Hi everyone! Today we are showing you how to do an easy DIY Christmas ornament paw print keepsake! 

This is a wonderful Christmas or Holiday activity to do, and makes a beautiful addition to your Christmas tree, home decor or present!

It's super easy to make and the results are super cute!

Ingredients: 
- 1 part salt
- 1 part water
- 2 part flour

Steps:
- Preheat oven at 200 degrees F
- Mix all the ingredients; you can adjust the water if your dough is too dry, or adjust the flour if your dough is too runny
- Roll out your dough to about 1/4" thick
- Cut out desired shapes with a cookie cutter of your choice
- Press your pup's paw onto the cutout
- Bake for about 2 hours or until the ornament is completely dry

If you try this out, please share some photos with us on Instagram @herkythecavalier :)

Thank you for  reading, we woof you!

Herky & Milton



​PS: Watch us make the ornament below!

How smart are Herky & Milton? We are testing our dogs' intelligence today with a dog IQ test featuring Herky vs Milton! 

We compiled six challenges from two different tests we found online for this video! Each of the challenges is tested on 3 points, for a total of 18 points. We invite all of you to put your pup to the test and share their score with us :D Here are the challenges: 

1- Towel challenge

Place a towel or blanket over your dog's head. Time how long it takes for your dog to get the towel off his or her head. 

Scoring: 
3 points - if it takes less than 15 seconds
2 points - if it takes between 15 and 30 seconds

2- Treats under cups

Lay out 3 bowls or cups on the ground. Place a treat under the cup while your dog is looking. Divert your dog's attention for a few seconds. When your dog gets back to the cups, do they remember where the treat is?

Scoring:
3 points - straight for the treat
2 points - checks another cup before getting the correct one
1 point - checks both wrong cups before getting the correct one

3- Furniture challenge

Find a piece of furniture in the house where your dog can fit his or her paws under, but not their snout. Place a treat under the furniture. How does your dog retrieve the treat?

Scoring: 
3 points - less than 60 seconds with paws only
2 points - less than 60 seconds with nose and paws
1 point - gives up

4- The Wall

Find pieces of cardboard wide enough to create a wall, and tall enough to prevent your dog from looking over it. Place the cardboard in order to get a slit about 3 inches wide. While your dog is looking, throw a treat through the opening. How does your dog retrieve the treat?

Scoring: 
3 points - walks around the wall in 30 seconds or less
2 points - walks around in 30-60 seconds
1 point - tries to climb through or bulldozes through

5- Leash Challenge

Pick up your dog's leash at a time of the day which is not a usual walk time. How does your dog react?

Scoring: 
3 points - immediately gets the hint / gets excited
2 points - you need to walk to the door for him/her to get the hint
1 point - does not understand

6- Treat under towel

Place a treat under a blanket or towel. How long does it take for your dog to retrieve the treat?

Scoring: 
3 points - less than 30 seconds
2 points - 30-60 seconds
1 point - fails

How did your pup score? :D Remember that if your dog scores low, it does not mean he or she is not intelligent. This challenge is for fun only and does not test everything. Besides, no need to be intelligent to give kisses and cuddles ;)

Thank you guys for reading!

We woof you,

Herky & Milton

PS: Watch us do the test below :D

Dear Puppy Milton: A Love Story between Milton and Romeo

Herky has come to realize that Milton is growing up and dating is a natural process that she must get accustomed to. In this Dear Puppy Milton episode, she gives Milton away to her mysterious lover boy. 

Milton and Romeo: A Love Story

Now available on https://www.herkythecavalier.com/boutique
You can get a "Milton" plush toy or a "Romeo" plush toy, OR get both for a special price. They all come with an exclusive Herky The Cavalier "love" ribbon and are just too cute!

We woof you!

Herky & Milton

PS: watch their love story video below :)

DIY frozen dog treats are a super healthy and easy way to treat your dog and keep them cool this summer!

Today we share two recipes with you that are very easy and packed with nutrients!

FIRST PUPSICLE: Blueberry Watermelon

Makes about 3 pupsicles

Ingredients:
- about 3 slices of seedless watermelon
- 2 Tbsp of blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Steps:
1- Just mash up the watermelon in a food processor, blender or by hand (no extra water needed). Add to your popsicle mold, ice cube tray or silicone muffin mold, top with some blueberries. 

2- Set in the freezer for at least 4 hours. 

3- Enjoy!

We hope you enjoy these and give them a try! If you like this video, please thumbs up and let us know in the comments :) If this is really popular, we'll share more recipes!

