Whiner and Diner Café

How to Potty Train a Puppy

2010-01-09T14:44:00.000-08:00

When you first bring your puppy into your home the first thing you’re likely going to want to accomplish is a little puppy house training. You need to establish the rules about this early on with your puppy before they get the idea of going about their business anywhere they please. The best age to start puppy house training is from 8 to 12 weeks, but this is not the only option. From the moment you bring this puppy into your home, they will turn to you for rules and routines, and may even look to you for jobs or duties. Dogs and puppies thrive on rules and schedules. This would be where the clicker method comes in.

A clicker is a small device you hold in one hand. When pressed it makes a clicking sound. Professional trainers use a clicker to signify when a behavior has been performed correctly. It’s much more consistent than a phrase, which people tend to change or pronounce differently and can be confusing for a puppy. It’s also much faster and your puppy will instantly know when they’ve done something correctly. When your puppy learns a new command (in this case “Go potty” or other mark phrase) it’s time for the ‘click’ along with praise and reward.

There are different methods you can use to reinforce puppy house training. A lot of your decision will be based on the type of housing arrangement you have. For those of you expect your puppy potty training to be in the yard of your home, that’s where you should start.

The easiest method to accomplish this type of puppy house training is to start out by purchasing a crate for your pup. These come in several sizes and you can purchase a crate that fits your puppy now, and purchase new ones as they grow. Dogs do not like to eliminate in the area where they sleep or live, so if you give them more room in the crate they can create a corner for their elimination and sleep in an opposite corner. This is why the perfect ‘fit’ of a crate is just big enough for your dog or puppy to turn around and lie down.

You can also buy a crate the appropriate size you will need when your dog is full grown and simply barricade the extra space with a sturdy and safe object that will not pose a danger to your new family member. Under no circumstance should you use your puppy’s crate to inflict punishment. The crate is not only going to be somewhere to safely put your puppy when you can’t be around to supervise while you are work or sleeping, but will also become your dog’s safe area or resting area. They will after a time go there on their own when they feel the need or desire.

How to go about puppy potty training with a crate is simple. When you start showing your puppy its new space, put them inside the crate with a chew toy and close the door. The first few short times, you want to stay in the room where the puppy can see you. Do not respond to any whining. After a time when your puppy has calmed down and seems to have understood, get your puppy’s leash, open the door of the crate and immediately take your puppy out for a bit of exercise or play time.

The next time you practice follow the same steps, except for you staying in the room. This time leave the room, or stay out of eye sight, gradually increasing the time you are away. Your dog or puppy potty training is successful when not only does your dog stop fussing when you put them in their crate but they go in on their own, as well as when they wait for you to take them outside to their designated area for eliminating.

For puppies that will be primarily in an apartment, your puppy house training will most likely is paper training. The most ideal space for paper training is in a location that has easy to clean floors, such as the bathroom or laundry room. You want to choose the location based on the area least intrusive on your daily family life. Start by covering a larger section of the floor with newspaper or potty pads found in many pet stores.

As time goes by and you have been clicking and reinforcing positive results, start to take away sections of the paper until your dog potty training is a success and reduced to one little section of the room. Please note that you should still have a crate for your puppy training and for while you are out of the house and cannot provide supervision. Just make sure after opening their cage you take them to their potty area to get them accustomed to waiting. Picking a mark phrase like ‘go potty’ or ‘hurry up’ will still help your puppy learn the rules, and make sure you use positive reinforcement such as click and praise for a job well done.

How to Remedy and Prevent Dog Urine Lawn Damage

2009-05-28T15:38:00.000-07:00

We all love our dogs, but we also love our summer lawn to be green and lush.
When a little dog waste can actually contribute to a greener grass, too much of it will damage and even kill it.

The damage caused to your lawn can be very frustrating: lawn burns and dead patches are very unsightly and difficult to get rid of.

The high content of nitrogen in dog urine can be devastating to your yard, especially if you own multiple dogs.

Although we know of a few dog owners who actually tried this, following your dog with a watering can around the yard each time he/she has to relieve himself/herself, seems like a lot of work…There are better solutions and prevention.

