Dog cooling mats are special mats designed to help regulate the body temperature of dogs in hot weather. They are made of materials that can absorb and dissipate heat, such as gel-infused foam, phase-change materials, or water-absorbing polymers.

Many dogs love their cooling mats, especially when the weather is hot. Dogs do not sweat like humans, and they rely on panting to regulate their body temperature. However, panting may not be enough in extreme heat, and a cooling mat can provide relief and help prevent heatstroke. The mat stays cool to the touch and helps cool down a dog's body as they lie on it.

Most dogs find the cool surface of the mat to be soothing; however, every dog is different and some may not be immediately comfortable with a new type of surface. It's a good idea to introduce the mat gradually and monitor your dog's behavior to ensure they are comfortable and not experiencing any adverse reactions. Additionally, some dogs may prefer a particular type of cooling mat or may not like using a mat at all. It's important to observe your dog's behavior and preferences and adjust accordingly to ensure their comfort and well-being.

Dog cooling mats are usually lightweight and portable, making them convenient for use both indoors and outdoors. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles, and they may be sold with a removable, washable cover for easy cleaning. Here are a few of our favorites from Amazon: 

BEAUTY ZOO COOLING MAT - This mat has an absorbent layer and is machine washable. Cool, but not cold, this is a great introduction to cooling mats! 

PRESSURE ACTIVATED GEL PAD - This mat is self cooling or can be placed in your refrigerator for faster activation. This pad is filled with a non-toxic gel that can also have orthopedic advantages but might not be the best choice for chewers. Sizing matches many popular crate sizes. 

HYDRO COOLING MAT - This mat has a removable ice pack and is the "coolest" of the options but also the most expensive and least convenient. Can be made larger by joining mats together. Probably best for serious heat or when medically required. 

A food topper is a type of supplemental food that is designed to enhance the flavor and nutritional value of your dog's regular meals. They are usually marketed towards those feeding kibble which can often be bland and lack the nutritional punch of other diets. A food topper can come in different forms, including wet or dry and can be made from various ingredients such as meat, vegetables, fruits, and grains. 

A food topper is typically added to your dog's regular food to provide additional flavor, texture, and nutrients. It can be a great option for picky eaters, dogs who need extra encouragement to eat their meals (perhaps during a health struggle) or dogs needing an added supplement due to a condition such as pregnancy or a health condition. When chosen carefully, food toppers can provide a variety of health benefits, such as added vitamins and minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber. When choosing a food topper, it's important to be familiar with the nutrients in the food you are already feeding (the one you are topping). Select a topper to add to those nutrients and fill in gaps. Think of this like identifying gaps in your own personal nutrition and the taking the appropriate vitamin. If you drink a gallon of orange juice a day, you don't need a Vitamin C supplement. 

Food toppers can be store bought or homemade. Here are a few of our favorites from both categories: 

STORE BOUGHT OPTIONS: 

1. Stella & Chewy - Stella & Chewy has some great nutritional products but we're particularly fond of this Magical Dinner Dust in Beef Flavor which is a meal topper / mixer. It's great for diets that need more protein, contains fiber, probiotics and a host of added vitamins and minerals that are great for your dog. We also LOVE their line of meal morsels that you can mix in with your dog's food to address specific issues such as Skin & Coat (with wild caught salmon) and Hip & Joint (with tons of ingredients added to improve join health in older dogs). 

2. Instinct Raw Boost Mixers - This is another great raw line with a variety of options that are sure to meet your dog's needs. These toppers also make great healthy treats (and are often less expensive than products marketed as treats). Standouts include their Grain Free Beef mixer (great for dogs on a grain free and poultry free diet due to allergies) or their functional support line which also addresses unique needs in dogs such as Gut Health, Calming Support, and MultiVitamin. 

3. Canned Dog Food - While we aren't generally a fan of canned dog food, don't overlook it as a good topper if you are dealing with picky eating or a dog refusing food near end of life. Make sure to use only highly rated canned food with a solid nutritional profile. Our top pick is a lesser known brand, Weruva, whose fun flavors and small can sizes make a good topper when needed. 

4. Fresh Pet Food - Fresh home delivered pet food has quickly become mainstream on the dog food scene and for good reason, it's incredibly nutritious, usually human grade, dog for your food that takes the confusion out of raw but is substantially better than most kibble products on the market. Our pick in this category is Ollie and it makes a great topper or mixer for your chosen kibble. Our dogs prefer the beef but all flavors are a solid choice. Click here to get your first box at 60% off. 

HOMEMADE OPTIONS: 

There are many homemade dog food toppers right in your own fridge that can be a great addition to your dog's diet. Here are a few easy and healthy options:

1. Cooked meat: Cooked chicken, beef, turkey, or fish can be a great source of protein for your dog. Simply chop the meat into small pieces and sprinkle it over your dog's regular food.
2. Cooked vegetables: Steamed or boiled vegetables like carrots, green beans, sweet potatoes, or peas can provide vitamins and minerals to your dog's diet. You can also mash them or blend them into a puree to make them easier to digest.
3. Bone broth: Bone broth is a great source of collagen, amino acids, and minerals. You can make it at home by simmering chicken or beef bones with water and vegetables for several hours. Once done, you can pour the broth over your dog's food. It can also be frozen in ice cube trays to thaw and use as needed. 
4. Canned pumpkin: Canned pumpkin is a good source of fiber and can help regulate digestion. Simply mix a tablespoon of canned pumpkin with your dog's food. Please avoid the sugary pumpkin pie filling and go for only pure pumpkin. 
5. Plain yogurt: Plain yogurt can provide probiotics and calcium to your dog's diet. However, make sure to choose a yogurt that is free of sugar and artificial sweeteners.

​​
​It's important to remember that not all human foods are safe for dogs, so always check with your veterinarian before introducing new foods to your dog's diet. Also, make sure to avoid foods that are toxic to dogs, such as onions, garlic, chocolate, grapes, and raisins.

In closing, food toppers can be an incredibly useful tool in yit's important to choose a food topper that is appropriate for your dog's dietary needs and preferences, and to introduce new foods gradually to avoid digestive upset.

Did you know that May is National Pet Month? Leave it to Amazon to celebrate with it's very first NATIONAL PET DAY marked by some great deals on everything you need (and plenty of things you just want) for your puppy or dog). There are also plenty of items that are not great deals or that you should use on your pet - we will help you separate the two!

So, whether you are still waiting for your LierChonPoo puppy or already have a dog in your home, you can rely on us to direct you to the best sale items. PLEASE keep in mind that these items are only on sale today (May 2) and many will expire or run out. Here's how to play it smart: 

• Scan our recommended items. Add anything to your cart or interest and purchase immediately. Don't miss out on top picks by leaving items in your cart all day. 
• Refresh this page every 1-2 hours as we track the best sales and lightening deals all day. We are looking for the best products at the highest % off that we know and trust. 
• PLEASE also remember that not all sales on Amazon are a great deal - and often with pet products they can be a way to unload lesser quality or lower rated treats, toys or even medications that are not safe or healthy for our pets. SHOP WISELY. 
• If you see a great deal we haven't recommended yet, please share in the comments. If there's a reason we don't recommend that product for these breeds, we will let you know!
• HAPPY SHOPPING! 

So, let's kick off the shopping fun with this morning's recommendations. 

ODOR ELIMINATOR - If you have pets, you have odors. Save up to 52% of this ODOR ELIMINATOR with a great citrus scent. Please note you can increase your savings by purchasing two items here and candidly, can you ever have enough odor eliminator? Our suggestion is to purchase one bottle and then add the version with the UV flashlight (click here). We've found these flashlights aren't 100% accurate but do help identify areas where you puppy might have gone potty that you weren't aware. 

SNUFFLE MAT - These are a great way to occupy your puppy or dog. We use them with our puppies and they're great fun. If you want to learn more about Snuffle Mats, read more on our blog post: WILL WORK FOR FOOD to understand why this is a great purchase!

BASIC GROOMING SET - Even if you get your dog professionally groomed, you need these essentials on hand to keep up with occasional tangles, mats and well, dingleberries (sorry, had to be said). This is a simple kits of decent quality at almost half off. 

FOOD PUZZLE - A great enrichment activity for your pet and also covered in our WILL WORK FOR FOOD blog post. These require supervision (puppies can run off and chew / choke on small parts) but are another great way to occupy your puppy or slow down your fast eating dog!

POOPER SCOOPER - Check out this highly rated pooper scooper at more than 40% off. The smaller size is best for these breeds. 

CAR SEAT - This is not the car seat we normally recommend (it can be found on our PUPPY WISH LIST) but it's a great deal on a comparable model. All puppies need to be properly restrained in the car so please make sure you are using a highly rated car seat for your dog or puppy and only use with a harness (never a collar). 

OUTWARD HOUND PRODUCTS - Check out the Outward Hound Store on Amazon for some great deals today. Many of these products are for larger dogs so pay careful attention to the sizes. Items we suggest are the Interactive Puzzle Toy, Small Hide A Squirrel for puppies and the slow feeder bowl. We will be watching to see if their life jackets go on sale today as well!

SINGLE INGREDIENT DOG TREATS - You know we only recommend healthy dog treats and they rarely come on sale. We found some HERE! Our dogs love the chicken but we're sure all the flavors are a good choice!

PLUSH DOG TOY - When we can find a decent plush dog toy fur under $3, it's going in the cart.

CHUCK IT - Small Chuck It Balls are on sale and we LOVE these for our puppies. Save more when you buy 2!

CRATE BEDDING - These crate beds / liners by MidWest are not the sturdiest we've used but they will work and at this price it's easy to buy 2-3 so you can wash and replace as needed. Make sure to pick the size that fits your crate (different colors and sizes have different sales prices but some are as high as 50% off). 
​
LUNCHTIME LIGHTENING DEALS (THESE WILL GO FAST):

8 PACK PUPPY TOYS
LIVER TREATS
FOOD STORAGE SYSTEM
​
AFTERNOON OFFERINGS:

GROOMING GLOVES - We LOVE grooming gloves and so do our puppies and dogs. We've not tried this brand but they are highly rated and a great afternoon deal. 
​
HEALTHY JERKY TREATS - This Amazon brand is a winner in the Jerky category with only 2 ingredients and sourced in the USA (China chicken jerky has proven dangerous). 

FREEZE DRIED CHICKEN - Our dogs and puppies love this. Great single ingredient training treat, food topper for picky eaters, etc. 