Woof,

Herky & Milton

PS: watch our recipe video below! :)

Herky Eats Series continues with a BBQed Turmeric Chicken with a side of BBQed sweet potatoes on a bed of pumpkin purée! Nothing but the best for our babies. 

Ingredients (makes 4 portions for small dogs): 
- 1 chicken breast (we used organic)
- 1/2 sweet potato
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 2 Tbsp pure pumpkin purée (not the pumpkin pie filling!)

Steps:
1- Pat the chicken dry and pat the turmeric on the entire surface of the chicken
2- Peel the sweet potato and cut into wedges, cubes or slices!
3- Open the can of pure pumpkin purée and set 2 Tbsp aside
4- Fire up the BBQ and grill away! We grilled on medium-high for about 15 minutes for the sweet potatoes, and 20 minutes for the chicken
5- ENJOY!

Thank you for watching and thumbs up if you like this series :D We LOVE coming up with recipes that are dog-friendly!

Woof, 

Herky & Milton


Find us on social media: 
https://www.instagram.com/herkythecavalier
https://www.facebook.com/herkythecavalier

Bake a birthday doggie cake for your dog! Any occasion is good really to bake for your dog at home. But on your dog's birthday, even a better occasion to get in that kitchen and whip up a nice treat for them :) Milton turned 2 on Sunday July 15 and we made things extra special by baking her a peanut butter pumpkin carrot cake! She of course shared with Herky :)

This cake is super easy to make and contains ingredients good enough for you to eat! It's gluten-free and dairy-free and can be made vegan if you swap the egg for a flax egg. We also opted for organic ingredients as much as possible.

Recipe for the birthday cake: 

Ingredients for the cake:
1/2 cup oat flour
1/2 cup brown rice flour
½ tsp baking soda
½ tbsp baking powder
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 egg
1 tbsp maple syrup 
1/3 cup shredded or grated carrot
1/4 cup canned or fresh pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling!)
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup natural peanut butter (without any added salt and sugar)
1/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

Ingredients for the peanut butter frosting:
1/2 cup of coconut yogurt
3 Tbsp natural peanut butter
2 Tbsp corn starch

Steps: 
1- Preheat oven to 350F
2- Line your cake molds with parchment paper and grease with coconut oil. We used 2 4-inch springform pans but you can use a larger mold or muffin tins for birthday cupcakes!
3- Combine dry ingredients in one bowl, and wet ingredients in another bowl
4- Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix until combined
5- Bake for 40 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean
6- While the cake bakes, prepare the frosting. Combine yogurt, corn starch and peanut butter and whisk until smooth. I started the process with a fork and finished with a whisk
7- Remove cake from oven and let cool completely
8- Ice cake and garnish with cookies or candles
9- Enjoy!

Hope you give this recipe a try, birthday or not birthday :)

Watch us bake and eat the cake below! 
PS: even the humans tried it ;)

Have you seen?? Our new Cavalier King Charles charms have dropped in our boutique, and we've got you all covered!

Whatever color Cavalier you love or have, we've got you covered! We have all four Cavalier King Charles colors available in the Cavalier face charm, and three finishes to our Cavalier silhouette charm. We're sure you'll find something for any cav-obsessed human! 

Use it as a dog tag, a charm or bring your Cavalier along with you everyday by using the charm (or two) as a keychain!

So pawfect. 

Shop here.

Hi loves!

As you may know, we absolutely love dog beaches! One of our favorite things to do in Los Angeles, is to bring Herky & Milton to the beach. Our favorite one, is Huntington Beach Dog Beach. 

The main reason is because it's very clean and so beautiful! On our last trip, we visited Huntington Dog Beach about 6 times. 

A few things about Huntington Beach Dog Beach: 

Location: off the PCH between 21st Street and Seapoint Street
Total area: 1.5 miles stretch of beautiful sand and ocean
Opening hours: 7 days a week between 5 am and 10 pm
Facilities: poo bags provided, public restrooms

Rules: 
- Keep your dog within sight and under your control at all times
- Dogs must be leashed when entering and exiting the beach
- Pick up your dog's waste immediately and dispose appropriately
- Do not allow your dog to chase and harass wildlife
- No agressive dogs
- No sick dogs, no female dogs in heat
- No puppies under 4 months (for their safety, because they usually don't have all their shots)
- Dogs must wear collars and tags
- Up-to-date vaccination and licensing required*
- Be courteous to other beach users

*This is something odd, and we never brought Herky & Milton's documents with us, but I don't know if this is enforced. Be prepared :)

Hope this helps you in your search of dog friendly activities! It's a beautiful, clean beach with stunning sunsets. Dogs like humans have a blast here. 

