Education For Your K9
Explore tips, tricks, and expert advice to keep your K9 happy, healthy, and thriving. From nutrition to training, our blog is packed with insights for every dog parent.
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Which Dog Breeds Are Easy to Train? Tales from the ...
The first time I met Max, the golden retriever from two streets over, he came running u...
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Best Natural Dog Treats: What’s Actually in That Bi...
I used to think “natural” meant something like “this treat won’t survive a nuclear blas...
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Prong Collars for Dogs: Why I Ditched the Spikes fo...
I’ll be honest—when we first adopted my lab mix Bruno, walks felt more like a tug-of-wa...
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Raw Bones for Dogs: Why I Don’t Fear the Crunch
If you’ve ever handed your dog a bone and instantly panicked, wondering, “Wait, is this...
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How to Teach a Dog to Swim: A Splashy Day in Our Ne...
A while back, I discovered my lab mix Bruno is part otter. One minute, we were taking a...
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Teething Puppy: Her Couch Will Never Be the Same
If you’ve ever come home to find your throw pillow shredded like mozzarella or the corn...
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Basic Dog Training: The Morning Bruno Sat on My Foo...
Let’s get one thing out of the way—basic dog training isn’t about turning your pup into...
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Why Do Dogs Eat Their Vomit: The Moment Bruno Made ...
Let me set the scene: it’s a sunny afternoon. I’m planting basil by the back fence, Pix...
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How to Teach a Dog to Drop It: My Labrador's Sock O...
I never thought I'd be that lady yelling "drop it!" at a dog who was proudly prancing a...
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Real Bones for Dogs: How My Pups Became Official Ta...
If you ever needed proof that real bones are a dog's version of winning the lottery, ju...
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How to Train a Dog to Stay: The Day Bruno Outsmarte...
If you've ever tried to teach a dog to stay while holding a piece of steak (or, in my c...
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Xylitol and Dogs: A Sugar-free Snack Sent Them to D...
I was talking with a friend from high school the other day. And as we were catching up,...
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How to Teach a Dog to Roll Over The Trick That Took...
I knew I was in trouble when I heard a loud thunk, followed by the unmistakable sound o...
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Can Dogs Eat Ice + A Summer Story from My Back Porch
As warmer days approach, I'm thinking about past summers I've spent with my dogs: trail...
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How to Teach a Dog to Shake: The One Trick that Mak...
The first time I taught Bruno to shake, I’ll be honest—I wasn’t expecting much. He’s a ...
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Why Do Dogs Eat Cat Poop: Those Litter Box Antics E...
Ever wonder why do dogs eat cat poop? Surely the thousands of dogs waiting patiently fo...
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Marker Training for Dogs: The Secret Weapon in My P...
Want to know how to train a dog fast? Eliminate the ambiguity. And streamline communica...
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Why Do Dogs Like Squeaky Toys: The Day One Squeak W...
Why do dogs like squeaky toys? My terrier, Pixie, may have the answer. It was 5:08 a.m....
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How to Teach a Dog to Fetch: When Bruno Refused to ...
Pixie loves to fetch. Bruno? He thinks fetch means “I bring it halfway and then we wres...
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Dog Not Eating: The Day Pixie Turned Down Steak (Ye...
So the other day...my dog refused to eat—steak. Not old, overcooked steak I was ready t...
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Dog Training: The Real Reason Bruno Stopped Chasing...
My neighbor Greg got a new dog. His name is Moose. He’s not a moose. But you wouldn’t k...
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Puppy Crying: What That Tiny Wail Really Means
It started at 3:07 a.m. The kind of high-pitched whimper that slices straight through s...
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How to Teach a Dog to Lay Down (This Calms a Dog Do...
Saturday morning in our neighborhood usually starts with the chorus of barking dogs, le...
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Why Do Dogs Eat Dirt: The Secret Behind Their Soil ...
Wondering why dogs eat dirt? So, did I. Last week, I caught Bruno with his face halfway...
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How to Put on a Dog Harness
Learning how to put on a dog harness may have saved my relationship with my dogs. It st...
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New Puppy Checklist: 9 Puppy Essentials Before You ...
Puppies seem all cuteness and cuddles at first. But as my neighbor recently found out, ...
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Dog Crate Sizes: Can a Crate Be Too Roomy?
Dog crate sizes can be tricky. The other day, I walked into the living room to find Pix...
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Dog Upset Stomach: Why Bruno's Grass Addiction Has ...