SOLUTIONS

· Dog food selection
Select your dog’s food carefully. Feeding your dog a high-protein diet will produce more nitrogen in its urine. A high quality food will have protein sources that are more digestible (real chicken or lamb meat, therefore, produces fewer waste products.

· Lawn fertilizers
Do not over-fertilize you lawn, as all lawn fertilizers already have very high content of nitrogen.

· Grasses
Plant more resistant grasses, such as Rye grass.

· Lime
Sprinkling lime on the damaged areas and watering them often will help in restoring the grass. And again, water often!

· Sodding
Sodding lawn dead patches is a quick efficient fix.

PREVENTION

· Dog supplements*
There are many diet supplements that you can find at local pet stores. NatureVet* grass saver wafers and NutriVet* green grass supplement are among many.

A UK company claims that Dog Rock*, a mined Australian mineral rock, added to your dog’s water will take care of the problem.

· Natural supplements
The PH of dog urine has no effect on lawn damage: adding vitamin C, baking soda or apple juice to your dog’s diet will not be effective, and might actually increase the risk of infections or bladder stones.

· Drinking water
Encourage your dog to drink more water to dilute its urine. This will lead to less concentrated nitrogen deposit when relieving himself/herself.
Keep a couple of water bowls outside during the hot summer days. Make sure to refill them often with fresh water.

· Training
This is by far the best solution and prevention!
Train your puppy when he/she first arrives to its new home.
Establish a “bathroom routine”. Lead him/her on a leash, to a remote, designated area and use food rewards.

Before you know it, he/she will go to the specific area on its own.

This will save you a lot of frustration, time and money.

For an older dog you might want to change its “summer routine”.
We have done it with our Black Lab, Bird.

We encourage him to “go all the way”, meaning “go all the way back in the yard, where I cannot see it”.

And he does!…Yes, he is that smart! Yes, we are that lucky!
Now, we all can enjoy the summer lawn!
Right Bird?… Good Boy!

Whiner and Diner Eco-chic Pet Accessories

Tray Chic: the ultimate way to serve Fido breakfast in bed!

2009-04-03T12:55:00.001-07:00

Tray Eco-Chic!

Whiner and Diner wine crate serving trays offer an attractive and unique way to serve and display your favorite foods and wine. Handcrafted from wooden wine crates, out on the patio or in the house, they will certainly be a great conversation piece among your wine connoisseur friends!

What a unique wine gift or wedding gift!

And yes, we know a few dog owners (no names please!) who would use these trays to serve their Pooch breakfast in bed...

Nothing but the very best!

How To Choose The Right Dog Bowls For Your Dog

2009-03-02T13:00:00.000-08:00

How To Choose A Dog Bowl or Dog Feeder.

There are many options available in today's market. You should choose accordingly to your dog's size, eating and drinking habits, your personal style and taste, and of course safety issues.

Plastic Dog bowls

Plastic bowls might be inexpensive, but some dogs become allergic to plastic and develop skin irritations, and or lose the pigmentation of their noses.

Plastic being porous can trap dirt, odors and germs, which even your dishwasher will not be able to eliminate.

Plastic can also leach plasticizers (most commonly phthalates) and colorants, into your dog's food, which are very harmful to its health.

Plastic bowls being lightweight will tip and spill over easily and can be chewed on by aggressive or too playful dogs.

Ceramic Dog Bowls

Ceramic dog bowls can be a good choice if chosen wisely.

They are usually heavy enough to be spill-proof, but some decorative glazes can contain lead and other toxics (mainly found in foreign products). So it is important to make sure that the bowls were intended for food usage and have a lead-free glaze finish.

Check the bowls regularly for cracks (especially fine ones which can be difficult to detect), chips and scratches, as they encourage the growth of bacteria. If such a bowl breaks replace it, and do not attempt to super glue it! It is not safe for you dog!

Stainless Steel Dog Bowls

They are the most healthy choice for your dog. Stainless steel has been the material of choice for food processing, dairy and brewery industries. It is durable, sanitary, rust-free, and non-leaching. Such bowls will last a lifetime.

For Older Dogs Or Taller Dogs

Getting an elevated dog feeder for a taller or older dog (or both) is a good idea since it will help them to eat and drink more comfortably from a dog feeder which is at a more natural body level
Some are outfitted with a single bowl or double bowls to accommodate your space or your dog’s drinking and eating habits.

