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Most dog owners consider their dog a “puppy” no matter what age they may be. The sad truth is that, like all things, our dogs age. Having a senior dog is a privilege, but it comes with a bit more work than a young, healthy dog. It’s a commitment dog parents make the moment they bring a dog into their lives. Knowing how to care for a dog in his golden years isn’t always easy or intuitive as health concerns can pop up without warning and with frequency. If your dog is eight or more years old, here are some… Read More

Making the decision to bring a dog into your life is exciting and requires preparation. Whether you are curious about what it’d be like to own a dog, or if you’re looking to bring another dog into your home – fostering is a great way to provide a safe place for a dog in need. While it may seem like a smaller commitment to foster, it comes with just as much prep work and dedication as if you did adopt. Ensuring you and your household are prepared for the new tenant is key to making it a successful experience for… Read More

Dogs don’t always display signs of pain in ways that are obvious to humans. However, when a dog is suffering from bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GVD), it’s critical to pick up on the symptoms. What is bloat? Bloat is a medical, and surgical, emergency – it occurs when a dog’s stomach fills with food, gas, or fluid causing it to expand and then twist or flip. It can occur to any dog, at any time without warning. When this happens, the pressure and twist prevent blood from the abdomen and hind area from returning to the heart. This causes blood… Read More

Dogs are inquisitive by nature, but sometimes their curiosity can get the better of them – or they’re just in the wrong place at the wrong time, finding themselves with an insect bite or sting. Some may run for help while others barely react, but in case your dog is on the losing end of a big encounter, it’s important to know what to look for. Locate the bite or sting Once you’ve realized that your dog is stung or bitten, you need to locate the point of the injury. This can either be done through witnessing it or noticing… Read More

Your dog may be a lover at home, happy to have visitors of all sorts. But when you grab his leash and head out on a walk, he becomes aggressive toward strangers – barking, growling, and even lunging. This is known as leash reactivity. By definition, leash reactivity is an involuntary emotional state that overwhelms a dog’s brain and triggers the fight-or-flight response. The reasons for this vary, from overstimulation and excitement to fear and anxiety. Leash reactivity is one of the most common issues dog trainers deal with on a day-to-day basis. There is good and bad news when… Read More

When you aren’t feeling well, it’s simple to communicate your ache or pain. In many circumstances, you can find help yourself through medicine or by visiting a doctor. For dogs, it’s much harder for them to convey to humans that they’re experiencing discomfort or pain. If you’re not attuned to your dog, the signs they display can be easy to miss or write off. Below are several ways in which your dog may be telling you he isn’t feeling well. ·       Loss of appetite: A dog that isn’t eating should immediately raise red flags. This can be… Read More

We all hate them – especially our dogs. But with a hot, humid summer comes fleas – in fact, they thrive in summer conditions, laying in wait for your innocent dog to wander into their path so they can invade. If you have ever owned a dog, chances are you’ve run into fleas before. Maybe it was just a few that you could easily get rid of, but maybe it was much more involved than that. When left unchecked, fleas can populate at an astonishing rate, wreaking havoc on your dog and even embedding themselves in furniture and carpeting. Once… Read More

Summer is a time for outdoor fun, but this year the United States is suffering from well above-average temperatures nationwide. This puts many of our beloved past times at risk, including enjoying outdoor activities with our dogs. Don’t fret, preparation and modifications can help you still get the most out of the warm weather – your dog at your side. Below are several tips on how to keep your dog happy and healthy in the heat: Provide shade and waterWhen temperatures soar, it’s harder for dogs to find relief from heat than their human counterparts. This is because dogs don’t… Read More

The humanization of pets increased exponentially in the last 5 years, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the results is the growing popularity and demand for high-quality pet insurance. Some large companies are now offering pet insurance as part of their benefits packages to entice new prospects and retain employees. And as inflation continues to cause veterinary costs to rise, it’s no wonder that many dog parents are finding the benefits in adding their dogs to an insurance plan. So, what’s the deal with pet insurance? Let’s take a deeper look. What is pet insurance? Much like… Read More

One task synonymous with owning a dog is going for walks. It’s actually one of the many mutually beneficial tasks a dog and his owner can do together. From better heart health to mental stimulation – going for walks with your dog is a great way to bond and get fresh air. But is it as easy as it appears? Animal experts and canine behaviorists recently sounded the alarm that many dog owners are walking their fur babies all wrong. So, how does one incorrectly walk their dog? Well, according to the experts, it’s walking while distracted. What does it… Read More