PUPPY PLAY PEN - For those getting a new puppy who would like more space than a crate, this pen is a solid solution at a great price. 

HIMALAYAN YAK CHEWS - So hard to find these on sale. This is a good price for the medium size which will work for full grown Cavaliers, Cavachons & Cavapoos. 

THIS EVENING'S OFFERINGS: 

Generic SNUGGLE PUPPY (for bringing a new puppy home) - A puppy with a heartbeat and heat is a great way to acclimate your new puppy to being alone at night in his or her crate. This is a generic version of the one we generally recommend but it's on sale and seems to have equally good ratings!

BULLY RINGS - Check out this 40% off on Bully Rings. Other products in the same brand on similar sale. We're stocking up on a few of these!

BISSELL SPINWAVE PET ROBOT -  This is a Black Friday kind of deal on this robot vacuum made specifically for pet households. We're dying to try it but already have a Roomba running around here. If you have a high shedding Cavalier (or plan to get one), this might need to be in your basket!

TREAT DISPENSING TOY - We have tons of these around but at $3.21 we plan to try this one too!

FLOATING TOY - If you have a dog that likes to swim and/or fetch, we love the idea of a floating toy. We let our puppies play in shallow pools in the summer so we will try one out and report back!

Remember to refresh often. HAPPY AMAZON PET DAY . . .

1) Sign up for Paw Club. It's free to sign up and you get some perks. We all need perks!

2) Order 4 months of products at a time. For a new puppy parent we would suggest the following order:

• 16 oz. of Salmon Oil ($37.99)
• 60 count of Gastro Pro Plus ($47.99)
• X-Large Bag of Chicken & Oatmeal kibble ($78.99)
• One additional item that is approximately $15 such as a seasoning, a toy or a bag of treats so that your order ships free. A few of our favorites are Freeze Dried Beef Liver Treats, the X-tra Fun Toy or the Salmon Medley Seasoning. 

For a puppy eating about 1/2 cup of food a day this order will last you a minimum of 4 months. There are 36 cups of food in a standard bag. When you order an X-large bag of food you actually receive 3 standard bags of food instead so this equals 108 cups of food (which will last more than 4 months even with using kibble for training and entertainment). Since a puppy only gets 1/3 capsule of Gastro Pro Plus this will also last more than 4 months. Lastly, we've found a small squirt of salmon oil is plenty for a puppy to receive all the benefits so again a large bottle should last until your next order arrives. 

3)  If you have an older dog your order would be similar but you might consider a food with less calories or ordering a different protein. Fill out the pet profile to determine what best suits your dog. Perhaps for your $15 item you might want to consider joint support or Chillax (if you have any anxiety issues in the house).

4) Set up an EZ Ship. Again, you get perks for this so we set a reminder 10 days before the auto-ship and make any changes necessary. We usually change our $15 item and sometimes switch proteins for the older dogs just to keep things interesting. 

5) Lastly, take advantage of that promo code INTRO4U which is only good for your first order. It will get you 20% off!

6) Following this bulk purchase with free shipping method, we have been able to feed our dogs for $1.60 per day ($1.28 a day on our first order) before taxes. This is equal or less than when we were purchasing smaller bags of high quality kibble from our local pet store. 

We recently placed one of our adorable rescue pups with a local family on Daniel Island. Just days later we learned that the guardian family had a very gifted family member, Meg Swayze, who painted this adorable custom canvas of Archie. We had to learn more. 
​Imagine our surprise to learn that Meg has an Etsy studio (Swayze Studio) where she will paint you pet's portrait on canvas for as little as $125. We've seen digital art at that price but never a live artist who works so hard to capture the sweet faces of our beloved family members! Please take a minute and check out Meg's art. If you get a portrait of your sweet Cavalier, Cavachon or Cavapoo please take a minute to share it with us on Facebook or Instagram. We will be ordering and sharing a few of our own!

If you are struggling with crate training your puppy, with puppy boredom or with an overactive puppy or dog, this blog post is for you! All dogs and puppies are happier, healthier and easier to train when they are mentally stimulated. One easy way to challenge your puppy is to have them work for their food. Every time we set down a bowl of food, we are missing a great opportunity to entertain and stimulate our puppy. These are also great for fast eaters, dogs that suffer from separation anxiety (offer when leaving) and for in crate entertainment. Oh, and in case you have lacked any "intimate time" since purchasing your puppy, these are also great for escaping to your room in peace for long enough . . . 

Not sure how to make your puppy work for their food? Here are some examples: 

LEVEL ONE - SNUFFLE MATS AND SLOW FEEDERS
Many breeders use snuffle mats with puppies as a part of the weaning and play process. Start by hiding a few high value treats in this mat and work up to feeding an entire meal. Placing a high quality kibble in the mat will slow your dogs eating, entertain them in a crate or pen and allow your dog or puppy to learn to work to find their food. Most LierChonPoo puppies and dogs will have been exposed to one of these options: 

Small Snuffle Mat - This mat is inexpensive and travels easily. It's suitable for both puppies and adults. 

Medium Snuffle & Play Mat - We love this medium mat with multiple places to hide treats and food for entire litters, households with more than one small dog or larger breeds. We also love that it's easy to wash and we recommend doing so weekly. 

Slow feeders are similar but are simply a mechanism to slow a fast eater and are not as stimulating as a snuffle mat. You can increase the entertainment value of a slow feeder by mixing your kibble with a quality wet food which takes significantly longer to eat when spread on the walls of the feeder. 

LEVEL TWO - SNOOPS
Snoops are advertised as being an interactive treat dispenser but we regularly use them as a bowl to feed and entertain puppies by placing a mixture of kibble and other food inside and using it as a bowl. We start these before feeding in Kongs because they are easier for the puppy to manipulate. To make it tougher, you can purchase the smiley face insert; however, we've found it easier to simply put a mixture of food and larger components in the Snoop to make it more challenging. For example, we will introduce these with a small amount of kibble mixed with a few high value treats. Once the dog has acclimated we will replace the treats with some larger pieces of cooked chicken or jerky that make getting to the food more difficult. Plugging the whole in the bottom with a treat or kibble or adding something like peanut butter (never with artificial sweetener) or plain yogurt can also increase the challenge. Snoops can be placed in the dishwasher (top rack) and we love that they are coated with a mint oil to help keep breath fresh. Our young dogs will work on these for 20-30 minutes which is great entertainment while we clean their space, sneak out the door for errands, etc. 

LEVEL THREE - KONGS 
The Kong is perhaps the most popular "work for food" toy on the market. For puppies, you want to begin with the small binkie Kong and get the multi-pack as you will need multiple kongs in order to keep them cleaned and stuffed. As your puppy progresses and grows (or to feed entire meals), move up to the medium. We have done an entire blog post HERE on how to stuff a kong from simple to more complex. What we will repeat here is that the Kong is a great way to make a puppy work for food and a great way to reward and entertain a puppy in the crate. 

LEVEL FOUR - PUZZLES & INTERACTIVE TOYS
​It is rare that we use a puzzle or toy to feed an entire meal but it can be done. If you are feeding a high calorie dense kibble such as PawTree, you can actually fit an entire meal in one of these toys. 

Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy and Tug-A-Jug are very popular with our puppies but we don't use them as often as they can be difficult to clean and are really only suitable for kibble or treats (no option of mixing in wet or raw ingredients). They can also be a little loud depending on how the dog learns to dispense the treats. Again, if using these frequently, please make sure you are only using high quality single ingredient treats and are factoring in these calories so your puppy or dog doesn't end up overweight. 

Puzzle Toys are also fun but with a few warnings. You MUST supervise both dogs and puppies with these type toys as most of them have pieces that can be chewed and even swallowed if care is not taken. They can also be a hassle to clean. 

Lick Mats - These popular lick mats are also a hit with our puppies and dogs. We generally pull these out only for special occasions where we want to both reward and entertain the dogs for a while (think furniture being delivered, neighbor stopping by, etc.). In order to successfully use these mats you must find a combination to spread on the mat that is both healthy and irresistible to your pooch. Several of the suggestions we've discussed in Kong stuffing can also work here. For our dogs, we take it up a notch and keep these in the freezer already prepared with one of the following: natural peanut butter mixed with plain greek yogurt, puree pumpkin mixed with peanut butter or yogurt, Ollie dog food spread and re-frozen or Ollie mixed with yogurt.

We hope this post has been helpful and that you'll let us know what works and what doesn't, Please remember that any toy or bowl which doesn't entertain your pet can be donated to your local shelter for a dog in need so it's never a waste to experiment. 

Lots of puppy owners claim to have a picky eater, but more often than not we've found the owner might me misreading cues or making assumptions. If not careful, before you know it owners determined to pamper their pup are literally feeding filet from their hand without really understanding the issue.If you aren't careful, it's very easy to CREATE a picky eater. Before labeling your puppy or dog as a picky eater, try these tips:

1. Make sure your food is fresh - Many dog owners rush to the store and purchase a GIANT bag of puppy food for their tiny puppy. Then, a couple of months later they are posting on Facebook about how their dog "suddenly" doesn't like their food. The puppy isn't picky, they are being fed stale and rancid food. Can you imagine buying a 50 pound bag of cheerios for your toddler - how long would it be before they refused to eat them? If you must purchase a larger bag of food, please immediately separate it in to small bags and store in an airtight container to avoid feeding your puppy old food. This will help preserve the nutritional quality and prevent refusal of rancid food. 
2. Don't worry about a few missed meals - As puppies mature, they don't need to eat as often. Many of the claims of picky eating are around 7-9 months where we see many puppies not requiring multiple meals. Many dogs are perfectly happy only eating once a day. Pay attention to whether or not your dog might be telling you he/she doesn't need a second meal. If your dog is eating one meal but not another, this is not picky eating. Also, remember that humans often eat for reasons unrelated to hunger such as stress, emotion and social reasons. Don't assume your dog needs to eat when he/she isn't hungry. 
3. Lack of food motivation - Some dogs are not motivated by food. People struggle to understand this. If your dog is a "eat to live" dog instead of a "live to eat" beggar, consider yourself lucky as this means you won't have to deal with weight gain. Work to find 1-2 treats your dog does enjoy for training purposes and then move on. Dog's do not intentionally starve themselves to death but many owners have caused dogs to be overweight by imputing human emotions on their canine friends.  
4. Be Consistent - Create a routine for your dog. Feed him/her in a dedicated space at the same time each day. Pull the food up after 10-15 minutes so the dog learns that ignored meals will not be rewarded. If you continue to offer treats after a failed meal, you are creating the problem as any dog will hold out for something better (how much kale do you want to eat with a pizza on the way?). 
5. Anxiety - Dogs eat less when they are anxious (visitors in the home, fireworks, travel). Before switching your dogs food (which can INCREASE anxiety), provide your dog with some anxiety relieving and calming aids to see if the problem resolves itself. Consider this CALM DOWN KIT from PawTree that addresses both calming and digestive issues. We also love their calming bone. 
6. Too Many Treats - We all love treats and dogs are no different. Take a careful look at how many calories your dog may be getting from training treats, table scraps / snacks and other rewards. The truth is this may be killing their appetite for their normal (i.e. plain) food at mealtime. Also, if you are offering treats when the dog refuses to eat you are sending the message that failure to eat will be rewarded. 
7. Exercise - Take your dog on a significant walk before dinner to improve appetite. Also look back at the first day you noticed the "picky eating" starting. Here is another frequent scenario: Weather or an illness prevented you from exercising your dog, then your dog doesn't complete a meal. You don't put two and two together (less exercise reduces caloric needs) and assume they don't like their food. You start offering treats or table scraps instead and before you know it, your dog is holding out because you've inadvertently trained them that refusal to eat will result in rewards. Bam - "picky eater" created from a week of rain. 
8. Medical Issues - Refusing to eat can be an indicator of a medical issue. Before switching food, watch for other signs of illness. Is your dog lethargic? Drinking properly? Aging? 

