Frequently Asked Questions

A: Dog toys are important, but can get expensive. If your dog tires of toys quickly, here are some tips for getting the most out of the toys. Rotate your dog's toys on a weekly basis and keep a few available at a time. This way, old toys can be like new. If your dog has an absolute favorite you might want to keep that available all the time. Make a good mix of the toys that are available. For instance one toy to carry, one to kill, one to roll around, and one to baby. Play hide and seek with your dog through hiding toys and letting your dog seek. A toy that's just handed over is okay, but a toy that required work and was "found" can be even more precious. You can also hide treats and teach your dog to seek them. This is a good mental exercise that keeps your dog active. Take time to play with your dog. Whether it's a hide and seek game, playing frisbee, or tossing a ball, interactive games will help establish the bond between you. Playing together also gives an opportunity to learn good behavior.

A: There is a plethora of dog toys available, and which to choose largely depends on the dog. Some dogs tear through everything but the most chew-resistant in minutes, and others carry the same soft squeaky duck around for years. Most dogs like a good thinking game. Many dogs are alone while their humans spend time at work or school. We're tired when we come home after a full day, but the dog is bored and has been napping most of the day. Handing out a "thinking" toy can be a great solution - you need to be around to make sure nothing happens, but it will keep your friend occupied for a while. Examples of thinking games include "boxes" with hiding spots for treats. The dog must move parts around with the nose, or remove them, to get to the treats. Others are shaped as balls or cubes that must roll a certain way to dispense treats. Kong-type toys frozen with a mix of broken-up treats or kibble along with some peanut butter or soft food can keep dogs occupied for hours. Many dogs love toys meant for chewing or carrying, like Nylabones, Kong Wubbas, and similar. Rope toys are great as long as your dog doesn't manage to untie the knots and eat the threads, and many dogs love tennis balls. Make sure you use balls of an appropriate size, so the dog can't choke on them. Some dogs love soft, stuffed toys. Make sure you get one with pet-safe stuffing. If your dog likes to carry the toy around it needs to be small enough to carry, yet large enough to prevent accidental swallowing. If your dog wants to shake and "kill" the toy, it needs to be sturdy enough to survive the attacks. Many dogs who spend many hours alone love to have a piece of dirty laundry, like an old T-shirt, towel, or blanket. Something that smells like you can be very comforting to a dog. Pick something that doesn't break easily, and that you won't mourn if it's destroyed by carrying, bedding, and nosing.

A: When it comes to humans, many say that we never stop buying toys - they just become more expensive with age. Toys are important to us, and they're important to pets as well. To dogs, they're even necessary. Toys can: Keep boredom at bay Provide comfort Prevent a pet from developing behavioral problems Cats are generally picky about what toys they approve, but dogs tend to love everything they can get their paws on, and it's wise to choose toys for them before they find something on their own. What toys are safe? The answer to that depends on many factors, such as the dog's size, preferences, and activity level. A toy that can be perfectly safe to a small dog not interested in chewing can be dangerous to a large and energetic dog. Use common sense, and try to see it from the dog's point of view. Make sure the toy is appropriate for your dog's size. Balls and other toys that are too small can be swallowed, or choke your dog. Not all dog toys for sale are safe or even appropriate. Remove any ribbons, strings, and other parts that can be chewed off and swallowed. If the toy is torn and falling apart it's time to remove it. Some toys, like rope toys that are braided with knotted ends, are great when they are new, but it is important to replace them once they're worn and chewed, so the dog doesn't eat any of the strings in the rope. Always supervise play with squeaker toys. Many dogs feel the need to tear the toy apart and destroy the squeaker, and squeakers should not be eaten. As a general rule, soft toys made for children should not be used by pets - the filling is dangerous and can in severe cases kill a dog. Not even "pet-safe" fillings are meant to be eaten. Dog-proof your home. Make sure your furry friend can't get to strings, rubber bands, ribbons, children's toys, pantyhose, and similar things that can be swallowed.

