10 Common Dog Potty Training Issues (Vet-Verified)
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Dog potty training is challenging for most dog owners and is often a rite of passage for becoming a dog parent. You’re not alone in the challenges, and accidents are to be expected as your dog or puppy learns to be potty trained. Many dog parents face similar challenges throughout the experience. So, we’ve compiled a list of common issues that come up during potty training and some helpful tips for dealing...
The Border Collie — Mastermind of the Dog World
The Border Collie is the Swiss Army Knife, the Everything Bagel of the dog world. Whatever you need him to do, he can do with ease, then ask what is the next job on your to-do list. Although considered by many authorities to be the world’s most intelligent breed, nobody calls the Border Collie low maintenance. This is a lot of dog to deal with in a medium-sized package. Not every Ford driver can handle a tanked-up Maserati, and not every casual pet owner can keep a Border Collie content and engaged. Here are seven fun facts about this...
Socialization 101
The puppy of your dreams is home with you. Your buddy for leisurely walks, playing ball at the park and snuggling on the couch. But, reality check: There’s another side to your dreamy time together — your sweet, little ball of fur is more like the unhinged Tasmanian devil cartoon character. Puppies have a lot of energy! They need activity and guidance navigating their new world. Socialization has always been an integral part of raising and training a dog, but during the pandemic, opportunities for socialization outside the...
This Just In: Halloween Edition
Lauren Katims is the Executive Editor of Dogster. She has more than a decade of experience writing about pets and health. Lauren lives in Northern California with her two teeny-tiny dogs, Lucy and Emmy. To follow their adventures, check out @laur.nadeau and @mychiweenierocks on Instagram. Source:...
How to Build a Dog Staircase
As Francis Eggelton’s three English Bulldogs got older, he noticed they were having trouble jumping up from the floor to his bed. He enlisted the help of his stepson, Colin Scott, owner of Denver-based Custom Creation Woodcraft and a dog lover himself, to help him create a colorful, two-tiered, portable step that he could place alongside his bed or couch to give his pups a lift. Even better: Colin and Francis completed the project in one hour for less than $70, with enough extra material to make two more sets of stairs. “I wanted...
Time for Pain Medication 101
©FatCamera | Getty Images Hearing your dog whimper or yelp can definitely jar you. Seeing your pup limp can worry you. Witnessing your senior dog with arthritis gingerly walk up steps can make you cringe. Like us, our dogs are not shielded from pain that is simply defined as any physical discomfort caused by injury or disease. Pain can be acute, such as suffering from a broken leg, or chronic, such as contending constantly with arthritis in the joints. And pain can definitely affect your dog’s behavior, shifting him from being...
Dear Mr. Muttley: If Dogs Wrote a Manners Column
©YinYang | Getty Images Dogs are very much like humans: Some have great manners; others have none. I don’t know about you, but I’ve known dogs whose looks of harsh judgment and superiority could make even the most poorly mannered people change their ways for the better. In my humble opinion, some types of dogs writing a manners column for wayward pups isn’t that far-fetched of a concept. I mean, not mine — mine would give advice on how to be a hooligan — but others could give “Dear Abby” a run...
What Dog Owners Should Know About Dognapping
Two million dogs are stolen each year and about 10% are returned home, according to Petfinder.com. We call this dognapping — the crime of taking a dog from his owner, derived from the term kidnapping. Throughout the world, pets are stolen for a variety of reasons, like being resold as a companion pet, to collecting rewards from distressed owners or for fighting in dogfights, just to name a few. In the last two and half years, there has been an increase in dog thefts in order to make quick money by criminals looking to take advantage of...
10 Great U.S. Dog-Friendly Towns to Visit
Dreaming of the perfect getaway with your dog? Traveling with your canine companion is a fun way to spend quality time together, increase your bond and experience new areas of the country. Especially after the last two years, many of us are ready to stretch our legs and start exploring. Dog-friendly hotels, restaurants, parks, beaches and laws make these towns tail waggin’. You and your pup are sure to enjoy these dog-centric vacation destinations! 1. San Diego, California Ready for fun in the sun? This dog-friendly city with lots of...
How to help an Aggressive or Reactive Dog
Do you think your dog might be reactive, or even aggressive? Some reactivity is normal and necessary for survival, but when is it time to get help? Maybe you’re frustrated or embarrassed by your dog’s meltdowns when deliveries come, or sad or even scared by your dog’s barking and lunging at neighborhood dogs. It doesn’t mean you have a bad dog, or that you’re a bad dog guardian. But it does mean your dog needs help handling her feelings about certain parts of her life. Emotions drive behavior. So, if your dog...
