dogIDs "How-To" Dog Blog

Many of us live with both dogs and cats and they all get along fine. I have a Lab mix and two cats, and the cats definitely rule the house. Still, whenever a new dog visits I always make sure to consider the safety of my cats during introductions. Even though my cats are used to dogs, I never know exactly how the visiting dog will react and it's just better to use precaution.If you already have a cat and you plan on adding a dog to your home this year, the following are some tips to set everyone …

Halloween: a time of costumes, kids and lots of candy. Opportunities abound for spooky sweets to find their way out of kids’ hands and bags and over to family pets. So, are any types of candy actually OK for your dog or cat? Any they need to avoid? We’ve all heard the dangers of chocolate, but what about the other types of treats out there? Veterinarian Cathy Alinovi of Hoofstock Veterinary Services in Indiana and pet food cookbook author, and Jena Questen, a holistic veterinarian, weigh in …

If you’re expecting a baby, you might be wondering how the heck your dog will react to the new family member. You’re probably also thinking about what you can do ahead for planning that introduction.The following are some tips and tricks from parents who've been there.How to introduce your dog to your newborn baby1. Change up the routine before the baby arrives.Obviously, once the baby arrives your schedule might get a little … hectic.Jeris Pugh is a father and the owner of The Martial ARFS, a t …

Walking your dog is not only a form of exercise; it is also an opportunity for him to explore the world around him and learn some good behaviors. And, of course, there’s the chance to pee and poop. However, having the same dog walking basics everyday is dull and boring. While your dog may be always excited for the walk, some people may grow less and less optimistic each day that they would wish someone could just walk their dog instead. It does not have to be that way all the time. These simp …

April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month. If you don’t have a first-aid kit for your dog at home, now is the perfect time to put one together. You can either buy a first-aid kit for dogs or put one together yourself. I reached out to a couple of professionals for advice on the best items to include in a first-aid kit specifically for dogs. Here’s what they had to say. Items to include in your dog’s first-aid kit For the most part, you can just use a first-aid kit designe …

Leaving your dog while you travel can be difficult *cue In the Arms of an Angel by Sarah McLachlan* but with proper planning to accommodate your dog’s needs, you can both have a fun getaway... but just what do you do with your dog when you travel?The best thing about traveling is getting to come home to our dogs. The first time they see you after a weekend, week-long, or even month-long trip is the best feeling in the world. You missed your pup, and they missed you. You’re finally reunited! So y …

Healthy fur makes for a happy dog. But when your dog grows a thick coat in the winter, keeping it groomed and tangle-free isn’t always easy. That’s why spring is an important time to give your dog a good grooming.Follow these three grooming tips to prepare your dog for spring:1. Brush your dog regularly. Whether your dog is short-haired or long-haired, repeated brushing removes loose hair from their winter coat and keeps it healthy and shiny. Choose brushes or combs that are gentle on your …

Oct. 1 to 7 is National Walk Your Dog Week, so this week is a great opportunity to encourage other dog lovers to get out and walk more with their dogs. For this post, I thought I’d focus on puppies and when to start teaching them appropriate leash manners. If you've recently adopted a puppy, you're probably already teaching her the basics such as “sit.” But at what point should you start teaching your puppy to walk nicely on a leash? I reached out to a professional dog trainer and as …

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 …