Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
Great Danes excel at training – you can teach them almost anything that’s physically possible for them to do. And better yet, they truly enjoy the job. Maybe you want to teach yours to turn on lights, fetch your TV remote or help you find those car keys. Or maybe you just don’t want him on the furniture. When it comes to training your Great Dane, it’s really up to you what you want to teach him. A lot will … Read more
Shelter dogs face a dilemma when it comes to finding the perfect adoptive family. Shelters can be noisy, hectic places, and sometimes it’s hard for adopters to see a pup’s true potential amidst the chaos. Taking this into account, the staff at LifeLine Animal Project in Atlanta came up with an idea to help some of their longtime residents get noticed – doggy sleepover parties! Their Dog For A Day program – which allows folks to get to know adoptable … Read more
If you’re a dog parent, chances are, your dog makes you laugh, in some way, every single day. And some people are particularly good at putting their pups’ silly antics–or our quirky thoughts about them–into words! If you need a good chuckle, these hilarious tweets are sure to do the trick! For animals with an “amazing sense of smell” dogs sure do sniff piles of turds for a long time before realizing “Whoops, these are turds” — Jacy Catlin (@ieatanddrink) May … Read more
Just when you think you’ve heard enough terrible stories another one comes to the surface. Luckily this one had a happy outcome for the dog and not so much the cruel “owner.” Sarah Boothby, an Illinois woman, was issued a class A misdemeanor citation by local police after she posted a disturbing picture on her Facebook page. The photo depicted Boothby’s dog with shoelace tied tightly around its muzzle. Boothby’s comment on the photo said, “When you chew up mommy’s … Read more
If you’ve had dogs long enough, you know that they chew. Puppies chew, adult dogs chew, even senior dogs chew. Each dog varies in how much they chew and how heavy of chewers they are, but most people will see their dog gnawing on something at least every so often. Although chewing can become destructive if not managed well, it’s important to let our dogs chew on things when they need to. Provided we supply safe and appropriate items for … Read more
For many of us, walking our Dachshund is one of the perks of pup parenthood. It gets us out, we meet new people, and it’s enjoyable…unless your dog pulls on the leash. Then it’s just a frustrating chore that no one in the family wants to do. A bit of training can change that, and make the walk enjoyable again. The following easy training tips will help make sure that your Doxie doesn’t pull on the leash. #1 – Start … Read more
Exuberant Boxers often cause frustration when their owners try to walk them on-leash. All you want is a nice, calm walk but they want to bounce and pull. Boxers are big enough that leash pulling is not only irritating, it can be dangerous. It takes some patience, but your Boxer can learn to walk nicely. The following easy training tips will help make sure that your Boxer doesn’t pull on the leash. #1 – Start Young As soon as you bring home your Boxer, … Read more
The Pittie personality is loving, comedic, and full of energy. That energy can often be hard to harness while on-leash, making them a difficult dog to walk if not properly trained. Coupled with their solid and strong bodies, you may find yourself being walked where your dog wants to go. The following training tips will help make sure that your Pit Bull doesn’t pull on the leash, putting you back in control of your walks. A video posted by Fight Abuse … Read more
Last week, 17-year-old Jared Johnson found himself in deep trouble–literally! The teen had been using machinery to dig a hole for a project on the family’s property in Loris, South Carolina. When he stepped off the equipment, he slid into the 10-foot hole, sinking up to his chest in mud. Completely stuck, Johnson hollered for help for an hour… Meanwhile, Johnson’s brother, Chris Cooper, returned home from work around 4:00 that evening. He let Tuxx, a two-year-old Pit Bull mix, outside to use the … Read more
It’s really heartbreaking to see defenseless animals being abused and/or subjected to horrible living conditions. But our faith in humanity gets restored when we see selfless people doing everything they could to rescue these animals and find them loving, forever homes. Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) is a 501c3 nonprofit animal protection organization. Their mission is to end animal suffering through direct and compassionate action, and to inspire the highest ethical standards of humanity towards animals. Just recently, the ARC team … Read more
