GoTeamBark

Top 5 cutest photos of Rumble

By Jonat Kenerson

Rumble has become known as one of the cutest puppies on the University of Nevada’s campus. All of this attention from the student body has caused many different photos to be taken of our pup, and for us to have received a request for a special guest blog post. To fulfill this request from GoTeamBark and to better serve our fans, here are the top 5 cutest photos of Rumble:

1. Rumble In The Snow (above)

Rumble running in the snow. 

2. Up close and Personal 

Rumble wanting attention. 

3. Hide N Seek

Rumble playing “Hide and Seek”. 

4. Stare Down

Rumble decides to have a staring contest with us. 

5. Hold Me Closer

Ernest Landrito holds Rumble in his arms. 

Also be sure to check out some “Life More Life of Rumble” stories at:

https://www.facebook.com/LifeOfRumble?fref=ts

Photos courtesy of Jonat Kenerson (2015).

How to make your dog famous

By Anna-Leigh Firth

Anyone with any sort of presence on the internet knows of Marnie the Dog, Grumpy Cat, Lil Bub, and Doge. These pets are all over Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, Twitter, Reddit, Facebook— You name it.  They have become household names with a following comparable to that of several human celebrities.  

Owning an internet famous pet comes with a big responsibility: Managing all of the money you make off of it.

Here are 5 steps to make your dog famous.

Disclaimer: These are NOT serious suggestions

1. Document your dog’s every move

Your dog is bound to do something funny or unique at some point in time, right? So quit your day job and watch your dog’s every move— video camera in hand. Some people may call this impractical, but you got to do what you got to do to get your dog’s 15 minutes.

Document your dog in a costume, frolicking outside, taking a bath, just waking up, and make sure to work the angles; take some close ups— whatever you can think of. Maybe one day you’ll take a picture that’s worthy of internet fame.

2. Make your dog look ridiculous

Ever heard of branding? Make your dog stand out as a one-of-a-kind dog. Find a defining characteristic, give your dog a voice, or showcase something that gives it personality.

If all else fails, do something that will draw attention to your dog. If your ultimate goal is solely to become famous, it doesn’t matter if it is positive or not. Bad press is still press.

However, you’re going to have to get creative. Dyeing your dogs fur pink or drawing eyebrows on your dog’s face have both been done before (too much).

3. Train your dog to do a phenomenal trick

If your dog can do something that other dogs can’t, it will become famous fur sure. People are obsessed with cute animals that can’t do anything. Therefore, if your dog is cute and has talent, you’re set.

4. Don’t train your dog at all

This might not be the best option for you, but a poorly behaved dog could make history just as much—if not more—than a well behaved one.

5. Feed your dog… A lot

Chances are, your dog is willing to eat all of the time. Just keep feeding your dog and one day it may break a world record.

Have any other chuckle-worthy ideas on how to make your pet famous? Tweet them to us @goteambark  

Photo credits:

Cool Sydney Dog photo, CC BY-SA 2.0, Michael Coghlan at Flickr

Assembly of Dog Open House photo set, CC BY 2.0, Matthew Simantov at Flickr

Eyebrows Makeup photo, CC BY-SA 2.0, Seongbin Im at Flickr 

St. Patrick’s Pup on a Skateboard photo, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, Nathan Rupert at Flickr

BAD BAD BAD GIRL... photo, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, Chevysmom at Flickr

Breed focus: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

By Alana Ridge

They’re friendly, they’re fluffy, and they’re the most non-ferocious beings on the entire planet. All they want to be is your best pal and follow you around everywhere you go. They just want to be your companion, and they will never let you down. Not to mention they are the most adorable little things ever.

I’m talking about none other than a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

I am lucky enough to own three amazing Cavaliers that are my pride and joy. Buddy, the “ruby red” colored one, is 8 years old; Bella, the black and tan colored one, is 7 years old; and Brandie, the tri-colored one, is 6 years old. All I am missing is a Blenheim-colored “Cavie.”

What is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel?

The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, as stated by the American Kennel Club, “is an active, graceful, well-balanced toy spaniel, very gay and free in action; fearless and sporting in character, yet at the same time gentle and affectionate. I tis this typical gay temperament, combined with true elegance and royal appearance which are of paramount importance in the breed. Natural appearance with no trimming, sculpting or artificial alternation is essential to breed type.”

