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Tips on Taking Pet Photos with Your Phone

Thousand Hills Pet Resort

Jun 5, 2020
2 min

Tips on Taking Pet Photos with Your Phone

All of these photos were taken by our Resort Hosts! We truly love capturing the adorable doggie friendships, silly faces, and energetic playtime that goes on here. Even better, we love sharing them with you in report cards. Here are six tips to a quality puppy photoshoot, each achievable with a phone. Use natural lighting Photography is all about lighting! Look for a bright room in your house near windows, or head outside and catch the sparkle in your pet's eyes. Aim for brig

364 views

Feb 28, 2020
2 min

4 Reasons to Use a Dog Harness

What do you use to take your dog on a walk? Have you ever considered a harness? Take these four reasons into consideration when choosing the right training tool for your dog. 1. More Control Harnesses offer support to the neck, chest, back, and legs. Because harnesses support more of the dog's body, the harness gives the handler more control of movement. Instead of only holding your dog back from the neck, owners are able to hold their dog by most of their body. This is espec

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Feb 21, 2020
1 min

Common Houseplants That are Toxic for Dogs

Most dogs have the natural instinct not to put EVERYTHING in their mouths, but (let's be honest) there are plenty of dogs whose first reaction is to eat that random piece of garbage off of the ground. When it comes to toxic items, dogs are generally smart enough not to go chewing on a poisonous thing. Just in case, make sure to avoid keeping the following plants in your house, backyard, front yard, and especially out of your dog's reach. Here's a quick list of plants to avoi

6,911 views

Feb 14, 2020
2 min

7 Signs Your Dog Loves You

Happy Valentine's Day! In honor of this day of love, here are some ways your pup communicates their love for you. 1. Eye Contact Natural eye contact during play or while cuddling releases the love hormone oxytocin. Eye contact means trust, love, and vulnerability. Tense, long and sustained eye contact can be seen as a threat to your dog, so make sure the eye contact isn't forced! 2. Cuddling Physical touch is a big way dogs show affection. By leaning against you, your dog is

10,819 views

Feb 7, 2020
2 min

What Ball Chasing is Really Doing for Your Dog's Health

It's common knowledge that the earliest domestication of dogs was for hunting purposes. Historically, people took advantage of dogs for their natural impulse to track, chase, and retrieve. The modern result of years of this domestication and conditioning is the game fetch. Ball chasing is a fun and popular activity for contemporary dog owners, but what is fetch actually doing to your dog? Effects on the Brain Some dogs will keep bringing the ball back to you. Over... and... o

11,157 views

Jan 31, 2020
2 min

What You Need to Know About Doggy Dental Health

Why Does Their Dental Health Matter? As a pet parent, you want your dog to be happy and healthy. Just like they say eyes are the window to the soul, oral health is the window to your dog's overall health. Dental care is critical for your dog's health for many reasons. First, think about it; dental pain is uncomfortable. When a dog has a toothache or sore gums, they can't tell you about it. They have to endure extra pain and stress that they shouldn't have to worry about (not

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Jan 24, 2020
2 min

Do Dogs Dream?

I’m sure you’ve noticed it. You look over at your dog who should be peacefully asleep, but somehow they’re twitching or breathing heavily as if they were running after a squirrel! Why do they do that? Are they dreaming like us? Long story short, the answer is yes! Scientific evidence proves that dogs dream. Research to explain this phenomenon began in 2001 when MIT researcher Matthew Wilson confirmed rats have complex dreams. This study examined the sleeping pattern of rats t

444 views

Jan 17, 2020
5 min

What Dog Breed is Right for Me?

Did you know that there are over 200 dog breeds recognized by the AKC? At Thousand Hills Pet Resort, we see a variety of these breeds within our guests. With so many options when choosing a dog, it's easy to get stuck in the "paradox of choice." In this week's blog, we will be going over some of the best ways to help guide you through a choice overload. Key Breed Traits While deciding what dog breed to get, here are a few traits to consider: Size (height and weight) Big dogs

20,409 views

Jan 10, 2020
2 min

4 Fun Winter Activities With Your Dog in San Luis Obispo

Winter is upon us in San Luis Obispo! While half of the country is experiencing icy cold temperatures, we're relaxing on the Central Coast at a mild 65-degree average... not to brag. Check out some of the most recommended activities to do in San Luis Obispo this winter! 1. The Pismo Beach Monarch Butterfly Cove Each winter, over 100,000 monarch butterflies migrate to Pismo State Beach. With your dog, you can stroll through the eucalyptus tree grove and admire the many monarch

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Jan 3, 2020
4 min

Helping Your Dog Cope Through Their Anxiety

One of the most common concerns new guests at our resort tell us about is their dog's (or cat's) separation anxiety. For pets, anxiety is much more common than you may guess. According to research at University of Illinois, up to 40% of dogs present symptoms of separation anxiety. How can you better prepare your dog to be confident and self-assured when away from you? Know the Signs of Anxiety Just like people, dogs may display their anxiety in a variety of individual ways. L