If bending causes you discomfort, you won't need to bend down as much to pick up or put down heavy, full dog dishes: the stainless steel bowls are light enough to remove for easy cleaning and filling.

Keep Your Dog Bowls Or Feeders Clean

Whichever kind of dog bowls you choose, always keep them clean. Hand-wash them in warm, soapy water (and rinse them well), or put them in the dishwasher regularly. If you have an elevated feeder, wipe its top often to keep it dry and clean.

A Healthy Dog Is A Happy Dog!
Whiner and Diner Eco-Luxury Pet Accessories

Help Out Our Pets

2009-01-07T12:16:00.000-08:00

All our favorite four-legged friends got a nice present for Christmas...
But have we thought about the less fortunate ones? It doesn't have to be the Holiday Season to help out...

In this poor economy, an alarming number of pets are being abandoned.
Too many people cannot afford to pay their mortgage, lose their homes, sometimes jobs, and therefore, cannot care for their pets any longer.

Pets have been found in vacated homes, sometimes alone but healthy, other times ill, dying or even dead.

Not knowing what to do with their pets, some owners have set them free to roam the neighborhood, or even left them at the local animal shelter's doorsteps.

We are now facing a real epidemic of unwanted animals.

How Can We Help?

Being informed and willing is the key.

If you know someone who needs help with their pet(s), talk to them. Let them know what their options are, how and where to get help. Abandoning their animal(s) is not the only solution. You can even offer to foster their pet(s).

If you are thinking about getting a pet, adopt one from a local shelter:
ASPCA has a wonderful program, called "Meet Your Match" (MYM), which is used by hundreds of rescue groups and animal shelters around the country. They will match pets and owners based on compatibility.

Adopt A Pet is also a wonderful organization which will help you search by breed, size, age, and location for your new companion.

Best Friends Network (which has launched a new campaign to convince the Obama's family to adopt a dog), offers wonderful advice and resources.

And, of course, we all certainly can donate money, time, supplies and toys to a local rescue group or a shelter. We, at Whiner and Diner have a few favorite charities, for pets and people...

Whatever you do, it's easy to make a pet happy! And the favor will be returned in a way only a pet knows how to!

Christmas Pet Shopping: will our pets suffer from a poor economy this Holiday Season?

2008-11-08T12:19:00.000-08:00

In such a volatile and fragile economic environment, the consumers' normal tendency is to cut back on spending.

But in doing so, many people do not realize that they often end up buying a lesser quality product, which ultimately has to be replaced more often than if they had invested in higher valued (and often better quality- after all, there is great truth in the expression "you get what you pay for"...) merchandise.

The wise thing to do is to look for a few criteria when purchasing any item, including pet products:

Functionality, quality, safety, durability, price and of course style.

Whiner and Diner is a pet product company which puts high value on all of the above.
Their wine crate Eco-luxury dog and cat accessories are functional, high quality, durable, safe and healthy for pets. Because they are expertly hand-crafted out of reclaimed wooden wine crates, they are indeed stylish and Eco-friendly to boot.
They simply offer great value and are made in the USA.

Check out the Whiner and Diner pet toy boxes: in any color, but red or green would make a great Holiday gift for any wine and pet lover.
And why not fill it with cute, pet toys to complete the ultimate Christmas gift.

And let's not forget our less fortunate furry friends: the US economy is in dire straits, and too many pets are paying the price. The raising number of abandoned dogs and cats is becoming overwhelming. Our shelters are filling up with "foreclosure pets", given up by owners affected by the economic turmoil.

"Sorry, I can't pay my mortgage, I can't take care of my kids, I can't take care of my dog...Please, take care of him..." reads a note attached to a dog tied to a shelter's front door. This is just heartbreaking!

But we can all help: donate what you can (pet food, clothing, toys, etc...) to your local shelter, visit The Human Society to find out how you can help them.

And if you are thinking about giving a pet as a Christmas gift to a friend or a family member, please don't!!! Unless it has been discussed with the gift recipient, it is not a good idea! Too many Christmas Pets end up in shelters after the Holiday Season.

