When a female dog is in the clinic to be spayed or a male is to be neutered, the veterinarian starts by giving the pet a physical exam to ensure that its health appears good and that its reproductive tract looks normal. Often, the doctor also recommends pre-anesthetic blood work to help minimize the chances…
Babysitting a puppy, or puppy sitting, is something many of us are asked to do from time to time. If you have a friend with a puppy you may be asked to keep a puppy for a few hours or for a couple of days. Or you may need to have someone keep your puppy…
Remember the joy of Christmas morning when you were young standing in front of a mound of presents and anticipating what would be in each brightly colored box? What if every day could be like Christmas morning for your dog? Dog toys are vital to the happy formation of your new puppy as well as…
The Labrador Retriever has been the most popular breed of dog in the United States since 1990. These gentle, intelligent dogs make ideal family companions. They are easy to train and they love children. Here are a few things you may not know about this popular breed. This breed of dog so often associated with…
Making homemade dog treats is one of the nicest things you can do for your dog. There are several reasons why it’s a good idea to make treats for your dog: It’s fun. It’s something that you and your dog can (sort of) do together. Your dog loves helping you in the kitchen, or at…
Dogs follow in their owner’s footsteps and if those footsteps become slow and cumbersome with excess pounds, so do the faithful companions. Obesity is the number one concern in human medicine because of its devastating effect on so many other medical conditions. Obesity in the canine population is no less damaging. In fact, it could…
You have a large yard that would cost more than you have to fence entirely or your neighborhood is a ‘fence-free zone’ and you are not allowed to build a fence. Maybe you have a fenced-in area or kennel for your dog but would like to know that he is safe and secure when the…
Whether it is the kids relentlessly pestering you about getting a dog or a quiet need to share your life with a four-legged friend, there are many things to consider before picking a dog and bringing home your new bundle of fur and energy. Making the wrong choice in breed or not accurately evaluating your…
Healthy dogs are happy dogs and what is the best way to keep your dog healthy? Feed them the best food you can afford, maintain their ideal body weight and condition, and know how to recognize common dog health problems before they shift from being a ‘problem’ to being a ‘disaster’. Arthritis Simply put, arthritis…
Grooming your dog is essential to his good health. The kind of grooming he needs will depend on what kind of coat he has. For most shorthaired dogs you can give them a good brushing once a week and their coats will be fine. However, if you have a longhaired dog, then you will need…
Part of owning a dog is training it to be a well-mannered and socially acceptable member of both the two-legged and four-legged society. An untrained dog is a nightmare to live with and even a danger to visitors, family, or itself. Dogs learn or adapt to living with their people by osmosis. By watching how…