Category: We Learn

Haven’t you ever heard that a dog has the most unconditional love in the entire world? Throughout your entire day there are hundreds of different ways that your furry friend is attempting to communicate with you. Once you become aware of the signs, your time spent will your precious pet will forever change.

Ok, why do we have a story about a cat posted here on Barkswell? Bear with me. I’ll bring this around to dogs, trust me.
Some time ago my husband and I decided to go take a look at the local shelter. We weren’t particularly looking for a new pet, we just needed to be around animals for a bit. You know, show them a little love while they wait for their forever homes.

Purebred or mixed breed? That’s the question many would-be dog owners ask when deciding about adding a four-legged friend to their family. Hybrid dogs – resulting from the crossing of two different canine breeds –have certain advantages over purebreds. They are generally not as expensive to buy, and also benefit from hybrid vigor. That means that a dog of mixed genetics is likely to have fewer health problems than one from a long line of purebred dogs with shared genes.

As a professional dog trainer, I spend a lot of time during my day to day work routine teaching owners how to get the most out of their dogs. I love my work and find it extremely rewarding. However, there are definitely moments when I find myself stuck in a monotonous routine.

What’s better than having one dog? Having more than one! But bringing a new dog into a household with existing dogs is not as easy as just waltzing through the door and hoping for the best. Introducing two (or more) dogs takes a lot of patience and a bit of time.

Have you ever just sat there looking at your dog sleep and thought: “I wonder what he/she thinks of me?” First of all, when you come into the room, I wonder what our dogs mentally say to themselves to acknowledge our presence. Is it positive? Like “here comes (insert awesome dog owner name)” or is it more personal like “wow he/she’s put on weight” or “really? You wore that outfit last weekend”.

If there’s one thing my dog and I have in common more than anything else, it’s a love for food. In unison, we’ll rubberneck as soon as the scent of it strikes our noses. The sound of a fridge opening is heaven to our ears and a promise to our stomachs.

If a poufy hairdo, nail polish and little pink bows come to mind when you hear the word “Poodle,” you’re missing the point. While it’s true that some Poodle parents still favor the foppish look of leg and tail puffs, big hair and various adornments, most people who share their home with Poodles appreciate the breed for characteristics other than their foo-foo potential.

If you have a pet dog, fleas can give you sleepless nights. The one thing that most pet owners dread are fleas. Dogs can get infected if they come in contact with other animals or fleas in the environment. Before you start with any kind of remedial treatment, clean your home and items used by your pet.

My dog Stormy is a pet therapy dog. Occasionally we will go to hospitals to help stroke patients regain their dexterity by brushing or playing with him, occasionally we will do a destressing session at the local college at finals time. But most of the time, kids read to him.

Here’s the situation. You love your four legged friend, he’s been there for you since you were living in that small apartment with only Ben & Jerry to keep you warm…well, cold at night. Now, you’re married and guess what — pregnant! Yay! But wait, how will Spot take to the baby? Is it safe? Should you let your sister keep him until the baby has her shots? Fear not, mama bear. With adequate preparation, there’s nothing to worry about.

As much as we all look forward to not having to make our own beds, free breakfasts (if we’re lucky!) and the excitement of the open road, our pups don’t always know what we humans are up too.

If you’re like me and you have a less-than-progressive animal shelter nearby, chances are you’ll do anything to avoid setting foot in the place. Especially if it’s a kill shelter. No matter what terms they may use—euthanize, put down, PTS (put to sleep)—the staff destroys dogs, cats and other pets simply because they’re unwanted. Almost nothing makes an animal lover more upset.

One of the most common things I have clients tell me is that they don’t want to have to use treats for the rest of their lives. Building the intrinsic motivation for your dog to want to work with you takes time and trust and continues to be fostered throughout your training program.

“My dog could never do that!” I hear that a lot from people when they first see an agility team in action. It usually bursts out of them when the dog is flying through the weave poles, executing a task that seems impossibly difficult. I said something like that myself the first time I saw it, but, actually, most dogs can learn to do agility if they are physically able.

If you start to find that your nights are beginning to consist of you wrapped up with your dog, watching a sad movie and wishing somebody was there to agree on its sadness (“Why didn’t she just move over?! There was room for Jack!!”), then it may be time to go out and find somebody you can lay with. No not like that, get your minds out the gutter! I meant on the couch while you watch titanic for an epic 9th time.

A few months ago, there was a lot of Internet chatter about how our dogs do not like being hugged by humans. Naturally, there was a lot of responses by owners claiming how “our dogs love it when we hug them.”

Just like us, our four legged friends need to practice good hygiene to stay healthy. The practices are generally the same, we take care of their teeth, we bathe them and we keep them brushed. There is one area we fail sometimes to pay attention to, and that is their food and water bowls. Sure, you may rinse the water bowl out or wash the food bowl when it gets extra furry, but this can be a major growth place for bacteria. Also, pay attention to what you are putting in their bowls.

One of the increasingly common amenities offered in high rises is a dog relief area. The concept is one of convenience, yet sadly, the reality is something slightly more disturbing. I’ve rarely visited one that didn’t resemble an outhouse. Flies buzzing. The stench crawling up the walls. Feeling the need to secure everything to your person before entering the area, lest it get dropped onto the ground (which is a step up from losing it down the pit for good!).