We know you love dogs, otherwise you wouldn’t have found yourself on this page. But there are so many fascinating facts about dogs it can be tough to know them all. Still, these incredible animals constantly amaze us and we’re always looking to learn more about them. They offer their friendship and unconditional love while understanding nothing about us. The least we can do is try to learn a little bit about their lives. From simple fun facts to heartwarming … Read more
Early this past Thursday, shots rang out during a violent shooting in a Boston neighborhood. The victim of the shooting is in intensive care, but she was not the only one struck by bullets during the choas. It was a terrifying moment with many injured, but the outcome could have been worse. Police believed that one man could have been wounded if it weren’t for his dog, Felony. Police officers on the scene were amazed hearing that Felony ran and covered … Read more
If you have been a dog owner long enough, you’ve probably lost a valuable item to your pup’s chewing habits. This is normal and happens to everyone, especially those with new puppies. Chewing is a natural instinct for dogs and the act itself shouldn’t be punished, just redirected to something more appropriate. That said, it can be pretty entertaining when we find something one of our dogs destroyed because we left it out. As long as we take responsibility for … Read more
We all love our dogs, but some of us are a little more dog savvy than others. That’s not a bad thing, so long as you’re willing to learn. While you might feel that your unruly pup is stressing you out and causing you some strife, it’s important to realize that it’s actually you who might be stressing your dog out! There are a number of ways owners can cause stress for their dogs, and this in turn will create … Read more
Drug-sniffing dogs, bomb-sniffing dogs, dogs who alert their owners to house fires or intruders – there’s no doubt that the powerful canine nose helps keep us safe. On top of the outside threats they protect us from, dogs also use their sniffing power to help detect potential health concerns. They sense subtle differences in our body chemistry and behavior in order to alert us to diseases like cancer and diabetes, or warn us of an impending crisis like a seizure … Read more
There’s nothing worse than accidentally stepping into a smelly pile of dog doo. And what’s more, pooch poop can be really bad for the environment. Still, that doesn’t stop some people from leaving their pup’s poo in the wake of their walk. But one community in West Des Moines, Iowa has created a plan to trace the poop perps: dog DNA testing. All pet residents at the Greenway Square Complex are required to get swabbed for DNA. When a poop … Read more
We dog lovers will never understand people who abandon dogs. How could they be so heartless? Dogs are loyal, true-blue friends; they’re more than pets to us, they’re part of the family. How could someone just abandon a family member? What’s worse is that some people abandon dogs in an excruciatingly painful way. Some have even left their dogs chained without food and water! The bulldog in the photos below was found abandoned outside the Almost Home No-Kill Animal Shelter … Read more
Can you imagine what it’s like to be abandoned by the people you call family? It must be very depressing, right? That’s how dogs feel when they are abandoned in the streets–alone in a big, scary world, just looking for someone to help them. A guy was passing by a field where he does his daily running when he found this homeless puppy. It appears that someone had just left this poor pup. Watch the video below and see how … Read more
If you’ve ever had your car, deck, or beach towel bird-bombed, you know how much of a messy nuisance bird poo can be! Located on the coast, the Australian National Maritime Museum is a natural target for seagull slop. According to 702 ABC Sidney, the museum had tried multiple methods to deter the doo-droppers, including water sprays and fake birds, but to no avail. So after learning that airports often use dogs to keep birds at bay, they decided to hire a pooch. … Read more
Just when we thought we had seen everything, a dog goes and does something absolutely spectacular. During the Finals of the FCI Dog Dance World Championship in Moscow, Russia, a dog named Deril blew us away with his stunning performance. Lusy Imbergerova, his owner, really did an outstanding job training this routine. They were competing in their freestyle routine when Lusy feigned injury and Deril went to work to resuscitate her. He performed chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth CPR – an … Read more
