Pet Health

Whether you’re on the hunt for your first fur kid or your next family pooch, one question you may have is: What are the easiest dog breeds to train? With patience and consistency, all dogs can be house-trained and taught their basic commands, but there are definitely some breeds that’ll make it to the head of the class quicker. I’ve compiled a list of 10 Easiest Dog Breeds To Train. *It’s important to remember, though, that even the most intelligent of dog breeds won’t excel if his family doesn’t take the time to patiently and consistently train him. 1. Border Collie The Border Collie is touted as the most intelligent dog breed of all. The AKC says, “These dogs are whip-smart workaholics.” Along with being super smart, they’re energetic and athletic. They take to training very easily. Don’t waste time — train early. Be consistent with them so they understand you’re the teacher. Originally bred for herding, you’ll find this natural instinct remains totally intact. They are super a...

Her expressive brown eyes protected by what looks like a swim mask and her feet in blue booties, Frida—a 10-year-old yellow Lab—sat obligingly for the camera. After nine years as a member of the Mexican navy’s canine and urban SAR unit, she’s retiring, but instead of a gold watch, her reward is a new chew toy.  A veteran SAR dog, Frida’s credited with finding more than 50 people, 12 of them alive, during her career. In 2017, as she searched for survivors in the rubble of a Mexico City school that collapsed in a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, a tweet from the Mexican navy put her on the map—or rather, on the Twitterverse. While she wasn’t the only SAR dog on the job, she became the face of the rescue effort. Tags:  blog news work of dogs from The Bark https://ift.tt/2XwEgle

Dog's name and age: Maximo, 1 year Adoption Story: We met Max at an adoption event by Lucky Dog Animal Rescue who had dogs from Puerto Rico. We instantly fell in love. His birthday is the same day at my daughter's finance, who is coincidentally also from Puerto Rico so we knew it was meant to be. We had lost our beloved poodle of 15 years and did not think we wanted another dog, but Max change it all. Max came into our lives when we were grieving the loss of our sweet Riley, stole our hearts, and has brought us so much joy. Photo Story:  I do photo shoots with Max each week, and this one was for Taco Tuesday! Tags:  smiling dogs from The Bark https://ift.tt/2ZT7FDG

Choosing the perfect dog poses challenges similar to speed-dating. Psychologists who study how people pick their spouses have turned their attention to another important relationship: choosing a canine companion. They recently found that, when it comes to puppy love, the heart doesn’t always know what it wants. The researchers based their results, which could help improve the pet adoption process, on data from a working animal shelter. Picking a Pet From Dog Shelters “What we show in this study is that what people say they want in a dog isn’t always in line with what they choose,” says Samantha Cohen, who led the study as a PhD student in the psychological and brain sciences department at Indiana University-Bloomington. “By focusing on a subset of desired traits, rather than everything a visitor says, I believe we can make animal adoption more efficient and successful.” Tags:  humane shelters & rescues research tips from The Bark https://ift.tt/2...

Since pets can be our biggest source of joy and laughter, we thought we’d share a cute and fun way to capture everything that makes them so special. Even when it’s not our pet, watching their fun-loving personalities can always bring a smile to our faces. There’s a reason why pet videos and photos on the internet are so popular!  Whether it’s for yourself or as a gift, some colorful canvas art is a great way to show-off your dog’s quirks. It can serve as a piece of decor while allowing you display your beloved pet as part of your family. Before starting this project, think about that makes your pet happy. If his favorite activity is to go to the park, take him out and snap a profile photo while he plays. If your pup loves to lounge under the sun, take out your camera and shoot a cute side angle! Tags:  infographic diy crafts tips from The Bark https://ift.tt/2ZTF7d3