Woof,

​Mai

Hey friends!

Spring time is here and so is mud and rain! You probably know that there's nothing more annoying when you have a dog is a wet muddy dog! 

This is our favorite outfit to wear when it's wet and rainy outside. 

Boots: https://www.herkythecavalier.com/store/p66/dogboots
Pants: https://www.herkythecavalier.com/store/p57/bodyguard
Rain jacket: https://www.herkythecavalier.com/store/p32/rainjacket

Hope this helps you stay clean and dry!

Woof, 

H&M

Do you prefer video reviews? Watch ours below!

Hi loves!

We prepared this video while getting ready to go on our California trip with Herky & Milton. Since this is not our first time travelling, we've narrowed it down to the essentials!

1- Waterproof Collars
We had a lot of issues with wet collars on our last trip (beaches!). We are prepared this time with stink-proof waterproof collars from WaterPooch :) There are many brands that carry these types of collars now - super practical!

2- Food/Bowl
I usually bring enough for 1 week, and purchase more food on location. This way, I'm able to transition the girls into their new food without too much digestive discomfort. For bowl, our favorite is the Yummy Bowl from Sleepypod.

3- Portable water bottle
An ESSENTIAL when travelling! You want to keep your pup hydrated.

4- Emergency kits
Herky gets diarrhea frequently and easily, so we like to be ready. We bring some Forti Flora and Kaopectate (miracle combo for Herky!). If your dog is prone to other incidents - be prepared!

5- Ears & Tears
I like to clean their ears twice weekly, so I need their ear cleaner. Milton gets her eyes cleaned daily!

6- Oral Care
Because teeth need their daily clean :)

7- Shampoo
We always ended up purchasing shampoo on vacation, so we bring it now! Paws get really dirty, and we love going to the beach too. SO, baths are a must!

8- Treats
We bring some treats, but not too many. This time around we just brought some chicken filets and bully sticks. 

9- Toys
We just like to bring 1 toy for each. Pack light :)

10- Poo bags
Because dogs poop. 

11- Puppy wipes
Great for quick wipe downs and dirty paws!

12- Grooming tools
Scissors, brush, claw clipper. You never know when you'll need to clip off some knots, or chipped claws! A brush is always good to keep that hair knot-free!

13- Tags
Name tag with a number where you can be reached, rabies tag, ESA tag.

14- Car safety
Safety in the car applies when you're away too! We like to bring seat belts and a car protective tarp for the rental. 

15- Towels
Always good to have some towels for your pup. This can be used for baths, for drying after playtime at the beach, or as blankets!

16- Documentation
Health certificates, vaccination certificates, medical notes. 

17- Extras
Anything else you think your pup may need! We like to bring pyjamas, an extra harness, and this time we had to bring hygienic panties for Milton as she was going go get her heat while away. 

Hope this helps you pack for your next trip! These are our guidelines, and hope they can make your life a little easier :)

- Mai
​
For the video, watch below:

Hi loves! 

I love baking and cooking, and I've always wanted to either bake for Herky and Milton or cook for them. I haven't had any time to look up some dog recipes that are easy enough to make at home, so I was very excited when these superfood dog treat mixes came out! These are Wagado, and they come in 4 different flavors: Sweet Tooth, Carnivore, Deep Sea and Zen. 

Wagado is a superfood dog treat mix that is super easy for you to whip up at home. All you need to do is add some water, vegetable oil and bake off in any size or shape you want! They contain no soy, no gluten and no corn and are packed with superfoods and nutrients. 

We got to try the Sweet Tooth and Deep Sea flavors and the girls couldn't get enough! 

Deep Sea: 
- Add 3/4 cup of water
- Add 2 Tbsp of vegetable oil
- bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

"Our Deep Sea dog treat mix features ingredients high in omega-3 fatty acids. Green-lipped mussel, wild caught salmon, and nori seaweed help keep your pupper’s hips and joints feelin’ young while also supporting heart health, brain function, and a healthy skin & coat. We top things off by adding chia seeds, sweet potato, kelp, carrot and probiotics for a hefty dose of antioxidants and digestive support."

Sweet Tooth: 
- Add 1/3 cup of water
- Add 2 Tbsp of vegetable oil
- bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes

This mix seems to contain less product, but does weigh as much as the Deep Sea. The reason being is there are some carob chips and heavier ingredients that increase the weight, but not the volume. 

