2012 Popular Dog Books

2012 has been a great year for books written about everyone’s four-legged friend, from underwater dogs, letters to dogs to numerous memoirs. Whether you want to fill your coffee table with award winning dog photos or you want to curl up next to a fire and read a heartwarming dog story, the dog world has a book for you.

  

A Letter to My Dog

Photographer Robin Layton had been taking photos of dogs for years, when it was suggested that she publish her photos in a book. A friend suggested, A Letter to My Dog, the idea took off and came to life. With the help of a few celebrity friends, including letters from Oprah, Tony Bennett and Chelsea Handler, to name a few, Layton comprised a book of stunning dog photos as well as heartfelt letters from owners to their dogs. A Letter to My Dog is an outstanding book that will make a great addition to any coffee table.

Underwater Dogs 

Award winning photographer Seth Casteel photographed over 80 dog portraits when creating this book. The photos capture the spirit and fun loving nature of these four-legged dogs underwater. Bubbles, paddling paws and expressive eyes are sure to keep you smiling as you flip through the photos of these expressive dogs.

Wallace
This book mentioned above was written by Jim Gorant. Jim Gorant made a name for himself back in 2010, writing for Sports Illustrated about the world of dogs. He published, The Lost Dogs, a book that chronicled the Michael Vick case. Wallace is the story of a Pit Bull rescued from the brink of being put down. Gorant tells the story of how Wallace comes back and not only changes the life of the people he encounters but also how he becomes a world champion flying disc.

If you’re looking for another great dog book to read, Petside.com published a list of the 10 best books from 2012, that featured everything from a dog mystery novel, to the memoir of an abandoned dog and the bond he shares with his new owner. So curl up with your pooch, grab yourself a book and stay warm, as you enjoy a dog book that is sure to warm your heart.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Your Pooch

The holidays are right around the corner, and if you’re still looking for a gift for your pooch, we have some great recommendations that will challenge your dogs mind and some toys that are just fun. So check out this list of holiday gifts that your pooch will love.


Rawhide Turkey Leg

This rawhide turkey leg is wrapped in sweet potato in order to give your pooch that long lasting fun. Stop by our retail shop in the lobby of Morris K9 Campus to pick up your last minute gift.

Plush Toy

These toys are great because they not only squeak, but they rattle, adding a whole new element to keep your dog interested. We also have a variety of plush toys available in our lobby for all of your holiday needs.

Barnacle

This puzzle toy will keep your pooch entertained for hours. The toy is a treat dispenser that makes your dog work for the reward. Not only will your pooch have fun, but it will helps exercise their mind. This toy is customizable to your dog’s skill level.

Picasso Pooch DIY Bed

http://www.petego.com/category/14/Sleep/product/219/PicassoPoochDIYBed

This dog bed is unique, because it comes with a set of markers that allows you to draw on your pooch’s bed. You can unleash your inner Picasso with the bed design. The design possibilities are endless.

Silhouette Dog Tattoos and iPhone Cases

https://www.steadfastfriends.com/

A gift for you or any dog lover! This company designs temporary dog tattoos in the silhouette of your dogs breed. Currently, they are expanding the line and adding iPhone cases, which also are adorned with the silhouette of your pooches breed. This is a gift you can feel good about. Ten percent of your purchase goes back to canine driven charities.

Visit the retail section of our facility in order to select your last minute gift! Have a safe and happy holiday season! If you have any questions, please call us at 973-539-0377.

Three Most Important Things to Know About Housetraining Your Puppy

1. Crate Training***

The crate is one of the most important training tools in the development of your puppy. Some benefits are:

• If used as a training tool combined with a schedule, it makes potty training very easy.

1. It allows you to schedule and monitor patterns of bathroom habits
2. It helps your dog learn where going to the bathroom is acceptable
3. It reinforces housebreaking in such a way that it builds their ability and capacity to “hold it” when they are alone for longer

• A crate helps your dog learn how to self-soothe or gaining the ability to calm themselves and find comfort in being alone.

• It provides essential management during the “chewing” phase. 

Piper is getting the reward of playtime because she went to the bathroom outside successfully.

 2. Feeding Schedule

Having a regular feeding schedule is vital for the puppy and human when trying to housetrain:

• A feeding schedule and bathroom breaks should be timed together - realistically scheduled around the owners life schedule



• It gives you a bathroom “time period”, alternative to a dog that may go to the bathroom at any hour of the day unpredictably

• This helps predict when number two will most likely happen

3. Routine/Consistency

Dogs thrive on routine. Many things that a puppy experiences and learn will carry through the rest of their lives. This is essential because:

• It makes a distinct potty pattern for your dog

• It becomes a method of “accident prevention”


• It takes away confusion of outside vs. inside bathroom habits as to what is allowed and what’s not

• If you live in a multi-person household it is imperative that a routine is followed so that every member can follow it and leave no room for unplanned accidents.

Morris K9 Campus offers a Monday to Friday weekly program to help do this for you. Call us at 973-252-5100 for more information or visit http://www.morrisk9campus.com/puppy_housebreaking.asp.


Caesar taking time out for a quick photo.



***Keep in mind that Morris K9 Campus recommends that no adult dog should be crated for more than six (6) hours. Depending on a puppy’s age, we recommend that you follow the one (1) hour per every month of age method, based on housetraining progress. Adjustments may need to be made based on how well or not your puppy is doing with their potty training.

Get into shape for the New Year!

With the New Year right around the corner, people are already thinking about their New Year’s Resolutions. What better time than now to get a jump start on them? Health and fitness is not only important for you but also for your dog. Morris K9 Campus wants to help you achieve those goals by offering a variety of fitness classes for - not just you - but also for your pooch in the New Year.

There are a variety of different ways to keep your dog in shape: agility, having an active day in daycare and special dog fitness classes. According to petmd.com, 53% of dogs are considered overweight and obese, and an obese dog is more at risk for life threatening diseases. Getting and keeping your dog active is important, so why not try the doggie treadmill or bring them to daycare or agility class? We want your furry family member to stay active and have a long happy and healthy life.

If you are looking to get in shape for the New Year, Morris K9 Campus is offering a variety of programs. In the New Year, there will be classes ranging from Doga, with certified Yoga instructor Karin Stoetzer, to classes improving your agility fitness handling skills with Certified Personal trainer Rick Scarpulla.

So don’t wait until the New Year to start thinking about your resolutions, sign up for classes today and get a head start on your health for the upcoming year.