4,916 views

Dec 20, 2019
3 min

DIY Holiday Doggy Treats

One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is cooking great food with even better company. I love baking and I love my dog (of course!). With these recipes, I get to do one of my favorite things for my favorite doggy. Don't let your pup miss out on the holiday fun by trying out some of these delicious (and safe for human consumption) holiday treats. 1. Gingerbread Dog Cookies What you'll need: 2 eggs 2 tablespoon oil 1 tablespoon molasses 1 1/4 cup gluten free flour 1/4 t

10,777 views

Dec 13, 2019
2 min

Easy Ways to Keep Your Dog Warm this Winter

By Hannah Stein Before you say anything, I know... we're in San Luis Obispo. Even though it's never THAT cold, we do get our fair share of chilly temperatures where it's important to keep our pet's health and safety in mind. The first step to keep your dog warm is determine whether or not they are cold. Just like humans, a cold dog will shiver. They may also whine, hunch over, change their behavior, seek shelter, or lift their paw off the ground. Your best bet to determine if

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Dec 6, 2019
4 min

7 Fun Tricks to Teach Your Dog

By Hannah Stein The winter holidays are only a few weeks away and family is coming to town, so you've got to impress. Try showing off your dog's smarts by teaching your pup these fun tricks! Here are some tips before we begin: 1. Make sure your dog has a motivator. For some dogs it's treats, a clicker, or a toy, while for other dogs, it's their special bond with you. 2. Keep training sessions short and brief. It's difficult for a pup to learn if they are tired or frustrated.

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Nov 29, 2019
3 min

Training Tips: Crate Training

By Hannah Stein Crate training is based on a dog's natural instinct to create a den. As a training tool, crates are a great way to potty train, set up house rules and manners, and give your dog a safe zone. Before we begin, keep these thoughts in mind: 1. The crate is NOT a punishment, it is their safe space and home. 2. Dogs should not be crated for too long. Make sure your dog is getting proper exercise and social interaction on a daily basis. If you are keeping your dog in

1,471 views

Nov 22, 2019
1 min

Black Friday 2019 Deals on Pet Gifts in San Luis Obispo

By Hannah Stein Black Friday in San Luis Obispo is only one week away! Time to get your holiday shopping in with all the amazing deals. Compiled below is a list of the best Black Friday deals for your pets in San Luis Obispo stores. 1. Amazon Amazon has some unbeatable deals on pet supplies. When you shop using the following Amazon links, a portion of the proceeds go toward our nonprofit programs. Pet Steps: Ease your dog's ability to come up and cuddle on the bed or couch. T

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Nov 15, 2019
3 min

Teaching Your Dog Table Manners

By Hannah Stein After a long day of cooking in a crowded kitchen, you and your loved ones finally sit down for your Thanksgiving feast. As you begin to cut a fresh piece of juicy turkey, you suddenly hear a slow, high pitched whine coming from under the table. As you try to ignore it, it starts to get louder and louder until it has become a full howl. You look down and realize it's your dog barking in a desperate plea for just one piece of that delicious turkey. It's impossi

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Thousand Hills Pet Resort

Nov 8, 2019
2 min

Foods Your Dog Shouldn't Eat

By Hannah Stein Thanksgiving is just around the corner! You plan to cook for Fido, too, right? Sadly, you cannot give into every craving your pup has. Here is a list of some of the most dangerous foods and what not to feed your dog. Our first six foods are dangerous to eat because they are toxic: 1. Chocolate This is probably the most well-known human food that is toxic to dogs. Chocolate is toxic because it contains substances called methylxanthines, which stop certain metab

25,856 views

Dogs & Cats: Why Can't They Just Get Along?

Thousand Hills Pet Resort

Nov 1, 2019
3 min

Dogs & Cats: Why Can't They Just Get Along?

By Hannah Stein You know the phrase, “fighting like cats and dogs.” In many situations, cat and dog are absolute best friends! That is not always the case. Are these two animals really mortal enemies? Or can they just get along? 1. Natural Instinct For dogs who have never been socialized with a cat, they see kitties as prey. Conversely, cats who are unfamiliar with dogs are afraid. This sets the two animals off poorly from the start. A cat may react by fighting- scratching, h

234 views

Halloween Training Tips: Stop Barking at the Doorbell

Thousand Hills Pet Resort

Oct 25, 2019
3 min

Halloween Training Tips: Stop Barking at the Doorbell

By Hannah Stein Does your dog bark every time the doorbell rings? If so, then you know how difficult it is to celebrate Halloween at home. Trick-or-treaters travel from house to house enjoying the festivities. When they get to your home, they are frightened by your pup’s defensive howl. You may be dreading the constant headache from a yappy dog, but you can use this holiday as a valuable training opportunity. Here are a few of the best ways to train your dog to remain calm at

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Thousand Hills Pet Resort

Oct 18, 2019
3 min

Adorable Doggy Halloween Costume DIY

By Hannah Stein Get every family member involved in the Halloween festivities this year! Need some inspiration? Check out these adorable DIY costume ideas to dress your pup up for the spookiest night of the year. 1. Beanie Baby If you are looking for a simple costume, try making your pup an IRL stuffed animal. First, create a “Ty” Beanie Baby logo out of felt or paper. Attach the “Ty” Beanie Baby logo to your pups collar. This costume is especially great for any dogs that res

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