Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
They say that winter is “the most wonderful time of the year.” There are nights spent by the fire and days spent finding the best shopping deals, but for a dog owner, there can be a lot of headaches that come with the winter season. After talking with the iHeartDogs team, we came up with three easy solutions to what we see as three of the biggest struggles dog owners face in the wintertime. 1. Your Dog Isn’t Staying Active … Read more
When Deputy Hammell left his patrol car open and running on a chilly winter evening, he had no idea there’d be a surprise guest in the passenger seat when he returned! Hammell, an officer with the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office in California, was investigating a suspicious vehicle around one in the morning. He kept his car running so it stayed nice and toasty, leaving the driver’s side door ajar. That’s when Ruger, a Black Lab who’d been lost, found a safe place to warm up! Hammell returned … Read more
Why Are Freeze Dried Raw Treats Becoming So Popular? Raw freeze dried treats aren’t necessarily new (some brands like Stewarts Pro-Treat have been have been around for many years), but they’ve only recently begun gaining major traction among dog parents. About 6 months ago, we decided to look into why they are becoming so popular. Here’s 4 reasons we found: #1: The Freeze Drying Process Itself Preserves with No Chemicals First of all, lets define what exactly the freeze drying process is. … Read more
On Sunday evening 14 travel-weary dogs from South Korea arrived At Dulles International Airport. They were rescued from deplorable conditions and certain death at an illegal dog meat farm in Jeonju. Their 2-day journey to freedom – and the new lives that come next – were made possible by the combined efforts of Humane Society International and the Richmond SPCA. Korean officials were tipped off by neighbors about the illegal dog meat operation and it has since been shut down. … Read more
Sometimes an adoption match is so perfect that it’s as if it was meant to be. That was the case when Mandy Weikert met Lady – a silly, outgoing Pit Bull mix – at BARCS Animal Shelter in Baltimore, MD. Not only are they the prefect match; together, Weikert and Lady care for and comfort the patients at FHL Blood and Cancer Specialists where Weikert works as a nurse. Who remembers Mandy and Chris, the couple who first adopted hospice dog … Read more
Ok admit it. The real reason we give our dogs treats is the dopamine rush we get ourselves. Am I right? There’s nothing quite like seeing my husky’s bright blue eyes light up, as she sits pretty and motionless, just waiting for her delectable morsel to be dispensed. So What’s The Big Deal with Freeze Dried, Raw Treats? First of all, lets define what exactly the freeze drying process is. When a food is freeze dried, first it’s flash frozen … Read more
Sweet senior gal Zaney is a staff favorite at LifeLine’s Dekalb County Animal Services in Atlanta. She’s gentle, low-maintenance and is always ready with a tail wag and a Pibble grin when visitors stop by her kennel. The problem is, she’s been in that kennel far too long. As much as they will miss her, Zaney’s friends want nothing more than to see her adopted into a loving home in time for the holidays. A photo posted by LifeLine Animal … Read more
Anyone that owns a Yorkshire Terrier knows how much joy and companionship they provide. They are amazing for keeping us company, warming our laps and hearts with their cute expressions and sweet dispositions. No matter how deep your affections run for your Yorkie, there are always things you can do to make your bond even stronger and ensure that your dog feels just as strongly about you as you do her. The following are 3 great ways to help strengthen … Read more
Pit Bulls are smart dogs that love to please, which usually makes training easy. But teaching your Pitty to come when called has unique challenges that can make it frustrating. Often, we inadvertently poison our own training efforts when it comes to this behavior. Your Pitty may not come to you simply because the behavior hasn’t been taught correctly. If you’re struggling, try these 3 secrets to getting your Pit Bull to come when called. #1 – Don’t Call Your … Read more
Dachshunds can be hard to teach a solid recall to because they have an independent streak. Many owners get frustrated by what seems to be a complete lack of concern on their Doxie’s part when they hear their owner calling. In reality, most Doxies don’t come simply because the cue hasn’t been reinforced enough or they don’t understand what it means. If you are having trouble, try these 3 secrets to getting your Doxie to come when called. #1 – … Read more
