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

There is no single test that tells you a dog's temperament. Careful observation of the dog in a variety of settings is the best guide.

Understanding Dog Temperament

Temperament is a common term used to describe the behavioral characteristics of dogs. It is one of the main things people consider when acquiring a pet dog or training a working dog and is a large contributing factor to the surrender of dogs to animal shelters.
Paraphimosis in dogs is when the dog's penis extrudes out of its sheath for no obvious reason.

Paraphimosis in Dogs

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If a dog cannot retract his erect penis into the sheath, it is called paraphimosis. You may hear this colloquially referred as to “red rocket out,” or “lipstick showing,” or “red rocket dog.” No matter what you call it, it is not a normal state.
Furunculosis in dogs is a skin infection that can stubbornly resist efforts to cure it.

Furunculosis in Dogs

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The word furunculosis sounds ugly and gross, which perfectly describes this skin condition, which grows under your dog’s fur.
Dog cobbing, or nibbling with their front teeth can soothe anxiety or express affection depending on the dog and the context.

Cobbing in Dogs

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Nibbling, or “cobbing,” refers to a dog gently chewing with his front teeth. The term cobbing may have been coined because the dog’s nibbling resembles a human nibbling on a corn cob. Dogs have been known to do this to their owners, other humans, other animals, themselves, and toys. Let’s explore the many reasons for cobbing in dogs. I asked this question of both fellow trainers and just plain dog parents and received a lot of input on why dogs cob.
Dogs can taste spicy foods, but their response is usually distress and fear not enjoyment.

Can Dogs Taste Spicy Foods?

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Two common questions among pet owners is whether their dogs can taste spicy food and, more importantly, whether they should have it. The short answer is no to both questions. Dogs can’t “taste” spicy food and, no, they should not have it. It may even lead to diarrhea, vomiting, gas, and stomach pain.
A snake bite of a dog can indicate the need for immediate medical attention.

Is That a Snake Bite on My Dog?

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The dog snake bite timeline usually starts like this: You’re walking through the woods, and your dog is off exploring. Suddenly, he yelps, and you see a snake slithering away (possibly causing you to also yelp!). Venomous snakes can be found everywhere in North America. Was THAT snake poisonous?
The best dog raincoat will protect your dog in rainy conditions without being too hot during periods of intermittent sun.

Best Dog Raincoats

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It was pouring down rain in Paris late last September and the coat we had brought for Sparkles, while warm, wasn’t waterproof. So we put her in her stroller, zipped up the cover, and trudged off to Michette, a pet supply store about half a mile away. It carried dozens of dog raincoats in all styles and colors. Sparkles waited patiently as we tried them on her, looking for one that fit and wasn’t too difficult to put on.
How often should you take your dog to the vet? Once or twice a year for routine checkups is the minimum for a healthy dog.

How Often Should I Take My Dog to the Vet?

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Even if your dog appears healthy, routine vet visits are essential for early detection of health issues, disease prevention, and maintaining a high quality of life.
A young woman brushing a long haired golden retriever with a slicker brush.

Best Slicker Brushes for Dogs

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If you have a medium- or long-coated dog with silky to floofy fur or a curly-coated dog like a Poodle or a Doodle, a slicker brush should be part of your grooming box. We reviewed five of the best, and here's what we found out.
A dog allergy shot using one or two common medications can offer long term itch relief.

Do Allergy Shots Offer Lasting Relief for Dogs?

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The sight of your dog constantly scratching, licking, or chewing is a familiar and distressing one. Dog allergy shots can offer a dog some needed long term relief.
A dog exercise routine provides your dog with mental stimulation as well as physical health.

Developing a Dog Exercise Routine

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Keeping your dog well-exercised has a variety of benefits. Not only will you keep them at a healthy weight and their muscles limber, you can also use exercise as a way to bond with your dog and provide them with mental enrichment.

Before you begin an exercise routine with your dog, there’s a lot to know. We chatted with canine physical therapist Dr. Courtney Wheeler, PT, CCRT, from Walking Paws Rehab in Boulder, Colorado, and canine conditioning coach, Kirsten Belinsky, CPDT-KA, CSCC, from Canine Athletics Training Center in Longmont, Colorado about all things dog exercise.

Dog whistles whether they're audible or not can play an important role in teaching your dog training cues.

How to Train Your Dog to a Dog Whistle

Dogs can learn to respond to all sorts of sounds and cues, but among the most effective for a solid recall, or “come,” is...
Catnip doesn't do much for most dogs. Rarely, a few dogs may experience a mild sedative effect.

What Does Catnip Do to Dogs?

Catnip seems to have a mild sedative effect on a few dogs, but I wouldn’t recommend it to calm a dog on the 4th of July! If you decide to expose your dog to catnip, try a small amount of dried crushed plant or fresh crushed leaves.
Knuckling in dogs is a neurological disorder that causes a dog to walk on their knuckles

Knuckling in Dogs

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Knuckling in dogs is a condition where a dog walks or stands on the top of their paws instead of placing their pads on the ground. Knuckling results in the paw folding under when the dog walks.
The best peanut butter for dogs is the kind that doesn't contain xylitol or any additional sweeteners.

Best Peanut Butter for Dogs

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Peanut butter is a popular treat among dog owners, used to fill puzzle toys, hide medications, or as a reward for good behavior. Most...
Everyone loves a floofy dog, but getting the dog hair out of a car can be a challenge.

How to Get Dog Hair Out of the Car

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I have floofy dogs, so I learned to remove dog hair from my car. I also became a fan of preventatives. For example, if...
Sileo for dogs can help with anxiety due to noise or other sensitivities.

Sileo for Dogs

Sileo gel for dogs may help dogs who seem to instinctively fear noise, or at a minimum, dislike certain noises. Those sounds can include...
In home euthanasia can provide your pet with a peaceful end of life in the familiar and comfortable surroundings of their home.

What To Know About In-Home Euthanasia

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Wherever Harley went, commotion followed. I had a hunch that even in death, his knack for turmoil would live on, and I wasn't wrong. The...