If you are looking to do a little baking for your dog, these homemade treats are some of the best recipes we have come across. Put them in a tin, wrap them in pretty cellophane, or stick them in a stocking and you have a great gift for the upcoming holiday season! #1 – Diabetic Dog Treats This recipe by Barb Maxwell on Allrecipes.com is perfect for those that have a dog suffering from diabetes. With no sugar or sweeteners … Read more

Whether you have a puppy and are looking for that all important first trainer, or you are switching for whatever reason, that first meeting with a new trainer can set the stage for training success or failure. Make sure you are asking the right questions to help ensure success. Related: Spirit Dog Training Review #1 – What Methods do You Use? Make sure you agree and are comfortable with whatever methods that dog trainer uses. In addition, the trainer should … Read more

How can you make your dog smarter? After reading, watching, and/or hearing about Chaser, the amazing Border collie that is being hailed as the World’s smartest dog, you may have thought about your own dog and wondered, “How can I make my dog smarter?” Or, maybe you thought, “My dog is smarter than that dog – how can I prove it?” In this exclusive interview, Dr. Pilley (owner and trainer of Chaser) let us in on some of his training … Read more

Add some fall flavor to your dog’s diet with these tasty and nutritious seasonal favorites. Every single one of them is PACKED with good things to keep your dog healthy. Don’t worry if you are not a cook or baker – preparing healthy fall fruits and veggies for your pup is super simple! #1 – Sweet Potato Many dog food manufacturers use sweet potato in their formulas. Plain baked or boiled sweet potato – no sugar or marshmallow- is great … Read more

Most of us enjoy dressing up our dogs, even if it’s just a shirt. Winter provides us with an “excuse” to dress our dogs up even more, because of the cold weather. But do dogs really need to wear winter clothes? The answer is… It Depends. “When we started developing our line of all-weather dog jackets, Buggsly Black Label, we looked into whether jackets were a must have or a frou frou accessory,” says co-founder Cassidy Morgan. “Through the research … Read more

Diane Lang, MA is a therapist, adjunct professor and author. She has worked with patients and therapy dogs and has seen firsthand the health benefits. Here are 10 reasons why a dog is good for your mental and physical health. #1 – Help Reduce Stress Petting your dog is a great way to reduce the stress hormone cortisol. In addition, a few minutes of petting a dog each day revs up the production of serotonin which helps us relax! Click … Read more

We all know many animals put on weight during the winter months, to help keep them warm and to store up fat to burn as energy when food gets scare. Some may wonder, then, if our house pets need to be fed more or gain weight during these months too. Lisa Hennessy, founder of Your Pet Chef, LLC.;  began preparing meals about 5 years ago when her rough collie, Shelby, was diagnosed with degenerative myelopathy. This disease caused her to … Read more

With all the talk about recalls, toxins in pet food, dietary concerns, home-cooked versus BARF diets – it’s enough to make a dog owner wonder if they can ever feed their dog correctly. Many feel homemade (whether raw or cooked) is best, but what about those who just don’t have time? There is a new company in the dry kibble industry that is out to change the way we view feeding out dog commercially made dog food: Petbrosia. Started in … Read more

Due to pet food recalls, increases in allergies among dogs, and the cost of commercial dog food rising, many dog owners are contemplating homemade dog food – whether raw or cooked – for their furry best friend. And many say it is healthier for your dog than traditional kibble and wet food (depending on the brand). But is it really best? Do dog owners know how to feed their dog’s correctly? Emily Lagasse is Founder and CEO of FedWell Pet … Read more

Things that are unknown tend to be the scariest. We have a fear factor about Ebola virus and now we have it here on US soil. We have little information except rumors that an infected person’s pet dog was destroyed in Spain. Now Nina Pham’s Cavalier spaniel is being quarantined. Has a pet ever served as a reservoir? Applebrook Animal Hospital owner and chief veterinarian, Dr. Kathryn Primm, wants people to have the facts as we know them. According to … Read more

Cushing’s is a dreadful disease that usually affects older dogs. Although most dog owners have at least heard the name before, many are unaware of the what the disease is, symptoms to look for, and even worse, that it can actually be caused by us. Dr. Cathy Alinovi, DVM, owner of Healthy Pawsibilities, answered a few of our questions about this terrible disease. What is Cushing’s? Cushing’s is over-production of body cortisol by the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland is … Read more

Many of us are moving toward natural products to keep our dogs healthy. Here are 10 supplements that can help keep your dog at his best. #1 – Kelp Kelp is high in minerals and trace elements and is a good source of iodine. It helps prevent thyroid issues, cancer and allergies; supports good metabolism; and treats diabetes. #2 – Pumpkin Pumpkin is high in soluble fiber and low in fat, making it a healthy treat for any dog. In … Read more

Looking for a gift for that dog lover in your life? Maybe you need to liven up your kitchen with some dogality, these items are for you! #1 – Dog Breed Toaster This adorable toaster makes morning bread fun! They have 13 popular breeds to choose from as well as one with just paw prints or a bone. #2 – Dog Bed Island Remodeling your kitchen? This is probably the most practical idea you could incorporate into your design. Finally, … Read more

There has been a lot of talk lately about over-vaccinating and the potential side-effects of vaccines, including cancer. But how high are these risks in dogs? Is it really worth risking your dog getting the disease by not vaccinating? The Pro Vaccine Camp Dr. Susy Horowitz of the Pasadena Humane Society & SPCA defends why vaccines are still important and something every dog owner should make sure their best friends are getting. Why are the vaccines important? Vaccinations are an … Read more

A client approaches a trainer with concerns about their dog’s listless demeanor. The trainer suggests going to the dog park or enrolling in doggy daycare. Shying away, the owner refuses the advice saying that dog parks are a breeding ground for disease and fighting and a daycare is a place for lazy owners to throw their money away. No matter how the trainer tried to explain the importance of socialization, the owner dug her heels in deeper. Is there a right … Read more

A dog may retain the training she’s received all her life, she will also retain fears imprinted from puppyhood, but can’t seem to remember that chewing up an expensive piece of footwear is a huge no-no. A dog’s memory span may be broken up into short and long term memory. However, a human’s version of memory and a dog’s version of memory are two very different things. Just how long is a dog’s memory? Memory vs. Imprint Humans retain memories; … Read more

It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of bringing home a new puppy – choosing names, buying toys and food, making vet appointments, and just dreaming about your new best friend. But that flurry of excitement can make us forget the most important thing – puppy proofing! Here are the 10 must-dos before you bring her home. #1 – Breakables Make sure anything breakable is not at your puppy’s level. This includes places she can reach when standing … Read more

Newly released in paperback with a new afterward, Chaser became famous before her book ever hit the shelves. Since picking Chaser up from Wayne West of Flint Hill Farm in 2004, John W. Pilley has been teaching her in much the same way you would teach your two-year old toddler. And, he says, she is just as smart. Pilley is no ordinary dog owner, however. He is an emeritus professor of psychology at Wofford College. His background in psychology and … Read more

In order for a dog to learn, it has to be focused (just like us!), and focus takes a certain amount of calmness (just ask any sports player). But how do you get your energetic puppy or reactive adult to calm down? Believe it or not, you can train your dog to be calm. I won’t lie, these are not the most fun training sessions you are ever going to do. However, with persistence and patience, you will have a … Read more