Dogs, unlike cats, don’t sit and groom themselves by the hour. Actually, most dogs couldn’t care less about their appearance and couldn’t be happier than when they’re rolling around the ground on something stinky they’ve found. Unfortunately for them, “essence of fido” isn’t a favorite scent of humans and wading through bales of shedding dog hair left on the furniture is way overrated. So until our canine companions totally take over, they’ll have to live with us grooming them and trying to keep their coats healthy and shiny looking.

Read the rest of this entry »

It is very important that you watch your dog’s health carefully and notice any changes in your dog’s behavior and health. For example if your dog stops eating, or starts sleeping more than normal, these behaviors can signal a larger health problem for your dog. Once you do notice a change in your dog, set up a vet appointment as soon as possible. Since the dog can’t tell you how bad it feels, you have no idea how severe the condition is. In these cases, it is often better to be safe than sorry. When you do see the vet, any information you have about the dog and it’s recent behavior will be crucial to determining the problem and a proper diagnosis. The vet should complete a physical examination of your dog and ask you questions about how the dog has been acting, or if anything in it’s environment has changed. During the physical examination the vet will inspect the following areas in hopes of finding additional information about your dog’s health.

Read the rest of this entry »

How will my dog and my new baby get along? Will I have to get rid of my loyal, furry companion in order to ensure the safety of my child? These are the questions that plague many dog owners as they anticipate the birth and homecoming of their first child. The good news is that even though the process of introducing your dog to your newest family addition is a careful and cautious one, it’s not impossible. With some pre-planning on your part, you can train your dog to get along with your child and can raise your child to respect and love your dog as much as you do.

Read the rest of this entry »