Page Title

...just a few "TIPS n TRICKS"

Not TRICKS for

the

dog silly...for

the

humans! So move over, Martha.

Here

are some hard-earned tips that

animal lovers can try out using

simple household

items.

CARROTS.

If you live with a career chewer, you probably know how expensive it can be to

dole

rawhides or other chew treats, day in and day out. Once cheap option is

carrots:

They satisfy most dogs' yearnings for a chewie with a little give, and

they won't

stain your carpet.

Don

t feel too virtuous though: Since dogs lack the digestive enzymes to break

down

cellulose, vegetables must be pulverized in order to provide nu

ritional

value. You'd

be better off asking you

local health-food store for their leftover

veggie pulp.

Also carrots in excess tend to give a dog's coat an orangy tint.

LISTERINE.

If your animals relive themselves in your backyard, no amount of scooping or

hosing

can get rid of that lingering smell. That's when you need to mix up a

batch of this

nontoxic spray, which inclu

s more or less equal parts of Listerine

(buy the original

battery-acid-yellow formula), dish-washing liquid (some people

swear by Dawn, but

any brand will do) and water. Pour it into a spray bottle or

hose-powered feeder and

go to town!

The listerine kills the naughty bacteria responsible for the odor and the

dishwashing

liquid helps it cling to surfaces. You can use this on plants without

fear of damaging

them; repeat as many times as necessary.

ZIPPERED BAGS.

...full of water. This tip came from a seminar by former professional handler

and

American Kennel Club judge Pat Hastings, who swears by it. If you have a

problem

with flies congregating around your home, kennel or barn - fill a gallon

size zippered

plastic bag with water, seal and hang on the fence or over the

doorway. The theory

has something to do with light refraction, or the flies

seeing horror-flick-sized

reflections of themselves.

VINEGAR.

You can invest big bucks in those brand-name carpet cleaners that

promise to

remove

urine stains from your rug. Or you can just go to your favorite grocery

store and buy

an industrial vat of white vinegar. Cut the vinegar with water, and

bingo - a simple

concoction that will neutralize urine smells.

Don

t make the mistake many people do and use ammonia to clean up the

"whoopses".

Animals are actually attracted to the smell!

CANNED PUMPKIN.

When your animal has an upset stomach, white rice and boiled chicken is what

most

people recommend to get the tummy back on track. Instead, consider

canned

pumpkin, not pie mix. With it's high fiber content, pumpkin speedily

resolves bouts

of diarrhea, and conversely, relieves constipation too.

As with any change in your dog's health, consult your veterinarian if the diarrhea

serious or persists, or involves a very young or elderly dog.

GREEN BEANS.

Even though vets warn about the dire consequences of obesity, most owners wimp

out because they can't stand the pleading eyes or the incessant whines.

Try substituting canned green beans, which are low in calories but high in bulk,

to the

newly reduced portions.

Parmesan cheese...fussy eaters can be infuriating. This simple trick is a favorite

stud-dog owners. When the dogs go on a hunger strike, sprinkle the potent

grated

cheese atop the regular food, and cross your fingers!

WOOD STOVE PELLETS.

And last but not least....to house train those puppies! Try using wood-burning

stove

pellets. Preservative free, these capsule-sized pellets disintegrate into

sawdust

when wet, and can be easily scooped and replaced.

If you have a Tip or Trick that you would like to share - please email it to

and I'll post it on the website for other humans to enjoy! :)