Your dog is an important part of your family. You want to make sure your pet is safe and happy by your side, whether you’re going for a walk or snuggling on the sofa together.

Unfortunately, even the best-trained pets can sometimes escape. Keeping your dog on a leash or in a fenced yard is one of the most important things you can do to protect your furry friend, but even that isn’t foolproof. Here are a few extra steps you can take to ensure your dog stays where he belongs.

How to...

Dogs are driven to be part of a pack. In the wild, that pack is of the four-legged, furry variety. But domesticated pets often find themselves serving as part of a human pack, with you, your children, your spouse, or whoever else lives in your home filling all those roles.

If you’re adopting a pet, you’re adding that animal to your pack, whether that pack is composed of people, pets, or a combination of both. Simply bringing the pet into your home can make things tougher for both...

I am often found enjoying country life on my farm. Sprawling with different species of animals behind a post and rail fence, there is plenty of open space and ample room for everyone to get along untethered with safe boundaries.  

However, lately I have been called upon by several of my city clients to help them navigate their concrete jungle, New York City.

Leash Be With You!

As I specialize in modifying aggressive behavior, many of these clients who call have dogs with some level...

Few things can be as scary or emotionally unsettling as a missing dog. Not only does it put your pet at risk of harm, but you’ll likely fear that you won’t be able to find him again. If your dog gets out repeatedly, you may find neighbors start to complain and local animal control could even get involved.

But keeping a dog on your property can be a challenge, especially if you have a new puppy. Young puppies should never be outside without your close supervision. For older puppies...

Now that the weather is getting nicer and we're spending more time outside, the possibility of our dogs having a run-in with a skunk has raised to 'its definitely going to happen' percent. Dogs are naturally curious animals, and skunks live just about anywhere -- in the country, and the city -- and at least one dog in your life will get sprayed. Consider it a right of passage (for you...not them).

So what should you do if (or when) it happens? 

Whatever you do, don't spray your...

Your dog probably spends more time outdoors than you do. When he goes outside, he’s also walking around in the grass, and his body is closer to the ground than yours is.

That means your dog is likely more at risk than you are to have ticks attach themselves. If ticks are in your yard, they hang out on tall grass and shrubs, becoming dislodged as your dog brushes against them. Some ticks carry something called Lyme Disease, a bacterial illness that causes issues in organs and joints....

If you have a dog, you probably know just how much mischief he can get into with his mouth. That book or shoe he chewed up tells you that chewing is a favorite pastime, especially for younger dogs. Dogs love to pick up anything that smells like you - clothing, telephones, remote controls, etc. While sometimes this behavior amuses us, it can often be dangerous for your dog and expensive for you. Recently I worked with a dog who took batteries off of a counter, swallowed them whole and had to...

Service dogs are trained for a very specific job. Once that training is complete, your new helper should be able to navigate a wide variety of environments, from airplanes to restaurants to grocery stores.

If you have a new service dog, though, it’s only natural that you’ll have a few questions about venturing out into public together. Here are a few tips that can help.

Taking Your Service Dog Out in Public

Understanding Service Dog Rights

Before you leave home, first familiarize...

Are you ready for the arrival of your new puppy? This cute little creature is going to require a lot of work. The good news is, with training and the right supplies and equipment, raising your new puppy can be easy and stress-free. In the days leading up to your new puppy’s arrival, there are some things you can do to help transition your new puppy into a happy and healthy member of your family.

Getting Your Home Ready for Your New Puppy

Invest in a Crate

For your puppy’s safety...

Every year, thousands of cats and dogs undergo a dangerous and expensive procedure. A procedure that not only results in unnecessary death but is in some cases completely superfluous.

What is this risky practice?

It’s going under anesthesia in order to get their teeth cleaned.

Is Anesthesia for Dog Teeth Cleaning Necessary?

Each year approximately one in 1,000 otherwise healthy cats and one in 2,000 otherwise healthy dogs die under anesthesia. That is a low number. A relatively safe...