There’s more to dogs and water than the dogpaddle. Here are ways to keep your dog healthy and safe when its water play time.

Summer is not over yet. River and lakes remain. Our swimming pools still hold water. Our pets can find this enticing, but dogs need to know where and how to get out of the pool regardless of where they get in. Many dogs enjoy swimming without giving a thought to how clean or dirty the water. If your pet has had a dip in a lake or river, rinse them off to avoid ear mites, eye infections and pesky clingy insects which can embed themselves into their fur.

Fido might love to jump into your pool, but make certain they know how to get out safely. If a dog falls into a lake or river, his instinct tells him to turn around and get out from the point where they fell in. Read the rest of this entry »

Who has more smarts: your dog or your toddler?

Does your toddler fall for the “fake throw” trick?  Maybe not, but research is showing that  even though your dog might take a few seconds to notice his favorite toy is actually still in your hand, they do posses  the mental abilities of about a two-year old child.  A recent study states that border collies are the smartest, followed by poodles.  The research interestingly notes that the average dog also seems to have the social skills of teenage humans.  They are interested in who is moving up in the pack and who is hanging out with who.

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Doggie wants to Explore! Some tips and tricks that you might not have known when it comes to taking your friend out for a walk.
It’s 9 p.m. And our Labrador Honey hears the sound of the pantry opening and her bio-degradable poop bag being snapped open. She anticipates the sequence of sounds signaling that her leash it about to rattle and that means only one thing…time for a walk. More than a walk. It is time to gather the scents of pee-mails left atop shrubs, along grassy areas, and doggie business cards signaling other canine visitors have passed through on their nightly ritual too. Read the rest of this entry »

Al Franken’s first bill has been passed and its one we can put our paws together for:  specially trained service dogs will be provided for disabled war veterans.  Noel Brinkerhoff on Allgov.com explains how the bill came to be:

Teaming up with Republican Johnny Isakson from Georgia, Franken introduced the Franken-Isakson Service Dogs for Veterans Act, a pilot program to provide specially trained canines to disabled war veterans. Franken got the idea after meeting Luis Carlos Montalvan, an Army intelligence officer who was seriously wounded in Iraq and today struggles to walk and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. Montalvan is aided, though, by his service dog Tuesday, a golden retriever who not only provides companionship but can help ward off panic attacks and remind his master to Read the rest of this entry »

How many dogs can a person bring to off-leash parks?   If you are in Los Angeles, CA, the answer is three’s the limit.

Some professional dog walkers have been ignoring the law which took effect six months ago.  Dog walkers caring for the rich and famous conduct their doggy day-car services at Laurel Canyon Park in the Hollywood Hills.  There are about 20 dog walkers any given day, and some of them arrive with two vans full of dogs and stay for up to three hours.  One couple charges $35 per dog and earn approximately $180,000 a year. Read the rest of this entry »

Drop the Chalupa: Pop culture pup, Gidget the Taco Bell Dog died of a stroke Tuesday night  at age 15. 

Pets are big business and even bigger as marketing mascots symbolizing ideals and often leading to overwhelmingly positive response and product association.  With her appealing and endearing large dark eyes and sassy attitude, the little Chihuahua  known for lines like “Yo quiero taco bell” and “drop the chalupa”, dictated market momentum  as the company spokespooch for Taco Bell. Read the rest of this entry »

Teach the kids how to behave around dogs.  Be gentle!

Your kids are home for the summer.  They have friends over.  Some have pets; some do not. Young children are frequently left alone with the pets while parents “run a few errands”.

Can problems happen?  You bet they can.   What can you do NOW to help enforce safety when it comes to kids and dogs.

First off, all children should be taught to respect other living things.  The key words are “be gentle”.  It is as simple as that.   One day your children will encounter an animal, if it is somebody else’s pet in a controlled environment, or meeting a strange dog on the street.  What can you teach your kids now to help avoid problems later?

Three Basics for Dog Safety with Kids: Read the rest of this entry »

“Bow OW!  My ears! I’m scared!”

The problem: The sky is lighting up for the Fourth of July and pets are running for cover. Pet owners need to remember that dogs have more than twice the sensitivity to sound as humans and can hear sounds four times farther away The unfamiliar combination of painful, unusual noise and flashing lights can cause Fido to bolt. Animal shelters across the country report extremely high numbers of “July 4th Dogs” are rescued by good samaritans and animal control officers every year as they run off during fireworks celebrations. Dogs are willing to do anything to Read the rest of this entry »

Wish your friends a happy Fourth of July with a pup inspired e-card!

It might sound corny, but some of the cutest and most memorable cards for July 4th happen to be available online…that is if you are a dog or a cat!

There are over 70 dogs to select from to star in your e-card.  The messages can be customized, and are sure to be a hit.

Plan ahead for this upcoming holiday, as well as various holidays throughout the year. 
To see some heartwarming samples including opportunities to upload your own photo on the card, visit sloppykisscards.com.

You can also send an e-card with an honor gift from the ASPCA.  You make the donation in a friend’s name and they receieve the e-card!

The tenth anniversary of Take Your Dog to Work Day is coming up on Friday, June 26th.   Pet Sitters International is again sponsoring this annual event.  The special day was established to encourage pet adoptions and to celebrate the companionship and joy of dog ownership. 
Thinking of participating?  To make this special day a success, read these tips from from TakeYourDog.com:
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