BTB’s Favorite Things

Just like Oprah we also have a list of our favorite things. We’ve compiled the ultimate list of gifts for you and your pups for the holidays.

Photo Credit: Dog Quality

Dog quality dogger stroller

The Cadillac of all dog strollers the Dogger is hands down the best stroller out there. This stroller is great, the basket sits high up so your pup has a great view of everything going on (and closer to whatever food their humans are eating). Equipped with rear suspension the Dogger can be taken off road or even on the bumpiest of city sidewalks. Not just for senior or disabled dogs you can use your Dogger for puppy socialization, or you can use it for times when you want to bring your pup for an outing but also want to make sure they have somewhere safe to retire to. We own this stroller and it’s seriously the best thing ever. It has more than paid for itself with the amount of use it’s gotten. We take it everywhere and it’s so nice to know that my senior dog has somewhere safe to stay when out and about.

natural dog company snout soother

Does your pup’s nose get dry and cracked in the winter? Then this Snout Soother is for you. Natural Dog Company makes it easy for you to help your pup’s dry cracked snout. The snout soother helps alleviate any pain and discomfort pups may feel from the effects of winter. It’s no secret that a dry nose is no fun.

A new Strap harness from frenchie

Photo Credit: Frenchie

If you’re anything like us one harness is never enough. We love the Frenchie brand harnesses because they always have super cute prints. Just in time for the holidays Frenchie has released this super cute strap harness. Your dog will be the talk of the town in this harness. These strap harnesses are great for bigger pups too because they’re completely adjustable. They can fit even the chonkiest of boys.

Photo Credit: 2 Dogs Treats

A subscription to 2 dogs Treats Just beef

What pup doesn’t love treats? We love 2 Dogs Treats because they’re locally made in Dorchester and they have a variety of treats for any pup. Whether your pup has an allergy to chicken or beef 2 Dogs Treats has something for you. They’re all natural, made with human grade meats and fish. The best part is you can find these treats at many local dog stores like Pawsh. So treat your pup to something yummy and healthy for them at the same time. Your pup won’t be disappointed.

Westpaw toppl

Do enrichment right with the Westpaw Toppl. These are great for short nosed dogs because they can stick their entire face in the the top to get every last bit of food out. Designed for moderate chewers the Toppl is a fun way to get your dog working for their food. Made in the USA, dishwasher safe, the Toppl even floats so your pup can bring it in the water with them.

Photo Credit: Sniffingtons

sniffingtons dipper tripper for your westpaw toppl

Looking for a fun addition to your Toppl while also being functional? Look no further than the Sniffingtons Dipper Tripper. These Dipper Trippers are so cute and a great way to make sure that the food you stuff in your Toppl doesn’t fall out. Get one for every occasion to up your enrichment game. While you’re at it grab some flavored bubbles too for even more fun.

my boston says hi to your boston hoodie

Cozy up to winter in this awesome hoodie from our shop. Whether you’re at home lounging or running errands about town you’ll be warm and stylish in this hoodie. What better what to rep BTB than with our own merchandise. This hoodie comes in sizes S to 2XL. Air-jet spun yarn with a soft feel and reduced pilling and a double-lined hood with matching drawcord this hoodie is a MUST for any Boston pawrent.

show us what you got

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11 Tips to Create a Dog-Friendly Yard, Straight From the Pros

Your dog is a member of the family. And just like any family member, your dog deserves a space of its own to run around, relax in the shade, or dig a hole. If you own a home with a backyard, renovating the space is the perfect solution to provide a space your dog won’t want to leave.

To help you get started, we reached out to dog experts from across North America, from Baltimore, MD to Penticton, BC to give us their best tips on how to create a dog-friendly backyard. From installing a porthole bubble in your fence to building a portable ramp to your porch, read on to see 11 backyard renovation tips you may not have thought of. 

1) Try pet-safe plants 

Pet-friendly landscaping goes beyond places to play and potty. Dogs’ brains thrive on smelling new things. So plant pet-safe plants like rosemary, thyme, and basil that you can also use in the kitchen. – Boston Terriers of Boston

Be responsible for the plants in your backyard. Some plants and fauna may be potentially harmful to animals, so ensure that your backyard is dog-safe before allowing your furkid to roam around. Remember to always keep an eye on what your dog interacts with when they are outside. – Pawjourr

2) Keep your landscaping dog friendly 

Certain plants and flowers, like daffodils and hydrangeas, can be toxic to dogs and should not be planted in a place where they may be accidentally ingested. Keep your minds at ease and your yard dog-friendly by saying no to plants that are harmful to your furry friends. – Dogs of Charm City

3) Ensure there is a fence, water, and shade for your dog

A fenced-in dog-friendly yard creates a safe space and gives your dog room to run, sniff, and explore. Just as important is making sure your dog has fresh water (a small fountain is a blast to drink from and even play in) and lots of shade to relax under after all that physical and mental enrichment. – The Inner Dog

4) Install a porthole bubble for your dog

While we love turf in an outside space, a grassy lawn is fun for your pets too – especially one with equal parts sun and shade. The one item that stands out in a yard that is one of our favorite features is a porthole bubble. We installed one in the fence in our yard at home at a dog’s-eye level so she could peek out at the neighborhood and see what’s going on. – Good Dog, Inc.