A solid recall is every dog owner’s dream, but getting one can feel like a nightmare. This can be especially true with a lively Boxer that would rather keep playing then come see what you want. Unfortunately, a lot of the times we accidentally sabotage our training by making simple mistakes, like calling our Boxer to us only when we are getting ready to leave the dog park. Chances are, your Boxer has figured out that coming to you means … Read more
Coming when called is something all dog owners want their dog to do and German Shepherd owners are definitely no exception. It’s not only convenient, but can be important for safety reasons. Unfortunately, come is a cue that is easily poisoned and hard to get right. Just because Shepherds are known for being intelligent and very trainable, this does not mean this will always come easily. If you are having trouble, try these 3 secrets to getting your German Shepherd … Read more
Getting your Siberian Husky to come when called can be a challenge for Husky owners. It’s an important behavior, for obvious reasons, but it’s also a difficult one that many dog owners accidentally mess up. Chances are, you have actually done things that have caused your Husky to not want to come to you without realizing it (like scolding them for doing something wrong after coming to you). If your Husky doesn’t respond to your Come cue, try these 3 … Read more
There are two camps of people in the world, dog people and… everyone else! I am only kidding, but there are people that think dogs are “only animals” and do not need all that we provide them with. For those people I have a thought: our dogs are not wolves and not even wild animals at all. We have taken them into human society and they have adapted to it. This process is domestication. Domestic pets, especially indoor dwelling ones … Read more
Golden Retrievers are the quintessential family dog. While fairly easy to train, their friendliness with other people and dogs can make them big pullers when it comes to walking on the leash – they just want to greet everyone! As nice as it is to have a dog that is friendly, being overly friendly can make walking a giant chore. And it can even lead to injury if you’re not careful. Luckily, there are some things you can do to work on … Read more
Pugs are the center of their owners’ lives – and they pretty much demand that title. And who wouldn’t want to treat their Pug like royalty? These tenacious dogs have a way of capturing your heart that is beyond compare. Chances are, you spend every day trying to make your Pug as happy as they can be. Wondering what he might love the most? The following are 3 things almost every Pug loves more than anything. #1 – Food Pug dogs … Read more
The number one search phrase suggested by Google when you begin to type “Why are Boxers…” is not “Why are Boxers so cute/sweet/goofy?” Rather, it is “Why are Boxers so prone to cancer?” Cancer is the number one reported health issue in the breed with an estimated 38.5% of Boxers passing away from some form of the disease according to the UK Kennel Club. The reasons why Boxers are so prone to cancer are not fully known. Some veterinary scientists … Read more
Much like human teens, short-haired breeds like Boxers, Bulldogs, and Rottweilers can develop acne during their adolescent phase. For dogs, adolescence hits around five to eight months of age and usually ends by their first birthday. During that time, they may experience painful, itchy breakouts that can lead to scarring and infection if not treated properly. Canine acne occurs when the hair follicles become irritated – typically on the chin, lips and around the whiskers in Boxers. Veterinarians believe that … Read more
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a life-threatening disease seen almost exclusively in Boxers, and is often referred to as Boxer cardiomyopathy. In ARVC, normal cardiac muscle is replaced by fibrous or fatty tissue, resulting in an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. The condition causes fainting, heart failure, and even sudden death. The ventricles are the heart’s main pumping chambers. When the powerful muscle tissue that makes up the ventricle is replaced with less-efficient fatty tissue, the electrical system of the heart … Read more
40,000 – 60,000 dogs – mostly deep-chested giant breeds like Great Danes – suffer from gastric dilation, commonly known as bloat, each year. The condition advances rapidly and has a mortality rate as high as 33%. Bloat can result in deadly shock and tissue death in mere minutes, so it is vital that Great Dane parents understand exactly what it is and the signs and symptoms to watch out for. Bloat is the result of accumulation and swelling in the … Read more
