Dogs

What’s life without a little treat now and then, right? That goes for all kinds of dogs (as well as all kinds of people!)—but how many is too many for the best dog nutrition? It’s fun to see our dog’s excitement when we reach for the treat bag, but it can be easy to hand over too much of a good thing. Treats—even the healthy variety, to a lesser extent—can add sneaky calories that soon show themselves on your now overweight dog. As Dr. Michel Selmer, “The Caring Vet” and the owner of Advanced Care for Pets in Huntington Station, New York, emphasizes, “We are what we eat—literally—and that goes for our pets as well.” You can have the best of both worlds—allowing your fur baby to enjoy treats while maintaining a healthy dog—by keeping these guidelines in mind.

When meeting a dog for the first time, it’s important to take things slow. Instead of rushing over to introduce yourself, let the dog approach you on their own timeline, advises Kate LaSala, a certified dog behavior consultant and owner of Rescued by Training, in Rocky Point, North Carolina.   “Always let the dog come to you,” says LaSala. “Dogs are social creatures, and if they want an interaction, they will let us know.” ,So, you want to make friends with man’s best friend? It’s not always as easy as it seems. Every dog is unique, and some are friendlier than others. Either way, it helps to have some canine know-how.   That’s why we asked the experts for tips on how to get a dog to like you, from first impressions to daily play sessions. Read on for everything you need to know. 

Managing incontinence in a dog can be frustrating. You keep finding and having to clean up dog pee in the house, and you may even start to feel angry or upset. But here’s the good news: Understanding the causes and seeking treatment can lead to the best outcome for your pet. Here’s the information you need on what causes dog incontinence and what you can do about it. What Is Incontinence in a Dog? Incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. So if your dog is incontinent, it means that they are not even aware of the fact that they are urinating. This incontinence occurs often in places where pets are resting (like in their bed or on the couch), and it tends to be a normal or large amount of urine.

Prescription and over-the-counter flea treatments remain the most effective way to kill and prevent fleas on dogs and cats. But if your pet is too young for flea medications—or if you’re looking for additional ways to protect your home—you might consider natural flea remedies. The question is, which natural flea remedies for pets actually work?  “Most natural flea remedies do not have a large body of scientific evidence behind them, and while many may have some positive effect, none are likely to be enough in the face of a flea infestation,” says Dr. Daniel Dixon, veterinarian and founder of North Keller Animal Hospital in Keller, Texas.   Still, there are natural ways to help keep your home and yard clean, reducing the risk of fleas and aiding in combating an infestation. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the most effective strategy for flea control is a combination of consistent flea medication and environmental management. Be sure to include your veterinarian in any conversation about flea control and prevention.  

Younger dogs wag their tails to indicate a variety of emotional states, from happiness to tension, but a dog’s most beloved communication aid can suffer the effects of aging as well.,As our dogs age, we need to be aware of the changes they experience. Our dog’s body language can provide clues into how they are feeling. But while dog body language has some universal hallmarks, and many body language postures remain the same throughout a dog’s life, senior dogs experience both physical and mental shifts that can impact how they communicate with us. Understanding dog body language in senior dogs can help you stay vigilant over the health and happiness of your aging pet. By understanding your senior dog’s body language, you can better understand what they are trying to communicate and if the response is a natural part of the aging process or indicates an underlying health problem.

As the end of the year draws closer, you might be counting down the days until your big holiday vacation. If you’re traveling with a dog, though, he cannot possibly anticipate the adventure that awaits him. Long car rides, bustling airports and strange hotel rooms can cause a lot of stress for pets, making it tough for them to enjoy the holidays. For a stress-free trip, consult these tips long before you begin packing your luggage.

Puppies need lots of playtime—and that means lots of toys. Are all dog toys created equally? Not exactly. Toys are essential for your puppy’s development. The right toys manage behavior, increase mental and physical enrichment, ease anxieties and soothe sore gums during teething. So, how do you know which puppy toys are perfect–and completely safe–for your new best friend? To help you find the best puppy toy for your new fur baby, we spoke to a veterinarian to narrow down what features to focus on when shopping for dog toys. Plus, we’ve rounded up top-selling, top-rated puppy toys for chewers, fetchers and cuddlers. Designed specifically for puppies at different stages and ages, these customer favorites are a great addition to your puppy’s toy box.  

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How To Prevent Fear Aggression in Dogs To prevent fearful and/or aggressive behavior from forming in the first place, pet parents should: Socialize your puppy by taking him to socialization classes when he’s eight to 16 weeks old. Closely supervise your dog’s interactions with people, children, and other dogs and animals, ensuring your pet doesn’t appear fearful or overwhelmed. Carry high-value treats to help your dog form positive associations with stimuli he initially appears uncomfortable with. Never use punitive techniques and avoid teasing or threatening behaviors that trigger an aggressive reaction (like pulling on a dog’s tail). Be gentle, kind, patient, and consistent with your dog and reinforce the appropriate behaviors you want to see your pup exhibit by offering verbal praise and rewards.,References Herron, Meghan E., Frances S. Shofer, and Ilana R. Reisner. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. “Survey of the Use and Outcome of Confrontational and Non-Confrontational Training Methods in Client-Owned Dogs Showing Undesired Behaviors.” Todd, Zazie. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. “Barriers to the Adoption of Humane Dog Training Methods.” Featured Image: iStock/DemureDragonfly,When a dog is labeled as “aggressive,” people typically think this means the dog is a bad animal. But that’s far from the case. He’s not a bad dog—he’s a dog that has not been heard, a dog that needs space, or a dog that experienced some trauma that’s changed how he responds to real or perceived threats. There are many underlying reasons why a dog can escalate to aggressive behavior such as growling, barking, lunging, baring teeth, snapping, or biting—one of which is fear. Fear is a negative emotional response to a trigger. A trigger can be a person, another dog, an object, or a situation that ignites an emotional response, and it can be either a true or perceived threat.

In the most basic terms, dehydration occurs when the body doesn’t have as much water as it needs, explains Dr. David Israel, DVM, Medical Director at Veterinary Emergency Group in Boulder, Colorado. As is the case with all mammals, your dog needs water to live. If they’re not getting enough fluids, they can become dehydrated. Dogs lose water through breathing (especially panting), urinating and defecating, Dr. Israel says. These are all normal processes, but dehydration becomes an issue when your dog’s water intake is lower than their fluid loss.,Jump to section What Is Dog Dehydration? The Signs of Dehydration in Dogs The Causes of Dehydration in Dogs Why Dehydration in Dogs Is So Dangerous What To Do if Your Dog Is Dehydrated How to Prevent Dehydration in Dogs The 4-1-1 on Dehydration in Puppies FAQs About Dehydration in Dogs