Introducing New Pets To Your Dog

Two dogs play fighting in the grass while a third dog looks on.

Getting a new pet is an exciting, lifelong commitment for a pet owner.  However, this change will also be a lifelong commitment for any pets you currently have in the household. When they experience a consistent routine, animals get comfortable with their living situation pretty quickly.  When you add a new pet to this mix,…

Read More

Dealing With Common Behavioral Issues in Dogs

A smiling yellow lab sits in the grass.

Dogs have different ways of expressing their emotions than people do. When they feel discontent, they’ll show you through a few familiar patterns. For one reason or another, a dog may decide to fixate on an undesirable habit — and this can happen out of nowhere. It may not necessarily be the owner’s fault that…

Read More

Breed Spotlight: Understanding and Caring for Terriers

A small black and white terrier smiles at the camera.

  Terriers. Some might say they’re the Joe Pesci of the dog world: small, fearless, spirited, and irreplaceably distinctive. Unlike Joe Pesci, who’s largely retired from the spotlight, terriers continue to be highly visible and popular around the world (please don’t come after us for saying this, Mr. Pesci!). Originally, these dogs were bred by…

Read More

Can Pets Really Improve Your Mental Health?

A small black and white boxer and a brown beagle stand on a porch in front of a white picket fence.

Having a pet in the home certainly changes our day-to-day life in huge ways.  Pets bring out the nurturing side of their humans, and, in turn, they become better caregivers, but how can having a pet improve a person’s own wellness? Mental health is impacted by many factors and is, in some ways, far less…

Read More

The Impact of Music and Sounds on Dogs

A shaggy brown dog sits and gazes lovingly at the camera amid a backdrop of green grass.

“Music is the universal language of mankind,” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once wrote. But could that appeal transcend across species? Countless dog owners tell tales of pups who have a strong relationship to music and sounds: both those they prefer and those they’d rather do without. Other dogs seem to largely ignore the background tunes, no…

Read More

Breed Spotlight: Understanding and Caring For ‘Long Dogs’

Two brown dachshunds sit on the leash in a park.

You know what they say: when you want to live happy like they did on the homestead, that’s when it’s time to “get a long, little doggie!” Groan if you want, but jokes like that are emblematic of the adoration owners of long dog breeds hold for their precious pups.  Dogs with “long but low”…

Read More

Adopting a Second Dog: Tips for a Smooth Transition

Two dogs meeting in an wide play yard for the first time.

So you’ve decided to adopt a second dog, and you’re worried about how your furry friend at home is going to react.  It’s true that some animals don’t respond well to a new addition to the family, but those negative responses are generally developed out of fear. Animals need consistency, and your pup has grown…

Read More

Breed Spotlight: Understanding and Caring For Labs

A yellow lab runs through a field.

It’s true that, in many respects, every dog breed is a little bit different. They may have personality traits, diet preferences, and activity levels, all of which can be impacted by their breed lineage as well as their immediate family’s genealogy. Learning these unique traits about your dog can help you connect with them better…

Read More

Decoding Dog Barks and Body Language

A yellow golden retriever dog barks at the camera at dog daycare.

Just like humans, dogs have needs and wants that they are compelled to express. Unlike humans, dogs are unable to speak any language, so they must rely on their body language and vocal expressions, such as barks, growls, and whines, to convey their needs. These signals are a dog’s way of communicating what they are…

Read More

Canine Communication: Decoding Dog Barks and Body Language

Two shaggy dogs, one black and white, one tan, look up at the camera with mouths open.

Just like humans, dogs have needs and wants that they are compelled to express. Unlike humans, dogs are unable to speak any language, so they must rely on their body language and vocal expressions, such as barks, growls, and whines, to convey their needs. These signals are a dog’s way to communicate what they are…

Read More