Posts

Congratulations on your new baby! When most pet owners learn that they are expecting, they begin to wonder how their pets will react to the new baby and how to introduce them to each other. Introducing your dog to the new arrival is an important process and should be started well before the baby is…

There are many reasons that a pet may begin to have accidents in the house. Inappropriate elimination can have medical and behavioral causes. It should never be assumed that the accidents are spiteful. While animals do experience anxieties that can be associated with inappropriate urination or defecation, they do not hold grudges or try to…

Dogs use their senses to explore the world around them.  Chewing is one way to investigate the objects that intrigue them.  They use their mouths to play and learn to hunt.  Puppies start chewing as soon as their baby teeth erupt.  Chewing gives a dog a satisfying way to curb hunger and boredom and is…

Congratulations on bringing home your new puppy! A new puppy can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, along with the fun, often come some challenges for the new owners. One such challenge is housetraining your new pet. However, with the positive tips in this handout, housetraining outside can be a quick and rewarding experience…

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 800,000 people seek medical treatment for dog-bite wounds each year.  Half of them are children.  Since dogs are man’s best friend, this statistic begs the question, “What causes the dogs implicated in these attacks to become aggressive in the first place?  Is the aggressive…

Family vacations can become a whole new experience if the family dog is included in the excursion. However, for destinations requiring airline travel, it is essential to know some of the basic tips for working with the airlines in order to ensure a safe and rewarding travel experience for your family pet. As each airline varies…

Allergies are a major cause of skin disease, discomfort and distress in dogs. Pruritus, or intense itching, is the most characteristic sign of allergies. This itching is caused by the release of histamines from mast cells located throughout the body. Hair loss, redness and skin infections may result secondary to the allergy. Over time, the…

Many domestic dogs experience irritation and discomfort with their anal sacs. This condition, though relatively simple, can lead the pet and even the pet owner, through misery. In this handout, we will try to explore exactly what anal glands are and how they cause problems for our dogs. We will also look at the symptoms…

Most people are familiar with arthritis and understand that it is caused by an inflammation of the joints. This is a disease that is more common in our dogs than in cats. Larger breed dogs or dogs that are overweight are at a higher risk for developing arthritis. There are multiple forms of arthritis including…

Barking is a natural reaction to stimuli. However, excessive barking can cause problems for some pet owners. Those individuals who live in close proximity to their neighbors, who need quiet or become frustrated with prolonged barking spurts may benefit from the tips below. These tips include information on understanding why your dog barks, how to…