Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
The rain is coming! And while we know it’s good – especially for fire or drought-stricken areas, it can still be hard to cope with when you are a dog owner. Why? Because you know you are facing rainy walks, muddy paws and that dreaded wet dog smell. Never fear, we have handpicked some of the best products out there to help you stay out of the rain this season. #1 – Jelly Wellies Aside from the adorable name that … Read more
With dog ownership comes great responsibility, as we need to ensure our pet’s safety and happiness. Further, we need to make sure they’re good canine citizens that don’t cause trouble for our neighbors and family. People often wonder what items are necessary when owning a dog and there are hundreds of thousands of various dog-related items on the market. But which are really necessary? #1 – Identification There are many different types of identification available for your dog, so there … Read more
Looking for something special you can do for your local shelter? The amazing team at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary gave us the inside scoop on things that really help a shelter out, which you may have never even thought of before. #1 – Bring in food/snacks for staff/volunteers on busy days #2 – Decorate lobbies and common areas for holidays #3 – Make videos of adoptable animals #4 – Donate your professional time in areas such as marketing, public relations, graphic design, photography, … Read more
Do you sometimes feel like you are living inside a kennel? Have your friends stopped coming over or ask if they can sit outside when they visit, even if it’s raining? Having dogs does not mean you need to live with their smells! Here are 10 simple ways to keep your house from smelling like a kennel. #1 – Get an odor-resistant bed One of the places smells lurk is in your dog’s bed. Buying a bed that has anti-microbial properties … Read more
When something goes wrong, it’s easy to blame the dog – after all, he can’t speak to defend himself! However, many times we humans inadvertently cause the very things we are trying to stop our dogs from doing. If you’ve made some of the mistakes listed below, don’t worry–we all have! The good news is that you can make some changes, but first, you have to be informed! Here are some ways you may be accidentally encouraging your dog’s most annoying habits: #1 … Read more
Summer is upon us, which means time for fun in the sun and water. Whether you live near the sea, a lake, river, stream or your own swimming pool, chances are your dog will come in contact with water this season. But, did you know dogs are not natural swimmers? “Most dogs do not just jump in and start ‘doggy paddling’ with ease,” says Jennifer Fish Office Manager and swim coach at Dogs Gone Swimming in Portland, Oregon. My husband … Read more
Many dog owners find themselves living with a dog that barks more than they ever thought would happen. In fact, nuisance barking is probably one of the main concerns owners have when it comes to their dogs. Aside from being difficult to live with, it can also cause problems with neighbors. While some breeds are more predisposed to barking than others, all dogs can bark excessively. Curbing the behavior means determining the cause of the barking and there are many … Read more
Our time is valuable and all of us wish we could spend more of it with our four-legged best friends. When you do, do you spend all your time doing chores? Things like cleaning, grooming, feeding, etc., can take up so much time that you don’t get to spend quality time with your dog. These 12 time-saving hacks will give you enough time at the end of the day to play a game of fetch or snuggle during your favorite show. … Read more
Limping, or the inability to bear weight on a limb, is a fairly common problem in dogs. Although limping is typically always the result of some type of pain and it can happen in any leg or multiple legs at one time, depending on the cause of the pain. Here we’ll go over some reasons you may find your dog or puppy limping. #1 – Torn Pad Torn paw pads are one of the most common reasons dogs may be … Read more
Dog Bite Prevention week is coming up, which means it’s a great time to think about biting dogs and how to get them to stop. A puppy may start out with small bites or what seems like play, but if you let him keep doing it, eventually those bites will become serious and you will be faced with a decision no dog owner ever wants to have to make. Luckily, it is fairly easy to get a puppy to learn … Read more
While many dogs seem to be oblivious to anything dangerous outside in the world, others are more nervous in nature and need a little confidence building to ensure them that nothing bad is going to happen. These dogs may have lacked proper socialization as young puppies, but more often than not it’s just their genetics. Just as some people are shy and insecure, some dogs and puppies are too. So if you’re struggling with a shy pup that’s reluctant to … Read more
Most new parents baby proof their home before an infant can move around on their own, but think nothing of letting a puppy explore unattended. There are as many hazards to dogs in the home as there are for babies. How could an owner keep their four legged companions safe? By going room to room and removing potentially dangerous items. Cleaning Supplies Most people appreciate the easy access of keeping cleaning supplies under the kitchen sink. Dogs appreciate nudging those … Read more
