Safety

Picture Credit: Peter Cade / Getty Images Dogs are our friends, family, and sometimes even our coworkers. However, they’re still animals, and we cannot speak to them the way we talk to our human companions. We need to understand what they’re saying in their language–through their tail wags, barks, and growls. Many of us have

(Picture Credit: Andy Cross/The Denver Post via Getty Images) Your yard and gardens are wonderful for relaxing, playing and entertaining. However, they can also be dangerous for your pets. It’s our job as pet parents to make sure the places where our dogs play, explore, and go potty are as safe as possible. Dogs and

(Image Credit: Shaw Photography Co./Getty Images) It’s hard to imagine a more picture-perfect family image than children and their beloved dogs. It’s so iconic you can almost imagine a Norman Rockwell painting of it. But the truth of the matter is that children and dogs don’t necessarily get along automatically. Like all cohabiting animals, they

(Picture Credit: Corey Jenkins/Getty Images) Pet parent instincts seem to activate the moment we sense our dogs in any danger. We rush in to stop them from eating anything toxic or getting into an accident. However, when it comes to your dog falling into icy waters, jumping in after them should never be your next

(Image Credit: Getty Images) Walking your dog at night can be challenging, and those challenges might change with the weather and the area where you’re walking. But with a few tips, you can keep yourself and your pup safe on your night time walks. Depending on where you live, some of the following tips may

(Image Credit: Getty Images) In our “Gold Souls, Gray Faces” series, we focus on the needs of senior pets and what you can do to ensure that their golden years stay golden, and you can continue to enjoy their company for as long as possible. We can do a lot to help our senior dogs

(Photo Credit: Shutterstock) Winter is approaching fast. Before you know it, the days will be short, the Christmas lights will be up, and you’ll be brewing yourself a cup of hot cocoa to fight off the winter chill. However, winter presents a different set of challenges for dog owners, especially for those living in areas with

(Picture Credit: ROMAOSLO/Getty Images) For those of us living in places where winter means snow, walking dogs outside becomes a big challenge. Snow presents new obstacles that make things difficult–and sometimes dangerous–for dogs. As the winter season approaches, make sure you’re keeping your dog safe and as comfortable as possible on cold, snowy walks. During my time

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Before your family wakes up to see what trinkets Santa left under the tree Christmas morning, be sure that you have taken all of the proper precautions to keep your dogs and cats safe this holiday season. While the holidays are fun for us humans, they can present a lot of

(Picture Credit: AleksandarNakic/Getty Images) Forget about witches and zombies; a seemingly innocuous bag of candy can be one of the scariest things that enters a dog owner’s home on Halloween. Calls to the Pet Poison Hotline increase twelve percent during the week of Halloween, making it the center’s busiest time of the year. We all

(Picture Credit: rgbspace/Getty Images) Let’s be honest. Marijuana legalization is becoming a thing. No judgment here. If you use it, that’s your decision. However, it’s imperative that you do so responsibly. You must make sure to at least keep the weed out of reach of those who can get hurt by it, including dogs. That being

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) There are plenty of scams out there designed to take your money. Some of them even involve dogs, and they’re especially common when people try to buy dogs online. Other scams, however, can end up with you losing your dog. If you’re like me, you’d much rather be parted with your

(Image Credit: Getty Images) September marks the beginning of responsible dog ownership month! While we certainly all like to believe that we are responsible pet parents, the truth of the matter is that we all make mistakes, we are human after-all. Unfortunately, those mistakes can often hinder your relationship with your best friend or, worse,

(Picture Credit: Peerakit JIrachetthakun/Getty Images) Anyone who has watched a flash flood wash away a house in minutes knows the destructive power of these natural disasters. Flooding can be a very frightening time for people and their dogs, but there are thankfully many ways to prepare for this weather event. The best thing owners can

(Picture Credit: MB Photography/Getty Images) Summer is officially here! That means barbecues, pool parties, and fun times outdoors are on the way, too. And of course, we want to include our dogs on as many of those activities as possible. Our dogs are our family members, and they deserve to join us in all the

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) Consumer Reports first sounded the alarm, “Retractable leashes pose problems for people and their pets,” and it’s no exaggeration. Retractable leashes are wildly popular and are sold at every pet store or available online. People often choose them thinking they will give their dogs extra freedom to sniff and poke around

(Picture Credit: Tim Graham/Getty Images) As warmer summertime temperatures approach, it’s important to remember that dogs are vulnerable to injuries and illnesses related to hot weather, including heat stroke, dehydration, sunburn, and foot pad burns. The most dangerous condition is heat stroke, which can cause organ failure, seizures, brain damage, hemorrhages, blindness, convulsions, and even

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) National Pet Fire Safety Day is July 15th, and it’s a great time to go over some fire safety tips that can prevent fires in the home and keep your dog safe should a fire break out. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says pets are responsible for over 1,000 house

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) More dogs go missing on the 4th of July than any other day of the year. With all the noisy fireworks, loud parties, and distractions, it’s no wonder so many pooches bolt and get lost on Independence Day. As pet parents, we all want to keep our dogs safe and happy

(Picture Credit: Anna-av/Getty Images) One of a dog owner’s biggest fears will always be losing their pet. Losing a pet is like losing a child and is an experience no one should ever have to go through. July is National Lost Pet Prevention Month and serves as an important reminder to make sure your pet

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) If you see a dog locked in a hot car, you’ll probably want to do something to save that pup. Every year dogs die from being left in hot cars, even though many states have created laws that make it a crime. Before you immediately start smashing windows, there are some things

(Picture Credit: Getty Images) No matter where you stand when it comes to the gun control debate, we can all agree that there should never be a situation where a dog could accidentally discharge a firearm. Most responsible gun owners know this and would never leave a loaded weapon with the safety off in an

(Picture Credit: THOMAS B. SHEA/AFP/Getty Images) Hurricane season in the United States usually lasts from June to November, and it’s especially important during this time to prepared for an emergency and possible evacuation with a plan that includes your pets. If you live in an area where hurricanes are known to hit land or you