dog tips

Why Is My Dog Itchy in the Winter?


If your dog is scratching a lot, there may be a problem.
Photos courtesy Katherine, Kansas City

Not long after the winter season’s first frost, comes the dry, itchy skin—for people and their dogs. Although it is possible for your dog to get fleas and mange in the winter, there are a variety of more common reasons your dog is scratching more than usual from December through March. It’s most likely that your dog is itchy in the winter because their skin dries out in the drier, colder air (like our own skin). Though you can’t slather moisturizing lotion on a thick coat of fur, there are other ways to help. Read on to learn why your dog often…

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When Will My Dog Stop Growing?

Like people, dogs grow on their own schedules. Each dog’s schedule is determined by his genetics, health, and nutrition. A pup destined to be small might be done at 6 months, while a large dog might grow for two years. And some dog parts grow (or regrow) throughout…

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How a Dog Crate Helps with Potty Training and More

When left out on their own, puppies can get in a lot of trouble. These unsupervised moments allow the puppy to chew on clothing and furniture or to have an accident inside. Unfortunately, when our pup gets into this kind of . . .

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What Size Crate Should I Get for My Dog?


Photo via orvis.com

Having made the decision to adopt a dog, it’s time to start making a list of all the supplies and equipment you need before bringing her home. One of the bigger items on the list is probably a crate. Doubtless many of your dog-owning friends have one and maybe you’ve heard that experts recommend them. A dog crate can serve as a really useful training aid as well as an important refuge for your dog. For maximum…

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5 Tips for Becoming a Better Dog Walker

Walking your dog offers several benefits: It provides physical and mental stimulation, gives your dog chances to socialize, and provides many training opportunities. Walking your dog on a regular schedule provides an . . .

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The Best Dog Breeds for Swimming

Portuguese Water Dogs. Irish Water Spaniels. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. These dog breeds are all excellent swimmers, but having ‘water’ or a body of water referenced in your dog’s name isn’t a prerequisite for water-loving dogs. Many dog breeds and rescue dogs enjoy splashing around and swimming. And some…

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Large Dog Breeds: Caring for Gentle Giants

Photo from Pexels

Whether a dog breed is ‘large’ depends on whom you ask: Dog owners and non-dog owners may have differing opinions, and a veterinarian could offer up another suggestion entirely. But generally, a dog is considered large if he weighs more than 55 pounds. Height-wise, most people consider a dog taller than 20 inches at the shoulder to be large, but height and weight don’t always match up—some hefty breeds are short…

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Creating a Dog Drool-Protected Home


Photo by: Kathryn, Smithfield

 

Owning a dog makes life a good measure happier—and messier. Constant fur to vacuum, muddy paws to manage, and full-body fur shakes after rainy walks. But the slimiest canine mess is the dreaded dog drool puddle. Your dog puts your devotion to the test when you sit on a drool-soaked couch cushion, or slide across the hardwood floor on a patch of slobber. The good news is, even if your best friend is a copious drooler, it’s possible…

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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…

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Why Are Dogs So Loyal?


Labrador retrievers are legendary for their loyalty.
Photo via facebook.com/wildrosekennels

Full-body wags. Sitting with devotion in the window until you pull into the driveway. Stepping boldly between you and any possible threat. Your dog shows her affection and loyalty in countless ways. But why are dogs so loyal to their people? It’s a question dog lovers have long pondered, and one scientists are researching…

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