We absolutely love animal friendships; especially the unusual and unlikely ones. We just love how very different creatures can put aside their differences, get along, and be good friends. We’ve seen dogs and cats who are the best of friends. But these two are the sweetest. We actually featured them before; the cat was still a kitten back then. Their names are Bubba and Rue. A photo posted by BubbaRue (@bubbalovesrue) on Jul 12, 2016 at 2:51pm PDT Bubba, a … Read more
When it comes to welcome home greetings, dogs absolutely are the best! When we get home at the end of a very exhausting day, our dogs will cheer us up by giving us the best and most loving welcome home greeting. And that’s why we love watching videos of dogs welcoming their humans home. We just love looking at their happy and excited reactions! So here’s another video of a dog welcoming his human home! This guy named PJ just … Read more
Just like humans, dogs can be allergic to a wide array of things. You have likely heard about food sensitivities and seasonal allergies, but there’s so much more your dog can be reactive to. From the beds they sleep on to the other pets in your home, these allergens could potentially cause problems for your sensitive pup. Cleaners and Detergents A dog’s skin is naturally more delicate than that of a human. Harsh chemicals present in common household cleaning solutions … Read more
As crazy as the headline sounds, it’s exactly what happened. Petey is a tiny, deaf, 6-pound Maltese that is lucky to be alive. First, he was adopted four years ago by a loving couple who fell in love with him regardless of his disability. Luke and Amber Miller were able to look past Petey’s special needs and give him the forever home he deserves. Along with their other dog, Topper, the four were a perfectly happy family. That is until … Read more
We all know just how big Great Danes are. In fact, some outweigh their owners! When your dog is that big, leash pulling can be extremely dangerous. Your Great Dane could pull you into traffic, down a hill, or pull you off your feet. For these reasons, it’s important your Dane learns lovely leash manners. The following are tried and true tips to help make sure that your Great Dane doesn’t pull on the leash. #1 – Start Young As … Read more
German Shepherd Dogs are known for being excellent at obedience and training – it’s one of the reasons they are used for police, military and service work! But, this doesn’t happen by itself. A German Shepherd that has not had the right training can just as easily pull you down the sidewalk and be very pleased about it. The following are tried and true tips to help make sure that your German Shepherd doesn’t pull on the leash. #1 – … Read more
Underneath that bouncy, joyful exterior, Boxers are a sensitive breed. They are very attuned to their owners and what is going on around them. This sensitivity makes them great companions, but it also means they can be overly sensitive, causing them to become stressed and anxious easily. The first step to helping your Boxer relax more in his environment is recognizing when he is feeling this way. The following are a few common signs your Boxer may be feeling stressed … Read more
Think your canine could use a little more culture? Maybe a trip to the world’s first pup-centric art exhibit will do the trick! Located in London, this pop-up exhibit was designed by artist and inventor Dominic Wilcox as part of the MORE TH>N insurance company’s #playmore initiative. The goal is to encourage more fun interaction between pet parents and their furry friends. A photo posted by theWSIE (@thewsie1) on Aug 22, 2016 at 6:39am PDT The exhibit is more than just pretty paintings … Read more
Have you ever seen a dog lying down asleep, but his muscles are twitching and jerking? Actually, it happens to humans too, but we are asleep and probably don’t notice! Involuntary muscle twitching is called myoclonus and it routinely occurs in both species. Dogs are actually a lot like us when they sleep. Polysomnography (a sleep study that records brain waves) proves that dogs experience similar brain changes when sleeping as humans. They can engage in all kinds of movements, … Read more
Feeding a dog who guards his food can be dangerous. You can get bitten and you can even (accidentally) make the guarding behavior worse. There is a safe way to do it so that both you and your dog have a positive experience, which can actually help diminish the behavior over time. Why Dogs Guard Food Dogs guard food (and other things like toys, people, etc.) because their instinct is telling them they need to protect their resources. Wild … Read more
A formal heel is an amazing thing to behold: dog right at your leg, staring attentively up at you while you walk. It’s something even non-dog people can appreciate. You may feel it’s something you and your dog can never accomplish, but it’s actually easier than you think and can even be fun with the following tips. What Is “Heel,” Anyway? First, let’s define what we are looking for. Knowing what you want the behavior to look like before you … Read more
