The Basics of Caring for Your Dog Archives - Page 2 of 3

Be Aware of Your Energy

You Can’t Change The Weather, But You Can Change Yourself

One thing I’ve learned about the weather in L.A. is that it’s unpredictable. The best way to describe it is “consistently inconsistent.” We can go from gloomy and foggy one day to hot and sunny the next, and if you want to know what season it is, you need to look at a calendar, not out the window. We can go months with meteorologists predicting rain three days away, but that rain never comes. It can make it very difficult to prepare for the day, especially when you head out in the morning dressed for hot and sunny and come

October 11, 2016 No Comments

Dog Behavior

6 Things You Do That Your Dog Hates

If you have a dog as a family member, it’s likely there are behaviors he engages in that drive you up a wall. Maybe he always covers you with love—and his fur!—right after you get dressed in your best, or he always paws at the door to be let out at five in the morning. But it’s just as likely that you engage in behaviors that drive your dog nuts! Let’s look at it from your pup’s perspective and explore the things you do that your dog hates. Top Things Humans do that Dogs Dislike Shouting Commands at Me Over

January 26, 2016 No Comments

A dog in a shelter waits to be adopted by a new family.

Dog Care

How to Start a Dog Rescue: Making Your Own Shelter

Ready to make a greater difference for dogs in need? Maybe you’re dissatisfied with the shelters currently in your community. Or you’re looking to turn your passion for dogs into a profession. Perhaps you’d just like to do your part and raise awareness for animal advocacy. Whatever the reason, starting a rescue is an honorable endeavor, and the emotional satisfaction will certainly be worth the effort. Like all business endeavors, however, it is important to temper enthusiasm and passion with careful planning and realism. This guide will help prospective rescue owners know what to expect and where to begin. 5

November 17, 2015 No Comments

All About Dogs

Fatal 8: Fruits And Vegetables Your Dog Should Avoid

You probably already know some of the foods people eat that can be dangerous for dogs, such as chocolate, but you might not know that a number of seemingly healthy fruits and vegetables should be avoided as well. Here is a list of eight different types of produce that can be toxic food for dogs. Toxic Foods Grapes, Raisins, and Currants They’re a great human snack, but grapes and raisins are one of the most dangerous types of foods your pup can eat. Consuming as few as four grapes or raisins can cause irreversible kidney damage to a 20-pound pooch.

September 11, 2015 No Comments

A dog sits in the backyard ready to play.

All About Dogs

Backyard Dangers For Dogs

It’s probably a dream of a lot of dog owners to have a place with a nice fenced-in yard where their dogs can play and explore, but just because that yard is walled off doesn’t mean that it can’t be a dangerous place. There are potential risks — animal, human, and other — that every dog owner should be aware of. Animal Dangers Even in a big city, there may be predators about. Coyotes, known to attack and kill smaller dogs, have become common all over North America and in some places have apparently crossbred with wolves, which makes them

September 8, 2015 No Comments

A dog waits in her crate to leave for vacation.

All About Dogs

5 Best Places To Spend Your Summer Vacation With Your Dog

When you’re ready to hit the road this summer for some much-needed vacation time, don’t forget to bring your four-legged friends along for the ride. Many popular human escapes are actually places both people and dogs can enjoy together. So when you’re packing for your next summer road trip, don’t leave the dog’s bag behind. Five Places To Vacation with Your Dog Sonoma Valley, California The trip starts on the scenic West Coast in Sonoma, California. Known for its expansive and beautiful vineyards, Sonoma is the ideal place for a relaxing vacation for you and your pooch. What you may

June 18, 2015 No Comments

All About Dogs

Designing Your Home For Your Dog And Your Dog’s Home For You

When we think of architecture and home design, we generally think in human terms. Is the home or apartment big enough for the family? Is it in a style that the residents can live with? When it comes to the interior, is the furniture arranged to provide plenty of room to move around, but also make the TV easy to see from various angles and the dining table easy to sit at with no one shoved up against a wall? All of these elements are important from a human point of view, but it is too easy to forget that

June 18, 2015 No Comments

When Your Dog Gets Bullied

Just like a “wimpy kid” in middle school, you’ll know if your dog is getting bullied if, in social settings like the dog park, it gets frequently mounted, has food, water, toys, or spots stolen, gets ganged up on, or even gets badly injured. Its response to other dogs will often seem intimidated and defensive — even before any other dogs “act out.” For instance, as soon as they are approached by another dog, they may cower or immediately roll on their back, exposing their belly and showing submission. Dogs that get picked on “in public” may otherwise be happy

June 18, 2015 No Comments

All About Dogs

Hypoallergenic Dogs: Not So Allergy Friendly?

As one in five people in Western countries are said to show symptoms of dog allergies, hypoallergenic dogs have become increasingly popular throughout years. Dog lovers who experience itchy eyes and watery noses have sought out breeds such as the bichon frise, labradoodle, and poodle that are said to produce less dander and therefore make good pets for allergy sufferers. Hypoallergenic Dogs May Not Be Allergy Free If you are allergic to dogs and thinking about getting a hypoallergenic breed, you might want to read this. A new study suggests that hypoallergenic dogs might not in fact be so allergy

June 18, 2015 No Comments

Dog Behavior

Dog Walk Etiquette Part 1: What To Do

By Jon Bastian Whether you’ve mastered the walk like Cesar or still have issues with your dog, there are certain do’s and don’ts that we should all follow to make for a more pleasant, safer walking experience. It goes without saying that you should always pick up after your dog and never go on a walk without an adequate supply of pick-up bags on hand. But there are less obvious rules that, when followed, eliminate a lot of possible issues and problems with other people and dogs you may encounter along the way. Do… Know Your Dog That is, you

June 18, 2015 No Comments