If you have an emotional or mental condition that affects your daily life, you may find comfort and support in the form of a pet. If so, your cat, dog, or other pet serves as an emotional support animal (ESA). Some laws provide ESAs and their owners certain legal protections, and a legitimate ESA letter…
There is nothing healthier for your dog than eating fresh, whole foods chosen from the same shelves from which you choose your own foods. After all, there is no such thing as dog food, only food. The fresher and less processed the food, the better. If you prefer to buy prepared foods, there may be trade offs…
Many people think that dog sweaters and other pet clothes are too ridiculous to be used in the average dog, but the truth is that more and more companies are now making them. While they used to be more of a fashion statement than anything else, the truth is that, for some breeds, it may…
There are several things to consider when choosing the best dog bowl, including the size and physical characteristics of your dog. The way he eats can also be important to look at when choosing the best dog bowl. The type of material the dog bowl is made from and its style and color are also…
Many dog trainers extol the use of the choke when helping animals learn good behavior. Others see the choke chain as unspeakably cruel, with too great a potential for injury especially when people aren’t trained on how to use them with their dogs. Dogs can have injuries from choke chains that include collapse of the trachea,…
There are five main types of hunting dogs: hounds, gun dogs, terriers, curs, and feists. Not all of these types of hunting dogs are used throughout the world. Feists, for example, tend to be found primarily in the United States, especially in the Southern States. However, all of these types have ancient lineages, and they…
Illegal dogs include any breed of dog that is thought to be especially vicious and dangerous to the general public, regarding which a law has been passed restricting them in some way. There are no national laws that name certain dogs as illegal. There are a number of state, county, and city laws that restrict…
Shock collars for dogs are both praised and condemned. Animal activists, and proponents of training based solely on positive reinforcement, frequently cite shock collars as a cruel and ineffective method of behavior modification. Many professional trainers — particularly those who work with retrievers, spaniels, and other bird-hunting dogs — tend to believe the collars cause little…
A “designer dog” is a relatively recent term, often used to describe a selectively cross-bred dog from purebred parents. Some dislike the term “designer dog,” and argue that it’s no different than any other mixed breed. However, a so-called designer dog is often priced as high, if not higher than, a purebred dog. The cost…
One of the biggest challenges for dog owners comes from training their canine companion. One of the most tedious training processes is housetraining, which means training your dog to eliminate waste in a designated area. While most dog owners teach their dogs to go outside, some prefer to litter box train. Litter box training a…