Frequently Asked Questions

A: Many dogs love to swim, whether it's in a lake or in a swimming pool, but even if your dog is a natural born swimmer he or she might need a little extra help. Here are some easy tips on staying safe in the pool. Pay attention Even if your dog is good at swimming, never leave a dog unsupervised in the pool. It's easy to get distracted, but keep your eyes on the dog. If something happens they might not be able to bark for help. Drowning is a silent death both for people and pets. Start slowly and build confidence Most dogs are cautious the first times in a swimming pool. Start slowly and let your furry friend build confidence. Keep track of the time Swimming is great exercise, but it's important to limit the time your dog spends in the pool. Especially older dogs and puppies often underestimate how tired they are. Even dogs in their prime might be using new muscles when swimming, and can tire quickly. Start with brief dips in the pool and increase the time gradually. Teach your dog how to get out of the pool Some pools have steps on one side. It is important to teach your dog where they are, because it's impossible for a doggie to get from the water up on the ledge. Other pools only have a ladder. It is possible to teach a dog how to use a ladder, but it doesn't come naturally to them, so this might take some time. Patient practice makes perfect! Rinse When the swim is over it's important to rinse off all pool water - otherwise your dog might lick it off and ingest chemicals. Chlorine and other pool chemicals can also irritate the skin.  Also make sure to dry the ears. You can dab them gently with a soft towel. Have fun, and enjoy the summer!

A: If cats and dogs could speak, they'd probably give us some hints on things we can do better. Cat and dog owners do their best, but it would be easier if our loved furry friends could give us some hints. Here are some examples on areas where we could improve. Many cat-owners play with a laser pointer. Have you noticed your cat might seem frustrated after the game? Cats live to hunt, and if you end the game with pointing at an actual toy, the cat might get to "catch and kill" it. Many dog owners get frustrated with their pooches during walkie-time - it's difficult for a human to understand why the dog must walk around in circles before doing its business. Especially frustrating when it's cold or raining, right! Dogs have an instinct to be aligned with the earth's magnetic field before they do what they need to. Science have yet to figure out why. Too much nap time can affect a pet's personality. Many behavioral problems can be solved by taking a longer walk or giving some more play time. All dog food is the same, right? Not really. There is special food for puppies, enforced with the nutrition a growing body needs. There is also special food for seniors, formulated to keep old dogs healthy. Subtle changes in a pet's behavior might mean it's time to go to the vet. They can't tell us how they're feeling, and both cats and dogs are experts at hiding illness. Watch out for changes such as eating slower, drinking more, or getting tired quicker than usual. It might be time for a check-up. And, if your dog isn't paying attention during training, you might want to switch treats. Find something moist, icky, and smelly. Like, a piece of rotisserie chicken.

A: The majority of dogs put down in shelters are mutts; mixed breeds of unknown origin. All dogs are awesome, but there are many reasons to adopt a mutt. For instance, mixed breeds are thought to adapt more easily than purebreds. Purebred dogs adhere to standard when it comes to both appearance and temperament. A mutt is unique and you get a one-of-a-kind. That also means they're not as strongly "programmed" as purebreds, and tend to be more flexible. If you want a hunting dog or a herding dog, you probably want a purebred that is developed to perform these specific tasks. If you want someone to keep you company around the house, a mixed breed can be much easier to handle than say, a hyper-energetic Border Collie that wants to herd anything that moves. Many mixed breeds make great service and therapy dogs; they often combine the best properties of their parents. They are also generally healthier than purebreds, because they're not as prone to specific illnesses. If you're the competitive kind, your mixed breed might shine. Many excel in agility, dock diving, flyball, and similar. The UKC even has a special class for mixed breeds. Rottweiler, Dalmatian, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Great Dane, and more

