dogs

Do pets grieve when they lose an owner or a companion? In short: Yes. There are various scientific studies, some contradictory, on the subject of animals’ responses to loss, but my experience as the owner of … Read More

Most people know that Halloween can be a dangerous holiday for pets,  but what about Easter? Just as much chocolate is given out on Easter as Halloween, but some families are so eager to celebrate that … Read More

It’s not easy to look at a litter of puppies, kittens, rats, or any other animal and pick just one baby to take home. Should you really choose just one? Wouldn’t those two littermates be happier together? … Read More

Easter isn’t just fun for children and candy addicted adults. When is the last time you held an Easter egg hunt specifically for your dog? If your answer is ‘never,’ it’s time you properly introduced your … Read More

So you want to start a garden, but you’re worried that all your efforts will go to waste when your dog traipses through, digging up your plants and snacking on the manure used as fertilizer, then … Read More

Nothing ruins a pet-friendly vacation like car sickness. One moment you’re anticipating a game of fetch on the beach, and the next you’re cleaning a puddle of pre-digested kibble out of the car. For pets with … Read More

Many dogs, particularly small dogs and those with short coats, refuse to do their business in deep snow. When Spring blizzards like the one blanketing my city with over a foot of the white stuff hit, … Read More

Dogs need baths, but owners’ opinions on how often range from “dump him in a tub of suds once a year whether he needs it or not” to “take her to a professional groomer every Saturday.” … Read More

Should you let your dog off-leash? The answer is usually no, but then how can your high energy dog get enough exercise? When leashed to  you, most medium to large dogs are limited to a slow … Read More

Once you’ve picked out a puppy, the hardest part of your dog search is over. But when should that puppy join your family? If it’s already weaned and separated from littermates, the answer is “as soon … Read More

Warmer weather is coming, and with it will come the inevitable reports of dogs dying from heat prostration when left unattended in hot cars. But alongside those reports will be the stories of a dog owner … Read More

Pets can fulfill so many different areas of your life. For example, they can be your best friend, motivated walking buddy and cuddle bug. However, just because a pet can make a wonderful addition to your … Read More

Puppies can be tough to housebreak, but the challenge of housetraining an older dog who has become accustomed to pottying inside is a whole ‘nother bag of chips, so to speak. While the most important part … Read More

Even the most experienced pet owners sometimes dread giving pills to dogs and cats. Children are hard enough to medicate, let alone pets, who won’t understand, “This is for your own good!” However, with a little … Read More

Not all animals seem to watch TV, but some do. We’ve all known a dog who barks at Lassie or Garfield, or a cat that bats at the television when the Nature Channel shows songbirds. Why … Read More

It’s a rare dog who’s never pilfered a sock from his owners, nor been caught fleeing the dirty laundry basket clutching a pair of panties in his mouth. But why exactly do dogs steal dirty laundry? … Read More

You’ve heard it, as all pet owners have: “Mutts are healthier than purebreds.” But is that true? As it turns out, things aren’t really that simple. While in some instances mixed-breed dogs may have a better … Read More

Tory visited the vet yesterday. The news is not good! As I suspected, Tory has an elongated soft palate. He also suffers from a number of other medical problems. Tory is scheduled for surgery tomorrow to … Read More

Last week, I introduced you to my foster dog, Tory. At the time, he had not yet arrived. Now he’s at home with me, and has proven to be a little more of a handful than … Read More

“Stump,”  a 10-year-old Sussex Spaniel, won Best in Show this week at the 2009 Westminster Kennel Club championship. Stump is the oldest dog ever to amble away with top honors at the nation’s most prestigious dog show. … Read More

It all started with the peanut butter crackers, but now the salmonella contaminated peanut butter is having a resounding affect on other products we commonly purchase such as pet food. Once you hear of contaminated food, … Read More

What’s the most difficult part of feeding raw? Ask 100 raw feeders and you’ll likely get 100 different answers, but for me the answer is, “Fitting that much meat in my freezer and still being able … Read More

Most dog owners have experienced the consequences of failure to generalize a learned behavior at one time or another. For example, let’s say you just spent an hour carefully teaching your new puppy to “Heel” perfectly in … Read More

Children, even at a fairly early age, are perfectly capable of teaching and reinforcing simple behaviors with the family dog. Training a dog is an easy skill to learn. It builds self-esteem for children, and is … Read More

Oh, yum, everyone’s favorite subject: Ear infections! Dogs and cats can easily get ear infections, and acute infections may become chronic if not treated correctly. Monitoring pets’ aural health is very important to overall wellness. Ear infections … Read More

If you’ve ever volunteered with any sort of animal rescue, you likely know the pain of sending a pet off to what you believe will be its forever home, only to see it returned a few … Read More

Your pet’s safety should always be among your top priorities when traveling with pets.  Most people wouldn’t leave a chocolate bar next to a dog, or leave a pet in a hot car, but many drivers do something … Read More

The New Year brings an opportunity for everyone to improve parts of their life that they are unhappy about. Maybe your goal is to lose weight, double your income or change your attitude toward others. Whether … Read More

Pets are my favorite exercise equipment. Nothing motivates me to go for a run like the pleading eyes of a dog who’s been cooped up indoors all day. Even the cat helps me exercise: When she … Read More

Did you forget to get yourself a Christmas gift? If you’re like most people this time of year, you’ve been running around like crazy shopping for gifts for friends and family, but you haven’t taken time to … Read More

Do you talk to your pet or feel that you communicate with each other in a different way? If you think you and your pet have a mutual understanding, you are not alone. Pets experience so … Read More

Training with distractions is a great way to make sure a learned behavior will be performed on cue in a variety of situations. Dogs don’t automatically generalize learning. If you train your dog to sit in the living … Read More

Dog enthusiasts, listen up because you will not want to miss this event! There is no better way to start your new year than by attending the Metropolitan Dog Club’s second annual Best in Show Brunch. … Read More