It might come as a surprise, but the gut health of our canine companions plays an integral role in their mental well-being. Recent studies have demonstrated a link between the gut microbiome and anxiety levels in dogs, suggesting that a healthy gut can help mitigate anxiety. The key to achieving this balance lies in the…
Dog depression signs can be easy to miss, especially when symptoms mimic common behavioral changes. But just like humans, dogs can experience sadness, lethargy, and even emotional distress due to grief, boredom, illness, or life changes. If your pup seems less interested in play, food, or family interaction, it might be more than just a…
It’s an astonishing revelation that dogs, much like humans, can experience shifts in mood due to changing seasons. Just as a decline in daylight can affect human serotonin levels, it can influence our four-legged friends too. Surprisingly, 1 in 4 dog owners state they’ve noticed their pets showing signs of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during…
Every six seconds, a pet owner is hit with an unexpected vet bill costing hundreds or even thousands of dollars. For many, the question isn’t whether they should consider insurance for their dog, but rather, which plan offers the best protection. Investing in the right dog insurance can mean the difference between financial strain and…
Helping Your Pup Stay Calm: A Guide to Managing Separation Anxiety in Dogs This article provides an overview of separation anxiety in dogs, including its causes, symptoms, prevention strategies, training techniques, and the use of toys, environmental enrichment, medication, and professional help to manage and overcome separation anxiety. Overview of Separation Anxiety in Dogs Separation…
Over the years, Halloween has been a fun tradition highlighted with candies, trick-or-treats, themed parties and fun costumes. Indeed, Halloween is a fun time not only for kids and adults alike – but also for pets. But before you get carried away with fun and excitement, here are important things that dog owners should…
Let’s face it: as a pet parent you are going to have to deal with more than a few messes in your time. When it comes to diarrhea nobody wants it smeared over their carpet or even in their kennel. It’s one mess that we would all rather live without! Fortunately for those of…
Videos of dogs trapped in vehicles on hot summer days have gone viral around the world. The harrowing images have tugged at our heartstrings and deepened our public commitments to preventing these tragedies and helping our furry friends when they are in danger. But it’s important to know that dogs can also get heat…
Daffodils (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) may be beautiful and cheerful but they could cause serious harm to your dog, as well as cats or horses. The majority of daffodil species, part of the Narcissus group of flowers, such as jonquils, paperwhites, and narcissus, all contain substances that can poison your dog if eaten. Occasionally, simple contact with…
We always get asked, “Can you train a deaf dog?” The great news is, the answer is, “Yes!” We have trained many deaf dogs, and it’s really not much more different nor difficult! Why are dogs deaf ? Deafness can affect dogs of any breed, age or colored coats but there have been many studies…
We handle aggression in dogs in Northern Virginia on a daily basis! Most people do not realize that it can also be medical related. Thyroid glands regulate the body’s metabolism, any decrease in the thyroid’s work can cause various complications that are similar to other conditions. Pet owners and dog breeders don’t know how to…
At our board and train facility in Northern Virginia, we always get a lot of questions around Thanksgiving. You may not naturally consider your family pet to be a major part of Thanksgiving as a holiday, but your dog can be a source of stress or setbacks if you don’t know how to take care…
There has been a debate as to whether or not you should spay or neuter your dog. Many different groups have a variety of different feelings on this heavily debated topic, each for their own reasons. This can be a very personal decision and one of the most important ones that you can make as…
Summer is fast approaching, and it’s the perfect time to learn about dogs having a heatstroke. Humans often believe that dogs are fully capable of cooling themselves off by panting. This is not true. Dogs aren’t able to control their body temperature as well as humans. If a dog has a heatstroke, they can easily…
If you are a dog owner, chances are that you have noticed your dog munching on grass a number of times. This is generally nothing to be concerned over. Our dogs’ wild ancestors were scavengers; they would get vegetation if they couldn’t find any meat. Owners often forget that our dogs are omnivores, and they…
