House Training Your Puppy

OK, so you just came home with the cutest, cuddliest, and most beautiful puppy. Now what?

The first and most important thing to do with a new puppy is to begin a routine, and central to that routine will be getting your bundle of joy house trained. As much as you love your new puppy, you won’t love finding mistakes and accidents around every corner. It can seem daunting, but a few key strategies will help you get your pet on the right track to being a well-mannered member of the household!

Eliminate the chance for accidents.

Excessive Barking in Dogs

Every dog barks. Even the Basenji, “the barkless dog”, can make some noise akin to a bark (though it's more like a yodel). Essentially, barking is a dog’s version of talking. They bark to say hello, to say they want something –“Feed me!” – and also to let you know if something’s going on or when they don’t like something.

Crate Training Your Dog

Just like people, pets need a place of their own. While a cat might seek refuge on a sunny window sill and teenagers might slam and bolt their bedroom doors, a dog often likes nothing better than the peace and quiet of a crate. Crates provide many benefits to the happy pup, as well as his family. They provide a place to relax, an excellent environment to learn house-training manners, a safe place to spend time when people are away, a dining area (especially in a multi-pet household), and a place to call his or her own.

Our guidelines for the perfect canine hangout:

Epilepsy and Seizure Control

Watching your dog experience a seizure can be a scary thing, and for good reason: seizures are usually very intense, and if your dog has one, you will probably see him or her convulse and thrash, cry and yelp, drool, and urinate and defecate excessively. So what exactly are seizures, and why do they affect some of our canine friends?

Litter Box 101

Eventually, every cat owner will have a feline friend decide that the litter box is actually not the best place to do business. All too often, a cat will decide that it’s actually far better to use a discreet corner in your house, or perhaps your favorite shoe, or even the bathroom sink.

Why is My Dog Destroying My House?

Dogs love to dig and chew and tear things up. It’s all fun and games until they dig up your flowers, chew munch on your favorite shoes, or tear up your couch in a cloud of stuffing. So what can you do when your pooch's

Every dog person will one day have to contend with a canine buddy damaging something he or she shouldn’t have. Usually, it’s pretty easy to prevent and curb such behavior. Here are some simple strategies.

Introducing Dogs and Babies

For many households, the “first child” is a puppy. That little furry friend is showered with lots of love, indulged (spoiled), and given all the wonderful attention deserved by any first child, human or otherwise. Then, one day, that dog’s family brings home a new bundle of joy in the form of a tiny human brother or sister. This can be the start of a beautiful new friendship for your dog, but it can also be a stressful time of significant adjustment. Here are our recommendations for introducing a new baby brother or sister to your dog.

A tired dog is a good dog

Learn tips and tricks to keep your pup occupied.

The Do's and Don'ts of Dog Parks

Dog owners and their best buddies tend to love dog parks. They can be terrific places for dogs to socialize, from learning how to be part of a pack to learning doggie social graces. Dog parks are also great places for exercise.

The Benefits of The Tired Dog

There is an old saying that couldn't be truer: "A tired dog is a good dog."

Just like with people, when dogs receive a healthy balance of physical and mental stimulation, they will be happy and well-adjusted. Your dog wakes up each morning with a certain amount of physical and mental energy that he or she needs to expend to feel happy, occupied, and balanced. What your dog needs will be different from other dogs; breed, age, size, and individual temperament all contribute to this, as does your dog's mood on any given day.