home in Washington. Unfortunately, a typical military move isn’t a simple process.

Here’s what the fluffies’ schedule has been like recently:

Leave home and stay in random hotel room for the night.
Go back home, but only in the backyard, sleep in same hotel.
Back to the familiar backyard while all our things get taken away, sleep in the same hotel.
Sleep in the car for awhile, stay in a new hotel.
Back in the car, time for a third hotel.
Live in the third hotel for a week while driving all over and exploring a new town. Finally start to feel settled into the hotel.
Go to the new home without any of our things.
Eventually, receive toys and familiar belongings and settle in.

Kind of a lot, right?

That many hotels/changes in scenery is hard for anyone, let alone a dog. Mauja and Atka have been pulled from their familiar life and tossed into a variety of stressful situations in a short period of time. When they’re stressed, I’m stressed. I worry about how much they’re eating, if they’re barking while we’re gone, and if they’re relaxing alright.

To check on them in the past, I’d leave the house and stand outside for a few minutes to listen for any noises. I’d then sneak around the house to find a window to spy on them and hope to avoid being heard. It was always quite the process (although my parkour skills are top notch!).

Since I am currently working from home, Mauja and Atka typically have full-time companionship. Many people don’t have that luxury and have to leave their pets in an unfamiliar place during work hours. While I’m never comfortable leaving Mauja and Atka alone in new places, there have been a few instances where Nick and I both had to be gone at the same time.

Dog Mom Worries

I’m always nervous to leave them, but my Vimtag camera helps me feel comfortable and eases my top three worries when Mauja and Atka are stressed out.

They’ll bark non-stop. This is definitely my biggest worry. As guard dogs, they are already big barkers and will bark at any little noise. Atka always displays mild separation anxiety in new places and will often bark until I return.
They’ll chew something. Whether it be the wall (I’m looking at you, Mauja!), the rubber on the floor, or the corner of a dresser, I’m always worried they will chew something. Neither of them have exhibited any destructive behavior in years, but you never know what a stressed dog will do!
They’ll escape. I have a fear that even with the “pet in room” and “do not disturb” signs on our door that a housekeeper will still come in. Mauja and Atka will see another dog or something interesting and head out on an adventure.

With my Vimtag camera, I can run the quick errand I need to without worrying that Mauja and Atka will disrupt the neighbors while I’m gone. I can watch them to ensure they are chewing on the treats I provided or napping quietly. If anything happens, I can turn around immediately and head back.

Our camera showed that Atka had pulled a bag of cords off the table, so we were able to go home and move them. — Our camera showed that Atka had pulled a bag of cords off the toy chest, so we were able to go home and move them.

While I never like leaving Mauja and Atka unattended in new places, sometimes you can’t avoid it, even with the best intentions. I’m really loving the Vimtag camera to keep an eye on Mauja and Atka during this stressful, yet exciting, time.

Head here to learn more about the Vimtag camera or purchase your own fluffy monitoring system!

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Disclaimer: This post has been sponsored by Vimtag. I have been compensated to share my experience using the Vimtag monitoring system. Don’t worry – an advertiser will never influence the content of this blog and we only share products we love!

Mauja vs. Atka

June 7, 2016 5 Comments

One thing I think is really cool about dogs is that they are all different. Even if they are the same breed, from the same parents, they can have completely different personalities. This is especially true with Mauja and Atka.

Mauja and Atka have been perfect together. They have bonded and truly love each other. However, they are completely different dogs! Here are just a few ways Mauja and Atka differ from each other.

Breakfast/Dinner Time

Mauja: “Eh, do I have to get up? Can you just bring it over here? No? Okay, I’m not hungry.”

Atka: “FOOD TIME IS THE BEST TIME!”

Walks

Mauja: “I’d rather sleep. Please don’t put that harness on me! Ugh, fiiiiiine. I’ll go.”

Atka: “WALK TIME IS THE BEST TIME!”

Car Rides

Mauja: “Can you lift me into the car? Here, I’ll put my front paws up to help out. Now, hoist my butt up.”

Atka: *eagerly hops into the car* “Don’t you worry about me. I got this.”

Treats

Mauja: After 10 minutes of chewing, “I’m bored. Better just sleep on this treat and get it stuck in my fur.”

Atka: Must eat treat super fast so I don’t lose it!!

Dogs

Mauja: “Little dogs are the best and I just love them. I don’t really like to play anymore – I’m far too mature for that.”