Even if Bruno never says a word, sometimes a dog upset stomach is hard to miss. Sunday ...
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Scent Training for Dogs: Pixie Thinks She’s the Nex...
The neighborhood park was buzzing with excitement last Saturday. One of our local dog t...
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Can Dogs Eat Cat Food? And Why Bruno Is Convinced H...
Last weekend, I was helping Mrs. Jenkins mulch her backyard rose garden. She’s got the ...
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Dog Agility Training: How to Build Dog Obstacle Course
Last Saturday, our local dog shelter set up a full-on dog agility training course on th...
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How Often Should I Feed My Dog: Why Pixie Thinks It...
It was one of those crisp, breezy mornings in the neighborhood park—the kind where you ...
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Nose Work Dog Training (Or Why My Backyard Now Smel...
Pixie has a nose that could rival a bloodhound’s. She’s not one, of course—just a scrap...
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Should You Let Your Dog Sleep With You: Has My Bed ...
There’s nothing like cozying up under the blankets on a chilly night. But in my house, ...
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Running With Your Dog (And Why Dogs Make the Best R...
I used to run solo. Just me, the sound of my sneakers hitting the pavement—and the occa...
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Why Do Dogs Eat Rocks...And Why Bruno Had Me Freaki...
Dogs will eat just about anything. But dogs eating rocks? That’s a new one. The first t...
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Impulse Control Training for Dogs: My Terrier Doesn...
Last Saturday, my neighbor Kelly brought over a plate of mini bagels with cream cheese ...
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Dog Gut Health: A Tale of Eternal Stench
Sometimes signs of digestive problems in dogs are easy to spot. So, let’s talk about Br...
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Loose Leash Walking: Replacing Sled Dog Drag with C...
If you've ever been yanked down the sidewalk by an overexcited dog chasing after a squi...
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Dog Joint Health: Is Bruno's Slow Stretch a Sign of...
One morning, I noticed Bruno didn’t want to get off the couch. At first, I thought he w...
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Dog Training Hand Signals: Learn to Speak Dog with ...
Dog training hand signals reinforce commands and make training faster and easier. They ...
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How Often Should You Groom Your Dog: No More Bath-T...
I hear a lot of debate on the topic: how often should you groom your dog? While some be...
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How to Train a Dog Without Treats: The Power of Var...
Learning how to train a dog without treats is as important a dog parent skill and knowi...
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How to Clean a Dog’s Ears: A Battle of Wits, Wax & ...
Cleaning dog ears isn't at the top of my favorite things list. But I understand its imp...
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How to Stop a Dog from Chewing on a Leash (Without ...
Learning how to stop a dog from chewing on the leash is dog training 101. If we can't g...
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Dog Sleeping Positions: What's Your Dog’s Snooze Style
Humans are curious. Sometimes, we find meaning in the most random behaviors. But when i...
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Dog Vet Visit: How to Reduce Vet Anxiety in Dogs
Dog scared at vet? Mine too. My lab mix Bruno loves car rides. He practically flies int...
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Dog Teeth Cleaning: Why I Don't Brush Their Teeth
Have you ever settled into relaxation mode after a long day when suddenly, your favorit...
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Dog Training Rewards: What Works Best (and What to ...
Using the best dog training rewards is almost as important as choosing your dog trainin...
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Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? Don't Tell Pixie I Told You A...
Why do dogs eat poop? Is it ever "normal" or a sign of something bad? Don't tell Pixie ...
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Why Do Dogs Follow You Around? Shadow on Four Legs
Ever wonder: why is my dog so clingy? While I'm close with my dogs, this behavior once ...
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Dog Bad Breath: This Stinks! And How to Fix It
Dog bad breath can catch you off-guard and ruin the perfect bonding moment. Several yea...
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Positive Reinforcement Training: Why Reward Beats P...
Like most people who've always had dogs, I regret some of the ways I've approached dog ...
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Protein for Dogs: The Secret Ingredient Society For...
To find the best protein for dogs, it's important to look at the diets of my dogs' ance...
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How to Train a Dog to Sit: It Doesn't Get Much Easi...
The other day, I was at the lake with my dogs running off-leash when an over-excited go...
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Why Do Dogs Eat Grass? The Truth Behind Their Green...
"Is it bad for dogs to eat grass?," is the first thing I thought when I saw my loveable...
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Obedience Dog Training: Good Dogs Aren’t Born, They...
