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This entry was posted in Dogs
The Omlet Blog Category Archives: Dogs
Barking Mad for Crufts 2018!
Everyone is going barking mad about Crufts 2018! We were lucky enough to attend on Thursday which is the day dedicated to Working and Pastoral breeds of dog.
What is a working dog? A working dog is the type of canine who can be trained to perform tasks and tricks to assist in work or merely for entertainment such as the agility demonstrations you see on TV at Crufts. Working breeds can be used in the police, as therapy dogs, guide dogs etc. The breeds include Boxers, St.Bernards, Mastiffs, Dobermann, Komondor, German Shepherds and many more.
What is a Pastoral breed? A pastoral breed is typically referred to as a herding dog. These dogs are bred to work with livestock as guardians and to herd the animals around. The Kennel Club’s list of Pastoral breeds include, Collies, Welsh Corgies, Swedish Lapphund, Sheepdogs etc.
Upon arriving at the NEC in Birmingham, UK we were slightly overwhelmed with the size of this event, there’s so much to see and do, we would definitely recommend purchasing a show guide and looking online before you attend to plan out your day. We took our time looking around all the booths and learning about some great new products on the market, we also spent plenty of time over in the ‘Discover Dogs’ area where you can see hundreds of different dogs and breeds from countries across the world, we got slightly sidetracked in this area as we were able to cuddle the most adorable puppy.
We spoke with some fantastic charities throughout the day including rescue dogs, shelters and therapy dogs who have been assisting people with their disabilities, it was really rewarding to see how dogs can have such a positive influence on people’s lives. It was nice to be at an event dedicated to celebrating how great dogs are!
Towards the end of the day we made our way over to the Main Arena which is where you see the majority of the shows and performances on TV. The arena was huge but these dogs didn’t seem phased at all. Watching the dogs in the Freestyle Heelwork to Music category was incredible, the stories and choreography these owners and canines were able to perform was spectacular with Cinderella and her owner sweeping first prize with their Disney inspired tale. We were also able to catch the Kennel Club British Open Agility Final which was equally as impressive. This is the category where the dogs have to race around the arena in an assault course including hurdles, hoops, tunnels and the famous A frame, all of the trainers are kitted out in their sportsgear and trainers ready to sprint as they have to lead their pups around the course at lightning speed.
If you haven’t caught any of the Crufts coverage this year we would recommend having a look at clips on Youtube.
To start training your own puppy or dog we would recommend beginning with crate training as a first step before you try any of the hoops or hurdles! To check Omlet’s range of fabulous new Fido Studio dog crates, click here.
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This entry was posted in Dogs
Heading on a road trip with your dog?
Heading out on a road trip with your dog? It’s great fun having a four-legged companion by your side for a long drive. Barking and singing along to your favourite playlist with the summer breeze blowing in your hair sounds blissful but, before you start your engine, buckle up for our doggy road trips dos and dont’s.
Safety first
Preparation is key to making sure your dog’s safety stays the number one priority on your adventure. In the UK, dogs must be microchipped by law. Once this is ensured, you should also check your pup is up to date with their vaccinations and in good health before heading out.
If you’re planning on a long road trip, slowly ease your dog into spending more time travelling in the car. Just like us, some dogs suffer from motion sickness when in the car, so it’s important to assess how they cope on shorter trips first. If car sickness is something that they experience, contact your vet to see if they can prescribe medication.
Seatbelts on?
So, you’ve taken your dog to the vet and know they’re a good traveller – now what? It’s time to consider how you plan on restraining your dog on the journey. Using a dog seatbelt, dog crate or a dog guard are 3 ways you can keep Fido secure whilst in the car. And, depending on what state you live in, using a dog restraint whilst travelling is mandated by law.
If a crate is your dog’s desired method of transport, the Fido Classic is the ideal choice. Available in 3 sizes, the crate can fit dog breeds as small as a Yorkshire Terrier to those as large as 70 lbs. The crate can easily be folded too, making it perfect for packing away once you reach your destination.
Crate training your dog is an invaluable tool and will make travelling a lot easier for both you and your furry friend. Rather than seeing it as somewhere restrictive, a crate is a safe space for your dog to retreat to, anywhere they go. It will also make the journey and trip away a lot less stressful for everyone involved. Follow our dog crate training guide and see how simple it is for your dog to settle when they’re away from home.
Reminders of home
Road-tripping is great, but pangs of homesickness can set in at some point. Dogs can experience this too, so it’s a good idea to pack a few of their favourite things to remind them of home. Dog toys are essential for going away with your pup, just as they are back at home. Keeping your dog stimulated is super important once you arrive at your destination, so take along a long-lasting toy such as a Kong that will keep them entertained for hours, even in a new environment.
Or how about taking along their cosy dog blanket or super soft dog bed for them to rest on when you stop? Omlet’s Cushion dog bed is the go-anywhere bed, perfect for taking from place to place whilst promising a pillowy soft sleep.
