Shelter Dog Meal Donation Count:
As a dog owner, I’m sure you’ve noticed how often your dog uses his nose. Sniffing this, smelling that…it’s how dog’s get by in the world. And it’s no surprise when you realize that a dog’s sense of smell is tens of thousands of times more sensitive than ours. With that knowledge, it’s safe to say we really can’t smell anything at all! But since our dogs can, we might as well make the best use of it. That’s why … Read more
Veterinary care is critical to a dog’s well-being. It is also important for an owner to get their questions answered by a qualified professional. From the moment a pup or new dog enters your life, it should be established with a veterinarian. How often they see a vet depends on the individual dog, but never underestimate the importance of wellness exams. Wellness Exams vs. Sick Visits A wellness exam or “check up” is a routine visit where a veterinarian looks … Read more
Obedience is essential. In fact, many trainers even consider it a lifesaver. How many dogs end up being put down at the shelter due to a lack of training rather than the temperament of the dog? Regardless of how much effort you want to put into it, obedience is important. But it doesn’t always have to be that mundane work that needs to get done as a requirement to owning a dog. Obedience can be fun! Believe it or not, … Read more
Oh how I love this next video! My dogs argue with me every night over bedtime. Whether they refuse to come upstairs to bed or they decide it’s time to play once they’re in bed, it’s always a process. (Some nights I get lucky though!) But, I’ve never had a dog verbally argue with me! This next cutie does just that! AND to top it off, once he stops arguing he actually listens to his momma, closes his eyes and … Read more
Ever wonder what happened to Michael Vick’s fighting dogs? Prepare to have your heart melted! I absolutely love that they call these pups VICKtory dogs! (thanks to The Bark Post to first posting on this story!) 1 of 9: Handsome Dan This beautiful boy was adopted by a family who now has a little girl. While skittish at first, Handsome Dan has learned to trust humans again and it a fantastic family member. Amazingly, he has a Facebook fan page … Read more
For some reason or another, the topic of fixing a dog has become a rather touchy subject. While we all think of our pets as our kids, there are some differences that needed to be considered. For example, you are not going to give your fur-kid a chocolate cake for their birthday or teach them to drive your car. Nor are you going to put flea treatment on your human child or expect them to stay in a crate at … Read more
It has been established dogs do weird things, habits that leave humans scratching their heads in amazement. Most of these quirks are genetically ingrained within a dogs DNA and easily explainable. It doesn’t make their habits any less peculiar, but maybe a bit more understanding. Eats Grass Why does a dog eat grass if all they’re going to do is throw it up again? That would be why. When a dog has an upset stomach they will munch on some … 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
Livestock herding is probably one of the oldest uses of the domestic dog. Dogs have been selectively bred and used for herding for centuries, with evidence dating the beginnings back 4,000 years. The largest kennel clubs have specific groups dedicated to the breeds created for this purpose. There are also separate organizations specifically tailored solely to these herding dogs. While the many breeds vary greatly from one another, their herding ancestry gives them certain, common characteristics. In rural areas, using … Read more
Irish or not, there are a few aspects associated with St. Patrick’s Day that are tried and true; drinking copious amounts of Guinness, eating large quantities of corned beef, cabbage and potatoes and wearing the color green. While it is easy to get swept up in the fun and frivolity of the day’s events, there are some aspects a dog should avoid. Drinking Alcohol, even beer can be poisonous to dogs, even in small amounts. A dogs liver is smaller … Read more
iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I have never flown with an animal and to be honest, it scares the heck out of me. After all, it’s one thing to put my own life in someone’s hands whom I have never met, but my baby? That’s just plain frightening. However, my youngest Shetland sheepdog Merlin (he will be a year old on April … Read more
We hate the thought of our pups becoming ill, but being educated is key to keeping our dogs as healthy as possible. Everyone knows that the quicker cancer is found and diagnosed, the better the chances are of fighting it off and prolonging your dog’s life. While annual check-ups at the vet are important, a year between visits is just too long when it comes to fighting cancer. Canines are susceptible to the same types of cancers as humans, but they can metastasize at a … Read more
A fast growing industry as more pet parents are finding they just don’t have time to do their own grooming, getting a job as a dog groomer is competitive. In order to make a true career out of this job, you need to be dedicated, willing to put time and effort into practicing your craft, and be good at client relations. Many groomers get a dog that requires a high level of grooming, such as a poodle, to practice on. Really … Read more
Can you imagine the horror of living your entire life in a cage, used only as a tool by a research lab? For these beagles, that WAS life. Thanks to the amazing team at the ARME Beagle Freedom Project, they are now rescued and free. In this next video, you’re about to see them experiencing grass for the first time! Tragically, it took some of this pups over ten minutes to muster the courage to walk out of his crate. … Read more
Your dog’s skin is the largest organ he has, shouldn’t you make sure it stays healthy? Skin afflictions can be painfully uncomfortable for your dog and cost you hundreds at the vet. There are over 160 skin disorders, some of which are chronic, incurable diseases, while others are preventable. Help prevent what you can by following these tips to keeping your dog’s skin healthy. 1. Sun Protection Just like humans, overexposure to the sun is bad for your dog’s skin. … Read more
