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Should You Let Your Dog Sleep in Bed with You?

There are two camps among dog people:  those who believe dogs belong in the owner’s bed, and those who prefer their dogs to stay off the furniture.  What are the benefits to each scenario, and is one way better than the other?  These questions are answered below. Benefits of Co-Sleeping with your Dog There are many benefits to allowing your dog to sleep in bed with you.  These include: Protection A dog sleeping in your bed will provide more protection against a break in than a dog in a crate.  Even if your dog isn’t a natural protector, studies have shown that burglars are significantly less likely to target a home with dogs. Warmth Pet owners can save money on their energy bills by allowing their dogs into the bed.  A dog’s body temperature is naturally a few degrees warmer than a human’s, making even the smallest pet a natural...
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Why Do Dogs Do That: Zoomies Edition

Has your dog ever sprinted around your house, bouncing from chair to couch and back again with an unrivaled amount of energy?  If so, you are not alone in wondering what just happened?  This phenomenon is known as frenetic random activity period (FRAP), otherwise known as the zoomies.  What are zoomies, why do they occur, and how can they be stopped?  All of these questions will be answered here. What are Zoomies? Dogs can develop zoomies at any time, although most dog owners observe them after a bath, when a favorite human has returned home, or after a potty break.  The main characteristics of zoomies are wild bursts of energy where the dog seems to have no concept of its size or strength – or of your furniture and valuables.  While zoomies are completely normal, they can be dangerous for unsuspecting humans, animals, or china collections that are in your...
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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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Is Your Dog Afraid of Car Rides? Here’s What You Need To Do

Sometimes, the world’s most mundane things can be terrifying to dogs.  Garbage cans, plastic bags blowing in the wind, and stairs are just a few common – yet bizarre – things that have caused dogs to run away in fear.  For most dogs, going for a car ride is a source of extreme happiness.  However, a small subset of canines also find this activity to be terrifying.  Is your dog afraid of car rides?  Here, we will discuss the causes of fear, as well as how you can overcome the problem. Reasons Dogs are Afraid of Car Rides Have you ever wondered why your dog is afraid of simple things?  There are many reasons why a dog develops fear of a person, animal, object, or experience.  Listed here are three of the most common reasons a dog might be afraid of car rides. Unfamiliar with the Experience Dogs – like...
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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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10 Ways to Stop Your Dog from Barking

Dogs are man’s best friend; their loyalty and dedication are unmatched. Picture this, it’s 6 am on a cool Sunday morning, and your best friend is constantly barking for absolutely no reason. Not so cute anymore right? There are solutions to your problem, which will leave everyone happy. Mentally and physically occupy your dog Many times, excessive barking is a sign that your dog isn’t getting enough physical activity. The barking is a way for it to release this energy. The dog could also lack mental stimulation and is showing their distress through excessive barking. This can be remedied by taking your dog on a daily walk and giving him tasks that will use his mental and physical strength to complete. This exercise should help to release some of the pent-up energy and help to reduce the constant barking or encourage barking for the right reasons. We suggest interactive dog...
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Reasons Your Dog is Having Accidents in the House

One of the most frustrating occurrences for a pet owner is to have an otherwise potty-trained dog begin having accidents in the house.  In fact, potty problems are one of the top reasons that dogs are returned to shelters or re-homed.  Here, reasons your dog is having accidents in the house will be discussed.   Stubborn Proteins If your dog is having accidents in the house in the same spot each time, the most likely reason is that the area has not been adequately cleaned with an enzymatic cleaner.  Dog urine contains proteins that act as a “calling card” to your dog’s nose.  Until those proteins are removed, your dog will continue to do his or her business in that location.  To remove stubborn proteins, use a cleaner that is specifically formulated for destroying these enzymes, such as Nature’s Miracle. Underlying Medical Condition Medical problems such as urinary tract infections,...
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How to Prevent Aggression in Dogs

When you bring home a new puppy the last thing you consider is that he or she could become aggressive.  What many pet owners do not realize is that a dog is rarely genetically predisposed to aggression; rather, the actions of the owners can unwittingly lead to anti-social tendencies.  Listed here are ways to prevent aggression in your new dog. Socialization The most important way to prevent aggression is to properly socialize your pet.  Your dog should be introduced to as many new people, places, experiences, sights, sounds, smells, and animals as possible.  One cause of aggression is fear, and proper socialization helps dogs develop coping mechanisms for new and potentially scary situations.  Socialization should continue throughout your dog’s lifetime. Set Boundaries While dogs deserve to be spoiled by their humans, it is also important to set boundaries for how pets should interact with family members.  A dog whose every...
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