If you have considered all of these factors and determined that your dog really is a picky eater, here are the steps you should take (in order) before offering filet from your hand. 

1. Increase exercise.
2. Only provide scraps or treats IN the meal - Consider saving those special treats or table scraps and adding them to your dog's regular meal. You may also boil an egg and smash in the current food for further enticement. Provide the dog 10-15 minutes to eat and then pull the food up. If he/she does not eat during that period, don't offer and food in between meals and try again at the next meal. 
3. Try a topper or add in - Before changing food, consider using a food topper or add in that not only makes the meal more appetizing but adds additional nutrition. Here are options we have reviewed and love:
   1. PawTree Superfood Seasonings - This powerful blend of Natural Vitamins, Minerals and Antioxidants adds flavor to your dogs current food (helping you salvage that expense) while offering a concentrated source of 8 fruits and vegetables. We use these constantly for picky eating during pregnancy or to simply add variety. Not sure it will work? Here is a link for some free samples!
   2. Instinct Raw Mixers - Instinct has a selection of raw boost mixers that can serve multiple purposes such as adding a raw component to your dog's diet, adding flavor and solving specific diet issues (see the gut health or coat versions).
4. If a food change is inevitable, get your hand on some samples before purchasing food in large quantities. Make sure to read our puppy and dog posts on nutrition so you are looking at quality options. Try the following:
   1. Order a starter box of Ollie at 50% off to mix in or replace your current food.
   2. Contact your local boutique pet store and a PawTree Pro - both of whom can offer you some food samples to see what your dog is most interested in. 

In my twenty-five years of volunteer work in our local shelters, I have never met a picky eater or a dog who intentionally starved themselves to death. I have met many dogs who can sense anxiety in their humans and respond accordingly. If you become anxious or obsessed with your dog's eating habits, they will only get worse. Try these tips and you will find a food a feeding ritual that works without them (literally) eating out of your hand! 

It's that time of year when procrastinators everywhere start looking for last minute gifts that are guaranteed to arrive by Christmas. If you're searching for something for a Cavalier lover . . . you're in luck. Some dog themed items can be a little cheesy and useless, but here are a few that we promise are both cute and practical. These are our suggestions that are guaranteed to arrive on time: ​

1. For the coffee lover - If you want the perfect gift for anyone who loves coffee AND Cavaliers then check out this adorable mug.
2. For the lady on lockdown - We are loving these Cavalier House Slippers with no-skid bottom. Super comfy and oh so cute. Since one size fits most, you don't even have to try and determine her shoe size. Also a great stocking stuffer. 
3. For the wine or beer lover - Plain glasses are just boring. Bring a little Cavalier to your celebration with these etched wine and pint glasses featuring our favorite breed. 
4. For the person still waiting for their puppy - Have someone who is still patiently waiting to get their new baby? How about this Cavalier specific book on training, socializing and caring for you new puppy. 
5. For the farmhouse decor fan - Have a loved on who loves the farmhouse look? We love this great sign that reads "All You Need is Love . . . And a Cavalier Kings Charles Spaniel." 
6. For the cook - These are neutral and very classy embroidered kitchen towels featuring a Blenheim.  
7. For the gardening or yard enthusiast - We've all spent more time in our own yard this year, but if you have a Cavalier lover that enjoys keeping the exterior of the home fancy, perhaps this adorable welcome sign featuring a tri-color Cavalier will be the perfect gift. You might also consider this great welcome mat. 
8. For the one who walks the dog, even in the rain - We can't get enough of this Cavalier themed umbrella.   
9. For the car commuter or car enthusiast - Know someone who spends tons of time in the car? We love these ceramic car coasters featuring a beautiful Blenheim? 
10. For anyone else - Can't figure out what to get? This stylish line of t-shirts and hoodies featuring Brandy (the cool Cavalier) is perfect!

While Amazon is the easiest resource for last minute gifts, don't forget to consider Shutterfly where you can still personalize (for a few hours) something with a photo of your own Cavalier (we love their mouse pads) or Etsy where you can support small business and buy crafty items including ornaments and totes featuring a variety of Cavaliers. Any of these options are sure to bring a smile to your Cavalier lover on Christmas. ​

UPDATE: Loki is happily settled in his new home on Daniel Island, SC with his three (3) human siblings. If you would like to get notified of future Guardian Home opportunities, please review this earlier blog post and submit an application.

​Lord Reddy (aka "Loki") is a beautiful purebred red Poodle who won Best Puppy in Show in Europe before joining our breeding program. Loki's full adult weight is 13 lbs. and he is about 14 inches tall. He is 1.5 years old and is imported from Europe where his parents hold Championship titles. In Europe he was considered a Dwarf Poodle, but in the US he falls in the Miniature Poodle category. Loki is fully house trained and has an understanding of basic commands. He also walks beautifully on a leash and love to fetch his tennis ball. Loki is registered with the FCI (Federation Cynoloqique International) and is completing his AKC registry. Loki will serve as a stud in our program for Cavapoos. He will also be offered as a stud for local poodle litters.

Loki has been with us for about a month while he had all of his required health testing for breeding and acclimated to the US. We are now ready to find Loki  permanent placement in a Guardian Home where he can be someone's cherished pet. Because Loki has been in our family for a while, we have had the time to identify what type of family he would be suitable for. Here is Loki's wish list for the perfect family: 

• Loki needs to stay in the Charleston area. He will be an important part of our program so he will need to be close enough where we can get him for regular appointments.
• He loves other dogs but would prefer they be about his size (slightly smaller or larger is okay but he does not respond well to large dogs). He is not neutered so he can't join a home with females who have not been spayed. 
• He is indifferent to cats. 
• He really needs an active family - Loki loves to play. He loves to  chase his tennis ball and go on long walks. This is not the dog for someone looking for a couch companion (as a matter of fact, he's trained not to jump on the couch). 
• Like most poodles, Loki is very smart. He would be suitable for a family who has never trained a dog as he already has a good start, but must have a family interested in learning more advanced tricks with him. 
• Loki would love to join a family with kids or teens who might have an interest in agility training or junior show handling. We would be willing to provide some of the training. 

While Loki might be a small package, he is not a lap dog. He wants to play, run and engage much like a Labrador. He does not shed but does need regular (monthly) grooming appointments. Loki is up to date on all vaccinations. Guardian Home applicants must demonstrate the ability to cover regular veterinary costs (we cover all costs related to breeding), proper nutrition and grooming. 

If you are interested in becoming a Guardian Home for Loki, please make sure you have read our post on Guardian Homes and filled out the application. Please include "Loki" in your application. Any suitable applicants will be contacted by phone and/or email for a follow-up interview. 

We specifically ask our Guardian Homes and owners NOT to ask strangers on Facebook what to feed their dog. The majority of owners on forums are not veterinarians, do not properly research animal nutrition and often recommend foods that are poorly rated simply because someone else suggested them (or their vet sells them).  We wrote this post to share what we feed our own dogs and the options (kibble, fresh and raw) we share with our owners. We do not cover foods sold in many veterinarian’s office but would recommend you research those options as well. If a food is recommended and you would like to read a neutral review, we suggest using Dog Food Advisor to look up any food. You may be surprised at what you find from some of the most commonly recommended and expensive vet suggested brands. Please note for us to recommend a food it must have a 4.5 or higher rating with at least 30% protein and real meat as the primary ingredient. 

Please remember that we aren't veterinarians, but we are very careful and picky about what we feed our dogs. We talk to our vets. We do our homework. We talk to other breeders. We read labels. We study dog nutrition. We know that when breeding dogs, proper nutrition is the foundation to healthy animals and we've seen first-hand which brands work best on Cavaliers, Cavachons and Cavapoos. We also know that every owner and every dog is different. We do not judge other people's decisions on what to feed, as long as they are doing the best they can for their dog. We would encourage owners to investigate all of the following options: 

KIBBLE - Kibble is only a small part of our dog's diet; however, most owners prefer kibble as the primary source of their dog's nutrition. We would encourage you to also consider adding home cooked and / or raw to your dog’s menu if possible. If you plan to feed only kibble, it's vitally important that you choose the best one you can afford. Kibble can often get a bad rap due to recalls, poor nutritional value and low-quality proteins but some are better than others. Here are our choices (based on where you prefer to shop): 

PAWTREE OPTIONS - We were approached to test PawTree kibble on our dogs and have really enjoyed this company. We have found their claims to be true (less food, less poop, healthier dogs) and our dogs enjoy their products. We are currently feeding a rotation of Salmon & Sweet Potato, Whitefish & Brown Rice and Chicken & Oatlmeal formulas. We are also in love with their raw treats and superfoood seasonings (for that picky eater in the pack). By joining their PawClub and setting up an EZ-Ship these products enjoy free shipping! 
                                         
CHEWY.COM OPTIONS

1. Instinct Original Small Breed Dog Food (Grain Free) - This is a grain free option whose first five ingredients include chicken, chicken meal, chickpeas and tapioca. We only recommend this for dogs who require a grain-free option. Contains 39% protein.

