dog tips

How to Measure Your Dog for a Harness


Photo via orvis.com

A harness provides more control over a dog than a collar and leash, and many people and dogs may find they prefer a properly fitted harness instead of a collar. Often a safer option for a dog who pulls at the leash, a harness takes the pressure off her throat and reduces the risk of injury. But when not fitted properly, harnesses may pose hazards: A dog may slip out of a loose harness, and straps adjusted too tightly may rub the skin and cause irritation. In order to ensure your dog’s harness is safe and effective, choose….

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Dog Collars vs Harnesses

A harness is often a better choice than a collar.
Photo via orvis.com

Most dog owners agree that harnesses are more secure, and better for larger dogs and dogs that are pullers, while collars are better for most dogs in most situations, and should be worn in conjunction with a harness. But whether a harness or collar is the best choice for your dog really depends on her age, breed, and walking style. For rambunctious, active, and younger dogs, a harness can facilitate training and give you more control and can do so with ease and minimal exertion on your part. For older, well-trained dogs, a collar with a leash does the trick. Sometimes, you’ll want…

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Are Dog Beds Necessary?


Photos via orvis.com

The discomfort and negative health effects of sleeping on hard floors make beds necessary for most dogs. However, dog beds are not one-style-fits-all. Which bed will help your dog the most, depends on many factors, including your dog’s age, weight, breed, health, and a variety of other factors. Finding the right dog bed requires knowledge of your dog, her needs, and a little training on your part.

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Our 45 Favorite Outdoorsy Dog Names Inspired By Nature


Baxter belongs to the family of Orvis Social Media Manager Tucker Kimball.
Photo by Tucker Kimball

If you love outdoor activities, chances are your dog loves them, too. And few things complement a wild, outdoor dog like a strong, outdoor-themed dog name. From Aspen to Zephyr, there are countless names for dogs inspired by the outdoors. Countless, of course, until you sit down to decide which name best captures your new pup’s spirit and the adventures that await.

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What To Do if You Find a Tick on Your Dog


The deer tick, Ixodes scapularis, is the main vector for Lyme disease.
Photo courtesy the U.S. Department of Agriculture, via Wikimedia

This is the time of year when my dog loves to run through the tall grass in the field next to our home…which means it’s high time for ticks. These tenacious little arachnids carry any number of diseases—from Lyme disease to ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever—and your dog is not the only one in danger. Dogs often bring ticks into the house, where they may find their way onto the human inhabitants. Vigilance is your main weapon against ticks, so…

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Pro 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 when she is 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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Long vs. Short Dog Leashes: How To Choose

Your dog’s leash—long or short—influences the daily rhythm of your life with him. Whether walking your dog is peaceful, controlled, or unruly depends, at least in part, on the length of his leash. In certain scenarios and with particular dogs a short or standard-length leash is your best bet, but in other situations, you and your dog will appreciate the freedom of a long leash. Either way, a leash helps protect your dog and other dogs from unexpected…

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A 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 (especially for first-time owners), 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:

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What to Put in Your Puppy’s Crate at Night

You love your new puppy, and 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. How safe are her toys and bedding? You can’t watch her all night long, and puppies have an insatiable need to chew, indiscriminately. Given this truth, what should you put in your new puppy’s crate at night? Let’s explore…

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