Non-Breed Specific

• Choosing a Dog Breed That's Right for You- With so many to types of dogs to choose from, we empathize with anyone who’s having a hard time choosing a dog breed. That’s why we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the characteristics of as many breeds as you can. Exclusive research of just a few breeds isn’t sufficient – especially when there’s a significant chance that you might find your perfect dog within a breed that you hadn’t even considered.
  
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• Companion Dogs- Within this group of dogs, you´ll find the typical family pet: friendly, tempered, and typically small. This article introduces the common companion dog and then it describes what you can expect from such an affable breed.
  
• Terrier Dogs- Terrier dogs are the canines originally bred to chase after and catch vermin. From rats to rabbits, terriers are experts at the job and their predatory nature passes on to each generation. This characteristic is why owners must be careful to leash them in new environments. They’re small, they’re feisty, and they’re fast! But that’s what makes them fun.
  
• An Essential List of Dog Commands Plus Descriptions-

  As we mentioned in our basic dog commands article, basic dog training commands aren’t just for tricks. They can be life savers when you or your dog encounters a dangerous situation. Your dog's ability to obey the sit or stay command for example, could prevent it from running out into a dangerous street or getting wrangled up in a dangerous fight with a strange aggressive dog. Obedience training also creates an amicable living environment. Here's a basic list of dog commands your dog need to learn - and learn now.

• Show Us Those Pink Tongues!-
  
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• List of Dogs Breeds By Activity-

  In our article about choosing a dog by activity level, we introduced a short list of dog breeds with high, moderate, and low activity lifestyles. Here’s a longer list of popular dog breeds and the activity level of each.

• Dog Breeds by Origin-

  Have you ever been out walking your dog, and found yourself at a loss of words when someone asks, "Where in the world does that dog come from?" If so, you can use the following chart to locate the origin of your dog, and proudly state the birthplace of its breed.

• How to Find a Good Dog Breeder- Of the four main places to find a dog (pet shop, adoption center or shelter, someone’s backyard, and breeders), this resource is one of the first places people look for purebreds. Dog breeders facilitate and monitor mating among specific dog breeds. The main goal of any professional breeder is to consistently regenerate explicit characteristics fit for professional showing or reproduction. As you can guess, professional breeders are the best resource for locating high quality and healthy dogs.
• What Makes a Good Dog Breeder- To help you find the healthiest purebred, this article describes what makes a good dog breeder. There’s little dispute after all, that the health of a dog is oftentimes dependent on its introduction to the world. Since breeders are responsible for how puppies are cared for, you’ll want to get yours from one that’s ethical, responsible, and caring. Here’s how to assess the situation.
  
• How to Use a Dog Brush on Your Pet’s Coat- It’s one thing to talk about the importance of brushing your dog’s coat, but it’s an entirely different thing to actually do it. That is, it’s an entirely different thing to do it correctly and with the correct dog brushes. Depending on the coat type, incorrect brushing can ruin the look that’s characteristic of your dog’s breed. Here’s how to use a dog brush on your particular pet’s coat and avoid potentially embarrassing stares and muffled giggles.
  
• The Best Dogs for Kids: Anticipating Dog-Child Problems- If only everyone researched dog behavior before introducing them into a family full of children! Perhaps then, we wouldn’t hear so many horror stories about dogs attacking kids. In a significant number of these stories, we often find that the dog really isn’t at fault. The dog might have been provoked (as innocent as that provocation may have been), or perhaps the dog was abused by older family members who should have known better. In either case, chances are that the dog wasn’t an appropriate family choice in the first place!
• Dog Car Travel Tips- Some people don’t find traveling with a dog in a car troublesome at all while others can’t even imagine how it would work out. The thing is, you’ll have to travel with your dog in a car sooner or later for some reason or another. Below are some great dog car travel tips on how to make that excursion safe, and maybe even fun!
• Dog Groomers and How to Find a Good One-

  Finding quality dog groomers can be a difficult feat if you're acting alone. The good news is that you don't have to. There are plenty of resources available that make such a search the least of your worries. You can facilitate your search of course if you approach the task the same way you would search for something else: (1) Know what you want beforehand and (2) be confident enough to state what you want once you find a likely prospect. As with everything else, you might have to try a few before you find one that you like and that your dog feels comfortable with. Here’s how to manage the process in its entirety.

