How to help an Aggressive or Reactive Dog
Do you think your dog might be reactive, or even aggressive? Some reactivity is normal and necessary for survival, but when is it time to get help? Maybe you’re frustrated or embarrassed by your dog’s meltdowns when deliveries come, or sad or even scared by your dog’s barking and lunging at neighborhood dogs. It doesn’t mean you have a bad dog, or that you’re a bad dog guardian. But it does mean your dog needs help handling her feelings about certain parts of her life. Emotions drive behavior. So, if your dog...
Energy Food & Drinks for Dogs On the Go
Disclaimer: If you purchase items through links on our site we may earn a commission. If your doggie-and-me travel plans include long walks, challenging hikes or your dog competing in such popular canine sports as agility or dock diving, don’t forget to pack his energy bar. You read that right. The energy bar market has expanded and is going to the dogs. And, it does makes sense. Why should your dog simply watch you eat your energy bar when you both take a break during a vigorous activity? A few pieces of kibble just won’t...
What to do about your dogs hot spots
Hot spots are a common and frustrating problem, and can cause your dog a lot of discomfort and angst. These natural remedies can help. Hot spots have many “pet” names, including summer sores and moist dermatitis. They can appear anywhere on your dog’s body, though they’re most often found on the head, legs, flanks, by the tail and behind the ears. Let’s look at what causes hot spots — and more importantly, what you can do to ease the discomfort and itching they cause. WHERE DO HOT SPOTS COME FROM? Hot spots...
Maddie’s Weekly Roundup: Length of stay webcast, free meditation and more!
Happy Monday! Below is a brief roundup of resources added over the past week. The Best Friends 2021 national dataset has arrivedThis month, Best Friends Animal Society published its 2021 dataset. While there were some setbacks, there is plenty to be optimistic about. In 2021, the save rate increased from 79% to 83%. According to its blog, “The number of animals who didn’t leave shelters alive ticked up by only 2.3% to 355,000 in 2021, which… Learn More Webcast: Length of Stay – A Whole-Shelter SolutionWednesday, June...
Animal Shelter Swamped By Yellowstone River Flooding Says All its Animals Survived
As strong rains and rapid snow melt hit Yellowstone National Park in recent days, flooding took out roads and caused damage that will close portions of the park longterm. Cities in the region have also been heavily impacted. An animal shelter in nearby Livingston, Montana, faced a time crunch as flood waters from the Yellowstone River quickly grew. Despite their facility being inundated with water, all the animals were rescued. As areas across the region surveyed flood damage, Stafford Animal Shelter shared a post on its Facebook page...
Kitten Survives 60 Miles Under the Hood of a Car
This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog! One summer evening, my husband had switched cars with me while I was at work. Then, a kitten climbed under my car by the tire, probably to stay warm and dry because it was pouring! She was about 4-weeks-old. When I drove home that night, I thought I heard meowing, but with the rain, I wasn’t sure. I went inside and didn’t think about the meowing again. PHOTO: PIXABAY / KUDRA...
Georgia Shelter Dog Sports Biggest Smile As She Is Adopted After Spending 324 Days In Shelter
Happy doesn’t begin to describe the feeling a shelter dog named Tilly had when she was finally adopted. Tilly was reportedly found as a stray eating garbage and taken in last year by Walker County Animal Shelter in Georgia. Her friendly personality and adorable looks quickly won the hearts of staff members. The 4-year-old loves outdoor adventures, gets along with cats, and is such a sweetheart, so the shelter couldn’t understand why she hadn’t found a loving home. They said, “We are stumped! This is just unheard of for...
Why Giraffes Should Be Classified As Endangered
Giraffes have faced great threats in the past few decades, and are being pushed rapidly toward extinction. From poaching and habitat loss to climate change, giraffe populations have been in decline since the 1990s, the American Wildlife Foundation reports. According to the Humane Society of the United States, less than 69,000 mature giraffes remain in the wild, 40% fewer than 30 years ago. And Americans have played a big role in those plummeting numbers. Less than 69,000 mature giraffes remain in the wild. Products made from giraffe skins and...
Staying open-minded is important for your dog’s well-being
Once we know something, we have to act on it. Best practices for your dog’s wellbeing are always evolving. Burden of Information – the struggle is real! I say it often, you don’t know what you don’t know. BUT what do we do with information when we learn something new? That is the struggle. Let’s start with an example, have you ever known someone you thought was amazing and could do no wrong? Well, what happens if they were to stab you in the back? Cheat on you? Steal from you? Could you ever go back to seeing...
Should your cat sleep on your bed?
Few things are more cuddly than a slumbering cat. Let’s look at the pros and cons of allowing your kitty to sleep on your bed at night. For as long as I’ve had cats, they’ve slept on the bed with me. Although their sleeping preferences varied as much as their coat colors, one thing they’ve all had in common is that they wanted to be close to me. And I’m in good company. According to a 2019 American Pet Products Association survey, 62% of cats share the bed with their humans. Few cat lovers will reject the comfort...
