Age Doesn’t Stop Rescue Dog from Launching Agility Career When you watch Lizzie running an agility course, she looks like an old pro as she navigates the jumps, tunnels and weaves. But the 10-year-old is actually a newbie, who only started training in the sport two years ago. Her owner Catherine Kist of Illinois [...]

An Ambassador for Many & Therapy Dog Extraordinaire: Meet Petey As a 4-month-old puppy, Petey was running loose and struck by a car, left for dead. A passer-by rescued him, and Petey was lucky to be adopted by a dog trainer who recognized the pit bull had the makings of a great therapy dog. Like [...]

[accordion] [accordion_panel title="K9 Max - San Diego Police Department, CA"] K9 Max, five-year-old Belgian Malinois, served with the San Diego Police Department for two years at the time of his injury. In June of 2017, police officers responded to a radio call of a man acting bizarrely. Upon arrival, the suspect threatened the officers [...]

Some veterinarians view low-energy lasers as a noninvasive alternative treatment of arthritic inflammation and chronic pain in dogs. It’s not a panacea, but combined with other treatment, it can ease your dog’s arthritis pain. Arthritis (osteoarthritis) is a common degenerative disease in which cartilage wears away and inflammation, swelling, and joint [...]

Learn how to identify arthritis in dogs, obtain a diagnosis from a veterinarian, and explore the various techniques to manage and treat the disease.

Protecting your dog’s joints with the right supplement is an ongoing, daily commitment that will help ensure a good quality of life.

You might have noticed your older dog slowing down in recent years. Maybe he is playing less and sleeping more. Although this might seem normal for an aging canine, arthritis could be to blame. What Is Arthritis? There are several different types of arthritis that can affect dogs, but the most common is osteoarthritis — also [...]

"Cinder," a black Labrador Retriever, was always a fun-loving, joyful dog. Her owner, Terry Ellison, describes her as "my silly, happy, bouncy girl."...

Green-lipped mussels (GLMs) might be something you have never heard of, or sound like something you could order at your favorite seafood restaurant. But these unique shellfish are a type of mollusk found off the coast of New Zealand that is packed with nutrients. So, how could they help our dogs who suffer from joint [...]

Agility dogs can be more prone to developing arthritis due to the pressure on their joints. A new treatment could help ease their joint pain.

Glucosamine, a naturally occurring compound, is one of the more popular over-the-counter arthritis and joint pain remedies for dogs.

Luxating patella in dogs is one of the most common orthopedic conditions, diagnosed in 7% of puppies. How do you treat it?

If your veterinarian prescribed Rimadyl for your dog, it's a sign of responsible dog ownership that you want to learn more about this medicine. Let's talk about why Rimadyl is prescribed for dogs, what potential side effects might look like, and some alternatives if your dog has a negative reaction. Rimadyl is generally safe for [...]

ASK AKC  Dear AKC: My seven-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever is beginning to limp on his right rear leg. He doesn't want to put any weight on it. About two years ago, he had surgery on his left knee to fix a ruptured cruciate ligament due to an injury. Is it possible the [...]

Progressive, persistent pain that creeps up on a dog is often tricky to spot. Referred to as chronic, it can dramatically impact their quality of life.

Laser therapy for dogs can be a helpful complementary or alternative treatment option for managing inflammation, chronic pain or wound healing.

Even under the best circumstances, a dog's life is too short. It's a difficult subject, but one every pet owner must face eventually. As the end of your dog's life approaches, whether due to illness or old age, you might be contemplating some difficult choices. But while euthanasia was long considered the most humane option [...]

What are the most popular dog supplements, and how might they help your pet's health? Learn more about dog supplements and their purposes.

What you may consider simply an indulgent spa service can actually benefit your pet’s mental and physical health. Massage may reduce stress and anxiety, increase circulation, decrease pain, and strengthen the bond between you and your dog. Also, it can help to identify new growths at an early stage. The best part? You [...]

Aging is a natural part of life, even for dogs. Their pace slows, their naps increase, and their coats may get gray. Giant breeds like the Mastiff are considered seniors by 6 or 7 years old, whereas toy breeds like the Yorkshire Terrier don't enter their senior years until they're 10 to 12. Regardless of when it happens, it's [...]

Like people, some dogs don’t like strangers getting too close. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the dog is mean, aggressive, or dangerous. He is just not the kind of dog who will happily accept petting from groups of strange children or adults, or is at ease with other dogs. He may [...]

Last month in Breeder News, we provided an overview of canine hip dysplasia (HD). This article is a continuation with more in-depth information about recent genetic discoveries. HD is a developmental disorder in which the hip joint does not fit properly into the socket, leading to joint instability, inflammation, and eventually arthritis. The condition varies [...]

Indoor potty training can help senior dogs with mobility, health, or incontinence issues avoid discomfort and accidents.

Keep an eye out for physical, behavioral, and mental changes in your older dog. These might be signs of aging in dogs, and being aware of them is the first step to ensuring continued quality of life for senior dogs.

Big, brave, and beautiful, Great Danes hold a special place in our hearts. But despite their larger-than-life persona, this giant breed has a relatively short life span. Why Are Great Dane Life Spans So Short? For such big dogs, Great Danes sure get the short end of the stick when it comes to longevity. Great [...]

Senior dogs have specific age-related needs. Here are some easy ways to keep your senior dog happy and repay all their years of friendship.

Ever heard the saying, "Let sleeping dogs lie"? Well, it's true — even middle-aged dogs can snooze half the day. But what about senior dogs? Is there such a thing as sleeping too much? Most geriatric dogs require 12 to 15 hours of sleep a day. However, if you notice changes in their slumbering habits, such as sleeping [...]

Orthopedic problems in dogs, like hip dysplasia and cruciate ligament ruptures, can be painful and costly to treat. But when detected early and given proper veterinary attention, affected dogs have a high chance of a successful outcome. Also, proper testing by breeders helps to prevent these problems in offspring. Hip Dysplasia in Dogs Jennie led [...]

Dogs Have Feelings Too – New Book Strives to Improve Child-Dog Relationships We recently spoke with certified dog trainer and behaviorist Michelle Godlevski of Raleigh, NC, about her new book, Dogs Have Feelings Too. Michelle wrote the children’s book to teach youngsters to recognize dog body language and to promote empathy in children [...]

Gander Raises Awareness of Service Dogs’ Healing Magic     When the 2014 winners of the AKC Humane Fund Awards of Canine Excellence (ACE) were presented at the AKC/Eukanuba National Championships, the roll call included a former shelter dog who almost lost his life and a military veteran who nearly took his own life [...]