• Grooming Dogs with Different Coat Types- Grooming dogs is a necessary component of dog health, so it’s important to know the specifics. This article addresses the grooming needs of different breeds and coat types.
  
• Avoid the Human Dog Syndrome - Be Your Dog's Boss-

  Regarding your canine like a member of the family is one thing, but treating it like another human or a human dog is an entirely different thing altogether. Its okay to love your pet, but you must set boundaries and establish yourself as its leader or boss. That’s not cruel, it is instead (believe it or not), what your dog expects from you.

• Dog Emergencies - How to Prepare and Prevent Them- We often say that the best medicine is prevention, and that’s a truth that’s just as applicable to pets as it is to people. Here are some of the most common accidents and suggestions on how to avoid dog emergencies.
  
• Dog Behavior Problems - 7 Keys to Prevention-

  Controlling dog behavior problems is easier if you anticipate them and work to avoid them altogether. Much of the success is rooted in the dog’s environment and interaction with its owner. As long as the owner is willing to make some critical changes, and teach its dog what's allowed (and how to enjoy what's allowed), an amicable relationship and environment is indeed, quite possible. The following describes how to do just that.

• Dog Friendly Hotels - Essential Tips- With more and more lodging facilities accepting pets these days, the need for a pet sitter or kennel is diminishing. There’s a dog friendly hotel in almost every major city! Here’s how to find dog friendly hotels without the need for an assistance dog or the ADA.
  
• Active Dog Safety Tips for the Outdoors- Before you take your dog out on an active excursion, we want you to take the following dog safety measures. One of the gravest mistakes you can make is assume your dog is infallible to things like heatstroke, muscle strains, and even broken bone because truth be told, it isn’t!
  
• Common Dog Eating Problems and How to Solve Them-

  When it comes to eating, food guarding isn't the only behavioral problem dogs can have. Dog eating problems range from gorging and sneaking food to eating non-food items and refusing to eat altogether. This article introduces some common eating problems and then explains what to do about them.

• Herding Dogs- Herding dogs are bred as farm animal ‘guard dogs’ even though you’ll find them in all parts of society. They’re extremely smart and energetic, which means if you’re thinking about adopting one, you’ll need to be energetic yourself! Check out our articles about popular dog sports and everyday dog activities to find some fantastic activities for these types of dogs. These canines will demand a companion who’s just as much a thrill seeker that they are!
• How to Find a Veterinarian-

  If you thumb through the yellow pages in search of a vet, you’ll find more than you’ll care to sift through. But if you want to keep up with necessary vaccinations, spaying, neutering, and care for illnesses and injuries, you’re going to have to bite the bullet and actively find a veterinarian. Dog’s aren’t the infallible creatures that we’d like to think they are, and certain breeds are more susceptible to injuries or illnesses than you might be aware of. So here’s how to find the vet that you’ll come to trust and depend on for years to come.

• Northern Dogs- Northern dogs are named so due to their geological origin. If you can imagine the typical husky, then you’re picturing the typical northern dog since many of them share similar body characteristics: tall alert ears, thick coats, and curled tails.
  
• Welcoming a New Dog Home- Bringing a new puppy or adult dog home is very exciting for everyone in the household – including the puppy! That could be a good thing, or it could turn into something rather traumatic for the pup. Here’s how to bring one into a welcoming environment.
  
• Adopting from a Dog Shelter - Important Questions You Should Ask-

  Thinking about adopting a pet from a dog shelter? Use this list of questions to help solidify your decision. The answers to these questions may motivate you to consider a breeder instead, or they just may send you home with one of the most lovable creatures on earth. A dog adoption shelter carries a wide range of lovable dogs.

• Basic Dog Commands - When and Where to Use Them-

  Basic dog commands aren’t just for tricks. They can be life savers when you or your dog encounters a dangerous situation. Your dog's ability to obey the sit or stay command for example, could prevent it from running out into a dangerous street or getting wrangled up in a dangerous fight with a strange aggressive dog. Obedience training also creates an amicable living environment. Here's a quick list of convincing reasons why you need to train your dog - and train it now.

