Shirley Zindler is the president and founder of the Dogwood Animal Rescue Project, a foster-based, nonprofit animal rescue organization based in Sonoma County, California. Zindler started Dogwood after retiring from working as an animal control officer for the county animal control department for many years and has built a large network of dedicated volunteers who foster animals and fundraisers who support the rescue work. Through her Facebook page, Zindler as frequently shares information about her husband Paul and grown children as she recounts recent experiences in animal control and her cu ..read more

Bartonella may make you think of cat-scratch fever, but it is being recognized as the cause of a potentially serious illness in dogs and people. Bartonella is a bacteria spread by fleas, although it is widely believed—but not definitively proven—that a dog also may contract bartonellosis from a tick or cat scratch or bite. What’s worrisome is that, in cats, this disease is mostly an asymptomatic or transient problem until it is shared with a person or a dog. In both people and dogs, bartonellosis often shows up with cardiac signs. Endocarditis of the aortic heart valve with large lesions can l ..read more

If your dog won’t stop panting or settle down, she is probably either hot, stressed, or having trouble getting enough air. Panting is the primary way that dogs drop their body temperature when they are overheated. This is why dogs pant heavily after strenuous exercise or when summer temps skyrocket. Dogs also pant when they are stressed. This could be due to a loud noise, being in a place that your dog doesn’t like, or general anxiety. Other signs that your dog is distressed include tense face and posture, ears turned back and the whites of the eyes showing, and carrying her tail low and close ..read more

There is no easy way to figure out when your young dog will go into heat for the first time and, other than surgical intervention ahead of time, there is no way to stop it from happening. Identifying what is typical for dogs of a similar breed and size can narrow down the timeline, but it will still only be an approximation. Any time between about 6 months and a year and a half is considered normal, though some smaller dogs may start as young as 4 months and some large breeds as old as 2 years. If you haven’t been through a heat cycle before with a dog, it will help to learn what it looks like ..read more

Acral lick dermatitis is easy to spot. For one thing, you will notice your dog constantly licking his body over and over in the same spot. Over time, that area will become bald with raised skin that may ulcerate or bleed. The hair around the bald spot is often stained a dark reddish-brown from your dog’s saliva.     What Causes Acral Lick Granuloma in Dogs? Acral lick dermatitis is a secondary problem that usually starts because of another health problem. The primary health condition causes pain, irritation, or itchiness, which causes the dog to lick, and over time the licking causes ..read more

No matter what you want to teach your dog at home, the first thing to figure out is what your dog wants for a reward. Dogs just want to make you happy, and most will do anything for a yummy snack. Dog training for beginners: If your dog is not food-motivated, your first job is to figure out what motivates and excites him. Maybe it’s a favorite toy he likes to have tossed or tugged with. It might be as simple as excited accolades from you. You must figure this out before trying to teach anything. There must be something in it for them. Don't Forget to Have Fun! It’s important to ensure the do ..read more

Dogs show signs of affection in many ways, including laying their head on your feet. Other ways experts believe dogs show affection include: Making eye contact with “soft” eyes Happy greetings with loose, relaxed posture Wagging tail Slow blink Seeking physical contact Licking Bringing you toys Leaning against you Following you around Why Do Dogs Lay Their Head on Your Feet? We think that dogs may lay their head on our feet as a way to show they love us by being close. Even dogs who don’t care for full-body cuddles on the couch or bed may enjoy being curled up at your feet, just barely touch ..read more

While we always encourage people looking for a dog or puppy to check shelters and rescues, a purebred dog may be the way to go if you’re looking for specific looks,  personality traits, or athletic abilities. To better understand what a purebred dog is, we spoke with Dr. Marc Bekoff, an evolutionary biology expert in Colorado who specializes in dogs. What Is a Purebred Dog? Simply put, the term “purebred” describes pups born to two dogs of the same breed. “Biologically, a breed is just a genetic mix with traits we like, such as a behavior and/or a look, with looks being a major force dire ..read more

Just as in a chiropractic session for humans, a dog chiropractor will palpate the dog’s spine, limbs, and even the skull to detect abnormalities in how the bones come together. Even small misalignments (called “subluxations”) can impact how that joint functions, your dog’s comfort level, and nerve function. The dog chiropractor then uses specific motions to adjust the subluxated joint and move the bones back into place. The spine is a common focus. Does My Dog Need an Animal Chiropractor? Most dog lovers seek animal chiropractors when they notice their dog experiencing a chronic limp or sorene ..read more

We’ve updated this very popular article, originally published in late 2020, because it just turned into a whole book! Welcoming Your Puppy from Planet Dog is now available wherever you buy your books. A secret thought—unutterable even to family members—keeps more than a few new-puppy owners up at night: “What if this was a mistake?” New owners tell me, sometimes in a whisper, that they must be missing something. Getting a puppy was supposed to be fun, but all they feel is stress. Frustration. Even anger.  They seek me out for the Magic Answers, the training tips that will bring peace ..read more