Nothing says dog days like the smell of summer/fall Petsguide hot off the printing press!

In this issue, writer Steve Lowery lets us know that there’s more to playing fetch with your dog. When the adventurous and creative have become mainstream, play has evolved into something more meaningful, and, ultimately mutually healthy for you both.

For example, shy dogs could benefit from socialization-centric activities such as walks to dog parks. It gives them structure and allows them the opportunity to become better adjusted.

For the adventure-driven canines and canine-parents, Lowery has got a list of unusual, challenging “dog-tivities”: sheep-herding classes (like Jerome Stewart’s Long Beach and Anaheim herding classes); doggie bootcamps that let pets and owners work out together; dog sports for the competitive pup; and even urban mushing.

Looking for a softer touch? Establishments like Chateau le Pooch and Pussy & Pooch regularly hold pet and owner socials, not to mention offer party-planning services that let you create one-of-a-kind get-togethers to celebrate your pet. Places like them also typically hold pet-friendly “yappy” hour events gathering fellow pet parents.

Of course, you’ll find more ideas throughout Petsguide. Plan your summer days with its multi-month calendar, and save big at Long Beach Metro and Orange County pet stores, pet-sitting establishments and hospital services using your Petsguide-exclusive coupons.

Pick up your free copy today at your local vet, groomer, pet boutique and other pet-friendly establishments. (Need help locating a local distributor? Contact us and we’ll point you in the right direction.)

The world’s largest consumer pet show returns to the Orange County Fairgrounds.
Petsguide Magazine Online
April 7, 2010

There’s plenty to see, do and marvel when the world’s largest consumer pet show, America’s Family Pet Expo, returns to the Orange County Fairgrounds on April 16-18 for a weekend packed with family-friendly entertainment, educational demonstrations and seminars, and animal showcases.

The Expo – presented by the nonprofit World Pet Association – connects thousands to professionals from the wide field of a companion animal industry. Gain insights into pet well-being and trends from product manufacturers and retailers, veterinarians and groomers, as well as animal humane organizations. Whether you’re looking to learn about different dog breeds, pony rides, or looking to give an adoptable pet a forever home, America’s Family Pet Expo provides educational opportunities to boost your avian, canine, feline, equine, fish and reptile knowledge when you attend the event’s numerous training, care and grooming demonstrations and seminars. The Expo also gathers together merchants, giving shoppers the opportunity to purchase quality pet products at discounted rates.

Also at the heart of the family-friendly event is a top-notch entertainment lineup fit to awe and inspire pet-lovers of all ages. Debuting this year is Equine Entertainment & Attractions, which feature a variety of horse superstars including the horse played the titular racehorse in “Seabiscuit,” and Lukas, dubbed the World’s Smartest Horse for his spelling and counting aptitude.

Make sure to catch the Expo’s popular shows: the skill of scooter-pushing dogs and acrobatic cats in Popovich Comedy Pet Theater; the “splashy” pooches of the dock-diving Splash Dogs; Joe “The Birdman” Krathwohl’s Free Flight Bird Show; and the CFA Cat Show’s array of award-winning feline breeds.

America’s Family Pet Expo
• Friday, April 16, 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.; Saturday, April 17, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday, April 18, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Admission, $6-$12. Kids under 6 get in free. Save $2 when you purchase tickets online.
• Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa (map it!)
• (626) 447-2222, (714) 708-1500. www.petexpooc.org

Dog walking is a healthy, daily ritual with physical and mental benefits.

However, what’s good for a full-grown German Shepherd isn’t necessarily ideal for a Pomeranian or a puppy. Below are some insights from American Kennel Club spokeswoman and pet advice columnist Lisa Peterson.

What’s normal? Generally, a minimum of 30 minutes is recommended to maintain good canine stamina. Be aware of signs that your dog is overexercised, such as heavy panting and limping. Breed also comes into play. For example, “herding dogs like German Shepherds can use more exercise versus toy breeds.”

