Dogs

Tips for Dealing With Resource Guarding in Dogs Don’t give your dog any high-value items unless he’s allowed to enjoy and finish them in peace. If your dog displays guarding behavior with a location (for example, the couch), don’t allow the dog access to that area. If a dog is resource guarding a favorite human (like you), immediately walk away from him as soon as he displays any subtle guarding behavior (such as staring) toward another person or dog. Don’t wait until the dog growls, barks, or lunges. Teach your dog early and often to trade items, and always use a higher-value item to trade. Teach cues such as “drop it” or “leave it.” In most cases, resource guarding can be easily managed and is only a problem when people try to confront the dog. But if a dog is showing any signs of aggression—and especially if he leaves the food or other item to proactively go after a person or another dog in the home—the underlying cause could be a medical condition, such as a gastrointestinal problem or anxiety, and will need to be addressed by a veterinarian or a board-certified veterinary behavior specialist.,When I brought Bo, a 9-month-old Australian Cattle Dog, home from the shelter, I placed his food bowl down and immediately knew I had a potential behavior problem to address. When I approached Bo while he was eating, he suddenly stopped eating, stiffened, hovered over the bowl, and I heard a deep growl. I realized I had just adopted a dog with signs of resource guarding.  What Is Resource Guarding in Dogs? Protecting a food source is within normal canine behavior. In a natural environment without humans, dogs are scavengers living in larger groups around food sources. Food protection behavior has evolved to keep other dogs away from a meal, and in most cases these behaviors are ritualistic. While a pup wants to keep his food away from fellow scavengers (including you or another animal in the house), his resource-guarding behaviors serve mainly as a threat display rather than actual aggression.  Even after thousands of years of domestication, these ritualistic behaviors continue to be displayed by some dogs. Our domesticated dogs can guard anything they consider a highly valued or scarce resource, such as food, toys, their dog bed or crate, or even a favorite human.

The ideal age for puppies to start using stairs is 12–16 weeks of age. You might have noticed young puppies aren’t exactly coordinated or nimble before they reach this point. This is partly due to their inexperience with the world and things like gravity, but also because their joint strength isn’t very good yet, notes professional dog trainer Erin Askeland, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, Camp Bow Wow‘s animal health and behavior expert based in Atlanta. Puppies’ inherent incoordination causes them to be a little more on the clumsy side, which isn’t ideal when climbing stairs. Another issue they may have before reaching this age is their size. As cute as they are, this petite puppy package makes using the stairs nearly impossible. Think about the scale of a single stair in comparison to their body, then imagine having to make that climb yourself. Whew! While 12–16 weeks is a good benchmark, Askeland says there’s some nuance here. “When puppies can use the stairs is dependent on the size and health of the puppy, as some dogs this age are still not big enough to safely navigate the stairs, or if a puppy has a medical condition that may be impacted by stair use,” she says. When in doubt, ask your veterinarian for advice.,Jump to section At What Age Can Puppies Use Stairs? Are Stairs Bad for Puppies? How to Puppy Proof Stairs How To Teach Your Puppy To Take the Stairs Are Stairs Bad for Adult Dogs? Should Some Dog Breeds Not Climb Stairs? Best Staircase Gates for Dogs FAQs About Puppies on Stairs

Green beef tripe is called ‘green’ not because of the color—it’s usually brown—but because it is not processed and still contains contents of the grazing animal’s stomach. Be careful not to buy white beef tripe, which has been bleached, stripping away many valuable nutrients for your pet’s health.,Green Tripe Can Benefit Your Pet’s Health

