Lethargy Some dogs are inherently lazy, but you may notice it to be more extreme than usual. Lethargy is a very common sign that your dog is not feeling well. And who can blame him? You don’t want to do much when you’re sick either. If the lethargy lasts more than a few hours, you should probably take him in for a check-up. Lethargy is a symptom of many ailments, some minor and others very serious. Lack of Appetite Most … Read more

It’s not if you will have an emergency with your dog, but when – Are you prepared? Not being ready could cost your canine his life, so be sure you have the proper items on hand and know what needs to be done should you find yourself in an emergency situation. Emergency Information Time is of the essence when it comes to an emergency – one minute could be the difference between saving and losing your beloved pet. Make sure … Read more

The American Kennel Club’s® (AKC®) Canine Good Citizen® (CGC®) test was created in 1989 to recognize dogs that are well mannered both in the home and out in society. The idea is to create a standard for responsible pet ownership and outline the basic behaviors every dog should have. Each dog that passes the test is eligible for the AKC CGC title and will receive a passing certificate from the Kennel Club. The test contains 10 elements: 1. Accepting a … Read more

Volunteers are the backbone of any animal shelter. They are counted on to walk dogs in all types of weather, clean up messes, and of course the hardest part of all, socializing puppies through play and cuddling. There are some truly awesome volunteers who deserve a medal for their dedication and determination. Then there are some who could use a few lessons on proper volunteer etiquette. This list is for anyone who strives to stand out as an extraordinary volunteer; … Read more

With a new dog comes new responsibilities, including finding the right veterinarian. When starting out on this quest, there are many things an owner can do before scheduling an informational appointment. Check out the practice’s website, facebook page, twitter page (if one is available.), look at the online yellow pages, read the reviews by current and former clients. Jot down questions as they arise during research; if the practice looks promising schedule an introductory appointment and if possible, a tour. … Read more

Training your dog can be a fun, rewarding experience. It can also be a frustrating situation for both you and your dog. Top trainers know how to get the most of their training session and, by extension, their dog. Beginners often struggle with things like how to keep their dog engaged, what happens when a session goes wrong, and why their dog will listen to them at home, but nowhere else The following tips will let you in on some … Read more

With the large number of dogs that now live in urban settings where they come in daily contact with dozens of people, it’s not really surprising (though it is sad) that dog bites are on the rise. Approximately 4.7 million dog bites happen in the U.S. each year. 50% of those were children under the age of 12 years (www.Americanhumane.org). Just because a dog lives in the city does not mean it is comfortable with strangers, children in particular. A lot … Read more

SHARE this! Dogs develop fears throughout their lives. Seemingly harmless events during the formative puppy stages could plague a happy go lucky dog throughout their life. Dogs also pick up on and exhibit fears of their owners. They watch how the pack leaders react to certain situations and will become fearful themselves over something as harmless as a broom falling over. Below are five common phobias dogs face and how to work with them. 1. Loud Noises (Thunderstorms, Fireworks, Vacuuming, … Read more

There are many things to consider when deciding to open your home to a dog. Does it matter whether the dog is a pure breed, or would a mutt (combination of two or more breeds) be alright? Is age a factor? There are thousands of amazing dogs available for adoption at local animal shelters. Here are some reasons to consider adoption over purchasing a dog from a breeder. Loyalty Most dogs are relinquished by previous owners due to circumstances beyond … Read more

Dog dander can put a damper on any home. Contrary to popular belief, dog dander causes allergic reactions, not fur. Excessive dander is not only annoying, but it can also be a sign that your dog is not as healthy as they could be. Minimizing dog dander is a great place to start, especially if you have allergies. It’s also a great way to keep your house clean and your dog healthy. Master Groomer Serena Marshall, the owner of Shantel … Read more

You fell in love with a cute bundle of fur and brought it home. Her big brown eyes and sloppy tongue pretty much guarantee that you will give in to her every whim. But soon those behaviors you found irritatingly cute are now just irritating, and the new habits she’s forming are less than ideal. This could be your future, if you make these common new dog owner mistakes. Avoid them, and you will be well on your way to … Read more

There is the normal licking; ice cream dripped on the kitchen floor, many happy (and not so welcome) kisses when an owner walks through the door. Then there is the questionable tongue bath; constant licking of an owners hand or the licking of their paw. How does one tell the difference between harmless grooming and a compulsive behavior? Attention seeker Sometimes dogs like the scent of a soap or hand lotion and can’t seem to get enough of it, so … Read more

