Tag Archives: dog

Creating a Dog-First Home Without Breaking the Bank

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Guest Post by: Nick Burton  Ourbestdoggo.com

Dog at home.


Image by Freepik

Your dog doesn’t care if your patio furniture is West Elm or Walmart. What matters to them is safety, space, and spots to sniff. Shaping your home and yard into a haven for your pet doesn’t have to run your wallet ragged. With a little grit, a pinch of planning, and a sense of what dogs genuinely need, your space can transform. No need for sprawling lawns or fancy gadgets either. Just smart choices, creative reuses, and a few changes that make life a whole lot better for both of you.

Pet-Safe Landscaping

Start by asking yourself where your dog likes to wander. If it’s the flower beds, you’ve got a problem, but not an expensive one. Consider raised planters or hardy border shrubs to protect fragile areas while giving your pup clear boundaries. Swap out toxic plants for hardy, non-poisonous ones like marigolds, sunflowers, or rosemary, which not only survive your dog’s curiosity but also look decent doing it. Mulch smart, too—skip cocoa mulch and go with cedar or pine. Browse these dog-friendly backyard ideas to help you sketch out the transformation.

DIY Dog Fencing

You don’t need a contractor to build a fortress. In fact, most dogs just need consistency and a clear line between theirs and the outside world. You can use wooden pallets, lattice panels, or repurposed fencing to create barriers that fit your budget and blend into your landscaping. Just ensure the height suits your breed’s jumping prowess and that gaps won’t tempt small adventurers. Invisible fences are an option but not always ideal for every temperament. Some of the smartest cheap dog fence ideas can be built with materials sitting in your shed.

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How to Actually Start a Dog Care Business (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Money)

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Image: Freepik

Guest Contributor: Nick Burton, Ourbestdoggo.com

If you’re the kind of person who slows down when you see a dog on the street and instinctively uses that “good boy” voice without thinking, it might be time to stop ignoring that itch to work with dogs for a living. Starting a dog care business isn’t just about turning your love for pups into a paycheck—it’s about showing up consistently, building trust with clients (both human and furry), and learning how to run a business that’s more than just cuddles and walks. The demand is real. People are busier than ever, but they don’t want their dogs to suffer for it. That’s where you come in.

Figure Out What Kind of Dog Care Actually Fits You
There’s a difference between loving dogs and loving dog care work. Not everyone wants to walk five huskies in the rain or scoop poop at 7 AM, and that’s okay. Maybe you’re better suited for in-home boarding, training, or even mobile grooming. Don’t feel pressured to copy what everyone else is doing. Build your services around what you genuinely enjoy and what your schedule allows. If you hate early mornings, dog walking may not be your jam—but maybe late-day drop-in visits are your sweet spot. Know yourself before you start promising the world.

Build Your Business Backwards—Start With the Client
Too many people dive in with a logo and an Instagram page before they’ve even thought about who they’re trying to reach. You need to reverse-engineer your business from the dog owner’s perspective. Ask yourself what they’re worried about. Is it safe? Reliability? Socialization for their anxious doodle? When you know what matters to them, you can build your offerings, policies, and communication around solving those exact problems. That’s how you become the no-brainer choice in your neighborhood.

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Dog Poop and Your Septic System – What You Should Know

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Mark Lewyn got in touch with us to share an article of interest to our readers. Read the article – WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DOG POOP AND YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM

The article features the following points:

  • Dog Fur and your Septic Tank: A Furry Problem
  • Dog Food and Your Septic System: A Surprising Culprit
  • Dog Play and the Drainfield: Fun But Risky
  • Dog Safety Around the Septic System: Keep Them Out of Trouble

He goes on to say that you might think that since human waste breaks down in the septic tank, dog waste would do the same. But here’s the catch – it doesn’t always work that way, and explains how dog waste can throw off the balance of your septic system. Looks like valuable information.

This is something I have never considered. But our family doesn’t have a septic system, we are connected to the city sewer system. Nevertheless, I started to think maybe I should make sure no waste from our dog would end up in the toilet.

