<![CDATA[Duke Dog Care - Bark Blog]]>

<![CDATA[Duke Dog Care - Bark Blog]]>Fri, 03 Apr 2026 18:37:23 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Great Gifts for Dogs and Their Humans]]>Mon, 11 Dec 2017 06:00:00 GMThttp://www.dukedogcare.com/bark-blog/great-gifts-for-dogs-and-their-humans

image via Pixabay.com

Written by: Cindy Aldridge

Are you hoping for gifts that will make both you and your canine companion happy this holiday season? If you’re putting your furry friend’s needs first this year, consider requesting contributions toward big-ticket items or stocking stuffers that will help your dog put her best foot forward during neighborhood walks. Here are a few gift suggestions at a variety of price points to inspire your puppy-powered wish list.

Electronic Fencing

Electric fences include a transmitter, receiver, and wires that transmit energy. These items, along with a dog collar, can typically be purchased for $100 to $400 at pet stores or from online retailers, but electric fence packages don’t include installation fees. The national average cost to install an electric fence is $962 to $1,434, according to HomeAdvisor. Homeowners will also need to invest in accessories including a charger and replacement batteries as well as a voltage meter to test the fence’s charge.

Even with accessory expenses, electronic fences offer an affordable option when compared with physical fences, and maintenance is less expensive. Invisible fences can also be excellent option for homeowners who live in areas where neighborhood guidelines prohibit physical fences or dictate expensive fencing materials. Finally, some dog lovers dedicate the money saved to hiring a professional trainer who helps their pet learn how to live with their new boundary and addresses any concerns the homeowners might have about electronic fencing.

Training Sessions

Dog lovers without electronic fences might also want to add training sessions to their holiday wish lists. There are many options for canine classes held at homes, pet care facilities, or local pet products stores.

What’s more, there are classes to fit every learning level. Many training facilities offer entry-level classes for puppies. There are also basic behavior classes for older dogs who might be rescue animals or just need a refresher course to refine rusty manners. If your furry friend is ready to move to the canine college level, there are courses to help them excel at American Kennel Club competitions and even some sessions to help you go pro as a dog trainer.

Collars

You might want to take some long walks or visit social settings to help your pup practice all these newly learned skills. If so, consider adding a new collar and leash to your gift list.

Collars and leashes are as much about function as fashion, and the best choice for your dog could depend on everything from his breed to his walking style. For instance, standard flat collars might not be a good option for greyhounds and whippets. These dogs’ necks are often larger than their heads, possibly allowing them to slip out of a standard collar. Similarly, a back-clip harness might be a better choice than a traditional collar for pugs and other small dogs that could be prone to tracheal collapse, according to the American Kennel Club.

Collars should also include your dog’s identification information and your contact information in case she somehow gets lost. In addition to standard collar tags, you could ask for a GPS-equipped collar that lets you track your dog’s location with a mobile or web-based app. Many GPS tracking collars also include LED lights that can come in handy during after-dark adventures.

Leashes

As for leashes, the AKC recommends standard leashes over retractable leashes for pets and doesn’t allow owners to use retractable leashes during its Canine Good Citizen tests. When choosing a standard leash, your budget and personal preferences come into play. Also be sure to consider your dog’s size and choose a leash of an appropriate weight. If you’re unsure about the best leash or collar for your canine companion, ask your veterinarian or dog trainer for advice.

And, these gifts could have big benefits for both you and your pet. After all, someone has to walk your furry friend and take them to canine classes. So adding a few of these items to your holiday gift list will not only help keep your dog healthy and happy, but will help do the same for you.

]]><![CDATA[Don't Eat That! - Top 5 Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets]]>Sun, 26 Nov 2017 06:43:05 GMThttp://www.dukedogcare.com/bark-blog/dont-eat-that-top-5-foods-to-avoid-feeding-your-pets

Chocolate, Grapes and Onions are a big NOPE for your pets...

Onions, Garlic & Dough make for a great pizza! The same can't be said for your dog's meals.

You may know that you shouldn't feed your pet "table food", but do you know why? Are you aware of the effects some of
these foods may have on your dog or cat? Let's take a deeper look and learn what food you shouldn't serve your pet and why.

Onions
Onions contain thiosulphate which is an toxic ingredient to cats and dogs. Ingesting onions causes hemolytic anemia (damage to the red blood cells.) Toxicity from this food can cause the red blood cells circulating through your pet's body to burst.

Garlic
Garlic is significantly more concentrated than an onion. Even smaller ingested amounts may lead to toxicosis—as little as one clove of garlic can lead to toxicity in both dogs and cats.

Raw Dough
Unbaked bread/yeast dough can be poisonous to all pets. When ingested, unbaked bread dough expands in the warm, moist stomach environment which may cause a bloated stomach. This can then progress to a gastric-dilatation volvulus (GDV), which becomes "Bloat".
(Bloat is the #2 worldwide cause of death in dogs, only behind Cancer.)

Grapes / Raisins
Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure.

Chocolate, Coffee and Caffeine
These three foods all contain methylxanthines. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines may cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, tremors, seizures and even death.
(darker chocolate is the most toxic. White chocolate has the least methylxanthines, while baking chocolate contains the highest.)

Always be cautious when feeding your pet anything other than their usual meals. These are only 5 of the many foods that contain harmful ingredients to your pet's health. If you are ever in doubt please either contact your pet's veterinarian or your local professional Pet Care Specialist, Ryan Pry "The Pet Guy" at DukeDogCare@Gmail.com!

]]><![CDATA[Duke Dog Care now offering USDA, organic dog treats!]]>Sat, 02 Sep 2017 01:50:53 GMThttp://www.dukedogcare.com/bark-blog/dukedogcare-usadadogtreats

Duke Dog Care will now be a vendor for Lemont, IL based dog treat company.

Duke Dog Care is proud to announce that we have officially partnered with a local dog treat manufacturer to distribute healthy, tasty dog treats!

We will now be selling treats from a family-owned dog treat company based out of Lemont, IL that hand makes all of their delicious treats! Each treat is made in Lemont, IL by the company founder. Each ingredient is hand-selected with care and precision to provide only the healthiest and best food sources.

All of the treats are made with USDA meats and all natural ingredients. The ingredients are so fresh and high quality that when there are extra meats, you could throw them on a grill and serve it as dinner for your family!

Also, a percentage of every sale helps a dog in need! Every time you purchase a bag of dog treats, a portion of the proceeds help aid dogs in shelters across the world. Duke Dog Care is firmly committed to helping dogs in need!

Treat Selections:

Breakfast Bagels
Ingredients: Oat Flour, Sweet Potato, Peanut Butter, Banana, Canola Oil, Organic Honey, Organic Eggs, Parsley, & vitamin E

Chicken & Parmesan
Ingredients: Oat Flour, USDA Chicken Breast, Wheat Flour, Parmesan Cheese, Organic Honey, Canola Oil, Dried Whey, Parsley, Garlic Powder, Rosemary Oil, & vitamin E

To order treats for your dog today, call Duke Dog Care at 6302979464 or email dukedogcare@gmail.com

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