A: Laundry detergent pods are convenient for making sure you use the right amount of detergent. Just make sure you store and keep them out of reach of pets and children - they are highly toxic. As an adult it's often hard to predict what will be dangerous, because we think like adults. We know laundry detergent goes in the laundry machine and not in the mouth. Unfortunately, the pods can look like candy to small children, and like toys to pets. They look fun to kick around, hold between the paws, and chew on. But, isn't the detergent in plastic? Not exactly. The pods are designed to hold detergent until the shell comes in contact with moisture - such as the water in the laundry machine or your child's or pet's saliva. The detergent in the pods is highly concentrated and much more dangerous than most regular detergents. When released, the detergent can cause life-threatening damage to the respiratory system, burning of the stomach and trachea, and eye damage. Symptoms of contact with a pod include drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and respiratory problems. Many times, the pod is gone - already swallowed - and it's difficult to know what's causing the symptoms. The problem is easy to remedy. Keep your detergent in a secure shelf where your pets and children can't reach it. Never leave a pod lying around the house, not even on top of a laundry pile.  

A: As summer draws to an end, an extra day off might be a great opportunity to do something fun with your dog. Here are some ideas that require little preparation, so you can get right to the fun part! If you live near the ocean, a lake, or a river, there might be a doggie beach nearby.  A beach offers many opportunities to smell new things and make new friends. Some dogs are a bit intimidated by large bodies of water, but they usually get over it quickly. If your dog likes to swim, it will be a marvelous time. If your dog doesn't like to swim he or she can still have a great time frolicking on the beach. If you have a house with a fenced-in back yard, consider throwing a party for dogs. This is a great way to get to know other dog lovers, and the pooches can play. If your neighbors have dogs they might want to come over, invite the people you bump into over and over when you walk your dog, and your friends and family who love dogs. Another fun idea is to drive to an area where you don't normally walk your dog and go for a hike. Smelling, seeing, and hearing new things will make it a true holiday for your four-legged friend.  

A: If you decide to get a puppy, it's important to know that puppies require a lot of time, attention, and training. As humans we tend to get excited over physical objects, and it's fun to buy all the stuff a puppy needs, such as dog bed, bowls, toys, collar, leash, and food. These things are important for the puppy, but your time, consistency, and training are even more important. When your new puppy arrives, it has just been removed from its mom and litter mates, and this is a big and scary world. He or she is vulnerable and needs security and routine. Here are some good ideas to make the transition easier. Schedule an appointment with your vet. Your new best friend needs vaccinations. It can be dangerous for puppies to meet other dogs before they're fully vaccinated, and many vets even advice against puppies touching the floor in the vet clinic or going outside before they have all their shots. Play quietly and gently. It's tempting to flood the new puppy with attention and activity, but puppies need a lot of sleep. If he or she looks like it's nap time, it's nap time. Decide who is responsible for what. Routine is important to puppies. Who is responsible for getting puppy food and remembering when the puppy needs to eat? Housebreaking  a puppy is a lot of work; they need to go out after sleeping, after playing, and after eating, and this needs to happen at once. If you wait ten minutes to finish a phone call or watch the show your puppy is likely to have an accident. Explain the rules from the start. Encourage playing with the dog toys. Let the puppy know how good it is when playing with them. If he or she starts chewing on the furniture or other off-limits object, say "Off" and show one of the dog toys. Encourage taking the toy, and give lots of praise when the puppy plays with the right thing. Never hit a puppy, give harsh reprimands, or scold the puppy for something that happened in the past. Positive and consistent training is the way to go. Puppies don't come pre-trained. Some new puppy parents shout, "Come here, right now" and are upset when the puppy doesn't get it. He or she has no idea what "come here" means. Enrolling in puppy class is a great idea. Here your furry friend will get socialization and learn how to behave around other dogs, and you will learn how to train your dog. Puppies aren't human. It's easy to assume they'll understand our way of thinking, know what's dangerous, or what's good or bad. It doesn't work like that. If you run into problems, ask for help.