Age matters. Don’t overwalk dogs under 2 on hard surfaces like concrete, Peterson advises. The reason: their skeletons are still growing and forming. Shorter walks are better for puppies. Peterson recommends 10-minute walks, done several times during the day; for young dogs, two 30-minute walks a day until maturity.

Life’s a beach. Some breeds are more sensitive to heat, among them pugs, bulldogs and terriers. As much as we love our beaches and beach walks, “many times, people don’t realize that sand gets very hot, and when you walk in the midday sun, [sand] can burn a dog’s pads,” Peterson said. “If you choose to take your dog on the beach, do it early in the morning or dusk when it’s not very hot.”

Location, location. “Dogs when walking in an urban setting walk through a variety of chemicals and toxins unbeknownst to us.” Tip: Rinse off paw pads after a walk. Check for residue and other outdoor detritus like thorns and bits of rock. If you own horses and enjoy taking Fido along for visits, washing his paws is especially important. You want to prevent him from accidentally ingesting horse manure, which contain parasites that can wreak havoc in a dog’s system.

We kick off the New Year with a can-do attitude! The winter/spring issue is devoted entirely to Do-It-Yourself pet care – just the thing for pet parents who’ve pondered letting the pros handle it or taking matters into their own capable hands.

In his feature article, writer Steve Lowery calls for a return to basics. It’s timely and handy in this economy, not to mention just good know-how. We’re talking about doggy baths, training, upholstery and carpet cleaning (post-pet “accident”), and even how to bake delicious pet treats the most discriminating pooch would approve.

To learn how to properly implement the how-to’s, Lowery turned to the experts: trainers, groomers and vets. The advice they give for our collective consideration is straightforward, and will go a long way in solving simple problems at home, not to mention help you keep your pet in tip-top shape.

Tips throughout the magazine help you get a better read on animal behavior. You’ll learn how to throw a groovy pet party and gauge a cat’s mood based on their tails (a tail raised high and straight is a friendly greeting, while a rhythmic side-to-side swishing denotes mild agitation). There also friendly reminders urging creative types to consider non-toxic materials when they embark on pet projects, and 35 fun facts to boost your trivia knowledge.

And, of course, expect Petsguide’s signature directory, a comprehensive listing of pet care providers, organizations and cool products you can find in Orange County and Long Beach metro area. You’ll also find more than 50 discounts and coupons. Visit this site regularly to learn about and enter exciting giveaway contests that will be held throughout the year. And if you find yourself in need of a Petsguide fix, consider signing up for our monthly e-letter, The Scoop, for a regular dose of all things pet-related.

Pick up your own copy of Petsguide Winter/Spring 2010 at your local pet-friendly establishments, or contact the Petsguide offices to have one mailed to you.

The holidays are a time to bask in the pleasures of good company and good food, and to reflect on the blessings we reaped over the year.

Before you and your family go on your merrymaking way, remember that yuletide celebrations bring with them potential hazards to your pet.

Luckily, you won’t have to worry as long as you keep the following tips in mind:

Keep them feisty by refraining from sharing your feast. Sometimes, we can’t resist spoiling our pets with a teeny bite of our dinner table bounty. The Safe Dog Handbook cautions against this, as certain foods are actually harmful to dogs. Among them: turkey skin; cooked turkey bones and ham bones; chocolates and raisins; and sweets that contain xylitol (a popular sweetener poisonous to dogs). Keep alcoholic beverages out of Fido’s reach, too.

Pretty lights, not-so-pretty dangers. Tree lights and colorful ornaments are holiday staples. Keep your home pretty and pet-safe by keeping loose cords bundled or discretely taped up to the wall. This extra precaution will help prevent electric shock accidents for curious cats and dogs tempted to chew on a cord.

Wrap up after wrapping. Materials such as ribbons, bows, tape, glittery tinsel and foil can pose choking hazards to animals, so be sure to clean carefully when you finish wrapping your presents.

Hey, that’s my spot! Avoid placing your tree at Fido’s favorite window or at Fifi’s favorite sunning spot. A tree can be knocked over by an overeager critter, said Handbook author Melanie Monteiro.

