Petco WholePets Prizes Awarded

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Tanner Claimed a Fetch Toy

It's clear that you are enjoying the Petco products that are shared here throughout the year. This terrific company is expanding their view of pet families and adding in more of the products that they can see are important to fulfilling our pets' bucket lists. This is part and parcel to their new Wholepets initiative. I'm eager to see more, as are Tanner and Oliver, who have claimed these 2 items from the prize box. Stimulating their minds, bodies and tummies are all important. 

Today I have the fun job of announcing the winners of my recent giveaway. It closed last night and ended with a nice chunk of 4,062 entries. That's not small kibble!

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Oliver's Toy Has Him Baffled

Today winners will each receive one of the prizes that I reviewed here, which include a Kick Fetching Ball by Chuck-It, Nature's Variety Grain Free treats, Espree Simple Shed Coat treatment, and a fun dog puzzle for the whole family to enjoy. Be sure to get Fido in on the action with some bonding time. A puzzle is a nice activity for a chilly evening in or a rainy day. Enjoy!

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Our Giveaway Items

Today's winners are Klydra P., Beverly K., Anne N., and Nicole D. You will each hear from me via AllThingsDogBlog@gmail.com. Please check your spam if you have not received an email by this evening. Write me back with your dog's breed or mix, weight, and your shipping information.

Finally, you'll want to thank Petco for sharing these fun giveaways with you. Stop by their Facebook page or shoot them a Tweet. They would love to hear from you.

Happy tails,

Petco has provided the prizes being given away as a promotion for you. I was not paid to organize and produce this giveaway or to share the review, although I have allowed Tanner and Oliver to each keep a selection from the box, as shown above. I have to remember not to let them see the contents when these boxes arrive; there is only so much room for dog toys in our home :)

Wholepets Prize Giveaway from Petco

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
Oliver and Patches Both Enjoy
 the Starchaser Cat Track

Oliver and Patches are still sharing, now that Oliver has learned his lesson. The rule book apparently states that all toys belong to Patches unless she abandons them temporarily. Any moment now, she's like to let Oliver know he needs to get lost.

Today's Giveaway Launch

Tanner shared the prizes we're offering up in today's giveaway, but what he didn't tell you yesterday is that he had one toy stashed for himself. Yup! That's a Fetch toy that floats, and let me tell you, he was on it in a flash. No way, no how was that toy leaving this house in a box. Sometimes I just have to give in. These boys do work hard for their kibble--product reviews, photo shoots, and last week they had a private blogger demo for our friend Missy at Dogs for the PAWS.

I'm sure you'll all love the 4 products we are featuring in this hand off. You can read more about them at my review here. Want to learn more about Petco products? Get into the conversation at Facebook and Twitter. I'll see you there!

Mine!

FYI, if the rafflecopter entry form is misbehaving again, you can be the pack leader and whip it into shape. Just click on the post title above and it will sit up straight and be ready for action at the bottom of this post. Enjoy the journey!





The prizes in this giveaway have been provided by Petco for promotion. I have not been compensated to run this giveaway for them.

Petco Launches Wholepets Initiative

by Carrie Boyko, CEB

© AllThingsDogBlog.com
February Surprises from Petco

I'm rather excited to see the response to the new paradigm being used at Petco. Will you let me know what you think? 

Petco is working hard to help pet parents see the whole picture. Yes, your pet needs food and a bed. But there's more. He needs grooming and play and training and mental stimulation that comes from both training and a wide range of experiences like dog parks, hikes, car rides, family visits and more.

Everything new that your dog experiences leads him to a more balanced place, a dog at peace with the world. And part of this puzzle is his bond with you, so make sure you find time in each day for one on one interaction. Training works, as does a walk and even a photo shoot. Posing for photos is a great way to share a moment with Fido. 

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Whose Toy is This?

Do you have multiple species in your home? In addition to dogs, our home has been brightened by a number of other critters: multiple cats, a Parakeet with a 20-word vocabulary (wowzer!), Goldfish, Beta fish, a  rabbit, and a hamster. Have I missed anyone? Hmmm....

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This is Fun!

When this Starchaser Cat Track toy arrived from Petco, both Patches and Oliver enjoyed it. Can you guess who has claimed it? Take a look at the photo at right and I think you'll know who the strong arm is in our household. Oliver's eyes and head position definitely are showing off his submission to our clawed wonder, Patches! She doesn't take any guff off of any dog. She's in charge!

