Dogs

Teaching your dog to not run away involves teaching them specific, small cues that ensure they remain by your side. This process takes time, but the effort is well worth it. “Dogs thrive on consistency and structure,” says dog trainer Sylvia Wilson, co-founder and certified trainer with Bark Busters International. “A dog well-bonded to its owner or family unit is less likely to escape when its needs are met. Understanding your dog’s canine nature and providing proper education through training and routine is key.” Here are some steps you can take to teach your dog to not run away.,Jump to section How to Train a Dog Not to Run Away: A Step-by-Step Guide How to Train a Dog to Be Off Leash Why Do Dogs Run Away? What to Do If Your Dog Runs Away Should You Punish Your Dog for Running Away? How to Keep a Dog From Running Away From Home

This Halloween, you’re ready to make a statement with your pet by your side. So, what costume will have heads turning and tails wagging? What are the best pet-friendly places to debut your furry friend’s epic look? And how will you keep them safe and happy all season long? Start planning with our essential guide to spooky season for pets and their people.

You are referring to what we in the grooming field call a “sanitary trim.” This refers to the genital area of both male and female dogs as well as the area around the anus. Some dogs never require such a trim but others are rather messy when they take care of business and need to have a channel cleared under their tails to maintain hygiene. Some females do have a discharge that leaves the hair around the vulva sticky as your dog does. I don’t know of any photos of such a trim but I can tell you that you need to be extremely cautious if you give your girl the pet version of a bikini wax. Use a #10 blade on your dog hair clippers and make sure it is not too hot or too dull. If you burn or cut her sensitive membranes you will cause her great pain and injury. Always use a light touch; digging dog clipper blades into the tissue in this sensitive area can also cause injury. When you bathe your pet, let her sit in water that is comfortably warm to soothe her since the discharge could also be causing inflammation. I would also suggest that you take her to see the vet right away as a discharge could indicate a medical condition that requires attention. Sometimes a discharge indicates pyometra, a serious uterine infection, or another type of vaginal or urinary tract infection. If she has not been spayed and the discharge has blood in it, that indicates she is in heat and could become pregnant from any canine suitor who happens along, so unless you plan to breed her, you should get her spayed. If she has already been spayed, she may be experiencing a false pregnancy. In any case, your vet will give her a blood test, urinalysis, and may take some X-rays to find out why she is experiencing these problems.,Q.

WRITTEN BYJamie Lovejoy, DVM Veterinarian Dr. Jamie Lovejoy graduated from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 2012 after an undergraduate degree in Marine Biology. …,Bee stings are, unfortunately, very common in dogs. While most humans steer clear of black-and-yellow flying insects, our pups rarely recognize the danger. Like in people, many dogs will only suffer a mild painful reaction to a bee sting. But others will have much more serious complications, including swelling, severe pain, and even anaphylaxis or systemic allergic response. Because bee stings can result in a medical emergency for some pets, it’s important to seek medical advice if you think your dog has been stung and to be able to recognize the symptoms of a severe reaction.

A Rigorous Training Process Vapor Wake training begins at puppyhood. Dogs enter an 11-month “puppy school” program that incorporates socialization, health assessments, basic training, acclimation, and olfactory testing, Johnson says. “Individual prison inmates are paired with these dogs to develop basic skills and to become acclimated to a busy, regimented environment.”  The dogs complete their training over the next several months through the VWK9 Academy and are usually ready for service when they’re about 18 months old. “We don’t start putting them on explosives until they’re about a year old. At the 18- to 24-month mark is when they introduce a handler for another seven weeks of training,” Dober says. “The dogs given to the handlers are pre-trained. When they graduate the course, they graduate as a team and are certified by VWK9.” The dogs and their handlers are typically retrained and reassessed annually, “but it can occur more frequently depending on the environment in which the dog is performing and the odors the dog is being deployed to detect,” Johnson adds. Success rates of Vapor Wake dogs are tough to measure at this point because dogs working in the United States have not yet encountered an actual explosive device, Dober says. This may, in part, be because they’re effective deterrents—people are less inclined to bring explosives to events if they know a Vapor Wake dog is working there. “But that is changing and the reason why Vapor Wake has become so popular,” Dober says. “We will be moving into a time where the threat will be more real. We’ve seen that overseas, we’ve seen it in Manchester, so it’s just a matter of time before it’s on our doorstep.” It is our canine companions—with their unfailing loyalty—who may be our best hope for defense. Photo courtesy of VWK9,By Paula Fitzsimmons Law enforcement agencies have had to find effective ways to defend the public from growing terrorist threats. Enter Vapor Wake Dogs, a class of K-9s trained to detect and deter suicide bombers. The demand for Vapor Wake technology is growing, and with good reason. Many in the security industry consider it the gold standard for public safety, says Dr. Calvin Johnson, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University in Alabama, where the technology was developed. “When I see Vapor Wake dogs working at an airport or a stadium, I am confident that the venue has taken the appropriate steps to secure the facility beyond the capabilities of screening personnel, mechanical detection systems, or passenger imaging systems,” Johnson says. This added level of security doesn’t come easily, however. A lot of thought and training goes into the grooming of these four-legged powerhouses.  

From an entryway console with a hidden spot for kitty litter to a dog crate that passes as a stylish side table, pet parents can expect to see a bigger selection of on-trend pet-centric multipurpose furniture this year. “Pet parents are looking to invest in items that are multipurpose with an aesthetic that fits seamlessly into their existing home decor, kitchen or pantry [and] does not disrupt their interior design choices,” Kim says, adding that this “connects to the larger trend we see of pets being fully integrated into the family.” Frisco’s walkway entrance bench, for example, not only elevates one’s home decor with its modern, minimalist design, but it can also be used as a discrete potty place for cats, thanks to the furniture’s built-in double doors. Alternatively, pet parents can use the covered space as a hidden hangout spot where cats can relax on their favorite bed.,Sleek multipurpose furniture, well-crafted designs and wellness-boosting sanctuaries: These trends are showing up more and more in homes—including in pet furniture and décor. From cat trees and scratchers to dog beds and crates, pet home décor continues to follow in the footsteps of human décor trends, making it easier to seamlessly integrate into virtually every shared space of your home. We spoke to Chewy Design and Trend Manager Ann-Margaret Kim about the biggest pet home décor trends of 2024.

As much as we all love the amazing Thanksgiving food and festivities, so do our pets. However, the festive dishes we love so much can be dangerous foods for dogs.  To keep your pup safe and healthy during your Thanksgiving dinner, check out our list of typical autumn and Thanksgiving foods that are toxic for our pets, what clinical signs you may see, and what you need to do if your dog eats these foods at Thanksgiving or any other time of the year.  If your dog eats any toxic foods, call your veterinarian for guidance or take them to the nearest veterinary or pet emergency clinic. You can also call the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.  

In This Article Why Are There Flies Around Your Dog? View 3 More +

 ,Welcome to Chewy’s 2025 Pet Trend Report—where this year, the humanization of pets has all of us wagging our tails. If you’re like us, you’ve considered your pets to be family members since, well, forever. But lately, the bond between humans and their furry companions has continued to deepen and evolve, transforming how we care for, celebrate, and connect with them. Across every 2025 trend, from fashion and diets to names and adventures, pets are poised to enjoy the same attention and indulgences we give ourselves. Dive into the trends that are shaping the pet care experience and discover how we’re giving our beloved companions the lives they deserve.