It can be easy to think you need a second dog – you see other people with multiple dogs, you see all those adorable rescues that need homes – but that doesn’t mean you are ready for a second dog. There are many things you should think about before you bring home another canine family member. #1 – Do you have the time? A second dog means more time bathing, grooming, walking, playing, training, etc. If your current dog barely gets … Read more
March 4, 2015 – Choctaw, Ala.—At the request of the Choctaw County Sheriff’s Office, the ASPCA® (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is assisting in the removal, transport, sheltering and medical treatment of more than 130 dogs from a large, substandard breeding facility—frequently referred to as a puppy mill—in Needham, Ala. The dogs were found to be living in their own filth, many with severe health issues. Upon arriving at the facility, ASPCA responders discovered the … Read more
Has your dog ever hidden a treat or bone? Have you ever wondered why? The answer lies in who your dog is and where he comes from. My staff members and I frequently give treats to the pets boarding or dropped off for treatment (We are not above bribery!) I would estimate that maybe 1 in 10 will then proceed to bury the treats in his or her bedding. It is really quite cute and endearing. I can think of … Read more
Most of us think of our dogs as one of the most trusting animals we come in contact with. While the cat stares at you from across the room – clearly sizing up whether your existence is acceptable – the dogs comes running to you for pets, kisses or just to be near you. However, the results of a study published in Animal Cognition, a scientific journal, suggest that not only are dogs skilled at interpreting human body language (pointing), … Read more
On February 24th, At the request of the Stone County Sheriff’s Department, the ASPCA®(American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) removed nearly 100 dogs from Innocent Hearts Animal Rescue, a self-described no-kill dog rescue in Mountain View, Ark. Following the Stone County Sheriff’s investigation into neglect at the facility, Innocent Hearts Animal Rescue acknowledged they lacked sufficient resources to continue to care for the dogs, and voluntarily surrendered them to the ASPCA. The rescue group has decided to dissolve … Read more
Even though this breed gets more press than almost any other, you may be surprised at how little you know about it. For example, do you know where the breed was developed originally or whether or not it belongs to a group of dog breeds called “Molossers”? Find out the answers to both of these questions and more below! #1 – Not an AKC Recognized Breed There is no “Pit Bull” breed in the AKC register. They do have the … Read more
You may be surprised that the crazy facts about the Chihuahua – like the fact they may have originated from China or a fox? Read below to find out more about this amazing breed! #1 – Techichi According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Techichi may be the predecessor of the Chihuahua. They were kept by the Toltecs and are believed to have been around prior to the Mayans, though no solid records exist pre-9th century. #2 – They … Read more
Dog health and fitness can be tricky. Your dog may seem fit, but then gets winded on the first big hike of the year. Or, maybe you struggle with keeping your dog an ideal weight or worry you are putting too much stress on his joints. Jeris Pugh owns a dog training facility called The Martial ARFS, where they specialize in canine fitness and conditioning programs to improve health, prevent injury or just for fun. His wife Dr. Eve Pugh DVM, CVA , is … Read more
We all have something that we go nuts about. I go nuts about cute little puppies! I can’t stop myself from smiling when I see them. And I just have to touch them and cuddle them, no matter what! And dogs are the same too. Even when they are puppies, they already have favorite toys to play with. The puppy in the video below is nuts about something. And it’s not over a common dog toy. Nope, it’s not a … Read more
As technology continues to advance, so do dog products. These futuristic products are taking dog care into the next decade and beyond, with some advancements geared toward making your dog’s life richer, healthier and safer. #1 – Arden Collar™ This is going to be a game changer in getting your pet home safe should she wander. Created by famous Canadian singer/songwriter/author Jann Arden and top 50 iOS developer Derek Sheldon, the Arden Collar allows you to instantly see where your pet is … Read more
Many children (and some adults) will get their ultimate holiday wish fulfilled this Christmas or Hanukkah, and receive a puppy as their present. It seems great – the recipient gets a new best friend and the dog gets a home just in time for the holidays. But what happens to that puppy when the cuteness wears off come January? Do the parents still think that gift is cute when it’s chewing their Prada purse or Italian leather shoes? What about … Read more
Regardless of the breed of dog you chose, your puppy must be socialized and exposed to all kinds of things if you want a truly friendly dog that is not afraid at whatever our crazy world throws at her. This list is 10 of the most important things your puppy should be exposed to, in a positive way, to help make her a well-adjusted dog. #1 – Kids Kids are one of the hardest “things” for dogs to get used to: … Read more