2. Diamond Naturals Small Breed – This is a grain inclusive option whose first four ingredients include chicken, chicken meal, cracked pearled barley and ground white rice. It contains 30% protein.  
     
​AMAZON.COM OPTIONS

1.  Nulo Freestyle Small Breed (Grain Free) – This is a grain free option whose first four ingredients include Deboned salmon, turkey meal, menhaden fish meal and salmon meal. There is chicken in this recipe so it’s not suitable for dogs who are allergic to chicken. This kibble contains 34% protein.  

2. Wellness Complete Health Small Breed – This is a grain inclusive option whose first four ingredients are Deboned turkey, chicken meal, salmon meal and oatmeal. This kibble contains protein. This kibble contains 31% protein.

HOME COOKED - Many new dog owners get confused with the difference between "raw feeding" (which is based on foods that are not cooked) and "home cooked" which is simply preparing your dog’s food at home from ingredients such as lean meats, vegetables and carbohydrates. This is easy to confuse. For example, we will share a puppy loaf (below) which can be served raw or cooked - it would fall in both categories.

While we do make home cooked meals for our dogs, we find it a challenge to provide all the nutritional elements necessary. We also find from our owners that truly nutritionally balanced home-cooked meals can also be time consuming, more expensive and frustrating (to make sure your dog gets all the nutrients needed). A few of our favorite recipes can be found on Damn Delicious and Food.com. We also regularly add grilled or dehydrated chicken or boiled eggs to our dogs other meals.
​
Luckily, today's dogs also have another great option which is "home cooked" meals delivered to your home. Many are less expensive than you may expect. Our dogs currently LOVE Ollie. This is also a great option for dogs who need a limited ingredient diet for allergies.
​

RAW FEEDING - This is a passionate and controversial topic. Those who support raw feeding feel that anything less is acceptable. Meanwhile, new dog owners find raw feeding confusing, time consuming and not often in line with their vet's recommendations. If you have an interest in raw feeding a Cavalier or a Cavalier hybrid, we suggest you turn to Dt. Judy Morgan. Her recipe for puppy loaf is a great introduction to raw feeding.

Another great option to get started in raw nutrition is using freeze dried and frozen raw products available through retailers and your local specialty dog food store. We rely heavily on freeze dried raw when we travel, want to introduce a new dog to raw gently and want to supplement with raw. These products provide raw benefits without you having to grind, chop, measure or mix the ingredients yourself! Here are our suggestions to help you get started on raw feeding your dogs:

CHEWY.COM OPTIONS

1. Primal Raw Freeze-Dried Dog Food – This brand has tons of flavors and are a breeze to serve. You literally just re-hydrate the nuggets with water (or bone broth) and serve.

2. Instinct Frozen Raw Bites (Grain Free Options) – Also available in patties. Another reputable brand with a wide variety of flavors. This is a grain free option that contains 85% beef and organs. Stored in the freezer, you do need to thaw these prior to serving but they thaw quickly.

AMAZON.COM OPTIONS – Please note that we don’t purchase frozen products from Amazon so this only includes their freeze dried options.

1.  Stella & Chewy’s Freeze Dried Raw Dinner Patties – Another brand we love for travel but not all the flavors are created equal. We were surprised to learn that some of the flavors are not highly ranked so please keep it to Chicken, Venison Blend or Rabbit in this option.

2. Vital Essentials Beef Entree Mini Nibs Grain-Free Freeze-Dried Dog Food – This is a great grain free option that is beef only (for those sensitive to chicken). We do not recommend this as the sole food in your dog's diet as  
 
Let us conclude by again repeating that nutrition plays a fundamental role in your dog’s health. You shouldn’t be afraid to try a few different things to see how their skin, coat and energy change. At the end of the day, dog food is a personal choice based on your dog, your time and your budget. Don't surrender that choice to strangers with little to no knowledge of any of those factors and always discuss any dietary concerns with your vet first. 

UPDATE: Since writing this post, we have discovered our new favorite ear product which is sold by PawTree. Check out their Ear Wash & Ear Dry Kit as well as their Itches & Twitches Deluxe Pack for dogs which is solving ALL of our smelly ears, itchy skin, dull coat and allergy related issues!

Original Post:

​Ear infections can occur in any breed but Cavaliers and their hybrids can be particularly prone to ear issues due to their large floppy ears. This problem is further exasperated by the fact that many of them love the water. We've found with our dogs that proper ear care can eliminate many trips to the vet. Here are some suggestions for items to have on hand and how to use them: 

1. EAR WIPES - The best step to preventative care is canine ear wipes to clean and deodorize. These wipes are also vet recommended to help reduce infection with a mild antiseptic that can help dry up swimmer's ear and remove yeast and bacteria that can lead to infection. These can be used daily as needed but we try to use these as part of our weekly cleaning routine. 
2. EAR CLEANER - If you know your dog has been in a situation likely to lead to infection (such as repeated water exposure), it might be smart to use an ear cleaner. It can also be used at the first sign of any ear irritation (indicated by head tilting or ear scratching). The non-irritating solution prevents microbial action, removes debris and dries the entire ear canal. It's also good as a monthly cleaner to avoid future ear issues. We like to use this monthly, usually the night before a grooming as preventative (wet ears) and so that we don't worry about it getting in their ear hair. If you are not familiar with the proper way to use ear cleaner on a dog, please watch this short video. 
3. EAR TREATMENT - Our last stop before heading to the vet is Otic Ear Treatment with Hydrocortisone. We only use this at the sign of an infection and even if we feel a vet trip is inevitable, we will apply this to ease discomfort until we can get an appointment. This product will sooth infected ears and ease painful ear infections caused by bacteria, fungi and / or yeast. In many cases it will clear the infection before you get to the vet. 

All of these items are important to keep on hand. They have a lengthy shelf life and when you need them, you don't want to wait for them to arrive. Handling ear care in a timely manner is the best step to avoiding the discomfort and expense of ear infections. 

Years ago, almost all dogs who were not going to be bred were spayed or neutered at an early age. For that reason, it was only breeders that had to deal with heat cycles and puppy panties. However, that has changed in recent years as many studies have proven that it may be better to allow your dog to fully mature before having her spayed. As a result we are frequently asked how to handle a dog's first heat. Here are some considerations and products to help you survive your girls first heat. 

• TIMING - Plan ahead. Have supplies on hand. These breeds will have their first heat as early as 5 months and before 9 months. The average puppy will have start her first heat at 6 months. While the first heat cycle can actually last several weeks, the bleeding is usually only 9-12 days. Remember that individual dogs, just like individual people, vary. You do not need to panic about a longer bleeding cycle unless the bleeding seems incredibly heavy or last more than a month.
• THINKING AHEAD - When deciding what products to have on hand think about whether or not your dog will only be having one heat cycle before they are spayed or whether you intend to breed your dog and will have to deal with ongoing heat cycles for several years. This decision should dictate what you purchase. For example, there is no need to purchase sets of re-usable panties for one heat cycle - just get disposable diapers and consider one panty in case she wiggles out of (or tries to chew up) her disposable. 
• CHANGES - Women are not the only ones with physical and behavior changes related to hormonal shifts, our puppies can also experience any of the following: 
  • Bleeding - Intensity of bleeding may vary greatly. Also, some females will keep themselves really clean while others won't. Either is normal.
  • Personality Changes - Some females may become more affectionate or clingy with their owners. Others may seem to be a little short tempered or even nervous. Either is perfectly normal.
  • Tail Tucking - We often associate tail tucking with a dog who is in trouble or sad. During a heat cycle, females often tuck their tale to protect their swollen vulva so don't assume the tucked tail means she's gotten herself in to trouble. 
  • Appetite Changes - Another variance. Some dogs eat more and others eat less. What's important is that you don't make changes to your dog's diet during this time, or pick up a bad habit you will regret later. For example, many owners will report "picky eating" around 7-8 months old where a dog will no longer eat her food from her bowl and only wants table scraps. Nine times out of ten, I learn that the owner was worried when she wasn't eating and started hand feeding her table scraps during her first heat. We have never had a puppy starve herself so don't fall victim to this trap. Hormonally driven appetite changes alone are nothing to worry about - you can consult your vet if your dog does not drink water and refuses food for more than 24 hours. 
  • Potty Habits - Marking is often associated with intact male dogs but females often urinate more often while in heat. During this time their urine contains urine contains pheromones and hormones which signal her reproductive state to other dogs. Try to be forgiving if accidents occur during this time but offer more trips outside to try and prevent problems before they begin. This is a natural instinct in your dog that will go away after her cycle is over. 
• ​KNOW THE STAGES - While male dogs may be more attracted to females in heat, females are are only interested in mating during a small window of time. While you should be on guard and protect your female from unwanted pregnancy during her entire cycles (males are relentless), knowing the signs of when she can become pregnant are important. Your dog is generally fertile about 9 days AFTER she begins bleeding (but again, this varies). The physical signs to watch for are a decrease in blood (it lightens and changes color) and the decrease in tail tucking. In fact. the easiest way to determine when a female is fertile is to watch the tail which will go from tucked to high and out of the way (often even moving to one side) which is her way of flirting and inviting the male to enter. Even if the bleeding has stopped it is important to remember that your dog remains fertile for several days. Wait for her vulva to return to it's pre-heat size before assuming the coast is clear. 
• HAVE YOUR SUPPLIES - You don't need all of these supplies. Consider how many heat cycles your dog may have and purchase accordingly. 
  • DISPOSABLE DIAPERS (32 Count) - These breeds will require either the x-small or small based on the circumference of their waist. Our smaller Cavaliers and Bichons took x-small on their first heat and small on their 2nd. Refer to the sizing guide and size up if ordering at 6 months so they will fit later. 
  • ROCCO & ROXIE STAIN REMOVER - Don't take our word for it, read the reviews. This is the best pet related stain remover on the market and it removes blood and the smell of hormones from your home (you may not smell them but your neighbor's dog does). 
  • WASHABLE DOG DIAPERS - We have lots of dogs we we often use washable dog diapers. We've found this set at Amazon reasonably priced, stands up well in the washer and a small fits our standard size Cavaliers and Bichons perfectly. Oh, we also like the cute colors. If your dog is older or on the upper range of standard size you may want to size up to a medium. Refer to the chart and know that the velcro allows a lot of sizing fluctuation. 
  • PANTY LINERS - This $5 can extend your washable dog diapers and save you tons of laundry. Simply place an unscented panty liner in the washable panty and change between potty breaks. We've found this to be the best combination of washable and disposable!
  • UNSCENTED WIPES - Scented wipes or those with cleansing agents can irritate your dog. These wipes are all natural (saline) and a great for between diaper clean-ups as well as keeping their eyes clean. We have a pack of these everywhere. 
  • CALMING AID - We think calming chews are a good thing to have on hand for storms, fireworks or travel that might make your dog anxious. This brand features organic ingredients and can also work to help calm an anxious girl during heat if needed. 
  • NUTRITIONAL GEL -  For those who really worry when their girl won't eat, have some of this nutritional gel on hand. While it's really for puppies we've found it useful to have available for our finicky females, weaning puppies or dogs adapting to new situations who may need nutritional support. 
  • A note on scents - When choosing products, avoid scents. Dogs are incredibly sensitive to smell. Some people make suggestions of scented diapers / panty liners or putting menthol on the tail of a dog to keep other dogs away without considering how these strong smells impact their dog. Don't add stress to this situation with unnecessary smells. Keep her clean and heavily scented products aren't needed. 
• PERSONAL TIPS: Here are a few final words on your dog's first heat that we share with our Guardian Homes and our puppy owners: 
  • Don't freak out - it's totally natural and your anxiety will only increase hers.
  • Still provide her plenty of exercise. It's a myth that she can't go on walks while in heat; however, NEVER let a dog off leash at this time (they can run away in search of a mate) and avoid dog parks or other areas where you may knowingly encounter an excited male. 
  • Have her wear a diaper a few times BEFORE her heat ever begins. It will be less stressful if she's worn one before and you'll know if you have the sizing correct. 
  • A missed cycle could be a sign of illness - talk to your vet.