5) Create an enrichment area in your dog-friendly yard

Make room in your dog-friendly yard for an enrichment area for your dog to do some scatter feeding, digging, and ‘find it’ games. Every dog needs a job and designing an adventure area for your furry friend means they don’t have to create their own jobs. Tallgrass plus bark and wood chippings are ideal. – Wolfgangs Way Dog Training 

6) Build a secure fence to reduce barking

Fencing should not allow dogs to see through if you want to reduce barking. Securing under fences by using a couple of layers of pavers or by concreting under them should protect your yard from neighbors’ pets and should keep yours in. – Pets Training and Boarding

7) Install a dog door in the exterior wall of your backyard

Start by cutting a hole in the wall going through all layers and frame out the hole after installing the dog door so it looks nice from the inside. Then build or purchase a dog house large enough to cover the dog door with the back wall of the dog house, cut a hole in the back wall of the dog house, and slide the dog house against the dog door. No one can see the dog door from the outside. – Family Dog Club

8) Create a digging pit in your dog-friendly yard

Big holes and unseemly dirt piles are usually not what a homeowner thinks about as  “yard perfection.”The best way to handle this and create a dog-friendly yard is by creating a digging pit. Having an area of your yard set aside as a special place for your dog to dig, and encouraging them to dig there by hiding delicious treats, is the gold star treatment to avoid a yard excavation mess. – Kristi Benson

9) Create a dog-friendly ramp to the back porch

One of the best things I’ve done for my dogs is to create a dog-friendly ramp leading up to the back porch. Not only is it helpful for senior dogs, but dogs of all ages may have injuries that would make stairs difficult or impossible. It is important that the ramp is not too steep and that the ramp is wide enough to accommodate wheels for your dog if he ever needs them. – Beth Patterson, Daily Dog Tag

10) Add a water feature to your backyard

We know dogs love grass, but water is often a close second. Consider adding a water feature to your dog-friendly backyard. Big or small, it will add, soothing sounds, and variety to your yard that your dog will enjoy for years to come. – Adeo Pets

11) Build a DIY potty spot for your dog

If you want your pup to potty in a particular area of your yard, you can create a DIY potty spot, like a gravel pit. To get them in the habit of pottying in that area, make sure to take them out to that spot on leash at first, and consistently reward them for going to the bathroom in that spot. – Urban Pawsibilities

Originally published on Redfin.com

September is national Pet health Insurance Month

Did you know that September is National Pet Health Insurance Month? So how do you go about finding the right insurance for your pup? Well we’re here to help you figure that out.

Read the fine print

Because looking this good doesn’t come cheap. Pictured Ari from Holland

Much like human insurance, every company has a deductible. However, each company handles their deductibles differently. Some require an annual deductible that must first be met before any expenses are covered while others require a per condition deductible. There are often different ranges of deductibles to choose from.

It’s also important to know if the company has a pay out cap. Some companies have a per-illness cap, some have a yearly cap, and some have a lifetime cap.

Know the fees

A lot of companies say they cover “Usual and Customary” veterinary charges. However, this can actually mean is that they have a pre determined amount that they have decided is reasonable (i.e. the amount they have decided to pay). Unfortunately, vets don’t always charge what the insurance companies deem “reasonable” and you end up having the pay more.

Breed specific problems

It’s also important to know that many insurance companies exclude breed specific health concerns. For example, Boston Terriers tend to have brachycephalic airway syndrome and so some insurance companies won’t cover stenotic nare surgery. So when considering pet insurance please be sure to check what their exclusion policies are.

emergencies only

While we totally suggest that people get insurance it’s important to know that insurance doesn’t cover everything. As a matter of fact, it’s for emergencies only. Insurance doesn’t pay for well visits or routine things like flea and tick medication. It also doesn’t pay if your pup needs their teeth cleaned and most often won’t pay for the bloodwork leading up to the dental cleaning.

well plans

Some insurance plans also offer wellness plans on top of your regular insurance. While it’s definitely worth having a wellness plan to go along with your insurance it’s important to read the fine print and average out your costs to see if the plans being offered are actually saving you money.

who to choose?

With all the money you save with insurance your pup can look as fabulous as Ari.

While we can’t tell you what insurance carrier is best for you we can recommend some companies for you to look at since it can be hard to figure out which one to pick. Some companies that we think are worth taking a look at are HealthyPaws, Trupanion, Nationwide and Wagmo. We’re big fans of Wagmo’s wellness plan. For as low as $20 extra a month you get up to $800 dollars in savings. No matter who you decide to go with we think that insurance is an important part of being a pawrent.