Losing a pet can bring on intense feelings of emptiness and despair. Because pets can't speak for themselves, owners might feel guilty, believing they could have done more to prevent the loss or ease their pet's suffering while they were alive. For advice, we spoke to Jackie Pajan, a TikTok creator known as Rainbow Bridge […]

Ever the charmer, a Shih Tzu puppy can be challenging to train. These loveable con artists live up to their name, meaning "Lion Dog." Shih Tzu respond best to training methods based on praise and rewards. For advice on training and expected milestones, we talked to Nancy Broz, owner of Jen-Mai Shih Tzu with over […]

Puppies are a lot of wonderful things – snuggly, playful, spirited – but sometimes they can be a little too curious for their own good. No matter how puppy-proofed a home is or how careful owners are, puppies have a way of finding trouble. We’ve chosen six pet health insurance claims in which puppies (under […]

Tennis balls are the quintessential modern dog toy. My dog can sniff them out of roadside ditches, and nothing gives her as much joy as chasing after them in a wide-open field. However, tennis balls are a special toy in our household, reserved for supervised playtime. This is because, while they are undeniably one of […]

External parasites live on the outside of a dog’s body. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), at some point in their lives, many pets experience discomfort caused by external parasites, such as fleas, ticks, or mites, on their skin or in their ears. These parasites can cause serious skin problems or carry disease. […]

Parasites in dogs take many forms, but they all have one thing in common: sooner or later their presence will almost always have an impact on your pet's health or comfort. Parasites can cause anything from mild irritation to serious illness. To cover all of the parasites in detail would (and does) take up a […]

An itching, scratching dog conjures up nightmarish images of fleas hopping everywhere—especially onto our furniture, beds, and carpets. Fleas are prime suspects if your dog is scratching without any apparent reason, but before you can blame fleas for your dog’s discomfort you need to do a little more investigating. The best way to find out […]

Rescuing a dog is exciting but can also be intimidating. Whether you’re looking at the local shelter or using a private rescue organization, there can be many dogs to choose from. Although you might be tempted to pick the first cute face you see, it’s essential to make an informed choice. Your goal is to […]

Do you have to repeat your cues before your dog does what you ask? Have you ever wondered if your dog is really understanding what you are asking for, or in a moment of frustration wondering if your dog is just blowing you off? Dogs aren't just ignoring your cues for the sake of being […]

Spring has sprung!  The daffodil, jonquils and tulips are in full bloom in many areas across the country.  But what does this have to do with a dog kennel?  I use these naturally occurring signs as a reminder to tackle certain tasks, which will make the hot summer months ahead easier and safer for me […]

One of the most common questions owners ask veterinarians about their senior dogs is “Can elderly dogs get Alzheimer’s?” You may have noticed that your older dog has started slowing down, or that she seems disoriented and anxious. Some of this is normal aging, but your dog could also have the canine equivalent of Alzheimer’s disease: Cognitive […]

Trick Dogs can involve not only speedy smaller breeds, but also large and giant breeds, too. I train and compete with a Newfoundland, and it's always fun to shatter expectations about what tricks a dog of that size can do. If you have a large dog and are interested in getting involved with trick training, here's what […]

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 important to appreciate the […]

Corn is a common and much-maligned dog food ingredient. But, just because corn in dog food is cost-effective, it doesn't mean it's worthless.

Sweaters and pumpkins aren't the only ones making a return in the fall. That noticeable chill in the air happens to coincide with when plants and trees are starting to shed their seeds. These prickly seeds, known as burrs or stickers, can latch on and become entangled in your dog's fur. If left untreated, burrs […]

As a pet owner, you may have caught your dog eating (or attempting to eat) some pretty weird stuff. But have you ever observed your pet snacking on straight-up dirt? Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt? Holistic veterinarian Dr. Laurie S. Coger, DVM, explains, “Dirt eating is a form of what is termed 'pica,' the ingestion of nonfood […]

Have you noticed that when your dog continually licks their paws, rusty brown patches appear on their fur? Or maybe your beautiful white Maltese develops difficult-to-remove stains around their eyes. Your dog's fur turning pink or brown isn't always a concern. Sometimes, though, the color change can be a symptom of an underlying health problem. […]

If you're a dog owner, you probably spend a lot of time dealing with dog poop. Not only do you need to pick up after your dog on your walks, but chances are you also spend time thinking about how consistent and regular your dog's poop is. But how often should dogs do their business? […]

Allergies are quite common in dogs of all breeds and backgrounds. They occur when a dog's immune system has a hyper-reaction to a foreign substance, such as pollen, flea saliva, vaccines, spider bites, bee stings, or even certain foods that normally would cause little or no reaction in most dogs. We suspect certain dog allergies, […]

The weather may be cooling off, but there are several issues on the federal and local levels that are heating up. In a new op-ed for the DC Journal, American Kennel Club Vice President, Sheila Goffe, expresses her deep concern about the removal of funding for breeder education and outreach including   “teachable moments” from the […]