It’s likely you’ve heard the old adage, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” but is there actually any truth behind the saying? Learn how to train your dog with these expert dog training tips! “It really depends on the dog, what you’re trying to teach them, and how much time and patience the owner has,” says Annie Angell, CPDT-KA and co-owner of My Two Dogs, Inc. “Dogs are a bit like people—if there is motivation to do something, they will do it, as long as there is something in it for them.” If you’ve adopted an older dog and you’re interested in learning how to train your dog—at least for some of the basics—Angell suggests that you start by being reasonable with what you want to teach. “If I thought a trick would be physically uncomfortable for a dog, then I wouldn’t teach it,” she said. “For example, if you want to teach a 12-year-old overweight Lab mix how to jump through a hoop, my advice would be to skip that and teach him instead how to step inside the hoop and sit, if the dog has no problem with his hips.” If you’re reasonable with your dog training expectations, Angell says it’s relatively easy to teach an older dog a new trick like find, give paw, touch and pick it (where your dog picks which hand the treat is in). “Just because they are older doesn’t mean they don’t want to have fun or learn something new; it just may take a little more practice,” Angell said. As with a pooch of any age, picking the right motivation is key in the initial steps of learning how to train your dog. Dog treats like Merrick Power Bites Real Texas Beef Recipe Grain-Free Soft & Chewy Dog Treats and Wellness CORE Tiny Trainers are great options. Other dog training products like Four Paws Cotton Web Training Dog Lead might also help. Once you’ve discovered a treat to help with your dog training, basic commands can all be learned pretty easily, but it’s the behavioral modifications that many find a bit trickier with older dogs—things like bark control, separation anxiety and dealing with other pets in the house. While all three of those behavioral issues would likely require larger help from a trainer—and can get worse over time—Angell does offer some suggestions to get started. For barking: Wait for your dog to bark, and then during a quiet pause between barking, say “quiet,” tell your dog “good boy” and reward the quiet. “I usually tell people to allow the dog about two barks before you say quiet,” Angell added. For separation anxiety: From the moment you bring your new dog home, you should have a plan in place for the dog to be alone. “I always suggest adopting a new dog when you can take some time off from work and start leaving the dog home alone for small amounts of time,” says Angell. For other pets: To start, never leave new pets home alone, cautions Angell. “You need to make sure that everyone is safe, no matter what species,” she said. One thing you can work on is teaching the new dog how to come when called. “This way, when your dog starts showing interest in the other pet, you can call your dog’s name and then reward her for coming to you instead,” said Angell. “You can also teach a ‘leave it’ command.” Dog training at any age doesn’t need to be stressful. Just follow the above dog training tips, stay patient and take your time. Before you know it, your older pet will be behaving just as well as any younger dog.

If you’ve noticed a little dribble or wet patch on your senior dog’s bedding, you might wonder if they had a tiny accident in the house.   These can be signs of senior dog incontinence, a condition where an older dog loses control of their bladder, leading to unintentional leaks. While it can occur in dogs of any age, it’s especially common in seniors.  Here’s what to know about it and how you can support your pup through this stage of life. 

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As mentioned, you’ll want to use different brushing methods for different coat types. Using the wrong brush could damage your dog’s fur, and improper technique could cause mats or skin irritation. To find the best brush for your dog, take a look at the different coat types below and the suggestions for brushing those types of dogs. Pro Tip: No matter your dog’s coat type, always brush your dog’s fur in the direction that it grows.,Jump to section Best Dog Brushes and Brushing Methods for Your Dog’s Coat Type Brushing Dogs With Short, Smooth Coats Brushing Dogs With Short or Medium Double Coats Brushing Dogs With Long Double Coats Brushing Dogs With Curly or Wavy Coats Brushing Dogs With Straight Coats Brushing Dogs With Wire Coats When Should I Brush My Dog? Why Is Brushing a Dog Important? How To Keep Dogs Calm During Brushing

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4. French Bulldog Photo by Adobe Stock/Great Brut Here Frenchies don’t do well with hot weather because of their short muzzle, which makes it harder for them to regulate their body temperature. But this flat-faced dog breed can’t tolerate cold weather very well, either. That’s because French Bulldogs have a short, thin coat that doesn’t provide much insulation when the temperature drops. A dog sweater or jacket can provide some protection, but it’s best to avoid prolonged outdoor activities with a Frenchie in extreme weather, whether hot or cold.,5. Greyhound Photo by Adobe Stock/Tatyana Kalmatsuy Capable of blazing fast speeds, the Greyhound has a lean physique with very little body fat and a very thin coat that allows for rapid heat dissipation. While these features make these dogs track stars, they’re less suited for cold weather conditions. Keep outdoor exposure brief when temperatures are below freezing, and don’t be surprised if your Greyhound needs a layer of clothing to stay warm.,When chilly temperatures set in, don’t overlook the importance of keeping your dog safe and comfortable. Even with a furry coat, dogs still need help keeping warm in winter. Of course, some dog breeds are better suited to cold weather, like those with a double coat that provides insulation against the elements. However, other dog breeds can’t tolerate the cold because of their coat type, size, body structure, or other characteristics. Here are the dog breeds that are most vulnerable to cold weather conditions.

Most responsible pet parents understand the importance of choosing the right dog food for their pooch. But have you ever really considered what you put the dog food and water in? Your immediate thought may be that it’s not a big deal, but Dr. Tyson Grover, a veterinarian at Friendly Vet in Lisle, Illinois, shares that there are actually several factors to consider when shopping for the best dog bowls and feeders, and not every bowl is a good choice for every dog. We’ve rounded up a variety of dog bowls, feeders and water fountains to help you find the right one for your pet.