A "good dog" is a well-behaved dog, a socialized dog who understands how to interact wi...
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Dangerous Foods for Dogs: What’s Safe, What’s Toxic...
Chocolate is a big no-no when it comes to dangerous foods for dogs. But many other toxi...
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Reactive Dog Training: Turning Chaos Into Calm, One...
I have seen reactive dog training go wrong more than once—tugging, berating, shouting, ...
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Dog Keeps Sneezing: It's Not What You Think
Why is my dog sneezing so much? I asked myself the same question the other night. I was...
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How to Get a Puppy to Stop Biting: From Teething Te...
Look! Puppy teeth are sharp. You don't have to explain to me why you screamed like a to...
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Best Dog Breeds for Apartments: The Perfect Pup for...
I’ll admit it—I’ve always had a thing for big dogs. There’s just something about a mass...
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Crate Training a Puppy: The Tale of Tiny and the Co...
Crate training a puppy is easier than you think. And if you present the crate experienc...
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How Big Will My Puppy Get? The Mystery of Murphy
How big will my puppy get? Every new dog parent wants to know. And I've got the answer ...
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How to Potty Train an Older Dog: No More Indoor Oop...
It's hard enough to learn how to train a dog to pee outside when they're a puppy. It's ...
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Dog Ear Infections: Time for an Uncomfortable Conve...
Dog Ear Infections can sneak up on even the most attentive pup parent. And the signs of...
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Clicker Training for Dogs: Could It Be Better than ...
I haven't always been a fan of clicker training for dogs. In fact, it confused me. Why ...
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Dog Kidney Disease: Biscuit's Journey to Better Dog...
When dogs start to show early signs of kidney disease, immediate action can drastically...
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Puppy Socialization: Raising a Confident, Happy Pup...
Just like a human child learns not to run into the street or how to interact with new p...
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Dog Dental Care: How Wolves Keep Their Teeth Clean
Just like humans, dog dental care is vital for oral and overall dog health. Without a c...
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How to Train a Dog Not to Bite: The Tricks, Treats,...
Learning how to train a dog not to bite at an early age can save you a lot of trouble a...
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Dog Diabetes: What Every Pup Parent Needs to Know
In our cozy corner of the world, it's easy to think we're immune to some of life's hard...
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Dog Collar Vs Harness: The Right Choice for Your Ca...
The best training tools can make all the difference. Choosing between a dog collar vs h...
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Why Do Dogs Like Chewing on Bones? Mystery Solved
If you've ever wondered why do dogs like chewing bones, you're certainly not alone. I g...
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Dog Training Collars: A Guide for Responsible Pet P...
Last weekend, during our neighborhood dog meet-up, the topic of dog training collars sp...
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Foods Dogs Can Eat: Healthy Human Foods to Feed You...
The human foods dogs can eat may surprise you as much as those that should stay off-lim...
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How to Train a Dog to Walk on a Leash
Knowing how to train a dog on a leash isn't as simple as attach and go. Resistance is a...
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How to Trim Your Dogs Nails: A Guide to Happy, Heal...
Learning how to trim your dog's nails is one of those things in life that seems so easy...
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Must-Have Dog Training Supplies for Success
Some dog training supplies are worth their weight in gold—or at least as valuable as a ...
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Understanding Canine Communication: Dog Body Langua...
There's more to dog body communication than most people realize. From dog body language...
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Positive Reward Training for Dogs: Building Trust w...
Positive reward training for dogs is a pup parents' secret sauce for training a well-be...
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10 Canine Nutrition Myths Debunked: Some Still Beli...
Over the years, I've talked to a lot of dog parents in my dog-loving community. From sh...
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How to Teach a Dog to Come: Recall Training = Freed...
Learning how to teach a dog to come is a critical skill for any dog parent who cares ab...
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The Role of Exercise in Dog Mental Health
Just like humans, a pup with declining dog mental health will struggle to manage stress...
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What Are the Best Dog Treats for Training?
The best dog treats for training may not come in bright-colored packages with big brand...
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How to Spot Nutritional Deficiencies in Dogs: 8 Sig...
Sometimes, the signs of nutritional deficiencies in dogs stare you in the face, but we ...
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How to Stop Your Dog from Barking at Strangers
With 3 dogs in my home, you might think it gets reasonably chaotic—with a symphony of d...
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Fiber for Dogs: How to Safely Use Dog Treats for Di...
Dogs eat meat in nature, right? Do dogs need fiber? I hear this a lot when it comes to ...
