Who doesn’t like some pretty flowers, shady trees and decorative shrubs? Not many people, that’s for sure. And even if you don’t have a garden, chances are good you still like to have some plants in the house. They brighten things up and give an air of freshness, so where’s the harm? There could be a great deal of harm, actually, if you have pets. Some of the prettiest and most common garden and house plants and flowers are toxic to dogs and cats (and other pets, including horses, rabbits, and hamsters).
We’re about to enter summer; great news for all those who hate dressing in so many layers they look like the Staypuft marshmallow man. It’s also good news for pets who’ve shivered their way through sleet and snow and icy winds. It’s important to note, however, that pets, like people, are at risk of dehydration, overheating, sunstroke, sunburn and skin cancer from being outside in hot weather. So it’s important that you take steps to ensure your pet (dogs and cats and rabbits, etc.) keep safe and cool in the hot summer months that are ahead.
Here are some summer safety tips to keep your pets cool!
What could be greater than sharing your home with a war hero? Giving them the support they need to cope with life as a civilian? Thanks to the military’s war dog adoption program, you can now adopt a military dog. Thousands of military war dogs (MWDs) are available for adoption every year, including young dogs who don’t complete training, and older dogs retiring from their working military careers.
There are two problems with service dogs: They look very dignified, and we are touched by their dedication and loyalty. Why are these problems, you may ask? Well, When you combine the two, you get a dog who is almost impossible for the general public to resist. When we meet a service dog, we want to reward their heroism with a friendly pat or a treat. And we want to tell the handler that we admire their strength.
What food is best for my dog? It’s become one of the most commonly asked questions by pet parents, old and new, pedigree dog or not. The pet care industry has seen massive advances in nutrition in the past few years, with the result that dog parents are faced with a confusing array to choose from, including food for specific illnesses and conditions, for losing weight, for extra activity, for old dogs, puppies, etc.
Dog obedience training shouldn’t be seen as a way for a tyrannical human to bend their pet to their will. It’s actually an important part of strengthening the bond between dog and owner, and it will make for a happier dog overall as their new found self-control means that their guardians won’t feel they have to use rigid control to get the behavior they want out of their dogs. The best way to build this relationship is through positive reinforcement training.