Fostering a strong bond with your new puppy is one of the best ways to turn them into a dream companion.  Building a bond can begin from the moment you pick your pup up and bring it home, so being prepared and knowing how to make your puppy’s first experiences with you the best they can be can help you bond with them. Here are our top 11 tips for how to build an instant bond with your new puppy ..read more

Dogs jump for all kinds of reasons: attention, excitement or not knowing what else to do when they see a person. Does your dog jump on you as if they've got springs on their feet? Like it or not, we humans are to blame. We not only permit this behavior, we encourage it. We know we shouldn't encourage jumping, but a fuzzy puppy is just too cute to resist. We forget that cute behavior in a puppy can become a real nuisance when they grow up. Allowing your dog to jump on people can be dangerous too. You can end up scratched and bruised. A child or frail adult can be knocked down and seriously inj ..read more

Photo by Karsten Winegeart. Excluding the cost of feeding, the single largest expense that dog owners encounter every year is typically veterinary care. We love our dogs and want to keep them healthy, of course. Depending on where you live, the cost of doing so, on average, can be about $300. And that’s just for routine exams and vaccinations. If your pet is injured or falls ill with a serious disease, costs can easily skyrocket into the five-figure range. That’s why we encourage anyone thinking of sharing their life with a dog to crunch the numbers—to be sure that pet ownership is within the ..read more

When a Dog “Bites the Hand that Feeds” If your normally sweet and loving dog turns into a snarling hound from hell when you try to take something away from them, then they are engaging in a behavior called “resource guarding.”  Resource guarding, also known as “possession aggression,” occurs when a dog is unwilling to give up something they value and indicates their readiness to fight for the “resource.”  Resources can include anything from food, toys, and comfy spots to rest, to attention from and proximity to a dog’s beloved human counterpart Resource guarding is a survival ins ..read more

The winter weather can be beautiful, but just as with humans, the drop in temperature can spell danger for dogs. While older pets, or those with medical conditions, are likely to be more acutely affected by the chillier weather, there are some important steps to take to keep all dogs safe, happy, and healthy during the winter. Be Mindful of Extreme Cold It’s important to be aware that - despite their furry coats - extreme cold can be very risky for dogs. In such weather delicate parts of a dog’s body, such as their tail tips and ear flaps, can even be subject to frostbite. It’s best to stay in ..read more

If you’re considering adding a new puppy to your family, it's important to make sure that the current resident dog also remains happy and comfortable. Introducing a young puppy to an adult dog, especially an older dog, can be complicated as adult dogs feel possessive of their belongings and space. We know how important it is for new owners to have both dogs get along. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to ensure both animals have a smooth transition into their new living arrangement. In this article, we’ll discuss the best practices for introducing a puppy to your dog so that b ..read more

Whether or not to let your dog on the furniture boils down to personal preference. If you want to share the couch and your bed with your dog, you can, as long as they will get off when asked (if your dog resource guards their resting spots, however, they should not be allowed on the couch or bed for safety reasons). This article is for those of you who want to train a dog NOT to get on the furniture. There are many reasons to train a dog to stay off the couch or bed. You may want to protect your upholstery and clothes from getting hair all over them when you sit on the couch or prevent your d ..read more

Last week, I opened my front door and discovered a dog on my patio! Someone tossed their dog inside the front gates of my place and took off - can you believe that?!!! It definitely gave me a jolt! He was just as surprised to see me as I was to see him, of course, and was very nervous at first, but my dog, Crackers, liked him right away and helped to melt the ice, so he warmed up to me really quickly. He’s a very sweet and good-natured boy and I would hate to have to bring him to a shelter where he has a slim chance of getting adopted because ALL of the shelters are overflowing right now. It ..read more

Not Sure Your Dog is Safe to Be around Friends and Family Now? Download our free dog bite assessment form to help you determine how serious the bite is. Download Now Dog Bite Assessment Name * First Name Last Name Email * Thank you! Please like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for all our latest news!   Did Your Dog Just Have a Bite Incident? Here’s how to assess the severity of the situation.  After your dog bites someone, it can make you think twice about whether or not it’s a good idea to keep them as a pet. Here are the four key areas that can help you assess the danger o ..read more

No one wants to think about their pup biting someone, but it's important to know what to do if it happens. California is a strict liability state for dog bites, meaning defendants in dog bite cases (usually the dog owner) are often automatically liable for damages caused, including when their dog is under the care of a dog walker or housesitter. A dog owner can even be held liable if a dog bite caused another person to fall after closing their jaws around clothing or limbs, even if the bite failed to break the skin. That’s why taking the right steps after your dog bites someone can make a big ..read more