Usually I keep my house plants out of the reach of my dogs, but this winter, I had a couple on the floor in the basement so that they could get some sun through the glass door. The dogs have been spending so much time indoors this winter because of the unusually cold and wet […]
Dogs and Fireworks: Keep Your Pet Safe on the 4th of July
While the Fourth of July is a fun time for us, our pets might not enjoy it as much. The noise, smells, and bright flashes that accompany a fireworks display can cause fear in many dogs. Prepare Well If your dog is left outside, it might be scared enough to escape its pen and attempt […]
Preparing for Hurricane Isaac: Disaster Preparedness for Dogs
With Hurricane Isaac bearing down on the Gulf Coast this week, it’s a good time to think about making preparations to keep your family and your pets safe. Evacuation Plans In those places where evacuations are necessary, it is important to have a plan for your pet too. Many shelters will not accept pets due […]
Keeping your dog safe: Creating a dog and puppy proof house
We all know to baby proof a house to keep a baby safe, but what about keeping your dog or puppy safe? Dogs don’t always know what is safe for them to eat, chew on, or lay on, so it’s up to you to keep them safe. Puppies in particular tend to get into everything. […]
Hot Weather Safety Tips for Dogs
Temperatures are soaring this summer and many parts of the country are experiencing drought conditions. The heat and dry conditions can affect your dog just as much as it does you. Following a few simple guidelines can help your pet weather the heat. Make sure your dog has access to shade. Though they can’t escape […]
Refreshing Your Dog Training Skills
Just like humans, dogs are prone to forgetting things, or even testing boundaries. Thus, it is important to refresh your dog’s training “memory.” Dogs that respond to a given command for a long period of time can suddenly start acting like they don’t know what the command means. For example, it took me quite a […]
The Dog Afraid of Thunder – My Dog’s Storm Fear
Many dogs are afraid of storms. But when that behavior becomes harmful to the dog, what do you do? My dog Belle was always afraid of storms, but it got much worse. And unfortunately, my attempts to comfort her actually reinforced her negative behavior. After speaking with a friend who is a dog training expert, I started crating her during storms and covering the crate with a sheet. This helps her to feel safer and keeps her from hurting herself during her panic.