Author Archives: Lily

I Really AM Your Best Friend!

Posted on October 22, 2012 | 2 Comments
LilyBy: Lily

Well, it’s about time! Science has FINALLY proven what dog lovers like you–and lap lovers like ME–have known all along: Dogs are highly attuned to human emotions, thanks to thousands of years of evolution of dogs’ coexistence with humans. This was shown in a recent University of London study in which all kinds of dogs were put in a room with their owner or a stranger. The people were told to either hum, talk or pretend to cry. While the dogs ignored the hummers and talkers (LOL!), they offered comfort to the criers by licking or nuzzling them! Well, mais oui!    Click here to read the whole story.

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Posted in Dogs and Training in the Media, Training Advice, Uncategorized

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Study Finds Dogs in Workplace Lower Stress

Posted on March 30, 2012 | Leave a comment
LilyBy: Lily

For all of us dogs that hate being left behind when our humans go to work each day—great news is coming out of the Virginia Commonwealth University! Originally published in the March issue of the International Journal of Workplace Health Management, a VCU scientific study—which compared employees who bring their dogs to work, employees who don’t bring their dogs to work, and employees without pets—showed that while all stress levels were even at the beginning of the day, when the dogs were present, their owners’ stress levels actually went down. Alternatively, stress levels rose for the other two groups throughout the workday, and for the dog owners when their dogs weren’t at work.

I can’t say I’m surprised…I mean, look at me! How could you possibly stay stressed when I’m under your desk looking so adorable?

Principal investigator Randolph T. Barker, Ph.D., who is the professor of management in the VCU School of Business, said:

“Although preliminary, this study provides the first quantitative study of the effects of employees’ pet dogs in the workplace setting on employee stress, job satisfaction, support and commitment. Dogs in the workplace can make a positive difference.  The differences in perceived stress between days the dog was present and absent were significant. The employees as a whole had higher job satisfaction than industry norms.”

Read a full article on the study at Examiner.com, and CLICK HERE to find great tips Dog in officefor preparing to bring your dog to work,  including:
  • How to determine if your dog is a good candidate for coming to the office
  • What supplies you’ll want to set out in advance (don’t forget your dog’s favorite bedding and some toys, plus water and food bowls)
  • How to safely manage your dog’s interactions with coworkers and their canine companions
  • And more!

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Beer for Dogs

Posted on January 10, 2012 | 1 Comment
LilyBy: Lily


Cheers, mates! “Boozehound” now has a new (and very literal) meaning, as a pub in England has started offering Dog Beer—a tasty blend of malt, hops and meat extract—for its many four-legged patrons. Bottled, labeled and served in a pint glass, the Daily Mail reports that the brew has been wildly popular at the pet-friendly Brandling Villa where it is being served (they went through the first 48 bottles in a fortnight—whatever that means).

Dog Beer

The pub welcomes the furrier set, even developing a doggy dessert menu and daily food specials—don’t miss the Sunday roast, smothered in “cat-flavoured” gravy.

Stranded stateside? Not to worry! Turns out the dog beer trend actually started Custom Label Dog Beerhere in the good ole’ US of A. Bowser Beer in Phoenix, Ariz., now ships its dog-friendly suds nationwide. You can even custom-order labels featuring your furry friend’s mug shot.

It might not be long before “happy hour” becomes “yappy hour” at a bar near you—and I’ll raise my water bowl to that! Now if they could just figure out how to make me a Canine Cosmo…

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Santa Baby – Best Holiday Presents for Dogs!

Posted on December 15, 2011 | Leave a comment
LilyBy: Lily

Did you remember to include your furry family members in your holiday shopping this year? If you forgot, fear not!  For the perfect one-stop shopping gift for the dogs (or dog parents!) on your list, check out SIX awesome holiday PACKAGES from Bark Busters! And at $35 each you’ll save up to 30% on goodies like soft cotton leashes, KONG Wobblers, and Buster’s Secret Stain & Odor Remover.

If that’s not quite enough to fill your precious pooch’s stocking…I’ve got a rundown of the rest of this year’s HOTTEST holiday gifts for dogs, and just for fun, I’ve prepared a little song. Enjoy—and get shopping!

Santa baby, slip Angry Birds toys under the tree, for me
I’ve been an awful good dog
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight…


Santa baby, a rhinestone-studded new collar too, light blue
I’ll SIT and STAY for you dear
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight…


Think of all the fun I’ve missed
Think of all the hound dogs that I haven’t kissed
Next year I could be oh so good
If you’d check off my Christmas list
Bark bark roo roooo…


Santa honey, I wanna KONG and really that’s
Not so wrong
I passed my Canine Good Citizen test this year
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight…


Santa cutie, there’s one thing I’ve been wanting for days, Zukes Z-Filets!
And some Mini Naturals too
Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight…


Santa baby, I’m filling my stocking with a RuffWear coat, and tote
Sign your ‘X’ on the line
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight…

Come and trim my Christmas crate
With a new dog bed bought from Petmate
I really do believe in you
Let’s see if you believe in me
Bark bark roo roooo…

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a Nyla-Ring
I don’t mean on the phone
Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight…

Hurry down the chimney tonight…
Hurry down the chimney tonight!

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Dog Pumpkin Carving Stencils for Halloween!

Posted on October 19, 2011 | Leave a comment
LilyBy: Lily

Halloween is just around the corner—and what better way to showcase your love for your dog than carving his/her likeness into a giant orange pumpkin? Our friends at Better Homes & Gardens have FREE pumpkin carving stencils for over 20 different breeds. My favorite, of course:

Visit the entire BHG.com collection to see all the dog breed jack o’ lantern stencils available for FREE download! Find the one that looks most like your dog, and customize it for his/her individual characteristics (for example, I think we can all agree that I have a much more fashionable haircut than the Yorkie above). Leave a comment below to let us know how yours turned out; or, better yet, send a photo to speakdogblog@barkbusters.com!

REMEMBER that swinging tails and rowdy dogs can easily knock over lit jack o’ lanterns—either keep your masterpiece out of your dog’s reach, or consider using a battery-powered candle instead. Check out my post from Halloween last year for more safety tips—and have a Happy Howl-oween!

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