How To Train a Great Pyrenees: 10 Vet-Approved Tips & Tricks
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » In many ways, the Great Pyrenees embodies all we love in our canine companions. They’re protective yet patient, calm and pensive, with a benevolent, loving personality that makes these gentle giants too easy to love. Finding fault isn’t easy with this admirable breed, but if there’s one struggle many owners underestimate, it’s training. Pyrs aren’t dominating or unruly, but their...
Premack Principle: What Is It & How You Can Use It to Train Your Dog
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead While we may not recognize it at every moment of the day, our dogs never stop learning. They’re ceaselessly creating new associations, learning which behaviors cause which responses to understand the best, most efficient ways to get what they want or need. The constant connection-building can make everyday training seem more complicated than many owners may have initially thought. Every...
World Animal Enrichment Day 2024: What Is It & How It Helps Your Dog
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead Enrichment is, in many ways, the most critical factor determining a dog’s overall health and happiness. The diverse activities and games we provide fill the day with physical and mental stimulation, giving pets a reason to rise in the morning and something to look forward to when they go to bed at night. It’s a point of purpose that is as fun as it is meaningful and essential in...
Dogster Photo Contest: Dogs of the Week Winners (November 1, 2024)
Click to Skip Ahead This Week’s Winner Name: Finnley Breed: Dalmatian Fun Fact: He’s 4 yrs old and is a very energetic but timid boy. He loves to steal anything not tied down and take it out the doggy door! He has a rescue sister that’s 26 lbs and they are absolutely best friends! Cutest Name: Simba Pretto Breed: Golden Doodle Fun Fact: Simba is a 3 yr old dood who loves playing tug of war with his stuffed bone during the Halloween season. His favorite activities are chasing bubbles outside or the Swiffer Duster .. yes I...
The Science and Ethics of Dog Cloning
As dog parents, we’ve all faced that heart-wrenching moment when we realize our beloved companion’s time with us is limited. What if you could turn back the clock? What if you could have your furry friend by your side for another lifetime? Dog cloning is no longer science fiction – it’s a reality that’s sparking intense debate and tugging at heartstrings worldwide. The Science Behind the Miracle Cloning a dog involves taking a DNA sample from your canine companion and inserting it into a donor egg. This egg is...
Learn how to engage rental housing providers in pet-inclusive approaches
Animal shelters and rescue organizations are often on the receiving end of pet surrenders due to complex rental housing issues that are difficult to address in the moment. Recognizing the need for sustainable solutions, Michelson Found Animals’ Pet-Inclusive Housing Initiative (PIHI) has developed resources to help animal welfare organizations more effectively engage rental housing providers with pet-inclusive approaches to help build happier, healthier communities. Through this session, the PIHI team will provide a path for having more...
Life with Draper and Rue: The Long & Short of It
Welcome to the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster! Every Wednesday, we share a story from one of our Dogsters. This week is about Meagan and her dynamic duo of dachshunds, Draper and Rue. My life with two miniature dachshunds, Draper & Rue, is like living in a whimsical sitcom where the episodes revolve around unexpected twists, dramatic entrances, and, of course, an endless supply of laughs. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to share your home with two adorable, pint-sized tornadoes of fur and personality, buckle...
Halloween Dangers Lurking
As jack-o’-lanterns flicker and trick-or-treaters prepare to roam, Halloween’s enchanting atmosphere brings hidden dangers for our four-legged family members. Each year, emergency veterinary clinics see a dramatic spike in cases during this spooky season, with incidents ranging from candy toxicity to costume catastrophes. While the holiday brings magic and excitement to our homes, understanding these ten crucial hazards related to Halloween dog safety could mean the difference between a festive celebration and an emergency vet...
Sharing Solutions to Support Lost Pet Programs
[embedded content] Stray pet intake is overwhelming animal shelters and there is a rising need for solutions to get those pets back home. In this webinar, industry experts from three HASS-supported shelters—Cincinnati Animal CARE, Greenville County Animal Care, and San Diego Humane Society, discuss their pet reunification programs and how their efforts can be replicated where you live to get more lost pets home. Access the presentation slide deck using the embedded Google Slides presentation below. Source: Human Animal Support...
Adopt a Ryan Reynolds? Rescue Shelter Renames Pets to Boost Adoptions on Actor’s Birthday
On October 23rd, Ryan Reynolds’ 48th birthday, his friend and business partner (co-chairman of the Wrexham AFC team) Rob McElhenney came up with a hilariously adorable and heartwarming way to celebrate the Canadian actor. He posted on Instagram that he has partnered with Best Friends Saves Them All Animal Rescue and renamed pets awaiting adoption ‘Ryan Reynolds’ in an effort to boost adoptions and celebrate the Deadpool star. “There’s no better gift for Ryan than unconditional love, but if any of us tried to give...