Good luck surviving her first heat. We promise that when you're prepared it's nothing to fear. If you have additional suggestions or products that you would like to see included in this post, please leave us a comment. And please make sure to follow us on Facebook for more helpful tips on everything Cavalier, Cavachon and Cavapoo. 
 
​


​

The short answer - Find a breeding mentor to guide you through the testing, certifications, the actual mating and whelping process, and locating quality homes for the puppies. 

The long answer - About once a week, some well meaning dog lover will post a picture of their adorable and beloved dog in an online forum and announce they intend to breed him/her but don't know where to start. Within minutes, they get negative comments from other breeders or "adopt don't shop" advocates advising them to pack up their dream of breeding their dog and throwing out acronyms like DNA, OFA and AI with no explanation. These comments come from a very good place as most reputable breeders and animal advocates hate nothing more than seeing post after post of sick dogs that result from poor breeding practices and so called "backyard breeders" who make no effort to improve the breed and are just looking for some quick cash. They also realize that breeding is a much more complicated and expensive endeavor than most people realize.

That being said, every breeder had to start somewhere and as an SPCA Board Member and supporter, I've come to realize that if breeders shame or shut down anyone else with an interest in breeding then we are almost guaranteeing what we're trying to prevent - that people will proceed without the information and resources they need. For that reason, I recommend that everyone considering breeding their dog seek out a qualified breeding mentor.

I'm happy to share my time and energy with those wanting to learn more about breeding or trying to start a breeding program involving Cavaliers or their hybrids. I had two mentors when I first started breeding and I view it as my responsibility to repay that kindness by helping others. I don't feel that others trying to learn more about these breeds are my competitors - I instead consider them my teammates in the effort to improve these breeds and guarantee healthier bloodlines. 

If you happen to be the person who wants to breed your dog, please consider getting a breeding mentor to help you in this process. Be prepared to answer the following questions before reaching out to a potential mentor: 

• Do you have the legal right to breed this animal? Please make sure you have "full rights" to breed the dog. No reputable breeder is going to assist you in violating the contract of another breeder. 
• Is your dog AKC registered? If you own an unregistered hybrid, please note that most reputable breeders will only assist in breeding an F1b and will not support the breeding of two Cavalier hybrids (F1 bred to another F1, creating an F2). 
• Has your dog completed at least two heat cycles? Reputable breeders will not assist you in breeding an immature dog that is not old enough to pass required health tests. Based on the breed this age may be even higher.  
• Are you vet records up to date? Has your vet confirmed that your dog is both medically able and suitable to breed? 
• Does your dog meet breed standards? If you aren't sure, you can find breed standards on the AKC website. Breed standards are very different than "show quality" - not every dog that's bred has to be show quality (although some breeders will disagree) as many reputable breeders prefer to breed for health and temperament and are less concerned about perfect coloring. 

If the answer to any of these questions is no, you need to do your best to remedy that before attempting to breed your dog. If you can answer yes to all of these questions, then it's time to search for a mentor. Look for the following: 

• A breeder with an excellent reputation who checks off all of the boxes for responsible breeding. 
• A breeder who focuses on the type of dog you are hoping to breed. 
• A breeder that has a male or female dog that you would be interested in using. Breeders are offering their time to you and in exchange you should consider using their stud or offering your dog as a stud in return. 
• It's no longer necessary that your mentor live in the same area as you. In fact, ,any breeders are more willing to mentor those who won't be selling puppies in their own community. The internet, flight nannies and artificial insemination make long distance mentors easier than ever. 

If your dog is too young but you are eager to learn more about breeding, take the time to do the following: 

• Learn about the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals and start your testing after your dog is 1 year of age. 
• Track your female dog's heat cycles.
• Have your male dog's semen evaluated for breeding soundness after 1 year of age. 
• Read posts on this and other websites about breed specific testing. 
• Get a full DNA panel on your dog. We suggest Embark for full DNA panels. 

Breeding your dog can be a fun and exciting adventure but it's also a large responsibility and one that should be done only after research and guidance. You can learn more about breeding mentors on these pages: 

AKC Breeding Mentor Article
How To Choose A Mentor

If we can help you on your journey to breed your dog, please don't hesitate to contact us at LierChonPoo@gmail.com. 
 
​

There is nothing that makes us happier than finding other members of online forums educating puppy shoppers. We spotted one such member (Catherine O'Connor) who posted this information that we wanted to share because it's valuable, accurate and important. Her posts are shared below (with permission, of course). They also mentions some very well known brokers in our area that people seem to recommend repeatedly just because they have "available puppies." Here are her posts:

​It’s easy to be fooled by some of these very sophisticated broker run puppy mill networks into thinking you’re making a responsible choice. Not only are some of these networks so large & have so many breeders producing for them it’s hard to tell who’s who name wise (and easy to shed complaints & bad reviews by just starting a new LLC.) but some of them present themselves as downright wholesome, religious, pro-family & absolutely anti-puppy mill. Don’t fall for these animal abusers tricks. Make sure to do your homework!

With the shortage of puppies from the pandemic & people growing more impatient by the day to find one, scammers have swarmed these kinds of groups to make easy money. The admins delete all day & do their best but it’s extremely overwhelming as these scammers switch up their identities so fast; its just impossible to keep them out of these groups. So It’s up to you do the vetting but If you take these 4 steps it weeds out almost all of them.
1. ALWAYS reverse image search every picture they send you or post. That eliminates almost all of them from the jump because they just use found pictures on the internet as their own. If you don’t know how just google it -  there are a million different free pages that allow you to do it & show you how step by step.
2. ALWAYS speak on the phone.
3. ALWAYS get and then ACTUALLY check the Vet reference by first googling them to make sure they are an actual Vet & they did not give you a spoofed internet number & then call them yourselves.
4. Never wire them money. Use PayPal or something that both protects you as the consumer (and will refund you in the event of an issue) & verifies their identity before they can collect their money. *Always click the business option on PayPal not the friends & family. It’s worth the small fee PayPal charges to insure your investment.
Do these 4 things and be skeptical of any breeder that does not have a waiting list right now as almost every reputable one does! Best of luck everyone!🐾🍀​

I’ve seen 3 posts across the Cavachon groups I’m in from people who got scammed today. So whether it’s someone pretending to be a breeder or someone pretending to have a dog to rehome, if you’re in the market for a puppy & you’re worried or new to this, here’s how to make sure that it doesn’t happen to you.
Someone sending you a few pictures of a cute puppy with a few Facebook messages & then asking you for a deposit is not even close to enough.
Check for signs of legitimacy. When was their Facebook page created. Look at their pictures on their profile, cover pic, profile pic, timeline pics -were they all uploaded the same day? Who liked/commented on their pics? Does it seem like normal kind of engagement from friends/family or do their comments & likes more closely resemble bots or foreign nationals?
For breeders- when was their Facebook business page created? how many likes do they have? Do they have their review section turned on? Do they have any? Check the community section, any posts? Are they advertising 6 different kinds of dogs? Red flag. Do they not outwardly say where they are located or discuss lineage? Red flags. No phone number or other contact info? Red flag. Most real breeders have websites, ask for theirs.
Still can’t tell? Take those cute puppy pics they sent you & do a reverse image search on google images to see if they’re real or if they’ve just lifted them from someplace/someone else. If nothing comes up ask if you can come visit to meet the puppy, see the parents etc. At the very least you want to do a live FaceTime video call with the person the profile is presenting to be (don’t accept any excuses as to why you’re now dealing with someone else or seeing a different dog or can’t see the dog you’d be getting) to see the puppy, or if not born yet, the parents & where they care for their dogs.
Ask lots of questions. If you’re met with any resistance or sales pressure- move on. https://bedogsmart.org/…/questions-to-ask-a-breeder-before…/
RECOMMENDATIONS/REFERENCES
Ask for recommendations here for Breeders people have used & then start doing your homework. Google them for possible complaints, to find reviews etc. Whether it’s a breeder or someone rehoming a pet you need to not only get verifiable references - but you need to then actually check them too. From a breeder you want to talk (not text, not email but actually TALK) to satisfied customers AND their Vet & for anyone rehoming definitely a Vet reference.
Never send any money via Western Union or any other money wiring services. Avoid using Venmo or Zelle .Too much sensitive personal financial info at risk. If a deposit is required try to use PayPal if possible. Not only do you have payment protection you also don’t have to give out any credit card or address information. If that’s no good, the next safest bet is your credit card because of the charge back protection.
That’s all I can think of offhand, if anyone has anything else please chime in, & don’t forget everyone - there’s just not an abundance of puppies right now due to the COVID-19 rush - so if it’s really cheap or it looks too good to be true-it probably is! Trust your gut! Best of luck everyone!❤️