What’s more, you can even match your dog’s bed to their collar and leash with Omlet’s Dog Walk Collection. Shop from a range of designer dog collars and leashes in 8 signature prints, inspired by the beauty of the humble dog walk. Plus, don’t forget about a dog poop holder, also available in matching prints to add a little flair to not so fun part of pet parenthood.
Pit-stops pending
Your and your dog’s bags are packed and you’re ready to go! But just before you hit the road, make note of any breaks you’ll need to take. It goes without saying you should never leave a dog alone in the car. Regardless of the time of year, the temperature your car can reach unattended can be fatal for dogs, albeit dangerously hot or too cold. Cracking open a window is not enough to keep your dog safe from the elements when trapped in a car, so you’ll need to choose suitable pit-stop locations that are dog friendly. A quick search will bring up a number of locations where your pup will be able to stretch their legs, use the toilet and have a drink. Whilst your dog might not need to go potty as frequently, depending on their age, it’s wise to stop off somewhere every couple of hours for a break.
Omlet and your dog’s adventure
Whether you’re heading out on a big adventure or staying at home, Omlet has the products your dog needs to continue thriving. From ultra-soft dog beds to easy-to-travel dog crates and cosy dog blankets, we expertly engineer everything you need as a pet parent to ensure your four-legged friend lives their life to the fullest.
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This entry was posted in Dogs
Ten top tips to keep your pooch looking pawsome and healthy!
We often get asked to give advice for keeping your four legged friends pawfectly groomed and healthy and have therefore put together some tips with help from our friends at Penelope’s Dog Grooming and Therapies.
- Daily Skin Check – by keeping up a regular grooming regime at home for your dog this also gives you the opportunity to check over your dogs skin and notice any potential health risks such as: rashes, bald patches, fleas & ticks, lumps & bumps etc.
- Fur maintenance – brushing is important for both long and smooth coated dogs – a slicker brush should be used for long coated dogs on a daily basis to remove excess fur and prevent matting. For a smooth coated dog a rubber brush is great for removing excess hair whilst helping to lessen shedding.
- Ear Cleaning – Ear infections are common for all breeds of dogs but proper ear care for your dog will reduce the chance of infection. We recommend using a herbal ear cleaner. After flushing with an ear cleaner, gently massage the base of the ears to distribute the solution around the ear folds before using a cotton pad/bud to remove excess dirt. A good rule of thumb is to do this once a week.
- Pawdicure – To trim your dogs nails you will need a good quality nail clipper and some styptic powder is also handy incase the nail is cut too short. You will want to be careful not to cut the quick (vein running down the nail) when doing this – if you are unsure on where the quick ends you may want to seek help from a vet or qualified groomer. Short nails are important as nails that are too long can splinter and cause unnecessary pain.
- Teeth Cleaning – Brushing your dogs teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste designed especially for dogs will help to prevent decay and disease. If you’re uncomfortable or unsure on brushing your dogs teeth then a breath spray or water additive for dogs is also a great option for keeping teeth clean.
- Tear Staining & Wrinkles – dogs are prone to getting what is known as tear staining around their eyes if they are not cleaned regularly. There are a number of products on the market to help get rid of these but daily cleaning can prevent them from happening in the first place. For wrinkly dogs (e.g. Bulldogs, pugs, etc) the folds on their faces should also be cleaned daily to prevent infection as well as keeping them clean.
- Healing balms – healing balms are great for relieving dry, cracked paw pads and noses. As well as this these balms will help to protect against every day wear and tear. It is a must for using in extreme weather conditions as it gives protection against; hot pavements, ice, salt and road grit.
- Inverted tail pockets – dogs with screw tails are open to a number of potential infections, wrinkles provide a dark and moist space where bacteria, yeast and other infections thrive and so daily cleaning is essential. The tail pocket should be cleaned to remove dirt and then dried completely to help stop moisture from growing into bacteria.
- Diet – a dogs coat is often a reflection of what they eat: feeding high quality food with good, digestible protein sources can be the difference in a dull, coarse, lifeless coat and a shiny, silky, healthy coat. We recommend a raw diet with added fruit and vegetables as this is associated with improved over all health. A few benefits of a raw food diet include; healthy coat and skin, cleaner teeth and fresher breath, higher energy levels, a stronger immune system and improved digestion.
- Bonding – the emotional bond between an owner and their dog is something that money just can’t buy and daily grooming is a way to make that bond even stronger! Grooming your dog regularly from an early age helps them get used to being handled, which will make it easier to look after them properly in later life. We recommend setting aside a set amount of time each day to groom your dog – no matter what breed you have.
