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These beautiful, lovable pugs, who love to chew on socks and chase each other through the house, are cherished companions of Wendy Bond from Spring Hill, Kansas.
Wendy bought both pugs from Pug Palace in Norbonne, Missouri. Bentley (7 year old female) and Piper (3 year old female), both bark at everything: the tv, people inside the house and outside and other dogs, according to their mom, Wendy.
Both Bentley and Piper sleep with their parents. “Bentley sleeps at the bottom of the bed, but must be snuggled to someone always,” said Wendy. “Bentley does snore quite loudly. Piper does not snore much at all. Piper likes to be covered up and cuddled most of the night. Piper has slept through the night since she was 8 weeks old in bed with us.”
According to Wendy, they have taken Bentley on trips and she has gone many times with her to pick up and drop off kids. Bentley loves riding in the car. Piper loves the car, but does not do well riding. She does, however, love to go to Sonic in the afternoons with her dad to get a pup cup. Wendy said Piper knows exactly when he goes and she will whine at the door until he comes to get her.
Wendy said they have taken a family photo with Bentley, but not one yet with both pugs. She thinks Bentley and Piper both like their photo taken because they get treats afterwards. Wendy said they chose a pug because her husband’s grandmother had pugs while he was growing up so they decided to get a pug in her memory.
Soft Treats and Patience are keys to potty training
Both Bentley and Piper are potty-trained, though Bentley was a quick study at 6 months and Piper mastered it at a year and a half. Wendy said they used the bell system to potty train both pugs and soft treats and patience are definitely the keys to success.
Both Bentley and Piper love people, but Bentley is much calmer when people enter their house.
“Piper is very loud and jumpy,” said Wendy. “We are still working on that.”
Both dogs get along with other dogs, but Piper still barks at them. Bentley is very gentle with other dogs.
Wendy said Bentley talks to her.
“She tells me when she wants fresh water, food, treats or has to go potty,” said Wendy. “She is very verbal and uses both her eyes and her bark to get my attention. I can ask her questions and she responds to me based on what she wants.”
Piper does whatever Bentley does. She doesn’t communicate as much but can still tell Wendy when she wants treats or needs to go outside.
Wendy takes Bentley and Piper on walks when the weather is decent. She said Bentley can’t go quite as far, but Piper is quite a runner and likes to go a couple of miles. Both dogs seem comfortable when left home alone. Wendy said they are never gone for long periods of time and the dogs have beds on the main floor and in Piper’s kennel as well.
Healthier with a homemade diet
Wendy feeds her pugs a homemade diet and supplements with some dog food as well. She feeds Science Diet Small Breed and gives her pugs a cup of homemade food each day.
Wendy’s homemade food recipe:
2 cups brown rice
1 can carrots
2 Tbsp coconut oil
1 lb. ground beef, chicken or salmon
Frozen peas (steamed)
4 scrambled eggs
(Combine all ingredients)
Wendy bags 2 cups per baggy and freezes the food so they have enough for a week. She said it makes about 4 days worth for the two pugs. Bentley and Piper eat 1/2 cup in the morning and 1/2 cup in the evening.
“It has made the difference in Bentley’s activity,” said Wendy. “I also supplement their dry food with “dog greens,” which is an organic supplement. Prior to changing their diet last year, Bentley was really struggling with back pain. The combination of food and the supplement has made a huge difference in her activity level.”
According to Wendy, Bentley is a little overweight at 29.5 lbs. but she has a bigger build. They don’t give the pugs many treats and they really don’t eat much table food. Wendy said keeping Bentley active throughout the day and walking her is the most important part of keeping her on track. Piper is 17.5 lbs. and has a smaller build.
Wendy and her husband use Petite Greenies to care for the pugs’ teeth. Wendy said Bentley has never had her teeth cleaned yet and she gives the greenies the credit for that. They have used them since the beginning with both pugs.
Wendy said she likes the Gooby harnesses for her pugs. They are both currently wearing pink harnesses, but the pugs don’t wear them unless they are going out because they have a fenced in yard.
Ear issues but otherwise healthy
Wendy said both pugs have constant ear issues, but otherwise are pretty healthy. They have medication that they treat their ears with, but she said they still struggle with ear problems.
Bentley’s favorite toy is a pink pig while Piper’s favorite is a pink dinosaur. Their favorite treats are Hills Grain-free Soft Baked Natural Dog Treats from Amazon and Chewy. Wendy also buys them dog chews from Target and lets them have a Bully stick on special occasions.
Wendy works from home so the dogs sleep in her office while she works. She said they probably sleep about 16-18 hours a day, then play the rest of the time.
Wendy said they have had really good luck with their vet- Spring Hill Veterinarian.
“They have been great to work with to ensure we have all of our meds and can get in very quickly if there is an issue,” she said.
Wendy said that changing the pug’s diets and adding the supplements has made the biggest difference in the pugs’ health.
Wendy’s advice for people wanting a pug
Wendy’s advice for people wanting a pug is to make sure you find a reputable breeder who really cares for their dogs.
“Follow them for a long time on social media,” said Wendy, “to see how they care for their dogs and follow the dogs after they leave their care. Don’t get taken for a large amount of money also. A good breeder is not going to be greedy, but they will charge a reasonable price.”
Wendy loves a pug’s companionship
“I love their companionship,” said Wendy. “They are so protective and such loving dogs. We’re very happy we chose pugs.”
A hugs “thank you” to Wendy and her beloved pugs “Bentley” and “Piper” for letting us feature you on our Pugpalooza blog. If you are interested in us featuring you and your pug in the future, please send me (Candy Johansen) a message on messenger or e-mail me at pugpalooza@gmail.com.
Photos provided by Wendy Bond.
Until next time,
Hugs and Pug Kisses,
Candy
