How to Keep Your Working Dog Happy and Healthy
If you’re the proud pet parent of an agility dog, a working farm dog, a search and rescue hero, a running companion, or just an extremely active furball of kinetic energy, then you’ll know that with great athletic ability comes increased responsibility. Active dog health support hits different. It requires more than just kibble and cuddles. Here’s how to ensure you are giving your working dog everything it needs to thrive. Author of The Canine Commandments W.R. Pursche once wrote: “Everyone thinks they have the best...
From Ocean to Bowl: The Journey of Wild Alaska Pollock in Dog Food Production
Have you ever wondered about the origin of the ingredients that go into your dog’s food? One ingredient that often takes center stage in premium dog food products is wild Alaska Pollock. This versatile fish can play a key role in providing the protein and omega-3 fatty acids that support your furry friend’s health. How that Alaska Pollock is sourced, processed, and formulated, however, is key to: Quality; its actual value in your dog’s diet; and the sustainability of both our environment and the future of the fishery itself...
The Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Resource Drive has begun!
Need tips and tricks for starting a Trap-neuter-return (TNR) program in your community? Or maybe you’ve already done it successfully and are willing to share your resources with others across the country? Whether you’re in need of resources or have some to share, that’s what the monthly resource drives on Maddie’s® Pet Forum are all about! October’s resource drive is all things TNR. Members are looking for information on (but not limited to): How different organizations manage TNR data — the...
The Best Training Treats for Your Dog
Treats play a huge role in dog training, but too many of the wrong kind can lead to weight gain and other issues. Let’s look at some healthy, tasty treat training options that your dog will be happy to work for! When training a dog, it’s vital to use positive reinforcement methods. In a nutshell, when she does something right, you add something desirable or pleasant. This most often involves giving her treats. The problem is, most commercial treats are high in carbs and calories, and made with synthetic flavors, colors and...
Maddie’s Insights: Examining the relationship between BIPOC communities and their pets
Join Catherine Kisavi-Atatah Ph.D. on October 12, 2023 at 12:00PM PT/3:00PM ET for Examining the Relationship between BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, And People of Color) Communities and Their Companion Animals. In the latest Maddie’s® Insights installment, Dr. Kisavi-Atatah will share the findings of her study of the same name. This study explored the relationship between BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities with their companion animals, using Attachment Theory as a lens of analysis. Findings suggest that...
Data Visualization Demystified: Heat Mapping 101 for Animal Shelters
[embedded content] Unlock the potential of the shelter data you already collect with heat mapping. Heat maps are visual representations of data that can provide insights into your community’s pet ownership and needs—and it’s not as difficult to get started as you may think! Join HASS team members Angela Gates, Data and Digital Tools Coordinator, and Gareth Meredith, Data Engineer and Analyst, to learn the fundamentals of heat mapping, including a demo. These data-savvy presenters cover everything from free and easy ways to...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Volunteer recruitment, 2022 Avanzino Leadership Award and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. Attract more volunteers with help from Maddie’s® Pet ForumCaring for and improving the lives of our pets often goes hand in hand with the challenge of finding and retaining volunteers. From volunteer shortages post-COVID-19 to the struggle of standing out in your community, the Maddie’s® Pet Forum Attracting Volunteers thread can help you. Earlier this year, Jim Wieszczyk from A Second Chance Animal Shelter sought… Learn...
Does Your Dog Really Have Separation Anxiety?
Understanding the differences between separation anxiety and separation-related behaviors will help with the diagnosis and treatment of an affected dog. The term “separation anxiety” is more widely known now than ever before. During the pandemic, lockdowns and work-from-home mandates hugely increased the number of dogs no longer left home alone on a regular basis. Add to this the equally large number of dogs that were adopted during the pandemic but never introduced to being alone because of the circumstances. When people resumed...
Factory Mattress
Sep 29, 2023 Whether your dog sleeps curled up at the foot of your bed, or your cat sleeps resting peacefully at the top of your pillow, one thing can be guaranteed — a bed without a pet is not a bed at all. At APA!, we dream of a day that every shelter pet is invited into a home — foster or adoptive, with the opportunity to jump into a bed and snuggle up with a human who cares for them. Until then, we’ll be here to give them the love and care they need and deserve until they find a family to call their very own. And right...
Seizures in Dogs: Triggers, Treatments & Solutions
Whether it’s your first time or the tenth, seeing your dog experience a seizure is always scary. It’s heartbreaking to see our furry friends’ bodies and brains struggle through a seizure event, and it can leave us living under a cloud of concern, waiting for the next storm to break. To make it less scary and, more importantly, give your beloved pooch’s body a break from the stress of regular occurrences, it helps to understand seizures in dogs – and learn what we can do to help. Let’s start with the good...