"Our Sweet Tooth dog treat mix is made with ingredients high in vitamin A, iron, manganese, magnesium and potassium. Ingredients like banana, apple, whole oats, and carob chips help keep your fluff nugget active while supporting healthy organ and muscle function. We top things off by adding chia seeds, carob powder, honey powder, sweet potato and probiotics for a hefty dose of antioxidants and digestive support."

These treats are super fun and easy to make!
The downside of these treats: your dogs will hardly be able to contain their excitement during the whole process. 

Happy baking :)

PS: see the video below of the entire process! :) also... we may have tasted these ourselves... :s

We love meeting some cavalier friends! We went to Toronto about 10 days ago, and got to attend a cavalier king charles meet-up held at Barks N Rec in Mississauga! It's an indoor playground that also offers boarding and day care services!

We're very proud to say that there was all 4 colors of cavaliers at this meet-up :D 

Our friends: 
- Pep (black and tan)
- Bella (ruby)
- Tantissimo (blenheim)
- Remington (tricolor)
- Wallace (blenheim)
- June (black and tan)
- Alizée (blenheim)
- Oscar (tricolor)
- Lupita (blenheim)
- Murphy (tricolor)

Here's our best memories from the meet-up, watch the video below :)

Woof, 

​Herky & Milton

Hi loves!

As you may know, we get to travel a lot with the girls. It happens very often that they feel overwhelmed when arriving in a new environment that more often than not, probably smells like unknown dogs!

Here are some of our tips and tricks to make the girls feel at home and less stressed out :) 

1- Bring items that smell like home
This is going to help them feel like the new environment is not 100% foreign. We like to bring their blankets and clothes when we travel :)

2- Let your dog sniff out the premises
Take them around the hotel premises, inside and outside. They'll get familiar with the premises and get a better feel of where they are :)

3- Play with your dog in the room
Make sure you don't disturb the neighbors, and watch out for barking. BUT it's super important to make the hotel room familiar to your dog. A little play session is perfect to get them to loosen up :)

4- Let your dog sleep with you
I know that it's not everyone that is ok with this - but sleeping with you in bed will really make your dog feel secure. We only let the girls sleep on the bed when we travel. And honestly, they know it's only on vacation they get to do this :)

5- POTTY!
Make sure your dog does #1 and #2 before they get in the room. New environments tend to make dogs nervous so they might pee or poo out of anxiety! It happened to us on a previous trip where Herky peed on the bed right when we got there, after nesting. Dogs tend to want to leave their own scent (pee or poo) when they smell other dogs around. I assume it smelled like another dog, so Herky felt nervous and wanted to cover up that smell. If your dog did his or her potty before entering the room, there's less chances of getting accidents!

6- Leave your dog in the bathroom
Smaller environments make dogs less anxious. Remember that dogs are den-dwelling animals and prefer smaller spaces - it makes them feel more secure. Make sure they have water and blankets :)

7- Be reachable
This is especially important if you're in a different country, but make sure your phone's data is on and you're reachable! If your dog stays at the hotel, you want to make sure that the hotel management is able to reach if anything happens :) 

8- Look up local day cares and pet sitters
Not all hotels allow dogs to stay alone in the room, so it's better to be prepared and have a few dog day cares noted down for when you step out for the day :) 

9- Exercise your dog!
Get that energy out, it's super important and reduces anxiety! If your dog spends all day alone, there's pent up energy that needs to get released :) Plus, when they're tired, the calmer they'll be! 

10- Have fun with your dog!
​Give your dog some extra love and attention :) You and him/her will be happy about that!
​
If you'd like to watch the video version of this blog, click on the video below :) 

Woof, 

Herky & Milton

*The video was filmed at the Novotel in Vaughan. 

To see the lookbook in video format: 

Hi guys! 

A few weeks ago, we were lucky enough to visit the Fairmont Château Frontenac in Quebec City. We were going to Quebec City for a cavalier meet-up, and decided to make it a weekend trip :)

The Fairmont Château Frontenac is a world-renowned establishment and is the most photographed hotel in the world! And, it's dog friendly :)

This hotel was first built in 1893 by architect Bruce Price as of the series of château-style hotels built by the Canadian Pacific Railway company. Since then, it underwent a few rounds of construction and renovations to look the way it does today. 

DOG POLICY:
- 50$ per pet per stay
- Dogs must be on leash at all times
- Dogs are allowed everywhere except the restaurants and pool area
- Dogs can't be alone in the room if you're not there

When you get to the hotel with your dog, you're greeted by very friendly staff that make you feel welcome and at-home. They also provide some accessories for your dog during your stay here. Treats and bottled water are awesome! However, if you decide to keep the bowl or the blanket, you will be charged 20$ for each. 