1. THOSE WHO CUT CORNERS - Some breeders may not know better (often referred to as "backyard breeders") while others are simply attempting to increase their profit margins by spending less on their dogs and their breeding programs. These breeders can be identified by their refusal to do anything for their dogs or puppies that might cost money. Breeders in this category will often do some or all of the following: 
   • Not have DNA panels on their breeding parents. 
   • Not have annual hip, eye, heart and patella exams on their breeding parents. 
   • Not have comprehensive vet checks on the puppies. 
   • Have breeding dogs that are not registered with the AKC. 
   • Feed their dogs (and their puppies) low quality food. 
   • Don't thoroughly interview prospective families and never decline a sale. 
   • Sell their entire litters to brokers or puppy stores to avoid detection. 
   • Have more dogs than they can properly house. 
   • Offer health guarantees with little to no actual guarantee because they've learned that once a family loves a puppy they won't return it for another one. 
2. THOSE WHO OVERBREED - These breeders could fall in to Category #1 and also overbreed their dogs (i.e. puppy mills) or these breeders may present as reputable breeders but they simply overbreed their female dogs over and over to increase profits. They have identified what they need to do in order to attract higher quality homes and higher prices, but in order to make money they ignore breeding protocols. While there is a great debate in the veterinary and breeding community about back to back litters, there is no debating the fact that authorities agree that having more than 4 litters in a lifetime can be detrimental to the health of the female, and may even shorten her life.
3. THOSE WHO BREED FOR QUALITY, NOT PROFIT - These are the breeders that most consumers are seeking. The ones who don't need to breed their dogs for income, but choose to do so because they truly love the breed(s) and love sharing them with well chosen families. Here are some ways to identify these breeders: 
   1. Their dogs are all registered, they have adequate health certifications and DNA testing and the breeder is happy to produce it.
   2. They do not breed dogs with hereditary illness. As soon as they identify and health issue with a dog in their program, they stop breeding that dog despite what it may mean to their bottom line. 
   3. They will never sell to a broker or puppy store because they can't confirm their puppies are safe and well loved.
   4. They have other sources of income and don't rely on breeding to feed their family. Reputable breeding is truly not that profitable!
   5. They breed for purpose, not just to sell puppies. 
   6. Their dogs are generally healthy (there is always the occasional issue that is outside of anyone's control) with vet and vaccination records, a vet reference and plenty of customer references too. 
   7. They have a limited number of dogs in their home and know their dogs personally. If their program is larger, they may use Guardian Homes or other means to properly house and take care of their animals.
   8. They feed quality food and make sure you are educated on proper puppy nutrition as well. 
   9. Their animals show no signs of neglect and they are happy to prove it by allowing you to see the parents, their pedigrees and their records. 
   10. Their breeding pairs and their puppies are properly socialized and show no early signs of behavioral, anxiety and fear related issues.
   11. They do not allow their dogs to be re-homed without their permission or placed in shelters - ever. 

We hope this post, in combination with our other resources, will help you determine and locate the type of breeder you want to work with. When you demand a less expensive puppy, use a broker or "rescue a puppy" from the puppy store, set a budget below what a responsible breeder can produce or want a puppy without being on a waitlist or filling out an application,  you are making a choice about your breeder whether you realize it or not.  

Consumers have become increasingly aware that the best puppies come from reputable breeders whose dogs are part of the family. Most people are not morally comfortable purchasing a dog from a puppy mill or puppy store, not only because the puppy is not properly socialized before purchase, but also because of the deplorable breedings and health conditions in which the parents are forced to live. Similarly, the idea of dogs left alone in large kennels has become unattractive. This leaves reputable breeders in a predicament as to how to make sure their animals have the best possible lives while also maintaining diversity and high standards for their breeding program. One solution many breeders rely on is the use of Guardian Homes.

Simply put, a Guardian Home is the placement of a male or female dog that will be used to breed in the home of someone other than the breeder. This helps the breeder accomplish several goals:

• Each dog gets the individual love and attention they deserve.
• Dogs are not required to live in kennels and are properly socialized and well loved family pets.
• Dogs that don't pass health testing or are no longer breeding don't have to be moved to a new home.
• Breeders can diversify their breeding lines by allowing more dogs to stay in their program.
• Breeders don't have accidental litters by having males and females in their own home.

For Guardian Families, this is a great way to enjoy a pick of the litter puppy without the price. These programs often offer retirees, those who can't afford the purebred dog of their dreams or families who just love puppies a chance to experience the joys of breeding without all of the costs, liabilities and hassles of puppy sales. Think you might make a good Guardian Home? Here are some requirements most reputable breeders will have:

• You will be required to pay the everyday costs of dog ownership such as routine vet visits and proper nutrition.
• Previous dog experience and the willingness to train in basic commands.
• Willingness and desire to help socialize puppies.
• Any other dogs of the opposite sex in the home must be spayed/neutered.
• Willingness to drop your dog off for days or weeks at a time to be bred or when it's time to whelp puppies.
• Willingness to allow the breeder to visit your home on occasion to check on the dog's wellbeing.
• A basic understanding of the responsibilities of owning a dog who is intact.
• Live within a certain radius of the breeders home (usually 1 hour or less).

Another reminder, if you are in love with hybrids then a Guardian Home program will likely not be an option. Many people forget that to breed F1 hybrids the breeder owns the purebred parents and sells the hybrids. For example, as much as we LOVE LOVE LOVE our Cavachons we don't keep them in our breeding program - only purebred Cavaliers and purebred Bichons are used in our program and therefore those are the types of dogs placed in Guardian Homes.

We hope this post has explained more about the opportunity to serve as a Guardian Home. If you have an interest in learning more about our Charleston based Guardian Home program, please complete the online application.

This blog post will cover why it's so important to purchase a puppy from a breeder who does DNA tests on their breeding stock and what to look for when provided a copy. We will cover in a future post why you might consider DNA testing your own dog, especially if you rescued, purchased from a puppy store or bought a puppy without researching the breeder.  
​
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to numerous health conditions, many of them both financially and personally devastating for their owners. Years ago, we didn't have DNA testing available to help us identify dogs that were at risk for passing on serious genetic defects. Today, that's not the case and therefore any reputable breeder will be able to discuss with you the role that DNA plays in their breeding program and provide you with testing results. Before discussing specific genetic conditions that impact this breed we want to cover the basics of understanding whether a dog is at genetically clear (healthy), a carrier (healthy but can pass on the disease to puppies) or affected (unhealthy and will pass on the disease).
​
CLEAR - This is the gold standard. This is a dog who is clear of any genetic defects. This means they are not personally at risk and do not carry any genes for genetic defect that can be passed on to their puppies. 
CARRIER - A carrier is a dog who carries one (1) gene for a genetic defect. Because they only carry one gene for this defect it will not affect them (they will never develop the defect) but they can pass it on to their puppies. Some consumers mistakenly believe that carriers should not be bred but this is not case. Carriers can safely be bred but only to a dog who is clear for that defect. If we removed all carriers from our breeding pool we would encounter other problems with inbreeding. Two carriers should not be bred. 
AFFECTED - A dog who is at risk (or affected) is a dog who carries 2 copies of the gene for a trait and therefore is at risk for the disease. Although not ideal, this dog can still be bred to a dog who is clear as they will produce a litter of carriers. That being said, you do not want to purchase a dog who is affected for a genetic condition as that dog will likely become symptomatic of that condition. If your breeder doesn't test genetically then you will have no way of knowing what you are getting. 
This digram helps illustrate the breeding of clear, carriers and affected dogs.

Now that you have an understanding of clear, carrier and affected you need to know what genetic tests are important for this breed. At a minimum, a reputable breeder should be testing for the following: 

CAVALIER KING CHARLES SPANIEL - 

• Dry Eye Curly Coat Syndrome
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Episodic Falling Syndrome
• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

To see a sample Embark DNA report, please check out this post where we provide a report from one of our dogs.

A few final words for those looking for a hybrid puppy (Cavachon or Cavapoo). First, be very wary of the hybrid breeder who claims they don't need to DNA test their dogs because crossing two breeds will eliminate the genetic disorders. This is false. This breeder is either being deceptive or has just shown their ignorance. For example Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) which is a devastating neurological disorder that doesn't appear until a dog is older (and his/her puppies have already been sold). This disease is similar to ALS or Lou Gehrig's in humans. This disease also appears in both poodles and Cavaliers; therefore, a hybrid breeder who is not testing both parents for the common disease(s) is setting up puppy owners for heartbreak. 

Secondly, this is where the difference between a F1 puppy and an F2 puppy is really important. With F1 puppies many of the diseases can be eliminated if they are not a common disease; however, with F2 puppies you bring the disease possibility back. This often confuses people so here is an example: 

F1 Cavapoos - A purebred Cavalier Spaniel is crossed with a purebred Poodle. The Cavalier Spaniel is affected for DM. The Bichon is clear for DM. As you can see from the chart above, 100% of their offspring will be a carrier for DM. They will not have the disease but they will pass it on to their hybrid offspring. 

F2 - An uneducated breeder has two F1 Cavapoos. Both were from a situation similar to the above and carry for DM but don't show signs of the disease. The breeder doesn't DNA test because they are breeding hybrids and were told it isn't necessary or is trying to increase profits by not testing. They breed these dogs together and again referring to the chart above more than 50% of their puppies will inherit and be affected by this disease. The new owner is clueless and feels confident in this breeder because they received a one-year health guarantee for a condition that will not appear for 7+ more years. 

DNA testing alone does not make a reputable breeder. There are other breed specific heart, hip, eye and related tests that should be performed and provided. For more information on those tests, please see our posts on the OFA as a part of your puppy search. 

If you would like to learn more about DNA testing your dog before breeding or to uncover any potential health risks, we highly recommend Embark as they handle all of our DNA testing and are a paid advertiser of our educational content. Please review this post that provides Embark discounts and a copy of an Embark report. 