Having two puppies move in with us back in 2011 was quite the experience. After all, I had never owned dogs before, let alone raised any. My perfectionist nature demanded as much prep work as possible before the arrival of our two fur babies Missy & Buzz, so one day, while browsing various dog books and magazines, I came across an invaluable tip I never would have come up with on my own. The Army Crawl.

When bringing a new pet home, it’s very similar to bringing home a new baby. No, you won’t be needing a bassinet or pull ups, but it would be wise to invest in a bowl and some puppy pads.

There is an unspoken truce between an owner and a dog that will transcend every other relationship. It’s not uncommon for a dog owner to make their social arrangements according to whether their hosts have pets or not and will begrudgingly accept those where humans are the only social creatures available. When entering the domain of the dog lover, however, there will be a slight change of rules and the proper etiquette will need to be adhered to.

It’s football, basketball and other sports and recreation season! While plenty of people get excited about the fun and games that fall and winter bring, it’s not always the most fun or safest time for your pet. Loud noise, chaos from house guests, new smells and people, and other activity can be exciting – or terrifying –for your pet. There’s also a risk that your furry loved one might be accidentally let out of the house or yard, frightened, or in some cases, injured, during the festivities.

Dog owners love to travel with their dogs, but few hotels welcome them. Are you doing everything you can to make sure that you and your dog are good hotel guests, so that hotels that accept dogs will continue to do so? Set an example of responsible pet ownership when you stay in a hotel with your dog. Help keep the welcome mat out for pets.

We take time to winterize our homes and our cars, but not everyone takes time to winterize their four-legged friends. Dogs also need extra TLC when the temperatures drop, so consider adding these tips to your must-do list.

Many people consider their dogs to be pretty resilient creatures—and generally speaking, they are. But for those who live in colder climates, it pays to think about the safety of those four-legged family members as winter weather draws near. After all, if you’re uncomfortable, you may not be the only one.

This is one of those age old arguments that many pet holders seem to have amongst themselves, myself included. To dog or to cat… that is the question.

Whether for the upcoming holidays, special occasions or just to show some extra love, here are some choice gift ideas for the dog lover in your life. Though canine-themed, these presents are strictly for the humans.

You’ve probably heard of hoarding. Maybe you’ve seen a news report, or your neighbor’s mother-in-law has a problem. Someone whose house is impassable, a fire hazard. He or she is a collector of things that would be considered mostly junk to the rest of us, but for some deeply, psychologically inexplicable reason, these things are precious and necessary treasures to that individual. The collection piles up and up, until only narrow passageways are navigable, or not even that. The authorities are called. Television shows are filmed, and we gaze in horror and amazement.

If you are in the market for buying a dog – congratulations! Being the owner of a dog can be one of the most rewarding experiences in the entire world. If you have not heard this yet – prepare to hear it a lot! What you are going to be embarking upon a journey with a furry friend of adventures, travel and unconditional love! Now, before we can get to that point, there is one vital piece of information that is needed: picking out the perfect dog breed! Don’t worry though, we got you covered. Here are Three Tips To Find the Perfect Dog Breed!

All dogs are social animals so toys should be seen as priority rather than luxury. They come in all shapes and it is advisable to go for the interactive ones as a first time purchase. These in particular were created to serve the purpose of providing a unique challenge for the pet so as to retain attention.

Caring for dogs can be expensive. At the very least, they need shots every year, flea and tick treatment, and heartworm prevention pills. If your dog hurts themselves, has an allergic reaction, or breaks a bone, you’re looking at a trip to the vet and a large bill. Just diagnosing problems can be expensive, with X-Rays running up to $500 and MRIs running up to $2,500.

Pets and carpets are not a great combination. If your carpet is stained due to the activities of your pet, it is often an uphill task to clean it properly. Apart from the dirty looking stains, dog urine has a distinctive odor and if the carpet is not cleaned properly the smell may continue to linger and cause a lot of discomfort.

Hopefully these tips will give you and your fur baby some relief at bath time. Remember, dodge the shake!

Earlier this year, it was reported that animal cruelty is now a felony in all 50 states. It’s a win for animals as well as people. Statistics have shown that many of those who engage in criminal activity of all kinds also abuse animals, too. With the new laws in place, law enforcement can better track and maintain records of those who abuse animals – and potentially prevent other crimes from happening.

The mountains are calling and I must go.” The words of John Muir ring true for many of us – the crisp, cool air, the overwhelming panoramic views, and the sense of adventure continue to grip us and pull us away from our homes and into the embrace of the great outdoors. It is truly an awesome thing to get out there and get away from our jobs, our cell phones, and our problems. Whether it’s your favorite hike or a brand-new trail – it’s always an adventure. Have you considered taking your four-legged friend?

Happiness, sadness, fear, aggression, confidence and playfulness… dogs feel all of it. If we pay close attention, they are constantly communicating their emotions to us. We want the best for our furry friends, and there are ways to read their well-being just by watching

Ever since I can remember, I have had nothing but dogs as pets. Growing up in the 90’s and 00’s, there wasn’t much awareness of dog health. You’d just give your dog a treat that looked the best.