These lovely pups get along well with children and other dogs and are a bit on the quieter side, but don’t let that fool you – they are some of the most outgoing dogs you will ever meet.

Relevant Cavalier History

Cavaliers originate from England and were first brought to the United States in 1952. The remained an unpopular breed and did not gain full breed recognition for another 40 years. In 1996, the breed became officially recognized by the American Kennel Club as the 140th recognized breed.

Cavalier Care (courtesy of DogBreedInfo.com)

Cavaliers are great for apartment living, but a house will work well also. They are pretty active indoors, so a small yard would be plenty of space for your Cavie to run around in. These dogs “are intelligent enough to understand what you want and therefore are usually easy to train and respond well to gentle obedience training.” Now, these dogs absolutely love people, so having them around other humans as well as other dogs and non-canine pets at all times would be the best idea as they are not suited for kennel life and should definitely not be left home alone all day. These pups also have a natural instinct to chase (in a good-natured way, of course; my dog Buddy is a car chaser), so be careful when letting your dog loose out in the open.

Cavalier Stats (courtesy of DogBreedInfo.com)

Average Height: 12-13 inches

Average Weight: 10-18 pounds

Life Expectancy: About 9-14 years

Grooming Norms: Comb or brush with a firm bristled brush, and bathe or dry shampoo as necessary. The hair between the pads on the feet needs to be trimmed. These dogs are prone to tangling and matting on the ears and should be brushed often, and make sure the clean the inside of the ears on a regular basis.

Health Problems to look out for: These dogs are prone to syringomyelia, hereditary eye disease such as “cherry eye,” dislocating kneecaps, back troubles, ear infections, or early onset of deafness/hearing trouble. They are also prone to mitral valve disease, which is a serious genetic heart problem that can cause early death. Based on this information, it is wise to check the medical history of several previous generations before choosing your pup.

Do you own a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? What has been your experience with your Cavie? Share your story in the comment section!

My Chow Experience

By Joe Gardner 

My dad picked up a rescue chow-lab mix when I was in middle school. He talked to the people at the SPCA for several weeks beforehand, and we heard that the dog ended up at the shelter because his previous owners fencer was too small and he kept jumping over it. My dad just smiled when he heard this, good thing his back yard was the entirety of Squaw Valley. The shelter had named him “Dodger,” which seemed entirely appropriate, and we decided to keep it.

These dogs don’t have a big history of being energetic, but the lab mix changed that. They are incredibly loyal and protective dogs, but can warm up rather quickly to strangers depending on their attitude. They have a distinctive lion-like mane and fluffy hair, and some have blue/black tongues. This breed originated in China, and were often used as guard dogs for temples, and some have even said that the first teddy bears were vaguely based on them. 

What is your favorite dog breed?

The Corgi runt that grew (a lot!) 

Fact or fiction: giving human food to dogs is bad for them

By Anna-Leigh Firth

Johnny Bennett is just a boy who loves his corgi… His big corgi. Sir Francis Drake — known as “Drake” for short, is a tri-color corgi that was picked out from a corgi farm located in California. Bennett specifically picked Drake because no one wanted him due to his small size. Little did he know that Drake was going to grow up to be one of the biggest corgis in existence.

“My mom used to feed Drake human food while he was growing. He would eat eggs, bacon, bacon grease steak, cereal, and milk,” said Bennett.

This made me wonder: Is feeding human food to dogs actually bad for them?

The answer: It depends.

Here is a list of food that is (most likely) OK to feed to your dog courtesy of Cesar’s Wayhttp://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/dog-nutrition/Dog-Approved-People-Food

Disclaimer: Not every dog will react to every food in the same way

1. Peanut Butter

Peanut Butter is known to contain protein, good fats, vitamin B, niacin, and vitamin E.

2. Cooked Chicken

Chicken is an excellent source of protein that won’t harm your furry friend (as long as it’s not raw).

3. Cheese

As long as your dog is not lactose intolerant, cheese is a good snack to give it.

4. Baby Carrots

Carrots are phenomenal for your dog’s teeth.

5. Yogurt

Yogurts with active bacteria are good for your dog’s digestive system.

6.  Salmon

Omega 3 fatty acids are found in salmon and will keep your dog’s fur coat shiny.