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How to Potty Train a Dog: Patience, Persistence, an...
Some life skills are indispensable, like how to potty train a dog. Like me, you've been...
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How to Manage Dog Shedding: Tools and Tips for Heal...
With warmer weather still several months away, it may seem too early to think about how...
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How to Address Aggressive Behavior in Dogs: Sudden ...
Some dogs struggle with aggression. They stay on high alert, growl, and even attack. As...
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Recognizing and Treating Common Dog Skin Issues
Dog skin issues can arise out of nowhere. And it's not always easy to pinpoint a culpri...
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How to House Train a Puppy
Aw, potty training dogs—my favorite pastime. Not so much! But it's important. House tra...
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The Benefits of Mental Stimulation for Dogs
Mental stimulation for dogs isn't just a wellness trend. Dogs are very feeling creature...
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Choosing the Right Dog Training Equipment: The Long...
The right dog training gear can be the difference between weeks of frustration and trai...
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The Importance of Regular Exercise for Dogs: No Bon...
The benefits of exercise for dogs are often overlooked. It's easy to focus on things hu...
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Effective Dog Obedience Training Techniques
Training your dog isn’t just about teaching them to sit or stay. It’s about building a ...
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Understanding and Managing Dog Anxiety
Dog anxiety should never be ignored. Staying in a heightened state of alert can damage ...
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How to Crate Train an Adult Dog: A Step-by-Step Guide
Adult dog training can be distinctly different from puppy crate training. While almost ...
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The Connection Between Dog Stress and Digestive Hea...
Dog stress and digestive health are inextricably linked. When a dog feels stressed, it ...
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How to Train a Dog Not to Jump on People: The Ups a...
From an early age, jumping up on people becomes a way for a dog to say, "I'm so happy t...
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Dental Care for Dogs: Why Chewing Is Key
As the saying goes, "use or lose it". This is undoubtedly true with dental care for dog...
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How to Socialize a Dog: Key Tips for Success
Actively socializing a dog has a big impact on how they experience the world, behave, a...
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Managing Seasonal Allergies in Dogs: An Unexpected ...
The first day of spring in my neighborhood is a sight to behold. Blossoms burst into co...
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How to Train a Stubborn Dog: Breaking Through Resis...
Sometimes, I make training a dog sound easy. But the truth is there are difficult to tr...
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The Benefits of Digestive Enzymes for Dogs...with F...
There's been a lot of talk about gut health in the health-conscious community. From pro...
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Off Leash Training Tips for Dogs: Freedom with Control
When I think about the freedom off-leash adventures bring to me and my pack, it feels l...
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How to Keep Your Dog Hydrated: Tips for Busy Dog Pa...
Signs of dehydration in dogs can be easy to miss as water intake in dogs can vary widel...
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How to Train a Hyper Dog: Tips for Better Behavior
High energy dogs are a ton of fun for Instagram shoots and parties. But training them c...
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Understanding Canine Obesity: Tips for a Healthy We...
In the US, an estimated 59% of dogs have canine obesity, and it's even worse for cats, ...
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How to Stop Puppy Biting: Gentle Yet Effective Methods
When you first get a puppy, it seems like all fun and games—so much energy, love, and c...
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How to Spot Early Signs of Arthritis in Dogs: Resto...
The early signs of arthritis in dogs are easy to see. But they're just as simple to ign...
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Training a Rescue Dog: Patience, Love, and Treats
As my kids were finishing up high school, I found I had more time on my hands and was c...
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Omega 3 for Dogs: What You Need to Know
Like me you've heard about the importance of omega 3 for your own health. But dog biolo...
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Top 12 Dog Training Tools Every Owner Should Have
Tools for dog training can get complicated fast. But you only really need some reliable...
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Introducing New Dogs to Your Pack: Tips to a Smooth...
Introducing dogs to each other is an "experience," to put it lightly. I have a healthy ...
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Leash Training a Puppy: Little Cooper Gets Ready fo...
While leash training a puppy may seem like "herding cats", know that puppies are eager ...
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Understanding Dog Behavior: Why Do Dogs Bark?
You're certainly not alone in wondering why dogs bark. Of all the behaviors dogs develo...
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High Value Dog Training Treats: From Mayhem to Focus
High value dog training treats aren't just important. They can make the difference betw...
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How to Help a Dog with Separation Anxiety: Trust, T...
Dog separation anxiety is serious business. Yet often, the dog's mental health is out o...