We all have heard the saying that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s mouth. While it’s a common saying, it is simply untrue. There are a few reasons that this myth has floated around for so long. At one time, studies were showing that human bites became infected at a faster rate than…
We do diabetic alert dog training in Northern Virginia. Diabetic Alert Dogs are lifesavers for type 1 diabetes patients, specifically when they are hypoglycemic unaware, meaning that they don’t experience the usual symptoms associated with low blood sugar (shakiness, sweating, etc.). Research has shown that dogs can detect low blood sugar using the…
Since we are the best electronic (shock) collar trainers in Northern Virginia, we often get asked about the affects of electronic collar training. It is not actually a “shock” at all (as some people call it), it is actually a very low level stimulation, much like stim pads that physical therapists use. Due to the…
We get asked service dog questions a lot at our facility in Northern Virginia. ADA (American Disabilities Act) is the governing body for these regulations. The American Disabilities Act has certain regulations in place regarding the definition and purpose of service dogs. This has been revised several times, with the latest revision being on March…
We offer diabetic alert dog training in Northern Virginia. For people suffering from diabetes, early detection of low or high blood sugar is crucial to living a safe and healthy life. There are many different ways to detect changes in blood sugar, including insulin monitors, but diabetic alert dogs are a way for those…
At our dog training in Northern Virginia, we always get asked about Service Dog Training or Therapy Dog Training. Many do not realize the difference between these two types of training. Canines might be prepared to perform numerous activities to help handlers or other individuals to handle a few troubles. There are no less than…
We work with therapy dogs at our facility in Northern Virginia on a daily basis. Certain dogs have nice characteristics and certain behaviors that creates the perfect well-balanced friendly dog for individuals. In fact, because of this specific disposition, trainers can easily measure or choose the most appropriate coaching system/method. We can decide which profession…
Because you can’t ask your pet if he or she is depressed, it can be a case of affixing human emotions onto an animal. It can also be a series of symptoms that have no other logical explanations. It appears that pets can become depressed by changes in their living arrangements, the loss of a…
Techniques for Trimming Dog Toenails It is important that trimming your dog’s toenails become part of a regular grooming routine. When the nails become too long they can break, which is painful to the animal. It can cause infections as well as a gait that is irregular. Consistent awkward gaits can cause a permanent damage…
According to the ASPCA, many dogs in the U.S. show signs of periodontal disease by the time they are four years of age. There are some obvious signs that there are dental problems. These include bad breath, staining, tartar buildup and excessive drooling. Today, there are products that are intended to fight the onset of…
At our dog training program in Northern Virginia, we always get asked about which treats they should give their dogs. First, we generally recommend all-natural treats, like Unleashed Treats. Just like people, the less the ingredients, the healthier the food. When providing treats for your dog, there are some things to consider if you want…
The Purpose of Exercise with Your Dog At our dog training facility in Northern Virginia, we talk about the importance of exercise with your dog on a daily basis. Some people get a dog, thinking that walking the dog will provide good exercise. If you are a couch potato, taking your pet for a short…
Dealing with Dog Skin Ailments Naturally Dogs get skin ailments just as humans do. You can’t ask your pet how it feels; you can only observe his behavior and treat the outward symptoms. If you are accustomed to seeking out natural remedies for yourself, it won’t surprise you to know that pet skin disorders can…
How to feed your dog is an age-old debate that we get asked about weekly at our dog training facility in Northern Virginia. I will give you my personal opinion on this subject, and just to be fair, I will give you some of the pro’s and con’s of each. My personal belief is…
A common question our dog trainers in Northern Virginia get asked is, “Are tennis balls dangerous for my dog?” The answer is yes and no, it really depends on how you view this subject. After reading below, you decide. Do Tennis Balls Contain Toxic Dye? No. Know that tennis balls no longer contain toxic die…
At our dog training facility in Northern Virginia, we always get asked questions about how they can manage their dog’s weight. I am always quick to point out the fact that I am not a veterinarian, and you should seek guidance from them; however, there are easy/general changes you can make to your dog’s…