• Chasing Dog Problems - How to Stop This Behavior-

  Got chasing dogs? A dog that seemingly chases everything is satisfying its natural disposition toward chasing prey. It doesn’t really matter what the prey is (a rabbit, a bird, a car, leaf, or another person). If it moves, chasers chase it. That spells trouble when you consider dogs don’t understand safety precautions and can’t predict danger the way we can. Confining a chasing dog is one approach to solving the problem, but there are other solutions.

• An Overview of Dog Adoption Sources- From reading some of our other articles, you should have a pretty good idea of why the birthplace or origin of a dog is so important. If you haven’t read our materials on the subject, you must understand that the location in which a dog is born and raised has a tremendous influence on a dog’s health, temperament, and sociability. It’s not always easy to determine where a dog came from especially when it sits in a shelter, a rescue group, or an adoption center. So here’s an overview of the most common dog adoption sources and a description of the influence that they may have.
• Bad Dog Behavior - How to Stop It-

  What we often call bad dog behavior is more often than not, a lack of sufficient training. Two of these behaviors, pushing and licking, can be controlled with a little reinforcement. Here’s how.

• Traveling with a Dog- Traveling with a dog isn’t very fun if you’re unable to visit dog-friendly areas. Fortunately these areas aren’t that hard to find. There’s a dog-friendly area almost everywhere in fact -- if you know where and how to look for them. Here are some great ideas to get you started.
  
• Dog First Aid Kit - Learn How to Prepare One to Save Your Dog-

  Prepare for emergencies with your very own dog first aid kit purchased from any pet store or made with items found in the home. You’ll want to include your vet’s phone number and directions to the nearest emergency facility. When your dog first aid kit is complete, keep it well-stocked and up to date at all times. Never keep expired medication or supplies in the kit, and keep the kit in a readily accessible area. Here’s a list of items every dog first aid kit should store. If you’re not sure how or why to use some of these items, read our article about administering dog first aid and consult your vet for verification.

• Jumping Dog? Learn How to Stop Your Dog from Jumping on People-

  Dogs jump when they’re excited. They’ll jump all over another dominant dog out of respect and they’ll jump all over you out of glee. But while dog jumping on people is generally a clear message of affection, it isn’t always appropriate. A large jumping dog can overwhelm and scare small children for instance, or it can make bringing in the groceries an even harder chore than what it already is. Here’s how to stop your dog from jumping without hurting its feelings.

• What Makes a Dog Bite- Dogs generally bite when they feel threatened. The problem that we have as humans is that what dogs consider threatening doesn’t seem threatening to us at all. That’s why you’re strongly cautioned against making sudden changes around your dog. It doesn’t matter what breed it is, or how sociable it is, a threatened dog is a different beast altogether. Here’s what makes a dog bite, and how to avoid dog bites altogether.
  
  Some example situations that a dog deems as threatening include:
• Don’t Let a Dog Bite Your Child!- Children are more prone to dog bites than adults. Their lack of full motor control, high pitch voices, and tendency to hit and bite things themselves make them a threatening group of species to contend with. Even their small sizes play a role since dogs can interpret small children as a different kind of dog or even prey! Here are some tips to prevent children from getting a dog bite.
  
• How to Avoid Dog Bites- As we mentioned in our article about what makes a dog bite, the people that dogs tend to bite are the very people that they live with. When we encounter a strange dog however, the probability of getting bitten doubles because we just don’t know the condition of a dog we’re confronted with. An unfamiliar dog for example could come from a violent or abusive background. It could lack important socialization skills, or it could even suffer from a painful illness. That’s why we strongly caution you against interacting with a strange dog.
• The Dog Grooming Health Connection- In several of our articles about grooming, we only hinted at the dog grooming health relationship. This article explains that connection in much more detail.
  
  

  The Inarguable Bottom Line

• Solving Dog Behavior Problems Related to Elimination-

  Housetraining success varies among dogs. It can take as little as a few weeks for some dogs to understand your requirements or it can seem like a problem that has no solution for others. Not so surprisingly, the cause of most elimination problems is the owner. Failing to recognize important signs and create a schedule are two key mishaps owners make. Here's how to correct dog behavior problems related to elimination.

• How to Prevent Inappropriate Sexual Dog Habits-

  Being creatures of nature, dogs are very sexual beings. It’s nothing to panic about, but it’s nothing to overlook either. Dogs don’t follow the same social graces that we follow, and as a result, can create some rather embarrassing moments for us. The following offers some advice on how you can curb these types of dog habits so that you can minimize the effect they have on your family’s relationship with the dog (specifically, your children’s relationship)!