Dogs plus hard-surface flooring equals lots to do, especially during the summer months when days are long and full of activities. The question is (borrowing shamelessly from Will Shakespeare’s Hamlet): To vacuum or not to vacuum—to ignore mini-cyclones of dog hair and tracked-in grit or haul out the big gun. Happily, there’s an easier option: a Swiffer Sweeper armed with either a heavy-duty Dry Sweeping Pad or a Wet Mopping Cloth. Tags:  tips cleaning paid advertisment from The Bark https://ift.tt/2KJ8efM

People & Their Pets, a 26,000-Year Love Story Claudia Kawczynska By Jacky Colliss Harvey Who would’ve thought that our recommendation for the summer’s best read would be a well-researched, deeply crafted, wry and witty compendium on the importance of pets in our lives? The Animal’s Companion by Jacky Colliss Harvey, a Brit from rural Suffolk with a background in literature and art history and a long career in the museum world, is a cultural investigation that is erudite but accessible (I even enjoyed poring through its extensive bibliography). With her curatorial  eye and descriptive skill, Colliss Harvey successfully melds examples from a variety of fields —art, literature, history, biology —with personal reflections. It is a chatty book, easily drawing the reader in (this quality makes it an excellent audiobook choice for a summer road trip). While she doesn’t focus on any one species, there is plenty of dog in it, enough to satisfy the most canine-centric...

Let me start off by saying: The idea of leaving my fur kids with a total stranger was one of the most nerve-wracking experiences of my life. It was something I had an entire year to prepare for, yet, when the moment came to say goodbye for the evening, I still wasn’t ready. You see, it all started last year when I received my cousin’s wedding invitation in the mail. Second to the joy I experienced for him and his soon-to-be wife, I knew my regular dog sitters (AKA my parents) would be a little occupied that night. Because, well, they were invited to the wedding too! And unlike my usual “If my dogs can’t come, I’m not going” mentality, I absolutely could NOT miss this wedding. So, as each month passed, I grew more anxious. Who the heck is going to watch my dogs? After asking around with no luck, it became clear that a website or app was going to be my only choice. The Apps There are several apps that can connect you with dog sitters. You get to see a profile photo, bio, ratings,...

(and All Summer Long) While many of us humans look forward to 4th of July picnics and fireworks, the holiday can be traumatic for our dogs, who typically find the evening’s ear-piercing crashes and booms confusing or downright terrifying.   And it’s not just festivities on the 4th that make summer a stressful time for dogs. From frequent thunderstorms, trips and visitors to being separated from you when you go away on vacation, there are many reasons our furry friends experience increased anxiety during the summer. Fortunately, there are some simple, effective ways to soothe your dog’s nerves and keep summer fun for everyone. 1. Stay calm. Dogs are keen observers of their humans’ behavior, and will pick up on even the slightest change in mood and emotion. While you should try to comfort and reassure your dog, be careful not to overdo it, such that you add to their alarm. Reacting to your dog’s anxiety with nervousness of your own can make the problem worse. Ta...

You are responsible for feeding your cat. She depends on you for quality food to keep her healthy, happy, and active. But, that task is often easier said than done. Have you been to the cat food aisle lately? So many choices! And don’t get us started on picky kitties. Where can you turn? Enter NomNomNow .   NomNom – What? Imagine a world where you no longer need to visit the store to get cat food. Sounds good, right? Now consider this: there is a fresh, delicious, wholesome option available for your feline. NomNomNow uses real ingredients. It arrives at your door, so no more trips to the store to pick up heavy bags. The recipes give cats a foundation for strong nutrition. The food contains high levels of protein, high water content, and natural ingredients. You will understand what you read on the label. Veterinary Nutritionist Justin Shmalberg formulates recipes for all of NomNomNows meals. He believes the best medicine for cats is preventative. That starts with nutritious ...

