1800 Words; 7 minute read. In this small dog vaccination article about boosting immune health before all the shots, we look at the positive impact of probiotics, omega 3’s, and whole food. Supporting Small Dog Immune Health Before Vaccination So much is written about what to do during or after our dogs’ annual vaccination appointments. Yet, veterinary health writers all but ignore what we can do to boost our small dogs’ immune health BEFORE we load their little bodies with foreign substances. This oversight missed my notice until last year, when my sister Amy asked me how she could boost ..read more

Charles Deluvio via Unsplash Coaxing A Picky Dog To Eat (#5 Will Surprise You!) If you’ve stopped to read this, you’re on a quest to get a picky dog to eat. We’ve been where you are: we’ve made all the mistakes, tried all the foods, and felt all the feels that accompany being a dog mom whose pup seems bent on starving herself. Maybe your small dog has been picky since the day you brought him home. Or maybe, a mere three weeks into gobbling up that expensive subscription diet you just signed up for, your fur kid suddenly rejects what she once devoured. And you? You’re left with a freezer ful ..read more

Long Lines and New Beginnings I’ve rediscovered the joy of using long-lines, also called “check cords”. These long, light leashes connect to a harness but can either be held like a regular short leash or gently drag on the ground. They offer the perfect blend of safety and freedom, especially in places like parks or our neighborhood beach, where the end of winter means more people and pups are out and about. Using a long-line lets Phoebe and Scout explore to their heart’s content, feeling that off-leash thrill while I know I can quickly gain complete control if the need arises. What is a ..read more

Havanese Sisters Playing Squishy Squashy (term credits go to @pablomygod on IG) Should you get a second dog? Well, you KNOW the answer: it depends! If you’re constantly asking yourself this question, take our two-dog mom quiz and let us help you get very honest about these five things: 1. Your current dog and his or her personality. 2. Your family and home life. 3. Your physical space 4. Your time and how much of it you have to spare. 5. Your money…and….how much of it you have to spare. Take The Two-Dog Mom Quiz If you want to hear our journey leading us to OUR results (we will ALWAYS have ..read more

Your personality has a lot to do with the kind of pet parent you are. So don’t fight mother nature! Work with your natural strengths to capitalize on the pup parenting techniques that will help you and your fur kid live your best lives. We’ve combined traditional human psychology with some new-age philosophies to identify four pup parenting styles that seem to fit most dog mamas (and dog dads) we know and love. Those styles are: Free-Range Mama The Peaceful Pup Parent The Authoritative Pup Parent The Attachment Expert What kind of pet parent are you? First, take a guess at your pet par ..read more

1200 Words, 3 minute read. In this article, discover how to enhance your small dog’s well-being by measuring their canine quality of life. Explore effective tools to measure how your little dog is faring over time so you’ll never again wonder “is my small dog happy”? Science Is Talking About Dog Happiness I read veterinary journals as a hobby. Clearly, I’m fascinating at cocktail parties. And yes, my geeky leisure activity may well make me the most uninteresting person in the world. But I don’t care. In fact, my pastime doesn’t merely exercise my brain. It provides me with cutting-edge sc ..read more

2083 Words; 10 minute read In this article on keeping your small dog safe from veterinary malpractice, I look at the current state of the vet care, the challenges many vets and their staff face, and the things we can (and should) do to be a supportive partner in our pups’ care. The Small Bites Overview (If you’re in a hurry) Prevalence of Veterinary Malpractice: Veterinary malpractice is a significant concern, with studies showing that such incidents have considerable impact on pet health. Medication errors are surprisingly common, and small dogs can be particularly vulnerable, given thei ..read more

880 Words: 4 Minute Read; Pet guardians across social media outlets are asking “is dog food making my small dog sick?” Learn the details and what we’re doing in our house after reviewing the growing chatter. __________________________________________________ (Note: When you make a purchase using a link on this post exploring the question “is dog food making my small dog sick?”, we may receive a commission, which helps us keep doing what we do. Thank you for supporting The Small Dog Rules) Or Are These Just Rumors? News outlets and the general public are just now catching up to a topic tho ..read more

1567 Words, 7 Minute Read. A review of our experience using the Fi collar for small dogs. We discuss the realities of comfort, tracking, and customer service. My mission is to help small dogs live long, happy, and healthy lives through providing educational content to their human parents. To support these efforts, this page may contain affiliate links allowing me to earn a small commission at no cost to you. Karen Lena Izzo, The Small Dog Rules The Promise of the Fi Collar for Small Dogs As a dedicated (okay, overprotective) small dog mom, I’m always open to technology that enhances the ..read more

From stocking stuffers to splurge gifts, we’ve got the best presents for small dogs. Here’s the list to help you shower holiday love on your small pup. __________________________________________________ (Note: When you make a purchase using a link on this post featuring the best presents for small dogs, we may receive a commission, which helps us keep doing what we do. Thank you for supporting The Small Dog Rules) __________________________________________________ We love you Oprah, but scootch over. Phoebe and Scout have their own favorites we know and love. Plus, we spent weeks upon wee ..read more