Blog
How to Make an Impact as an Animal Welfare Nonprofit
Animal welfare is an issue that hits close to home. More than half of American households have companion animals at home and an increasing number are searching for cruelty-free alternatives to everyday purchases. Yet despite the growing concern around animal welfare, most Americans don’t know how to channel their compassion into real change. That’s where [...]
Dog-Friendly Yard Improvement Projects
You’ve done your homework, you did your research before choosing your newest family member, now it’s time to do the same when getting your home ready for them. Each breed will have their own outdoor needs, so you’ll want to prepare the appropriate space ahead of time. Whether you’re buying a new home or preparing [...]
Is a Goldendoodle Puppy the Right Choice for Your Family?
Goldendoodle puppies have been a popular choice almost since the cross-breed was first introduced in the 1990s. There are lots of very good reasons why, but how do you know if a Doodle is the right dog for you? Breed Basics: The Goldendoodle As the name implies, Goldendoodle puppies are a cross between a golden [...]
7 Great Breeds for City Living
Choosing a dog when living in the city can be difficult, especially when the dwelling is an apartment. Individuals may have their heart set on a certain breed, but before subjecting a Great Dane or Greyhound to a life of cramped living, remember that there are dozens of smaller breeds that can live happily and [...]
Why You Should Consider Pet Insurance
You never expect your animal companion to experience a catastrophic accident or injury. If your pet sustains a major injury or illness, veterinary services can be as expensive as those of a human physician. However, you need to choose your pet insurance carrier carefully, as policies and terms of coverage can vary widely. There are [...]
Creating Boundaries with Your Dog
Dogs need boundaries just like children. Canines need to know what’s acceptable behavior and as the pack leader, it’s your responsibility to teach them. It can be helpful to start setting boundaries with your dog while they’re on a leash. It’s important to reward desired behavior and learn your dog’s language. Claiming Space Dogs claim [...]
New Puppy Necessities
Puppies are a bundle of fun, but many individuals are surprised to discover the number of essential items a puppy will need. The following is a list to keep them healthy, happy, and entertained. Vaccinations Before taking a puppy out into the wider world, be sure they’re vaccinated against the bacteria, viruses and fungal infections [...]
I Want a French Bulldog!
Fads in dog breeds come and go just as in the fashion industry. Purchasing a canine is a serious, lifelong responsibility and should be based on an individual’s lifestyle – not on a breed that happens to be popular at the time. A successful human-dog relationship begins with due diligence on the part of the [...]
5 Basic Training Tips for your new Puppy
Many people choose to bring a new puppy into their home without fully understanding what’s involved. Puppies will need to learn acceptable and unacceptable behavior. A puppy is similar to a toddler – everything is new and infinitely fascinating. Gentle Consistency It’s critical to remember that puppies have no idea what’s expected of them. It’s [...]
Breeds that Don’t Always Mix Well with Children
There are dozens of cute dog breeds, but not all of them are kid-friendly. That puppy with such an adorable face isn’t necessarily a good fit for households with children. The problem typically arises when there are small children in the house and it’s even worse when youngsters haven’t been taught to respect the dog [...]
Why Socialization is Important for Your Dog
Socialization is best done for canines when they’re puppies, but it’s never too late to teach a dog how to behave in an extensive range of environments and to different stimuli. Depending upon the level of previous training and the dog’s age, a professional trainer may be required. Safety The fight-or-flight response is just as [...]
Why Is My Pet So Itchy?
What seems to be causing my pets to itch? Well, that is a loaded question with many answers. When speaking of our canine friend it really depends. These things will be generalizations. Please understand that not all pets fit the same mold. Dogs who are less than three years of age, who show the following [...]
Caring For Senior Pets
Senior pet care is hard. Seeing their faces get more grey, or their eyes becoming more opaque, or struggling for them to get up, is tough on us and them. What can we do for our senior pets to make sure they age well? Being a veterinarian, I believe it is important for our seniors [...]
Which Dog Should I Get?
Which is the best dog to get, best breed, and best age. That’s a loaded question. The better question is what is best for you and your family’s needs. Do you have young children or old children, a child with special needs, or allergies? Puppies Typically puppies are young minds waiting to be molded. They [...]
Toxic Foods Your Dog Should Never Eat
By now most people know that certain foods are not safe for our animals. For example, chocolate for dogs has the main ingredient theobromine, which causes cardiac abnormalities. The richer the chocolate, the higher the levels of theobromine. So put down those truffles and lock them up. Grapes and raisins are also no good for [...]
Best Pet Insurance – 2019
I am often asked, "what is the best pet insurance." Pet insurance in general seems to be a controversial discussion. The best pet insurance of 10, or even 5 years ago, is not the one that I would recommend today. Ten years ago most insurance companies would use the term hereditary condition based on breed.. [...]
Fleas & Ticks, Oh My
Fleas & Ticks, Oh My Year-Round Concern For Pets Fleas & Ticks Carry Diseases This category may be unsettling for some but it’s an important one to discuss. Fleas and ticks carry several diseases. In California right now they have a resurgence of Typhus, a disease caused by bacteria found in infected fleas that can [...]
Dog Dental Care Tips
Dog Dental Care Tips Every animal has the potential for dental disease. A dog has 42 adult teeth. Experience shows that by three years of age, most dogs have some evidence of periodontal disease. We tend to see a significantly higher incidence of periodontal disease in small toy breeds. There are several reasons for this: [...]