Reunited...and it feels so good (guide to packing for your dog's trip)

Nick and I are just getting back from a week-long vacation.  While we had an amazing time with some old friends, I couldn't help but miss my Copley Bug.  She had the pleasure of spending a whole week with her grandma and grandpa.  And, of course, her bestie Grady.  Everything went well and I can tell she had a great time.

Leaving your little one behind can be tough, but with the proper packing preparation - they'll have a great time away and so will you!  Guide to packing for your dog's trip:

1)  Have an overnight bag packed and handy at all times.  You never know when you'll decide to make a quick trip with our with out your pup.  Having an overnight bag packed (minus food) and ready to go will make these overnight trips an easy decision for you.

2) Provide written instructions with the following details:

• Feeding - how much, when, what, and any allergies
• Vet contact - phone, address, email, website
• Your contact information - cell phone, where you are staying
• Special commands/rules - if you have trained your dog, review your "rules" with who ever will be watching your dog.  Help your pet and the person watching them by providing commands and preferred behavior rules.  Besides, you don't want all that hard work to go to waste
• Exercise guidelines - your dogs favorite activities and how much play-time they'll need

3) Their "stuff".  Pack your dog's bed, crate, mat, blanket and even water/food bowls to make them feel as at home as possible.  Copley has a really handy pop-up travel crate.  We don't have this out in the house everyday, but I do use it for training and in-car transportation.  When Copley stays with my mom's and needs some space, she finds her crate and snuggles in.  It gives her a chance to get away and feel safe.

4) Food & Treats - duh!  Pack enough food for a few extra days.  Once, during a business trip, I missed my flight and was delayed 2-days.  Copley was staying with a family friend who didn't have enough food.  They were kind enough to buy some more but just in case - more is better.   Only pack items they've eaten or played with before to ensure your pet doesn't get sick!

5) Pack special chew toys & bones.  Believe it or not, whoever is baby sitting your dog will eventually need a break.  If you don't do it every day, taking care of dog is a lot of work.  And, if you aren't used to it...sometimes you just need a break.  Packing favorite chewy toys will help keep your dog occupied while the sitter gets a few minutes to themselves.  Be a good friend, don't pack things that squeek.  Copley's favorite is Kong (R) Goodie Bone.

6) You collar and leash should have a name tag attached.  While it's important to pack a collar & leash, make sure that your dog's name and an emergency phone # are attached (just in case).  Also, I pack Copley's harness so her sitter feels comfortable taking her for walks.

Do you pack any special items for your dog?  Share here.

Does your dog smell like a dog?

Has your dog ever smelled like, well, a dog? 

The smell of dirty, wet dog is one of the worst and most distinct smells.  It's up there with the smell of body odor and feet!  If you think about it, a stinky puppy is just that - doggie BO.

How often do you give your dogs a bath/groom and do they like it?
Most dog grooming articles suggest you bathe your dog every 6-weeks.  Well, I tried that.  It simply does not work.  6 weeks of no bath leaves Copley with an aroma that doesn't leave much to the imagination.  So, we're bathing more frequently, every two to three weeks.  But, protecting her skin and coat is really important to me so I'm very careful about her baths:
1) I rotate her shampoos: 

• Our everyday shampoo is ESPREE Oatmeal and Baking Soda Shampoo.  I find that oatmeal and baking soda shampoos really cut the odor.  The oatmeal works as a soother and the baking soda gets to work!
• When we spend the day at the beach, she gets a flea & tick shampoo bath.  Since she sleeps in my bed, i want to make sure we've killed all the little critters and cut the odor of any dead fish she may have rolled in.

2) We ZoomGroom!  The Kong(r) ZoomGroom is by far the best grooming tool out there.  It is a rubber-nubbed brush that helps remove loose hairs while giving Copley a very relaxing massage.  I notice her closing her eyes while getting a bath - it's kind of like the amazing head massages you get at the salon during shampoo and conditioning.  Very relaxing.

3) Luke warm water.  I find that hot water hurts her feet and she jumps around.  Both cold and hot water seem to dry out her skin.  You've got to get it "just right". 

4) Rinse, rinse, rinse.  I couldn't figure out why Copley was getting doggie dandruff and it was because I wasn't rinsing her very well.  Keep a cup handy to help with rinsing. 

How do you manage the stink and shine between baths?
Okay, we bought the whole Pet Head thing.  But, it is true.  Dogs do need a between baths, bath.  We have a few different tools we use to keep her looking good and smelling fresh:

1) To keep her shinny, Copley gets a daily treat with Salmon.  Our favorite is Lamb & Salmon by WellBites

2) For those in a pinch moments where she needs to be cleaned but we don't have time for a bath, Earthbath Grooming Wipes are really handy.  They help while off the dirt and eliminate the odor 

3) For a fun fresh scent (before company comes over), a bottle of Pet Head Dry Clean helps mask any odor and always leads to great conversation about why the little dog smells like a blueberry

Can bath time be fun?
Yes! It can be. When I say "bath time", Copley runs to the tub and jumps in. She gets a special, secret treat in the tub. I smear a little peanut butter on the side of the tub. It keeps her distracted while I get to work.

What are you tips and tricks to make bath time fun?