Just a couple months ago, I had never heard terms like “social distancing,” “self-quarantine,” or “ PPE.” Nowadays, such things are a way of everyday life. These are weird times for sure, and for many of us, that means spending way more time at home than . . .
Read MoreDogs
The Orvis Dog Blog features informative posts on wide-ranging topics, including canine health, behavior and training, and the products your dog needs. Learn more about the Orvis-Morris Animal Foundation Canine Cancer Campaign, and our work supporting Petfinder Foundation’s dog rescue efforts.
How to Adopt a Shelter Dog
All of these dogs came from shelters and are beloved family members of Orvis associates.
Photos by Les Jorgensen
There is a common saying in animal rescue circles: when you adopt a “shelter dog,” you actually save two lives: the life of the dog you are adopting and the life of a dog who is then able to take . . .
Read MoreStory and Photos: Ode to a Dog Bed
Some years ago, my friends were going to Colorado for the holidays, and I quickly volunteered to take their one-year-old yellow lab, Sampson, to my parents’ house in Pennsylvania for a few days. We grew up with a yellow Lab that we had lost just a few . . .
Read MoreNew Series: How to Best Work Alongside Your Dog
At Orvis, we have been lucky enough to be able to bring our dogs to the office for years, and we have learned a lot of things about working productively alongside our four-legged friends. This series will dive into maximizing your time together–not only . . .
Read MoreA Guide to Dog Coat Types
Not all dog coats are the same.
From the neat, flat coat of the Labrador Retriever to the abundant shaggy mop of the Old English Sheepdog, a dog’s coat type is one of his most distinguishing features. Dog coat type refers to the differences in texture and length of the fur, and whether it’s a double or single coat. Varied coat types require different methods of grooming and present different challenges, and also influence your best friend’s need for a dog jacket in crisp weather. Here’s the long and the short—and the rough and the smooth—of it:
Read MoreWhat to Put in Your Puppy’s Crate at Night
You love your new little puppy, and you want her to feel happy and secure in her new human family. But hang on a second before you pile her crate full of cute toys and a velvety soft bed.
Read MoreThis Dog Crossbreed Generator Is Kind of Fun
Ever wonder how a cross or hybrid of two specific dog breeds would look? The photos on this entertaining Dog Crossbreed Generator might have your answers.
The dog breed mixer is on the quirky website of U.K. insurance company Co-op, and it’s a fun place to click around. The dog mixer is not exhaustive; the choices seem limited to breed combinations for which the developers could put their paws on real-life pictures. So you can put a Corgi and a Papillon together (you’ll get a fluffy-haired “Corillon”), but not a Papillon and a Siberian Husky (… 404 dog not found).
Read MoreWhy Can’t My Dog Get Comfortable Lying Down?
One of the coziest sights is a dog curled up in his dog bed, or comfy on the couch, fast asleep. But what about when your dog can’t get comfortable lying down?
It’s normal for dogs to circle before they lie down—that’s an inborn behavior courtesy of canine ancestors who needed to tamp down a “nest” or check for danger before sleep. But if you notice your dog struggling to get
Read MoreFake Service Dog Laws: Protecting working service dogs
A canine wearing a vest with “Service Dog” patches means that animal is working, assisting their handler who has a disability—or does it? An increase in animal-related incidents and fake service dogs has created suspicion among the public in response to dogs labeled as service animals—which in turn causes distress for people who need a service dog to assist with legitimate disabilities. Is it illegal to fake a service dog? The majority of states have passed laws regarding fraudulent service dogs and emotional support animals—and many new bills were introduced during the 2018 legislative session in states without current laws.
Read MorePro Tips: Can You Rename a Dog?
When his family adopted him, they had no idea what his name was. Now it’s Pedey.
Photo by Phil Monahan
Renaming your dog is easy and you can do it at any age, young or old. She does not really care what you call her, whether a classic name or a more outdoorsy dog name—as long as she understands you are the source of all good things and that she belongs to you. And in some situations giving your pooch a new moniker is not only okay, but actually good for her.
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