It's a Cats Life

Last Day - I swear it!

Ok, TODAY is going to be the last day for Halloween goodies. Things have been pretty busy here at Clip Clip Hooray and I haven't gotten the chance to put them away yet. But tomorrow I'll be packing Halloween up (and yes, taking down my spider lights, sniff, sniff). That means you have one more day to pick up Halloween toys and glow in the dark t shirts for your pet at 50% off! After 12 noon, they're gone!

In case you're wondering, Christmas and Hanukkah toys, gifts and treats are out on display! Stop in and check out our great selection of gifts for the pet lover, as well as gifts for the pet!

Every week until Christmas I'll post a SUPER SPECIAL SALE. Be sure to check - you could get big savings and on some great stuff!

This week's SUPER SPECIAL SALE 50% off ALL SWEATERS. If it's knit, it's 50% off! All other apparel is 30% off this week only!

Sale prices valid 12/2/09 to 12/7/09.

"C" is for COOKIE WALK!

That's right! Downtown Westminster will be having their annual Cookie Walk! Downtown businesses will be baking cookies and inviting one and all to come by, visit and get a free cookie!

 

This is Clip Clip Hooray's favorite and most popular event. This year it was up in the air, but a few days ago I got the email confirming it will happen!

This event is always tons of fun and a great way to get a sneak peak at what we have to offer. I mean, what we have to offer besides cookies.

While you don't have to buy or pay for anything, it is polite to take a look around the shop and thank the owner. Otherwise some people grumble and say we shouldn't do the Cookie Walk again.

At least 16 downtown business are participating this year. Clip Clip Hooray is one, but as of right now, I don't know the others.

The Cookie Walk will be Thursday, November 5 from 5 to 9pm. Hope to see you there!

 

Since this event requires me to stay up past my bedtime, Clip Clip Hooray will open at 8:30 am Friday, with drop off between 8:30 and 9:30 am.

proper incentive

So this morning my husband was at the bottom of our stairs putting his shoes on. Crack was lounging at the very top of the stairs. I had just let Haiku out of her crate and started walking downstairs. I got to the bottom and realized Haiku wasn't following me. I called for her. Whistled for her. No Haiku. My husband points out that Haiku is still in the hallway because she can't go past the cat.

Two choices. Stand at the bottom of the stairs yelling at the dog to come. Highly unlikely to happen, since she can't get past the cat. Or, walk upstairs and pick Haiku up and carry her past the cat. Well, three choices. I could convince the cat to move, allowing Haiku safe passage downstairs.

Now the thing is, when Haiku is completely focused on her surroundings, she won't go past the cat. She's too smart. Or at least, has a good grasp on past experiences. Sometimes the cat likes to bap her if she gets too close. However, if Haiku is being super exuberant, not paying attention or sees something REALLY GOOD that she REALLY WANTS, or any combination of those, she's not even aware the cat exists.

So I chose option 4. I found a piece of dried liver and once Haiku realized I had a SUPER YUMMY TREAT she went leaping OVER the cat, bounded down the stairs and sat at my feet in a blur of Cavalier joy. She got her treat, I got the dog down the stairs without effort and the cat was only mildly perturbed at being leapt over.

Beth Rex and Clip Clip Hooray LLC would like to remind you that allowing your pet to jump hurdles on the stairs is incredibly dangerous and stupid.

That being said, here's my challenge for the next month. Figure out what is your dogs favorite treat. Is it dried liver? His favorite ball? Bacon? I don't know! It's your dog, find out what he thinks is The Best Thing EVAR. Then, use it as an incentive to get your dog to do something you want. Coming when you call? Call him, let him realize you have Super Awesome and once he comes bounding over, give it to him immediately. What a good dog! How about if he chews on your socks? Don't scold him. First offer a trade. I'll give you this hot dog for my half chewed sock. Take the sock, give him the hot dog, everybody wins! Except for the sock. Next time make sure that sock gets in a drawer. Etc, etc, etc.

Here's the deal. Try doing this for the whole month of March and then tell me how it went! You can email your story to me at clipcliphooraygrooming@gmail.com, call me at 410-848-6863 or stop in the store at 2D Bond Street in Westminster. Or leave a comment on a future blog post I'll do at the beginning of April. Why bother? Well, besides the fact that it will help you and your dog get along a little better and give you an insight into positive training, if you share your story and then visit Clip Clip Hooray, I'll give you a Free Reward! A bag of treats, a ball or a stuffed toy, whatever works best for your pup. OR, bring your dog in for a Free Nail Trim and File if you'd prefer that reward instead!

Haiku is resting after a game of tug of war. Haiku loves tug and I never have a problem ending the game or taking her toy away from her. Why? It's not because I'm "the dominate one" or bigger and stronger or anything like that. It's because I always give Haiku something better when I stop the game or take her toy. If I take her toy mid game I give her a cue (gimme), she gives me her toy, I give her verbal praise (good girl!) AND a reward (a treat OR give the toy back). When we're done the game I give her a chewy or a treat that takes longer than 2 seconds to consume. Or I let her outside or take her for a walk. While she's not looking I put her toy away. By the time Haiku is finished with whatever I gave her, she's no longer revved up from playing and is ready for whatever I want to do next, even if it's just hanging out on the sofa. She's happy, I'm happy. Like I said, I've never had a problem taking anything away from Haiku because she knows I'll give her something as good and probably better. Sometimes it takes a little planning ahead, like having her chew bone located and ready for a trade off or having my shoes on to take her out for a walk right away. Sometimes we just play our way over to the treat jar for an easy swap.