Atka: “OTHER DOGS ARE THE BEST AND I CAN’T CONTROL MYSELF!”

People

Mauja: “Yes, give me pets. Okay, that’s enough, thanks.”

Atka: “I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you!”

Random Noise

Mauja: “MUST BARK!”

Atka: “MUST BARK (or maybe yodel!)”

Grooming

Mauja: “Why are you trying to kill me?!”

Atka: “Maybe if I roll around and act super cute she’ll let me alone.”

The Vet

Mauja: “Again, why are you trying to kill me?”

Atka: “THE VET IS THE BEST PLACE EVER!”

I wish they could talk so I knew how they sound, but I think I do a pretty good job of imagining it 😉 There are many, many ways in which Mauja and Atka differ, but these were just a few of my favorites.

If you have multiple dogs, how do they differ?

6 Alternatives to Rawhide Chews

June 3, 2016 4 Comments

6 Alternatives to Rawhide Chews

We’ve talked before about the dangers of rawhides and some alternative options, but it’s time we revisit the topic with an updated list. While I still do not give Mauja and Atka any rawhide treats, the number of fully digestible chews has grown exponentially. Here are our current favorite alternatives to rawhide chews.

Bully Sticks

Oh, bully sticks – an oldie but a goodie. You really can’t go wrong here. Bully sticks come in varying thickness, length, and shape to provide a satisfying chewing experience for any dog. Currently, Mauja and Atka are loving the bully sticks from Best Bully Sticks. Pro tip: Place the bully sticks in the freezer for a longer-lasting chew!

Windees

While these aren’t the longest lasting chews, the fluffies love them. These 100% USA beef trachea are oven-baked and contain no artificial ingredients. Windees can be purchased in different sizes, but we often get the 6″ version (12″ for special times). The 6″ Windees are the perfect size to stuff with food or another favorite treat.

Elk Antlers

Mauja and Atka are hit or miss on when they’ll chew on these, but they’re a great natural chew. When they’re in an “elk antler chewing phase”, these giant elk antlers always stand up to their strong teeth. I really like that these don’t smell and I’m not grossed out to touch them 😉

Bully N Beef

Jones Natural Chews ties together two of Mauja and Atka’s favorite chews in this one. Bully N Beef is essentially a bully stick wrapped around a beef trachea. These are a little small at only 3″, but since it’s a “2 in 1” treat, they last longer than I anticipated. However, if they were bigger, these would be the ultimate fluffy treat! Like all Jones Natural Chews products, they are made and produced in the USA and 100% natural.

Bully N Bacon

Similar to the Bully N Beef treats, the Bully N Bacon chews are a 2 in 1 treat. This time, the curved bully stick is wrapped in pork skin. Too many pork products can upset Mauja and Atka’s tummies, but they love these as an occasional chew!

Slammer Bone

These are absolutely amazing. I’m always hesitant to give Mauja and Atka bones that are cooked in any way, but I’m also not into raw bones. The Slammer Bone is baked with a specific amount of moisture to make the bone the closest thing to raw that you’ll find, while still killing harmful bacteria. The knuckles break off fairly easily (which is to be expected), but I’ve never had an issue with splintering.

Does your dog have a favorite chew? What are your favorite alternatives to rawhide chews? Tell us in the comments below!

Archives for June 2016

Wellness-Inspired BlogPaws Highlights

Wellness VIP Breakfast

The Wellness Booth

The Wellness Experience

“Those are some big dogs!”

“They’re SO FLUFFY!”

“Those dogs are bigger than you!”

Related: Great Pyrenees Tips (from people who know the breed)

“They’re so white!”

“My aunt’s friend’s sister had one of those.”

“Put a saddle on that thing and you could ride it!”

“How can you afford to feed them?”

Related: 5 Must-Have Tools for Grooming Great Pyrenees

“How much did they cost?”

“Oh, I had a *insert random breed here* growing up too!”

“Will you be having puppies soon?”

Pin It!

Feeding a Great Pyrenees is Expensive

Slow Metabolism

Skipping Meals

Natural Weight Regulation

High-Quality Food

Shop PetSmart Deals

Pin It!

Easy DIY Paw Print Art

Supplies

How To Do It

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Vimtag: The Fluffy Monitoring System

Dog Mom Worries

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6 Alternatives to Rawhide Chews

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