.: Pet Dogs

You probably only bathe your dog at most once every other week. More frequent baths strip the coat of oils needed for it to remain healthy with continual exposure to the weather. If a shampoo and … Read More

Nothing puts a person off their food like a begging dog. A wet nose on the knee followed by a puddle of drool isn’t the least bit appetizing. Even if you don’t mind your own dog … Read More

Doggie daycare is a necessity for many busy pet owners. Even a placid dog doesn’t do well if left alone all day five days every week, especially if the owner returns from work too tired for … Read More

Losing a pet is never easy, but a creative and respectful memorial project can help bereaved owners work through their grief. Building or doing something beautiful in your pet’s memory allows you to channel sorrow into positive … Read More

Flying with pets is often difficult and confusing. Not all airlines permit pets. Those that do have varying requirements as to which pets can fly and where they will travel. Costs also vary between airlines. Then … Read More

Traveling by car with dogs can be fun, but it’s also exhausting. I find packing for trips with my dog more frustrating than any other part of traveling with him. I always seem to forget something … Read More

It’s every dog owner’s worst nightmare: A missing pet. Even if you’re fortunate enough never to have experienced the disappearance of a pet, it’s important to plan in advance so you’ll be prepared if your dog ever … Read More

I frequently write about the importance of daily training sessions for all dogs. Pet dogs are happier, healthier and more obedient if training is reinforced daily. Sessions don’t need to be lengthy or intensive every day. … Read More

If your pet has healthy paws, you probably don’t spend much time thinking about them. But if a problem is allowed to develop, you’ll be spending both time and money treating it. Preventive care for paws … Read More

We’ve all been there: In the midst of a training session, things go downhill. Your dog looks at you like you’ve grown a second head, even when you give a cue he should know backwards, forwards, … Read More

Due to the current economic climate, more pet-friendly rentals have become available. Property management companies need all the business they can get. For some, that means opening their properties to pet owners,  even if dogs were … Read More

Hiring a pet sitter isn’t easy. Choosing one person to be solely responsible for the health and happiness of your pets while you’re traveling is nerve-wracking at best. Making the wrong choice can be disastrous. Pet … Read More

So you’ve got a new puppy. One of the first things you’ll need to do is choose a collar that the puppy will wear, either all the time or only on walks. There are numerous styles … Read More

This summer, many dogs and their pet parents will be heading to beaches, mountains, and everything in between for a relaxing camping trip. What could be better than roughing it in the wilderness with your pooch?  … Read More

Does your dog wear a bark collar? If so, it would make my day if you removed that collar right now and threw it into the trash can. It’s not necessary, may be harmful behaviorally and … Read More

Your dog was just neutered, and he’s now licking his incision. What do you do next? It’s not wise  to allow the licking to continue. Even if your dog only licks his incision occasionally, he’s likely … Read More

Giving pills to a dog can be easy, depending upon the dog, but it can also be nearly impossible, particularly if it’s a small dog that needs to take a large pill. I’ll use this post … Read More

Toy dogs (members of the AKC Toy Group) are becoming more and more popular every day, but many owners don’t take the time to train these dogs. Training toy breeds represents unique challenges, but it’s both … Read More

I worked for a large retail chain dealing in live animals and pet supplies as my first job out of high school. At the time, I thought it would be the perfect job for a young … Read More

Ah, early Summer. The birds are singing, flowers are blooming, and people are arriving in droves to dump their pets at local animal shelters. Litters of kittens and puppies conceived and born in the  Spring fill kennels … Read More

Many dogs love water. It’s hard to resist letting a happy dog frolic in a creek or lake while out for a long walk, especially on a hot day. I’m sometimes tempted to jump in myself! … Read More

You spend hours every day exercising and grooming your dogs, letting caged pets out for free-range time, petting and playing with your cats,  and coaxing the elderly horse to just eat one more bite of beet … Read More

The Internet has never before been more powerful, useful, or ubiquitous than it is today. Dog parents can get information, pet supplies, professional training advice, and more, without leaving their own homes.  However, at the same time, there’s never before been more … Read More

I’ve always avoided topical flea and tick medications whenever possible. I’m just a little uncomfortable with the idea of putting something on my pet’s body that is so poisonous to fleas and ticks that it will … Read More

Cryptorchidism in dogs is a condition that is congenital (present at birth) and results in one or both testicles failing to descend normally. This is a common condition that usually has no particular ill effects, provided … Read More

There was a Tornado Watch in effect for my county for most of the afternoon today. While most people know what to do to protect themselves if a tornado occurs, what about pets? While many disaster … Read More

In many areas, pet parents struggle to find a rental home that will accomodate their entire family, both humans and pets. The current rental market has forced more apartment complexes and private property owners to open … Read More

I’d generally rather see people get their pet information from a book than a television show. I recommend Don’t Shoot the Dog by Karen Pryor, The Dog Who Would Be King by John C. Wright and Judi … Read More

Animal shelters are bursting at the seams with pets who have lost their homes due to the current recession. Whether it was an unexpected vet bill, routine expenses, or a non pet-related expense that was the … Read More

I’ve been finding tufts of dog hair around the house all week. For a couple of days I was puzzled– I’m brushing my dogs as often as I always do! Then I realized it’s June, and … Read More

There’s nothing like the bright red dot of a laser pointer racing across the floor or wall to get a cat’s attention. Many dogs also are fascinated  with and will chase laser pointer toys. Even fish often … Read More

I live in Colorado, where we have, from time to time, experienced snow in July and 90-degree days in November. But if you can rely on one thing in Colorado, it’s that we’ll have a fairly hot summer. … Read More

It’s the rainy season in many parts of the world, and walks, dog park visits, outdoor training classes, and playtime in the backyard aren’t happening with their usual frequency. A dog kept indoors because of rain … Read More