A: While many cultures consider black cats and dogs to be good luck, many Americans shun them. The myths that black cats cause bad luck or black dogs are scary and dangerous sit deep in people's minds, and black pets are euthanized at much higher rates than cats and dogs with other colors. The ones who are adopted generally have to wait longer for their homes than pets with other colors. To make matters worse for these hidden gems, their color makes them more difficult to catch on photos, and to see in shelters. Photos for websites such as PetFinder are generally taken by shelter volunteers, and while it is easy to get a good picture of a white, yellow, or brown cat or dog, even professional photographers can have problems catching  expressions on a black pet's face. Once potential adopters arrive to the shelter, darker-haired doggies gets lost in the shadows. Some shelters are training black dogs to sit in front of the kennels during visiting hours, so they'll have a chance to be seen. Whatever the mix of bias and bad luck might be, black dogs and cats make wonderful pets. If you're thinking of adopting a new best friend, don't forget to look for them! If you have a  black pet, you can help other black pets by proudly demonstrating there's nothing wrong with them. Show your love and tell people about the problems black cats and dogs encounter. The "black dog syndrome" is generally unconscious, and once people are aware of it, they move past it.

A: The Beagle is amongst the dogs with best sense of smell. A dog's sense of smell far surpasses a human's. But, have you ever wondered which breeds have the best sense of smell? Here is the top five breeds for detecting scents: 1. Most people would probably answer Bloodhound, famous from many movies and cartoons where they track scents for miles. A Bloodhound has 300 million scent receptors, which is far more than any other breed. These dogs can follow a scent on the ground, and also air scent. This is one of the oldest breeds that hunt by scent, and Bloodhounds are indeed used by law enforcement. Their work is so accurate that evidence trailed by Bloodhunds has been accepted in courts. 2. The Basset Hound is often considered the second best in scenting ability. These dogs are built to follow a scent trail, and have a phenomenal sense of smell. 3. The Beagle comes in as favorite on many types of dog breed lists, and they also have an excellent nose. These cheerful little dogs have as many scent receptors as the much larger German Shepherds, and can follow both air and ground scents. Beagles are often used as detector dogs for narcotics and agriculture. The USDA Beagles have a 90 percent success rate and can recognize around 50 distinct odors. 4. German Shepherds might not be the first breed that comes to mind when discussing sense of smell; they're more known as police and military dogs. However, their keen sense of smell is one of the properties making them so well suited for these lines of work. They have around 225 million scent receptors and are excellent at air-scenting. That means that a German Shepherd can track a human scent carried by the wind. They are often used as tireless Search and Rescue dogs, bomb detectors, and narcotics trackers. 5. Labrador Retrievers also come to mind when talking about working dogs. Their sensitive noses made them great for Search and Rescue, drug, and bomb detection. Labradors are sometimes trained to detect cancer from a patient's breath.

A: While even "hairless" breeds technically shed to some extent, many breeds shed so little it's virtually impossible to notice. If you have a dog, he or she will shed. Surprisingly, this is true for many "hairless" breeds as well. When looking at a Chinese Crested or other hairless breed they don't seem to have much to shed, but they still have some coat. If shedding is an issue for whatever reason, there are breeds that shed very little, and you might want to look into the dogs on our handy list. Though the following breeds shed very little, many still require regular grooming. The Yorkshire Terrier appears to have lot of hair to leave around the house, but they shed little. These are large dogs in small packages, and most of them love to explore. They're generally curious, energetic, and have big personalities. Another great little breed with big personality is the Border Terrier. They are affectionate, learn easily, active, and love to exercise. If you want a friend to bring on adventures, a Border Terrier might be your perfect companion. Poodles are intelligent dogs and often battle the Border Collie for top position on lists with intelligent breeds. Poodles shed next to nothing, and are easier to handle than Border Collies, so this can be a great choice for someone wanting a smart companion. The Bichon Frise is a cute and cheerful breed that sheds next to nothing. They're small but harry, and love to be active and play. Many people allergic to other breeds do well with a Bichon Frise. The wire-haired or smooth varieties of Dachshunds also shed little. They can be a bit stubborn, but have a convenient size, do well in apartments, and are fun and playful dogs. On the somewhat larger side, the Portuguese Water Dog is known for being loyal and athletic. This is a breed that requires lots of exercise, and a Portuguese Water Dog can be a perfect companion for an active family.

