There’s nothing else on Earth quite like dogs- they’re like furry, four-legged personifications of love! Dog owners know they can count on being greeted at the door by a wagging tail and a wet nose every day- it sure doesn’t get much better than that! The special bond between you and your dog is one of the best parts of your life, and you want to make sure you make their days as happy as they make yours.

Giving special treats to your dog is a great way to show him or her how much you care. Not only that, but treating your dog helps to motivate him or her to learn new tricks and behaviors, and act as a positive reinforcement when you are working with him or her on training skills, such as leash manners, obedience, and potty training.

By administering frequent treats to your dog, you are helping to solidify your bond and reassure him or her that they are doing a great job at being your companion animal! Instead of punitive training methods, like choke collars, professional dog trainers now almost exclusively rely on a positive, reward-based method to teach dogs and puppies obedience training skills, and you can too! By giving your dog treats when he or she correctly sits, goes potty, or lays down on command, you are making a connection in their brains between good behavior and delicious treats. Dogs aim to please, and are quite motivated by food- who doesn’t love a yummy little reward? A little incentive treat here and there can go a long way toward helping your furry friend become a well-trained, joyful companion for many happy years.

Here are a few fun, outside-the-box ways to give treats to your dog, so that he or she always has a fun surprise to look forward to when you’re spending time together or while you’re away.

Hide and Seek
Dogs are curious, inquisitive animals by nature, and they love to use their hunting instincts, particularly their keen sense of smell, to track down food…in this case, a delicious, well-hidden treat! Many pet stores and online retailers sell “hide-a-treat” toys, which are great for keeping dogs interested and engaged, sometimes for hours! These little puzzles with a sweet reward at the end are perfect for keeping your four-legged pal entertained while you are away from home.

Everybody Freeze!
This fun treating method is perfect for a hot summer day, or anytime you can’t be with your pup for several hours. Freezing treats and then giving them to your dog can not only keep him or her busy and happy for an extended period of time, but can also help them to savor their tasty prize, rather than just wolfing it down. Try freezing peanut butter in a hollow dog toy, like a Kong, before giving it to your dog. You’ll be amazed at how long it keeps him or her occupied! As an added bonus, frozen treats are a great way to keep your pup cool in the summer months, as well as an excellent way to keep teething puppies from chewing on shoes, furniture, or other things around the house. They’ll have a blast licking and chewing the toy to thaw it out, and you’ll have peace of mind that they aren’t bored. It’s a win-win!

Now You See It…
Though dogs have a demonstrated ability for object permanence, it isn’t as developed in them as it is in humans. That means that simply by covering an object, like a treat, with a blanket or washcloth, you’re performing a dazzling magic trick that your dog can’t quite figure out right away! Try taking a small treat and putting it in front of your dog, and then quickly covering it up, It’s entertaining to see your dog try to figure out where it went, and fun for them when they make it reappear. Your dog will think you’re more amazing and magical than they already do- and that’s saying something!

Scavenger Hunt
Just like an Easter egg hunt, you can place several treats around your home, and then let your dog sniff his or her way to finding them all! This fun and occupying game is great for helping your dog get in touch with his or her natural instincts while getting them up and moving around. If your dog is something of a couch potato, or is aging and slowing down, a treat scavenger hunt is a fun way to get them off the couch or dog bed for a little light exercise. Since multiple treats are involved for this one, try to choose small, healthy treats made from natural ingredients so that your pup doesn’t wind up getting sick from too much overindulgence.

Trick or Treat
Of course, the most classic method of treating your dog is having him or her perform a trick first to get a reward. This is still one of the most fun ways for both of you to enjoy treat time, and can do wonders for getting your dog to learn a new skill. Use healthy, beneficial treats- like hemp treats for dogs– to teach your best buddy to sit, shake hands, roll over, or even play dead! Not only does this make for a terrific party trick the next time your dog is meeting new people, but it also helps him or her to associate treats with positive rewards for good behavior- something that can go a long way when you’re training him or her for socialization, potty and leash manners, and other essential dog obedience skills. Learning new tricks stimulates your dog’s brain and keeps him or her engaged and interested, which can lead to a happier, healthier life. Much like in people, a dog who keeps his or her mind active can stay sharp well into the golden years!

The most important thing to keep in mind about giving your dog a treat is that it’s all about love. Your dog loves treats, no doubt about it, but his or her real joy comes from seeing and spending time with their favorite person in the world- YOU! The act of giving your dog a treat will solidify what they already know- that their human loves them! Make sure to take time every day to show your dog how much they mean to you by giving a fun, interesting treat.