Instead, give a Pet Adoption certificate from you local shelter , along with a book about animal care and training, and let them decide...Hopefully, they will rescue a dog or cat from the shelter.

There are many ways to help restore our economy. And refueling it by spending our money is one of them! We just need to do it wisely!

Keen on Green for Spring!

2008-03-21T20:07:00.000-07:00

Going Green and going and going......

I saw a web site designing company slogan today "Go Green, Plant a Web site!". Brilliant!
— Don't you think?

America is finally waking up!...I want to see all shades of green.
Simple.
— Don't you think?

Do it every day. You'll see, when you start doing it, you cannot stop. It feels wonderful to make a difference!
— Don't you think?

Spring time is a yearly renewal. After the harsh New England winter (not so this year, thank you global warming?) ,we, at Whiner and Diner decided, to help spread the word:

Respect our Earth, take care of it and love it, don't ever take it for granted: this is where our future generations are going to live...How do you want it to be?
Let's be kind to it and take care of it!
— Don't you think?

Think green, be green, live green with Sundance Channel

Tough Little Dogs versus Gentle Giants

2007-12-17T09:22:00.000-08:00

Small dogs are adorable, compact animals, and there are many different small dog varieties to select from. The toy dog group is made up of some of the smallest dogs around. Many dog breeds are exclusive to the toy group, such as the Shih Tzu or the Chihuahua. However, others, such as the poodle for example, come in two other sizes: standard and miniature, and the toy breed is the smallest of these sizes.

It is advisable to do some careful research, however, if you have small children or other pets, as not all small dog breeds get along with youngsters or other animals, although the majority will be fine with proper socialization. Many small dogs make ideal companions, and are well suited to apartment living because of their size. Many are also well suited as companions for the disabled or elderly as not all toy dogs require a large amount of exercise.

Some of the small dog breeds excel as watchdogs and will raise the alarm when something unusual occurs. Of the small dog breeds in the Toy group, the ones that excel as watchdogs include the: Yorkshire Terrier, Chihuahua, Toy Poodle, and Shih Tzu. These particular breeds are all extra alert, they easily become excited, and will bark if they notice unusual behavior - such as an intruder entering your property.

Trainability in toy dogs can vary depending on the breed. Although some breeds, such as the toy poodle or the Toy Fox Terrier, are easy to train in most cases, others can have a really stubborn streak and can be headstrong, which often makes them more difficult to train.

The Labrador Retriever is a loving, affectionate, lovable, patient dog. Highly intelligent, loyal, willing, and high-spirited. Lively and good-natured, they love to play, especially in water - for they love to swim. They have an excellent, reliable, temperament and are friendly, superb with children and equable with other dogs. They crave human attention and need to feel as though they are part of the family. Labs are easily trained. Some may be reserved with strangers unless very well socialized as puppies. These dogs are watchdogs, not guard dogs, although some have been known to guard. They can become destructive if left too much to their own devices. Train Labradors early not to pull on the leash, as they have very strong necks.
Show lines are generally heavier and easier going than field lines. Field lines tend to be very energetic and high strung. Often the best pets are from combination show/field stock.

This breed is very popular. If you are planning to show, buy only from a reputable breeder. Labs are a bit more dominant and independent than the Golden Retriever. Some of their talents include: hunting, tracking, retrieving, police work, narcotics detection, guide for the blind, service dog for the disabled, search and rescue, sledding, carting, agility, and competitive obedience. Labs bred from English lines (English Labs) are more calm and laid back than Labradors bred from American lines. English Labs mature quicker than the American type.
Whiner and Diner Bird,Black Labrador: our dog feeder tester.
We personally just love Labradors: their personality, gentle temperament and high intelligence make them our favorites among all!

Post your "tough little dog" and "gentle giant" pictures, stories and anecdotes!

Holiday Pet Etiquette: To bring or not to bring the Dog?

2007-12-13T12:42:00.000-08:00

Many of the Dog owners I know (including myself), tend to treat their Pooch like their child. They assume that if they are invited to a party, their four-legged friend is of course, welcome to join the festivities.
We take him along assuming (again!),that it is just fine...Well, this can be a recipe for disaster. Even though some hosts might have pets themselves, this is not supposed to be a pet party (barking, running around chasing each other, begging for food, sniffing, licking the guests, etc).
Here is a piece of news for you: some people actually do not like dogs...Can you imagine that! What awful people!