7. Pumpkin

Pumpkin is a good source of fiber and vitamin A.

8. Eggs

A scrambled egg can boost your dog’s protein level and digestive system.

9. Green Beans

A snack that is filling and low in carbohydrates.

10. Apple Slices

Apples offer a good source of fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and they are simultaneously good for your dog’s teeth.

11. Oatmeal

As long as it’s cooked, oatmeal is high in fiber and is especially good for elderly dogs.

The knowledge of what is OK to feed your dog is very important as a pet owner. It is best to stick to feeding your dog designated dog food, but in a pinch, your dog can  get by eating the above mentioned food.

Click here to see a general guideline of what NOT to feed your dog.  

Photo Credit: 

Then and now photo courtesy of Johnny Bennett

Happiness is a jar of peanut butter photo, CC BY-NC 2.0, Alvin Trusty at Flickr

She loves carrots photo, CC BY-NC 2.0, Robert Occhialini at Flickr

Top three reasons not to get a black lab

By Evan Thacker

Everyone wants to tell you the upsides to specific breeds, but it is few and far between that way the positives and negatives out before you. In this article, I just briefly say, “I love black labs!” However, I do realize that this breed has certain qualities that may not be compatable for everyone. For this reason, here’s my list of the, “Top 5 Reason Not To Get A Black Lab.”

“Their Energentic”

Black labs are a super energentic. They often need multiple times in the dog park each week to release their energy. This specific breed is not best for non-active owners.

“They Love The Water”

Labs feel at easy within the water and often love to go swimming. While a water-loving habit comes in handy for hunters and people active with water activities, this breed maynot be best for a non-aquadic person.

“They Love To Play”

Black labs love to play and it shows in their behavior. Again, this can be a great feature of the breed, while some people may struggle with keeping up pace.

As you can see many of the same reasons that people want or invest their time into black labs can also be negatives from a different point of view.

For more information on Black Labs:

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/labrador.htm

http://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/labrador-retriever/

http://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/labrador-retriever

Dogs are more than dogs. They are best friends.

By Katelyn Barnett

Having a dog is an important part of my life.

These furry creatures mean so much more than just being a pet. They do wonders for you and are family. Dogs keep you company when you are alone. Dogs greet you every time you come home from school or work. They always bring a smile to your face.

My dog does just that.

He is supper fluffy and adorable. His name is Bimmer. He is going on 13-years-old and he always makes me smile. He even makes me smile when he is being stubborn old man. Yes. Even dogs can be stubborn, but you learn to love it because you can relate to them that way.

Bimmer is always so excited when I get home from school. When I walk through the door, he starts whining and barking. His tail starts wagging too. He's really happy to see me and I am really happy to see him. Bimmer is such a happy dog and that’s why having a dog can bring you much joy.

He's always giving kisses! Bimmer is a licker. Like he always licks. He never stops licking things. He licks the couch. He licks to ground. He licks the carpet. He licks his fur. He licks your leg. He licks the blankets. He licks the sheets. He licks your clothes. He basically licks everything in his path, or wherever he may be sitting at the time. My family always jokes around that licking is his little “defect” but we couldn’t imagine him any other way.

Bimmer is a great dog. I’m glad he is in our family. He loves me unconditionally and that is the great thing about having a dog. No matter what mood I am in, he still loves me and I love him too.

He is always walking around the house happy as can be. And even in his old age, Bimmer still loves to play. His favorite toy to play with is a tennis ball. He likes the ball to be thrown really far where he can run after it. When he catches the ball, his face lights up with excitement. He then comes back and gives me the ball after a couple minutes of holding it in his mouth.

Just to see my dog play makes me happy inside. Dogs can do such wonders on peoples feelings.

Bimmer is the definition of "A man's best friend". Actually "A girl’s best friend", since I am a girl. Dogs are truly the best. I would definitely say that Bimmer is my best friend. If you do not have a dog, you should really get one because they are worth it. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

To see more cool things from Katelyn, follow her at pistachiowondernoodles.tumblr.com or follow her on instagram @pistachiowondernoodles.

Photo Attribution: All photos courtesy of Katelyn Barnett.

How grooming your dog regularly can save you from a poop-tastrophy

By Victoria Barnett

You probably think the title of this blog post is a little odd, but let me tell you, after a gross experience with my dog yesterday… people need to know that grooming is key in a dogs’ life.

