Bringing a new puppy into your home is a wonderful thing, but a young or newborn dog may not be the right choice for all people. There are benefits and challenges to both adult and young dogs. With a choice as significant and long term as pet ownership, it’s important to consider all factors before diving in.
Continue reading “Should You Adopt a Puppy or Full Grown Dog?”
5 Things That Dogs Cannot Eat
Any dog owner will tell you that most dogs live to eat, and this mantra spreads far beyond their own food. Certain human foods, like carrots and boneless chicken, cause no danger or discomfort for a dog. Other items, however, are call for concern when consumed by your pet.
Here’s a list of 5 foods your dog should never consume.
Speaking Canine – What Does It Mean When Your Dog Does…?
Dogs are incredibly emotive creatures, often exuding emotion and energy similar to that of their human mates. But because we don’t speak canine, it’s not always easy to tell what our pups are trying to say. While we can’t teach you to speak dog fluently, follow this guide for help translating your pet’s actions into words:
Continue reading “Speaking Canine – What Does It Mean When Your Dog Does…?”
How to Choose the Right Dog
If your like most, you’ve wanted to own your own dog since you can remember. The ultimate companion for a human, dogs are often painted with a rose-colored tint, as owners expect an animal to make their life better in every way.
While it is often true that our new pets improve our lives, not all animals are perfectly suited for a given owner. Adequate food, veterinary care, and exercise are some ways to nourish a positive relationship with your pet, but there’s another way to turn the odds of getting a good match in your favor: pick a compatible breed! Continue reading “How to Choose the Right Dog”
How Long Can You Leave Your Dog Alone At Home?
Spending time with your dog can be one of life’s greatest joys, but sometimes, things get in the way. Between work, errands, appointments, and social outings, there always seems to be something tearing you away from Fido, but someone’s gotta pay for that kibble!
Continue reading “How Long Can You Leave Your Dog Alone At Home?”
Ages & Stages of Dog Development
Puppies can be a lot to handle, especially if you’ve never had a dog before. Knowing more about their development cycle is instrumental to raising a well-behaved, furry friend.
While the exact amount of time in each stage might differ, the consensus is that dogs, as puppies, generally move through five different stages of development before reaching full maturity and adulthood. These stages are: Continue reading “Ages & Stages of Dog Development”
Allergies – Dogs May Suffer Too
Many people don’t realize that their dogs, just like human beings, can suffer from allergies. In fact, about twenty percent of the dogs in the United States alone suffer from one allergy or another, with flea allergy dermatitis being the most common form of allergies in dogs. Other types include atopic dermatitis, food allergies, and inhalant allergies. Continue reading “Allergies – Dogs May Suffer Too”
Adopting a Dog
There are lots of ways that people choose a new family dog. Some may search the newspaper for advertisements from breeders who are selling new puppies; others find breeders via listings on the internet, while still more may simply purchase a puppy from a local pet store. Perhaps the best method, however, in terms of being helpful to society in general is to adopt a dog from a local animal shelter. Continue reading “Adopting a Dog”
A Brief History of Seeing Eye Dogs
No one knows when the concept of using assistance animals for the blind first came into being. It is suggested that dogs have been used in such a capacity in various cultures for a very long time. It is known, however, that there was no formal guide dog program in existence until after the First World War. Continue reading “A Brief History of Seeing Eye Dogs”
Dog Obesity
No doubt you’re aware of the statistics on obesity in humans, but it may surprise you to know that our dogs are similarly afflicted. Over 40% of pet dogs are obese, and many people aren’t aware of the harm it does to their much loved pet. Research shows that dogs that have a healthy body weight will live up to 15% longer than an overweight animal. Continue reading “Dog Obesity”