Do you have a pushy dog? You know the type – jumps all over you, invades your space while you are trying to eat, barks for attention or toy throwing. They may even knock your kids over by being too friendly. These are not bad dogs. These are dogs that do not understand the concept of manners. It’s a frustrating way to live for the owner, and sadly, these are often the dogs that end up in the shelter. A … Read more
“Humping” in our pet dogs is awkward to us because it is not a behavior that we exhibit in public. Sexually explicit behaviors are not well received in human society and are even against the law in some cases. But those social rules only apply to humans. To dogs, mounting is not particularly associated with sexual behavior. It is just another way to communicate when one cannot use words. So we have to subtract our human nature and try to think like … Read more
Sometimes, it takes a radical action to get people’s attention. Whitney Steele, Director of Volunteers and Events of Arizona Animal Welfare League & SPCA, came up with a brilliant idea to capture people’s attention and help find their longest resident a home. Lana is a 4-year-old Bullmastiff mix. She was found as a stray, but it wasn’t long until she found a home. That was three years ago. Now, Lana is back in the shelter. She was happy living in her … Read more
If you have a Great Dane, then you know they are a majestically goofy dog. Looking at one, they are the epitome of elegance. But then they move and come at you with that wiggly body and you realize they are just a clown in king’s clothes. While normally laid-back goofs, Great Danes can suffer from stress just like any other dog. The first step to helping your Dane overcome his fears is recognizing when he is feeling this way. … Read more
There really is nothing quite like a dachshund! A big dog in a small dog body, these hounds are often said to have Napoleon complexes because they act so tough. But often that tough show is hiding a stressed out doxie – can you tell the difference? The first step to helping your dachshund conquer his fears is recognizing when he is feeling this way. The following are some of the signs your doxie is feeling stressed or anxious. #1 … Read more
Pit Bulls – including the many bully breeds that are often referred to as pitties, such as Staffordshire Terriers and American Pit Bull Terriers – are intelligent, sweet and amazing family dogs. If you have one, you know this is true. Since many pitties are rescues, owners often find themselves dealing with dogs that do not handle new situations, people (or even something as simple as a new noise) very well. The first step to helping your Pit Bull conquer … Read more
German Shepherd Dogs are intelligent, sweet and loyal to their families. If you have one, you know this is true. You also know many of them suffer from stress. As a trainer, I see a lot of nervous German Shepherd Dogs that have a hard time focusing or relaxing in new places or around new people. The first step to helping your German Shepherd Dog is recognizing when he is feeling this way so you can help him. The following … Read more
We love theme parks and the way they make fantasy come to life, but this brave dog is always on duty when it comes to protecting her master! At Universal’s Islands of Adventure in Orlando, this service dog got to meet a dinosaur at the park’s Raptor Experience. Of course, she doesn’t know that the raptor is fake, or even what a raptor is. But what she does know is if this strange creature makes any sudden moves, she’ll spring into action and defend … Read more
A litter of puppies may seem like they don’t do much – eat, sleep, play a bit, repeat. But you may be surprised at just how much those puppies are learning and how what they learn will affect the dog they become. In fact, behavioral problems you are dealing with now may likely have stemmed from what happened (or didn’t happen!) before you bring your puppy home. Those First Several Weeks While those puppies are certainly eating and sleeping a … Read more
Anxiety Disorder in humans is characterized by fear that impacts quality of life. Dogs feel fear too, of course. Fear is a normal response to a frightening stimulus, but normally is transient. Normal fear keeps an animal safe by helping him respond and escape from threatening situations. Only maladaptive fear causes self-harm or prolonged misery. Separation anxiety is when a dog responds fearfully when separated from their owner. It is a maladaptive fear disorder that can cause profound damage to the human-animal … Read more