While some people think you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, many think the same of teeny-tiny puppies and put off puppy training and teaching basic dog commands until 6 months of age… or later. However, a puppy is never too young to learn certain things. In fact, you can (and should) introduce puppy training from the day you bring them home! We’re not asking you to set up a training session as soon as you walk through the door — because your puppy will be far more interested in her new home than learning something new. But once she has settled, you should start some short training sessions focusing on very important basic dog commands. So which commands do you concentrate on first? And how do you teach those commands to a cheeky puppy who is far more interested in running around with your slipper in her mouth? Here are the 5 most important dog commands you should begin teaching your puppy right away… Read more: Dog Training Commands 101: How Do You Train An 8-Week-Old Puppy...

The Bark’s favorite comic strip is celebrating a birthday— Patrick McDonnell began drawing MUTTS 25 years ago and to mark this special occasion, we have the honor of publishing new and favorite MUTTS strips in The Bark magazine and in our weekly enewsletters. Perhaps you’ve missed your daily dose of Earl, Mooch and Ozzie in your local newspaper … well, you can catch up with the gang right here. Enjoy what Peanuts creator Charles Schulz called “one of the best comic strips of all time.” And if you are not already signed up to receive our weekly enewsletter, it’s easy to do at thebark.com/newsletter . Tags:  blog from The Bark http://bit.ly/2ZI5nY6

We all look forward to the “dog days of summer” with the good things that it brings, like longer, warmer days and getting out more with our dogs and enjoying the great outdoors. But summertime also means a lot more of the “outside” can found in the “inside” especially if you have furry family members tracking it in—thus keeping up with housecleaning tasks all the more challenging. Fur balls multiply with the warmer shedding season, and paw print stains brought in from the yard can quickly overwhelm the best of our intentions. Tags:  tips cleaning from The Bark http://bit.ly/2WQG83S

Dog's name and age: Milo Maurice Gable, 5 years Behind his name:  When I looked at him, I thought he just looks like a Milo Mauirce Gable. Plus he has asymmetrical face like Clark Gable! Adoption story:  I found Milo on PetFinder from a rescue in Orlando, FL. He was a chubby little ball of James Dean type-attitude, that could have cared less. But I fell hard for that attitude and ending up getting to be his momma. Milo thinks he is a person ... possibly that rebel boyfriend we all had but loved anyway! What does Milo like to do?  He loves to be outdoors, trying to chase rabbits and smelling the wind. He loves windy days! He really enjoys lying on the sofa with his head on the pillow and he likes our heads to touch. Tags:  smiling dogs from The Bark http://bit.ly/31IZcVf

New research shows that domestication has altered dogs' facial musculature. Dogs and humans communicate quite well. We're pretty good at reading what they want and what they're feeling, and they're very good at reading us. This reciprocal understanding of shared emotions, many of which function as " social glue ," isn't all that surprising given the close association of dogs and humans during the process of domestication. Tags:  blog research from The Bark http://bit.ly/2WUBbHh

Asheville is an Appalachian city, not too big and with a progressive and welcoming feel. Best of all, it’s full of dog-friendly places, including Barkwells ® , our editors’ pick for best stays. A true dog/human retreat, Barkwells offers fabulous, well-appointed cabins, each with a kitchen and fenced-in yard; the property itself is completely fenced as well. There are lots of opportunities for off-leash socializing, making new friends and taking a plunge in the large pond. There really is no place quite like this. In town, check out Asheville’s dog park, browse along the Urban Trail and, for longer hikes, explore Chimney Rock State Park. barkwells.com Tags:  tips blog travel from The Bark http://bit.ly/2WUBX74

Have you ever wondered what the life of ancient dogs was like—what they ate, what they did, who took care of them? A recent (and fascinating) study of Bronze Age proto-farmers and their dogs offers some answers, and another way of understanding canine dietary requirements as well. Spoiler alert: “paleo” doesn’t seem to have been the universal standard. By the Bronze Age (roughly 4,000 to 5,000 years ago), dogs were firmly in the human camp, having made the big evolutionary leap from wolf to domesticated canine thousands of years earlier. This was also a time during which many groups of humans were shifting from being nomadic hunters and gatherers to a more settled agrarian existence. The dogs living with agro-pastoral families most likely had jobs involving livestock herding, guarding and drayage, or hauling. Tags:  history wellness from The Bark http://bit.ly/2WNJmFe