What’s all the commotion? Like us, our pets also get overwhelmed by the gaiety. If your cat or dog is shy around strangers, alleviate their anxieties by keeping them in a quiet, safe room while you entertain guests at your home.

Pet expert Arden Moore reminds owners to that the little things still make a big difference in the personal well-being of pet and pet-owner. Here are some simple tips from her latest books “Happy Dog, Happy You” and “Happy Cat, Happy You.”

1. Give your favorite furball a head-to-tail checkup weekly.
For Fido About 80 percent of dogs lacking dental care develop gum and teeth problems by age 3, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society. Inspect your dog’s mouth regularly for signs of deterioration and see your vet if you note bleeding or pale gums, persistent foul breath, tartar build-up, decay sores, or broken or missing teeth.

For Fluffy Devote a petting session to scrutinize your cat’s entire body, checking for lumps, bumps, sore spots or changes in fur or skin. Don’t forget to check her eyes, ear and mouth. Your observations may help catch a medical problem in its early stages.

2. Fresh water does a body good.
For Fido It goes without saying – provide fresh water daily. Because dogs slobber saliva when they slurp, bacteria can build up inside bowls containing water that is more than two days old.

For Fluffy Cats love pure, aerated water. Provide a little oasis for your cat by purchasing a special bowl that provide continous drip of fresh water or a large-capacity pet fountain.

3. Keep a pet first aid kit at hand. (You can buy or make one.)
For Fido For dog-gone emergencies: cold packs; nonstick sterile gauze pads; lightweight adhesive tape, cotton balls and cotton-tipped ear swabs; antiseptic wipes; surgical scissors; antibiotic ointment; hydrogen peroxide; styptic powder to stop minor bleeding; a clean white cotton sock to wrap an injured paw or limb; diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for bites and stings; coated buffered aspirin; and activated charcoal.

For Fluffy Be ready for a cat-astrophe with: triple antibiotic ointment; hydrogen peroxide; hydrocortizone cream; antiseptic wipes, bandages and gauze sqaures; cloth tape; stretchy vet wrap; bandage scissors; styptic powder or pencil; cotton balls and cotton-tipped swabs; oral syringe; lubricating jelly; tweezers; and a metal or digital thermometer.

Book images courtesy of Storey Publishing.

The cajoling, the firm commands to “Sit!” and the toy-waggling – anything to make your pet hold that pose while you maneuver your camera to capture the perfect shot! If you’re a pet owner, you know how challenging it can be to get a beloved pet to sit still when their mind is on anything but obliging you. So, how do you do it?

We received some professional insights from Chicago-based pet photographer David Sutton, whose studio is donating 10,000 of his 2010 Dog Days calendars to animal welfare groups nationwide. These organizations get to keep 100 percent of the proceeds from sales of the calendar, which feature 13 artistically shot black-and-white canine portraits.

This year’s sales are estimated bring in $100,000. And this isn’t the first time Sutton has helped, either: over the last 10 years, Sutton’s calendars have helped animal organizations raise some $1 million.

So, how did he do it? Sutton Studios has the follow tips:

Get Low and Close. Get on your pet’s eye level, and as close to them as possible. Try to fill up the frame with their image.

Pay Attention to Background. Try to minimize the amount of clutter in the background to ensure your pet is the sole subject of the photo.

Avoid Flash Photography. Animals have a highly reflective membrane behind their retina that help them see well at night, but makes it impossible to take flash pictures of them without their eyes glowing.

Mind Lighting. Try to photograph outdoors if possible. When indoors, try to use natural light and have the light behind you or to the side.

Be Engaging. It’s important to capture your pet’s attention when photographing them. Cats respond to things fluttering or moving. Dogs respond to sounds such as clicking, squeaking, or tapping noises. And don’t forget the treats!

Take Lots of Photos. The more photos you take, the better chances you’ll have a really good picture.

Exercise Your Pet Beforehand. Exercise will tire out your pet so that it’s calmer before a photo shoot.

For information about the 2010 Dog Days calendar or David Sutton himself, log on to www.suttonstudios.com.

Image courtesy of David Sutton, Sutton Studios.