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Benefits of Group Dog Walking

Dogs, just like humans, require daily exercise in order to remain happy, healthy, and free from boredom. Important benefits of regular activity include improved circulation, disease prevention, reduced risk of obesity, socialization, bonding, and improved behavior. According to a 2014 study led by Purdue University, about 40% of Americans walk their dogs regularly. For these 40%, and the remaining 60% who do not make it outside for a daily walk, finding a group to walk with can help break up routines or provide necessary motivation. Dog walking groups can be found in nearly every city or town across the country. Breed enthusiasts, dog training facilities, local pet stores, and even animal rescue organizations organize daily, weekly, or monthly meet ups. Groups typically embark on hour-long walks along trails or bike paths, allowing dogs and humans to explore new areas of town and interact with new dogs and humans. The benefits...
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Walking The Dog: Is It Really Just Walking?

So your alarm clock wakes you up at six a.m. You decide to open your eyes and the first thing you see is your dog, staring at you while waving his tail with excitement. He’s waiting for you and you know he won’t wait much longer; you better take him out… You put on your robe and shoes, grab his leash and walk towards the front door. When you open the door, your heart misses a beat: it’s dark and freezing cold, the wind is so strong your and it’s raining in a way that would make Noah cry in despair. Well, a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do… Okay, After all, your dog needs to pee! Okay, this may be a little over the top but I’m sure you get my point. For most people, walking the dog may feel like this! It can be seen as...
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Do’s and Don’ts for Dog Owners: Lessons Learned the Hard Way

As a dog owner, I look back to my childhood in horror and cannot believe what awful dog owners my parents were.  I know that sounds harsh, but the level of pet-parenting dogs receive today is vastly different than it was 20 – 30 years ago.  Today I am what might be called an over-protective pet parent, but I am probably this way due to years of learning from my parents’ mistakes.  Here are my top do’s and don’ts for dog owners, gathered from my own experiences growing up. Don’t Assume All Dog Breeds are the Same Before I was born, my parents had only ever owned purebred cocker spaniels.  Until I had a spaniel of my own, I never understood why my parents thought dogs didn’t need training or exercise [note:  I do not recommend not training or not exercising a spaniel; rather, some dog breeds just happen to...
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13 Signs of Pain in Dogs

Pain is a very serious condition for dogs.  Not only does pain reduce a dog’s quality of life but it can also put others in danger, due to aggression.  Many dogs have high pain tolerances and instinctively do not show signs of pain.  Therefore, any obvious pain symptom should be taken very seriously.  In addition to noticeable pain there are subtle signs that pet owners can look for, both of which will be described here. Signs of Pain The signs your dog may be experiencing pain include: Change in Sleep Patterns Dogs that are painful tend to sleep more frequently throughout the day.  If your dog is suddenly less active, consider whether pain (such as arthritis) may be reason.  Additionally, a dog that is more restless throughout the night may also be suffering. Withdrawn Attitude Does your dog normally cuddle with you on the couch but suddenly spends most of...
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Should You Hire a Dog Walker?

All dogs require exercise, with certain breeds requiring a larger time commitment than others.  However, not all dog owners are able to commit to giving their dogs two 15 – 30+ minute walks per day.  Lack of adequate exercise results in boredom, anxiety, and bad behavior.  Obesity and related diseases can also occur when a dog is improperly exercised.  For these reasons, many dog owners hire dog walkers.  Is a dog walker right for you?  Here, the pros and cons of hiring a dog walker will be discussed.  Benefits of Hiring a Dog Walker Saves Time Ultimately, hiring a dog walker saves time for pet owners.  Most dog walkers commit to exercising their canine clients for 30 – 60 minutes per day.  In addition, they typically provide extra services at no charge, such as refilling food and water bowls, bringing in mail, and giving treats.   Fewer Accidents Even adult...
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Caring for a Dog Post-Surgery

After a dog has surgery – whether for a routine procedure or an emergency – there is a level of care that must be taken to ensure your dog does not have complications.  Here, everything a pet owner should know about caring for a dog after surgery will be discussed. Types of Surgery Dogs require surgery for a variety of reasons.  Surgeries range from minimally to highly invasive.  Types of surgery include: Spay / Neuter Orthopedic Cardiovascular Tumor Removal Gastric Wound Repair The more invasive the surgery, the greater the risk of infection.  For instance, a neuter has fewer complications than a spay.  Additionally, a dog bite carries the greatest risk of infection because of bacteria introduced from the other animal’s mouth. Wound-Closing Methods There are many different types of wound-closing methods, each of which has advantages, disadvantages, and care requirements.  The most common wound-closing methods are: Absorbable Stitches Absorbable...
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Yard Mushrooms and your Dog – Know What to Look For

Throughout the spring, summer, and fall there are many types of mushrooms that naturally grow in backyards.  Although many mushrooms are harmless, there are certain varieties that can poison your pet.  Here, mushrooms that are dangerous to your dog will be discussed as well as what to do if your dog ingests a poisonous mushroom. Dangerous Yard Mushrooms There are four types of dangerous mushrooms.  Category A mushrooms are most toxic and destroy kidney and liver cells.  Category B and C mushrooms affect the nervous system and can cause symptoms such as hallucinations.  Category D mushrooms cause gastrointestinal distress, such as vomiting and diarrhea.  Regardless of the type of mushroom your dog consumes, the most likely symptoms include: Vomiting Diarrhea Abdominal pain Disorientation Lethargy Weakness Jaundice Lack of coordination Excessive drooling Seizures Coma Fly Agaric (Amanita Muscaria) The Fly Agaric is common in wooded areas throughout North America.  This mushroom...
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Brilliant Dog Hacks for Every Owner

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If you have ever wished for a way to make dog ownership easier, you are not alone.  Here, we have compiled the best dog hacks and tips for owners available on the internet and social media. Baking Soda Dog Hacks Baking soda has many uses around the house, especially when it comes to removing odors.  Listed here are only some of the things you can do with baking soda! Cleaning Dog Bowls Food and water bowls develop a slimy buildup that can be harmful to pets when ingested.  However, if you do not own a dishwasher it might not always be feasible to wash bowls as often as is necessary.  To easily remove built-up gunk, soak the bowl in a mixture that contains 50% water and 50% vinegar, with a tablespoon of baking soda added.  Be careful not to overfill the bowl, as the baking soda can cause the solution...
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20 Tips on Helping Your Dog with Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a common problem for dogs, particularly among certain breeds.  While separation anxiety is one of the more difficult problems to overcome – and indeed is a top reason why animals are re-homed – it can be addressed with patience and training.  Listed here are 20 tips for helping your dog with separation anxiety. What is Separation Anxiety? Separation anxiety is a mental / emotional disorder that results when a dog is separated from a favorite human.  Oftentimes, separation anxiety is confused with isolation anxiety, in which a dog simply cannot tolerate being left alone.  True separation anxiety is far less common than isolation anxiety; however, the two terms are typically used interchangeably. Symptoms of Separation / Isolation Anxiety Dogs that suffer from separation or isolation anxiety generally show similar symptoms.  Telltale signs of these disorders include: escape attempts excessive scratching and destruction near exits and doorways urinating...
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