Read the Blog
Browse posts by categories or scroll down to read the most recent posts.
Life with Dogs
Health Tips
Nutrition
Bodywork
Aromatherapy
Portable Bathing with BISSELL | BarkBath Review
You know we are usually outside or at the lake, most days during the summer and the dogs are constantly swimming or getting messy in the yard. With big dogs, it’s tough to give them a bath inside and dry them – it’s always a mess. My husband and I either give them a bath with the hose, which isn’t ideal because you can’t control the temperature and it’s too much water flow and we end up with soap suds all over.
Homemade Bone Broth Popsicles for Dogs
I love making my dogs homemade bone broth because it is so incredibly healthy for them and they love it. They would probably like to drink it with every meal. The nutrients and enzymes from homemade bone broth are so healthy and you just don't get the same amount of...
Five Things I Learned at RAHU’s Emergency & Inflammation Course
Chicago offers so many amazing opportunities for pet parents to have fun together. The city and surrounding suburbs are so dog-friendly it's no wonder we have an arsenal of renown veterinarians, more rescues and shelters than we can count (and we always need more help...
DIY Anti-Itch Spray for Dogs
If your dog suffers from itchy skin or skin allergies like my dog Hudson does, then this topical spray can definitely help! It has a few simple ingredients that soothe skin while disinfecting it and calming any inflammation down. What you'll need: 8oz spray bottle 1/2...
Why I Love NOW® Pets Supplements + Win a Prize Pack of Supplements #NOWpetsSweeps
This post is sponsored by NOW® Pets Supplements and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help share information about NOW® Pets Supplements products and their giveaway, but The DIY Dog Mom only share information we feel is relevant to our...
Mylah Medical Foundation + How It All Came Together
Back in 2012, I founded the Mylah Medical Foundation because I was inspired by my dog, Mylah, to help rescue dogs who had medical issues and needed extra care and funding. Many times, medical needs dogs are the last to be considered by rescues to be saved. Money is...
Arnica for Dogs: All Natural Pain Reliever
Arnica is an all natural pain reliever that comes in oil, gel or pill form derived from the plant Arnica montana. Arnica has been used in holistic practice for centuries to help heal injuries, bruises, etc. I keep arnica oil in my home to use on my dogs if they have any muscle soreness or stiffness.
Izzy’s Chicago Street Fest Guide: Pride Fest
Last weekend we went to Pride Fest with Izzy and not only did she have a blast but she got a ton of attention! Everyone loved seeing her strut around with her pride beads on. This was a HOT Chicago day so we brought and bought extra water to douse her with and made...
CBD for Anxious Dogs: Treatibles Review
I've been meaning to learn more about using CBD for dogs (short for Cannabidiol), an all natural, non-psychoactive concentrate extracted from hemp. And no, this is not marijuana. I got the opportunity to dive into understanding CBD for dogs thanks to the company,...
IZZY’S CHICAGO STREET FEST GUIDE: Rib Fest
Izzy is on a mission to explore the dog friendly street fests of Chicago! We are planning to attend one every weekend and review the street fest so other dog parents know what to expect each year. Let us know if you have any recommendations in the comments below!...
7 Must Have Essential Oils for Dogs During Summer
There are endless benefits to using essential oils for yourself and your dogs! Here's a roundup of my favorite essential oils to use on the dogs during the summer and why. I recommend using Young Living, Doterra or NOW Essential Oils (affiliate link)....
Izzy’s Latest Adventure: Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina & South Carolina
Izzy, my friend Melissa and I took a 16-hour road trip to Myrtle Beach, SC last week! We drove from Chicago to attend the pet blogging conference, BlogPaws. Izzy has traveled to many states in her life but anytime I can find a way to travel with her more I jump at the...
Printable Mother’s Day Cards for Dog Moms
Celebrate the dog mom in your life with these new free Mother's Day cards in the DIY printables library! Be sure to let me know if you use them! Tag me on social media @thediydogmom ? Click here to access my printables library! Instructions are included in the...
DIY Dog Safe Ant Control Solution
Warm weather with spring rain usually means you'll find pesky little ants in your house. We used to have them in our kitchen two years ago until I used this DIY solution that curbs ants and can even kill them on site if you spray it directly on them and are looking...
DIY Paw Print Potted Plant for Dog Moms
If you're searching for the perfect DIY dog mom gift for Mother's Day that's also thoughtful, this might be it! We are all ready for summer to get here and have been doing a lot of planting around the house. I thought it would be so cute to have a dog themed painted...
Mylah’s K9 Sport Sack Review
With all of Mylah's health issues come limitations on what she can and cannot do. Running around in our backyard is fine, but we do limit the amount of time she is able to exercise. If you follow my social media, like Instagram, you see I post a lot of pictures of us...