Great Danes are among the dog breeds with a genetic predisposition for a hereditary disorder called entropion in which the eyelids “roll” inwards. It may sound rather harmless, but entropion causes the tiny hairs along the lash line to drag across the corneal surface of the eye, leading to pain, inflammation, and even vision-impairing scar tissue. Many dog owners do not even notice that their dog has entropion until the affected eye(s) have already sustained damage. Early on, a Great … Read more
When the Fredericksburg Regional SPCA announced that they had three adorable Boxer puppies up for adoption, they knew that the floppy-eared pups would be quickly snapped up! A woman named Lisa was the first to arrive at the shelter at 6:15 am, and was later joined by her husband, Carl. They planned to wait until the doors opened at noon. Behind them was another woman, and third in line was Mary Garecht. She was hoping to bring one of the puppies … Read more
You may remember the story of a man who was finally hired, along with his service dog, at a Lowe’s in Canada. Now, the home improvement chain has a second man-dog duo to brag about! In Abilene, Texas, Clay Luthy and his service dog, Charlotte have officially become Lowe’s employees. Charlotte even has her very own work vest, just like the rest of the staff! Luthy is an Air Force veteran who recently had knee surgery. His canine companion accompanies him wherever … Read more
When dogs are terrified for their lives, they sometimes come off as aggressive, plus they may have been hurt by humans before. The dog in the video below is small, but feisty. It’s unknown how long she’d been living on the streets, but the skittish pup had been seen by the L.A. river for several weeks before anyone had been able to rescue her. When Hope For Paws arrived on the scene, they put netting on the fence that surrounded the river … Read more
Bronx, a 7-year-old Pit Bull mix, was diagnosed with a rare disease that causes kidney failure and digestive problems last November. At the time, his vet estimated he had about 3 months to live. Now, one year later, Bronx the “miracle child” has been given the gift of one last splash in the pool before he is fitted with a feeding tube that will make swimming out of the question. It all started with a Facebook plea posted by a … Read more
We will never know what it’s like to be a shelter animal, reeling from abandonment and spending day after day behind bars with strangers constantly walking by. But Cape Ann Animal Aid in Gloucester, Massachusetts gave a handful of volunteers a taste of what it’s like to spend an entire day in a kennel. During the “Night Without A Family” event, six volunteers spent 24 hours with a dog, living in its space and following its schedule. They had group playtime, … Read more
YUMMY! Check out these Gingerbread Paw treats for your pup! Just in time for the holidays! Imagine all the treats you come could up with for this baking tray! **Of course always check with your Vet before feeding your dog any homemade consumables** If you don’t already have a paw print shaped baking tray, this silicone tray is available in the iHeartDogs store. Hurry, though, as they are disappearing fast! (each purchase provides meals for 4 shelter dogs!) Better yet, … Read more
Earlier this week we brought you the maddening story of Zuzu, the dog reportedly abandoned by her owners for being “too sad” after the death of their other dog. Zuzu – formerly named Princess – had begun to cry and display signs of depression. She scaled the fence and was picked up by animal control on Thanksgiving morning and brought to an LA County shelter. It may sound like a common enough tale so far, but what sets Zuzu’s … Read more
We’ve heard heartwarming stories of dogs waiting for their humans while they were deployed, at the hospital, or even at work, and this story is another example of a dog’s unwavering loyalty. Carly Dunn is an 18-year-old college freshman at Georgia State University. When she moved out of the house in August this year, it really threw her dog, a Border Collie mix named Bo, off his schedule. You see, the Dunn family adopted Bo as a puppy when Carly was … Read more
If you’ve ever been to an animal shelter, you’ve seen what a sad place it can be. It’s no fault of the shelter, but dogs can be sullen and despondent. Spending most of their time in a kennel or cage, who could blame them. Sadly, anyone looking to adopt a shelter dog can unknowingly be turned off by this apparent sad state. It’s not right, but subconsciously, things like this affect all of our decisions. But did you know that … Read more