• Flying with a Dog - Tips and Recommendations- It's not unusual to go flying with a dog these days since airlines have really done a lot to accommodate animal cargo. Here are some tips to make the adventure as pleasant as you can.
• Great Watchdogs-

  Looking for a great watch dog? The following list describes dog breeds that are naturally cautious of strangers. The intensity of that caution varies across a spectrum of simple barking to outright aggression, so if you have children in the home, read our article about the best dogs for children to find a watchdog in this list that won’t display aggression towards the kids!

• Should You Adopt a Puppy or an Adult Dog- After deciding to adopt a specific dog breed and gender, you’ll face another choice: whether to adopt a puppy or an adult dog. Both dogs come with a healthy list of pros and cons, so it makes good sense to get acquainted with each of them! This article introduces issues surrounding both.
  
• How to Choose a Qualified Dog Trainer-

  As mentioned in our article about dog obedience training, a dog trainer works with a dog suffering from a specific behavior problem in the environment that it’s most comfortable in: its own home. This article expands on the topic of dog trainers in more detail.

  In addition to training dogs, a dog trainer also teaches owners how to handle a problematic pet. But because these lessons take place at the owner’s home, they’re much more expensive than classroom lessons.

• Administering Emergency Dog Care- Going against all instinct, the best thing you can do in any type of emergency is to remain calm. When it comes to emergency dog care, your excited response could cause your dog to panic and worsen the situation that it’s in. Here’s how to properly respond to a canine emergency.
• Moving an Injured Dog- When we have to move an injured dog to a place where it can be treated, one of our biggest fears is inadvertently hurting the dog or worsening an already delicate wound. Here’s how to do it in a way that minimizes pain and harm.
• Types of Dog Hair Coats- One of the things that differentiate breeds is the different types of dog hair coats. In this article, we’re going to describe those dog coats and what to expect from each.
  

  Single and Double Coats

  All dogs will have either a single coat or double coat. With a double coat, dogs have long, course hair (aka ‘guard coat’) that covers softer, downier hair. If a dog comes from a colder geographical area, the soft undercoat will be thicker. Single coated dogs bear only a guard coat. Both single and double coats can vary in length and texture.
• Managing a Dog Allergy- Is it possible to suffer from dog allergies and live with the shaggiest of all dogs at the same time? Although the very idea may send some people into a sneezing, coughing, or itching fury, we’ve discovered some ways in which dog allergy sufferers and canines can coexist. Here’s how:
• Dealing with Putting a Dog To Sleep- It’s a fact that no one really likes to think about, but the plain sad truth is that dogs just don’t live as long as we’d like them to.  A “lifetime” companion may only live only 20 years for example, with the last of those years being physically painful to a dog and emotionally painful for us. Or a spunky little fellow may get a severe injury or suddenly develop an untreatable disease. This article talks about putting a dog to sleep and your available options.
  
• Fun Activities for Dogs and Children- The number one activity that bonds dogs and children is their love for play. Here are some fun games that both can enjoy and use to establish a strong, friendly relationship for years.
  1. How to Adopt a Dog With Other Pets in Your Household- It’s never a good idea to assume that all the animals in household will get along. For whatever reason, nature predicated a deep, instinctual hatred among certain species, and we as humans, should not presume to know differently or try to reverse nature’s rules. We don’t need to force shared eating spaces and time, sleeping arrangements, or opportunities to play. Chances are these events will rarely be peaceful (if at all). The smarter thing to do instead is to adopt a dog that won’t muster up too much trouble in a pet-clad home. Here are some suggestions on how to do just that.
  2. How to Remove Dog Ticks- Please keep an eye out for dog ticks during the year’s warmest months, and/or anytime that you allow your dog into a damp, wooded or grassy area. Ticks are a dangerous parasite that’s known for spreading life-threatening Lyme Disease to both dogs and humans. Here’s how to safely remove them.
  3. Dog Fleas - How to Get Rid of Those Nasty Pests- There’s probably nothing more irritating to both canines and humans than dog fleas! Just the sight of one of them sends everyone in a household itching like crazy since one flea really means there are hundreds more biting you, your spouse, your children, your other pets, and your dog. Here are some ways you can get rid of the pesky little buggers and return to a normal, scratch-free life!
  4. Guide to Dog Grooming Needs- Dog grooming is essential to a canine’s health and well being. Here’s a quick overview of the benefits and a brief introduction to some familiar dog grooming tools.
     