Several times a day, well-meaning members of various Facebook forums will ask other well meaning members what they should feed their puppy. Members who are not vets, are not breeders and have not read the ingredients on their own dogs food will then tell new dog owners what food to buy usually based on what their dog "likes." And then inevitably, others will chime in criticizing the choice to feed kibble in the first place and at the end of the day I imagine many group members regret asking the question as they get a 50+ responses, none of the helpful,
So as not to be a hypocrite please remember that we also ARE NOT vets, but we are very careful about what we feed our dogs. We talk to our vets. We do our homework. We talk to other breeders. We read labels. We study dog nutrition. We also do not judge other people's decisions on what to feed, as long as they are doing the best they can for their dog. Every breed, every dog and every owner is different. We would encourage owners to investigate all of the following options: 

1. RAW FEEDING - This is a passionate and controversial topic. Those who support raw feeding feel that anything less is unacceptable. That being said, authorities we trust on this recognize that raw feeding is not for everyone. It can be very time consuming, there are contamination concerns and not all dogs can tolerate it. If you have an interest in learning about raw feeding, especially for Cavalier related breeds, we suggest you turn to Dr. Judy Morgan. Here is her recipe for puppy loaf, which is a great introduction in to raw feeding. For those that are interested in raw feeding, another easy introduction is prepared raw foods. We have fed Answers (found in your local boutique pet store), Primal Raw and Instincts Raw which are both highly rated and recommended. Most of our dogs enjoy and tolerate all of these convenient raw options. 
2. HOME COOKED - Many new dog owners get confused with the difference between "raw feeding" (which is based on foods that are not cooked) and "home cooked" which is simply preparing your dogs food at home from ingredients such as lean meats, vegetables and carbohydrates. This is easy to confuse. For example, we shared a puppy loaf above which can be served raw or cooked - it would fall in both categories. Home cooked can also be time consuming, more expensive and challenging (to make sure you dog gets all the nutrients needed). That being said, our dogs love home cooked meals and they've also been great for dogs with special dietary needs or severe allergies. Today's dogs also have another great option which is "home cooked" meals delivered to you and thawed. Our dogs are currently loving Ollie which we will discuss more in a future post. 
3. KIBBLE - Back to the original post, people are usually asking which kibble they should feed their dogs because kibble is the most commonly fed among the choices. Kibble has gotten a bad rap in the past several years due to misleading packaging, recalls and poor ingredients. That being said there is a place for kibble. For example, we like to offer raw and home cooked food for our dogs when we can, but we use kibble in training, when stuffing Kongs, to supplement feeding during pregnancy, when traveling and when transferring pups to new owners. There is a place for kibble BUT you do want to make sure you are feeding the best kibble possible. To that end, do yourself a favor and stop asking strangers on the internet what they feed their dogs because it really doesn't matter. Instead, consider doing the following: 
   1. Talk to your breeder. Why ask strangers instead of asking the person that bred and raised this puppy? I still don't understand why people immediately want to change their puppies food but if you can't resist you should ask your breeder for other suggestions. Assuming you used a reputable breeder, please make sure to ask your breeder WHY they chose the food they sent home with your puppy. You don't want to learn the hard way that your puppy is prone to an allergy or other issue that your breeder may be aware of.
      
   2. Talk to your vet. Yes, I realize that some vets only pitch the dog food they sell in their offices but many others will give you an honest opinion about the best ingredients and considerations for YOUR specific dog. Hear what your vet has to say and then . . .
   3. Read reviews from an unbiased resource that does not make their money from pet food sales. The one we recommend is DOG FOOD ADVISOR because it allows you to pick categories (puppy, with grain, without grain, senior dog) and then get several recommendations with explanations and ratings. Poke around and sample a few. Ones (all 4 star and higher) we have tried and keep in rotation include: 
      1. PawTree Dog Food (all varieties). Read about PawTree here. 
      2. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Puppy
      3. Orijen Puppy
      4. Victor Purpose Nutra Pro (Suitable for dogs and puppies)
      5. NuLo Freestyle Puppy & Adult Small Breed (Grain Free)
      6. Diamond Naturals Small Breed
   4. Go to your local boutique pet store. Yes, sometimes they are higher priced but they also give great advice (talk with the owner or an experienced associate) and often have free samples of the food for your dog to try before committing to a large bag. They also have rewards and loyalty programs that often reduce the cost of their food to be more competitive to Amazon, Chewy, etc. 

At the end of the day, dog food is a personal choice based on your dog, your time and your budget. Don't surrender that choice to strangers with little to no knowledge of any of those factors.

Paid Advertisement

We talk a lot about DNA and want to share a quick post on our preferred DNA provider, Embark Veterinary, Inc. We recommend Embark to the following people: 

• New breeders who want a comprehensive and easily understandable DNA test to determine if their dogs should be bred. 
• New owners who purchase from a rescue, puppy store, puppy mill or a breeder who did not do DNA testing. This is specifically important for those who relied on a health guarantee and want to detect any issues before it expires. 
• Dog enthusiasts who simply want to know more about their dog's traits, health and ancestry. It's particularly fun with rescue dogs when the family has been playing "I wonder if he has any ___ in him." 

While there are several DNA companies on the market, we specifically use and sought out Embark as a paid advertiser of our content because of the following:

• Their reports are easy to understand and can be easily downloaded to share with your vet. 
• They are constantly researching and identifying new information related to our breeds. They recently identified a new genetic trait and alerted us immediately that one of our dogs might be at risk. This was invaluable for our breeding program and our vet.
• They provide a wealth of knowledge for both owners and breeders. As a breeder, I love their new "matchmaking tool" which helps me identify potential DNA matches in other dogs for breeding (think of Match.com but DNA based . . . and for dogs). 
• We love that they provide us the ability to share our breeding dogs DNA reports by link to reduce fraud, forgery and false DNA often given by scammers and puppy mills. 

Attached is a sample page from our Embark DNA report on KoKo that shows she's DNA clear for all conditions. This is the gold standard for breeding.

​If you are searching for a puppy, please read our post on DNA TESTING and the role it plays in responsible breeding. If you are considering one of our puppies, please email us and we will gladly share our full Embark DNA reports with you for your review. If you are a new dog owner and want to test your puppy for any health conditions, please use the link below for current promotions being offered by Embark. ​

Covid. Time at home to train, loneliness, a desire to do something for the kids and general depression have lots of people looking for the same thing - a new puppy, man's best friend and companionship! The frantic search began the first week of March and has shown NO SIGNS of slowing down with tons of new posts on Facebook forums every day with a family looking for a new puppy. Sadly, many of them have just come up with this idea and don't realize they are weeks behind the masses in their search. Unfortunately, most reputable breeders (if not all) are wiped out of puppies. Several I know have even sold younger dogs they were intending to keep in their breeding program simply because they felt so bad for the families searching. Breeders I talk to and work with are getting bombarded by tons of inquiries every day, getting labeled as unresponsive because they can't keep up and yet have nothing left to offer except a position on a waitlist. 

High demand, low supply and desperation results in a several things: 

• Frantic consumers many who may have mentioned a puppy to the family before understanding the shortage. 
• Increased prices putting healthy puppies out of reach for some families. 
• Impatience and frustration from consumers who can't understand why there aren't puppies available. 
• Frustration and exhaustion from breeders who have nothing left to offer.

The exact same thing happens around Christmas. Now you can better understand why this is a perfect storm for two types of people: 

1. Disreputable Breeders - These are the breeders who don't health or DNA test their dogs. They may be high volume (like a puppy mill) or low volume (often called a backyard breeder). They've often been on the news for bad breeding practices but since customers are buying on the internet and relying on recommendations from someone they don't even know, the consumer is none the wiser until it's too late. This breeder knows once you've purchased and fallen in love with a puppy you aren't going to return it so they can offer worthless health guarantees and take advantage of your desperation, They know people will put down a deposit on anything right now and aren't doing their homework because they fear if they don't get this puppy then they will never find another one! 
2. Scammers - Disreputable breeders are bad, but at least they have puppies to sell. The other person taking advantage of the Covid puppy crisis is simply a scammer. They post fake puppies, respond to your forum request on FB telling you they have a puppy. They have photos. They may even have a website. What they don't actually have is a puppy to sell but again consumers will put down a deposit on ANYTHING right now and even if they get your $50 or $100 they're happy because they did nothing for it! As an attorney, I get asked to represent people in scams ALL THE TIME. Puppy scammers are the worst. They use your emotions. They have multiple fake names and follow you so they know what you're looking for. They show you a photo and tell you they have it -they don't.

Here are a few ways to protect yourself: 

1. Search their names on the forums and see their previous posts. 
2. Look at when they joined the forum, how many friends they have on their FB profile and whether or not you can actually find photos of them WITH their dogs. 
3. Ask to see the AKC pedigree of their breeding dogs. If they actually provide them (most don't), research the dog's names on the OFA to see who REALLY owns them.
4. Ask to see the DNA tests for the breeding pair. DNA testing can be forged or stolen from other sources but most scam artist are looking for low hanging fruit and don't go through this much effort.
5. As for their cell phone number and FACETIME them. Ask the see the puppy and parent dog (unexpectedly). If they don't answer, don't leave a message to prepare them for the call, just keep calling back. 
6. Search Google with their name (alone) and then followed by "scam" and "puppy mill." Also do this with ANY breeder you are considering. Just this simple search will turn up all sorts of information. It amazes me every single day that people recommend a breeder that they have never even searched themselves. 
7. Never WIRE money. If you are purchasing online use a method of payment with protection for your purchase!

As I've said many times on this page, I don't expect you to take my word on any topic - do your homework. If you don't think puppy scams are happening all around you here are a few links from one coast to the other: 
Better Business Bureau Report on Covid Puppy Scams
North Carolina Department of Justice Puppy Scam Alert
Three Oaks Farm Christmas Puppy Scam in Charleston
Concord News Article on Current Puppy Scams

Please protect yourself. Please check your local shelters as dogs will be surrendered every day due to job loss and related issues. Please find one to two breeders you trust and get on their waiting list - before you know it you WILL have that perfect puppy! 

​

We've mentioned in prior posts that we are a fan of the Kong for training and occupying puppies; however, we've also found that people can be confused about what to do with the Kong and exactly how to get a puppy interested in playing with it. We also know there are a lot of products available at pet stores to stuff Kongs but they aren't necessarily healthy options or good for young puppies. Here are a few basic ideas and recipes to get you started on Kong stuffing and to give you the confidence to start creating your own recipes and strategies. 

BASIC TIPS: 

• Start with simply using your dogs own food in the Kong. Offer the Kong BEFORE any meal when the dog is hungry and willing to work to get his/her food out. This helps the puppy understand the general concept. If you feed a soft food, consider using a high grade kibble for this initial project.
• Once your puppy understands the basic concept of working to get his/her food from the Kong, increase difficulty by placing an edible plug in the hole for them to work out before getting the food. Based on the size of your Kong, you might consider a blueberry, a little peanut butter, a piece of cheese or even a moldable treat such as Little Jacks Dog Training Treats .
• Your puppy will quickly master the basics of a Kong at which time you can get more creative. Keep your dog's interest with the following: 
  • Layer the Kong with some kibble, a treat, soft food and a plug such as peanut butter.
  • Consider freezing the Kong to force your dog to work even harder at releasing the food. If your dog seems frustrated, try packing it with loose kibble and using a freezable plug (see recipes below). 
  • Put your dog's favorite treat at the bottom of the Kong to get them working to release it. 
  • Look at your leftovers and see if they might make a delicious stuffed Kong for tomorrow!