Dogs are awesome because they are carefree and because of their carefree ways, sometimes they forget what is happening with themselves.

This is a personal story about how my family found a piece of dried poop on the back of my dog’s behind.

It was Wednesday night and my boyfriend, who was visiting my family for spring break, was sitting on the couch when my dog walked in from outside. My dog decided to jump up on the couch to sit next to him. Sounds like just a normal hangout but, my boyfriend decided to lift his arm to notice a brown streak from his elbow to his wrist.

Gross.

My boyfriend showed me what happened and oh my, I felt so bad. He traveled all this way to visit and now he gets to leave with a story about how his girlfriend’s dog’s poop got on his arm. How romantic.

My family dog is going on 13-years-old and he didn’t even notice himself what he had done. Of course he wouldn’t because he’s a dog and they’re just so carefree. I told my dad what was going on and the told me to hold my dog while he got gloves.

The dog didn’t smell bad at first, but once we found the wad of poop stuck in his hair, wow did it smell disgusting.

We tried to take it out, but there was nothing that would get that thing out. My dog was whining and whining because it must’ve hurt a little. We then gave up trying to get the wad out that way. Instead, we took him to the shower to hopefully wash it out.

After 30 minutes, the dog was clean and the poop was gone. My dog was running around happily and let’s just say that the moral of the story is to make sure that you regularly groom your dog because you never know when a chuck on poop will be stuck to your dog’s butt.

Here are some grooming tips to follow so that you don’t get yourself stuck in a icky situation:

1. Make sure you get your dog a haircut every 2 to 3 months.

If your dog’s hair grows out very fast, just make sure that you cut it before it gets out of control. Shorter hair means that you won’t have things get stuck to it.

2. If your dog sheds, get a de-shedding brush. They aren’t so expensive and will save you money.

A de-shedding brush basically gets rid of most of the hair that falls off your dog’s body.

3. Lastly, make sure you are aware of what your dog looks like when they come inside from outdoor activities.

If were to do things differently, I would have made sure I checked my dog when he came inside because then it would have avoided the whole “poop on my boyfriend’s arm” scenario. How embarrassing.

Side note, my dog has a groomers appointment on Saturday. Thank goodness.

For more funny stories and posts, follow us on twitter @goteambark and instagram. Also, comment below and tell us your funny dog stories. We’d love to hear from you.

People inspired by dogs

By Evan Thacker

According to WebMD, dogs have been shown to have a many positive effects on pet owners’ health and lifestyles, in the past couple of years. However, the question remains be asked, “Exactly, what effect do pets have on humans?” From physical to healing mental disorders, I take a closer look in this article on how amazing our fury friends are at helping to inspire us to live better lives.

Health and Exercise

Dogs require a lot of walking and help you increase in responsibility. These same two factors can actually help you get and stay in shape to a degree. By having an organized routine, dogs allow you to take better care of yourself. Then, they allow you to get outside and some fresh air by dog’s constantly needing exercise and play.

Emotional

Dogs allow people an emotional comfort in the tough times of life. Some dogs have even been taught to wake people from nightmares. Pets can be great distractions from the everyday troubles of life, and likely, when you don’t expect it. I know many times in my life, when I’d come home from school my dogs would greet me and cause me to feel better after a bad day.  Dogs accept and show love unconditionally. As long as you treat them with care, your dog will always love you and be by your side. This alone can help inspire you emotionally, by merely having someone there that cares about you no matter what occurs in life.

Social

Just having dogs inspire people to go out and be more social, since dogs are very social creatures. Our fury friends often require dog parks, walks, and lots of attention, which as any dog lover can tell you this requires you to often interact with other human beings. In fact, merely petting a dog can actually lower stress, blood pressure, heart rate, make you less threatened, and boost levels of serotonin and dopamine. All of these factors make it possible to interact more effectively and personally, with people around you.

Illnesses and mental disorders

In recent years, dogs have found highly affective at helping American soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. After soldiers return home from wars, they still suffer from a variety of illnesses and mental disorders from their service. Therapy dogs are now being used to help veterans live life to the fullest again, and overcome the physiological inflictions of war. A large portion of these affects can be attributed to elevated levels of the hormone, oxytocin. Oxytocin has the ability to improve trust, interpret facial expressions, overcome paranoia, and often counters the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Therapy dogs have been found to increase these levels of oxytocin and allow soldiers to return to living normal lives.