  5. Old Dog Care- The age at which a dog enters its senior years not only varies from breed to breed, it also varies from size to size. Here are a few things you should be aware of when living with old dog in addition to a few ways to handle the situations that old dogs create.
  6. Grieving For a Dog- There’s certainly no right or wrong way to grieve for a dog. Grieving for a dog can be as traumatic an experience as grieving for a human companion. The most important thing to know is that your feelings are natural. And just because your loss wasn’t a human loss, it’s still an important one.
     
  7. Dog Bath Tips and Tricks- Unless you’re equipped with a professional salon facility and a set of top quality tools, giving your canine a dog bath is going to present one of the most challenging moments that you’ll ever spend with your pet. There are fortunately some creative ways that you emulate a salon within your own home – all designed to make dog bathing a lot easier! We describe those ways right here.
     
  8. Dealing with Dog Drool- As unsightly as it is, every dog drools. Some dogs like basset hounds, Newfoundlands, and Saint Bernards drool more than others, but every single canine on the planet experiences a little mouth drip from time to time. Is it anything to fret over? Nah - only when dog drool out of the ordinary.
     
  9. Going to Dog Camp- A dog camp provides some of the best fun you and your dog could ever have. Not just for dog fanatics, dog camps are wonderful opportunities for people to bond with their beloved pets and learn more about dogs in general. And the good news is that your dog needn’t be professionally trained to attend.
     
     

     Requirements

     As long as your dog is friendly toward other people and animals (and it obeys the simplest of commands), the both of you are welcome to attend a three-day, weekend, or full week dog camp.
     
  10. What to Do If You Must Leave a Dog at Home During Disasters- Many of us are quite comfortable leaving a dog at home alone because we never really think about unexpected disasters. But there’s no harm in being prepared! Disasters can strike at any time without much notice at all, and when you’re not home to properly care for your dog during a storm, panic, worry, and guilt only makes things worse when it’s all over. Here are some tips to reduce a detrimental outcome.
  11. A Guide to Dog Identification Methods- If your dog runs away and gets lost, you can increase its chances of being found if you identify it with one of three common forms of dog identification: a dog id tag, tattoo, or microchip. This article introduces you to these three forms in hopes that you find one appropriate for your pet. Be forewarned, identification may not be an option. In some states, it’s the law! Especially since animal control facilitates are required to look for IDs before euthanizing, adopting out, or shooting strange dogs (as allowed in agricultural communities).
      
  12. Preventing a Lost Dog Scare- There’s no doubt about it. Although lost dogs are a common occurrence, searching for a lost dog is an extremely trying and stressful experience. Here’s how to prevent that from happening.
  13. Find a Lost Dog- No matter how well behaved your dog is or how well you’ve secured your environment, your dog could still run away. This behavior isn’t a reflection of how the dog feels about you. And unless we’re talking about the backyard of female canine in heat, it isn’t a reflection of where a dog would rather be either. The fact is, dogs run away from home all the time if given half the chance. Here’s how to find a lost dog no matter what the reason.
  14. Understanding Adult Dog Temperaments - How to Choose a Dog with the Right Personality- A key to understanding dog behavior is understanding dog temperaments. Dog temperament describes a canine’s natural disposition or tendencies. When we say that a particular dog has a ‘loyal’ temperament for example, we mean that it’s naturally inclined to remain loyal to its owner. Other types of temperament describe a dog’s independence, friendliness, or aggressiveness while additional kinds cover a wide range of behaviors. When buying or adopting a dog, temperament should play an important role in your decision since it can influence the one you pick.
  15. Healthy Puppy Breeder Environments- We briefly touched on what a good puppy breeding environment should be like in our article about what makes a good dog breeder. This article describes in greater detail the characteristics of a healthy puppy breeder environment to help you identify potential problems when selecting a breeder.
  16. Dog Snake Bite Dangers- If you live in a rural area or mildly developed suburban area, there’s a significant chance that your dog will encounter a poisonous snake. Even worse, there’s an equally frightening chance that a poisonous snake will bite your dog. Here’s how to rescue a bitten canine and prevent a dog snake bite in the future.
      
