One evening, we were invited for a doggy play date by a friend. As we entered the house, the air was thick with the smell of lavender oil, and my German Shepherd instantly started twitching his nose at the scent. We took the dogs out to the yard and the play date went smoothly, but…
Your dog comes running to greet you at the door only to skid mid-way and then struggle to find that sweet spot between excited gait and balance. Or they go running after their favorite ball but can hardly keep up as they scramble for grip. Scenes like these are all too common in homes with…
You’re walking your dog back home, after they’ve finished their business, leash in one hand, poop bag in the other. You toss the bag in the nearest trash can you can find. But is that really an eco-friendly dog poop disposal approach? This very question led me to the surprising discovery that dog poop isn’t…
Every morning, sharp at 6, my cuddly GSD comes to nudge me out of bed with his nose, as if to say, “Wake up, mommy, it’s time for my walk.” His dinner time is 8 pm, and if his dinner is delayed by a few minutes, he’s there by my side, making those puppy eyes,…
It’s a scene many dog owners know too well—an ambulance or fire truck passes by, sirens blaring, and suddenly your dog throws back his head and howls in response. As a mom to a very vocal German Shepherd, I’ve experienced this too many times to count. So, why do dogs howl at sirens? Is it…
I have seen first hand how dehydration in dogs sneaks up on you when you least expect it. A dog rescued by a shelter I volunteer at refused to move indoors on a hot afternoon, and his handlers noticed that he was lethargic, stopped drinking or eating, and was generally disinterested in his surroundings. The…
It’s a sight all too common in homes with dogs: one minute your pup is calm, the next they’re going around in goofy circles. These episodes of high-octane play are commonly called dog zoomies. Veterinarians have a formal name for them: FRAPs (frenetic random activity periods). Of course, its adorable and hilarious to watch your…
Dog ear mites can be a real pain to deal with, especially because they’re so hard to diagnose. Picture this: your pet is scratching at his ear incessantly, shaking his head like crazy, and you begin to notice foul smelling waxy debris building up more than usual. Is it a case of ear mites or…
We all know the old tale that a wet nose means a healthy dog and a dry nose means sickness. But it’s just an old wives tale. In reality, dogs’ noses naturally cycle between wet and dry. A dry nose in dogs, on its own, say, right after sleeping or playing outside, is usually harmless….
If you’ve been around dogs, you’ve likely seen them erupt into a sneezing fit, usually when they’re sniffing something or mid-play. I’ve seen it with my GSDs all too often. There they are rolling on grass, chasing leaves, or even chasing a toy, and suddenly, they need to pause to sneeze. More often than not,…