A: Bullseye, image from Target.com Bullseye is the official mascot of Target, usually shown with the Target Corporation's bullseye logo painted around the left eye. The Bull Terrier is featured in many commercial campaigns, on signs through the stores, on the company website, and can often be seen on TV-commercials. They also have a stuffed toy of Bullseye to give out at special events, and for employee recognition. The mascot was first shown in 1999, and was portrayed by English Bull Terrier Arielle. Viewers instantly fell in love with the character, and in 2006 Bullseye became the second dog ever to have a likeness displayed in Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum. While the character Bullseye is male, the current actor is female. Her name is Nikki and she lives with her owner and training at Worldwide Movie Animals. Bull Terriers were bred to be companion dogs, and the breed is known to be loving, friendly, and patient. They're considered one of the best breeds with children.

A: The Pallas cat isn't your average house cat; these furry felines are native to the steppe regions of Central Asia where they live on high altitudes. They are solitary and spend their days in caves or rock crevices, coming out to hunt in the late afternoon. The Pallas cat is rare and doesn't do well in captivity. No one knew there were Pallas cats in Nepal until researchers stumbled over them when looking for snow leopards high in the Himalayan mountains. They saw something scurry away that looked like half house cat and half snow leopard. Now they've been recorded in the wild for the first time, by camera traps 14,000 feet above sea level. Turns out they're smarter than we gave them credit for. At least one Pallas cat discovered the camera trap and went to investigate. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIXw-3H48yU

A: All shelters and rescues need photos of available pets. A few are fortunate enough to have professional photographers donate time to help, but the vast majority rely on volunteers. This photo can be the most important event in the life of a shelter pet - it is literally a matter of life and death. The shelter photo will show the pet on the shelter's website, on Petfinder, Facebook, and other online resources. It's the pet's lifeline, in many cases their only hope of finding a new home. At the same time, the animals are stressed, and you're usually working with low-budget equipment. Take your time The shelter crew is often stressed, and it seems like a good idea to get photos of as many pets as possible in the shortest possible time. However, spending just a few minutes with each pet will make the photos so much better, and might very well decrease the amount of time the pet will have to spend at the shelter. Spend at least 5-10 minutes with a dog, and even 15 with a cat. They need to transition mentally between being in the kennel and being with you. Find a good spot If at all possible, take photos of dogs outside. They'll need a few minutes to explore before they'll be willing to cooperate. If it's bright and sunny, shoot in the shade. If you have to take photos indoors, try to find a good backdrop. Anything is better than the kennel. There might be a nice wall or something you can use. Take many photos With digital technology it's possible to take many photos in a short period of time without extra cost. Pets are difficult to photograph because they move all the time. If you take many photos, the chance of one being great is much bigger than taking one and hoping it will be fantastic. Don't use the flash Many good photos of dogs and cats have been ruined by using the flash. It can scare them, and the flash reflecting from their eyes or shiny coats can make them look like a pet belonging to Dracula. It's also helpful not to hold the camera in front of your face. The pets will trust you more, and relax better, if they can see your face. Talk to the pets When it comes to dogs, you want to get them from "I'm in jail" to "This person likes me." Talk to them in a cheerful voice. Shelter kitties can be skittish, and here a happy but soothing voice works better. Keep talking. If they can connect with you they might be able to relax a bit, and photo with happy ears or even a smile sells much better than a sad shape crouched in a corner.  

A: Happy 4th of July! This is a wonderful holiday, and here are some tips to keep your family together. Everyone should be happy and safe, right! With 4th of July comes celebrations, fireworks, and firecrackers. While all this can be great fun for humans, pets are generally less impressed. They don't associate the flashes, noise, and smell of fireworks with something happy; most pets are very afraid of fireworks and many panic and run. Every year on July 5th, animal shelters drown in pets that panicked and fled. They can't find their way home, many are injured, and some die. During holidays such as 4th of July, keep your pets inside, and keep an eye on them every time someone opens a door to the outside. They might bolt through a crack in the door. Even if your dog is used to hanging out in the yard on their own, keep them indoors. They can hurt themselves, break restraints, and jump fences in an attempt to find safety from the scary bangs. Naturally, don't leave your pet in the car, and don't bring them the fireworks displays. Make sure your pet has proper ID. They should carry a tag with their name and your phone number, and they should be microchipped.