UPDATE, 12/12/2016: Thanks to everyone out there who shared sweet Melony’s story, she has now been adopted and is ready to spend the holidays with her new family! Jennifer Buege of Union City, Georgia heard about Melony when a friend in Michigan shared our original post with her. Buege lives with her 16-year-old son and 4 cats, and although she has never had a dog, she found that she could not get Melony out of her head. She decided to … Read more
It’s not every day we see dogs dance, but this particular pup has really stepped up the game. Accompanied by his owner, this awesome Australian Shepherd learns the art of Irish stepdancing. There are all different kinds of Irish stepdances, and this pooch certainly knows how to put on a show. His owner has taught him well and we’re happy to see that he looks like he’s having a good time too. In fact, it’s almost a little embarrassing – … Read more
Rescue From The Hart (RFTH) is a Van Nuys, California rescue group with an amazing story to tell. When they received a call about pregnant stray dog living under a shopping cart, they were warned that she’d growl when they approached. Undeterred, they set out to catch the poor pup so she could have her puppies in safety. It took some time to earn her trust, but after she warmed up to them it was clear: she was relieved to receive … Read more
When it comes to storing dog food there are several ways you can ensure freshness and longevity. However, short-term storing often brings about problems that we don’t expect… one of which is ants. If you’ve got a dog that leaves a little bit of kibble here and there or one that’s got a full bowl to visit as needed, you have probably had an ant problem at one time or another. Ants will take over a food bowl very quickly … Read more
It’s not a comfortable subject to discuss, but as dog owners we need to be mindful of what will happen to our dogs in case of an emergency. For one particular owner, this fear became a reality. Thankfully, there were good people out to help. This patient was out walking their beloved dog when they became ill and an ambulance had to be called. Not wanting to separate the duo or leave the dog stranded alone, the medical team decided … Read more
We communicate with our dogs all the time, and they undoubtedly understand a good amount of what we’re saying to them. But if you could write your pooch letter and he or she could understand every word, what would you say? Would you thank him for his unwavering love and loyalty? Would you tell her that every day is brighter because she’s by your side? Would you share a laugh while remembering the time he got into something that he … Read more
Children often learn about death through the loss of their first pet. Professional photographer, Marvi Lacar captured this stunning image of her son, Mateo saying his final goodbyes to the dog he’s known since birth. The photo shows Mateo clutching a tissue and tenderly pressing his head against the dog’s face in a private moment of grief and loss – the first the 7-year-old has ever had to endure. Mateo and Wheat’s Final Goodbye | 10/26/2016 It has been a … Read more
In the animal world Black Friday means much more than crazy crowds and super savings. Many shelters waive their adoption fees over the Thanksgiving weekend to help the pets in their care find homes for the holidays. The shelter staff knew that Bryan would have difficulty finding a home as pets with disabilities often do. The adoption event – sponsored by Zappos.com and Best Friends Animal Society – was a rousing success, but it was heartbreaking to see sweet Bryan, … Read more
Not surprisingly, teaching your Dachshund a sit-stay is not easy. First, it may have been a challenge to teach your Doxie to sit. Now, you’re asking him to stay in that position for a long period of time. Do you like to sit still without moving your limbs? Probably not. But since a “stay” can be useful and even save your Dachshund’s from running into danger, it’s a good behavior for them to know. The following method breaks “stay” up … Read more
While German Shepherd Dogs are known for being intelligent and very willing, this does not mean that training them is a breeze. For any dog, “stay” is a difficult behavior to do. Would you want to sit still without moving your limbs for long periods of time? Neither does your Shepherd. They can have a particularly hard time with it if they want to chase things that move – staying in a “sit” while a bike or a cat goes … Read more
If you live with a Great Dane, chances are you wish he knew the “stay” cue. His large size means he can easily get in the way when you are trying to bring in the groceries. They also are known for being a bit forward when greeting people – something a sit-stay can help with. “Stay” is one of the hardest behaviors for any dog to learn. After all, you are asking your dog to basically not move for a long … Read more
