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The best in health, wellness, and positive training from America’s leading dog experts

Knowing the signs of heart failure in dogs can lead to a better prognosis for an aging dog.

Signs of Heart Failure in Dogs

The first symptoms of congestive heart failure in dogs are subtle. Your dog may seem less active and not eating well. He may be coughing a bit. Don’t dismiss these signs as the dog is just getting old. These changes could indicate congestive heart failure, and the earlier it’s diagnosed the better the prognosis.
Barn hunt for dogs is an all breed sport that allows dogs to exercise their hunting and tracking instincts.

Barn Hunt for Dogs

Want a fun sport that is physically and mentally exhausting for your dog, uses your dog’s instincts, and is filled with great camaraderie? Then...
How long can you leave a puppy alone? Not long.

Leaving Your New Puppy

I have a sign hanging near my back door that says, “If I can’t bring my dog I’m not going.” Of course, it is meant to be humorous, but it is truer than I care to admit. I am lucky in that, as a trainer, I have been able to bring my dogs almost everywhere I go. Not everyone is as fortunate. Let’s see if I can help you make plans for your puppy, should you be forced to leave him home alone.
Play and training are both how you bond with your dog.

How To Bond With Your Dog

Building a relationship with your dog takes time and effort. Although it’s plenty of fun to bond with a new dog, your four-legged friend might not adore you instantly.
Dog dental insurance isn't really necessary for young dogs, but many dogs develop dental issues by their 3rd year.

Does Your Dog Need Dental Insurance?

By the time they’re three years old, most American dogs have an active dental disease, and its treatment can be expensive. Dog dental insurance might save thousands of dollars in dental care.
Puppy flea treatments are important because puppies are more vulnerable to fleas, and to the diseases they carry.

How to Choose Flea Treatment for a Puppy

While all dogs are susceptible to flea infestations, puppies less than 8 weeks old are particularly vulnerable to fleas, which can cause intense itching, skin irritation, and even more serious health problems such as anemia due to blood loss.
Medicated dog shampoos can cure a dog of skin infections and other conditions, but you should be aware of what is in them.

How to Choose the Best Medicated Shampoo for Your Dog

If you can successfully treat your dog’s skin problem with a medicated shampoo, it’s better for the dog, antibiotic resistance protocols, and for your wallet. The first step is to know what condition you’re dealing with.
Bloodshot eyes in dogs can have a number of causes from allergies to serious eye infections.

How to Treat Bloodshot Eyes in Dogs

A dog’s eyes can appear red or bloodshot for many reasons—some of which are minor and will quickly resolve, and others which are much more serious.
Training with treats is an effective means of positive reinforcement training so long the treats are not a bribe.

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training: 6 Tips for Training With Treats

Training with treats is cornerstone of positive reinforcement dog training. It’s dog-friendly, it’s fun and the basics are easy for trainers of all ages and skill levels. At its core, the concept is simple: feed behaviors you want to see happen more often.
While Doodles typically share some traits with their Poodle parent, there are no guarantees regarding which traits they will inherit. Credit: Madeline Block

Why are Doodle Dogs so Popular?

The first popularized Doodle was a Labrador Retriever and Poodle mix, bred in 1989 by Wally Conron as a guide dog prospect. He aimed to create a dog with the temperament of a Lab, but the non-shedding coat of a Standard Poodle for a woman who needed a guide dog, but whose husband had dog allergies. In a 2014 interview with Psychology Today, Conron said that he regrets popularizing Doodle breeding. "I opened a Pandora's box, that's what I did,” he said.
Sucralfate for dogs can help with a variety of canine stomach problems.

Sucralfate May Help with GI Problems in Dogs

Sucralfate is a human medication used off-label in dogs for ulcers, vomiting, and irritations along the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the small...
Famotidine for dogs is an acid reducer that can help deal with certain stomach issues in dogs.

Famotidine for Dogs

Famotidine is a stomach-acid reducer that is sometimes used “off label” in dogs. “Off label” means the medication is not approved by the FDA for use in dogs, but veterinarians may prescribe it. Famotidine is available as an injectable that can be administered at a veterinary hospital and an oral form that is available over the counter (OTC).
Adopting a shelter dog, a rescue dog, or another dog in need is a great way to make a friend for life.

Adopting a Dog from a Shelter

On average, it takes three to six months for a shelter dog to fully settle into their new home and to see their true personality. Some dogs may blossom quickly. Others may take longer to adjust. This is normal, and it can take longer if a dog has experienced a lot of turmoil and change throughout their life before adoption.
Acid-reflux in dogs is a serious issue that requires a vet visit.

Acid Reflux in Dogs

Symptoms of GERD in dogs include regurgitation, decreased appetite, difficulty swallowing, and acting uncomfortable. Some dogs with GERD may have a chronic cough. You may also notice that your dog’s bark sounds different than it used to. One of the classic symptoms experienced by dogs with GERD is that they are more likely to regurgitate than vomit (see sidebar). However, conditions that cause chronic vomiting may lead to the development of GERD.

Latest Blog

Why Veterinary Wellness Exams Are Important

I took my two dogs—Woody, age 9, and Boone, age 3—to see their vet a week ago. I wasn’t looking forward to being chided for allowing him—nay, facilitating him—to gain a few extra pounds this winter. But I wasn’t at all expecting the health problems that my vet found.