This is our "the dog is not welcome" experience:

"Oh, you brought the dog..." that made us feel really welcome to the party. But, we should have known better, right?...Now, was our dog's name on the invitation? Did we call the hosts to ask permission to bring the dog along?

We ended up having to leave our friend in the car, and at this point, we were really annoyed with our hosts (the awful people). After a while, we felt guilty and horrible...(about our dog being lonely and maybe cold). So we had to leave the party with regrets.

Driving home, happy to be reunited with our poor baby, after an eternal couple of hours of true agony, I started thinking: what a great excuse for leaving an awful people party early.

Here is how it should be done:
Leave the dog home, mingle politely with the hosts and guests, have some food and a few drinks and when the time comes just say: "We are so sorry, but we have to go home to take care of the dog...Thank you so much for having us! What a wonderful party..."
Now you can go home and enjoy the best Holiday evening by the roaring fire with the best company, the dog!

But remember that if you have a well behaved dog, he will be most likely welcome almost anywhere! It is up to each owner to set limits, socialize and train the dog.

Happy Holidays from the dog, well behaved Black Labrador "Bird" at Whiner and Diner

Here are a few funny (I think) and enlightening pet Holiday disaster stories: "Rex" sends Granny to the emergency room. The Golden Retriever "Diego de Mar de la Joya Montoya" is just another "Marley"...
Who Invited the Dog? Read article
By JOYCE WADLER and ABBY AGUIRRE

Published: December 13, 2007
The boundaries between humans and animals have been eaten away to the point where devoted owners lose all perspective on the pet’s role in their social lives. Read article

Unique Holiday Pet Gifts

2007-12-07T16:05:00.001-08:00

Pets as Gifts: Bad Idea!

Why do you think that the animal shelter population always increases right after the Holiday Season? It is very difficult to resist that cute little bundle of Joy in the window, isn't it? Well, please contain yourself! You should not surprise family members or anyone, with animals as gifts! Uncle Albert might not feel that lonely. He might not want a furry companion whom he would have to walk and feed. He might not have the time or the patience...

There are so many reasons why pets should not be given as Holiday gifts. Remember that a Pet will live an average of fifteen years: this is a very serious commitment... You should not make that decision for anyone else! And you do not want your Gift to be returned or placed in a shelter, do you?

The Holiday Season is always a very busy and chaotic time for everyone. The pet might become frightened and disoriented. It is probably not the best time to introduce a new pet to a unfamiliar environment and new faces.

Animal Products as Gifts: Good Idea!

There are other ways to bring Pet Love into a home during the Holidays:
Give a pet oriented gift to the family so they can get a taste of the Pet Love and have time to discuss and prepare to the idea of having a new four-legged friend before they actually get one.

1) A book about Dog training to show them that a lot of time needs to be devoted to a pet.
2) A Dog or Cat breed book to help them choose the best pet for their family: if they choose to have a Dog they will learn about breeds different needs, temperaments, etc...
3) A leash (they will have to walk the Dog)
4) Pet grooming supplies.
5) Pet toys.
6) A pet bed or a feeder: Make your gift even more unique by giving
a Whiner and Diner pet feeder! These elevated pet dishes are hand-crafted out of wooden wine crates from prestigious European and Californian vineyards, outfitted with stainless steel bowls and can be personalized with the pet’s name.
Add a bottle of wine to your gift for the wine lover, or fill the bowls with golf balls for the golf lover…
A gift from you they will never forget!

Whatever gift you decide to give to them, let pet owners pick their own pet, and everyone will have a Happy Holiday and a Merry Christmas!

Priceless moments with our Black Labradors!

2007-10-25T09:08:00.000-07:00

Bird: our Beautiful Black Labrador soaking up the New England Autumn sun!

New Pet Show on NBC!
Celebrity Pet Dish

Pet inspired beer and wine
Features the Labrador Retriever, and other breeds, Whiner and Diner pet dishes, dog beers, dog wines, dog books, celebrities and their Pets and more...

Diamonds are a Dog's Best Friend?