Click here to view the Omlet range of dog products and information guides
Lauren from Penelope’s Dog Grooming and Therapies has provided some more information about their salon:
At Penelope’s we pride ourselves on the well-being and care of pets. No animal is ever forced into unnatural or uncomfortable positions and they are free to take breaks when they need. We have worked to create a calm, safe and stress free environment where dogs can be groomed, pampered and spoiled. We offer lots of different treatments and use a variety of techniques as we know that each individual dog is one of a kind and so deserves a unique experience with us at Penelope’s. For more information visit their website here
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This entry was posted in Dogs
Meet Omlet’s Adorable New Pet
This is Fido! He’s got a new product to show you but the cheeky little chap seems to be playing hide and seek with it. I wonder what it could be?
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This entry was posted in Dogs
Pet of the Month: Louis the Cockapoo Puppy!
Interview with Augusta Henning, Louis’ proud new owner!
When and where did you get Louis from?
We got Louis from a local breeder, about twenty minutes from Wokingham, at the end of September.
What’s Louis’ personality like?
Louis is very affectionate – he loves people and is always trying to jump up at passers-by when we go for a walk. He also likes to lick our faces to show his affection! He likes to play a lot, but also understands when it’s time out.
How have you found training Louis?
Louis is a great learner so we’ve had good fun teaching him obedience at our weekly puppy class and after! We have crate trained him right from the beginning which means we can leave the house in comfort that he won’t tear our flat to shreds. He loves his crate and now sees it as a safe haven – he even knows when it’s bed time and hops right in.
What’s his favourite toy?
Because Louis is still teething, he likes toys that he can sink his teeth in to – he’s got a soft cuddly elephant and hedgehog, and some harder pulley toys which allow us to play with him. He also loves his squeaky Brussel sprout toy – which makes a funny noise.
Funniest thing Louis does:
When he gets over-tired, he runs around the garden like a mad-man – we didn’t know what was wrong with him at first! He also likes to watch TV, especially if there’s an animal on the screen. Finally, he can see his reflection in our fridge, so will sometimes claw at it because he thinks it’s another dog!
If you would like to put your pet forward for next month please email marketing@omlet.co.uk with a picture and a brief introduction. All pets are welcome 🙂
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This entry was posted in Dogs
Pets Get Hay Fever Too
As the pollen count in the UK has begun to rise in the recent weeks, us humans are not the only ones suffering from hay fever. Your pets can also struggle with the allergy so here are some top tips to reduce the side effects.
If your dog likes to run through fields and flowerbeds or roll about in the grass, you might want to think about keeping him or her on a lead for your walks.
Keep your pets well groomed throughout the pollen season. This includes keeping their coats short and giving them weekly baths to make sure there’s no pollen lingering.
Don’t forget to wash their beds as well, too often people concentrate on the animal and not on its habitat. We would suggest a weekly deep clean of all bedding and comforts to remove any excess pollen.
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This entry was posted in Dogs
Pet of the Month: Truffle
Truffle is a 5 month old Cockapoo. She lives with her owner Lynn and her family including 2 chickens called Octavia and Florence. Each morning Truffle races out to see the chooks although her devotion is not entirely reciprocated! Truffle enjoys a fresh raw egg twice a week thanks to her feathered friends.
Lynn said “Truffle’s delighted to be pet of the month! She was bought from an excellent breeder – Anzil Cockapoos in Knowsley near Liverpool. We got her in January and she now lives with us in Chester along with our four cats and two chickens who are lovely Pekin Bantams.”
“She has a wonderful personality and has almost got us trained to pander to her every whim. She is fun loving and very devoted to us.”
Apparently her favourite toy varies but is currently a small teddy bear made for dogs. She also loves squeaky toys!
“Truffle has bags of character. When she is hungry she goes into the kitchen and looks pointedly at her bowl. As you can see she has very expressive eyes.”
According to Lynn she’s funniest when she has a mad half hour and races frantically around the garden. Much to the concern of the chickens watching from their Eglu.
Look at how photogenic this dog is, we <3 Truffle!
If you think your pet deserves to be ‘Pet of the Month’ please email sam@omlet.co.uk with a picture of your pet and a short description.
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This entry was posted in Chickens
Pet of the Month: Lani
L
ani
aniLani is a 10 month old working English Springer Spaniel who belongs to Elise one of our Customer Service Team. Elise went and got Lani from Hereford in September 2015 and they have been inseparable since!
Elise describes Lani as a very sweet and calm dog who loves to roll on her belly and apparently she ‘enjoys her tickle wickles.’ As she is still very young, Lani is like a rocket, she flies for the ball any time Elise throws it. She also loves her kong, in the morning it’s the first thing she wants, “she will grab it and run in circles with her blue kong in her mouth.”
According to Elise, the funniest thing Lani does is she rolls on her belly every time she sees a dog or human and starts to lick their hand.
If you think your pet should be our next ‘Pet of the Month’ please email sam@omlet.co.uk with your entries, include your pet’s name, age, breed and a picture. We’ll be in contact if we would like to know more about your pet.
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This entry was posted in Dogs