Category Archives: Rigby

Moving Tips and Tricks to Keep Your Pup Happy

August 15, 2017

I made a huge mistake the first time we moved. I didn’t acclimate my dog to our new place properly and ended up rushing Rigby to the vet with some digestive issues if you get what I’m saying. Just like humans, dogs can get stressed and have health consequences too. And if you’re like me and hadn’t considered the impact of moving with dogs, then I’m hoping I can help you keep both you and your pup stress-free.

BarkShop Destroyers Club Review // Hello Rigby Seattle Pet BlogDisclosure: This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of BARK. All opinions are 100% mine.

Moving with Dogs Tips and Tricks

When we moved this time around, I had quite a few questions from friends and family on how Rigby was handling things. Unlike last time, I was proud to announce that he seemed to be doing just fine! No emergency vet visits occurred, and Rigby’s tummy troubles seemed to be nowhere to be found. (And if you’ve taken any 4 am bathroom trips for a fussy dog like I have, then you know this is a real blessing. Seriously.) Because of what I experienced on our first move, I wanted to share what I’ve learned about moving with a sensitive pup in the hopes that you and your pup are feeling good about a move or a life change! Continue reading →

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10 MORE Things to Know About the Shiba Inu Breed

April 13, 2016

It was about one year ago that I wrote my most popular post ever, innocently titled ten things you should probably know about Shiba Inus. I made a few Shiba owners angry, I had a lot of breeders write me messages thanking me and wanting to share with their pet clients, and I had even more people laugh along with me who own a dog just like mine. I also received a lot of emails from prospective owners wondering if I was exaggerating and if the Shiba Inu breed really might not be for them.

Now over a year later, I still get a lot of questions, so I thought it might be time to write 10 MORE things I think you should know about the Shiba Inu breed! Of course, not every Shiba is just like Rigby. Just like the humans that own them, each dog is a special snowflake with its own set of quirks, likes, and dislikes. However, at their core, Shibas tend to be pretty similar in that they are typically 1. aloof, 2. independent, and 3. irritatingly smart. These are the other things that I think you should definitely know before you consider getting a Shiba Inu for your family.

10 More Things You Should Know about the Shiba Inu Breed // Shiba Inu Temperament & Personality Traits // Hello Rigby Seattle Shiba Inu Blog

10 MORE Things to Know About the Shiba Inu Breed

The comparison to cats is real.

As much as I try to deny it, Rigby is really quite cat-like. He prefers to be high up, surveying his kingdom as often as possible. You’ll often find him sitting on top of his crate, on the back of my parent’s couch when we visit, or peeking out the window. He’ll rub your legs to get noticed in the kitchen, clean himself after each of his meals, and let you know when he’s had enough of your petting too, just like his feline counterpart.

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5 Useful Tricks To Teach Your Dog

March 17, 2016

Disclosure: Thanks to Northgate Mall for sending us to have photos with the Easter Bunny & to Barkworthies for sending Rigby some yummy treats!

Going to new places can be overwhelming. It may be loud; there could be funny smells, your personal space might be invaded if the place is busy, and depending on how comfortable you are, you may feel a bit panicky. Now imagine you’re about 1/5th of your size and have to deal with all of the above, and things could be even more extreme. That’s how your dog deals with public spaces every day.

Last weekend, we were invited to take photos with the Easter Bunny at Northgate Mall just north of Seattle. The first thought in my head was “Oh, I don’t know about that…” I didn’t want to pass the opportunity up because, to be honest, I was curious about how he would do in a potentially busy environment around other people, dogs, cats, and/or kids. It also gave me a unique opportunity to test out training and work with him on new scenarios. Socialization never ends, and who said you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?!

Useful Tricks to Teach Your Dog // Hello Rigby Seattle Pet & Lifestyle Blog

5 Useful Tricks to Teach Your Dog

The first thing I did to prepare was to brush up on some of my favorite tricks that Rigby knows. Some he’s better at than others, but I used all of these while we were at the mall to ensure we were safe and he was kept occupied. Rigby tends to have leash frustration, so I manage it by engaging his mind through training.

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Silly Halloween Costumes for Picky Pets & Giveaway

October 7, 2015

Product Sample: I received a couple of collars from Martha Stewart Pets. Affiliate Links: If you click on a link in this post, I may make a very small commission.

I don’t think it’s a secret that Rigby is a typical Shiba Inu. He’s full of attitude and finicky as all get out about nearly everything. Except food. He’s not very discerning about that… But clothes? You are kidding, right? The first time I tried to put clothing on him he was about 4 months old and it was one of the first times he’d ever copped an attitude with me. The next time I attempted it, he had wised up and was not shy about growling at me.
Halloween Costumes for Picky Dogs & Cats (Like my Shiba Inu, Rigby!) // hellorigby seattle lifestyle blog

Halloween Costumes for Picky Pets

I did attempt a Halloween Costume with him last year. I found the cutest glow in the dark skull outfit at Target and thought Rigby might have changed his mind. Nope. He stood like a statue, and if I touched him he growled at me. And when I took it off, he wanted nothing to do with me. Point taken.

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Rigby Reviews: Bravo Pet Food {& Giveaway!}

August 27, 2015

Complimentary Product: A two month trial of Bravo Pet Food was provided for me in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own, of course!

While it’s no longer National Dog Day, it feels like every day is around here celebrating this dog of mine, Rigby. To say Rigby is spoiled would probably be an understatement. When I first got Rigby, I knew we wanted to feed him a higher quality pet food then what can be found at say Target or Walmart. We started with a high quality and highly recommended kibble made for puppies, then transitioned into an even better quality kibble for all ages, but noticed he had horrible, horrible gas. Like deathly.
Bravo Pet Food: Homestyle Complete Freeze Dried Raw Food Review & Giveaway // hellorigby seattle lifestyle blog
It not only was odorous, but what came out the other end wasn’t looking quite right either. I won’t get into specifics, but it seemed that he wasn’t properly digesting the kibble and it wasn’t making his digestive system too happy. After reading a lot, I made the switch to a raw diet. We have tried a couple over the past two years, but our recent switch to Bravo Homestyle Complete Freeze Dried Raw is probably the best for us and for him.

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