Mrs Bones Blog

Collars vs. Harnesses

2011-07-13T11:04:00.000-07:00

VS.

The only instances harnesses are advantageous are when the dog has had a neck or tracheal injury or is an extremely small say under 5lbs dog. Animals in general must be lead by the head to effectively train them, with harnesses you are merely water skiing behind the animal. Some dogs necks become larger than their heads enabling them to back out of collars. For this scenario we recommend a Martingale Collar, the small loop cinches preventing the dog from backing out for more information on Martingale Collars check out our youtube video: http://www.youtube.com /user/MrsBonesBowtique?feature=mhum#p/u/6/5a0vqKCyejM

Harnesses in many breeds appeal to the sled dog or cart dog instinct and actually encourages pulling hindering good behavior on lead.
Harnesses can also be uncomfortable for dogs irritating their armpit areas webbing is a petroleum by product, so many dogs are allergic to it, it can also be abrasive. This is why Mrs. Bones Collars are lined with a double faced satin. Leather isn't porous so it can't be washed? Would you want the same sweaty dirty collar or harness on 365 days a year?

Ear Care for Dogs

2011-06-04T08:07:00.000-07:00

I recently had a customer come in and tell me that her 6 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel had gone deaf? She had taken the dog to the Veterinarian and after making loud noises, he told her that the dog had indeed lost its hearing?

When I looked into the dog's ears it was visually clear that the dog had impacted wax in its ears. This is typical of dogs with heavy floppy ears.

I have in the past at the Mrs. Bones Bowtique sold dog ear care products. Ear care is pretty basic and easy with inexpensive things available at the drug store. You will need a bulb syringe like the one in the photo, these are usually in the babycare section, and peroxide.

When the animal has dried impacted wax, you will also need Sweet Oil, available at some drugstores or a health and vitamin store. Generously swap a q-tip with Sweet Oil and apply it to the outer interior of the ear canal, this will soften was so it can later be washed away with the bulb syringe. You may want to apply the sweet oil over a few day period if the wax is really hard and then clean out.

With warm (not hot dogs are sensitive to temperature)water use the bulb syringe to irrigate the ear canal. Your dog will want to shake his or her head thats fine, because this could be a process that takes a while depending on the ears condition. When every thing is clean use the syringe to put little hydrogen peroxide in the ear canal to help sterilize and dry things up. There are things that can be used if the dog has yeast in their ears like apple cider vinigar on a cotton pad to wipe the outer ear canal out with occaisionally to keep the ears PH in ck. There are vetrinary medicines that can be helpful if your not succesful with the at home procedures. Remember do not insert anything deeply into the ear canal and consult your vet if an irritated condition persists.

Get Ready for Spring!

2011-03-02T08:59:00.000-08:00

Fashion fourcast for Spring is Big Bold Colorful Flowers and Polka Dots, buy your dog a beautiful Mrs. Bones Carnaby Collar or Hippodrome Polka Dots and leash to put a little Spring in their step. Even the most fierce of mans best friends can be accessorized to have a softer, whimsical and fun
presentation. I can hear Tara singing in her head
"I fell Pretty, oh so Pretty, I feel Pretty and Giddy and Gay"!
http://mrsbones.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_48&products_id=12

2011-02-23T12:11:00.001-08:00

An Australian Shepard at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

2011-02-22T13:16:00.001-08:00

French Bulldogs are very popular and cute, Bonjour!

Luna truely a "Green Dog"

2011-02-21T14:39:00.001-08:00

2011-02-21T14:37:00.001-08:00

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

2011-02-19T14:40:00.000-08:00

For the first time since I've been attending- It didn't snow in New York While I was there?
The "Big Show" had an unusual winner this year a Scottish Deerhound named Hickory. Hickory had beautiful movement especially for a giant breed, effortless and liquid movement. Her gentle disposition and demure responses made her an excellent ambassador for the Sight Hounds.