10 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day with Your Dog
Earth Day is coming up on April 22 and what better way to celebrate our planet than with our dogs! Here are some ideas to celebrate the day together 🙂 1. Clean up the neighborhood together - leash up your dog, grab two trash bags (one for recycling and one for trash)...
Rescue Dog of the Month: Corrine
This beauty named Corrine is available for adoption through Players for Pits in the Chicagoland area! Learn more about her below. About Corrine: Corrine was rescued from Chicago Animal Care & Control and currently lives in a foster home. Corrine is about 3-4...
Dog Mom of the Month: Taylor
Taylor Krebs lives in Seattle, WA with her 3-year-old miniature schnauzer rescue, Ruby! When Taylor isn’t working as an architectural designer you can find her blogging all about her dog mom life with Ruby at their blog, Ruby on Alki. Taylor rescued Ruby from a...
Easter Egg Hunt & Basket for Dogs
I am all for a good dog party especially when it involves baking treats and creating cute baskets for the pups. Last weekend we had an Easter egg hunt for the dogs and they loved it! Izzy definitely won and found most of the eggs. They all were rewarded for their...
18 Tips & Tricks for Dogs with Diabetes
My husband and I have been through a lot with Mylah since she was diagnosed with diabetes at 10 months old. Six years of caring for her and managing canine diabetes has had a lot of ups and downs. We've learned so much along the way. Here's our top 18 tips and...
Carrot ‘Cake’ Dog Treats
We're being teased with the prospect of spring in Chicago, and now that it's April, Easter is around the corner! These are the perfect, festive treats to celebrate Easter with your little bunnies (which in my case are dogs)! 🙂 [recipe] Xox, Alicia...
What Veggies & Herbs to Plant for Your Dog
I had the opportunity to attend the Chicago Flower Show with COUNTRY Financial this week to experience how agriculture meets urban gardening, and learn about their initiatives to help Illinois Farmers. Since 1926, COUNTRY Financial has been helping Illinois farmers by...
Calendula: Healing Herb for Dog’s Skin & Scrapes
Calendula oil is one of my favorite all-natural first aid remedies and a must-have for dog parents. This whole flower herb is amazing at treating dry and damaged skin, skin rashes, muscle inflammation, wounds, bug bites and more. Calendula works so well because...
Dog Mom of the Month: Danielle
Danielle Schultz lives in Arlington Heights, IL with her husband, Steve, and three rescued dogs, Lea Mia, Memphis, and Roscoe P. Coltrane. Before she adopted her three canine kiddos, Danielle fostered 24 puppies in two years with her late dog Sandy. After Sandy passed...
Shamrock Dog Treats
Spoil your pups on St. Patrick's Day with these shamrock-shaped dog treats! Don't worry, you don't even need a shamrock cookie cutter - I got you covered. Head over to my printables library and use my shamrock outline to make your shamrock cookies. The printable is...
Rescue Dog of the Month: Walter
Meet Walter, the rescue dog of the month! He is available for adoption in the Chicagoland area through Fetching Tails Foundation. About Walter: Are you looking for a fun-loving, playful but very affectionate 75-pound lap dog? Walter is a one-year-old, tan Mastiff mix...
101 Things To Do with Your Dog
A new printable list of 101 things to do with your dog! I wanted to create a long list of unique ways to celebrate life together with your dog. Pair this with my Pet Planner for ultimate planning. Click here to head over to my free printables library and download the...
Durable Dog Toys that Benefit Ethiopian Orphans
The post is sponsored by WO Design, all content and opinions expressed here are my own. I only partner with companies I truly believe in. My dogs are chewers - like they destroy toys in a moment because they chew so hard. Finding durable toys can be tough because I...
Fresh Breath Treats
No pet parent likes bad doggie breath but sometimes, bad breath can be an indication that something is wrong in the digestive tract or even with the heart. For healthy dogs, these fresh breath treats are all-natural and simple to make. The coconut oil is great for...
Colloidal Silver: Natural Antibacterial for Dogs
I've been meaning to share more about the holistic remedies and products I use on my dogs but so much keeps popping up! That's a good thing of course but I am excited to start sharing more health tips and building out that side of the blog. I'd like to introduce you...
Keep a Busy Dog Busy
I work from home full-time now, and between the blog, shop and newly launched Dog Mom University, I have my hands in many different ventures during the day. I also share an office with three dogs, one who is very busy too and often needs a job. Can you guess which...
Rescue Dog of the Month: Tessie
I am so excited to share a new monthly blog series, Rescue Dog of the Month! Every month I will feature an adoptable dog who is looking for their forever home. Our first Rescue Dog of the Month is Tessie from Colorado who is up for adoption through Underdogs Animal...