In summary, dogs cannot only be considered man’s best, but also have the ability to inspire human beings to live life to the fullest. From helping people become fit to conquering veteran’s war disorders, our fury friends continue to inspire us to do great things. 

For more information on dogs inspiring humans read:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-dogs-can-help-veterans-overcome-ptsd-137582968/?no-ist

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/05/19/6-ways-pets-relieve-depression/

http://dogsfordepression.org.uk/how-dogs-help-us.html

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/emotional-health/the-health-benefits-of-pets.htm

http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/features/6-ways-pets-improve-your-health

Photo credits: 

Friendship, Boy and Dog, Husascaran National Park photo, (CC BY-NC 2.0), by Geraint Rowland at Flickr

Therapy goes to the dogs photo, (CC BY 2.0), DVIDSHUB at Flickr

Dogs on call! photo, (CC BY 2.0), college.library at Flickr

Molly the dog photo, (CC BY 2.0), daveynin at Flickr

My dog is so loving photo, (CC BY-SA 2.0), Eric.Ray at Flickr

Guest post by Emily Garrett

My dog is my best friend. This may sound weird, maybe a little creepy, but it’s true. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I adopted him almost a year ago, and he’s truly saved my life. I suffer from depression and anxiety, constantly getting lonely even when I’m around people. But waking up every morning to his big brown eyes gazing at me with such love would make even a rock happy. Even just walking around on campus in more enjoyable with him walking next to me. I’m thankful every day since I’ve adopted him that he came into my life, and although many people think I rescued him, he rescued me too.

Photos by: Emily Garrett

The best frat hounds share these 5 qualities

By: Jonathan Kenerson

The American Kennel Club has no such literature to help you find the perfect frat hound, but I can shed some light on the characteristics shared by only the best of the best.

1) They look good in sunglasses.

Not all dogs have the facial structure suitable for sunglasses; the nose respective to the ears must be large enough, and positioned in a way where sunglasses rest comfortably and undisturbed. Labradors, shepherds, and huskies are typically the best at wearing sunglasses. Although it becomes increasingly difficult the smaller the dog: chihuahuas and terriers specifically have a hard time. On top of that, the dog must be able to non-verbally communicate the words “to frat to care” at all times, regardless of position or line of sight. Of course, this is the most stereotypical of Greek life maxims, however this superficial quality is important to the tact of a fraternity brother. Beneath the surface of a fraternity man, moreover, is a heart which best resembles the loyalty of a dog. Throughout the history of university Greek life this dualism inevitably arose and should be carried out even by their four-legged members.

2) They somehow stay immaculately clean.

This is crucial because “Animal House” got one thing right about fraternities: we have messy houses. That isn’t to say all fraternity members are dirty (though some would dissent); it is simply a matter of numbers: place 30+ young males of any affiliation in a single building and things are bound to get a little filthy. Nonetheless, initiates (and especially pledges) will detest having to clean one more thing in the house. This is why the perfect frat hound, through divine intervention or otherwise, stays clean.

Dogs who excessively shed or dirty up faster than Bluto in a cafeteria (John Belushi’s character, not to be confused with Disney’s furry canine) are chosen only with careful consideration. It’s subjective matter. Definitely a quorum decision.

3) They are the most playful brothers.

Every fraternity has a joker. Every fraternity also has an intramural king. However, neither of these members have the endurance to match that of the frat hound. When summer is around the corner and the house lawn is in prime condition for activities, there is only one who can claim this land as their kingdom and those on it their subjects—the title solely belongs to the frat hound. When the king’s subjects outnumber him 70:1, it takes tremendous leadership and endurance to gratify all services to the king: frisbee, fetch, wrestling, belly rubs—each day, though hedonistic and joyful, is demanding. The best of frat hounds prefer no other lifestyle. Live fast and die young.

4) They are the model initiates.

Why? Because dogs are innocent. There is no case in which the beloved freshman hound turns bat-shit-party-hardy by senior year. In other words, they will not devolve into Jimmy Tatro. Or at least there is no empirical evidence to suggest so yet.

