There is nothing quite like the smell of a new puppy :)  It’s tempting to spend every waking moment with your new friend, but you won’t be doing your puppy any favors if you do because sooner or later you’ll have to leave them on their own. Because dogs are such incredibly social creatures, training them to spend time alone will relieve a lot of future stress for both of you. Start by teaching your pup to be alone while you are in the house.

Did you know there are health benefits to owning a pet?  Pets can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, ease loneliness, encourage exercise and can improve your cardiovascular health. Pets fulfill the basic human need for touch. Studies show that prisoners exhibit long-term changes in their behavior after interacting with pets, many experiencing mutual affection for the first time. Research has found: - Pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression than those without pets. - People with pets have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than those without

I may be a little biased but I never get tired of learning cool facts about our canine companions. Here are 10 of my favorite fun facts about dogs: 1. There are over 75 million pet dogs in the United States; more than any other country. 2. A dog’s nose print is unique, much like a person’s fingerprint. 3. Forty-five percent of U.S. dogs sleep in their owner’s bed. 4. Seventy percent of people sign their dog’s name on their holiday cards. 5. Your dog’s

The scariest news a pet owner can hear is their dog or cat is lost. Whether a yard gate was left open, or a door to the house wasn’t pulled tightly closed, the news of a missing pet is devastating. Research shows that 1 in 3 pets will become lost in their lifetime and fewer than 2% of lost cats and 15% of lost dogs ever find their way home.  According to a study by Ohio State University, micro-chipped cats were 20 times more likely

While we revel in Independence Day celebrations, most pets don’t share our love for fireworks. Loud fireworks can be very frightening to pets, and there’s great risk of pets becoming spooked and running away. Sadly, more pets get lost on July 4 than any other day of the year. To keep everyone safe this holiday, keep these tips in mind: - Be sure your dog is wearing an up to date ID tag at all times and take a current photo of your dog just

Hot asphalt during warm weather months in New England poses a danger to your dog’s paws. There’s a simple test you can do to check whether the pavement is too hot for your pooch. Simply touch the pavement with the back of your hand. If you can’t hold your hand on the pavement for seven seconds, then it’s too hot for your pooch’s paws. Even if the air temperature feels pleasant to you, remember the ground can get much hotter than the air and it absorbs

Like many others have done during stay at home orders, I adopted a new dog last week. Maci is a 12 pound Chihuahua mix who came to me from Alabama. Bringing home a newly adopted pet is super exciting to humans! However, keep your excitement in check and consider your new dog’s state of mind. The first few days and weeks can be very confusing for your new pooch. Don’t be alarmed if your new dog doesn’t want to eat; many don’t when they are

In spite of the chilly spring temperatures and rainy weather, many folks are already finding ticks on their pets. Pet owners should be safeguarding their pets now for warmer weather. Here are a few tips to keep your pets happy and healthy as we prepare for sunny days ahead. Pets Can Suffer from Seasonal Allergies Just like their humans, our pets can suffer with seasonal allergies from new grasses, flowers and trees blooming in spring. However, unlike most humans, pets manifest their allergies through the

If you’re looking for things to do with the family, here is a super simple recipe for homemade dog biscuits that even I can manage! They are inexpensive to make, and your canine pals will go crazy for the peanut butter flavor. My pooch Fletch thinks I’m a culinary genius. Enjoy! Ingredients: 2 cups whole wheat flour • If your dog has a wheat allergy; substitute all-purpose flour 1 cup toasted wheat germ 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • Do NOT substitute. Some spices (such as

Are you thinking of a new pet while you’re stuck at home? I’ve spoken to a number of people wondering if this is a good time to add a new puppy to their household. Many rescue groups and animal shelters across the country are reporting success finding homes for many of their furry tenants. Pets offer a way to help ease the feeling of isolation that comes with staying home day in and day out. Animals provide constant companionship, comfort and stability during this otherwise