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Crate Training for Puppies: The Day I Met a Houdini...
Crate training for puppies isn't for the faint of heart. But it's 100% worth it to see ...
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Can Dogs Have Too Much Protein? From Just Enough to...
Can dogs have too much protein? I'm certain most dog parents have asked this question a...
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Positive Reinforcement Dog Training: Why Dogs Learn...
Positive reinforcement dog training isn't just important. It's the best way to have a w...
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Dog Chews for Dental Health: Finding the Best Natur...
Dog dental health is important for so many reasons, including overall dog health. And w...
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Essential Dog Training Commands Every Dog Owner Sho...
While walking through my neighborhood the other day, I noticed my neighbor, Mrs. Thomps...
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Can Overfeeding a Dog Cause Diarrhea? Learning from...
Short, answer. Yes, overfeeding a dog can cause diarrhea. When a dog consumes more food...
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What Are the Best Treats for Training Puppies? Trai...
The other morning, I visited my friend Susan, who recently welcomed an adorable Labrado...
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How to Relieve Stress in Dogs - Does Chewing Do It?
The other night, as a particularly active fall thunderstorm rolled over our neighborhoo...
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Best Training Treats for Dogs: My Secret to Well-Be...
The other day, I joined a group of dog parents from the neighborhood for an impromptu m...
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Joint Health for Senior Dogs: A Trip to the Lake
The other weekend, I took my dogs to our favorite lakeside park for a swim. It's a bit ...
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The Best Chews for Training Aggressive Chewers
Last Saturday, I was in the middle of a big dog training session at our local training ...
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Gut Health for Dogs: The Tale of a Temperamental Tummy
The other day, I was catching up with an old friend from high school. She mentioned her...
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Long Lasting Bones for Dogs: Size, Density, Shape a...
Last Saturday, I hosted a cozy backyard brunch for a few of my close neighbors. And by ...
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Training Treats for Dogs: Love + Treat = Happy Tail...
I love to take my dogs hiking. We have sights to see and trails to conquer. We honestly...
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Is Bone Marrow Good for Dogs? Way Too Much of a Goo...
The other day, I made beef bone broth while my 3 dogs watched intently. Over the hours-...
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Good Training Treats for Dogs: The Rabbit Distracti...
My terrier Pixie is so distractible by nature. She's high energy and always looking for...
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Rawhide for Dogs - Why K9 Connoisseur Doesn't Use It
When it's chew time around our house, we opt for healthy single-ingredient dog bones an...
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Dog Training Treats: Pixie’s Backyard Bootcamp
The other afternoon, I was in the backyard with Pixie, my spirited terrier. It was trai...
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Is Chewing a Bone Mental Stimulation for Dogs
Last Saturday, I attended our monthly "Coffee and Paws" day at the local dog-friendly c...
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Joint Health for Dogs
The other evening, I was leading a neighborhood doggy yoga class at our community park....
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Beef Lung Treats for Dogs: A Grocery Delivery Mishap
Last week, I got an unexpected alert about my doorbell camera around 3 PM and walked ou...
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Dog Chew Bones: My Online Scavenger Hunt Adventure
The other day, the neighborhood kids were buzzing with excitement about organizing a sc...
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Is Glucosamine Good for Dogs: Vital Supplement or S...
The other day, I was at the local sports nutrition store, shopping for a new protein po...
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Healthy Dog Chews: Chew, Chomp, and Thrive
Last weekend, one of my neighbors I see regularly at the dog park hosted a "Chew & ...
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Glucosamine for Dogs: What Is It & Why It Works
What is comfort worth? Being able to move around without being in pain? Not feeling lik...
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all-natural dog bones stuffed dog bones5 Stuffed Dog Bones Your Pup is Sure to Love (The B...
Stuffed dog bones are an excellent treat! In this article, we'll share what stuffed bon...
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Big Dog Chews: How Bruno Became a Neighborhood Sens...
I took the most innocent picture last week. And what happened completely caught me off ...
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Why Do Dogs Chew Bones? Bad Habit or Self Care Routine
So, last weekend, my partner spent a whole Saturday playing video games after working s...
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Are Filled Bones Safe for Dogs? A Chew Worth Talkin...
Last night, I walked my 3 dogs through the neighborhood and noticed all of the improvem...
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Dog Stocking Stuffer Ideas: Top 5 Healthy Treats fo...
The holiday season is upon us. As I prepare to deck the halls, I'm also thinking about ...
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