They also offer dog sitting and dog walking services. 

There are plenty of areas outside the hotel for potty time. They also have poo bags available for you. 

The room is decent sized and has a more modern cool-toned decor. We always get a king-size bed when traveling so the girls can sleep with us :)

The bathroom is beautiful, bright, crisp and spacious. We love the bathrobes. Also, what's amazing are the personalized toiletries ! Can you spot my name on the little bottles? :)

The hotel is definitely beautiful and a must-see! There are tons of tours of Quebec City that take you through the hotel, as it was designated a Natural Historic Site of Canada. The hotel is very well situated as well, just steps from old Quebec. We highly recommend :)

Thanks for reading!

Woof, 

H & M

Hi friends!

We love to spoil the girls, and we're certain that you do too! The Holidays are just around the corner, and we have a round up of our favorite things that you could gift your dog, or someone you know that has a dog. 

If your dog is anything like Herky & Milton, then he or she must LOVE bully sticks. Those can sometimes be smelly, but can keep your dog occupied for hours. This subscription service automatically renews on the 15th of each month, and you get 5 brand new bully sticks sent out to you on the 1st of the following month. You can either choose 6" or 12" bully sticks too! AND it's free shipping to any address in Canada :)

Almost all dogs love balls, right? Our favorites are the small ones from Kong, and the Chuck It balls. The Kong balls are the girls' favorite because it's small enough to hold in their mouth, and it also squeaks! The Chuck it balls have the best shape and weight for fetching. You can also use the stick to help you throw the ball!

These un-traditional toys stimulate your dog's sense of smell, and can provide hours of fun time for your dog. I found two on Amazon that are really fun, one from Trixie, and the other from Outward Hound. The one from Trixie is easier and more appropriate for small dogs. The Doggie Blocks from Outward Hound would be more suitable for large dogs. 

If you want your dog to move around or jump around a bit more to deserve its treats, this might be the toy for you! It doesn't offer a very precise throw, and is also quite loud, but can be fun! I found this one from Asocea on Amazon for 15$. 

This is great to keep your dog warm AND cute at the same time. This is perfect for dogs who don't get too cold in the winter, and also for the switch between seasons. This one is from GF Pet, and is available in 3 different colors :)

Something that will keep your dog super warm this winter: a GF Pet winter jacket! This new jacket called the St-Moritz from this year's collection is oh so luxe and the color is just perfect! 

More selection here. 

A gift that would make the hooman happy too. Our new collection of rope leashes is our BEST one so far with beautiful neutrals and some pops of pastels. We're super proud of this collection, and know they'll be appreciated as a present this Holiday season :)

​Head over here for the entire selection. 

For the dog that suffers from anxiety, how about an aromatherapy pillow? :) From Noble Pet Company, this gift is unexpected, useful, and can be personalized too!

There are so many companies that offer dog tags, but my favorite find this year was the ones from Italian company My Family. These are so unique and beautiful. What's most amazing is that they offer charms in almost ALL dog breeds. No kidding. These can be personalized and shipped directly to your house :)

I'm hoping these suggestions help you in your Holiday shopping :)

Thanks for reading, and happy shopping!

​

Hi friends!

Here's a little overview video of the Fairmont Grand Del Mar. We stayed there a few weeks ago, and needless to say it was amazing. It was voted as TripAdvisor's #1 Luxury Hotel in the United States!

http://www.fairmont.com/san-diego/

An in-depth review is coming up - stay tuned!

Woof, 

​Herky & Milton

​Today we're spending a day in Herky & Milton's life and we're following them around Hollywood / Studio City in California! We went to a nice park called Lake Hollywood Park for the best photos of the Hollywood sign. We grabbed some puppuccinos and visited Healthy Spot in Studio City, a very nice doggy boutique. 

We went to Shake Shack in Hollywood where they had a terrace and we were able to grab a bite with the pups! Starbucks will let your dogs in if they are service animals. It's kind of a grey zone whether or not emotional support pets can go in, but Herky, Milton and Bowie did! However, they will be able to get a drink with you on the outdoor seating area!

Shake Shack: 6201 Hollywood Blvd #104, Los Angeles, CA 90028, USA
Lake Hollywood Park: 3160 Canyon Lake Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068, USA
Healthy Spot: 12205 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604, USA

Thanks for watching!

Woof, 

Herky & Milton