GETTING TO KNOW MORRIS K9 CAMPUS

You may be familiar with us. Maybe your dog comes to daycare everyday and knows from the movement of the car the exact moment you pull into our lot. Maybe you know us from our pet training memberships or our range and level of agility classes. Whatever your association with Morris K9 Campus, we guarantee we have more to show you. So sit back, relax and check out our wonderful new video filmed by the talented crew at Grey Sky Films and get to know us a little better.

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Morris K9 Campus has to offer in the New Year!!

5 GREAT GIFTS FOR YOUR DOG

Muttpuppet

If your dog likes plush toys but tends to be a rough chewer, ripping through toys with stuffing everywhere in less than ten minutes flat, try the Muttpuppet! The Muttpuppet is a plush dog toy made without stuffing so you no longer have to worry about your dog choking on errant bits of fluff. Muttpuppets are reinforced with three layers of durable cotton material and nylon thread. The cute, funny faces stitched on them are just as goofy as your dog during playtime!

The Gift of Fresh Breath and Healthy Teeth

It is not easy to take care of your dog’s teeth. Unfortunately, we know that lack of dental hygiene can lead to bad teeth and gum disease in our beloved pets. Luckily, Tropiclean’s line, Fresh Breath, makes this easy. With the Clean Teeth Gel, you simply squirt it on your dog’s teeth, no brushing necessary and it helps reduce plaque and tartar. If your dog won’t let you near his or her mouth, add Tropiclean’s Water Additive to their water bowl to promote healthy gums and eliminate bad breath. Tropiclean products are conveniently available at Morris Animal Inn.

BooBooLoon®

If your dog has gotten a booboo or had surgery and has been forced to wear an Elizabethan Collar while they recover, you know how annoying and cumbersome those protruding cones can be. Watching your dog bump into walls and struggle to move around because their peripheral vision is hindered by the cone is disheartening. Enter the BooBooLoon®! This invention provides easy mobility for your pet and acts as a soft pillow for your dog to relax on when not moving. It’s bad enough when your pet has an injury or needs surgery but on the off chance they do, be prepared and help your canine through the recovery process by ensuring their comfort with the BooBooLoon®.

Agility Classes

If your dog needs more stimulation, both mental and physical, sign your canine up for agility classes pronto! Agility will engage your dog’s mind while working their muscles. This canine sport will strengthen your bond with your dog as your furry friend learns to take directions and listen to you as their leader. Sign up for a Morris K9 Campus agility workshop to perfect a specific skill or to just get started with agility by signing up for a beginner class.

Training

This is a smart present for you or any dog lover. Not only will training your pet make your own life easier, it will also help to deepen your relationship with your dog. Get started with Morris K9 Campus Pet Levels tranining program and train at your own pace.

Shelter Donations

For the dog that has everything, consider making a donation to your favorite local animal shelter in your dog’s name. You can also buy items from the shelter’s wish list and help make a shelter dog’s holiday special.

HOLIDAY DOG TREATS: THE DIY APPROACH

While your dogs may not be dreaming of sugar plums this holiday season, there is no doubt milk bones and biscuits are dancing on repeat in their heads. (Let's face it, this probably happens all year.) Ahh...the beauty of simple doggie thoughts. So while your sleeves are rolled up for all the holiday baking and the rolling pin is out, why not make some extra special homemade tasty treats for Fido as well this year? No one should be left out of the delicious fun, especially not the cutest member of the house! Below are some tasty dog treat recipes to try.

Our Daycare Manager Abbie loves to whip up these yummy creations for her dogs Livvy, Andrew, and Sammy.

TUNA TREATS
INGREDIENTS
-1 can tuna with water

-1 egg

-1 cup flour

-Parsley to taste approx 2-3tsp (for breath)

DIRECTIONS: Beat all ingredients together until totally mushy including the water in the can of tuna.
Press into an 8 x 8 pan (not greased). Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees when baked, pop upside down onto a cutting board while still warm and cut into desired sizes. When completely cooled, put into zip lock bag or container to refrigerate or they could even be frozen. Can also substitute canned tuna for chicken.

