Teddy Travels: Palm Springs

Teddy joined me on a recent trip to visit my grandparents in Palm Springs, California, which is a 4.5 hour flight from our home in Toronto.

This was our second trip on a plane together.  The first, I documented in this How-To guide.  I must admit, this trip was much easier, and Teddy did not seem to mind the plane ride as much.  Palm Springs is an amazing, dog-friendly city, and I highly recommend visiting with your pup.

We flew Air Canada, on one of the busiest travel days of the year (the first day of March Break).  I was not able to check in online, so had to arrive even an hour earlier (6:15AM) to check in for my flight.  If I had followed the rules (your dog must be in their carrier at all times), this would have been problematic for Teddy, but, I let him walk through the airport on his leash.  Several families stopped us to say hello.

Teddy in the Lounge

I think that because it was so early in the morning, the flight/airport experience was even easier.  He typically would be sleeping at that time, so it was not a big deal for him to be in his carrier.  I first put him in while I went to eat breakfast in the Maple Leaf Lounge.  Here, I fed him a bit of kibble and water, but was apprehensive to give him too much as I did not want him to need to go to the bathroom on the plane.

The flight itself was uneventful.  Teddy stayed under the seat, even when I opened the carrier.  he just slept there the entire time without making a sound.  I did not need to resort to giving him his Bully Stick or Frozen Peanut Butter Kong.

Teddy on Board!

The Palm Springs airport is puppy heaven.  Aside from the gates themselves, the airport is outside.  You head down an escalator to arrive at a giant grassy area marked for dogs, where they can roam.  Teddy peed for what seemed like 10 minutes!

Where to Stay:
We stayed at my grandparents house while we were in Palm Springs.  We bought Teddy a super cute bed, and some toys ahead of time from Target, and he felt right at home!  There are many hotels in the Palm Springs area that welcome pets, just be sure to tell them ahead of time.  My top 3 picks would be:

1. Le Parker Meridien - I often visit this hotel to have brunch at their restaurant Norma's, which is on a beautiful patio (dogs allowed, of course!).  The hotel grounds are gorgeous and it features every amenity you could want or need.
2. The Westin Mission Hills - This hotel is on the same property as my grandparents house, and I have stayed here before.  It features large villas, many pools, a world class tennis court, and championship level golf courses.  They provide beds and bowls for your pups.
3. The Ritz Carlton Rancho Mirage - This is a newer hotel, perched high in the mountains.  It is absolutely beautiful, and would serve as a wonderful quiet retreat.

Teddy on the golf course at Mission Hills

Teddy spent his days running on the golf course (see the video below, he loved it), tanning by the pool, but the best part, is that dogs are allowed EVERYWHERE.

Where to Eat:

Teddy enjoyed a burger at In-N-Out

Palm Springs is known for its wild brunch scene.  I however, spend most of my days outside, either by the pool, shopping, or playing tennis.  There is simply not enough time for brunch.  Here are some of my favorites, that love your dog too:

1. Workshop Kitchen - With a beautiful dog friendly patio, this place is great for brunch or dinner.  We shared a bunch of dishes with our group of 5.  Teddy had his own bowl of water, but the drinks were amazing too.
2. Sherman's Deli - A Palm Springs classic, this is the first place we always go to on our way home from the airport.  The meals are huge, the food is comforting, and the place is loud and friendly.  Teddy was comfortable lounging on their patio while we enjoyed our lunch.
3.  Norma's - Norma's serves indulgent comfort food on a BEAUTIFUL patio.  What could be wrong?
4. Cheeky's - The menu here changes often, so you never get bored.  The food is farm to table, and the patio is lively and fun.  They serve an amazing breakfast and dinner.
5. Chi Chi - At the Avalon hotel, this place serves good food, at a good price, with a beautiful patio for you and your dog. 

Dorky hat at Petco

Nothing like a trip to Target!

Sun Safety Everyone

On the flight home, Teddy slept in his Sleepy Pod, which I left unzipped so he could rest his head on my feet.  Without thinking, when I went to the washroom, he followed me! I did not realize until I walked back to my seat and saw him sitting on a stranger's lap.  WOOPS!

Hello? Remember Me?

Back on the plane

I would rate our trip to Palm Springs a 10/10

Is there anywhere you like to travel with your dog? I would love to hear about it!

For more how-to's, tips and ideas, make sure you keep checking KeepingUpWithTheodor.blogspot.ca, and subscribe! Don't forget to stay in touch on my Instagram @KeepingUpWithTheodor for a regular dose of cute pictures.

Product Review: Bergan Comfort Sitting Booster

If you follow me on Instagram, you will know that Teddy comes with me everywhere.  As such, he spends a lot of time in the car.  When he was a baby, I searched high and low to find a safe way of transporting him.  At the time, the best solution was his Sleepypod Air.  It was crash tested the same as a child seat, and something that he did not mind spending too much time in.