A: Many people believe that dog breeds mostly have an impact on the outside of the dog, but picking a dog just depending on looks can be a mistake. Different breeds are created through selection of certain properties, and it is important to pick a breed that fits with the family's lifestyle. The breed's size and grooming needs play a role, of course, but the breed's temper can be even more important. The American Eskimo is a great example. This cute bundle of fur looks pretty much like a Samoyed or Japanese Spitz, but is bred to be a guard dog. The average Eskie has a completely different personality than the average Samoyed, even though they look a lot alike. American Eskimo Naturally, personalities between individuals vary as well. If you have children, make sure you find a dog that loves them. If the dog just tolerates them you might run into trouble if the kids get rambunctious or do something to the dog it doesn't like. Dogs and children can be the best combination ever, or the worst. This problem is often emphasized when a breed becomes popular in media. The Border Collie is a great example - this breed is extremely smart and often used in TV shows, movies, and commercials. The dogs are cute and do tricks on TV, and they are fantastic companions for the right family. Unfortunately, many people get a Border Collie unprepared for dealing with an explosion of energy that wants to herd everything that moves and is smart enough to open doors and cupboards just to see what's on the other side. A Border Collie needs a job to do. It doesn't have to be herding, but if these dogs don't get a task they're likely to invent one. Border Collies often herd everything that moves - including children and cars. Dalmatians are another great example. They're beautiful, and countless families have fallen for their children's pleas after watching Pongo on TV, unaware that the average Dalmatian has an abundance of energy and needs something to do. If you want a certain breed but doesn't think the personality is right for your family, consider a mixed breed. They're often much more laid back than their purebred relatives. Also consider if you want to get a puppy or an adult dog. Puppies are adorable. They're cute, small, are ready to spend their life with you. They also need a lot of attention, time, and training. Many are surrendered once they get out of the puppy stage and into adolescence, because they require more time and training than the family is prepared for, or able to give. The breeds mentioned here are just examples. In order to research dog breeds, you can find some information on our site. Also take a look on the AKC website - they have a lot of breed information including average life span, known health issues, and grooming requirements.

A: Today is Dog Day, a perfect occasion to celebrate the bond between human and canine. Dogs bring love and many benefit into the lives of humans, and this is a great day to show the dogs in your life some extra love. Also, please consider pitching in to help the numerous homeless dogs around the country and around the world. Helping shelter animals doesn't have to be expensive. Many rescues and shelters ask for blankets, towels, dog and cat food, treats, and toys. Many also encourage the public to come over and donate a few minutes to play with a lonely dog. Large numbers of shelter pets are scared and starved for human attention, and even if you can't take the pet home, helping with some socialization can make a world of difference. Another great way to help shelter animals is sharing their posts on social media. It's completely free, and clicking the "share" button only takes a couple of seconds. Wouldn't it be great if you shared an animal, one of your friends saw it, and this simple process could save a life?

A: This sounds like a bizarre holiday, but there is a reason for it. Most humans visit the doctor and dentist annually. Dog owners are generally pretty good with taking their pooches to the vet at least once a year for a check-up. Cats, on the other hand, are often forgotten. Whether it is because they're so independent, seem so healthy, or put up a fight when it's time to get in the carrier, many cats only get to see the vet when there's something evidently wrong with them. This results in needless suffering and high veterinary bills that might have been avoided if kitty had gotten routine checks. Cats are excellent at hiding when something is wrong with them, and by the time an owner realizes their kitty is sick, the problem has usually escalated. Most dogs get annual tests for worms, regular inoculations, and blood screening. Cats need this too, so any problems can be caught early. Take your cat to the vet for a check-up and find any medical problems before they require extensive and expensive treatment.

A: While there are many dog breeds known for being quiet, such as the Newfoundland, Great Dane, Italian Greyhound, and the Whippet, others have a lot to say. Here are five talkative dog breeds.  Beagle The average Beagle loves to sing along with sirens and bark at real or imagined strangers. Fans of the Beagle singing voice say it's quite musical, but if your neighbors don't appreciate being serenaded around the clock you'll want to make sure your Beagle is active and occupied. Pomeranian These little cuties are the smallest of the Spitz breeds, but they don't know they're small. Pomeranians are active dogs that require attention, exercise, and something to do. They're too small to bark loudly, but the average Pomeranian barks a lot. Chihuahua These small, sassy dogs can be quite protective. Many neglect to train them because they're so small - what harm could they possibly do - but all dog breeds require training and socialization. Lack of training often leads to never-ending barking and bad behavior. Spend some time training and playing with your Chihuahua from a tender age and you'll get a great dog. Basset Hound The average Basset Hound is good natured and friendly. Most Basset Hounds aren't as active as other hounds, but they're still quite good at howling. It's usually not a problem if the dogs are allowed to be with the family, but a Basset Hound abandoned in the back yard is likely to share his feelings with the rest of the neighborhood. Alaskan Malamute These dogs are cheerful, friendly, large, and strong. If you're considering adding a Malamute to the family, be aware that these dogs are bred for hauling heavy loads long distances in the most inhospitable climate imaginable. In other words, the average Malamute needs something to do. They're experts at climbing and digging. Few Alaskan Malamutes bark excessively, but they often howl along with sirens and like to talk to you with a "woo-woo," sometimes imitating the intonation of human words.   The beautiful Alaskan Malamute has been known to sing along with sirens