PEANUT BUTTER DOGGIE BISCUITS
recipe from Lisa K. Lodging Team Leader at Morris Animal Inn.
INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2 cups white flour

1/2 cup peanut butter (all-natural or organic…less salt+sugar)

1 1/4 cup water

2 tablespoons oil

(Optional) ¼ cup of oatmeal or chopped peanuts

DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350F. Combine oil, peanut butter and water. Add flour, one cup at a time to form dough. Knead dough into firm ball and roll to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut dough with a dog biscuit shaped cookie cutter. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 F for 20 minutes. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.

WONDERFUL WHEAT BITES
recipe from Mary L. Lodging Supervisor at Morris Animal Inn
INGREDIENTS:
4 cups whole wheat flour

1/4 cup cornmeal

1/4 cup cooked rice

1 egg

2 tsp veg oil

Juice from 1 small orange

1 2/3cups water

(Optional) Grated Parmesan cheese or parsley for flavor

(Optional) Drizzle vanilla chips or icing to decorate

DIRECTIONS: Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Chill the dough for at least an hour. (When dough is unchilled, cookies tend to get air bubbles when they bake.) Roll to 1/4 or 1/2inch thick. Put some cornmeal down when rolling out the dough - it gives the cookies a crunchy texture and keeps the dough from sticking. (Optional step) Add Parmesan cheese or parsley for flavor. Cut desired shapes with cookie cutters. Cook at 350F for 45 minutes (ungreased pan). 
Enjoy!!

Share your homemade dog recipes with us!

HOLIDAY PET SAFETY

It's December and with your to-do-list a mile long, your lucky if you even have time to put your feet up and enjoy some egg nog. The last thing you need on your list is a trip to the vet office and a huge bill to pay. Avoid the following holiday hazards this season in order to keep your dog safe and healthy. This way you will have one less thing to worry about!

Photo Courtesy of Paul Miller

Poisonous Plants

While your house certainly looks festive and cheerful decked with boughs of holly, sprigs of mistletoe and potted poinsettias, these plants can be dangerous if ingested by your dog. According to the ASPCA, holly can cause vomiting and diarrhea and mistletoe can cause digestive and cardiovascular problems. The toxicity of poinsettias however, has been greatly exaggerated through the years and is actually less hazardous to your dog than holly or mistletoe. No one likes a fake, but when it comes to plants and your dog’s safety, imitation is always better.

Eat, Drink and Be Merry

While you should certainly enjoy the cheese platters and keep the mulled wine pouring (if you're not driving), Fido should steer clear of these holiday treats. Alcohol will upset your dog’s stomach as will too many scraps of the rich food we eat around the holidays. Avoid feeding your dog the fatty parts of poultry skin and/or the bones which can splinter and break and cause a choking hazard. Keep your dog happy and occupied in another room away from the partying with a Kong stuffed with kibble or an antler chew toy which is fun to chew on, safe and can last for up to a month.

O’ Tannenbaum

Small children and dogs are less coordinated. Walking or running through the house is sometimes all it takes for them to leave a small path of destruction. Putting a tree in your house for a couple weeks of the year can be a difficult task if you expect it to remain upright for the whole duration. Make sure your tree is properly placed in the tree stand so it doesn’t tip over and for safety’s sake you may not want to buy the largest tree you find. During this time of year you want to yell “Happy Holidays!” not “Timber!” Furthermore, make sure Fido does not sip the water from the Christmas tree stand as it may contain fertilizers that could upset your dog’s stomach. If you have a cat, do not use tinsel on your tree. Cats are attracted to this shiny, twirling decoration but if they accidentally eat it, tinsel can cause damage to their intestinal tract.

Photo Courtesy of alex_lee2001

The Lights are Turned Way Down Low...

The ambiance of the holiday season wouldn’t be the same without the soft glow of lit candles, holiday lights or the warmth of a roaring fire. While you can still enjoy these holiday mood setters, monitor your pets while near them. If you leave the room, blow out the candle or close the door so your dog does not accidentally burn themselves or start a fire. Make sure your pet cannot reach the electrical wire of your holiday lights or they may bite the cord and electrocute themself.

Follow these helpful holiday tips and you and your dog can spend the season being merry and bright!