Beat the heat with a few easy exercises for you and your dog!   Let’s face it, when it is hot and humid outside you don’t want to go out and play. But your dog? He’s ready for adventure and has energy to burn, so there has to be a happy medium, right? During the summer months it is hard to get in the same level of physical activity for your dog, which can lead to weight gain or worse yet destructive behavior. Here are a few fast and easy games to play with your dog to burn off some mental and physical ene ..read more

Chia Seeds ~ the tiny seed that should be in your dog’s diet. That tiny little seed (made famous by the "Chia Pet ~ as seen on TV! ?) is actually a mighty superfood that you should include in your dog's diet.   We put Chia Seeds in every treat we bake and here's why:   Chia seeds are loaded with vitamin B, omega fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber and beneficial minerals like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.  ? Omega-3 fatty acids in Chia can lower chronic inflammation in your dog’s body and improve overall wellness of the immune system, skin and coat, joints, brain devel ..read more

It's Westminster Dog Show week - so I thought I would take trip down memory lane... and sweet memories they are! My very first show dog was our beautiful girl Biddy (check your Dog Mamma's bag - that's our girl!).  And here come the tears... our dogs bring us so much love, joy and for Biddy - she opened up a whole new world for me of experiences, friends and friends that have become family.   I trained her and took her in the show ring myself - with a little help now and again from her breeder... and a LOT of coaching from her as well.  What an experience it was!  From ..read more

By:   Brennen McKenzie, MA, MSc, VMD and published by Loyal for Dogs.  https://blog.loyalfordogs.com/dog-enrichment-activities-healthy-brains-and-happy-dogs/ Dog enrichment activities: Healthy brains and happy dogs Exercise and enrichment activities can help you protect your dog against the effects of brain aging.   Why cognitive resilience is important for aging dogs One characteristic that makes dogs such lovable companions is their behavior. Dogs are smart, social creatures who learn to adapt themselves to our habits and environments. The amazing canine brain allows so ..read more

This article was previously published by Kathryn Durno on 4Knines Blog Can sports and games help your senior dog stay young at heart?  Our senior pets need regular exercise, mental stimulation and regular social interaction with other pets and/or people. While they might not be up for the endless games of fetch, they still need the right level of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them young at heart. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) is a common issue for senior dogs that is very similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Symptoms can range from forgetfulness of familiar t ..read more

  Summer travel, hurricanes, flooding, fires and other disasters. Is your dog prepared to weather the storm?  My dogs and I have competed in a variety of canine sports over the years - so long distance, overnight travel with more than one dog is pretty common for us.  However, for most people, especially since the pandemic - travel with your dog is typically a visit to the dog park, the groomer, or other short day trips closer to home.    These tips will help you and your dog travel long distances - on a planned trip OR in case of an emergency. **I wrote this a f ..read more

    Warming up, stretching and cooling down before and after exercise is just as important for dogs as it is for humans. It helps reduce the risk of injury and as an added bonus gives you a little bonding and training time too. Sometimes when I am taking Biddy, Tristan or Nate for our morning jog, I am short on time and just go out there and hit it really quickly. I usually end up having to stop shortly after we start because my body is not quite ready to go yet (I am the one that is the most out of shape!). Even though we think dogs are ready to go all the time, a routine of warm u ..read more

Are blueberries good for dogs?  Yes!  Blueberries are perfectly safe for dogs of all ages and sizes to eat.   It is no secret that blueberries are healthy for humans...and for many of those same reasons, they are good for your dog too.  But why? It is all in the color!  According to the American Kennel Club, blueberries are low in calories and contain high amounts of vitamin C, fiber, and phytochemicals (naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants). Vitamin C and fiber are vital components of proper canine nutrition. Phytochemicals are linked to several ..read more

Shared from GeniusVets.com National Deaf Dog Awareness Week is September 19-25 While most dogs experience some degree of hearing loss during their lifetime, deafness does not have to mean a decreased quality of life—for you or your dog! Learn the signs of hearing loss in dogs and how to manage deafness at home here. What is deafness? Deafness refers to a complete or partial loss of hearing. This loss can be temporary or permanent and it may affect one or both ears. Temporary or transient deafness is most often due to the buildup of wax or debris in the ear canals, while permanent deafness can ..read more

Some dogs LOVE to dress up and go trick-or-treat with the fam... some dogs - not so much. 3 Quick Tips to keep your dog safe this Howl-O-Ween: Trick or Treat Safety Use a lite-up collar in addition to your dog's regular collar/harness with tags  (LOVE the Nite Ize NiteHOWL Safety Necklace) Make sure your phone number is on your dog's tag! Staying Safe at Home Staying home and handing out candy?  Don't let this be a scary time for your dog, or worse yet, an opportunity to get lost at night. Repeated ringing of the doorbell (who can resist barking?) Unfamiliar faces, costumes a ..read more