Pet Predicaments & Warnings

Dealing With Dog Smell: 7 Ways To Keep Your Dog Smelling Fresh Every Day… Without A Bath!

While dogs tend to LIKE putrid smells, dog owners do not! Here's how to get rid of everyday dog smell. photo by AICAD on Flickr

Why is it that dogs love terrible smells so much? I once had a dog that could find the foulest smelling stuff and then would roll in it just for fun! That same dog thought it was fun to play with skunks, even though every time she did it she got blasted with loads of stink! Then again, some dogs just seem to have a natural "funk" to them. Dog smell can be a lifelong thing that you have to deal with day in and day out, especially if your dog has a thicker coat. While you always have … [Read more...]

How To Remove Dog Urine Stains & Odors

Uh oh... dog pee on the carpet again! See how to remove dog urine stains and smells. photo by vectorlyme on Flickr

If you have a dog, then you know what I'm talking about when I refer to that oh so dreaded dog pee! It can ruin your flooring in no time -- including carpet, linoleum, and wood floors -- if it's not cleaned up the right way. Plus, it stinks! Fortunately, it is possible to remove dog urine from the surfaces inside your home. You just need to do it the right way in order to preserve your floors. Here's how to remove dog urine stains and odors properly... … [Read more...]

How To Find Your Lost Dog When He Disappears Unexpectedly

Lost dog poster. photo by Aine D on Flickr

There is no more gut wrenching feeling than the moment you first discover your dog has vanished for no apparent reason. I've experienced this myself. My then 6-year-old Yorkie/Pomeranian mix disappeared within just a minute or two of my inattention. It was the evening, and we were in Tucson Arizona. (See update below.) Dogs leave for many reasons: Some dogs work actively at trying to escape. Some dogs just like to wander and explore new places. Some dogs simply get spooked and … [Read more...]

Warning: See How Simple, Everyday Dog Collars Can Be Dangerous

the a/c vent destin got his tongue caught in while licking

In this photo, you can see that Destin is leary of approaching 2 of his favorite "toys" because they are a little too close for comfort to the floor vent -- which had "attacked" him the day before. (More on that in a minute.) It's strange to see Destin so timid like this, because he absolutely loves that green Ninja head. He carries it around everywhere. Then he'll drop it out of his mouth, watch wherever it bounces to, and retrieve it -- just to do it all over again. This is how he regularly … [Read more...]

Dog Mange, Scabies & Sarcoptic Mites: My Dog Passed The Itchy Rash Onto Me!

jim_destin_office

When it comes to dogs, Jim sure knows how to pick 'em! He "found" a puppy under a dumpster near his work, took him to the vet to get checked out, and brought him home for us to nurse him back to good health (and keep). We named him Destin. This photo shows how well our rescue dog cleaned up and grew into a happy and healthy Black Lab / Golden Retriever mix. When we found him, the vet diagnosed Destin with 2 health issues: Sarcoptic Mites (aka Mange or Scabies) Rocky Mountain … [Read more...]

Is Your Dog Refusing To Go Down Stairs? My Solution: A DIY Stair Runner For Dogs

dog-stairs-top

Out of the blue one day, our dog refused to walk down the stairs in our home -- the ones that connect the first floor to the second floor. He had no problem going up the steps, but he wouldn't come down unless one of us walked side-by-side with him down each of the steps. The stairs are solid wood, not carpeted. And we didn't have stair runners at the time. This unusual behavior started about a year after we moved into this house. Before this, he had been going up and down those steps … [Read more...]

Found A Dog? Here’s What To Do When You Find A Stray Dog

It's hard to ignore a stray dog that's wandering around looking hungry and alone. We've all seen it... You're driving your car when you see a dog on the side of the road. With a sinking feeling, you realize he's alone. What should you do? This is a wrenching scenario for all who care about animals. Once you've seen the dog (or cat or even rabbit), many feel it's too late to drive away from him or her. After all, what if your own pet were standing there?  Source   Your first … [Read more...]

Microchip Dog Facts – Have You Microchipped Your Dog AND Registered The Chip Yet?

Millions of pets are lost (or stolen) every year. Plus, natural disasters -- like fires, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes -- can easily catch you off-guard when they take place right in your own backyard. Even a car accident could send your dog scampering in a strange environment. The truth is your dog can get away from you very quickly due to a number of different circumstances.  Since most lost dogs end up in shelters where they are either adopted or euthanized, it's incredibly … [Read more...]

Teacup Dogs Are So Cute, But Are They The Right Dog For You?

Pocket-sized dogs or miniature dogs are commonly referred to as Teacup dogs these days.You've probably seen -- or at least heard of -- Teacup Chihuahuas, Teacup Poodles, Teacup Yorkies, Teacup Pomeranians to name just a few.Hollywood celebrities wear them on their sleeve or carry them in their handbag like the latest style in jewelry.Seeing these little darlings in movies, on TV, and in our own neighborhoods has created an insatiable market for small dogs these days. The smaller the better.But … [Read more...]

Dog Frog Poisoning Facts: It’s True, A Toad Really Can Kill A Dog!

dog-frog-poisoning-by-Scarto.jpg

In the eyes of your dog, frogs and toads fit the bill as instant entertainment, as seen in this video. However, dog frog poisoning is something we're starting to hear more about lately. And while it's not frogs per se which are the problem, the fact is... not all toads are safe for your dog to play with! Do you know the difference between frogs and toads? For the most part, toads found throughout the United States are harmless little creatures that coexist nicely with other wildlife and … [Read more...]