When Patches is not around, however, Oliver finds his opportunities to enjoy this mind bender. "How exactly do I get this ball out of here. Mom, help!" 

Join me for my continuing Weekly Wag each Saturday, where I post about bonding with your dog. Some posts include tips, while others simply share stories with a message. You're sure to get some inspiration if you join us, and you'll also be able to comment in order to win prizes in our quarterly Weekly Wag drawings. Check out this week's Weekly Wag here.

With all this wisdom in mind, take a look at the products in the photo with Tanner, that I'll be handing off shortly. The Chuck-it ball is grooved for an easier fetch game using your foot instead of your arm. That's probably a good thing for someone like me who throws like a girl :)  I resemble that remark!

The Ravensburger Puzzle is a huge image of dogs--all kinds of dogs. This will be a fun family activity to enjoy on a rainy day or a chilly March evening. Snuggle up with Fido at your feet and drop him a Nature's Variety Grain-free treat when he performs any behavior you're trying to improve on.

Is Fido leaving a furball on under the table? Try the espree Simple Shed Treatment, which will moisturize and help to remove that loose undercoat. We love that it is 91% organic and all-natural ingredients. A 3rd grader could read the ingredient list :)

Watch for the giveaway coming soon, and meanwhile, let us know what you think about the new Petco focus: wholepets, complete care for your pet's health.

The Petco products in the photo above will all be given away to readers. I have not been compensated to review them, but will be keeping one toy. I'm afraid Oliver and Patches would be at war if the ball chaser disappeared. Looks like it's staying here, thanks to Petco. 

Dog Toy Safety: Choosing The Right Toys for Your Fido

by Caroline Ruddy, guest contributor

© Carrie Boyko
30 Minutes of Treat Ball Work
Equals One Pooped Pup

Sadly, many dogs are injured every year because they are given the wrong kinds of toys. Some even require surgery to remove swallowed toy parts. It's not always easy to choose a safe toy. Many people think if a toy is for sale, it must be safe, but this isn't always true. Taking some time to learn about choosing the right toys for your dog can go a long way to keeping him healthy and happy.

Choose The Right Size

Usually, it's just a matter of looking at toys to know whether they're too small or too big for your dog. If you're in doubt, check the toy's packaging for weight or breed guidelines. Just remember weight guidelines alone may not always be enough to determine the right size toy for your dog. Some dogs, like Basset Hounds, carry more weight because of how they're built, but don't have large, strong jaws, so they may do well with a smaller toy. Giving your dog a toy that's too big can hurt his jaws, while a large dog may swallow pieces of a small toy and end up with intestinal blockage. Choosing the right size toy will help avoid injury, as well as a big vet bill.

Consider Durability

Buying a toy that your dog destroys in a matter of hours is no fun for either of you, not to mention a waste of money. If your dog tears apart a toy and swallows pieces of it, he can become ill or even need surgery if his intestines become blocked. Some dogs just chew more vigorously than others, regardless of size. It may take a few tries before you discover what kind of chewer your dog is. While you're trying different toys out, you'll want to stay away from cheap toys, but you don't have to spend a lot. Look for discounts. For example, Petco coupon codes can help you save on toys. That way, you'll be able to take some time to find the right toys for your dog, not to mention get your your money's worth.

Offer Challenging Toys

To keep your dog busy, get him a challenging toy, like one in which you hide small treats, and your dog has to figure out how to get the treats out. A company called Premier has an entire line of toys for just this purpose (available at stores like Petco and Petsmart), and they make the treats that go inside as well. These are also good if your dog is left alone for long periods, like when you're at work. Giving him something to occupy his mind will help keep him from chewing things he's not supposed to, like your furniture, shoes, or plants, which may be poisonous to dogs. Giving him challenging toys will help keep him safe while also keeping him engaged.

Above all, make some time to play with your dog. Toys are good, but nothing is better for your dog than getting attention and love from you.

Caroline Ruddy is a freelance writer finally pursuing her dream of being published. She loves books and movies, especially when they include a furry friend napping on her lap.

Note: Articles written by guest contributors may or may not necessarily reflect the beliefs or recommendations of All Things Dog Blog or its regular writers.