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Cats Dogs Fears & Anxieties Training & Grooming

How to Manage a Fear Free Return Home

Article

Reading Time: < 1 minutes You take your dog or cat to the vet or groomer, and when they come back, your other pets growl or hiss at them, as if they’ve suddenly become the enemy. That’s because your pet smells different, maybe even scary, thanks to the scents they bring back from the clinic or salon, where they’ve been […]

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Dogs Holidays

How to Prevent Halloween Howls From Your Pet

Article

Reading Time: < 1 minutes It’s spooky season! And while that might be fun for you, your pet doesn’t always feel the same way about ghostly decorations or sinister costumes, let alone kids knocking at the door demanding candy. Our handout offers tips on keeping your pet’s scare levels low and ways to help them enjoy the festivities, either in […]

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Dogs Fears & Anxieties

Want to Bring Your Dog Everywhere With You? First, Set Them Up for Success

Article

Reading Time: 3 minutes As a baseball fan and dog nut, I was delighted a few years ago when the Colorado Rockies announced tickets were on sale for a dog-friendly event called Bark at the Park. Rockies fans could bring their socialized, vaccinated dogs to Coors Field to watch an actual MLB game. I bought tickets, submitted my dogs’ […]

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Dogs Shelters & Fostering

Black Dog Syndrome: Is It Real?

Article

Reading Time: 4 minutes Being in a shelter is stressful for any dog. But does the color of a dog’s fur determine how long they will be in that shelter? The idea that black-coated dogs are more likely to stay longer than others is known as Black Dog Syndrome (BDS) and is a controversial topic. Is it real? Here’s […]

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Dogs Training & Grooming

Help! My Dog Doesn’t Play Well With Others

Article

Reading Time: 3 minutes “I don’t understand why my dog is so aggressive toward other dogs when she’s on leash. When she’s off leash, she’s great with other dogs!” my client said. “When does she get to interact with other dogs off leash?” I asked. “We go to the dog park at least four times a week,” the client […]

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Activities & Enrichment Dogs Life at Home Training & Grooming

Treats for the Sweet: How to Reward Your Dog

Article

Reading Time: < 1 minutes Who doesn’t love giving treats to their pets? It’s a great way to reward them for behavior we like, to signal bedtime, or just to say “I love you.” But can you give too many treats? A good rule of paw is that treats should make up no more than 10 percent of a dog’s […]

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Dogs Life at Home Training & Grooming

Service Dog, Emotional Support Dog, Therapy Dog: What’s the Difference and Why Does It Matter?

Article

Reading Time: 4 minutes Emotional Support, Therapy, Service. Each is a different type of job a dog can have. Can you guess which label fits each dog?

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Activities & Enrichment Dogs Training & Grooming

Tug Team? How to Play With Your Puppy

Article

Reading Time: < 1 minutes It is okay to play tug with your puppy? It used to be considered a no-no, but dogs love playing tug, and it’s a great game for them when done right. Our handout explains how to keep it fun and safe for both of you.

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Dogs Training & Grooming

Mine! Does Your Dog Have a Problem Sharing With Others? Why It Happens and Fear Free Ways to Respond

Article

Reading Time: 5 minutes Years ago, I adopted a Rottweiler we named Peanut. I remember the first time she growled at me over an object. It was a treasured bully stick. I was approaching her and had yet to even reach for or talk to her. I remember feeling insulted that she would respond to me that way. After […]

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Dogs Fears & Anxieties

What Fear, Anxiety, Stress, and Frustration Look Like in Shelter Dogs

Article

Reading Time: < 1 minutes Being in a shelter is stressful for dogs. They’re afraid, anxious, and frustrated, bouncing between boredom from lack of activity and excitement when they see people who may interact with them. Or they may have medical issues that are contributing to their behavior. Our handout explains the signs of FAS and offers ways to help […]