As humans, we love to cherish innocence because we know, one day or another, that special characteristic will be lost in the wind. Some people are lucky enough to hold on to it into their freshman year of college. These special people tend to be model initiates for two reasons. First, they won’t get the chapter into trouble. They have the same strong moral judgment as what’s written in every fraternal doctrine ever. And secoundly, for the sake of group dynamics, model initiates represent all that is sound and exceptional in the chapter. Many Greek members do not share this same tenacity. Their antithetical counterpart: the “frat-bro” balances the group so there is a healthy amount of fun and productivity in the fraternity. Frat hounds play an integral role in balancing this dynamic.

Also, dogs don’t get pimples. They are cuddly and adorable, which brings me to my final point.

5). They maintain the golden ratio.

When looking for good pledge canadates, the golden ratio is referred to as the “pull to chill ratio,” or simply the man’s ability to simultaneously hang out with bros and seduce those of the opposite sex. Either activity is adversely proportional to the other and the most ideal candidates demonstrate an exemplary ability to balance both tasks. For dogs we can use the same relationship. After all, there is a reason why the word “dog” is synonymous for the word “bro,” “man,” or any such derivative. We share the common desire to be loved and to have fun. The best frat hound has his priorities strait: a solid 6:4 ratio.

Jonathan “Jonat” Kenerson is the former president of the Tau Gamma chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity and a senior at the University of Nevada, Reno. This semester he is documenting a frat hound of his own. Like “Life of Rumble” on Facebook to see if his Siberian husky meets the criteria. https://www.facebook.com/LifeOfRumble?fref=ts

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on: http://myrmcginnisblog.tumblr.com. It is posted here with permission from the author and editor. 

Hello, I am Alex Guitron-Melendez!

I am the owner and founder of Canine Cuties (Customized Pet Nanny Services).

It all started during my first year of  law school (at Florida A&M University). I became a dog walker in order to generate additional income for our household.

My husband Alex and I love dogs so much we decided we could not get enough of them and became volunteers at the Humane Society as well.

During the summer of 2014, several friends and family knowing our love and experience with dogs asked us to come to their homes and take care of their pups while they went away on vacation or business trips.

The thought of sending their pups to yet another kennel or having the neighbor child take care of their fur baby did not ease their mind.  They wanted to have peace of mind knowing their doggie was being well taken care of while they were away.

In August 2014, both Alex and I saw this as a great business opportunity.  We began to see the need for doggie nannies grow in our community.  Canine Cuties began!

By our first month in August we had a total of 15 clients. We now have a total of 68!

Our goal is to hire huge pet lovers who are pet CPR and first aid certified and have experience volunteering at a shelter.  We would love to expand our services throughout Reno and Sparks bringing our clients peace of mind when it comes to their fur babies.  

We would also like to open a few boutique doggie hotels (hosting no more than eight dogs at a time) for the families that prefer to have their doggies around others but in a small and non-intimidating environment. We plan on opening our first boutique at the end of October this year, right before the holiday season!

via Anthony Ciaramella

5 Reasons why your canine friend makes an epic workout buddy

By Anna-Leigh Firth

The weather is getting warmer outside and you know what that means… Bikini season is upon us.

You may be slacking on your get-in-shape-New-Year-resolution, but don’t fret; there is a fun, green, and pro-active way to get closer to a healthier lifestyle for not only yourself, but for your four-legged friend too.

Your dog makes the best workout buddy for a slew of reasons —

1.  It’s safe to say that your dog has high energy.

No one can deny that dogs are active creatures. They hate being cooped up inside for long periods of time and they will tell you this in a variety of ways. They will run around the house and knock things over; they will chew on various items; they will eat your homework; or they will sit by the window and longingly look outside. Therefore, every dog owner should take the responsibility of walking their dog at least once a day.  Some may even want to take it to the next level and include their dog in their workout routine. This is a savvy idea because your four-legged friend will have a lot of energy to exalt and, therefore, motivate you to push yourself in order to keep up.

2.  Your dog will encourage productivity.

Your dog won’t waste any time with small talk, the latest gossip, or catching up. You also won’t have to wait for your dog to get geared up in their workout attire. Nor will you have to worry about your dog flaking on your workout. Basically, they are low-maintenance—you won’t have to accommodate for anything. Therefore, you will get more done and see more results.