Fit Club for Luna, "Green Dog Syndrome"

2011-01-17T16:27:00.000-08:00

So Luna enters her second week of daily and dietary supervision. It is important to observe the dogs food intake and don't give them treats! If they are behaving extra special give them a low salt rice cake (not flavored) unlike humans the dogs really like them! I think it is more the crunchy texture than the taste but they do like them and they are low on calories.
Another problem when cutting a dogs diet can be what I call "The Green Dog Syndrome" this is when a dog chooses to recycle there own waste by eating it again after they poop. This in effort to remain feeling full. Certainly not a mouth their mother would want to be kissed with? I'm sure not what Al Gore had in mind to prevent Global Warming? So what to do?
Well, there are a few simple steps to curing "The Green Dog Syndrome"
First watch where they go to relieve themselves and quickly pick it up. This precaution can be problematic when there are multiple dogs or a large property that allows for them to choose a secret spot.
I prefer more aggressive behavior modification like flavoring their food with canned pumpkin, pineapple juice, canned pineapple, or spinach that makes stool repulsive to them as it should be? Another is add a few sprinkles of MSG to food to make the excrement repulsive to the dog.
An old time fix for this behavior was feed the dog a little black licorice the flavor cures the impulse to recycle.
As a last result if the flavors don't work and the dog seems intent on being a "Green Dog"? Put some Lemon Juice or Tabasco Sauce on the poop as soon as you see it and leave it there for the
dog to find, the taste will make them think the next time they choose to recycle the wrong item?

Mrs. Bones Dog Boutique

2011-01-05T16:13:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Bones Dog Boutique

Dear Dog Lovers,

Day 5: Luna is responding pretty well to " hey you've had enough" when she is eating. However, whenever I say "let's go Walkies" she assumes this position? The subject is not responding when we bring up the subject of excercise? This Biggest Dog Looser Challenge isn't going to happen over night?
Mrs. Bones

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T11:35:00.000-08:00

www.mrsbones.com

Dear Dog Lovers,

It's time to break out those Mrs. Bones Velvet Leashes and commit to New Years Resolutions to get more exercise, loose weight and spend more time with your Pets!
The best part is you can accomplish all three resolutions while you and your pet remain healthier with one activity- Walking your Dog. Dogs can easily develop weight problems. This is an issue very near and dear to my heart, yes I have a fat Chihuahua. Okay, recognizing you have a "probem" is the first step in rectifying the "problem". Luna needs to loose a few pounds, I have been covering for her telling others she's not fat she's fluffy, she's big boned, it's just not a flattering outfit? So I'm out of denial and we are going to tackle this together. Treats will be substituted with low salt rice cakes and she will walk with me even if she objects, she will also not be allowed to dine with family(other dogs) as we will need to monitor her food intake.
So the "Biggest Dog Looser" is on for us!

DAY ONE: Weigh in and pep talk
WEIGHT: 10 LBS (this is not good news? she weighed 8LBS a year ago, this is serious)

The second photo is her in her bikini from the summer fo 2009, We need to bring her sexy back!

Holiday Collars

2010-12-14T10:02:00.000-08:00

Dear Dog Lovers,
The Holidays are a great time to spend time enjoying all of our family members, especially the furry loving ones. A Holiday Collar from Mrs. Bones is a festive accessory that is functional and beautiful! Holiday Collars are a great way to include your pet in the celebrations! They also make fabulous gifts, personal but not too personal. Just call us or use the style and size information page knowing the breed or approximate weight of the dog, then all of your family will feel like part of the Holiday Celebration!

How to Walk Your Dog!

2010-12-02T17:00:00.000-08:00

Dear Dog Lovers,

Seems obvious to some, but there is an art form to walking your dog. Collar on the neck, up under the jaw, and the dog walked on a 4ft leash to your side. I have a preference to walk my dogs to my left. You don't want to let the dog out in front of you, because they will pull. It is instinct for the dog to pull like a cart or a sled. So now when you walk your dog, the dog will walk along side of you, rather than walking you! Walkies!

Best wishes,
Mrs. Bones

Some People-Mrs. Bones

2010-11-30T10:37:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Bones Decorative Dog Collars and Bowtiques New Commercial! Some People-Mrs. Bones
www.mrsbones.com

Personalized Style

2010-11-30T07:38:00.000-08:00

Your dog will be the talk of the party in their Custom Embroidered Swiss Velvet Collar!
Be sure to order yours now, orders must be placed by December 16th to receive Embroidered Collars by Christmas.
Order your Custom Embroidered Collar.
(make sure to check the Embroidery +$20 box to have the collar customized)

You're Invited! to Visit Mrs. Bones Bowtiques!

2010-11-28T11:52:00.000-08:00

You're invited to visit our three locations: online at Mrs. Bones Online , Mrs. Bones Bowtique: Merchants Square, Williamsburg, Virginia and our Flagship store Mrs. Bones Bowtique: Virginia Beach, Virginia at Hilltop Shopping Center! We know you will enjoy our unique collars and leashes and our beautiful accessories, breed specific gift items and pet themed home decor items! Indulge your pet with Mrs. Bones.

photo credit: Jim Pile and HR Magazine