Haiku's Plush Toy Pick

Alright, alright, alright. We're ALL tired of getting our dog some great new plush toy and then spending the next two weeks picking up the white, fluffy innards. Dogs just LOVE ripping into a stuffed plushy and tearing that stuffing out! While this is annoying for the owner, it can be deadly to a dog that consumes the stuffing and gets a blockage. That surgery ain't cheap! While some owners resort to pulling out the stuffing before their dog ever gets the toy most people have given up on plush toys entirely. A hard rubber ball or a Kong might be fun to play with, but's it's not cute...or cuddly. And face it, that's what you want when you pick out dog toys. Cute. Snuggly. Pretty.

Well! I have finally gotten a brand new toy to solve this stuffing dilemma. Clip Clip Hooray is pleased to announce the arrival of Ethical Pet's Skinneeez Squirrels! Yeah...there's supposed to  be a couple extra "n's" and "e's". Skinneeezs are a silky soft toy in 24" inch and 14" inch long sizes. While they come in several species, right now we just have the squirrel, because what dog doesn't know the phrase "get the squirrel!"? Super fun toys good for playing tug, fetch, helicopter and whatever other games you and your dogs can think of! Plus, Skinneeezs have a squeaker in BOTH the head and the tail for extra squeaky fun! What does this have to do with my ramble on stuffing? Everything. Skinneeezs have NO STUFFING. Cotton/Poly batting free! While a hard chewer still can tear up a Skinneeez, without the stuffing to pull out, most dogs won't bother. Haiku likes chewing on the ears of her Squirrel, so we still have to keep an eye on her when she settles down with it. That's about the only downside to them. On the other hand, With the lack of stuffing dogs can enjoy having a plush toy again! Haiku' and I have been having a great time playing with her mini sized Squirrel. More time playing, less time picking up stuffing. Works for me.

Super Spooky

 

Fun toys can be hard to come by. Everyone knows dogs love bones, but all too often, finding a good skull for your dog to play with can be difficult...or illegal. Until now!!!

The Spooky Kooky skulls are great new super fun dog toy. Haiku loves hers! Coming in 3 sizes, from Small, which is just right for 10 pound Haiku, to Large, which is almost the size of a dinner plate, thereis the perfect size for just about any pet!

Features: Instead of the usual,boring squeaker, the Kooky Skull gives a spooky laugh when squeezed, chewed, impacting on my oven door, etc. Dogs are instantly drawn to the unexpected noise.

The crossbones on the back make this toy very easy for any dog to grab ahold, carry or dig in for a good game of tug. The skull is also shaped for good carrying and grabbing. I really like a toy that is easy for Haiku to grab onto AND easy for me to grab. Haiku loves a good game of tug, and with this toy we both have something to grab onto.

Cons: While this toy is pretty durable, the bones on the back are only attached with a sitch or two. Before long the bones detached from teh skull. Now, you either have 3 toys (YAY!!! MORE TOYS!!!! was Haiku's opinion) or with very little effort you could easily sew them back on.

Just like any plush, stuffed toy, a hard chewing dog will be able to tear this toy open without much effort. Haiku is pretty adept at destroying her toys, but it still took her about 2 weeks of HARD play and chewing before she chewed a hole to the stuffing. This toy does sew up easily though. If you're the kind of person that doesn't mind sewing toys for their dog.

Final verdict? Haiku loves this toy! Like any stuffed toy, use under supervision only and don't allow your dog to tear out and consume the stuffing. It's a great Halloween toy, or a great pirate toy year round! The laughter is fun and unexpected for canine and human alike. Execellent for dogs that like to play fetch and tug.

 

Haiku's Picks

Starting sometime soon (but not today) there will be a brand new category here at It's a Cats Life! It's called Haiku's Picks and will appear at least once a month, but probably more. Haiku is the official tester for all products at Clip Clip Hooray. She tests toys, treats, shampoo...just about everything!

Haiku loves playing with toys. She's pretty rough on them though. That makes her the perfect tester for durability! Looking for a fun toy for your dog? Thanks to Haiku, I can tell you how much abuse a certain toy can take, and how easily it can be sewn back together.

Haiku is fairly sensitive to food and shampoos. While we only use gentle, 100% tried and true safe for pets, some pets may not do as well with a certain type of shampoo. Haiku gets to try them out and help me decide the cleansing strength or how long the fresh scent will last. Plus it gives me an idea of how a certain shampoo with leave the coat - before trying it on someone else's dog.

Plus Haiku helps me decide what treats are yummy, and which ones are only ok. Or if any treats will leave her with an upset tummy. All good things to know in advance.

So, let Haiku help you out. She'll be introducing some fun toys available for sale here at the store, as well as treats, shampoos and other bathing specials, along with whatever else she finds along the way!