HempMy Pet^TM, an HM Health LLC company, announces that it has signed an agreement with Tarleton State University, a member of The Texas A & M University System, for a research study on the Behavioral and Physiological effect of full spectrum Abacus™ Cannabidiol (CBD) oil when used to mediate stress and pain in Horses.

The objective of the research program is to explore opportunities that full spectrum Abacus™ CBD oil may provide to the livestock industry as a tool to mediate stressors, minimize injury during transport and handling, and promote health by minimizing overstimulation of the hypothalamus, pituitary and adrenal glands, commonly called the HPA axis.

Environmental stressors such as handling, transport and housing can affect aspects such as weight gain and feed efficiency, in addition to stimulating stereotypic behaviors such as bar biting, self-mutilation and excessive aggression. Cannabidiol (CBD) has been shown to decrease anxiety from a variety of different stimuli in studies with both dogs and mice.

“We have already seen an overwhelmingly positive response in the first clinical trials study we did with Colorado State University Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, using our full spectrum infused oil to assess the impact of hemp-derived Cannabidiol (CBD) on dogs suffering with chronic pain and decreased functionality due to osteoarthritis. We are excited to now be a part of this study for horses, because we believe that the findings will be just as positive and will continue the advancement of using hemp-derived products as medicine for many ailments for all types of animals that can greatly benefit from this plant” says Natalie Mondine, Co-Founder and COO of HM Health LLC / HempMy Pet.

In various laboratory animal and human studies, it has been suggested that cannabidiol (CBD) is able to reduce both anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), however the effects of CBD on indices of stress in livestock have not yet been reported. This study, undertaken by Tarleton State University, will investigate the bioavailability, sensitivity, pharmacokinetics, sex effects, derivatives and total body clearance in horses.

The Tarleton University professor who will oversee the study, Dr. Kimberly Guay, Ph.D., P.A.S, said “We are excited to explore and quantify the potential benefits and associated physiological effects of CBD in horses and other domestic animals.”

The hope is that the study will reveal potential benefits of CBD use in that livestock, horses specifically, that may save producers and horse owners money due to lowered disease and injuries, and most importantly, overall improved quality of life and welfare of domesticated animals.

About HempMy Pet^TM / HM Health LLC

HempMy Pet^TM, a division of HM Health, LLC (who also owns Colorado CBD Seed and Abacus™ hemp genetics), offers CBD-infused products for dogs, cats and horses. All products are made with their own in-house, full spectrum oil derived from their proprietary Abacus™ genetics, grown in their greenhouses and facilities located in Loveland, Colorado. For more information, please visit www.hempmypet.com or email directly support@HempMyPet.com.

 

 

 

 

There’s nothing quite like loving a dog- no matter what kind of day you’ve had, if you’re greeted at the door by a wagging tail and a wet nose, you’re sure to smile! The special bond between you and your dog is one of the greatest parts of your life, and you want to be sure you do everything you can to make their days as happy as they make yours.

Giving treats to your dog is an excellent way to show him or her how much you care. Not only that, but treating your dog helps to motivate him or her to learn new tricks and behaviors, and act as a positive reinforcement when you are working with him or her on training skills, such as leash manners, obedience, and potty training.

By giving your dog frequent treats, you are helping to solidify your bond and reassure him or her that they are doing a great job at being your companion! Instead of punitive training methods, like choke collars, professional dog trainers now almost exclusively rely on a positive, reward-based method to teach dogs and puppies obedience training skills, and you can too! By administering treats when your dog correctly sits, goes potty, or lays down on command, you are making a connection in their brains between good behavior and delicious treats. Dogs aim to please, and a little incentive treat here and there can go a long way toward helping your furry friend become a well-trained, joyful companion for many happy years.

Here are a few fun, innovative ways to treat your dog, so that he or she always has a fun surprise to look forward to when you’re spending time together or while you’re away.

Hide and Seek– Dogs are inquisitive, curious animals by nature, and they love to use their instincts, particularly their keen sense of smell, to hunt for food…in this case, a delicious, well-hidden treat! Many pet stores and online retailers sell “hide-a-treat” toys, which are great for keeping dogs interested and engaged, sometimes for hours! These little puzzles with a sweet reward at the end are perfect for keeping your four-legged pal entertained while you are away from home.

Freeze!– This fun treating method is perfect for a hot summer day, or anytime you can’t be with your pup for several hours. Freezing treats and then giving them to your dog can not only keep him or her busy and happy for an extended period of time, but can also help them to savor their tasty prize, rather than just wolfing it down. Try freezing peanut butter in a hollow dog toy, like a Kong, before giving it to your dog. You’ll be amazed at how long it keeps him or her occupied! As an added bonus, frozen treats are a great way to keep your pup cool in the summer months, as well as an excellent way to keep teething puppies from chewing on shoes, furniture, or other things around the house. They’ll have a blast licking and chewing the toy to thaw it out, and you’ll have peace of mind that they aren’t bored. It’s a win-win!