SHOPPING LIST: You don't need all of these items but will want a combination of dry goods and "mashable" healthy foods to layer your Kong:

1. KONG - A Kong based on your dog's size and age. For new puppies we recommend the Kong Puppy Binkie as they are smaller and softer for puppy teeth. For grown Cavaliers, Cavachons or Cavapoos, we recommend a standard Small Kong for dogs up to 20lbs and a Medium Kong for dogs above 20 lbs. or for those wanting to use this as meal replacement. 
2. KIBBLE - If you feed raw, home cooked or a fresh delivery food such as Ollie, you may want to get some high quality kibble for your Kong. We recommend choosing kibble for your puppy or dog from this posts on nutrition. 
3. HEALTHY FOOD - Natural peanut butter (look for low sugar and avoid any with sugar replacements which can be dangerous for dogs), non-processed cheese, bananas, blueberries, eggs, bone broth and plain yogurt (Greek is best) are all good choices but any food that's approved for dogs will work. 
4. SOFT FOOD - It's also good to have some soft food on hand when you're ready to make the Kong more of a challenge. You can again refer to Dog Food Advisor, make your own pup loaf or consider a home delivery food such as Ollie. Other options are pumpkin and mashed sweet potatoes. 

RECIPES: 

1. Beginner - Plug bottom hole of Kong if needed. Fill with dry kibble. Plug top with small spoonful of any of the following: yogurt mixed with peanut butter, mashed sweet potato, mashed banana or a couple of small blueberries. Freeze to increase challenge or removing plug. 
2. Intermediate / Advanced - Plug bottom hole of Kong if needed. Combine with any of the following: 
   1. Shredded carrots and/or zucchini. Mix with mashed sweet potato. Top with peanut butter or peanut butter mixed with yogurt. Freeze to increase challenge. 
   2. Place 1-2 favorite treats in the bottom of Kong. Top with mixed dry and wet kibble. Plug with mashed banana or peanut butter. Freeze to increase challenge. 
   3. Mix yogurt with fresh fruit such as strawberry or blueberries. Fill bottom and edges of Kong. Fill remaining space with kibble. Roll to stick kibble. Freeze to increase challenge. 
   4. Place shredded chicken or turkey in bottom of Kong, top with pumpkin (not pie filling) and plug with a soft treat. To increase challenge, mix pumpkin with meat and freeze. 
   5. Firmly plug bottom of Kong. Fill with kibble and bone broth. Freeze. Raw goat milk is another liquid option. 

These are just a few ideas to help you understand the progression of Kong stuffing and how it can occupy your puppy. Don't be afraid to experiment with different recipes to find a few favorites that your dog will love. Just be aware of the added calories and sugar and consider stuffed Kong when making sure your dog gets a balanced diet. 

​Does your dog have a favorite Kong recipe? We'd love for you to share it here!

Occupying your puppy is a key element to training success. It makes crate training easier, it helps to reduce destructive behaviors like chewing shoes and furniture, it reduces teething pain and it allows for distraction when nipping or barking. In order to effectively train a puppy, it's best to have a full arsenal of tools on hand and to rotate them to prevent boredom. While this may seem like a long list, it will take trial and error to really figure out what will work for your puppy. And remember, any items your puppy doesn't use or enjoy can be dropped off at your local animal shelter for less fortunate dogs who would LOVE something new! Below is our list of items we have on hand and what we use them for: 

CRATE TRAINING - One key to crate training is to make the crate or pen somewhere your puppy wants to go, Not only should it be a safe place, but it should also have some stimulation to reduce boredom, barking and whining. One easy way to make that happen is to feed your puppy in the crate and to also provide stimulating rewards. For crate training, look for items that last a while and don't require supervision. Items that could cause choking should be avoided - and never use rawhide. Here are our top picks (click on each to go directly to Amazon): 

• STUFFED KONG - Our favorite crate entertainment is a Kong. Although occasionally messy, we prefer to stuff them with various edible items in an effort to force the puppy to both work for his/her food as well as entertain themselves in the crate. The size Kong you choose will be based on the size puppy but for Cavaliers, Cavachons & Cavapoos, you should always start with the puppy size small and only move up in size once your puppy has mastered them. Our favorite puppy Kongs are the Kong Basic Puppy, Kong Puppy Tire, and the Kong Puppy Binkie. Again, all of these can be stuffed. We will post some of our favorite Kong stuffing recipes in a future post. 
• WEST PAW TOYS - Two of our favorite toys are from West Paw. The first, which we love for crates, is Qwizl. For crate, stuff it with a carrot stick, kibble, apple slices or even a bully stick. While we normally wouldn't suggest a bully stick in the crate when unsupervised, the Qwizl reduces the chances of a small portion of the bully stick causing a choking hazard and extends the life of the bully stick. The other, Toppl, is described below. 
• NYLABONE - There are a variety of Nylabone products. For small breed puppies it's important to purchase the softer puppy version. We like this puppy variety pack because it allows you to figure out what style and flavor your puppy prefers. Please note that one of these is edible and we only use that bone in supervised situations. 
• LICK MATS - A recently new toy, a lick mat is designed to sooth dogs who like to lick and to act as a puzzle for dogs to get the food. Some of our dogs LOVE these and others are barely interested. For crate training we've found it best to freeze them and to look for healthier foods to spread on them as a tummy full of sugary peanut butter is not a great choice for a puppy in a crate as tummy issues could result. We will offer some lick mat recipes in the Kong stuffing post. We do not leave these in the crate when we aren't home as we have heard that some dogs attempt to tear up or eat the actual toy (although our dogs have never tried that). 

GENERAL CHEWING - Dogs chew for multiple reasons including boredom and teething. Getting to the bottom of why your dog is chewing might help you choose the correct toy or product. Also, if your dog is simply bored, the best solution is always increasing exercise and mental stimulation through training.  Below are some of our favorite solutions for teething and mental stimulation: ​

• YAK CHEWS - These natural chews (actually a hard cheese) are relatively new to the dog chew world. If you are lucky enough to have a puppy who enjoys these a single chew can often keep them busy for days and days. They are fully digestible, don't stink and won't stain carpet. You do, however, need to supervise your puppy with them and remove them when they become too small. But don't worry, once the chew is small and presents a choking hazard, you can actually soak them in water for a few hours, microwave them for a minute or until it puffs up. After it cools completely you can give it to the dog as it becomes an edible biscuit. 
• BULLY STICKS - Our dogs and puppies love bully sticks. You should always supervise your puppy when providing bully sticks but this brand is guaranteed to be a favorite. Our dogs often ignore other sticks but these usually generate a fight so have one available for every dog in the house. In order to extend the life of bully sticks and reduce choking hazard, some people use stick holders. We've not found them necessary as we simply remove the small pieces once enjoyed. 
• TUG-A-JUG - While this won't help with teething, it will help with stimulation and boredom. Once the puppies are about 4 months old and have watched an older dog get food from the jug, they will entertain themselves for hours to get a few treats. If you don't have another dog, simply help your puppy get a few treats out. I recommend using small kibble or treats to begin as it's easier to get out for beginners. 
• ​TOPPL - This is the 2nd product from West Paw toys that we love. We enjoy using it as a food treat and later as a puzzle. Purchase the small for a puppy and then if your puppy enjoys it, you can purchase a large and create a treat puzzle for an older dog. Their Amazon page has some great examples of how to use this toy!
• EARTH ANIMAL NO HIDES - We discovered this healthy digestible rawhide alternative in our local pet store and our dogs LOVE them. We use two sizes - the single stick for a quick treat or the 4" size for longer chewing. Unfortunately, these are pretty expensive locally so we searched Amazon and now buy in bulk. Buy in bulk when you can get the single sticks for less than $1 per stick and the 4" chews for less than $5 each. This post will always be updated with the best priced bulk option for our two favorite flavors (salmon and chicken). The other flavors, peanut butter, beef and venison are also great but we use peanut butter for so many other treats (such as Kong stuffing and lick mats) and we've found the beef has the possibility to stain carpet and fur. Here are the links: 
  • ​Best bulk for single sticks (chicken)
  • Best bulk for single stick (salmon) (not currently a great price)
  • Best bulk for 4" chews (chicken)
  • Best bulk for 4" chews (salmon) (best bulk price)

​
TRAINING TREATS - Training your puppy is great because it's not only mental stimulation that reduces bad behaviors but it also helps the puppy bond with you. The key to training is high value treats that the dog really wants to earn. That being said you also want to make sure it's okay for their tummies. A lot of dog treats are loaded with bad ingredients and things that can be harmful for your puppy. Try a few of these treats to find one that your puppy really enjoys and when shopping always look for single ingredients, natural ingredients and treats that can be broken in to small pieces for training sessions. Here are a few of our favorites but don't be afraid to also try home cooked treats or pieces of deli meat, ground beef, etc. 

• Sojo's Freeze Dried Meat Treats - Single ingredient treats that are easily broken for smaller puppies. Try a sample pack to decide your dog's favorite. These are our preferred training treat due to size and simplicity of ingredients (and they don't get stale if left open). That being said, we need variety too so the others below are also recommended. 
• Zuke's Mini Natural Dog Treats - A great size, healthy ingredients and they won't break in your pocket or pouch while training. The only negative is they are a little stinky but perhaps that's why our dogs love them so much! We recommend the sample pack of multiple flavors to figure out your puppies favorite. 
• ​Stella & Chewy Treats - This reputable company has several single ingredient treats for you to test on your puppy for training purposes. Our older dogs love the Carnivore Crunch but they may be more difficult to use for training due to their size. 
• Little Jacks Small Dog Training Treats -  Of the treats we offer, these are the least healthy but still better than many commercial treats. That being said, these are perfect to hide pills, offer for potty training, etc. We do not use these when we plan to offer multiple treats. 

​While this blog has focused on puppies, we use every item here for our grown dogs, we simply size up on some of the Kong type toys and don't break the treats in half! Best wishes in occupying your pup . . .