9 Best Oatmeal Shampoos for Dogs in 2024 – Reviews & Top Picks
Dog shampoos can often be loaded with chemicals that don’t even do what they claim they will, so finding a good shampoo for our dogs can be challenging. There are so many types of dog hair, with varying lengths and thicknesses, that not all products work for every animal. There are also variations in skin, and some dogs are more sensitive to allergies, dryness, and detergents than others. You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking for a high-quality oatmeal shampoo for your dog. Our reviews aim to give you a better...
Smart Tips for Socializing Your Dog
Dogs are inherently social creatures, and thrive on interactions with both humans and other animals. Just like people, they need social connections to lead fulfilling, happy lives. If you are not socializing your dog enough, it can lead to behavioral issues such as anxiety, aggression, or excessive barking. Recognizing Signs of Isolation How can you tell if a dog is lacking social enrichment? Signs may include withdrawal, destructive behavior, or reluctance to engage in activities. For instance, a once-vibrant dog may begin to display...
The Nonprofit Started by a California Teen That Helps Shelter Animals Find and Stay in Forever Homes
A young animal advocate who started a nonprofit to help animal shelters provides kits that help rescue animals find and stay in loving homes! Reducing Animal Stress is a nonprofit founded in 2023 by teen animal advocate and change-maker Ariela Robinson. As part of their mission to support animal shelters and rescues, the organization provides adoption, foster, and retention kits. Basically, they help animal shelters and new pet parents care for animals and provide dog/cat parents with the services they need to keep their companion animals....
Join us for a webcast on using behavior data to monitor well-being in cats
Maddie’s® Insights is our ongoing webcast series with practical tips based on current research to help pets and people. Our guest speaker for the November 14, 12PM PT/3PM ET webcast is Jacklyn Ellis, PhD and the Director of Behavior at Toronto Humane Society. Safeguarding the well-being of cats is essential to the mission of any responsible animal shelter. Environmental enrichment and behavior modification are often key to this goal. Measuring response to these interventions is essential to ensure strategies are successful....
Brain games for dogs can make your canine companion smarter
Raise your dog’s IQ and make her smarter with fun brain games and exercises that encourage her to think and learn. The domestic dog’s relationship with humans goes back a staggering 30,000 years. Throughout this long liaison, your dog’s ancestors honed their people-watching skills, learning about human habits, behaviors, emotions, and even spoken language. In fact, the average domestic dog can learn the meaning of about 150 words, with some clever canines stretching that to 250 words. Canine intelligence was long...
How I Rescued A Greek Stray Dog: Hela’s Story
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two crossbreed dogs, Lava and Hela. When I went to the island of Kefalonia in Greece in 2022 to do a TNR (Trap Neuter Release) programme, little did I know that I would be coming home with another dog. Having had one dog at the time, and that’s Lava who is a handful, to say the least, I had no plans of getting another dog. But it seems...
Understanding Canine Syncope
You’re out for a walk with your dog when they suddenly collapse. For a terrifying moment, time stands still. Then, just as quickly, they’re back on their feet, seemingly fine. What you’ve just witnessed is canine syncope – a condition that can strike fear into the heart of any dog parent. But what exactly is syncope, and how can we protect our four-legged friends? Understanding Syncope: More Than Just a Fainting Spell Syncope, often described as fainting or passing out, is a temporary loss of consciousness caused by a...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Register for Camp Maddie, holiday fostering and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The September Weekly Community Conversations grant giveaway winners are…Earlier this month, Maddie’s Fund® gave two organizations a $2,500 grant for attending the September Weekly Community Conversations! A total of $5,000 in grants has been given to two viewers chosen at random. Join us in congratulating the two people who won a grant for their organization: Susan Leavitt, American Maltese Association Rescue (Fort Bragg,… Learn More...
Why Is My Dog Throwing Up Worms: 3 Vet-Reviewed Reasons & What to Do
VET APPROVED The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » Click to Skip Ahead It can be distressing to see your dog throw up, at the best of times. But, if you also see worms in the vomit, it is even more concerning. Worms are not uncommon in dogs, with common types including roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms. Regardless of the type of worm in the dog’s gut, signs of infestation can be fairly similar. Signs include vomiting and diarrhea as well as an inflated...
Want to learn how to switch to raw food for your dog or cat?
Exploring the benefits – and busting the myths – about raw diets for dogs and cats. Raw diets offer many nutritional benefits to our dogs and cats. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of myths surrounding this type of feeding. As a first step, pet parents need to recognize the misinformation and confront it. After exploring the benefits and myths, you can then learn how to switch to raw food for your dog or cat safely and successfully. Top 6 myths about raw diet for dogs and cats “Raw meat diets are not...