Now You See It…– Though dogs have a demonstrated ability for object permanence, it isn’t as developed in them as it is in humans. That means that simply by covering an object, like a treat, with a blanket or washcloth, you’re performing a dazzling magic trick that your dog can’t quite figure out right away! Try taking a small treat and putting it in front of your dog, and then quickly covering it up, It’s entertaining to see your dog try to figure out where it went, and fun for them when they make it re-appear. Your dog will think you’re more amazing and magical than they already do- and that’s saying something!

Scavenger Hunt– Just like an Easter egg hunt, you can place several treats around your home, and then let your dog sniff his or her way to finding them all! This fun little game is great for helping your dog get in touch with his or her natural instincts while getting them up and moving around. If your dog is something of a couch potato, or is aging and slowing down, a treat scavenger hunt is a fun way to get them off the couch or dog bed for a little light exercise. Since multiple treats are involved for this one, try to choose small, healthy treats made from natural ingredients, so that your pup doesn’t wind up getting sick from too much overindulgence.

Trick or Treat– Of course, the most classic method of treating your dog is having him or her perform a trick first to get a reward. This is still one of the most fun ways for both of you to enjoy treat time. Use healthy, beneficial treats- like hemp treats for dogs– to teach your best buddy to sit, shake hands, roll over, or even play dead! Not only does this make for a terrific party trick the next time your dog is meeting new people, but it also helps him or her to associate treats with positive rewards for good behavior- something that can go a long way when you’re training him or her for socialization, potty and leash manners, and other essential dog obedience skills. Learning new tricks stimulates your dog’s brain and keeps him or her engaged and interested, which can lead to a happier, healthier life. Much like in people, a dog who keeps his or her mind active can stay sharp well into the golden years!

The most important thing to remember about giving your dog a treat is that it’s all about love. Your dog loves treats, no doubt about it, but his or her real joy comes from seeing and spending time with their favorite person in the world- YOU! Make sure to take time every day to show your dog how much you love them with a fun, interesting treat.

“Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” -Agnes Sligh Turnbull

Your dog means more to you than almost anything. A faithful friend, trusted companion, and bottomless source of comfort, he or she is there for you through thick and thin to lift your spirits and enhance your life every day. While we all wish our dogs could live forever, it is unfortunately impossible to stop the march of time. However, by knowing and understanding the common health problems that dogs face as they age, we can do our best to keep them living a healthy, happy life for as long as possible. Here are some of the health conditions that senior dogs most commonly experience, as well as tips for helping to prevent and treat them.

Hearing and Vision Loss
Like humans, dogs’ senses can become less sharp as they age. Vision and hearing loss are quite common among senior dogs, and are caused by deterioration of tissue in the eyes and ears. Eye problems such as cataracts, a cloudy membrane that forms over the lens of the eye can partially or completely obstruct an aging dog’s vision, leading to blindness. Regular checkups by your veterinarian can help detect vision and hearing problems early to help prevent them from worsening. Additionally, hearing loss can be mitigated by regularly cleaning out your dog’s ears to remove earwax and other blockages.

Joint Problems
Dogs love to run, jump, and play in their youth, but as they age, their joints can become stiff, making walking or even standing up difficult and painful. You can purchase supplements to help improve your dog’s joint health at any veterinary office or pet food store. It has recently become a trend to administer CBD hemp oil to dogs in order to alleviate joint pain and improve mobility. CBD oil contains cannabinoids that help with muscle relaxation and increased flexibility, and many owners of senior dogs swear by its highly beneficial properties. Thanks to advances like CBD oil and other joint care supplements for dogs, it is possible to grant your dog a better quality of life as he or she heads into the golden years.

Heart Disease
As dogs age, their risk of developing heart disease increases. One common type of heart disease in dogs is congestive heart failure, which is the result of fluid buildup in the heart, lungs, and chest when the heart isn’t able to pump blood properly. By taking your senior dogs for regular veterinary checkups and monitoring him or her for symptoms of heart disease, such as coughing, wheezing, difficulty breathing, and unexplained vomiting, you may be able to help your dog live a longer, healthier life.

When you love a dog, you would do anything to keep him or her around for as long as possible. By paying attention to unusual behavior or symptoms, feeding your dog a healthy, balanced, vitamin-rich diet, and administering supplements to improve joint health, you are helping your best friend live to a ripe old age!