It seems that every holiday season brings the “must-have” toys or gifts for kids, but there is one that tends to be a perpetual crowd-pleaser: a puppy. And if your kids want a pup this year, you may want to first consider the following ten tips to help find the ideal pup and have him successfully join your family. Dr. Yasmine Mortsakis, DVM, Director of Health & Wellness at NY Vet Practice, which offers full-service veterinary care at Biscuits & Bath, and Biscuits … Read more
Adding a new dog or puppy to your family? Great! Whether it’s your first time around or an addition to the current pack, making sure you have all of the right stuff will start your journey off right. It doesn’t matter if you’re getting a new puppy or adopting an old soul from the shelter, dogs of all ages need the same basic things. Check out our list below to make sure you’ve got everything you need! #1 – A … Read more
The holiday season means visiting family and friends, often with kids. If your dog is not used to having kids around (or is maybe only used to your dog-savvy children), the situation can quickly become out of control if you are not prepared. Here are some tips and tricks to getting through the holidays while keeping the kids and dogs happy. The First Encounter The most important part of the whole visit is what happens in those first few minutes, … Read more
Puppies use their mouths to explore the world around them, so it’s very normal to have a puppy that chews on everything. Whether it’s shoes, toys, or furniture, your puppy will likely try out a variety of objects great and small. While chewing is normal and should be expected, we typically don’t want our pups chewing on inappropriate items. There are plenty of dog toys and chews available to satisfy the needs of many chewers, but what others ways can … Read more
“A tired puppy is a happy puppy.” Most dog professionals will tout it as their mantra. Wear a puppy out through play and exercise; they won’t be inclined to destroy things. This is true for most dogs, but play for puppies is not only good exercise, it is necessary for developing a happy, well socialized, confident dog. Various puppy games also determine hierarchy in the pack and show the puppy where she falls in the ranks. That being said, there … Read more
This is one of the most common (and painful!) problems all dog owners face. Whether it’s a puppy, adult rescue, or a dog that has “gotten away with it” for most of his life, it is definitely a bad habit that should be addressed as quickly as possible. As with most things, the longer your dog has practiced the bad behavior, the longer it is going to take you to nip it in the bud. So have patience. If you … Read more
More and more places are becoming dog-friendly, which is great for us. That means we can take our beloved pooches with us pretty much wherever we go! Not only can boarding and pet sitting be very expensive, we often hear horror stories about things gone wrong with people we don’t know taking care of our dogs. While this isn’t usually the case, it is something to keep in mind. Besides, how often do we just want to take our dogs … Read more
Many dog owners think of lead poisoning as a thing of the past. After all, lead-based paint was outlawed decades ago and most of us have updated our homes since then. But, you may be surprised at all the places your dog could still be getting lead poisoning, including his own toys. Dr. John Tegzes, VMD is a board certified toxicologist for JustFoodForDogs and specializes in safe food for pets. He has seen quite a bit of lead poisoning in … Read more
Sometimes our dogs cannot come with us on our trips. When that happens, it’s our job to make sure they enjoy the time away from us as much as possible. This can be especially hard for dogs that are nervous around other people or new environments, or that suffer from separation anxiety. Before You Leave There are several things you can do to help prepare your dog prior to your actual trip that will make them more at ease with … Read more
You may envision owners and operators of doggy daycare and boarding places to be die-hard dog lovers; willing to dedicate their lives to the care and well-being of other people’s fur kids. Unfortunately, the lucrative world of doggy daycares have them popping up everywhere, with owners that may be in it more for the green than because they love dogs. We drop our kids off as much as 5 days a week to these facilities, assuming they are going to … Read more
There has been a giant leap in the number of eco–friendly dog products and brands out there. But being environmentally conscious has its price—most of these products will run you a bit more than standard products. And while most of us would agree the price difference is worth it, we also agree the products should be worth the extra money when it comes to quality and durability. This is a list of brands and products that I have found are … Read more
If you are thinking about bringing in a new puppy to your family, do not forget to take into consideration your current dog. Before you start looking for another dog, make sure the one you already have will be happy that you have added to the family. Especially older dogs who have always been an “only child.” They can be fear or aggressive to a new dog in their domain. Does your dog get along with other dogs at the dog parks, … Read more
In honor of this year’s National Puppy Day, Aimee Gilbreath, Executive Director of Found Animals has a few tips to help you make an informed decision about choosing your next family member. 1. Consider the Benefits of Adopting a Puppy The mere presence of a puppy can melt your heart immediately, so it is very important to understand that your new pup will require a lot of time, energy and patience before making any decisions. With that in mind, puppies … Read more
Toledo, United States.