One super cool mom has found a way to make her son’s first year at college a little less stressful. When Jake Ostrowski confided in her that he would miss his dog Jesse when he left for Texas Tech, his mom Sharla took action. She commissioned a life-sized cardboard cutout of the handsome Golden Retriever to keep Jake company during those homesick dorm days. Jesse wasn’t sure what to make of his one-dimensional doppelganger, but Jake was ecstatic and shared … Read more
A heart wrenching story came to light last week and it has divided pet lovers across the country. Washington firefighter, William Jones returned from battling wildfires in the Eastern part of the state to learn that his beloved dog, Hunter had been adopted by a new family. Jones told KATU News that he was unable to get a cell phone signal while working in the Washington wilderness. He had no idea that Hunter had escaped from the home of his friend … Read more
Dogs have long been used for their unique scenting abilities, but just how incredible they are might surprise you. We know that dogs can track and discriminate between various scents and locate people and substances among millions of distractions, but how they’re able to do this is just as impressive. So just how awesome is a dog’s sense of smell? #1 – Parts Per Trillion James Walker, former director of the Sensory Research Institute at Florida State University, estimates that … Read more
Most dog owners have no doubt that their pups would give their lives to save a loved one. This brave dog proved this to be true, dying a hero by sacrificing himself to save his family’s 8-month-old baby. Pup Polo and baby Viviana were inside the apartment when mom Erika Poremski stepped outside to her car. But in those moments, flames engulfed the home. The frantic mother rushed toward the door to save her daughter, but the fire was already blazing. “I tried to keep getting in,” Poremski told CBS News. “She … Read more
If you see one of these gentle giants, it’s hard to resist giving him a pat (carefully and with the owner’s permission, of course!). A Great Dane’s size and friendliness make him a fun companion, but there are a few downfalls to owning one of these colossal canines (at no fault of their own). Want to learn more about these majestic creatures? Here are 10 fun facts that you may not have known before! 1. Great Danes aren’t actually Danish. It’s unclear why these dogs of … Read more
Pippa is a beautiful golden-haired pup who looks forward to fetching the mail every day for her humans. She has gotten to know the postman quite well as she completes her daily chore. But some days, Pippa’s humans don’t have any letters for her to retrieve. In order to not disappoint this sweet girl, the postman gets creative and writes her letters, himself! “Pippa the dog collects the mail. The post improvises when her owners have no mail,” the caption reads on ICantBelieveThisNameWasFree‘s Imgur post. … Read more
Friendship knows no size, age, or species. It doesn’t matter how small you are or how old you are as long as there is love and respect between the two. And that’s what happened between the dog and the guinea pig in the video below. Meet Rex the Boxer and S’mores the guinea pig! Rex is an elderly Boxer who suffers from a degenerative disease which made his back legs lose their function. He was found as a stray and was … Read more
We love stories about unexpected friendships, and this one proves to be pretty different from the rest! George the dog lost his best friend, Blackie the Lab, two years ago. After that, he spiraled into a depression. Since then, things went from bad to worse for George, as he grew lonely and started suffering from loneliness and anxiety. The poor pup became so downtrodden, he began refusing to eat, nearly starving himself to death. Without his best friend, George was quite anti-social and disliked the company of … Read more
In Bulgaria, an innocent puppy was left all alone on a chain to die. But two years later, he is comfortably settled into his forever home! Two years ago, the Rudozem Street Dog Rescue (RSDR) received a call from a concerned woman who reported that a puppy had been tethered to a trailer for 10 days straight. Of course, they jumped into action, and rescue co-founder Tony Rowles arrived on the scene. “When we arrived, the poor little guy was covered in flies, … Read more
We’ve all wondered about what our dog is feeling or thinking. Obviously, we know dogs can feel pain, fear and hunger. But what about other more “complex” emotions? In the last decade, scientists and canine behaviorists have used technology to find out more about our dogs’ emotions than we ever thought was possible. Thanks to them, we now have a deeper understanding of our best friends and what they feel. How Exactly Did They Study It? You may be wondering … Read more
Toledo, United States.