Clinical signs of Cushing’s disease, no matter its primary cause, may include one or most of the following: – Polyuria (increased frequency of urination), polydipsia (increased thirst), and polyphagia (increased, ravenous hunger). – Weakening and atrophy of the muscles of the extremities and abdomen, resulting in gradual abdominal enlargement, lordosis (sway back), muscle trembling, and […]

1. Dogs don’t need flowers If you’ve ever been walking your dog when she’s stopped to smell the roses, you know that while humans see these flowers as a symbol of love, dogs see them as just another thing to pee on. If your Valentine is of the canine variety, consider yourself (and your bank […]

Americans order a total of 1 million menu items for their dogs every year at fast-food drive-thrus. On at least some trips to the pick-up window, 1 in 6 households grab something for Fido, according to a survey by Relevation Research. The marketing research company interviewed 1,499 people nationwide Perhaps this is why another recent […]

Of course, our dogs remember our friends and relatives houses, and going to the vet, groomer, boarding kennel, daycare, or dog park. In some of these places, they exhibit behavior that looks fearful or apprehension, and in some of these places they exhibit what looks like joyful anticipation. I suppose that behavior experts would say […]

These four golden rules should be followed during training 1. Working sessions must be kept SHORT Each training session must amount to what is a fun game for your dog to be played in your company. If the dog becomes exhausted, his motivation can decrease and he can be less willing to cooperate with what […]

If you’re anticipating the arrival of a dog, be sure to put teaching the name response on top of your list. And if you’re frustrated that your current dog doesn’t appear to know who she is, don’t fret; it’s never too late to teach this very important behavior. It’s likely that a dog just learns […]

Have you ever had the misfortune of walking into your house to find overturned furniture, inches-deep claw gouges on door frames, blood-stained tooth marks on window sills, and countless messages on your answering machine from neighbors complaining about your dog barking and howling for hours on end in your absence? If so, you’re probably familiar […]

Most holistic veterinary practitioners recommend switching any itchy dog to a complete and balanced home-prepared diet containing real foods.This will decrease the dog’s exposure to unnecessary or complex chemicals and give his body the opportunity to utilize the higher-quality nutrients present in fresh foods. Whether the diet is cooked or raw, the increased nutrient quality […]

The primary function of the dog’s hair is as a protective and insulating coating. But if the eyes are the gateway or the window to the soul, the skin and hair are both gateway and window to the embodiment of an animals inner health and well-being. Shiny hair, that is, a hair coat that exudes […]

Plants provide vital natural sources of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that many of today’s commercial diets just don’t provide, what with poor-quality and over-processed ingredients. And in our increasingly urbanized environment, many dogs don’t have the opportunity to forage and ingest healing plants they instinctively seek out when feeling distressed. From herbal treatments, animals […]

The game of Tug has an undeserved bad rap in some training circles, while others, most notably the Agility world, have fully embraced it as an excellent activity to create focus and high arousal. Those two extremes aside, its a great game just because its fun, many dogs adore it, it’s the perfect play activity […]

Pet food manufacturers and the veterinarians courted by their sales representatives have convinced most Americans that because commercial pet foods are designed in laboratories by people with academic credentials and because their labels contain long lists of nutrients and claims of being scientifically balanced and nutritionally complete, they are superior to anything an animal might […]

A roomful of dog trainers will never agree on the best equipment for walking, training, or exercising a dog. How do you decide which training equipment is right for you and your dog? First, understand that you, alone, are responsible for choosing appropriate, humane, effective training equipment for your dog not your trainer, spouse, your […]

Living with multiple dogs brings a whole new set of challenges. Adding a second (or third, or fourth) dog means more fun, more love, more joy and more wonderful doggy companionship. But it also means much more from you: more time, more money, more energy, and more working through problems. When choosing a new dog, […]

Fat has more than twice the calories per gram of protein or carbs, so the amount you feed should be limited. Fat, however, is also what satisfies the appetite best. A diet that is too low in fat will leave your dog feeling hungry all the time, making it harder for you to stick to […]

When adult dogs suddenly lose fur, muscle mass, and appetite and seem to stop playing and participating, it may be the onset of Addisons Disease. This imbalance of the adrenal glands is very treatable. Nonetheless, owners often make the mistake of thinking the new behavior is early aging or simple laziness. The disease is far […]

Pumpkin is very good for dogs, and dogs usually want a piece of pie. Make Fido his own dog-friendly pie and he’ll never come begging for yours. Whip together 1 can pumpkin (not pie mix), 3 eggs, half a cup of skim milk (or unsweetened soy milk), half a cup of brown sugar (it is […]

Training does not happen in the majority of dog-owning households. Sometimes I ask why, and people tell me that they think their pets don’t need training because it is only for competition dogs. I find this sad, for everyone’s sake and if you haven’t trained a dog, you don’t know what a rewarding experience you […]