Losing your best friend is always difficult. Our dogs bring love, happiness, and companionship to our lives without asking for much in return. As such, their own lives are just not long enough.  After they’re gone, we all work hard to preserve the memories we have of them. Below are some unique ways to honor your faithful companion and remember them forever.  1. Sponsor a Dog Park A great way to keep your best friend in the hearts of everyone … Read more

Houseguests are both a blessing and a curse. It is wonderful to visit, hang out, and reconnect. However, the preparation before the guest arrives can be stressful, even downright exhausting. More so if the guest is allergic to dogs and the hosts resides with one. With a little planning and a lot of elbow grease, it is possible to have a memorable visit, in a good way. The one word to keep in mind… CLEAN. Clean everything, and then clean … Read more

Service Dogs are a common sight. We see them everywhere, from sporting events to airports, schools to restaurants. As commonplace as they are, the vast majority of Americans do not know or fully understand the purpose of a Service Dog or the proper protocol to follow when you encounter one. Help educate your children about Service Dogs to make sure they treat them for what they are: a working animal extension of their handler, who deserves respect and consideration. What … Read more

Columnist Dave Barry was once quoted as saying, “Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear.” Dogs bark, sometimes for reasons unknown to their owner. A plastic bag could be blowing in the wind a mile away, the dog needs to tell somebody. Or the motivation may be more obvious, a door knock, a thunderstorm, an owner … Read more

Puppies are cuddly, endearing and amusing to watch. They explore their world with wide eyed innocence, often with hilarious results. Puppies are babies that need to be nurtured, loved, and trained. Some people love the sweet aroma of puppy breath. When they are done exploring, puppies want to curl up in the closest lap and sigh contentedly. At some point those charming, innocent, delightful little puppies grow. They move into their adolescence where they test boundaries. It no longer holds … Read more

What does one look for in a guard dog? Do they want a dog to attack on command? Or merely bark excessively to scare off would be robbers? There are certain breeds that would lick someone into submission. Of course enthusiastic tail wagging has been known to cause serious injury. It is possible to train almost any dog to be an effective protector, but certain breeds were genetically designed to be protective and downright scary. Here is a list of … Read more

You’ve probably walked in on this scenario more than once, and you may have reacted with the utmost disgust and discomfort. The slobbery lips, the big puppy smile, and that cool, porcelain bowl…that’s right, we’re talking about toilet water. If you’ve had dogs, you’ve likely realized they can’t get enough of it. We know you’re probably feeling a little better now that we’re all sharing the disdain together. But it’s not just that drinking toilet water seems inherently distasteful, it’s … Read more

This will melt your heart, make you smile, and make you cry all at once. SO GOOD! If only more casual pet owners would follow #1, we’d put a lot of animal shelters out of business! And the last line of #10 is so true, isn’t it? The ten commandments was written by ©Stan Rawlinson (The Original Doglistener). A professional full time Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer. You can visit his website at www.doglistener.co.uk for more articles and training information. … Read more

Is your dog food manufacturer deceiving you? It never ceases to amaze us how much mass marketing can distort the truth. Check out the amazingly helpful infographic from PetsWeekly below to help decipher whether or not your dog’s food manufacturer is trying to deceive you. We want to hear from you. Which brand are you using and why? Are you or have you ever considered making your dog’s food at home? Which of these factoids surprised you the most? SHARE … Read more

Sure, we all know that it’s rude and disgusting to not clean up after your dog, but some of these facts really surprised me. Especially the very last one. How do you react when you see someone who doesn’t pick up their dog’s poop? Leave a comment below! Infographic courtesy of PoopBuddy. SHARE to get the word out! SHARE to get the word out!

All the lovely things we bring out to celebrate the holidays—tinsel, chocolate, holly, egg nog, poinsettias –a list that goes on forever, turn out to be not so lovely for our pets. In fact, many are extremely dangerous. Dr. Lisa Olsen, an emergency veterinarian at Iowa Veterinarian Specialties, says that vets are usually very busy this time of year. “We see more than a fair share of problems related to food in an emergency clinic during the holidays,” she says. … Read more

As a parent to a 3 year old daughter, a 6 month old son, and a 7 year old Siberian Husky, this great infographic from EdgarSnyder really hits home about child/dog safety. While walking our dog at the park, it’s not uncommon for  a well meaning, but overly excited child to run up to our husky to hug or pet her . Although she is great with children, the reality is you never know how a dog will react around … Read more