After many car rides, I began to realize that while the Sleepypod Air is an amazing solution for travel, you need to unbuckle, and reinstall it each time you use it.  I found this too much of a nuisance, so started the search for a more permanent solution.

testing out the booster before it went in the car

Two of the options I began to research were the Bergan Comfort Sitting Booster (intended for medium dogs) and the Bergan Comfort Hanging Booster (intended for small dogs).  What initially attracted me to these, was that Teddy could safely look out the window (which he loves to do), while being tethered to the seat, using his harness, and a clip attached to the car seat.

Teddy actually uses the Bergan Comfort Sitting Booster, even though it is intended for larger dogs.  The reason why I chose this one, is that it is attached using the car's seat belt, versus the hanging booster, which wraps around the seat.

pretty comfy here

Teddy now loves car rides in his booster.  It is large enough for him to lay down, or sit up and look through the window.  I feel that this is a very safe option, as it keeps him locked in, in case we need to come to a sudden stop.  What is great about it, is that its plush liner can be removed for washing, so he can hop right in there, even after muddy visits to the park.

what's going on outside?

I did a lot of research on choosing a safe way to travel in the car with Teddy, so if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

For more how-to's, tips and ideas, make sure you keep checking KeepingUpWithTheodor.blogspot.ca, and subscribe! Don't forget to stay in touch on my Instagram @KeepingUpWithTheodor for a regular dose of cute pictures.

How-To Bathe Your Puppy

As the weather warms up, Teddy is coming back from the park muddier and muddier!

Usually baths are something I leave to the groomer (he goes monthly), but I can't let a muddy puppy live in my house!

When I first got Teddy, I had no idea how to bathe him.  He was so tiny, that I used a mixing bowl! You can check that out in this video.  He was so small and freezing, I swear he was shivering for hours afterwards.

one muddy pup in a tub

Now that he is bigger, I bathe him in the bathtub.  I tried the kitchen sink, but he just runs out, all over the counter making a huge mess.

Here is a step by step guide on how to bathe your puppy:

1. Fill a bathtub with warm water
2. Have a bowl ready beside you, for rinsing
3. Wet your puppy, either in the tub, or using your bowl
4. Lather them in your favorite shampoo.  We have been using Earthbath Eucalyptus and Pepperment since Teddy was a baby.  It was reccomended for his dry, itchy skin, and it stopped his itches right away.  We recently received an amazing shampoo from Aesop as a gift, and can't wait to try it when this bottle is finished!
5. Rinse using your bowl
6. Reward the puppy with a treat so they love bath time.

Sounds easy, right? Not so fast.

Puppies get confused by loud sounds, and Teddy freaked out the first time I tried to blow dry him.  I figured I would let the groomer do the blow outs, and let him dry naturally after towel drying.  The first bath he had, I made the mistake of leaving the bathroom door open, and he ran around like a maniac! He jumped on and off the couch, trying to dry himself off on my bed, the blinds, the carpet, ANYTHING.

I learned my lesson, and leave him confined to the bathroom until he dries off a bit.  I let him shake off, and cuddle him in a towel too.

After bath-time is over, you will finally notice your tub filled with mud - let the cleaning begin!

For more how-to's, tips and ideas, make sure you keep checking KeepingUpWithTheodor.blogspot.ca, and subscribe! Don't forget to stay in touch on my Instagram @KeepingUpWithTheodor for a regular dose of cute pictures.

New Puppy Checklist

Remember this little guy? It is hard to believe I brought him home almost a year ago!

My good friends are about to bring home their first puppy on April 8.  I made them a checklist of everything they need to buy and consider before he comes home.

I can't wait for Teddy to have a new best friend, and am so excited for my friends to embark on this journey!

The following are a list of things you will want to buy before he comes home:

1. Crate:  I chose one that is collapsible and foldable.  It makes travelling and staying over at places such as a cottage, much easier.  Teddy uses the  MidWest iCrate Folding Metal Dog Crate
2. Crate liner: This small bed comes in the same dimensions as the crate that you choose, and provides comfort to the little pup.  One warning though, don't put it in until he realizes his crate is his home and stops having accidents (or you will be washing it a lot).
3. Lots of Blankets:  Use these to line the crate, and also to let him know which spaces are his spaces.  I got a pile of blankets from the pet section at Dollarama, washed them often, especially in the beginning, and they have held up well!
4. Food and water bowls, and mat
5. Small bed
6. Toys: Get one of each type; pull rope, stuffed toys, kong, and Nylabone.  Teddy prefers the stuffed type, but a lot of dogs destroy them.  Make sure you don't leave him unattended with the toys in the beginning, just in case he rips them.  You don't want him choking!
7. Pee Pads: Most puppies come trained to pee on paper, and from there you train them to pee outside.  I trained teddy to wait by the door when he needs to pee, and left one by the door in the beginning in case he had an accident.  Teddy used them for a couple of weeks before I took them away.  These ones from Amazon are great value
8. Training Treats: Teddy loves freeze dried liver, specifically Benny Bullys.
9. Teething Toy: Teddy has a couple of these - This one is the cutest.  In the shape of a pig, you soak it in water, and then freeze it! The cool ice provides relief on his teething gums.
10. Food: Your breeder will tell you what he eats.
11. Collar:  I do not walk Teddy using his collar.  It is moreso a fashion statement, and a place to hang his ID tag, and Rabies Vaccination tag.
12. Leash: Dogs should walk on a 6ft leash.  What it looks like is up to you!  Retractable leashes are a big no, as you can lose control of the dog. Dont forget poop bags!
13. Odor Remover: He will pee a lot, and he will pee everywhere!! I really like the Woolite Pet Stain and Odor Remover
14. Harness: It is best for your dog's leash to be attached to a harness.  They teach them not to pull while they walk, and I would not want to walk my pup by something attached to his neck.  There are a variety of different harnesses, but these are the ones I like:
1. K9 Explorer by Coastal Pet Products - This is the one Teddy learned to walk with.  The arms slide through, and it clips on the back.  I like it because there is minimal fabric, which leads to less matting and a nicer coat.
2. Puppia Dog Soft Harness - Teddy has a nice camouflaged one.  I like the different patterns and colors that they come in.  It is made of a soft mesh material.  It slips over their head, then wraps and clips around the body.  I bought it purely because it is cute, but he uses it often, and walks nicely in it.
3. Buddy Belt - This harness is more expensive than the other 2.  It is made in Canada, of synthetic leather.  I have been considering getting one for Teddy.  It does the same work as the previous 2, at 3 times the cost!

In addition to these products, there are different services and arrangements you should start to consider before picking up your pup:

1. Vet: My vet is Dr. Vlad Stefanescu at the Yonge-Davenport Pet Hospital.  He has great hours and the nicest staff!  You need to take your pup to the vet within the first 48 hours of bringing them home.  He will check out his general health, and work with you on a vaccination schedule.
2. Insurance: Most insurance companies are a rip off.  The one I use, is actually not so bad, and I have already earned back my money's worth in emergency visits  (definitely not a good thing, but it shows its value).  I Pay $150 a month, and get back 80% of all visits and medication back, including regular scheduled visits, and vaccines.  There is a one time annual deductible of $100, versus most companies there is a deductible per ailment! I am on the highest plan at Petsecure, and highly recommend it!
3. Groomer: It really is a matter of preference, but I quite enjoy Dogee Spa on Avenue Road.  They keep Teddy all day, at no extra fee.
4. Trainer: Most experienced dog owners would agree that puppy school is a waste of time.  Investing that time and money into a good trainer is a much better option.  Troy Tappin at the Family Dog Learning Centre is an amazing trainer.  He basically trained me! I credit Teddy's excellent behavior to him.  Message me, and I will send you his number privately.
5. Dog Walking: Mila at Paw Theory, is Teddy's second favorite person (next to me).  As a baby, she visited him 3 times a day, took him out to go to the bathroom, fed him, and did some training.  As he grew up, he moved to 2 walks a day.  After he had all of his vaccines, he did 1 group walk per day, and 1 puppy visit, and now he does one big group walk per day.  Mila takes Teddy to a dog park or trail.  He loves it, and is completely exhausted for the rest of the day!

For more how-to's, tips and ideas, make sure you keep checking KeepingUpWithTheodor.blogspot.ca, and subscribe! Don't forget to stay in touch on my Instagram @KeepingUpWithTheodor for a regular dose of cute pictures.

We Came here to PAWTAY: A Puppy's 1st Birthday Party

Two Weeks ago we celebrated Teddy's first birthday! 

My little furry party ANIMAL was turning one, and I could not let the day pass without a fantastic celebration!

I invited most of his friends for a celebration at Teddy's palace.  We served salad and pizza for the humans, and a special dog cake by Trixie's Kitchen for the pups.  Teddy walked around proudly in his birthday crown, and could not get enough cake.

It was a fun celebration, and Teddy received tons of new toys and treats as gifts.  We could not be more thankful of our family and friends who came to party!

How to throw a birthday party for your pup:

1. Invite all of their friends: I used Paperless Post
2. Order a cake, or special treats for the pups: Wooftown has a great supply of specialty treats, and I ordered Teddy's delicious Trixie's Kitchen cake from them.  We got the smallest size, and there were still lots of leftovers.
3. Gather all of the supplies you need - I got mine from Party City:
• A special party hat for the birthday pup
• Party hats for the guests
• Plastic table cloths to protect your floor from doggies fighting over cake
• A few water bowls for the dogs
• Cutlery, plates, and cups for the humans
4. Order your favorite Pizza for the humans

Putting together Teddy's party was pretty easy, and it was a lot of fun.  How do you celebrate your dog's birthday?

For more how-to's, tips and ideas, make sure you keep checking KeepingUpWithTheodor.blogspot.ca, and subscribe! Don't forget to stay in touch on my Instagram @KeepingUpWithTheodor for a regular dose of cute pictures.