Many dog owners find it easier to feed their dog either once a day or just to free feed them throughout the day—both of these can be dangerous to your dog’s health. Free feeding can cause a obesities as most dog’s will continually eat if given the choice. In addition, it can be hard to monitor your dog’s health if you are not sure how much or even if he is eating. For example, if you feed your dog a … Read more
A common plight among dogs is car sickness. No fun for the owner, it also takes the joy right out riding in the car for your canine traveling companion. Many dogs that suffer car sickness get so upset they won’t go near the car, and who can blame them? Don’t you avoid boats if you get seasick or that certain carnival ride that makes you nauseous? Bring the joy back to your dog’s joy riding by trying some of these … Read more
Inclement weather can make exercising your dog a chore or even impossible. When your best friend can’t get outside, pent up energy can lead to destructive behaviors like chewing, zooming through the house, getting into the garbage, etc. So how do you tire out your dog when you can’t go outside? Here are a few ideas to help get your dog’s energy out, without destroying your home. 1. Indoor Obstacle Course. Clear out a space in a room (be sure … Read more
Commonly called “doggy breath,” it is something most of us find repugnant. In fact, a lot of owners confess they don’t let their dogs kiss them solely because of the smell from their favorite canine’s mouth. While a dog’s mouth will never smell like roses, there are a few things you can do to fix it…and a very good reason why you shouldn’t ignore it! Symptom of a Disease Dog owners should never ignore bad breath, especially if it is … Read more
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 is inevitable every energetic, rambunctious puppy becomes a solid, upstanding adult and eventually a stoic, thoughtful senior. Most owners want to keep their older dogs comfortable and quiet in their twilight years. Unless they are suffering from a medical condition that requires quiet and comfort, older dogs need slight adjustments to their daily lives. Regular checkups to the veterinarian should be kept, to keep on top of anything that might escape notice by the owner. 1. Mind Games Mental … 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
Dogs are so cute, they bring tears to our eyes. But some people’s eyes water for other reasons. It comes along with that tickle in your nose – and then here comes the sneezing! When you really love dogs, you don’t want anything – not even allergies – to stop you from getting a pet. All dogs will have some dander and lost fur. But some have coats that help them keep it to themselves, so it doesn’t go floating … 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
New dog breeds are discovered and created every year, keeping canine organizations and kennel clubs updating their lists regularly. To keep you up to speed, we’ve compiled a list of the most recent breeds achieving recognition or updated statuses. You’ll notice many of these breeds have long lineages abroad, yet they’ve only recently arrived on American shores. Some of them have even more recently received full recognition from the American Kennel Club. From sweet lapdogs to hard-working hounds, check out … 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
Looking for the healthiest dog breeds? Let us help! As dog parents, one of our top priorities regarding our dogs is their health. The unfortunate fact is, despite our best efforts, some conditions and diseases are simply hereditary. When buying a purebred, finding a responsible breeder that tests their dogs for the presence of genetic health problems can certainly eliminate a lot of the guesswork. But if you’d like to rescue–which is a great thing to do!–there is no way … Read more
When they’re very small, a puppy’s preferred sleeping position is often directly on top of another puppy. Luckily, they’re light enough to just climb right on top of a sibling and pass out. And boy does that make for the cutest pictures you’ve ever seen! Odds are you can use a bunch of photos of puppy piles today, and I have just the thing. I scoured the internet to find some of the best dog heaps out there. These 11 … Read more
Pile of Boxer Puppies Source: http://jenniferhitt.com/boxers/wp/ What a cute pile of boxer pups! Don’t you just wanna hug them all? Leave a comment for them! Pile of Cute Babies Source: http://thepreppyyogini.tumblr.com/post/66417423415/babies Awww…aren’t they cute! So cute they make you smile! Drop a comment for these cuties! Pile of sleeping babies Source: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/89/04/8a/89048afa3dbe53360a990ba7da527c10.jpg Awww..just look at those cute sleeping faces! Aren’t they just precious? Cute pile of sleeping pups Source: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/originals/87/8f/83/878f83ad59e47b7ab832c92b4847cb68.jpg Awwww…they’re all passed out. The life of a … Read more
We asked our Facebook fans “What was the craziest thing your dog ever ate” and you guys delivered big time! Tell us the craziest thing your dog ate in the comments below! My false teeth. Lol wasn’t funny at the time! – Lorraine Anderson A Q-tip. It got stuck in the roof of his mouth sidways. Hxe was so freaked out that he tried to bite me when I tried to get it out. I put on oven mits and let … Read more
Since we’ve learned we can’t trust many treat makers, (especially these ones), why not begin making your dog’s treats at home? I know what you’re thinking… that sounds overwhelming right!? But what if there was an easy shortcut to making fresh, safe treats from home without having to necessarily make everything from scratch? Enter baby food! Think about it, why regulations around dog food and treats are sorely lacking, regulation around food for babies is certainly not! We’re about to … Read more
Toledo, United States.