Dogs today are lucky compared to those in the past when it comes to diagnosing and treating health problems. Science has opened a whole new world of diagnostic imaging tests for our canine and feline fur kids that can see far into their bodies. So why then do so many pet parents dread hearing the news that your dog needs an MRI? When my veterinarian said Sophie needed an MRI to determine which part of her spine was causing her paralysis; I wanted to grab her and run out of the office. Hearing the words MRI for the first time was frightening and confusing. I didn’t know what to expect. I think my reaction was pretty typical. Pet parents know the names of tests like ultrasounds, CAT scans and MRIs, but we don’t know how they work or which test is best for our dog’s condition. I was afraid the MRI was too stressful for Sophie and would make her condition worse. I worried about the cost of the test and wanted ass...

Summer took its time getting here this year, even in the Las Vegas desert where I live. But the clear blue skies and triple digit heat have finally arrived. That means it’s time to get your dog, able-bodied or not, into the pool to have some fun. To keep your paralyzed dog swimming happily this summer and keep them safe I turned to two of my favorite companies for advice. I found the best waterproof swim diapers and a stylish swim life jacket. Both are made specifically to get paralyzed and incontinent pups into the water. So, if your dog loves to splash in a swimming pool you’re going to love the gear that will give them the opportunity.   Swim diapers for incontinent dogs If you’re a regular reader of LFPD, you know how much I respect the people at Barkertime® . They make every product imaginable for incontinent dogs and cats. From their escape-proof washable diapers to their PeeJama® that keeps diapers in place, Barkertime designs high quality products that make life bette...

He fetches balls. He sits when asked. He shakes hands. Labrador mix Lucky is a polite gentledog with good manners—as one would expect of a canine his age. He is estimated to be seven years old and is mature, patient and well-behaved, but he also loves going for walks, playing fetch and running around the yard like a youngster. If that’s not the best of both worlds, what is? Lucky is a live-in-the-moment, carefree kind of four-legger, and so he is always happy to have visitors who keep him company during his stay at the animal shelter. He knows he is a little down on his luck right now, but—in true Labrador fashion—he likes to look on the bright side: He has his own kennel with his own bed to sleep on, he has food and water and he has people looking after him. Tags:  smiling dogs from The Bark http://bit.ly/31waaxc

Promising, and exciting. Those are the words used by Dr. Stephanie McGrath to describe new findings from a trailblazing pilot study to assess the use of cannabidiol, or CBD, for dogs with epilepsy. McGrath, a neurologist at Colorado State University’s  James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital , led a small study with 16 pet dogs to assess the short-term effect of CBD on seizure frequency. Based on her research, McGrath found that 89 percent of dogs who received CBD in the clinical trial had a reduction in the frequency of seizures. Nine dogs were treated with CBD, while seven dogs in a control group were treated with a placebo. The research took place from 2016 to 2017, and  results are published  in the June 1 issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Tags:  CBD & Dogs news blog wellness health care from The Bark http://bit.ly/2IMPSqG

Summer brings with it an expectation of sweltering temperatures, sometimes to the point of danger. As temperatures climb, remember that if you are hot, your pet is probably feeling even hotter. Dogs and cats generate more heat than people and usually also have a thick layer of fur to trap that heat inside. Dr. Christine Rutter, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, has some tips on identifying signs that your pet may be too hot and suggestions on ways to keep them safe and cool on hot summer days. While people sweat all over to get rid of excess heat, dogs and cats are only able to sweat through their paw pads. Most pets rely on panting to cool down, but animals with shorter noses, like Bulldogs and Persian cats, tend to be less heat tolerant, meaning they have a harder time getting rid of excess body heat. Tags:  lifestyle blog from The Bark http://bit.ly/31xEgAA