2007-10-23T11:43:00.000-07:00

We've all been through this during the Holiday Season:

"What can I give my Pet Lover Friend this year as a Holiday Gift? He already has everything in the World ..."

La collection de Bijoux by I love Dogs Diamonds offers " the World most exquisite and expensive dog collars [...] they are crafted with extreme precision and attention to detail [...]" claims the company.
"They ought to be!" I claim.

Amour De La Mer above, retails for $480,000 (mais oui!). Another one Amour Amour (that's Love all right!) is $1,800,000.

But if you really don't want to be too extravagant, you can buy the Juene Chéri for only $280,000.

Still a little pricey, but you want an unusual and beautiful gift?

Now, here is a truly unique Christmas gift idea for the Pet and Wine Lover in your life, with a touch of Luxury without going to extemes.

A Whiner and Diner Wine Crate Feeder for the Dog or Cat...and a bottle of the Human's favorite wine.

Now, that's a classy Pet and Wine Lover Gift that will last for years to come, and won't need to be put away in the safe every time Fido or Tiger finishes using it!

However,Whiner and Diner does not include the wine...too bad!

"Happy Holidays! Bone Appétit! A votre santé!”

Why do People do this to their loving Pets?

2007-10-14T15:18:00.001-07:00

"I thought you loved me...why do you do this to me every year?
Do you see a smile on my face?
How embarassing is this?!"

Please take some precautions with your Pets during the Halloween season: new environments, people, noises might change your pet's behavior...
[read more...]
by Alicia Wright (Connecticut Human Society)

Whiner and Diner did not dress up any Pet in the making of this blog.

We have a beautiful Black Labrador Bird, and I would never put him through such humiliation...I wonder how many more dogs bite their owners around the Halloween season? I know I would...

Eco-pink Precious Pet Feeder

2007-10-05T09:56:00.001-07:00

Dining Pretty in Pink

The latest pet feeder by whiner and diner for the smaller ones...just the most precious of all.

We all have a Friend, a Family member, a Neighbor or even a Pet (yes, they do get mammary cancer) who has been affected by Breast Cancer: Whiner and Diner will donate a portion of their proceeds to the National Breast Cancer Foundation during October, Month of Breast Cancer Awareness.

A Fine Pet Bed for your Cat or Dog

2007-09-16T15:28:00.001-07:00

For smaller Dogs and for Cats.

Hand-crafted out of authentic wooden wine crates, Whiner and Diner pet beds are perfect for our smaller four- legged friends.

They are outfitted with a complimentary fluffy faux- fur pillow for the comfort of your Pooch. (see website for fabric choices).

We miss Lassie

2007-09-16T14:25:00.000-07:00

We all miss Lassie!

What a great dog to watch when we were growing up.

Check out the 50 years of Lassie DVD's here, Fido might enjoy it with you and could even learn a trick or two...

Here is the Lassie- Cloris Leachman opening theme (announcer: Frank Simms)

A Fine Dog Feeder with a Green Bouquet

2007-09-16T13:10:00.001-07:00

Every dog owner I know has that
“special” relationship with his pet — I’m sorry to say that I prefer my dog Bird over most people I know — and yes, I will provide him with the very best.

If you are a dog lover and a wine connoisseur (and I am!), these unique dog dishes will satisfy your desire to feed Fido with panache and also feed the interior decorator inside of you — oh là là!

The feeders are hand-crafted by Whiner and Diner™ out of recycled (did I hear “eco-chic”?) wooden wine crates from European and Californian wineries. They come in different sizes to accommodate the tall and the short ones, and are outfitted with 1- or 2-quart stainless steel dog bowls (embossed with paw prints — or plain edges, for minimalists).

Whiner and diner offers a beautiful color palette ("The New Sophisticated Neutrals"), and will also color washed Fido's or Fifi"s feeder to complement your unique décor (match it to your kitchen cabinets, or your favorite little Prada's pink outfit!).

And, of course, you wouldn’t dream of owning an upscale pet feeder unless it was hand-personalized with Fido’s name…well, they can do that too!

Now, if only they could get your favorite “Château Margaux” wine crate…they will, depending on their inventory!

Voilà! However, they do not include the wine…too bad!

“Bone Appétit! A votre santé!”