The Adventurous Dog & Where to Stay when Traveling
This post is sponsored by Radisson RED but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. Izzy and I are excited to partner with Radisson RED hotels that let you travel with your adventure dog in total style and comfort. Each dog gets its own kit with everything...
Dog Mom of the Month: Brigette
Brigette Johnson is Mom to two Pomeranians, Bolt, and Torque. This all-natural, outdoor-loving trio has been through ups and downs with Bolt's behavior and health. Brigette learned a lot from Bolt and is now an advocate for a raw diet and incorporates essential oils...
Pupizza! Homemade Pizza Treats for Your Dog
Yes, an all-natural, organic pizza you can make for your dog! It's also paleo friendly and humans can eat it too. I got the idea from my husband actually. We celebrated his birthday and he loves pizza and wanted the dogs to be able to join in the party. This is also...
NEW Download! Dog Themed Valentine’s Day Cards
I just added three printable dog Valentine's Day cards in my free DIY printables library! Go check it out and download them to celebrate Valentine's Day with your two and four legged loves! Be sure to let me know if you use them! Tag me on social media @thediydogmom...
Spinach, Apple & Carrot Homemade Dog Treats
I love making grain free dog treats that have added healthy ingredients in them like spinach, carrots and apples! These homemade dog treats are very easy to make and completely grain and gluten free. Enjoy and let me know how your dog likes them! [recipe] Xox, Alicia...
Izzy’s Latest Adventure: Transporting a Rescue Dog
If you follow me on social media you might remember seeing a post about a dog named Roxie who was given up by her owners to animal control. I was volunteering with the Chicagoland Rescue Intervention & Support Program (CRISP) which diverts owner surrenders from...
Five Indoor Games for Dogs
Winter can often mean a stir-crazy dog… or in my case, three of them. Here are some indoor games for your dog and most of these are free! Each game is great to give your dog mental stimulation too. A tired brain is a happy one!
Dog Mom of the Month: Kristen
Dog Mom of the Month is back! The first 2017 Dog Mom of the Month is Kristen Gottschalk. She could be considered dog mom to hundreds of rescued dogs she has saved during her life. She has been involved in dog rescue for over 8 years and even co-founded a non-profit...
DIY Faux Fur Dog Bed – No Sew
As I write this blog post, Hudson is sleeping in this dog bed right now! Ever since I brought home a faux fur throw rug my dogs have fallen in love with the texture and are obsessed with sleeping on it. So, I decided they needed (yes, needed!) a nice big bed they...
Pet Parent Goal Setting Printable Worksheet
Who doesn't want to be more organized as they enter a new year? I always try to take this last week of the year to reflect on the last year and set goals for the next. Let's be honest, too - 2016 was a doozy of a year so some goal brainstorming and goal-setting...
Last Minute Gift Ideas for Dog Lovers
If you're like me the holidays can sneak up on you real quick! Here are some ideas for great last minute gifts for dog lovers! Pet Your Shirt: Give your dog obsessed friend a gift card with their dog on a tshirt, sweatshirt, tote bag or all three! I have the tshirts...
Izzy & Mylah’s Holiday Home Tour
While I tried to include all three dogs in this holiday home tour, one did not want to be part of the photos. Instead, Hudson wanted to stand at my feet the whole time while I took the photos, of course! 😀 Izzy and Mylah on the other hand have no problem being the...
Free Dog Themed Holiday Gift Tags
More holiday fun and more from my new printables section of the website! Get these adorable holiday gift tags to add to any gifts you're giving this holiday season! Print these dog themed gift tags on 8.5x11 standard paper or a thicker matte paper and write your...
Dear Santa Sign DIY + FREE Printable
We are in the holiday spirit around here and I am so excited to share this adorable DIY project that is super fun and festive (and of course, dog themed)! I also have a new free printables section of the website that I am so excited to share! Anytime I have a DIY...
One Year of Blogging & What’s Next for The DIY Dog Mom! {Also, Giveaway!}
A little over one year ago I had this idea to start a blog in my own little corner of the internet. A blog dedicated to my dogs, and all the crazy, fun things I do with them. I wanted to show fellow pet parents my DIY projects, recipes, and share my experiences of...
DIY Autumn Wreath with Paw Prints
Happy fall! I’m so excited to show you my latest DIY project – a cost-effective and easy Autumn wreath – with the dog’s paw prints on it! I made a video so you can watch every step and included written instructions below. I got all the wreath supplies at the Dollar Tree, and the wooden heart ($1) and nontoxic paint ($4) at Joann’s. Total cost was under $20 for a custom wreath with the dog’s paw prints on it!
DIY Dinosaur Halloween Costume
I love dressing my kiddos up in fun (and safe) Halloween costumes! I have a closet dedicated to all their stuff including many costumes! I have to admit though, I had never made them their own costumes. I know, that seems crazy given I love DIY projects for my dogs,...