  17. Safe and Dangerous Dog Toys- Regardless of how cute they are or how fun they look, some dog toys simply aren’t safe. Every dog toy is designed to keep pups entertained, but it’s your responsibility to ensure the dog toys you provide won’t harm your curious canine. Here’s a guide on how to select the safest ones.
  18. Fun Everyday Dog Activities- Looking for a great dog activity? You might be surprised at the number of fun and entertaining things you and your dog can do together. And you might be even more surprised to learn that the bulk of them don’t require anything fancy. Some of the things that you already enjoy doing in fact are perfect opportunities to play with your dog since most of the time, your dog wants to hang with you no matter what you’re doing. Here are some great dog activities to get you started.
      
  19. Remembering Pets with Dog Memorials-

      Dog memorials help people cope with the loss of a very close and loyal friend. They’re a great way to pay homage to many years of faithful dedication and joyful entertainment. If you’re thinking of giving your pet a dog memorial, here are some wonderful ways to do so.

  20. Dog Anal Glands- Not a very easy subject to talk about, dog anal glands play an important role in a canine’s health. What’s even more uncomfortable than merely talking about them is grooming them. It’s a necessary evil that if left ignored, can and will contribute to all sorts of unhealthy situations. Here’s a quick run-down on a low-down job.
      
      Dog anal glands sit on each side of and right under a dog’s anus. They’re scent markers and they’re filled with a liquid that’s released whenever a dog defecates. Its remaining scent is what enables a dog to mark its territory.
  21. An Explanation of Dog Years to Human Years Conversion- When people ask, “how old is my dog in human years?” the answer often refers to the old 7 year rule, where one year of a dog’s life is equal to seven years of a human’s life. This has been the general thought for a very long time, but… it’s wrong. The correct translation of dog years to human years a little more complicated now.
      
  22. How to Teach Your Dog the "Leave It" Command-

      To teach your dog or puppy the "leave it" command is to teach it boundaries. A dog that can differentiate appropriate property from inappropriate property is a dog that’s safer since many of the things we interact with are just too dangerous for dogs. Here’s how to teach your dog this command.

  23. Visiting Dog Rescue Shelters - Learn What You Need to Look for Before Picking up Your Dog-

      In The Environment

      Being the wise dog researcher that you are, you’re naturally eager to learn the physical signs trustworthy dog rescue centers. We applaud your commitment; however we have a bit of bad news. Hardly anyone ever has access to the inside of dog rescue shelters aside from their employees.
      
  24. How to Solve Fat Dog Problems-

      Way too many calories and a lack of sufficient exercise spells "FAT DOG" with big, capital letters. And it’s the most common form of nutrition-related problems created out of fear. Owners who fear malnutrition have a tendency of overfeeding their pets without realizing they’re causing additional problems. In the U.S., approximately 40% of all dogs are needlessly fat or obese, and thus suffer from arthritis and heart disease. Even worse, obesity decreases a dog’s life span!

  25. Preventing the Lost Dog Problem while Moving to a New Home- Many of our pets end up lost when we move from one residence to another. Here’s how to prevent the lost dog problem when moving across country or just a few blocks away.
  26. Disaster Preparation For Your Dog- You can always help ease an already scary situation by preparing for it. In fact, your chances and your dog’s chances of survival increase with disaster preparation. Here’s how to prepare your dog’s survival during an earthquake, tornado, fire or flood – four example situations that could eliminate access to shelter, fresh water, food, and power for weeks at a time.
  27. Commercial Dog Food Basics: Kibble and Can-

      Making sense of all the available commercial dog food can be a job all unto itself. You have dry food options, canned food options, and then you have all the brands to figure out. Which choice is the best? Product packaging isn’t always the best way to find a healthy choice, since words like "premium" or "super premium" aren’t enforced guarantees of anything! Yes, the dog food industry follows standards, but only up to a point. There are plenty of loopholes that let dog food manufacturers claim things that aren’t necessarily true or even applicable – all in an effort to get the sale and reach a profitable bottom line. Here’s everything you need to know about dog food.

  28. Dealing with Noise Sensitive Dogs-

      Because a dog's hearing is so acute, dogs are naturally startled by sudden, loud, or unfamiliar sounds. Some dogs are so startled, they become fearful and try to get away from the direction of the sounds. The best way to deal with a noise sensitive canine is to reduce its exposure to unwelcome sounds. Either that, or fill the environment with sounds that the dog is used to so that it isn’t overwhelmed with strange ones.

