Guide to Dog Boarding for the Day — Dog Daycare
Dog boarding is a facility where they take care of your dog either for a few hours or a day (called dog daycare) or for a longer period of time, like when you go on vacation. Dog boarding has been around for many years but dog daycare has taken off with the increase of dog ownership among working families. Dog daycare can be fun, even enriching — for both you and your pup. Staying positive is key, because your dog can sense any anxiety you’re feeling. How will you know if your dog likes daycare? As one of our experts says,...
Belgian Malinois
Traits Protective Sensitive Obedient Loving Hard-working Reserved Ideal Human Companion Active, sporty types Farmers and ranchers Families Experienced dog handlers What They Are Like to Live With Photography by Kayla Bertagnolli, as captured at the 2018 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The Belgian Malinois is a loyal, friendly and affectionate friend. He may have a strong working-dog background, but he craves companionship and family time above everything else. An alert and watchful companion to children, this dog really flourishes when...
Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? 7 Reasons For This Habit
So, why do dogs eat grass anyway? Research on why dogs eat grass is limited, says Dr. Shadi Ireifej, board certified veterinary surgeon and chief of medicine at VetTriage. Many people think that grass is a primitive Pepto-Bismol that soothes heartburn and upset stomachs. Some believe the extra fiber in grass helps your dog go potty. And others believe eating grass is simply in your dog’s DNA. Here are the top 7 reasons why dogs eat grass: Eating grass may settle a dog’s upset stomach Dr. Sara Ochoa, a veterinarian at Whitehouse...
How to Teach a Dog to Speak
Want to have a conversation with your dog? Teaching your dog to speak is an easy and self-rewarding behavior that most dogs master quickly. You won’t need a lot of supplies or equipment. The only supplies needed are: Lots of small pieces of treats your dog is excited about A clicker or a marker word like “Yes” that your dog knows Teaching your dog to speak through capturing Teaching your dog to speak is easiest when using a methodology called capturing. This means that we are going to be marking and rewarding behaviors...
How to Teach Your Dog to Roll Over
How to teach your dog to roll over is just one of many fun simple tricks to teach your dog. Before you begin, keep in mind that your training sessions should be short and fun. This dog trick is deceptively strenuous and when you have your dog roll over, he will be using muscles he may not use frequently, so be thoughtful of how many repetitions you do. If your dog has a history of back injuries, talk with your veterinarian before beginning to teach this dog trick to find out if it is appropriate for your dog. Before you teach your dog to roll...
How Often Should I Take My Dog to the Vet?
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We’ve all heard this, but how does it pertain to dogs? Do you often ask yourself, “How often should I take my dog to the vet?” An annual checkup for your dog is a necessary part of being a pet parent and taking our beloved dogs to the vet routinely identifies issues quicker. It’s easy to not think about taking your dog to the veterinarian when he is healthy, but do it. That baseline will make it easier for the vet to see changes in your dog. For example, maybe your dog...
Why Do Dogs Lick You?
Some people love it. Some people hate it. But we all wonder, “Why do dogs lick?” Understanding dog body language helps you decipher what it means when dogs lick, and, more specifically, why your dog is licking you at that moment. Perhaps the most obvious reason why dogs lick you is to get salt or even food crumbs off. You’ve probably noticed your dog seems more eager to lick you if you are sweaty. That’s because they like the salt in the sweat. Dogs also love to lick a hand or face just after you’ve finished...
Creating a Healthier World for Our Pets
Meet 14-year-old entrepreneur Ava Dorsey, whose dream to make healthy pet treats has grown into a USDA-certified organic baked treat company called Ava’s Pet Palace. Ava started her business out of her love and passion for animals, as well as wanting to spend more time with her pets, including the family dog, Rock. She noticed that a lot of the treats Rock ate had some unhealthy ingredients — not to mention a very long ingredient list. To solve this problem, she started developing treat recipes that were completely organic and...
Must-Know Travel Tips
Traveling with your dog can be an enriching experience for both of you — as long as you prepare well in advance to ensure that your journey is as safe and stress-free as it can be. Should your dog travel with you? Before you start working on any vacation plans, ask yourself if your dog is the traveling kind. Some dogs are much happier staying at home with a friend, family member or dog sitter, while others enjoy going to their own doggie hotels to play with canine friends as you enjoy some much-needed time away. There is no harm in...
What to Expect When Your Dog Has Cancer
My dog has cancer – what next? Finding support and trusted medical resources are the first steps when your dog has been diagnosed with cancer. A new database called Canine Cancer: Take C.H.A.R.G.E. (Canine Health and Registry Exchange) is a collection of incidence, prevalence and emotional-support information taken directly from dog owners and vets based on personal experience with canine cancer. The database, overseen by eight leading veterinarians who specialize in canine oncology and surgery, is open to the public and the...