Rescuers Teamed Up to Save a Stray Dog That Fell in a 100-Foot Deep Dry Well
In India, a stray dog accidentally fell inside a 100-foot dry well, and locals immediately reported it to the Gujarat Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The call was received by Raj Bhavsar, who assembled a team for a rescue operation in Kandari village. Upon arrival, the rescue team saw that the well was deep and dark. For this reason, the rescue operation took over an hour. The rescuers were able to go down the well with the help of fire torches from the locals in the village. Due to the lack of lighting, it was challenging to...
California Rescue Center Seeks Justice for the Dog Who Died After Being Stolen from Them
Paw Works is mourning the death of a stolen puppy after it was struck by a car on a freeway. Their beloved Pretty Girl did not deserve what happened that one fateful night. The shelter received one unfortunate news after the other. A series of unfortunate events happened after midnight on June 9; an unnamed person trespassed the area by picking locks in the shelter. According to Brittany Vizcarra, the director of operations in Paw Works, the security alarm went off at 2:42 am. The suspect was caught on video, and the hooded person looked like...
Shelter Works to Save Neglected, Dangerously Skinny Dog
This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog! On June 9, a 4-year-old bull terrier dog was found by a good Samaritan in Fife and was brought to the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County for care. PHOTO: LINDSEY HEANEY The dog, now named Emmi, arrived at the shelter extremely emaciated, with almost every bone in her body showing. She was incredibly weak and dangerously thin, weighing in at 22 pounds. The shelter’s...
All You Need to Know About Probiotics for Dogs
Both good and bad bacteria can live inside the gastrointestinal tract of dogs. Probiotics are the good or friendly bacteria (and yeast) needed in the gut for healthy digestive and immune system function. Dr. Judy Morgan, a public speaker on pet health and an integrative veterinarian, who offers online consultations, says probiotics combat the bad bacteria and are the gatekeepers that stop pathogenic intruders. They keep the mucosal gut lining healthy so that the body can receive nutrients. When your dog has vomiting and diarrhea,...
Ohio Animal Shelter Loses Power On Hottest Day Of The Year But Receives Loads Of Help From Community
Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center in Columbus, Ohio, lost power on Tuesday, which happened to be the hottest day of the year. With temperatures over 90 degrees, the staff immediately posted a plea for help to keep the shelter dogs cool. “We need your help. The power is out here at the shelter, and our pups needs ice to keep cool in this blazing heat!” They asked the community to donate large bags of ice, kiddie pools, bedding, large towels, and peanut butter for frozen treats. People immediately responded and...
Teach your dog to enjoy car rides!
While many dogs love “going for drives”, others may find it stressful. Here’s how to teach your dog to enjoy car rides, whatever his age. Hitting the road with your dog can be a wonderful adventure. Whether you’re heading to the local park or embarking on a cross-country trip, sharing the journey with a dog that enjoys the ride and is a good traveler makes all the difference. Ideally, it’s best to start getting your dog used to the car while he’s still a puppy, but with time and patience, you can also teach...
The Best Friends 2021 national dataset has arrived
This month, Best Friends Animal Society published its 2021 dataset. While there were some setbacks, there is plenty to be optimistic about. In 2021, the save rate increased from 79% to 83%. According to its blog, “The number of animals who didn’t leave shelters alive ticked up by only 2.3% to 355,000 in 2021, which shows that we are trending toward something resembling normality. The latest dataset also shows intake rising by 8.1%.” Given that many shelters were forced to close to the public or limit access in 2020 due to...
Woman Puts Her Own Twist To The Birthday Song To Celebrate Doug The Pug’s 10th Birthday
Alright, everyone! Get you party hats on because we’re celebrating another birthday! The birthday celebrant is none other than the super adorable and Instagram superstar, Doug The Pug. Woo-hoo! Please imagine confetti being thrown around now, otherwise the woo-hoo effect wouldn’t be fully felt. Thanks. PHOTO: Instagram/itsdougthepug This cool little dude is loved by many and is even a People’s Choice Award Winner twice. With 3.8M followers on Instagram, this guy is not only popular on the platform though. You can say that...
Cute Dog Makes Its Owner’s Food Business Boom by Doing the Delivery Service
Yes, times have been hard even for New York City due to the coronavirus pandemic. Its owner’s struggles and heartaches are a dog’s pain, too. (Who wouldn’t feel the actual stress and sadness when all that the two of you have been eating during the lockdown were sardines and oatmeal?) But, with the lockdown already over, now is the opportunity to fully support its owner who happens to own a small fast food store! Photo: Instagram Video/dogsofinstagram This Golden Retriever would be more than happy to help! Well, not in...
Dog Wandered Away From Home, Entered A Dollar General & Refused To Leave
Bradenton Florida Police received a call that was unlike anything they’ve ever gotten before. The call came from local Dollar General employees who told police that there was an individual who was refusing to leave their store. It turns out that the individual was a 135-pound dog who spent a couple of hours browsing around the store, preventing employees from closing. Photo: YouTube/Inside Edition They soon learned that the dog was named Bentley, and he had broken through a gate at his home a few blocks away and decided to walk off to...