Pit Bulls can be fairly energetic, making a sit-stay hard to train. Have you tried sitting in the same place without moving your limbs for a long period of time? It’s no fun and your Pittie agrees. It can be especially hard to train a young Pit Bull, who wants nothing more than to be near you or on you all the time. Luckily, there is an easy method to train “stay” that produces a solid behavior. Duration & Distance … Read more
Regardless of whether you plan on doing a performance sport with your Labrador Retriever or if he is just the family pet, a sit-stay is a behavior almost every dog owner wants from their dog at some point. Unfortunately, it’s not an easy cue to teach because it takes a lot of self-control and is frankly boring. You try sitting without moving your limbs for any length of time – difficult, right? Your Lab thinks so too. Luckily, there is … Read more
“Stay” is one of the most useful behaviors we can teach our Chihuahuas. It can even save them from getting hit by a car or running away when you open the front door. But teaching “stay” is not easy. It shouldn’t be surprising when you think about what we are asking of our dogs – to sit for a long period of time without moving any of limbs. In order to make them successful, we need to break it up … Read more
Did you know infrequent grooming can affect your dog’s health? If you thought grooming was just about making your dog look nice, read on! Overgrown nails can change your dog’s gait, leading to arthritis, injuries, and other problems. They can curl all the way around into the foot pads, causing pain. Longer nails are at higher risk of being torn off, which can be a painful, bloody mess. Even if your dog hates nail trims, wouldn’t you rather upset them … Read more
Some dogs really hate the mail man. We humans know that the mail must be delivered and that there must be someone to do it. We are grateful for the delivery and often wish that our dogs would feel the same. Some delivery people carry dog treats for the dogs along their route and not all dogs seem to hate them, but many do. The ones that do hate delivery people seem to really hate them fervently. To get to … Read more
When Lulu the Japanese Chin was a tiny puppy, she took comfort in nestling in the warm, thick hair on her brother Blizzard’s back. At 126 pounds, the gentle Saint Bernard made little Lulu feel safe and protected. Soon she wasn’t just sleeping on Blizzard, she was riding him like a mini cowgirl on a pony! Wherever her big brother goes, Lulu is sure to be happily astride his back. A photo posted by BlizzardandLulu (@blizzardandlulu) on Nov 1, 2016 … Read more
When a dirty, matted dog arrived at an animal shelter in Paterson, New Jersey the staff checked her for a microchip. They discovered that the Maltese-Pomeranian mix had been missing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida since 2013. The chip led back to Bill Gerstein who had held onto hope that his dog, Bella would one day be found. Now, after 3 years and 1200 miles, they have finally been reunited. Bella went missing on Friday December 13, 2013. She had accompanied … Read more
Does your dog have a favorite stuffed animal? It seems like this adorable pup does! Instagram user @aarun_evolution has dozens of pictures and videos posted of his two gorgeous Goldens, but this playful clip has taken the internet by storm! Watch how this dog plays with her stuffed “mini-me”: A video posted by まゆみ (@aarun_evolution) on Aug 15, 2016 at 6:09am PDT Her mannerisms are so hilarious! Judging from her human’s Instagram page, it seems like this particular toy is a favorite… … Read more
Leopard, a 6-year-old Shar Pei mix, not only survived her battle with cancer, she also helped save the life of a stranded cat in peril. Despite her sweet disposition and courageous nature, Leopard is still waiting at the Cuyahoga County Animal Shelter in Ohio for her own hero to come along and rescue her. Leopard isn’t letting all the fame of being a hero dog go to her head after her post from a few days ago. Actually, she… … Read more
As three hikers made their way through a secluded section of Australia’s Mt. Glorious National Park, they heard a splashing sound from a creek bed up ahead. They approached carefully and quietly, expecting to see a kangaroo or a platypus, but were stunned when they saw a chubby dog struggling to free herself from the water instead. The hikers created a noose from rope and a long stick to pull the dog from the freezing water. The well-fed, spayed female … Read more
Toledo, United States.