  29. Guide to Dog Crate Training-

      Dog crate training is an essential tool in keeping your dog in line. A lot of people equate crates to cages, and thus regard them as inhumane. The truth is that crate training dogs is a necessity for a variety of reasons, whether it’s used as a time-out tool or as a seat on an airplane. You might be surprised to learn that dogs actually crave small spaces all of their own because they satisfy their instincts to sleep in the same out in nature. All dogs retrieve to a small quite place when they’re tired or nervous, so a crate can provide the security that dogs need from time to time.

  30. Guide to House Training Dogs-

      After bringing your dog home, one of your first tasks is to potty train it. And depending on the breed, house training dogs can be a fairly easy task, or it can be an extremely difficult and long task. Success requires your patience and persistence. Here are some excellent tips on how to achieve such success.

  31. Dog Vaccines Timeline and Infectious Diseases-

      Although your vet may recommend a dog vaccine schedule that’s based on your dog’s breed, health, lifestyle, and exposure, you may find the following dog vaccines schedule developed by the American Animal Hospital Association Canine Vaccine Task Force helpful as well.

      · Vaccinate against bordetella (also known as kennel cough) annually or more frequently if you live in an area that’s a high risk.

  32. Dog Training Methods Overview-

      In a good number of our other articles, we’ve introduced a few techniques you can use to train your dog. This article describes how the positive reinforcement, correction-based, or clicker dog training method works with all of those techniques.

  33. Dog Vaccination - Pros and Cons-

      Dog vaccinations are an important part of preventing canine diseases. They contain antigens that trigger a dog’s immune system. This article introduces dog vaccination pros and cons, and cautions as well.

  34. Dog Barking Problems - How to Stop Them-

      Barking is natural. It’s just what dogs do and it’s unreasonable to expect or demand that a dog not bark at all. The problem with barking is that it can become excessive and disrupt what would otherwise be a nice quite day not only for your own family, but for your neighbors as well. Should your neighbors complain and call animal control or the cops about your barking dog, you could face a citation! Here are a few suggestions you can try to stop dog barking problems.

  35. Important Questions to Ask a Breeder-

      Thinking about buying a dog from a breeder? Use this list of questions to help separate the bad from the good. The good ones will address these questions to ask a breeder similar to the way that we’ve suggested below. The bad ones won’t.

  36. Door Dashing Dog Behaviors and How to Stop Them-

      For whatever reason, dogs love to dash out of any door that leads to the outside. Whether it’s the front door, the back door, the garage door, or the doggy door, all dogs try to run to the other side of them without much warning at all. As you can guess, this is extremely dangerous – especially if the door opens to a busy street. Fortunately, this is one of the easiest dog behaviors to correct.

  37. Dog Digging Behavior Problems - How to Stop This Behavior-

      Like barking, chewing, and jumping, dog digging behavior is natural. You’ll especially see dog digging behavior in dogs that have been bred to do so. Dachshunds for example, were bred to chase after badgers through tunnels and into dens. And Yorkshire terriers were bred to chase rabbits and other burrowing animals underground. Spitzes not only dug up food, they buried what wasn't consumed and also dug tunnels of their own to give birth in warm dens. Today’s dogs don’t dig for the same reasons. Today's dogs dig because they need to exercise, relieve boredom, bury toys or bones, make personal beds, or simply to satisfy the curiosity of what’s beneath the ground. Here’s how to redirect the tendency toward a more appropriate place.

  38. Destructive Dog Chewing - How to Stop This Behavior-

      Like barking, digging, and jumping, dog chewing and puppy chewing is a natural canine behavior. It helps clean teeth, strengthen gums and the jaw, and quite honestly, it passes the time. Here’s how to redirect that energy toward something more productive.

  39. The Dog Come Command and How to Teach It-

      It’s very important that your pet respond to the dog come command. Yes, life threatening circumstances may necessitate such obedience, but an additional perk of this obedience is some off-leash time (provided that the dog is in a safe area). Here are two ways to get your dog to respond no matter what the situation.

