dogIDs "How-To" Dog Blog

Some dogs will naturally take treats gently from a person’s hand, while others can be quite careless! If you have a dog that snaps at your hand in a frantic attempt to get a treat, the following are some tips you can use to teach him to be more patient and gentle. These are also good tips to try if you recently adopted a puppy. It's much easier to start out by teaching good manners than it is to try correcting a problem later on.Tips to get a dog to take treats nicely Melissa Viera i …

It's devastating to think of losing your beloved fur-baby, but there will come a time when you'll wonder about the most fulfilling ways to memorialize a pet. September 13 is National Pet Memorial Day, but grief never restricts itself to a single day. My family’s dog, Katie, a black Australian kelpie and greyhound mix, passed away in April. Every time I go to my parents’ home, I feel like I can hear the jangle of her tags and wish she could sleep with me for one more night. We had so many g …

Looking for a way to include your pet in the holiday festivities? Let them add their touch to some cute decorations.There are so many adorable items you can create with your dog’s paw print. Here are a few examples you can try out. When painting a dog’s paw, make sure to use a non-toxic paint and thoroughly clean off when finished.Paw Print Holiday CraftsPaw and Handprint Tree PaintingCollaborate with your pup to create a festive, hand-made piece of art. Paint your hand and create a pyramid of h …

I’m a dog walker, so I use a variety of available tools for walking different types of dogs. One of those options is a leash and harness. The following are some reasons why you may want to consider a harness for your dog. Reasons to Use a Harness A harness is more difficult to slip out of. Some dogs are able to slip out of their collars more easily than others. For safety reasons, you may be more comfortable walking your dog on a harness so she is more secure. Yo …

My Lab mix Ace is a gross dog. He drools and sheds more than most, which means there is often crusty hair and drool stuck to his collar. He’s always dirty and loves to dive head first into any source of open mud or water. Of course, I love my dog anyway, and one of our favorite things to do together is go to the beach so he can retrieve a tennis ball from the lake or ocean. Over the years, we have ruined several nylon collars due to this habit. They just never seem to get clean again afte …

As a pet parent, you might wonder if a collar or a harness is a better choice for your everyday use with your dog. You may hear opinions on both, but there are no definite answers as to which pet product is best. It depends on the kind of activities you will be doing with your dog as well as other factors.Here are three questions you should ask when picking between a collar or harness. What are my dog’s needs?What are my dog’s attitudes and behaviors?Which product will benefit my dog the most?W …

So, you’ve adopted a puppy or new dog. Now, the big question...How to choose a veterinarian that aligns with you and your pet's needs? You can assume all veterinarians are experts on canine and feline health, but that doesn’t always mean they are good with all types of dogs and cats. It also doesn't guarantee they have good communication skills around  people. I thought I’d share a few ideas to think about when choosing a vet, because you want to find someone who makes both …

Some dog owners shy away from leather dog collars because they believe they’re finicky. However, that’s not the case when you understand how to maintain a leather dog collar. Discover a few mistakes to avoid when caring for leather dog collars. Applying Direct Heat To Dry the Leather CollarIf you forget to take the leather collar off your dog before a dip in the pool, lake, or river, don’t panic—it won’t harm the collar. Although, you shouldn’t place it on a heater, vent, or in direct sunlight t …

If your dog is traveling with you this holiday season, here’s a few tips and pointers [thanks, U.S. Humane Society! to keep in mind before venturing out. Traveling with Your PetTravel Method ---> CAR Don’t… let your dog stick its head out the window. He could jump out unexpectedly, could get hit with debris, or could get sick from an influx of frigid air. Don’t… let a pet loose in a moving vehicle. It’s not safe for the pet, the driver, or other passengers in the car. Don’t… put …

Around 8 million animals end up in shelters every year. Of those 8 million animals only 15-20% of dogs get returned to their owner and less than 2% of cats. This number is why dogIDs believes all dogs should have information attached to them at all times. We encourage all animal parents to get their fur babies microchipped and to make them wear an ID tag! In this blog, we’ll discuss a couple common questions about microchipping and discuss the importance of what to do when you find an animal who …