Author: Diana Bocco

While most dog lovers would be happy to interact with practically any dog, there are a lot of people out there who don’t feel the same way, explains Irith Bloom, a certified dog behavior consultant and the director of training at The Sophisticated Dog, a Los Angeles-based dog training company. “Some of them may have been attacked or bitten by a dog in the past and others may not like animals at all,” she says. “There are also people who are allergic to dogs, and in some cases, people just don’t want fur or drool on their clothes.” Whatever the reason, strangers have the right to their space and privacy. Bloom says it’s a good idea to teach your dog to wait for a signal from you before greeting people. “Instead of letting your dog rush up to, or drag you over to, every new person the dog sees, teach your dog that greetings only happen after you give a certain [physical or verbal] signal, such as the words ‘Say hello,’” says Bloom.,Think your dog is behaving badly? You may want to hold off on placing all the blame on your four-legged family member. Because when it comes to poor canine manners, pet parents are often the cause of unwanted behavior. Here are eight pet etiquette mistakes you might not even realize you’re making—and how to fix them.

Thinking about taking the plunge and getting a kitten? Kitten season, which starts in the spring and lasts through the summer, is the perfect time to adopt. What’s kitten season, you ask? It’s the peak mating season for cats, which results in an influx in cute, cuddly kittens ending up at our local shelters and rescues. (We guess us humans aren’t the only ones looking for a partner when the weather warms up!) Adopting a kitten during kitten season can help ease the strain on overcrowded shelters—and bring so much joy to your life! But should you get a kitten? Are you ready to become a cat parent? Before bringing home a feline friend, you need to make sure you’re ready to care for one for the rest of their life. Here are six signs you’re ready for the adventure.

Have you been considering adding a pet to your family? Now’s a great time. Across the country, many shelters have reopened with social distancing guidelines in place, often holding first meetings via videochat and accepting in-person visitors by appointment only to cut down on crowds. But if you still need convincing, read on for animal shelter facts that double as reasons to adopt a dog. By the end of this list, you’ll be ready to make a trip to your local animal shelter!