  40. The Dog Down Command and How to Teach It-

      The dog down command comes in handy when you’re dealing with an anxious dog that refuses to relax when you’re trying to watch TV or have a conversation with company. And just like with the stay command, the sit command helps the dog learn the down command rather quickly. Here’s how:

  41. The Dog Stay Command and How to Teach It-

      The dog stay command is a lifesaver. Literally. There will be times when a leash just isn’t appropriate for a dog, but the ability to control the dog is. Here’s how to teach your dog to stay, whether you’re out in public, in the backyard, or inside the home.

  42. Eliminating External Dog Parasites: Fleas, Ticks, and Mites-

      The most common external parasites dogs encounter are fleas, mites, and ticks. Because they can spread diseases like the tapeworm for example, controlling them is a must. This article describes common dog parasites, and then explains how to get rid of them.

  43. Good Dog Food Nutrition Basics-

      Dog food nutrition is just as important to dogs as human food nutrition is to us. In fact the principles are very much the same. All dogs need a well balanced diet of carbohydrates, fats, fiber, minerals, protein, vitamins, and water in addition to antioxidants, nutraceuticals, and probiotics. This article explains the what and the why behind dog nutrition.

  44. Helping a Poisoned Dog Through Induced Vomiting- There could come a time when your dog swallows something poisonous and you can’t get her to a vet. In this situation, you’ll need to remain calm and follow the suggestions below. They describe how to properly help a poisoned dog.
  45. Solving Possessiveness Dog Problems and Excessive Guarding-

      Guarding and protecting are natural dog behaviors. But these behaviors become dog problems when dogs attempt to guard and protect things from their owners or other people. Quite often, dogs growl, charge, and even bite in an attempt to protect their things, and it doesn’t really matter who they’re growling at or biting. This behavior is simply unacceptable -- especially in a household full of children who might walk close to something that belongs to a dog or who might need to retrieve a dog’s item for washing.

  46. Anxious Dog Behavior Problem - Learn How to Sole It-

      When a dog encounters an unpleasant and nerve-wracking situation, it might develop an inappropriate reaction that repeats whenever the situation reoccurs. Although a repetitive reaction takes only seconds to develop, obsessive behaviors can take months to recondition. An obsessive behavior is any action that’s repeated over and over and it isn’t exclusive to the human species. Dogs can become obsessive too! The following explains how to stop an obsessive dog behavior problem.

  47. Begging Dog Problems and How to Avoid Them-

      Begging for tidbits at breakfast, lunch, or dinner can be a royal nuisance if allowed to continue. Yet it’s a rather easy bad habit to break. You simply don’t allow dog begging. Period. Here’s how to stop begging dog problems before they start.

  48. Dog Food Ingredients Explained-

      By law, manufactures are required to list the ingredients used in dog food products. They're not required however, to list the quantity of those ingredients. They must instead, order the ingredients based on weight. The ingredient that's most prominent in a dog food product is listed first. The ingredient that's second most prominent is listed second, and so on and so forth. This is why many people opt to buy dog food with meat listed near the top of the dog food ingredients list. Food that lists grains first, such as corn or rice, is hard for many dogs to digest.

  49. When to Ask the Vet About Your Dog's Problem-

      In many of our articles, we recommend that you ask the vet when confronted with a tricky problem. But it isn’t always easy to determine whether the problem you’re experiencing warrants an appointment or a simple diet change. Paying for a vet can be expensive – especially when it’s unnecessary, so here’s some handy advice that should help you determine a real concern from a worry that you can probably correct yourself.

  50. Dog Sitters - How to Use Them to Make Your Life with a Dog Easier- Dog sitters are appropriate alternatives for when you have to travel, but don’t want to place your pup in a boarding kennel. Not that there’s anything wrong with kennels, your dog just might not get along with its other dogs or properly adjust to the kennel environment. With a dog sitter, your dog can stay in an environment that it’s used to without having to confront or deal with strange canines, strange rules, or strange procedures. Here’s what you need to know about dog sitters.
      
  51. Zoomies - What Are They?-

      For such a cute little word, zoomies is one of the most bizarre aspects of known dog behavior! The word zoomie simply describes a sudden burst of energy that compels a dog (usually a 3- 6 month old puppy) to quickly run from one end of a house or yard to the other. While it’s mildly entertaining, it can cause harm or damage if you're not careful to give a zoomer adequate room and opportunity to burn that excess energy. Here’s how to properly deal with it.