When your pup is feeling ill, the last thing you want to do is torture them even more with their medication. It hadn’t been more than a few days and our new rescue pup had fallen ill. Instead of bonding over belly rubs and long naps on the couch we were learning the hard way, through trial and error, how to administer pills to our pup.

Choosing a collar for your canine companion is not as easy as you might think. You should use the same type of standards for purchasing a dog collar as you would a pair of jeans. A loose collar looks terrible and one that is too tight could be harmful.

Veterinarians go through years of schooling to learn to treat on pets or livestock. Most of them did so because of a love of animals, not the desire to manage the business side of the practice. That’s where the animal clinic manager comes in.

Making the decision to welcome a new furry family member into your home is a big step that requires forethought and planning. Choosing the right dog to fit your lifestyle is a big component in making the move to be the best doggie parent possible!

The pancreas is a relatively small organ in the body, which plays a vital role in controlling blood sugar and also releases potent enzymes that digest food into smaller particles prior to absorption. These enzymes are generally stored in small vesicles (enclosures) and only released during digestion.

Many people deal with dogs barking believe it or not! Even the best neighborhoods have dogs that can create excessive noise that will begin an annoyance that will interrupt your day, but in worst cases – at night. There are four different ways to handle this type of problem.

Bringing a new puppy home is an incredibly exciting time for the entire family. Socializing your new fuzz ball is always a challenge every person faces, and it is a crucial component to ensuring your new pup is a well-balanced member of society as they grow up. Socialization is one of those buzz words that can mean something different to every person you ask.

Vacationing with your dog is a ton of fun. Not only does the entire family get to go, but you can also avoid the cost and stress of boarding your pup or leaving them with friends. Road trip around the world with your canine companion and they’ll never forget the wide world of smells they experienced.

To kitten, or not to kitten. That was my puppy Konstantin’s persistent question. Three kittens we had rescued from behind a dumpster were squirming on their baby blanket at his feet, and my 20 pound, 10 week old Doberman could hardly contain his excitement.

You’ve probably seen them at your local dog park—walking five, six, or even more dogs at once, enjoying the afternoon sunshine and the company of their four-legged friends while others are stuck inside on the office grind. It can be a highly lucrative business opportunity, and allows a lot more freedom than other jobs. Not only can you choose your own hours, you get to enjoy the great outdoors, set the wage that works for you, and hang out with dogs all day.

Keeping your puppy entertained is the best way to keep from having your home destroyed by a bored little creature. There are so many different ways to play and exercise with your puppy. Puppies are capable of digging holes (everywhere), chewing socks (or anything else) into pieces, and even chewing on furniture.

Recently I had to find a new place to live — fun, right? Well, not really. Living in San Francisco is hard enough — a recent study pegged the city as the most expensive in the country, and many young people start their lives here living in someone else’s closet.

Oh boy, this might sound like quite the task, but it’s actually not as bad as it seems. Adult dogs are set in their ways and comfortable within their home and their space, then a tiny little puppy comes home and can possibly change everything? Here are a few ways to help your new puppy come home with a nice introduction to older, or established, dogs.

Many dog owners train their dogs to be on a leash. The main thing is safe control of the dog, so pet owners can go for walks. It also helps to make traveling easier.

You may have heard of Black Dog Syndrome in which big, black dogs are adopted less than lighter, smaller breeds.

Getting involved with a pet rescue is not only a rewarding experience, but it is a great way to meet new people in your community. When you decide to get involved, you may not realize all of the ways that you can help a pet rescue. Many people think this only involves going to the facility and volunteering your time.

As a dog owner, you most likely want to ensure that your pup is happy and healthy. One of the easiest ways to keep your dog in good health and avoid costly vet bills is by feeding your pet a high quality food.

Serious illnesses and injuries can be devastating for dog owners. Unexpected vet bills can be a major financial setback, and of course, witnessing your best friend in pain causes a great deal of psychological distress.

Getting to travel with your dog can be a fun experience! When you get ready to leave for your vacation or road adventure, there are a few necessary steps to making sure that travel will be comfortable and safe for your dog.

Many professional dog trainers and veterinarians recommend crate training as a means of efficiently housebreaking a puppy, but many new puppy owners fear that “caging” their new dog is mean or cruel. In reality, dogs have always been den animals; they enjoy having a small, cozy place of their own and in a household setting a crate serves as a puppy’s personal den.

Picking a pet trainer to help teach you and your dog how to reliably communicate with one another can be an arduous experience.

A dog may be man’s best friend, but summertime is a dog’s. I mean-think about it, tall grass to run around in, beach days and Frisbee catch, Summer critters emerging just waiting to be chased.

From evaluating the situation to scooping poop, here are “10 Tips and Tricks for Canine Camping.”

Most people have heard of Crazy Horse, the great Lakota warrior, but many people are unaware that Crazy Horse had a dog (as the story goes!).

Once the weather starts to get better, summer can be a favorite time of year for pets.