Hope all is well with you and your fur babies. Let’s keep everyone safe.

How much should I feed my puppy?

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Well, actually I don’t have a puppy. Our family includes a 12 year old canine contributor and the smartest dog we know. But I imagine our readers would like to know the answer to this question. I received an email the other day from Rob at BetterPet.com. He offered to share a Guide to Puppy Feeding. It says you can keep your furbaby healthy, happy, and nourished with these puppy feeding tips, techniques, and advice.

The article on betterpet.com discusses the essentials for feeding your puppy. The size and age of your dog will be an important factor in determining how to feed your little friend. To calculate their daily food intake take note of your dog’s age, physical condition, and weight. Puppies need two to three times more calories per day than older dogs. So it will be good to feed them more often than adult dogs. Be aware that every puppy is unique so talk to your vet about your dog’s nutritional needs.

So, what am I supposed to feed my little puppy, you ask. Keep in mind your dog’s breed, medical conditions, and activity level. Dr. Jennifer Schott gives this advice:

The most important thing to look for is that the food is labeled for growing puppies. It’s also important that your puppy will consistently eat the food! I typically recommend foods from Purina, Hill’s, or Royal Canin as they consistently make good quality products and have multiple puppy formulations based on size and breed.

For more information about how much to feed your puppy, check out the article How Much to Feed a Puppy, Backed by Vets at betterpet.com.

Review – Dog Travel Water Bottle

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Blue Belle tests out the portable dog water bottle by Pacific Paws Northwest to make sure your furry friends stay hydrated while on the go.

Portable dog water bottle

We all know that keeping our dogs hydrated, especially on a hot summer day, is vitally important. So, when we received a request to review a portable dog water bottle to keep your pooch hydrated while walking or hiking, it caught our attention. This is a 2-in-1 dog water bottle and bowl. It sounded interesting, so we agreed to review this product from PacificPaws Northwest.

The Package Arrives – The Dog Water Bottle Review Begins

dog water bottle review
The dog water bottle arrives.

The package arrived, and Blue Belle knew it must be something for her. We investigated. There is a leaf-shaped bowl made of silicone that rests on the side of the bottle made of hygienic food grade stainless steel which will keep Blue Belle’s water extra cold. The bottle holds 27 ounces of water. After filling the bottle with fresh cold water and putting on the bottle cap, unfold the leaf bowl and press the quick release button to release the water. There is another button to close the release. Once your dog has quenched her thirst, press the release button and the water will drain back into the bottle. Fold the leaf shaped bowl back down over the bottle and the all-in-one water bottle and bowl is ready for you to walk on.

Now the real test, take her to the park. It wasn’t a really hot day the beginning of March We headed to the park on a sunny day. One problem, there were distractions. Other dogs, silly squirrels, and grade school kids playing at the nearby school. In fact, too many distractions and Blue Belle just wasn’t in the mood to take a drink. But, when we returned to the car the thirst hit her and the PacificPaws Northwest water bottle was a hit!

dog tests PacificPaws Northwest dog water bottle
Blue Belle tests out the PacificPaws Northwest dog water bottle.

Last test was to put it in the dishwasher. We took the cap with the leaf shaped bowl off the bottle and washed both the cap and the bottle in the dishwasher. No problems.

Blue Belle says she really likes this product, especially if we take her to the park and for drives into the Idaho wilderness.

Where to Buy The Dog Water Bottle For Your Pup

You used to be able to find the PacificPaws Northwest water bottle on their website. But as of September, 2025 it appears to be a dead link. Too bad, it was a good product.

9 Best Dogs For Apartment Living

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Guest Contributor: Heidi Thiel

If you’re thinking about bringing a new furry friend into your small apartment, you need to make sure to do your research first. Not all dog breeds are equally suited to city living, and you’ll want to make sure that you and your dog will be happy in your small space. However, this doesn’t mean that you’re limited to just tiny lapdogs! The truth is that many mid-size and large dog breeds can also make great apartment companions. Take a look at the guide from TurboTenant below for a breakdown of the best small, medium, and big dogs for apartment living.

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