3.  You call the shots… Unless there’s a bunny or squirrel.

You don’t have to worry about finding time to work out between two busy schedules. When you’re ready to go, your dog will be too. You can control the pace, route, and longevity… Erm, unless of course your dog sees a rodent, but all that does is add an extra sprint to your workout.

4.  You have absolutely no need to feel self-conscious.

Your dog won’t judge you— it loves you for you. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about buying the newest work out clothes or getting all dolled-up for the gym. Furthermore, your dog doesn’t care if your body isn’t in the best shape (yet). If anything, your dog will take the attention away from you. Other people will be so caught up in paying attention to how cute your dog is that they won’t even notice how sweaty you may be.

5.  Your dog’s enthusiasm will motivate you to push your boundaries (and have fun doing it).

Your dog will be so excited to go on a run with you that it will encourage you to motivate yourself to work out. You will both become healthier, happier, and benefit from working out together. You will also both get a good nights rest. Say goodbye to having trouble going to sleep and getting woken up in the middle of the night by your furry friend.

It is your responsibility to provide a healthy lifestyle for your dog. Why not kill two birds with one stone and kick start a workout regime that kicks butt for both of you?

Click here to see the health facts! Tweet your workout routine, goal, or a picture @goteambark

How to make your own dog park in your backyard

By Alana Ridge

Does your surrounding area lack a dog park to bring your pooch to play in? Or do you not have enough time to take your pooch out to a dog park? Never fear – a do-it-yourself dog park guide is here.

Dog parks are great for dogs to let out their energy, run around, hop on things, play with toys and socialize with other dogs. However, for those of you who either don’t have a dog park in your town or simply don’t have any time to drive out to one, it may be difficult to give your pup this opportunity…until now.

Making your own dog park, especially if you have more than one dog, is a wonderful alternative to the traditional dog park. It can be exhausting and time-consuming, but it will prove to be very rewarding, and you can add as many of your own creative flairs to it as you’d like. If your backyard has an open, grassy area, here are some ways you can make your own dog park in your own backyard:

1.  While building your dog park, think from your dogs’ perspectives: what would they enjoy? For lack of a better colloquialism, BE the dog.

2.  Make sure your area has a fence around it, and make sure it is strong enough for your dogs to jump on (but not low enough to jump over).

3.  Purchase some outdoor dog agility equipment, like tires and hurdles, and toys, such as dog rope, Frisbees, tennis balls. You can buy these things from online retailers.

4.  Leave plenty of room in between the agility equipment and anything else you may have so that your pups have plenty of room to run.

5.  Think about putting in a bridge in to give your dogs a cool edge point as well as stones for them to jump on.

6.  Keep it clean and free of anything that might hurt your dogs. Getting a specialist in to look over your dog park to be extra sure that it is 100% safe is definitely a good idea.

7.  You can leave your pooches out there to play, but make sure you also go out there and play with them as well.

Photo credit: Dogs running photo, CC BY 2.0 2013, Don Debold at Flickr

by Mai-son McCurtis

What we name our pets says a lot about us as people.  The names of our pets can speak volumes about our personalities or interests.  Here is a list of the five most popular dog names for female dogs and male dogs in the US according to VPI Pet Insurance:

Male Dogs

1. Bailey

2. Max

3. Charlie 

4. Buddy

5. Rocky

Female Dogs

1. Bella

2. Lucy

3. Molly 

4. Daisy

5. Maggie 

by Mai-son McCurtis

We don't just call dogs "man's best friend" for nothing; dogs are literally some of the most caring, loving, and loyal animals that you could have.  These three dogs listed below were so loyal to their owners that they actually became famous for it.  Here is a list of the three of the most loyal dogs in history:

1. Canelo

This dog was said to walk with his owner to and from the hospital where his owner was receiving dialysis treatment.  After his owner died in 1990, Canelo spent the last 12 years of his life waiting outside of the hospital where his owner died.  The town of Cadiz, Spain named a street after Canelo for his efforts.

2. Old Shep

After his owner died, Old Shep attended the vigil of his owner and remained at the vigil for six years after his owner's death.

3. Bobbie, The Wonder Dog

After being accidentally abandoned by his owners, Bobbie traveled 2,551 miles back to his owners' house.